The theater lights were hot, the script heavy in your hands. When you first got cast in the play, you didn’t believe the rumors—Crystal Reed, the Crystal Reed, was playing opposite you. She had the lead role, and you were the co-star.

From the first table read, she carried herself with this quiet confidence. Her laughter filled the rehearsal space, her eyes meeting yours a second too long when you read lines together.

Backstage during rehearsals, the chemistry was undeniable. Every time your characters shared a scene, the director would pause and say, “Good—too good. Keep that energy.”

But offstage, it was even stronger. Crystal would lean close, whispering line changes, her perfume brushing against you. The playful teasing between costume fittings turned into soft smiles, lingering touches when handing over props.

On opening night, the tension reached its peak. As the curtain fell after your final scene together, the audience roaring, she pulled you into the shadows of the backstage curtain, eyes gleaming with adrenaline.

“Tell me you felt that too,” Crystal whispered, her voice soft but certain.