The Space Between

EIGHT

I step out of the tour bus and take a deep breath of the crisp Pittsburgh air. The excitement builds inside me as I think about spending the day with Vivian before my next show at Warner Theatre. I have a feeling my Pittsburgh shows are going to be crazy.

"Vivian! Ready for an adventure?" I call out as I spot her waiting for me.

"Absolutely! Let's make the most of it," she replies, flashing me a bright smile.

Our first stop is the Smithsonian American Art Museum. As we wander through the exhibits, Vivian takes out her phone and starts snapping pictures for my Instagram. I pose in front of a stunning abstract painting, trying to strike a balance between looking cool and genuinely interested.

"Perfect! These are so cute," Vivian said, showing me a few of the shots.

"Thanks, Viv! These are so good," I reply, giving her a quick hug.

After soaking in the art, our stomachs start to rumble. Vivian suggests Little Tokyo, a friendly sushi spot nearby. The moment we walk in, the aroma of fresh sushi fills the air, making my mouth water.

"I can't wait to dig in," I say, scanning the menu. "Everything looks so good!"

"Let's get a bit of everything," Vivian suggests. "We can share."

We order a variety of sushi rolls, sashimi, and miso soup. As we eat, we chat about our current favorite things and my acting and music careers.

"How does it feel to be a Disney hero?" Vivian exclaims.

"It's a dream come true, Loved every bit of it," I say, recalling my character Red.

With our bellies full, we decide to go shopping in downtown Pittsburgh. We wander through stores, trying on clothes and browsing through unique trinkets. At a candy store, I spot an assorted box of chocolates that look perfect for Malia. I promise to bring back a gift from every city I tour in, and this seems like the perfect choice.

"Ugh, these chocolates look divine. Malia's going to love them," I say, picking up the box.

"She's one lucky girl. I'm happy for you," Vivian replies with a wink.

As the day nears an end, we make our way back to the tour bus. I feel a sense of contentment wash over me. Spending the day with Vivian is exactly what I needed to recharge before the show.

"Thanks for an awesome day, Viv. It was a blast," I say, hugging her.

"Anytime, Ky. Now go rock that stage tonight!" she encourages.

With a smile on my face and chocolates for Malia in my tote bag, I feel ready to put on a show at Warner Theatre. The anticipation of the crowd's energy and the thrill of being on stage fills me with excitement. As I step onto the bus, I glance one last time at the city lights, feeling grateful for the incredible day I had shared with Vivian.

As I stepped onto the stage at Warner Theatre, the energy from the crowd is electric. The anticipation in the air is palpable, and I can feel my heart racing with excitement. I kick off the show with my high-energy single "Elastic," and the crowd goes absolutely wild. The lights, the music, the dancing—it all feels like a dream.

But then it was time for something a little different. I take a deep breath and signal to the band. The lights dim, and the soft, melancholic notes of the piano fill the theater. It is time for "Always You," a song that holds a special place in my heart.

As I begin to sing the first verse,  the crowd sways gently, holding each other close. The song is about Malia, about our journey together, and how it took us a while to make things official, but it was worth every moment.

"From the start
You always tugged my heart
I felt it then
Even if I wasn't so sure
It took some time
Until my feelings surfaced in the light
Oh"

The memories of confessing my love to Malia in Piedmont Park in Atlanta come flooding back. I remembered how vulnerable I felt, baring my soul to her, and how she wasn't ready yet. But then, months later in Vancouver, in the serene beauty of Kushiro Park, we finally made it official. Those moments are etched in my heart forever.

"From Atlanta to Vancouver
Piedmont to Kushiro
Always had so much love for each other
I'd say you're the one for me right to my mother
Cause you are
It's always you
Always you"

The emotion of the song overwhelms me as I sing the chorus. Tears slowly fall, but I keep singing, feeling the love and support from the crowd. The guy on the piano plays so beautifully, each note resonating with the depth of my feelings.

As I continue, the tears fall silently down my cheeks. I feel a wave of love and connection from the audience, and it gives me the strength to keep going. This song is my heart laid bare, and sharing it with everyone feels like a profound act of love.

By the time I finish, the theater is filled with a quiet, reverent energy. I wipe my tears and take a deep breath, feeling an immense sense of gratitude for this moment and for Malia, who is the inspiration behind all of my unreleased music.

After performing a few more songs, I'm approached by a fan who shares how much the song means to them. It is moments like this that remind me why I started making music in the first place—to connect with people and share our stories.

Backstage, I found a quiet corner to reflect on the night's performance. I thought about all the advice Rita Ora had given me about being an artist, writing music, and following my heart. Her words echoe in my mind, and I realized how much they applied tonight.

Feeling inspired, I decided to write down some new lyrics in my notes app that have been swirling in my mind. The creative process flows, but I still need to work on the chorus. Regardless, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. It is a night of emotional highs and deep connections, one that I will carry with me for a long time.