The Space Between

FOUR

I can't believe I'm already a quarter into my True To Myself music tour. It's been a whirlwind of excitement and exhaustion, but I'm loving every moment of it. My next stop is The Mann Theater as I'm still here in Philadelphia. I have some time to explore Philly before the show, so I decide to check out a local coffee shop called Coffee Cream & Dreams.

As I step inside, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goods immediately envelops me. I make my way to the counter, but before I can place my order, I accidentally bump into someone. "Kylie? Oh my gosh, it's been so long!" the girl exclaims.

I blink, trying to place her face, but nothing comes to mind. "Uh, hi! I'm sorry, but I don't recognize you," I admit, feeling a bit flustered.

She laughs softly. "It's okay, I figured you might not since you're a superstar now. I'm Vivian. We used to take ballet classes together when we were little." She pulls out her phone and shows me an old class photo of us all in our ballet outfits, grinning from ear to ear. The memory clicks into place, and I can't help but smile. "Vivian! Wow, it's been ages. How have you been?"

We catch up as I order a Blueberries n Cream iced coffee and a cream cheese croissant. Once we have our drinks and snacks, we find a cozy table for two and settle in."So, tell me about your tour," Vivian says, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

"It's been so much fun," I gush. "Philly is buzzing, and the fans have been incredible. I'm super excited to perform at The Mann Theater tonight. It's such a historic venue."

Vivian nods, clearly happy for me. "That sounds awesome. I'm actually on birthday duty today. I'll be taking my little nephew to a Sixers game later for his big birthday surprise. He's a huge fan and dreams of meeting Jared McCain. We've got seats close to the floor, so he's going to be over the moon. Oh, and by the way, my little niece is such a huge fan of Descendants 4. She's seen it a hundred times, and can't stop singing Red and Life is Sweeter. Red and Bridgit are her favorite characters. She's been trying to learn your dance too."

"Awe that's so sweet, and that sounds like such a fun day! I'm sure you're nephew will remember it forever, and as for your niece, she seems like a ray of sunshine" I reply, genuinely excited for her and her nephew, and flattered about her niece.

We continue chatting, reminiscing about our younger days, sharing stories about our lives now. It's amazing how some connections can stand the test of time, even if we haven't seen each other in years. I feel grateful for this unexpected reunion and the chance to catch up with an old friend.

I take a selfie with Vivian, as we throw up peace signs, and hold our iced coffees. I post it to my "friends only" Instagram story because sometimes I like to have that separation from my personal life and fame and to be mindful. I don't need my fans following all of my friends.

As Vivian and I step out of the coffee shop, the sun greets us warmly, casting a golden glow over the bustling city streets. "So, where to next?" I ask, glancing at Vivian with a smile.

"How about we check out the Reading Terminal Market?" she suggests. "It's a fantastic farmers market, and I think you'll love it. There are soooo many stands!"

"That sounds perfect," I reply, excitement bubbling up inside me. We start walking, chatting about our favorite childhood memories and how our lives have changed since then. When we arrive at the Reading Terminal Market, I'm immediately struck by the vibrant atmosphere. The air is filled with mouthwatering scents of fresh produce, baked goods, and various international cuisines. The market is bustling with people, and I can feel the energy all around us.

Vivian and I wander through the aisles, stopping at different stalls to admire the colorful displays. We sample juicy strawberries, creamy cheeses, and even some exotic spices. Each bite is a new adventure, and I can't help but feel grateful for this spontaneous day.