The Space Between

ELEVEN

I take a bite of my sandwich, savoring the rich and bold taste of chipotle chicken and smooth avocado. Ariana and Priah sit across from me, their eyes filled with curiosity.

"So, Malia, what's it like working with James Franco?" Ariana asked, leaning forward with excitement.

Priah nods eagerly. "Yeah, we haven't had the chance to see him on set yet. What's he like?"

I smile, trying to keep my tone casual. "James is great. He's really down-to-earth and super talented. We have this one scene where he improvised a whole monologue, and it was just amazing to watch. He has this way of making everyone around him feel comfortable and inspired."

Ariana's eyes widen. "Wow, that sounds incredible! I hope we get to meet him soon."

"Yeah, me too," Priah adds. "Even though we don't have any scenes with him yet, it would be awesome to just say hi."

I nod, but my mind is elsewhere. I poke at my salad, feeling a knot in my stomach. Ariana and Priah exchange a glance, sensing that something is off.

"Malia, is everything okay?" Ariana asks gently, her eyes full of concern.

I sigh, putting down my fork. "It's Kylie. Long distance is really hard, you know? And she's been spending a lot of time with this girl named Vivian. I don't know why, but it bothers me."

Ariana gives me a sympathetic look. "I remember meeting Kylie at the Kids Choice Awards last year. She seemed so friendly and had such a loving energy. I'm sure everything will be fine."

Priah reaches across the table and squeezes my hand, offering silent support. "Yeah, Malia. We're here for you. Don't let it get to you too much."

I smile weakly, grateful for their support. "Thanks, guys. I really appreciate it. It's just hard not being able to see her. And hearing about Vivian all the time... it's tough."

Ariana nods thoughtfully. "Have you talked to Kylie about how you're feeling?"

I shake my head. "Not really. I don't want to do it while she's on tour. But maybe I should. It's just hard to find the right words."

Priah gives my hand another reassuring squeeze. "You should definitely talk to her. Communication is key in any relationship, especially long-distance ones. Kylie loves you, and I'm sure she'll understand."

I take a deep breath, feeling a bit more at ease. "I know. I'll talk to her. Thanks for being here for me guys."

Ariana smiles warmly. "Anytime, Malia. We're your friends, and we care about you. Plus, we all know how amazing Kylie is. She wouldn't want you to feel this way."

We continue our lunch, the conversation shifting to lighter topics. Ariana and Priah share funny stories from their scenes at the high school, and I find myself laughing along, feeling a bit lighter. Despite the worries in my heart, I know I have friends who care about me and will always be there to support me.

I sit on my bed in the dim light of my hotel room, reflecting on another typical day of filming. I managed to keep my composure on set and stayed in character, just as Zoe advised. Before bed, I decide to check my Instagram. As usual, my notifications are flooded with tags from fan accounts. There are countless posts and videos of Kylie on tour and even still Descendants edits, especially those Glassheart edits that never seem to fade away.

One Instagram story catches my eye. I tap on it and am immediately shocked by the caption: "I don't believe this!" A fan took a screenshot of a J-14 news article about Kylie. The title reads: "Is Kylie Cantrall's unreleased music about someone new?" My heart sinks.

I quickly navigate to the news site to read the full article. There's a picture of Kylie and Vivian in Pittsburgh, walking through the city. They are smiling and looking affectionate towards each other. Ugh, paparazzi, I think to myself. As I read the article, my emotions spiral. It suggests that Kylie is supposedly seeing someone new and that all the unreleased music she's been singing on tour is about her. The article even hints that Kylie and I possibly broke up behind closed doors. What the hell!

My mind races with thoughts and questions. How can this be happening? Does Kylie like her? Does Vivian like her? The room feels colder, and the walls seem to close in. I feel a surge of anger and disbelief. I throw my phone across the room, watching it land on the carpet with a thud.

I get up and pace around the room, trying to make sense of it all. My thoughts are a chaotic whirlwind. Did I miss the signs? Am I too focused on my own career to notice what is happening with Kylie? I sit back down on the bed, feeling a mix of furiousness and sadness. 

Turning off the lamp light, I lie back and stare at the ceiling. The darkness mirrors the confusion and hurt I feel inside. I try to calm myself, taking deep breaths, but the questions and emotions keep swirling. Eventually, exhaustion takes over, and I drift into a restless sleep, my dreams haunted by images of Kylie and Vivian.

I wake up a little earlier. It's 5:03 AM. I decide to go on a walk and clear my mind from last night. The J-14 article about Kylie is still bothering me. Is there something going on between them? The uncertainty gnaws at me, and I feel tears dropping. As I stroll through the quiet streets, I can't hold back the tears any longer. "Why does this bother me so much?" I whisper, wiping my eyes. The cool morning air feels refreshing as I continue walking, trying to shake off the sadness. "Come on, Malia, pull yourself together," I urge myself.

After a few blocks, I start to feel a bit better and decide to head back to the hotel. The streets are still mostly empty, and the city seems peaceful. I make my way to the dining hall for the complimentary breakfast. I grabbed a chai latte, a cheddar omelet, a blueberry muffin, and a peach fruit cup. "This should help me feel better," I think, trying to focus on the food in front of me. I take a sip of the chai latte, savoring its warmth. "Okay, this is a good start," I say to myself, feeling slightly more optimistic.

Once I finished, I return to my room to get ready for set. I stand in front of the mirror, taking a deep breath. "Alright, Malia, time to channel Delia Jackson," I say, looking at myself. Zoe's advice on staying grounded echoes in my mind, and I feel a surge of confidence. "You got this," I tell myself with a smile. As I started to get dressed, I think about how amazing it is to work alongside Zoe Saldana. Her grace, insight, and creativity are truly inspiring.

"Remember what Zoe said, stay grounded, and be true to character," I remind myself.

I finish getting ready and grab my things, feeling more prepared for the day ahead. "Today is a new day, and I'll give it my all," I say with determination. As I walk out of my room, I feel a renewed sense of purpose. "Let's do this," I whisper ready to take on the challenges of the set and bring Delia Jackson to life.