The Space Between

FIVE

Today is another day on set, and I can't help but feel a mixture of excitement and nerves. I am about to film a scene with my on-screen mom, Zoe Saldana. Her character, Victoria Jackson, is the perfect blend of wisdom and warmth, and I am stepping into the role of her daughter, Delia Jackson. The set is a meticulously crafted house, but once we get into character, it feels like a real home.

As I walk onto the set, I still cannot believe my luck. Working with Zoe Saldana is a dream come true. Internally, I am gushing with admiration. Zoe is everything I aspire to be—graceful, insightful, and endlessly creative. She has this incredible knack for sharing new ideas with the producers, always looking for ways to make the scenes more authentic and engaging. Watching her work is like attending a masterclass in acting every day.

In today's scene, Delia and her mom are in the kitchen, setting the table for dinner while having a heart-to-heart about school. Delia is stressing out over an upcoming trigonometry test, her anxiety palpable. Her mom, ever the voice of reason, thinks she is overworking herself with all the AP classes and extracurriculars.

"You need to take it easy and enjoy your youth," Mom says gently as she places a plate on the table.

"Mom, I can't just relax. I need to get into Yale. If I don't push myself now, I'll fall behind. They have one of the best environmental study programs in the nation," I respond, my voice tinged with frustration.

Mom sighs, looking at me with a mix of concern and love. "I understand you want to excel, but you're still young. There's more to life than just grades and college applications. You need balance, have some fun away from those textbooks."

"But what if I don't get in? What if I'm not good enough?" My voice cracks slightly, revealing the depth of my anxiety.

Mom walks over and places a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You are more than enough, Delia. You're smart, capable, and hardworking. But you also need to take care of yourself. Yale will see that, but more importantly, you need to."

The tension between wanting to excel and needing to relax is something I can deeply relate to, making the scene even more poignant for me. After we wrap up the scene, Mrs. Saldana pulls me aside. My heart races a little—what could she want to talk about? She smiles warmly and says, "You made the scene so believable, Malia. But I noticed you fumbled a bit." I feel a flush of embarrassment but listen intently.

Zoe continues, "One tactic I use to get into character is to make myself believe I am the person I am playing. Their personality, emotions, and surroundings should feel real to you in the moment." Her advice is golden, and I soak it in. I admit that I sometimes get a little nervous and starstruck around her. She laughs softly and reassures me, making me feel more at ease. Her words are not just advice—they are a gift, a glimpse into the mind of an actress I deeply admire. Zoe's guidance gives me a new perspective on my craft, and I am eager to apply it in my next scenes. The journey of becoming Delia Jackson is just the start, and with every step, I feel more prepared and inspired. Zoe is incredible to work with, and every scene with her feels so real.

Now it's time to film in my character Delia's bedroom. As I step onto the set, I'm instantly transported into Delia's world. Her room is a perfect reflection of her shy, nerdy, and introverted personality. There's a bookshelf below her desk, filled with classic literature. Her textbooks are stacked neatly, and all her desk essentials are in place. The record player is softly playing some classical music, which adds to the serene atmosphere. Delia's room is her safe haven, and I can feel the comfort and peace it brings her. I love that she is also an R&B girlie, with posters of H.E.R and SZA on the right side wall. I get into character as I sit down at the desk.

Scrolling through Instagram, a new post pops up from Wes Branson, the guy I've had a crush on since 7th grade. He's posing against a brick wall, looking effortlessly cool and so cute. My heart skips a beat, and in a moment of panic, I accidentally like the photo.

"Oh shoot, no, no, no, no, no!" I gasp, quickly unliking the photo and turning off my phone. "What did I just do?"

I place the phone down, my heart still racing. I try to shake off the embarrassment and focus on studying for the trigonometry test that has been stressing me out all week. I open my textbook and start working through sample problems, trying to calm my nerves.

As I solve equations, I can't help but replay the moment in my head. What if Wes notices the like? What if he thinks I'm weird? I take a deep breath and remind myself that it's not the end of the world. After about an hour of studying, my eyelids grow heavy, and soon I drift off to sleep. Mom comes in and gives me a forehead kiss as my mind still buzzes with thoughts of Wes and trigonometry.

After wrapping up the house scenes with Mrs. Saldana, I feel a mixture of relief and excitement. Zoe's advice on getting into character and staying grounded is still fresh in my mind as I head out with my co-stars, Priah and Ariana. We decide to treat ourselves to a day at the spa, something we all desperately need.

As we walk into the spa, the calming scent of lavender and eucalyptus greets us. We signed up for the most renewing facials, and soon we were lying back in plush chairs, letting the skilled hands of the estheticians work their magic. The stress from the intense filming schedule seems to melt away with each gentle touch. The warm towels, soothing creams, and gentle massages were like a dream come true. I could feel my skin rejuvenating under the care of the professionals, and it was the perfect antidote to the long and hectic days on set.

After our facials, we move to a serene meditation room. The soft hum of tranquil music fills the space, and we settle into comfortable cushions. As we close our eyes and focus on our breathing, I feel a profound sense of peace wash over me. The guided meditation leads us through visualizations of serene landscapes, and I find myself drifting into a state of deep relaxation. It is a perfect moment of relaxation and bonding with Priah and Ariana, reminding me of the importance of taking time to recharge amidst the chaos of our busy lives.

We finish our spa day with a refreshing herbal mango tea in the lounge area, chatting about our scenes and Mrs. Saldana. I just now learned that Ariana played the younger Gamora in Guardians of the Galaxy. I mean she's been killing it in the acting world. Priah and Ariana's laughter is contagious, and I can't help but feel grateful for their friendship. I feel lucky to be part of such an amazing cast. I can't stress that enough. 

I've been so wrapped up in my work and hanging out with my co-stars that I usually don't keep in touch with Kylie until the day is over. She text's me throughout the day and even tries to call me. I feel bad if I can't answer her calls or don't immediately respond to her texts. The distance is hard, and being an actress comes with challenges and responsibilities. She knows that too. Having had acted alongside her for a Disney movie was one of the best experiences of a lifetime. Being on a set with her came with feelings that I miss, but now she is on the road persueing her other passion, music, which I'm happy for her. 

Priah and Ariana are good friends and lovely humans. Don't get me wrong. I love acting with them. But acting without Kylie feels a bit lonesome. I don't know why. I miss having her around to watch movies or bing a new show with after a long day. To have a shoulder to lean on when I'm stressed out or nervous before a big scene, or to recite lines with and laugh the nerves off by saying the words in a funny voice. Kylie was always there whenever I needed someone. I mean Priah and I do that together, but I can't help but reminisce about Kylie.