Rise To Stardom - Chapter 173

Chapter 173: A Chance Meeting
Having filmed his last scene in the movie, a brief one that lasted less than a minute, Kyle was applauded by everyone on set, a gesture he was extremely appreciative of.

“You were fantastic, Kyle. Congratulations.” Danny’s warm smile was genuine as he exchanged a firm handshake with the young man.

“Thank you for saying that. And thank you, for having me.” Kyle reciprocated his warmth with a similar expression of his own.

“Hope to see you again soon, man.” Sean pulled the young man into a bro hug with a hearty laughter, one Kyle simply indulged in while responding with a light-hearted chuckle of his own;

“Hopefully. Thanks Sean.”

And just like that, a few more people on set came to exchange pleasantries, the most notable of them being Rebecca Sablinova, the lady who played Lance’s foster mum.

All said and done, a few minutes later, Kyle headed out of the restaurant, ready to make his way back to his hotel to grab his stuff in order to catch his flight.

However, as if already waiting for him, the main cast whom had been seated together on an outdoor bench just outside the shop, walked over to say their goodbyes.

“Congratulations Kyle! I had fun working with you!” Maya, bubbly as ever, grinned happily as she extended a fist bump, one that the young star partook in.

“So did I.” he calmly responded, a light smile on his lips.

“I hope to work with you in the future again.” Reggie was the next to speak, both hands in his pockets as he maintained a genuine smile.

“That’d be great.” Kyle reciprocated similarly, after which he then exchanged pleasantries with Josh, Melissa and Spencer, their interactions brief.

As for Sharon;

“I wonder if you’ll give me a goodbye kiss? That isn’t too much to ask, is it?” the lady coquettishly fluttered her eyes at him.

To that, Kyle laughed a bit, his tone mirthful, after which he then said;

“Don’t ever change, Sharon.”

“I won’t.” she grinned at him and then added quietly, her tone warm;

“I’m gonna miss you.”

Watching as she gently fiddled with her thumbs, Kyle replied with a thin smile;

“So will I. However, if you ever need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate to call.”

“Thanks, I’d appreciate that.” she warmly smiled in appreciation.

Still, Kyle wasn’t done with his farewells yet as there was one more unexpected individual who was with the main crew as of the moment.

“Uh… if you ever need a back-up dancer for a, music video or something, feel free to contact me.”

“I’d be honored to dance with you.” Tyler, although at first reluctant, extended a handshake with a thin smile as he said, not a single hint of pride in his eyes this time.

Kyle’s last dance scene had left quite the mark on him, one that made him realize something he had forgotten a long, long time ago.

Dancing wasn’t something to be made into a competition.

Rather, it was a work of art… open to all to be used to express themselves in a way like no other.

Just like the young star had used to completely bring the fictional Lance Knight to life.

A bit surprised by his appearance originally, especially since Kyle had wondered if he’d offended the dance prodigy at some point, the young star, received the handshake nonetheless with a light smile as he responded;

“So would I. Thank you, Tyler.”

And just like that, Kyle, after waving goodbye for a few more seconds as he departed from the main cast, boarded a taxi, headed back to his hotel room, grabbed his stuff, got to the airport and then, boarded a flight back to Canada.

* * *

(A week later…)

Clear skies, cool weather, late morning sun and yet, a bunch of TicToccers seeking validation, found nothing better to do than halt random passers-by at a park with the age old question;

“How would you guys rate me on a scale of one to ten?” a pretty face with a lithe but slightly curvaceous figure, dressed in a skimpy, skin-tight, spaghetti mini-dress, asked a group of guys from a college nearby.

“Uh… I’d say an 8.” one of the guys, obviously taken in by the lady’s revealing dress, did his best to play it cool as the lady in question, felt her ego swell.

“Nine.” the second guy in the group, rubbed his palms together in interest, leering at the lady’s curvaceous proportions lewdly.

“Maybe an 8 too…” the last guy, timidly gave his verdict, much to Karen’s glee as he added while scratching the back of his head;

“I don’t know you personally but I guess you look good…”

–

I’m The Alpha: Simps!

Red_Pill_Dude: Gotta give these guys some of that Ander Tate podcast session!

Fresh&Foolish: Can’t these guys see all the fuggin’ red flags?! It’s clear as day darn it. But then again, maybe red’s their favorite color.

–

Feeling validated by the words of a few strangers, the lady on a livestream exchanged numbers with the group of guys and gave her farewells, knowing they’d never actually be able to reach her since it was a discarded line of hers.

At the same time, the small film crew consisting of only two guys, followed her as she scanned around for her next target.

And luckily for her, she spotted a guy whose impressive side-frame, hinted that he was bespectacled, a comic book in his hands.

‘Easy pickings!’ Karen thought to herself as she walked over;

“Hello. May I have a minute of your time?”

–

RolexNation99: Sigh… he’s gonna be another simp, isn’t he?

Big D-Energy: Can’t wait for one guy to absolutely demolish her though.

SeeingTheLight: Moment of clarity here. Aren’t we all just also wasting our time and fueling this lady’s ego by watching her content…? Man, I need to go do something worthwhile with my time.

–

“How would you rate me on a scale of one to ten?” Karen on the other hand, instantly asked, already expecting to catch her prey off-guard.

“Honestly, I don’t think I can do that.” Kyle turned around to face the lady with a slightly thoughtful expression.

“Encompassing the intricacies and individuality of a person on a scale of numbers just feels so… shallow… and wrong. To me, I guess.” the young star slightly frowned and then, said to the lady whom was absolutely shell-shocked;

“My apologies. You might need to ask someone else.” he smiled at her and then went on his way casually.

Karen on the other hand, was in the same exact state as both her little film crew and her viewers…

Surprised and stunned to their very cores.

–

NotAnAlpha_ButAnOmega: Wait, Kyle?!!! Kyle Kestis?!!

Walkin’ Putin: Yoo!! Bro spat facts though! Giga-chad behavior!

TyroneOnSteroids: What are the odds man… what are the fuggin’, odds…

–

Yet, by the time Karen and her crew had recovered, Kyle was pretty much out of sight and nowhere to be seen, regrettably.

…

…

…

Having already arrived from Miami a few days back, Kyle, now back in Toronto, Canada, was more or less taking it easy for the meantime.

And luckily for him, a new issue of [Tech Wiz] had just been printed.

As usual, he had been one of the very first to buy said issue, casually making his way over to another nearby park where he tended to enjoy reading every new issue.

For some reason or the other, possibly just a coincidence, both comic book stores, had a situated park nearby, both in New York and Canada… not that Kyle gave it much thought though.

He was just glad to be reading another issue of his favorite comic book.

Taking his sweet time to peruse through the issue, no one yet to notice him due to the beanie on his head and his spectacles, Kyle read in comfort as a few families nearby, had their picnics and fun at the park.

However, about a few minutes later into his me-time, a swift, rapidly spinning frisbee, headed in his direction.

Yet, without even looking up from his comic book, or really paying it any mind, Kyle nonchalantly caught it, halting the object effortlessly.

And in response was what seemed to be a dog, running over in his direction, followed by two aged couples.

“Oh we’re so sorry, dear.” the grandma, slowly walked over with her walking stick, her husband supporting her as they slowly made their way over.

“No, no. It’s fine, really.” Kyle noted the page he was reading, closed the book and then, raised his head up to meet the gazes of the married couple.

“Please, have a seat.” he gestured to the duo, even offering aid to the grandpa with helping his wife onto the park bench.

“Thank you so much, son.” the husband sighed in relief as his wife, finally sat on the bench, one to which she frowned and spoke;

“You don’t think I’m heavy, do you?”

“I never said that baby doll.” the husband, obviously taken aback despite his elderly age, replied in disbelief;

“It was implied by your sighing…” the old woman, countered with a pout unbefitting of her age, one to which the husband, simply sighed and then, sat on the bench beside her.

Seeing their interaction, Kyle chuckled quietly, although it did grab the attention of the couple as he then spoke;

“Well, here’s the Frisbee. He seems raring to go.” Kyle gestured to their dog whom had been panting in anticipation for a while now.

“Why thank you, darling.” the grandma, smiled warmly as Kyle handed the Frisbee over to the grandpa who gently tossed it into the air, the Cairn Terrier chasing after it in excitement.

“And I hope we didn’t intrude dear.” she added with a slightly concerned tone.

“Not at all. If anything, I find your company amusing.” Kyle stated with a light smile as he took his seat.

“Oh you should’ve seen us in our prime, dear. We were rascals beyond measure. Always bickering, over the smallest things.” the wife laughed with an elderly mirth, the creases in her eyes shrinking in happiness.

“Oh~? You must have quite the well of stories to tell.” Kyle indulged the couple, both of whom smiled even brighter, not expecting a young man like Kyle to be interested in their tales.

To that, the husband chuckled mirthfully and gently pat his wife on her thighs and said, Kyle simply listening on in genuine curiosity;

“Oh, you haven’t the faintest idea…”

And that was how, Kyle, ended up spending close to an hour, simply listening to the duo share their many tales.

To the old married couple, it must’ve been an unexpected sight to see someone so young like Kyle, finding their stories so engaging.

But for Kyle, this was literally one of his favorite things in the world.

Spending time around aged and elderly people.

…

…

…

“We always did. Always went, right back to the start.” Benson, the old grandpa explained to which his wife, Megan added with a warm smile;

“No matter what. We always did that. Always.”

“Why though?” Kyle, despite having an inkling towards what the answer could be, curiously asked in an effort to engage the happy couple.

To that, Benson and Megan, glanced at each other with a lovely smile and then said in unison;

“Because we knew it’d be a shame for us to part.”

To that, Kyle grinned in agreement…

Only for his phone to buzz.

“Oh excuse me.” he apologized to both of them to which Benson replied warmly;

“Take your time son.”

Nodding at that, Kyle picked up the phone call.

Conversing with his agent over the phone for a few seconds, the young man then cut the transmission and turned to face the old couple with a slightly reluctant gaze;

“I’m sorry guys but, I have to go.”

To that, Megan spoke, her tone understanding;

“Busy man, sweetheart. Well you take care, okay?”

To that, Kyle grinned and then, gave his farewells, one to which Benson and Megan were more than grateful for.

However, for Kyle himself, asides from being excited to finally meet his team, one that Oliver had carefully handpicked, he also had a few phrases ringing in his head as he made his way out of the park.

‘Back to the start…’

‘Shame for us to part…’

And just like that, a familiar, tingly feeling of excitement, began to course through the young man’s body.

And in the next few seconds after that, Kyle felt a rush of blood to his head.

The young man, had gotten another inspiration for his song’s album.

One that he didn’t know yet, but would end up becoming his album’s, Lead Single.