off script - jaafar jackson
Pairing: Jaafar Jackson x ChildhoodFriendFem!Reader, childhood friends to lovers
!!NOT PROOFREAD!!
WC: 2.9K
Warnings: Fluff, fake dating, mentions of drinking and drunk people, jealously, mentions of Y/N, kissing, cussing, arguing
Summary: You and Jaafar had been friends since elementary school due to your bubbly self deciding to sit with him at lunch. Overtime, he would get fake dating rumors that irritated him so he asks you to be his fake date for the private premiere and after-party. Only thing though. You both don’t know your genuine feelings you guys have been hiding from each other.
It was the first week of 1st grade. You were this energetic and friendly girl who was always saying hi to teachers and classmates, you were basically friends with everybody. Meanwhile, Jaafar on the other hand, he was... more introverted. He tended to be in his own circle or with a small group of friends.
One day, his small group wasn't there at school since there had been a cold going on which affected most kids. You were skipping around the outside tables at lunch when you noticed him sitting alone, so as your initial reaction, you approached him.
''Hi! Can I sit here?'' You said, enthusiastically, swinging your bright colored lunch bag around.
Jaafar looked up from his coloring book, ''Sure.'' He shrugged, an awkward but friendly smile forming on his face.
From there on, you and Jaafar were inseparable, constantly hanging out. You didn't really care about the fact he was well-known; of course you cared, you just didn't see Jaafar as all that. You only saw him as your loving and kind best friend.
Until you started to develop feelings for him. Romantic feelings that couldn't be washed away because you were into deep with the friendship. You had spent years and a long time convincing yourself that he only sees you as a friend, like family. So, you pushed those feelings down far away in hopes that you never caught them again.
But really, you knew that Jaafar was a love in your heart that would never disappear.
-
It was a Tuesday evening and you were watching movies with Jaafar on his couch at his house, it was basically a tradition between the both of you to have movie marathons.
“Okay but- Harry and Draco are both cute! I feel like you can’t really compare who looks better and who doesn’t!” You argued, your gaze glued to the tv as you munched on popcorn.
“No, Draco definitely looks better than Harry for sure. More bolder anyways too.” He said with a smug look, snatching the popcorn bowl out of your arms.
The movie series you chose to binge watch was Harry Potter which had the debate spiraling in the air.
Your eyebrows furrowed as you felt the weight of the bowl leave your arms, “Hey!”
Jaafar grabbed the remote to pause the movie, placing the popcorn bowl on the couch next to him.
“Okay real talk, have you seen the crazy dating rumors of me and that famous actress? I mean, I only shook her hand and the internet went wild!'' Jaafar shook his head, grabbing his phone and unlocking it to show you the posts.
''Oh, I've seen them alright..'' You smirked, laughing and throwing a pillow playfully at Jaafar.
''It's just crazy- I mean with these rumors how am I supposed to walk into an interview and avoid questions about a girl I barely even know? I have one interaction with a fellow talented person and BOOM! Rumors exploding everywhere!'' Jaafar mimicked sounds of explosions and dynamites blowing up. ''It's absurd.''
''Okay... well, if it bothers you so much... how are you gonna stop it?''
Moment of silence joined in with the both of you.
Jaafar's face lit up, ''You could be my fake date! You could be my date to the premiere and the after-party!''
Your smile dropped as the dots connected in your head, ''Jaafar Jeremiah Jackson! I'm not gonna fake date just to get rid of some rumors- They'll die down after awhile without my help!''
''C'mon, Y/N please! The rumors will die down.. we'll fake date for awhile and then call in quits. By the time we fake break-up the rumors with me and the actress would be already forgotten! The media loves anything new, they will adore the new news of me and you and they don't even know it's fake!''
You bit the inside of your mouth, eyebrows furrowing. Your mind twisted with hesitant thoughts. If you agreed to this plan, you'll have completely lost your mind and Jaafar would have stolen all of your heart. Not half of it. All of it.
But he is your best friend and you would do anything for him. Maybe he is right. Maybe this whole plan will benefit him and then again... it was only temporary.
''Okay- okay, I will help you and I'll be your silly fake date to the events tomorrow.''
Your pointer finger pointed at him while he was stupidly smiling and giggling.
''Under one condition. We make a contract. Y'know, just for safety.''
''Oh- c'mon! A contract? Why do we need a contract? It's just like acting.''
''Exactly,'' you replied, walking to the dining room to grab your laptop, returning to the living room, plopping onto the couch and pulling the device onto your lap. ''And actors have contracts. It's like a script. And actors can't go off script.''
Jaafar groaned dramatically, dropping his head against the couch.
''You are impossible.''
''And you're reckless.''
''I'm not reckless!''
''And yet you asked your best friend to pretend to be your girlfriend.''
A grin spread across his face, ''Yeah... but you said yes anyway.''
''Okay. Rule number one.'' you announced, typing. ''No flirting when camera aren't around.''
''What? That's my best quality!'' Jaafar nudged you gently.
''It's also your biggest problem.'’ You eyed Jaafar, eyebrows still furrowing. “Whatever, rule 2, no unnecessary touching.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“How?”
“We’re supposed to be dating? How are we supposed to look like a couple if I can’t touch you-“
“Just be quiet Jaafar and let me type!”
-
After more rules were added to the document, all mostly made by you, there was finally a settled agreement in this fake dating plan which had to go right. You hoped that this wouldn’t blow up in your face, ESPECIALLY yours.
The contract read,
Y/N AND JAAFAR’S FAKE DATING CONTRACT
Rule #1 - No flirting when cameras aren’t around
Rule #2 - No unnecessary touching
Rule #3 - No random kisses (unless needed but only with consent)
Rule #4 - No flirting with other people while we’re fake dating
Rule #5 - Have to watch romcoms so Jaafar knows how to add all lovey dovey
Rule #6 - Y/N owes Jaafar a milkshake every hour
You glared at Jaafar as he stole your laptop and typed out the 6th rule, “Seriously? You’re way richer than me and you want me to buy you a MILKSHAKE? EVERY HOUR? Just melt ice cream and drink it!”
Jaafar was nearly in tears as he laughed his ass off, he thought this was the funniest thing in the world but really he just thought you were pretty when you got mad in a playful way.
Shrugging, Jaafar gave you back your laptop, “Well what’s the fun in that?”
You’ve started to believe that your eyes were going to develop 20/20 vision from all the eye rolls your body has been experiencing, it was like it was exercising your eyelids and all that eye terminology.
Fixing your posture, you typed out the last and final rule.
Rule #7 - Don’t fall in love.
Your eyes went cold as the last rule saved onto the document as Jaafar peered over your shoulder.
You’ve already broken one of the contract rules and you were already going off script so why’d you even THAT rule down?
Before Jaafar could say anything more, you quickly closed your laptop and swallowed your nerves. Your eyes gazed the clock, 10:00pm.
“Geez, aggressive much?” Jaafar scoffed, shaking his head sarcastically while scrolling through his phone.
“I’m gonna head to bed, Jaafar- Y’know if we wanna have our acting skills spot on we need to get some rest!” You said quickly basically with no breathes in between which made Jaafar raise an eyebrow, you hugged your laptop tightly as you made your way to the guest room.
“Whatever you say, Y/N. Goodnight fake girlfriend.”
Walking to the hallway and hearing him say that made you know that you were doomed.
-
You sat at the desk Jaafar’s guest bedroom had in the darkness as your laptop was opened right in front of you.
You were staring at the 7th rule of your guys’s contract with hints of uneasiness lingering in the pit of your stomach.
Rule #7: No falling in love
It automatically should’ve been the easiest rule to follow.
Instead, it was the only one you couldn’t stop thinking about.
The blinking cursor sat beside the words as if waiting for you to change them.
But you couldn’t.
Because deleting the rule would raise questions.
And keeping it there felt like a warning.
After all, this whole arrangement was fake. The dates would be fake. The smiles for the cameras would be fake. The physical touch. Everything was supposed to be fake.
“It’s fine, Y/N. It’s temporary and this fake dating situation will go away and your feelings for him will disappear.. soon.” You murmured.
Your eyes remained glued to the screen as the cursor blinked beside the words.
Your gaze dropped from the screen to the signed names at the bottom of the contract.
The sight made something twist painfully inside your chest. Maybe agreeing to fake date your best friend hadn't been your smartest decision.
Especially when you couldn't remember the last time your heart had belonged entirely to yourself and not to Jaafar.
You closed your laptop at once, walking up and curling into your warm bed and closing your eyes, thinking that Jaafar was already dozed off in his room nearby across the hallway.
Coampletely unaware that the guy who'd talked you into fake dating was currently staring at his ceiling wondering how he was supposed to survive this.
-
Meanwhile, Jaafar was wide awake on his mattress tossing and turning, his mind on the same rule.
He lay on his back staring at the ceiling, replaying the night over and over again.
The way you’d sat beside him on the couch, completely unaware of what you did to him.
Of course, out of all the rules you could’ve written you had to write that one. Jaafar didn’t have the worry plastered on his face at all earlier when you had written the “No falling in love” rule. He was good at hiding his emotions.
The worst part wasn’t that he had also broken one of the rules already before the plan had already kicked off.
The worst part was how long he’d loved you.
He knew that the whole point of fake dating was making sure feelings didn't get involved. The problem was that his feelings had been involved from the very beginning.
He scoffed quietly to himself, “Nice one, Jaafar. Really had to go pulling the “fake dating” card with the girl who you want to actually date.”
-
By the time the after-party had begun, your feet were killing you. The premiere had gone better than expected. The photos, interviews, the red carpet. All of it.
There were definitely more camera than you were wanted to see again than usual and it was harder to show that you weren't overwhelmed in front of everyone.
Through it all, you and Jaafar played your roles perfectly. Each of you did your job, which killed you inside but no one could know that.
You remembered every part of it, a hand on your lower back here, a smile there. It was enough to keep people talking, enough to keep cameras flashing. Enough to convince everyone that it was real.
However, you were more interested in finding somewhere to sit down than keeping up your status with Jaafar.
''Ugh, you didn't tell me how overwhelming red carpets and private premieres could be.'' You hung your purse on the side of your chair, slumping down on the chair, finally sitting atlas.
Jaafar glanced at you, ''Well- I feel like you can always assume that when you're always watching my interviews and other red carpet clips of mine.''
''I suppose... I need a drink. I'll be back.''
You got up as the loud music boosting through your body, conversations blending together that filled your ears, and the bright light of the chandeliers hit your eyes instantly.
Talking to the bartender at the bar, a man clearly older than you slid up next to you. Close enough to you to smell the gin and beer he'd probably chugged in a minute. At first the conversation was harmless, sharing occupations, daily life, random interests that sparked up.
You didn't think much of it but you were still careful, knowing that he was tipsy. Then he started lingering. Then he started ignoring every small attempt you made to try and end the conversation between you two.
''What's your deal?'' The man asked, sipping his bottle of beer while you wondered what number of beer he was already on.
''My deal?'' The music was loud but it was at a volume where you could hear the man in front of you a bit.
''You single?''
You stuck an awkward smile on your face, desperately wanting to get yourself out of this situation. ''No.''
He stepped closer.
''A pretty girl like you? Man, he lost a good one..''
''I mean I'm not single.'' You said, bluntly, stepping back as he stepped closer. You glanced away from his glare, giving him the reminder to get away but he still spoke about how he could ''give you a good time''.
Then, Jaafar approached next to you, sliding his hand behind you and on your waist, seeming to grip tightly. You were close enough to feel his shoulder brushing against yours.
''Everything okay?'' Jaafar's eyes observed your lips then your eyes, indicating the question was directed to you.
''Yeah.''
The room felt colder, Jaafar's attention shifting to the stranger making him walk away instantly.
The second he disappeared into the crowd, Jaafar turned back to you. ''You sure you're okay?''
''Why do you keep asking me that? I just said that everything was fine.''
His jaw tightened, certainly not convinced by your words. ''You seemed uncomfortable.''
''I was fine. Fine enough to handle it.''
''Barely.''
''Oh my gosh, we seriously cannot be doing this right now.'' You shook your head, chuckling as you quickly went back to the table, grabbing your purse with Jaafar following you till you both were outside the venue. Alone. Face to face.
''Doing what? Y/N? If someone makes you uncomfortable you don't have to stay and be polite with them! You could always speak up!''
''I didn't need you to rescue me.'' You shot a cold glare at Jaafar. He had always known about your tendency about wanting to be independent and not wanting to rely on a man.
''Right.''
''What's that supposed to mean?''
''Nothing.''
''No. No, don't do that.'' You paced in a tiny circle outside while Jaafar was too busy staring you down. ''Don't act like I'm not capable of taking care of myself.''
His expression hardened, like you hit something in him that just shook him to the core. ''That's not what I'm doing, Y/N. You looked uncomfortable so I did something about it!''
As you tempered self didn't think before speaking, you just started to blurt out randomly, ''I didn't recall requesting help from you. I didn't even ask!''
Tension filled Jaafar's body and yours too. Something flashed across Jaafar's face. Hurt.
''You know what, forget it. Just forget this- Everything about this was stupid.'' His voice was quieter now, more exhausted than frustrated.
''Forget what?''
''The fake dating. The pretending. The fake feelings!'' A hand ran through his curls. ''I'm talking about the fact that I spend half of my time trying to make sure you're okay and another half of me spends time trying to not care as much as I should!''
Your tense expression softened.
Jaafar walked closer to you but this time you didn't walk away. ''Why do you think I make you laugh all the time? Why do you think I want you coming over all the time? Why do you think I just got jealous and blew up everywhere?''
''I'm in love with you, Y/N. And it kills me trying to gaslight myself into thinking this is pretend.''
You were staring at his eyes, like he took the words out of your mouth. You couldn't believe it as he really confessed his feelings for you. All this time you were convinced that he didn't like you like that and you were just thinking of a fantasy in your head.
''I-I'm in love with you as well, Jaafar- For- I don't even know for how long but just know that I've loved you probably since forever.'' Your eyes glossy from the sweet-hearted words you were saying. ''I spent forever thinking you just only saw me as a friend.''
Silence joined you both in the starry night sky, crickets silencing chirping as Jaafar pulled you closer, holding your waist like he wasn't planning on letting you go anytime soon.
''Okay- but in defense you could've just told me that you loved me and you didn't have to go on this rampage and planning of fake dating just to get to this conclusion.'' You laughed, your hands resting on his chest.
''Alrright- Shut up.'' Jaafar smiled brightly, leaning into you for a kiss. It was sweet and everything you've ever imagined. It was soft and intimate. The kind that came after years of hiding your true feelings. His forehead resting against you as you both finally pulled apart. Your hands intertwined with his as if it was normal for you.
''Shit. We broke every rule in the contract.''
lovina speaks!: okay hello!! i kind of procrastinated a bit on writing but i feel like i got carried away w this but oh well!!!! i was lowkey thinking of to all the boys ive loved before throughout reading this, its basically where i got my inspo. i hope you guys like this and ANY TYPE OF SUPPORT WOULD MEAN SO MUCH TO ME!! reblog, comment, like, and follow!!
