NYMPHIAAA

“So, are you going to tell me what’s going on with you and Nymphia?” Morphine asked.

It was bound to happen at some point. Jane knew that. She had gotten through most of the day without a single comment about her little heartfelt outburst the night before, but when Morphine had parked their makeup next to Jane’s, she knew her luck had run out.

Luckily, Jane had had the majority of the day to prepare a perfect answer for if—when—she was asked about it. Knowing how nosy her sisters were, it was just a matter of time. And, per usual, she was right.

“It’s just for the cameras,” Jane said, the script spilling off her lips so easily she almost convinced herself. “You know how the fans love this shit. They’ll eat it up.”

“I don’t know…” Morphine pursed their lips. “I’ve seen you do that before. And this is, well, it’s similar. But it’s also different. You’ve been acting different.”

Jane rolled her eyes as cooly as she could. “You need to focus on yourself, Miss No Wins. Stop worrying about me. Not that I can blame you. I’d be obsessed with me, too.” 

She was being defensive. She was being so obvious, and she knew it. But she couldn’t help herself. Throwing up her walls was all she knew. All the preparation in the world couldn’t break the habit.

Morphine laughed, but their face was still soft and fixed on Jane. “I’m not worried. It’s nice to see you like this. You seem…”

“What?” Jane asked, packing eyeshadow onto her eyelid and trying to keep her hand from shaking.

Morphine shrugged. “Happier.”

Jane scoffed. She racked her brain for something, anything, to say in response. But she couldn’t deny it. She was happier, and it was obvious, especially after last night. Nymphia made her happier. Nymphia made her want to be better. It was petrifying and devastating but at the end of the day, still true.

Jane sighed. The words came out before she could stop them. “Well, she hasn’t spoken to me all day. So I wouldn’t get too used to it.”

That was true, too. Nymphia hadn’t so much as shot a glance Jane’s way all day. Jane had positioned herself as far away from Nymphia as possible, avoided her as best she could, so she couldn’t even blame Nymphia for doing the same. But still, Jane’s worst fears had been confirmed. Jane had probably been too obvious, and it had scared Nymphia away, like Jane had scared everyone else she cared about in her life away. Maybe she just wasn’t meant to get close to people. Maybe she just wasn’t meant to have that kind of—

“Are you two talking about me?” Jane jumped as Nymphia appeared over her shoulder, her hands snaking around her waist. Even from the light touch, Jane felt like her entire body had been electrified. 

But even more overwhelming was the fact that Nymphia was there, behind her, touching her. They hadn’t spoken all day, much less looked at each other, and now they were tucked against each other—through Nymphia’s own doing, thank you very much. Nymphia tucked her chin in between Jane’s shoulder and neck, a small smile on her face, and her eyes lasered into Jane’s in the mirror. Jane was frozen, one hand holding a makeup brush suspended in the air and the other hand (she wasn’t even sure how it got there) caressing Nymphia’s, which was folded around her body. The werkroom disappeared, time stopped, and she and Nymphia were floating in a world made for the two of them, where they belonged.

It took all of Jane’s willpower not to collapse ito the ground. But she managed to do what she did best: she slapped on a bitchy smirk and put on her best unaffected air. “I would never talk about you. Wouldn’t even cross my mind,” she quipped, her voice shaking the tiniest amount.

Nymphia pressed her lips together in amusement and pulled herself away from Jane. She winked before walking back to her station. “Keep on pretending, pretty girl.” She said over her shoulder.

Pretty girl.

Morphine’s mouth hung open. Jane thought she could die right there.

—

Nymphia was hugging Jane as if her life depended on it, and Jane never wanted her to let go.

Of course, Jane had given Nymphia her immunity potion. Of course, Nymphia hadn’t actually needed it. Of course, Jane did it anyway.

It was the only thing she could think of to express how much she believed in Nymphia, wanted her to succeed, to show her beauty, talent, and effervescence to the world. Even if it cost Jane her spot on the show and the safety and security of immunity. It didn’t matter. Nymphia was worth it.

“Thank you,” Nymphia said into Jane’s hair. “I know what that meant to you.”

They had just walked off stage, and Nymphia hadn’t been able to contain herself; she had thrown her arms around Jane in the hallway to the lounge, in front of the PAs, all the girls, and even a few cameras. But Jane didn’t care. She wanted to stay like this forever, wrapped in the girl that made her feel like home, that made the world seem brighter, better, and a place she belonged.

“I was so scared you’d never talk to me again,” Jane whispered.

Nymphia pulled slightly away to look into Jane’s eyes. “What? Why would you think that?”

Jane stared at the ceiling, her hands absent-mindedly running up and down Nymphia’s arms, which were draped over Jane’s shoulders. 

“You seemed like you needed space,” Nymphia continued. “I didn’t want to freak you out even more. And I honestly…” She smiled sheepishly. “I didn’t know what to say. You know I’m not the best with my words.”

Jane laughed and looked back at Nymphia tenderly. “I know.”

“But it’s us.” Nymphia smiled. “I knew everything would work out, even if we didn’t say anything.”

Us. Jane felt like her soul had left her body. “I hoped so. I really hoped so. I just couldn’t tell what you were feeling or if it was real… I mean, what I feel about you… I’ve never—”

She was grasping for words, trying to find language to articulate feelings that seemed so insurmountable and unfitting for a mere sentence. But Nymphia saved her from having to explain herself as she pressed her lips against Jane’s. 

Jane froze. It had felt like time had stopped when they touched. And when they finally kissed, it felt like the world stopped. Compared to everyone Jane had been with before, Nymphia was in a whole other universe. 

Jane had dreamed about kissing Nymphia. Dreamed about doing everything with her, from waking up together to taking on the world. But nothing in her fantasies could have prepared her for the real thing, how perfect Nymphia felt, tasted, was. She was more than pretty. She was magnificent. 

Nymphia’s hands found their way to Jane’s face, holding her like she was precious and delicate, someone deserving of the love Nymphia could give. As Jane sank into Nymphia’s touch, she started to believe she actually might be worthy of receiving it.

bestie no you have nothing to apologize for!!!! i am also a student so i completely get it and also creativity takes a lot of time 💅 we are willing to wait as long as it takes for your incoming masterpiece !!! (BTW THANK U THATS SO FLATTERING THAT YOU LIKE MY WRITING ESP AFTER READING THIS SNIPPET HERE)

this literally took my breath away . i’m not even exaggerating your writing flows so naturally and effortlessly that i was stunned into not breathing for a second. the way the part at the beginning perfectly mimics the fast paced energy of a real hockey game??? while still including tons of minuscule details and jane’s inner thought process??? im in LOVE

oh and the summary at the end in parentheses has me on my knees headbanging the ground. “follow nymphia around like a lost puppy and refuse to admit she’s in love” AHHHHHH HHHH HHHHHHHHHHH . HHHHHH LOST PUPPY JANE 😭😭😭😭 SOMEONE SEDATE ME SKWKDANDBNWDHJA