𝓣𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓮𝓬𝓻𝓮𝓽 𝓸𝓯 𝓾𝓼
ᴰʳᵃᵐᵃ ᴰʳᵃᵐᵃ ᴰʳᵃᵐᵃ

Aurelie sat cross-legged on Leah's bed in her trailer, her legs tucked under her as she flipped through a pack of sour candies.

Leah was sprawled out beside her, scrolling aimlessly through her phone.

The two had wrapped filming for the day, and with nothing else to do, they decided it was time for some well-deserved venting.

"So," Leah started, tossing her phone onto the bed. "You've gotta fill me in. What's going on with you and Walker? Don't think I haven't noticed those looks you two keep giving each other."

Aurelie groaned, grabbing a pillow and burying her face in it. "Why does everyone keep asking me about him?"

"Because it's obvious!" Leah said, laughing as she reached over to snatch the pillow from Aurelie's grip. "Spill. Are we talking friendly ex vibes, or is there something else going on?"

Aurelie sighed, fiddling with the edge of the candy wrapper. "I don't know. It's... complicated. We're in a good place right now, and I don't want to mess that up. But yeah, sometimes it feels like there's still something there."

Leah smirked, popping a sour candy into her mouth. "You're falling for him again."

"I am" Aurelie admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But enough about me. What about you? Any crushes I should know about?"

Leah laughed, sitting up straighter. "Please. My love life is the most boring thing ever. Unless you count Aryan flirting with literally everyone as my entertainment."

"Oh my God," Aurelie said, laughing. "He's relentless. The other day he tried to serenade me during lunch. I almost choked on my sandwich."

"Classic Aryan," Leah said, rolling her eyes. "But you know what's not entertaining? Tamara and Dior."

Aurelie sighed, leaning back against the headboard. "Don't even get me started. What is their problem?"

"I don't know," Leah said, her tone exasperated. "But they've been making everything so dramatic. Tamara's constantly whispering to Dior about people, and I know they were talking about me during the last scene. I could feel it."

Aurelie frowned. "What did they say?"

Leah shrugged. "I didn't catch all of it, but it was something about how I'm too 'bossy' or 'uptight.' Like, excuse me for trying to make sure my scenes are good!"

"They're just jealous," Aurelie said firmly. "You're one of the leads, and you actually care about the show. They're probably just trying to stir up drama for attention."

Leah sighed, crossing her arms. "It's so frustrating, though. I don't even know what their deal is with me. I've never been anything but nice to them."

"Some people just thrive on drama," Aurelie said, shaking her head. "I never hated Dior, you know. I just never trusted her."

Leah raised an eyebrow. "Really? I always thought you two didn't get along."

Aurelie shrugged. "We were civil, but there was always this... vibe. Like she's always playing some kind of game. And now with Tamara, it's like they're feeding off each other."

"Exactly," Leah said, her voice laced with frustration. "And Tamara—ugh. She's so talented, but she's so fake sometimes. She'll be sweet to your face and then trash-talk you the second you're gone."

"Sounds about right," Aurelie said, rolling her eyes. "I mean, I get that not everyone on a set is going to be best friends, but can't we at least be professional?"

Leah nodded, reaching for another candy. "Right? It's not high school. We're here to film and have fun "

"Exactly," Aurelie said. "And if they want to waste their energy on petty drama, that's on them. But you're killing it, Leah. Don't let them get to you."

Leah smiled, her expression softening. "Thanks, Auri. I needed that."

"Anytime," Aurelie said, tossing a candy at her. "Now, let's get back to the important stuff—like Aryan's terrible flirting. Did you hear what he said to Charlie yesterday?"

Leah burst out laughing, and just like that, the tension lifted. They spent the next hour trading stories and laughing until their sides hurt, letting the day's frustrations melt away.

— THE SECRET OF US —