Page 44 of Staging Love
"No... "Jade chuckled. “I just wanted to give you options. I wasn't sure if you'd be comfortable..."
Camilla stepped closer, placing a hand on Jade's waist. "I wouldn't dream of sleeping anywhere else," she murmured. "I'd rather sleep on top of you than apart."
Jade grinned. "Well, when you put it that way..." She turned the knob and pushed open the door. "Welcome to my teenage lair."
Camilla stepped inside, taking in every detail of the room. The space was small but cozy, with slanted ceilings and a dormer window that looked out over the snowy fields. A twin bed was pushed against one wall, coveredin a patchwork quilt that looked handmade. Fairy lights were strung along the ceiling, along with black feather boas.
What struck Camilla most was how the room seemed frozen in time, a perfect snapshot of Jade's teenage years. Posters covered nearly every inch of wall space - a mix of Broadway shows, indie bands, and classic movies. A bookshelf overflowed with well-worn paperbacks, their spines cracked and pages yellowed. On the desk, a collection of drama awards and ribbons stood proudly next to framed photos of a younger Jade with friends, all big smiles and dramatic poses.
"Oh wow," Camilla breathed. "This is..."
"Embarrassing?" Jade offered, closing the door behind them.
"No," Camilla said softly. "It's so cute."
"Yeah? Every time I’m back here it feels a bit like stepping into a time machine. Mom hasn't changed a thing since I left for college."
Camilla moved to the bookshelf, running her fingers along the spines of the books. "Shakespeare, Chekhov, Williams...quite the collection you've got here."
"What can I say? I was a theater nerd through and through," Jade laughed, sitting on the edge of the bed.
Camilla's eyes were drawn to a poster above the desk. "Liv Tyler?" she asked, a teasing lilt in her voice. "Should I be jealous?"
Jade laughed, flopping back on the bed. "Oh God, I might as well come out and admit it. Yes, I had a huge crush on Liv Tyler."
Camilla laughed. “That is the sweetest thing ever. You are officially totally adorable.” She moved to sit beside Jade on the bed. "Well, I can't fault your taste. Though I have tosay, I prefer blondes myself," she said, tucking a strand of hair behind Jade's ear.
Jade bit her lip. "Is that so? Any blondes in particular?"
"Oh, you know, just this one actress I met recently," Camilla said casually. "Brilliant on stage, makes a mean lasagna, has the most beautiful blue eyes I've ever seen..."
"She sounds pretty great."
"She is," Camilla murmured, leaning in to press a soft kiss to Jade's lips. This was all so new - being here, in the most personal space of someone she cared for deeply. She'd dated before, of course, but those relationships had always been kept at arm's length. She'd never allowed herself to get close enough to see childhood bedrooms or meet parents.
"This is nice," she said, almost to herself.
Jade tilted her head. "What is?"
Camilla gestured around the room. "This. Being here. Seeing where you grew up, meeting your family. It's...I've never done this before."
"Really?" Jade asked, surprised. "Never?"
Camilla shook her head. "No. I always made sure things never got this personal. I kept people at a distance. It was easier that way."
Jade took Camilla's hand, intertwining their fingers. "And now?"
"Now," Camilla said, meeting Jade's gaze, "I can't imagine being anywhere else. It's strange and wonderful and a little terrifying, if I'm honest. But I love it. I love being here with you."
Jade's eyes softened. "I'm glad you're here too.” She paused, a mischievous glint in her eye. “So… want to see if we can both fit in this tiny bed without one of us ending up on the floor?"
Camilla laughed. "Challenge accepted. Though I’mnot sleeping naked. I noticed you don’t have a lock on your door."
They changed into pajamas, taking turns in the small en-suite bathroom. Camilla chuckled when she spotted the Hello Kitty toothbrush holder and the faded butterfly decals on the mirror - more echoes of Jade's younger self.
When they were both ready, they stood at the edge of the bed, eyeing it dubiously.
"Okay, I think I have a strategy," Jade said seriously. "If I lie on my side against the wall, and you lie in the middle, we should be fine."
