Lydia dreaded the early morning more than she had anticipated. The previous day's media frenzy had left her restless, and now, as sunlight filtered through her small apartment, she felt the weight of anxiety settle on her chest. Despite Kendra's call late last night reassuring her that everything would be fine, Lydia couldn't shake off the looming tension. She feared the last week of filming might not go well. The news had put a spotlight on her, and the thought of facing the stares and whispers made her stomach churn.
When she arrived at the set, Kendra was already waiting for her by the entrance, looping her arm through Lydia's and offering a bright smile.
"Hey, chin up," Kendra said, her voice light but supportive. "We've got a movie to finish. People get bored fast. By next week, this will be old news."
Lydia managed a small smile, grateful for Kendra's efforts to make everything seem as normal as possible.
Kendra didn't ask for details about her and George, although she had always found it curious how George, who barely spoke to anyone, was unusually friendly toward Lydia. But Kendra had assumed it was just a casual crush developed on set and respected Lydia's silence on the matter.
As they walked together, Lydia could feel the shift in the atmosphere. Conversations paused mid-sentence, eyes lingered on her longer than necessary, and the whispers, though hushed, were audible. The director, trying to maintain professionalism, clapped his hands and called everyone to focus, but even his authoritative tone couldn't mask the curiosity of his crew.
Now that it was clear they knew each other, George didn't avoid her like before. He walked over to Lydia during a short break, his expression calm but his eyes reflecting concern.
"Hey," he greeted softly, offering a small smile.
"Hey," Lydia replied, glancing around at the curious eyes fixed on them.
"I just wanted to say... I'm going to sort this out," George said, his tone firm but soft. "Don't let them get in your head. I'll handle it."
Lydia appreciated his words, though she wasn't sure how much anyone could do once the media latched onto a story. Still, his presence, his reassurance, it made her feel less alone.
As George walked away, Leo approached, his curiosity barely masked by his usual charm.
"So, you and George, huh?" Leo said, grinning as he fell into step beside her and Kendra.
Lydia sighed, but there was no malice in Leo's tone. He had been patient, never prying too much.
"It's a long story, Leo," Lydia said, offering a small smile.
"Well, maybe you can share it over dinner tonight," Leo teased.
Despite the heaviness of the day, Lydia couldn't help but smile. Over the past week, Leo had become more like a brother than a persistent admirer. They had formed a comfortable trio, spending breaks together, telling jokes, and creating a safe bubble amidst the chaos of the set.
Leo's crush had mellowed into something gentler, more protective. Lydia had grown fond of him, not in a romantic way, but as a friend who knew how to lighten the mood and pull her out of her head when things got overwhelming.
Kendra grinned, nudging Lydia playfully. "Dinner sounds good. You can finally spill the beans."
Lydia laughed. "Maybe."
The rest of the day passed in a blur of filming. The tension remained, but Lydia found strength in her little support circle. George kept his distance but was never too far, Kendra was her anchor, and Leo provided the much needed comic relief.
By the time the sun began to set, Lydia realized that despite the whispers, the stares, and the gossip, she was still standing. And maybe, just maybe, the last week of filming wouldn't be as unbearable as she had feared.
But she knew the real test was yet to come.
Because eventually, the truth about her and George would have to surface.