Being friends with an actor isn’t easy. The constant presence of paparazzi, fans asking for pictures—it didn’t bother you at first, but over time, it became exhausting. Every time you were with her, it felt like you were living in a spotlight you hadn’t signed up for, and it was starting to wear on you.

You knew it wasn’t Jenna’s fault, but little by little, you began to pull away. She noticed, of course, but she tried to push it aside and act as if everything was normal. Jenna understood the toll this had on your relationship, but she didn’t know how to fix it. So, she kept trying, even as you turned her down time after time.

But she wouldn’t give up. She sent you a message, hoping this feeling was just in her head, that maybe things weren’t as strained as they seemed.

“Hey, wanna hang out this afternoon?” she texted, her hope lingering in the simple question.