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It’s been six weeks since Gem had entered the Big Brother House. She’s one of the twelve celebrities who chose to sign up for the Celebrity Edition of this well-known show, some of which were, Lizzie, a well-known streamer, Joel, a Formula One Racer, Jimmy, a member of a boyband, and Scar, a fitness influencer.
Being the vocalist and the bassist of a famous band, Gem and the Scotts, Gem is not in it for the money, nor the fame. She’s just here because she’s bored, boredom that comes from the monotony of being a musician, especially for the last two years.
“For the past four years, I’ve been in a cycle of writing music, doing promotions, performing on concerts, again and again. Being a musician has been a dream of mine since I was a kid. I imagined all the fame glory that comes with it, and yet once I got all of it, it didn’t really make me feel something. I just started living more comfortably with all my expenses being taken care of with the money, and yet it didn’t feel like I’m living in the moment. I lost the drive to be proactive which is why I signed up here. Maybe this show would help me rediscover something that I will be passionate about.” She once said in the first confessional.
She did stay true to her words. In her six weeks of being there, she consistently ranks within top three with all of their challenges. That’s what she’s been missing, the sheer adrenaline rush that she feels in competing for the top spot. It was her competitiveness which helped her gain her confidence and fire to become an active member of the house. She gained this reputation of being an untouchable competitive houseguest both within the house and to the viewers as well. All of that seem to change upon the arrival of a new houseguest.
“I can’t believe, we’re having a new houseguest. It just feels weird to me since both Cleo and Martyn have been evicted.” Lizzie comments.
“I wonder why they’re late though. It’s unusual for Big Brother to add a new houseguest when the eviction has been carried out. Would’ve been less messy if they joined at the same time with us.” Gem replied.
Suddenly the main door swung open, and lo and behold, a tall woman dragging a luggage had entered the room.
“What the fuck?” That’s all the words that Gem could say.
It was Pearl Moon, a famous actress who went off the grid for the past year. Nobody knows why she disappeared, and nobody knows why she appeared again.
All the houseguests soon went towards her and greeted her with enthusiasm. Meanwhile, Gem awkwardly, came up to her and gave her a smile, to which Pearl returned shyly. While the other housemates chat excitedly to her, Gem slowly backs away and sat at a sofa in the corner, awkwardly looking at Pearl, and then avoiding her gaze when Pearl looks at her.
After all the excitement of the new houseguest went down, everyone slowly returns to what they’re doing. Lizzie and Joel went cooking, Jimmy started cleaning, while Scar went back exercising. With her closest friends being busy, Gem sat on the sofa alone, recollecting herself after Pearl’s sudden arrival. Gem who is known for being competitive and active, somehow became shy and awkward.
Speaking of the devil, Pearl shyly approached Gem.
“Gem is it alright, if I can sit here?”
“Sure.” Gem nodded and moved a bit to give space for Pearl.
“Sorry, you’re the only that I really know of. Most of them are just familiar faces, but they’re just that. Faces. You, however….” There was a long pause. “Yeah, you’re you.”
“Can’t find a word to describe me? Can’t believe my taping friend does not know me at all.” Gem attempted to tease her to lessen this awkward tension between them.
“Taping friend really? I’m just a friend you made during work?”
“Pearl, are we even friends before?”
“Aren’t we? I thought we were close.”
“Then why didn’t you met with me after shooting?”
“I’ve been busy Gem. I’ve got projects left and right.”
“You could’ve sent me a chat. Well, you did, but I just-… I don’t know. I didn’t even know why you disappeared just like that.”
“We could always reconnect again, Gem.”
“We don’t need to, I think it would be more beneficial if you made new friends here, especially that you’ve just entered the house. Good luck, Pearl. I’m sure you would love to compete against me.” Gem left before Pearl got to respond. She made her way to the sleeping quarters, then laid there in silence. And I thought my feelings were gone.
The next day, Gem was called to confession room. She was taken aback a bit when she saw Pearl coming out of the confession room. She sat there confused on why she’s being called.
“I’ve heard you used to work with Pearl.” A deep voice coming from the speakers spoke. It was Big Brother’s.
“That was a long time ago though, maybe three years. We used to be under the same management, and she’s an upcoming actress about to make a debut. The management decided that it would be nice to feature her in one of our music videos.” Gem recounted the first time she met Pearl in awe.
It wasn’t romantic or awe-spiring at all. They were in a board meeting room, where the creative director introduced the concept for the album. Three music videos were planned in total and the whole plot revolves about a high school girl trying to search for the meaning of life then eventually falling in love. That girl has been decided to be Pearl while Gem acts as the love interest.
“Hello, I’m Pearl. Pearl Moon.” The tall and beautiful girl reached out to her. Gem can’t help but feel starstruck, dumbstruck, lovestruck, and all kinds of struck. In fact, her heart was struck by Cupid’s little arrow, straight to the very center.
“Gem. Gemini Taylor.”
They were awkward the first time Pearl starred in Gem and The Scotts’ music video of the song “Orange Skies”. The whole ordeal was to test the waters of Pearl’s star factor by letting the whole video revolves towards her and her quest for fulfillment, and it worked in their favor. The music video ended up receiving multiple praises due to the bands’ catchy romantic song and because of Pearl’s acting.
Pearl then starred for two more of their videos, and it is where she acted alongside Gem as her love interest. While Gem isn’t an actor, she proven herself to be competent in acting through their previous music videos. A few days before their shoot they both decided to hang out to develop their chemistry with each other.
“So, what’s your favorite roof paint?” Pearl asked her.
“Excuse me?”
Despite the initial awkwardness, they talked the whole day until they’ve ran out of topics. Their first scene together was surprisingly easy and their chemistry did not go unnoticed. The music video for the song, “Blue” was centered on Pearl meeting Gem who somehow became her rival in academics. This caused Pearl to find her spark back and bring back her competitiveness and confidence in competing against Gem. It ignited her so much so that she became excited in seeing Gem.
The music video even performed better than the first one since everyone enjoyed the chemistry between the two, loved the song, and on top of it all, the music video is sapphic. It wasn’t the general audience that were captivated by that song. Gem somehow found herself staying up all night chatting with Pearl.
Two weeks later, they’ve filmed another music video for the song “Yellow”. Just like Pearl’s character, Gem became so excited to see her. The meeting time is not until 8 AM, but Gem dragged both of her bandmates, Scott and Impulse, to be there ASAP. They’ve arrived at 7 AM, and most of the crew are not there yet.
“Calm down your ass, and wait for our stylist to arrive.” Scott sighed frustratingly seeing Gem rushed back and forth, checking if everything in the set is in place.
“Yeah, Gem, no need to panic, you’re here to act, not to manage the crew.” Impulse replied.
“I don’t think she’s acting, Impulse. I know a lovestruck Gem when I see one. She barely even gotten any sleep last night because she worked all night writing love songs.”
“Can you guys shut up and help me unload these boxes.” Gem asked while carrying at least three boxes of camera equipment.
Impulse looked at Scott in disbelief, and Scott just shrugged it off.
The moment Pearl had arrived, Gem’s eyes lit up.
“You look good.” Pearl was taken aback by Gem’s bluntness.
“Thanks… you too.” She replied, shyly.
The music video was about Pearl being in denial about her feelings towards Gem. There were scenes of them bantering and scenes were they both felt giddy with each other. Towards the end, it was shown that Gem became valedictorian while Pearl was the salutatorian. After the graduation, Gem’s character suddenly gave Pearl a bouquet of sunflowers.
“I really, really, really, really, really, reeaally, care about you.” Gem said, both in character, and in real life.
Pearl took the sunflowers acted shocked and is still processing her thoughts. She gave it a sniff and then pulled Gem for a hug. Gem’s cheeks immediately went red, and it was immediately captured by the camera.
“See I told you, she’s not acting.” Scott whispered to Impulse.
“Look at my baby, she’s all grown up.” Impulse almost cried.
Gem and Pearl attempted to keep in touch for the following weeks as Gem and The Scotts, promoted theirs new album. Oftentimes, Gem was asked in their interviews about her chemistry with Pearl, who still hasn’t made her acting debut yet.
“Her name’s Pearl and she’s an actress from our company. For the fans who wanted to see more of her, you can check out the upcoming movie, Double Life, where she will be playing as a supporting character.” She attempted to compose herself, in order to avoid spilling more about crush on Pearl.
Pearl rose to stardom when the movie came out due to her good acting skills being a scene stealer. Eventually this landed her first lead role just a few months after debuting. This however, means that she and Gem won’t get to spend more time together. Gem eventually became busy as well in preparing their new album. All the songs have been finished recording, and they are now discussing for the promotional plans.
One day, Impulse found Gem crying in front of the television.
“What are you watch- wait, are you crying?” Impulse asked.
“No, I’m not.” She said as she sniffed through tears.
“Let me guess, Pearl kissed someone, and it wasn’t you.” Scott chimed in.
“It should have been me.” Gem sniffed. “I should have asked the director to add a kissing scene in our last music video.”
“Your fault for having a crush on an actress.”
Later that day, they went on a meeting to discuss the promotions for their next album.
“You guys are all hopeless romantics.” Their manager, Skizz, opened up before the meeting.
“Don’t include us, it’s only Gem who writes the songs.” Scott replied.
“Anyways, the creative people thought that it would be nice to have a small four-episode mini-series about cutesy lovey-dovey things for promotion.”
Gem’s ears perked up. Mini-series. Would be nice to see her again.
“It’ll be you and Pearl again.” Gem’s eyes widened.
“I thought she’s busy.”
“Well not anymore, her previous commitment was cancelled due to a scandal of one of her co-stars. Netflix does not want to risk it.”
That afternoon, Pearl arrived for the meeting and Gem’s whole demeanor change in the next following weeks. She and Pearl began chatting and hanging out again days leading up to their first day of filming. The 10-minute, 4-episode mini series centers on the college life of Gem and Pearl’s characters as they navigate with their feelings while both being scared of a commitment, thus causing a situationship between them, that they will eventually resolve.
The plot felt so real for Gem that she began helping with the script and write her own lines. When she told Pearl about this, Pearl also excitedly helps with the script by also writing her lines. The pair began calling each other every night, saying their lines to each other, and rewriting it along the way.
“Gem, what are we?”
Gem was taken aback with Pearl’s question. What are we? Are we even friends? Or just workmates who hangs out a lot?
“Taping friends, Pearl. We’re taping friends.”
“What?” Pearl was confused. “Oh, you’re talking about us. I was in-character.”
“I’m so sorry. I guess this is what happens when our characters are named after ourselves.”
“Right, but don’t worry, I consider you as a taping friend too.”
When will you consider me as more than a friend?
Taping day came and the rest was history. Gem and Pearl became inseparable on set. Their chemistry and acting skills enabled them to film more efficiently, even finishing the whole series in under a week. There were no kissing scenes though just emotional hugs, much to Gem’s dismay, again. She once brought it up to the scriptwriter, but eventually got embarrassed when she realized Pearl was listening.
“You want to kiss me?” Pearl asked in disbelief.
“Don’t act all smug. I don’t want to kiss you, I just felt it needed a climax plot wise.”
“Sure, but if you do want to kiss me, feel free to do so. I’m an actress, I can be professional about it.”
I hate this woman.
When it was released, it soon became one of the highest viewing series, despite it being a mini-series. Gem and the Scotts’ album went double platinum in all streaming services. People throughout the country played their songs, from the radio, the television, to clothing stores, and even groceries. Both parties rose to levels of stardom that were never reached before.
Destiny, though, being a sadistic trickster, have led both of them to missed opportunities. Despite both of the wanting to meet up, their schedules just did not line up, especially with Pearl starring on an internationally known series while Gem went on a concert tour.
Gem had attempted to contact her at least once a week, but Pearl rarely responds.
“Hey Pearl, I’m free tomorrow, wanna meet up?”
“Pearl, we’ll be performing in Italy, next month. I heard you’re taping there, wanna go?”
“Can we meet up? I’ve got bundles of sunflowers here, grown from a packet of sunflower seeds a fan gave.”
Whenever she did though, it only lasts up to an hour. Eventually, Gem grew tired of being the only one to reach out, and she just stopped chatting her first. Noticing her absence, Pearl sent her a few chats.
“Just finished shooting my last scene. I’m going on a break for the following months. Maybe you wanna meet up soon?”
“Gem?”
“Hi?”
“I really want to say something important, in person.”
Gem stared at Pearl’s chats. Oh, so now she wants to meet up. Frustrated, Gem turned her phone silent, then went to sleep. Pearl messaged her a few times the next day, to which Gem also didn’t respond. Seeing that Gem wouldn’t respond, Pearl quietly resigned to her fate.
A few weeks later, Pearl suddenly went off the grid, leaving the entertainment industry altogether.
Everything changed when suddenly Pearl is inside Big Brother’s house.
“So, Gem, how do you feel about Pearl being here.” Big Brother asked again through the speakers.
“It feels weird. She’s the least person I expected to be here, especially after disappearing for a year.” Although a part of me somehow at least hopes a miracle that she will just magically appear her. “I wanted to ask a lot of questions to her. But nonetheless, I’m happy to see her here.” Gem took a deep breath before continuing.
“Honestly I don’t know if I even deserved closure. I mean we worked together, but then again, we just worked together. Maybe I don’t really get it because I’m a musician, not an actress, and she’s just being professional about it. It’s confusing because we did become close on set, just on set. We never hung out after that because of schedules. I would love to reconcile with her again, but it will be difficult especially because I-.” Gem hesitated. It’s not like the whole country is watching, right? Fuck it.
“I really, really, really, really, really, reeaally, cared about her two years ago. It took me two years to finally acknowledge it and eventually move on, but guess, she’s here again. I just hope that we could be friends for real this time, not just taping friends.”
As soon as Gem walked out, Lizzie immediately went to her.
“What did he ask? Was it about Pearl? You did a series together, right?”
“Yeah.”
“I remember watching it on stream. You both have chemistry together, and both of your acting are so good. Wait are you crying?”
“Nope.” Gem said through her tears, as she heads towards their bedroom. Lizzie followed her suit and locked the door so that others, especially Pearl could not hear.
“You can talk to me, Gem.”
“It’s just nothing. I- maybe I’m just overwhelmed now that she’s back. I don’t know how to feel. I really cared about her that time, and I hoped she felt the same, but maybe, she doesn’t. If she did, she could’ve told me before she disappeared. Yeah, maybe she doesn’t feel the same. I did feel a tension though, I don’t know. I could have been just delusional for all I know.” She paused to wipe her tears.
“I just felt that there was something, but I don’t think I can muster the courage to admit it to her. I just hoped that if she felt the same, she could’ve said it before leaving. But no, nothing but unresolved tension. It kept haunting me, though. Our latest single, Ghost, was about her. What I felt towards her and the possibilities that she could’ve felt towards me, kept haunting me.”
“Do you want a hug?”
Gem just melted onto Lizzie’s arms.
Gem and Pearl continued with their awkward eye contacts for the rest of the week. They did exchange a few words to each other, knowing that everyone, not just the houseguests, but the whole nation is watching them. Everyone is watching them awkwardly attempt to greet each other, while not looking into each other’s eyes. Throughout that time, Pearl was finally able to make friends with the remaining houseguests. She eventually got to be comfortable with everyone and vice versa. Everyone, except one, and it was Pearl’s mission to resolve it.
“Can we talk?”
“Is this a secret task?” Gem asked when Pearl sat beside her.
“Look, Gem, I just want you to be comfortable with me, again.”
“I’m not sure, Pearl. I wanted to, but I want answers.”
“About my disappearance? Why I came back? And why I want here?”
“Yeah, and more.”
“What’s the other question?”
“Just, nothing. You can answer the three first.”
“I just got overwhelmed one day, and wanted to ran away. Maybe the celebrity life wasn’t for me, I just want to rest for a bit, so I ended up enlisting into an acting school in Australia. I could go away from the spotlight for a while, but still do something that I’m passionate about.”
“You could’ve told me about it.”
“I wanted to meet you the week before I went, but you weren’t responding. I just assumed you have no interest in seeing me again.”
“I can’t blame you that. I intentionally did not reply to you since I don’t know… I didn’t know that that could’ve been the last time I will see you. For the past two years, I’ve regretted not replying to you.”
“I admit, it did bother me for a while, but I did eventually realize that it was my fault for not being able to reply to you soon enough, to strike a conversation with you, or to meet up with you. I do want to hang out with you that time, it’s just that I just want to rest both my body and mind in between taping schedules. I just… I guess I grew tired of being with people.”
A minute of silence passed by between them. Neither of them wanted to break it, both are afraid of speaking or maybe just moving. It was silence, yet oddly comforting.
“Pearl, I…” Gem was the first one to break it. “Never mind.”
“Now, you’re making me curious.”
“It’s just nothing. I guess, I just want to say sorry for putting pressure on you, even if you don’t know about it.”
“I didn’t feel that pressure.”
Gem just sighed. Maybe it was just one-sided after all.
“I don’t know why I did it or why I felt it in the first place, but I got disappointed when I felt that you’re not replying to me enough to my standards. It’s my fault for putting you on a standard that you don’t even know of. I don’t know, I just want you to reply to me, Pearl.”
“I’m sorry, I promised to be close to you, but I-“
“Don’t be sorry. I just assumed too much, and got frustrated when the assumptions weren’t met.” She took a deep breath before continuing. I said too much, haven’t I? “Ignored what I’ve said. I’m just happy you’re back and it will give us a chance to I don’t know, resolve this?” She would eventually find out by the time we’re out of this goddamn house. “I’m just happy that we can talk again. I really thought that I’m not gonna see you again.”
“I’ve always plan to come back, Gem. I love being in films and series. I also can’t deny that I love getting paid.” She awkwardly laughed. “But even if I didn’t want to comeback in this industry, I would’ve still reached out to you, if I was given an opportunity.”
Gem breath a sigh of relief. At least she still wants to talk to me. I do not expect her to reciprocate my feelings for her, but I guess this is fine to me. It’s nice to know that two years ago wasn’t the end of it all. I just hoped it continues being on this way even if she saw what I’ve said in the confession room in the near future.
“Thanks, Pearl. That’s the reassurance I need to here.”
“I’m glad to have you back Gem.” You never lose me because you never had me to begin with.
“You still haven’t mentioned why you specifically chose to have your first appearance on Big Brother or why entered so late.”
“Oh, it really wasn’t a big deal. I mentioned a couple of times to my manager about wanting to be back, but on a smaller scale, so the management did inform me about this and I signed up. Big Brother was the perfect opportunity since it both allowed me to be aware that there are cameras filming me, while constantly providing an illusion that there are less people who I can interact with so that I do not feel overwhelmed. I was supposed to join you in the first day, but I got delayed due to problems with my passport.”
“That’s it? I expected something grander like you went abroad because you inherited an estate, and then you went back because you hated it there and you want to act. I can’t think of any reason of why Big Brother specifically.” Gem hesitates before continuing. “Maybe you just want to see me first.” Nevermind. That was a shitty attempt at flirting.
“Actually, that was part of my consideration.” What the fuck? “The management did inform me that you signed, so I said, why not?”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I’m not. I do want to see you and I also want a small-scale exposure. It’s like hitting two birds with a one stone.”
“Yeah, sure.”
“You don’t sound convinced enough. What do you want me to-“
Their long conversation was suddenly interrupted by the announcement of a new task.
It’s been three months since then, and both Pearl and Gem slowly started to become comfortable with each other again. It didn’t take a while for them to at least show a bit of skinship with each other. They started on leaning on each, to holding each other’s hands, and hugging each other. Just enough for Gem to feel giddy, but not too much, to the point of making it obvious. They did also lean into each other figuratively. When Pearl lost on a game that determines their weekly budget, Gem was the first one to comfort her. When Gem got nominated, Pearl became the first one to speak up for her. They’ve become each other’s constants in the house of uncertainty.
When they’re not busy comforting each other, they were on each other’s throats. Pearl is surprisingly competitive on the games and task challenges. They weren’t in fact acting at all when they filmed that academic rivals-themed music video. Now, they’re both competing for the top spot during the weekly challenges. They do bring out the best of each other.
And then the finale came.
“… And the Big Winner for this edition is… Gemini Taylor!” True to their music video, Gem ended up in the first place, while Pearl ended up in the second place. The first thing they did when the program ends was to ran towards each other and hugged so tightly, burying each other’s faces on the other’s neck.
The cast and crew then had a short afterparty after the finale, allowing with the houseguests’ family members and major sponsors. With this, being Pearl’s first major appearance after disappearing for two years, she became the talk of the crowd, despite Gem becoming the Big Winner of this season. Nevertheless, Gem was happy to see Pearl becoming comfortable with interacting with a large group of people.
On the ride home, Gem received a notification from her freshy obtained phone. It was Pearl’s.
“The offer’s still up by the way.” After two fucking years.
“Sure, if you don’t consider me as a taping friend anymore.”
“Definitely, not after all the shitty things we’ve been through inside the house.”
“So, we’re friends?”
“Maybe something more.” Please react positively, please, please.
“Besties?” Gem gave herself a facepalm.
“Sure.”
“Really?”
“Yeah?”
“That’s great. By the way, I saw this on TikTok.” Pearl sent her a link to which Gem had opened.
“I really, really, really, really, really, reeaally, cared about her two years ago.”
Shit.
Gem spent the next hour scrolling through TikTok and watching all the edits of her and Pearl. Too many edits. Probably the most popular ship on this season of Big Brother. Even more popular than Lizzie and Joel who were actual couples. She eventually came across a video of Pearl in the confession room, just before she went there.
“What do I think about meeting Gem, again? I’m very excited to see her. I’ve actually been looking forward to talk to her again after I left. I do miss her, very much. But, I’m not sure how she is taking my return. We did stop talking after the taping, and I’m afraid that she took it the wrong way. Maybe it is also my fault that I made her think that way since I did not reply enough, and I understand it. I can’t blame myself either for wanting to take a break from everything.” Pearl paused before continuing.
“I hope she will understand me as well, and I hope that the awkwardness between us will soon fade away. And maybe after this, we won’t just become taping friends anymore. Maybe a real friend or a best friend. I will be lying if I said that I didn’t wish for us to become more than friends, two years ago. More than best friends. Maybe it’s too late. Or maybe it was never meant to be, to begin with.”
Gem closed her phone and threw it on her bed due to her annoyance. Frustrated, she turned around and buried her face in her pillow. I hate her so much. Fuck you, Pearl.
Suddenly her phone rang. It was a call from Pearl. She hesitantly answered learning from her lesson of not responding back at Pearl.
“Hi?” Pearl awkwardly asked.
“Hey?”
“You left me on read again. I’m just a bit paranoid that you won’t talk to me again.”
“No, I just- TikTok got my attention for an hour.”
“So, you’ve seen what I sent you?” I hate you.
“Yeah, what about it?” Gem tried playing it cool.
“Huh?” Pearl asked confused about Gem’s reaction. “Anyway, the offer is still up, are you free to meet up soon?”
“Sure, I’m available tomorrow. Are you?”
“Yeah, around 9 AM are you okay with that?”
“Yep?”
“Cool.”
Silence then passed between them. They both don’t know what to say next.
“Do you have anything more to say? If not, them I’m gonna drop this-“
“Hey Gem…”
“Yes?”
“I just want to say that I really, really, really, really, really, reeaally, cared about you two years ago, and until now.”
Gem ended the call immediately almost threw her phone in excitement. She then buried her face again in pillow, preventing herself to squeal in the middle of the night.
The next day came and Gem wore her favorite green sundress. She excitedly braided her orange hair, and then a yellow ribbon on it. They soon met up at the café where they first decided to hang out with each other.
“I thought you don’t want to meet up after hanging up on me.” Pearl joked.
“Sorry, force of habit.”
Nervously and shyly, they held each other’s hands and sat at the same table on their first meet up. The only difference is they sat beside each other, not in front of each other. Customers shot a few glances at them, but neither really cared.
“Gem I-.” Pearl took a deep breath before continuing. “I really, really, really, really, really, reeaally, like you.”
Gem immediately cupped both of Pearl’s cheeks and pulled her towards herself, crashing their soft lips onto each other’s. Pearl responded by moving Gem’s head towards her, deepening their kiss in the process. Two years’ worth of repressed feelings finally let out in one single kiss.
“I finally got to kiss you.”