Ashley bit her lip, struggling to hold back laughter. Across the kitchen, Mia was lost in her own little concert, dancing and singing with a soup ladle in hand as she waited for the food to finish cooking. Headphones on, she spun dramatically, only to freeze mid-turn when she opened her eyes and saw Ashley leaning casually against the countertop, a grin tugging at her lips.

"Ah!" Mia yelped, jumping in surprise. Her cheeks flushed as she quickly yanked off her headphones. "How long have you been standing there?" she demanded, crossing her arms in mock anger.

Ashley chuckled, her voice low and teasing. "Long enough to see the whole show."

Mia groaned, hiding her face behind her hands. "You're the worst!" she muttered, peeking through her fingers.

Still grinning, Ashley approached her, holding out an oversized panda plushie. "Here," she said, extending it toward Mia.

Mia blinked at the stuffed toy, then at Ashley, her brow furrowing. "What's this for?" she asked, though she accepted it without hesitation.

Ashley shrugged. "If you can't sleep, hug it. Think of it as me when I'm not around."

Mia raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching as she tried to suppress a smile. "You're treating me like a kid."

"Maybe," Ashley teased, leaning back against the counter with an easy grin. "But you're smiling, so I must be doing something right."

Mia rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help snuggling the plushie. "You're ridiculous," she mumbled, her voice softened by the smile creeping across her face.

Ashley held up a book next, her expression growing more serious. "And this," she said, handing it over, "is for when you're lying awake. Read it instead of relying on those pills."

Mia glanced at the book, then back at Ashley, her forehead creased. "Why are you doing this? Are you going somewhere?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ashley blinked, startled. "What? No," she said, shaking her head with a laugh. "I'm just worried about you. You've been relying on sleeping pills too much. It's not good for you."

Mia pouted, turning back to the stove to shut it off. "You're sure? Because now would be the time to admit if you're about to disappear or something."

Ashley chuckled, stepping closer. "I'm not going anywhere," she reassured her. "I just want to make sure you're okay—even when I'm not around."

Mia tightened her grip on the plushie, her voice muffled as she said, "I've been sleeping just fine since you've been here."

Ashley rolled her eyes with a smirk. "Why do I get the feeling you're trying to get me to stay?" she teased, gently patting Mia on the head.

"Maybe I am!" Mia shot back, spinning around to face her. "You live alone too, so what's the difference?" Her words trailed off, and she buried her face into the panda plushie again. "Besides..."

Ashley sighed, pulling Mia into a tight hug. She rested her chin atop Mia's head, the warmth of her smile evident in her voice. "You're so tiny," she teased softly. "I could probably wrap you up entirely."

"Ugh, you always say that!" Mia groaned, squirming halfheartedly in her arms. "You just like teasing me!"

"Maybe I do," Ashley said with a laugh, pulling her closer instead of letting go.

Mia stilled, her eyes catching on the tribal tattoo snaking along Ashley's shoulder. She reached up, her fingers lightly tracing the design. "What's the story behind this?" she asked curiously.

Ashley glanced down at her shoulder and smiled. "It's part of my culture," she said. "An appreciation for Samoan tradition. My heritage means a lot to me."

"Samoan? From Polynesia?" Mia tilted her head, her interest piqued.

"Yeah," Ashley nodded. "I'm half-American, half-Samoan."

Mia grinned, her eyes lighting up. "Same here! Well, not Samoan, but I'm half-American, half-Vietnamese."

Ashley chuckled, brushing a strand of hair from Mia's face. "No wonder you're so small."

Mia narrowed her eyes. "Excuse me?" she said, hands on her hips. "Racist!"

Ashley held up her hands, laughing. "I didn't mean it like that! I was just saying—"

"Uh-huh," Mia interrupted, glaring playfully. "You're lucky I'm letting you off the hook. But only because you brought me this adorable panda."

"Glad to know where I stand," Ashley teased, leaning down slightly.

"Good," Mia said with a smirk, standing on her tiptoes to lightly tap Ashley's cheek. "Don't forget it."



Mia sat curled up on the couch, hugging her knees under a soft blanket as she tried to focus on the script in her hands. She rubbed her temple, frustrated by her inability to channel the emotions required for her scene. Looking up, her gaze fell on Ashley, who was lounging on the opposite couch, absorbed in her phone.

"Ash," Mia called softly, placing the script on the coffee table. The blanket slipped from her shoulders as she sat up straighter.

Ashley lowered her phone, tilting her head curiously. "Yeah?"

"Can I... practice another line with you?" Mia asked, a sly grin creeping onto her face.

Ashley blinked, her brows furrowing slightly. "What is it this time?" she asked, her voice laced with hesitation.

Mia stood and grabbed the script before plopping down beside Ashley. "Here," she said, flipping through the pages until she found the scene she needed. She pointed at a section and looked at Ashley expectantly.

Ashley leaned in to read, her expression shifting to one of surprise. "W-wait," she stammered, her cheeks tinged pink. "Why does it have to—?"

"It's just acting," Mia interrupted, her puzzled eyes scanning Ashley's face. "What's with the reaction?"

Ashley pointed to the lines, her voice unsteady. "Are you seriously going to do this with your co-star?"

"Well, yeah," Mia said with a casual shrug. "That's the job. Why? Don't think I can pull it off?" Her tone was teasing, daring Ashley to challenge her.

"I..." Ashley paused, her eyes flickering to the script again. "But—"

"Oh, I get it," Mia said, her grin widening. "The detective's jealous, huh?"

"What? I am not!" Ashley snapped, her face flushing a deeper red. "I mean..."

"If you're not, then why the reaction?" Mia asked, laughing softly.

Ashley rolled her eyes, crossing her arms. "Just do your practice," she muttered, trying to appear unaffected.

Mia stood up and extended a hand toward Ashley. "Come on. I need to practice the blocking too."

Ashley scoffed but took Mia's hand, letting herself be pulled to her feet. "Fine," she grumbled, following Mia to an open space in the room.

"Stand here," Mia instructed, adjusting Ashley's position. "No, a little to the left—yes, there. Perfect."

Ashley watched as Mia flipped through her script. "Can you read this line for me?" Mia asked, tilting the script toward her.

Ashley leaned in, her eyes scanning the text. "You don't want me to act it out, right? Just read it?"

"Exactly. No emotions—just the words," Mia said, giving Ashley a quick pat on the head with a playful smile.

Ashley smirked, but her eyes softened as she watched Mia mentally prepare herself. Mia gave her cheeks a light slap and drew in a deep breath, focusing intently on the scene.

Mia stepped closer, lifting her hand to gently cup Ashley's cheek. "I'm sorry it had to end this way," she said, her voice trembling as her eyes locked onto Ashley's golden-brown gaze. She shook her head, exhaling heavily. "You know we're stuck in a situation no one—absolutely no one—can escape."

Ashley's lips parted as she stared back, unconsciously biting her lower lip. Her hands fidgeted at her sides. "I miss your amazing eyes," she said, reading her line stiffly. "I... so—"

Her voice faltered as Mia leaned in, pressing her lips softly but firmly against Ashley's.

This is just acting, Ash! Get a grip! Ashley's mind screamed, but her body betrayed her, frozen in the moment. When Mia finally pulled back, her cheeks were flushed, her breathing uneven.

"I lied," Mia murmured, her thumb brushing gently across Ashley's cheek. "I still love you." She leaned in again, her lips grazing Ashley's with delicate conviction.

Ashley gulped hard, her thoughts a chaotic mess. Mia's performance was flawless—so flawless that Ashley couldn't tell where the acting stopped and the truth began.

Mia pulled back abruptly, her eyes wide as if realizing what she'd done. She swallowed, her voice shaky. "So? Did I deliver it—?"

Before she could finish, Ashley grabbed her wrist and pulled her close, capturing Mia's lips in a kiss that was anything but scripted.

Mia gasped in surprise, the script slipping from her hands and fluttering to the floor. She melted into the kiss, her arms winding around Ashley's neck as she tiptoed to meet her height. Ashley's hand slid around Mia's waist, holding her close, grounding her in a moment that felt far too real to be part of the rehearsal.