Rise To Stardom - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: New Song, Season Finale
Today, just the day after Kyle was done filming, was a weekend.

In addition to that, the young man was free and had no gigs for the day as Oliver, ensured to keep his schedule free of work on the weekends.

So, coming back home after doing his daily cardio, a habit he started adopting just a few weeks back, Kyle took a bathe and freshened up.

Eating his healthy diet of mostly lean meats, carbs and veggies, Kyle satiated of his hunger, moved over to his bed with a notebook and a pen in his hands.

Gently humming to himself, he soon began to scribble down a few lyrics on the page of the book.

–

And I’ve been here for so long,

Gazing as she searches for the one,

Wish I could tell you I was,

Yet a smile’s all I can muster.

–

Finally, he had gotten a good idea for a new song.

Taking a page out of Harry’s character, Kyle was planning to write a song about unconfessed feelings of love.

And so, with that mindset in hand, he kept humming to himself as he wrote down more lyrics to the song, occasionally erasing or straight out rumpling an entire page and tossing it into the bin if it didn’t feel right.

At this point though, never would Kyle have known, that this song, was going to be a small but significant turning point in his budding music career.

* * *

Two weeks and a few days had passed by.

Christmas was now in full swing; the festivities were being celebrated here and there and most families, friends and loved ones were enjoying the holiday season.

Jingles were present in so many homes and a popular female musician was raking in so much cash from a forever eternal song she had released 24 years ago.

In a certain household though, three teenage siblings, two of which were sisters along with their eldest brother, were currently sitting before the television screen to watch the season finale of their favorite show.

Well, in fairness, it was actually the girls who wanted to watch the show.

The elder brother just wanted to watch his sports channel but his sisters had already hijacked the TV from him.

“C’mon guys! It’s live you know. I wanna see if my team will win the game” Ted tried his luck with his younger sisters.

“No. We agreed that you’d only watch it, once we were done with our show. Besides, it’s only an hour so chill” Wendy, his immediate younger sister replied in disinterest.

“That’s the whole game you know! C’mon!” the guy threw his arms up in frustration, his hands trying to reach for the remote a few seconds later.

“Touch that remote Ted, and I’ll snitch to Mum that you brought your girlfriend over last week” Wendy coldly said this time and the youth gulped in fear.

“I’m sure she’d like to hear about all the ringing tones you both created that day” she added without mercy and Ted could only curse his luck, a deep frown on his face.

“Okay fine! Fine!” he gave up and just slumped back into the couch.

Their family was a really religious household so if his parents heard that their 17-year old son had a girlfriend and had even lost his virginity, it was game over for him.

“Shhh guys. It’s starting!” Annie, the youngest sister motioned to both of them and Wendy finally refocused on the show.

‘I just hope the finale ends on a high note’ the teenage girl though to herself as the first scene started.

It was the scene that Matthew received his high-school certificate and soon, the scene where Harry was shown came up.

“Oh finally! His brother shows up!” Annie clapped in excitement.

‘Never thought we’d see him since it was they only conversed via letters and texts throughout the show. This was unexpected…’ Wendy smiled to herself, finding the brotherhood between Matthews and Harry even more solid when they were in person.

– – –

“Oh~. No tantrums today? Curious… Certainly most curious… Did they finally put on their baby diapers?” Harry stroked his chin and joked while Matthew chuckled in response.

“Well I took some extra measures. They’ll be on their best behavior I’m sure.”

– – –

Listening to the small joke from Harry, Wendy and Annie couldn’t help but laugh a bit.

It had been a running theme in the series that Matt’s uncle and his wife couldn’t stop arguing to save their lives even if it came down to that.

As the episode continued on, the young ladies were thoroughly entertained as the next few scenes showed Matthew resolving his differences with so many people over the course of the series, especially John Murphy who had been a serious pain in the ass for him all through the years.

After that, the scene moved over to show Matt finally willing himself to rummage through his parents’ stuff.

“Awww. Our boy has grown up so much…” Wendy couldn’t help but comment with a proud expression while Ted just rolled his eyes although he too was already enjoying the show.

– – –

“They were the best. Wish we got to spend more time with them…” Harry nostalgically smiled as he walked in on his brother looking through the box.

“Yeah. That would’ve been nice…” Matthew replied with a similar expression as his elder brother squatted beside him to also help sort through the items in the large box.

– – –

“I like Harry. He’s a cool older brother” Annie soon declared as the scene played out.

“Hear that Ted. Take. Notes!” Wendy poked at her elder brother who replied in kind;

“Well maybe I would; If you both weren’t such pathological snitches!”

Scoffing, Wendy and Annie payed their brother’s words no mind and continued watching as the scenes in the show changed to other characters over the course of the series run that they had come to know and love.

Layla’s scene with her mother who abandoned them when they were kids was also a highlight for the two sisters as they really liked how the very emotional scene was well-presented and acted.

Finally, the scene where Harry would advise Matts soon came up and both ladies couldn’t help but like him more and more due to how playful and casual he was being about the whole thing.

– – –

“But I’m so horrible at this Harry. Last time I tried confessing to a girl, I ended up making her cry!”

– – –

Watching the scene as Harry turned around with a strong expression of mixed shock and disbelief on his features, his previous smile vanishing in an instant, Annie and Wendy burst into a hearty round of laughter.

This was partly due to Harry’s reaction been so perfect and partly because they also remembered the episode from the second season.

Matts had been fascinated with coconuts that episode and had ended up calling the girl he liked back then a coconut while trying to compliment her, resulting in his praise having the wrong effect.

It had been a very hilarious episode.

Even Ted who didn’t have all that knowledge chuckled a bit as he also watched the scene due to the absurdity of Matthew’s words and Harry’s expression.

‘I should meme that later…’ he thought to himself.

Like that, the scene continued on and this time, the background sound took a subtler shift from a light-hearted one to an introspective one as Harry began to give the advice that spurred on his brother to take his chance with Layla.

– – –

“Listen Matts. You’re going about this all wrong”

“Why not just talk to her about it instead of trying to dump all your emotions on her at once?”

– – –

Hearing those words, all three in the room couldn’t help but listen quite intently, ready to hear the next few words of advice from him.

– – –

“Look, you tend to fumble horribly when you’re anxious and need to express your deepest feelings…”

“But when you’re talking, just simply talking just like you are now, you’re so much in control of your words and actions.”

“So, instead of trying to do something you’re terrible at, why not approach her like this and say; ‘Hi Layla. I’d like to have a friendly conversation with you if you don’t mind.’ ”

” ‘Lately, I noticed that I’ve began to see you in a more romantic light and I was wondering if we could have a conversation about that. What should I do with these feelings?’ ”

– – –

As they all listened, they found his advice very solid and actually a much more approachable way towards letting someone know you liked them, especially if that person was a close friend.

“That’s actually really sound advice” Annie gently nodded her head as she said and the others couldn’t help but agree.

– – –

“That way, neither of you feels pressured and no one gets put on the spot…”

“With that, the ball is in her court and you can be rest assured that no matter the outcome, your friendship will stay the same and may even strengthen it.”

“You both are way too close for her to want to sever it over something like a simple, friendly conversation, right?”

“So, how’s that?”

– – –

Watching that scene with admiration for Harry’s sagely advice, all three then watched the next few seconds play out as Harry pointed towards the other end of the ice-rink and Matts finally bolted out of his chair to meet up with Layla.

“That’s so sweet of him… ” Wendy commented on Harry’s actions with a smile.

But then, as Matthew ran into the distance, his back receding, the shot of the camera first zoomed in on Selena, Layla’s sister and then, slowly switched back over for a close up on Harry’s face to display the complex emotion on his face.

Seeing that, all three in the room widened their eyes in realization.

‘Oh Harry. You’re an absolutely beautiful person…’ Wendy thought to herself, a slightly sad expression on her face as she thought about how Harry just wanted the best for his brother.

He just didn’t want him to end up like him.

‘I really wish we could get a much deeper look into his own story but that won’t be possible I’m sure…’ the lady sighed in resignation, watching as Harry’s sad smile shifted into one of acceptance.

And just like that, the scene switched over to Layla happily telling Matts that she was had the exact same romantic feelings towards him.

As they both sat on the bench, discussing more and more about their heartfelt feelings, it soon resulted in both of them sharing a short but sweet kiss.

That was how the popular series finally ended and the credits rolled.

Feeling fulfilled, Annie declared with a big smile;

“That was by far one of the best episode in the entire series!”

“And given that it was the season finale, I’m sure the fans would be very satisfied by it” Wendy added and finally, tossed the remote to her brother who was all too grateful to at least be able to watch the last few minutes of his game.

That being said, in his mind, Ted enjoyed the episode just as much as the other two.

Wendy and Annie on the other hand, pulled out their phones almost immediately and without even wasting a moment, went to search for the actor that played Harry Callagher.

Little did the two teenage girls know, that they were on the path to becoming one of Kyle’s biggest fans.

* * *

After the season finale of [Grow Up] had aired, a lot of popular entertainment sites and blogs took to the internet to write articles regarding the show;

– [Grow Up] may have had a bit of a rocky run the past two seasons but the last season saw it finally return to form despite the mixed reception, ending off the show on a stellar season finale.

– The last episode of [Grow Up], which was also titled ‘Grow Up’, may be one of the best episode yet in the entire show.

– The season finale of [Grow Up] becomes one of the highest rated episode in the series’ fairly long run.

– Fans in appreciation of Director Shawn Piper for bringing back the core of their favorite series as the popular show ends off on a high note.

Like that, more and more articles popped up over the internet and it was obvious from the way both fans and critics received it, that the last episode’s reception was extremely positive.

On a popular social media app too called Jeddit, where many different communities for almost anything and everything on the internet was on, a particular community titled ‘j/GrowUp’ was excitedly talking about the last episode of the series.

EndOfAnEra: Thank you Director Shawn for a beautiful season finale! So glad to have being a part of the journey!

ImFromMars: Sad to see my comfort series end but it has been a truly wonderful show for me and I’ve learnt so many life lessons from it. I will miss it.

The100thCurator: Pssh. The series ain’t even that good. Mid af! Watch [The Curator] and stop moaning over a clearly, uninteresting show.

TheGamer: @The100thCurator; Listen here buster. I watch both and I can say that both are completely different genres so what the heck are you on about. Besides, [The Curator] has been far more mid these past five seasons. [Grow Up] on the other hand, clearly sorted out their shit and released a darn good final season in my opinion!

InternetPaparrazi: Honestly, it was Matt’s brother, Harry that really sold the episode for me. Wish I had a brother like that…

MatthewSimp: Although I believe even the final season has been average so far, this last episode was truly a stellar one. So glad Matts and Layla ended up together!

GameJournalist: Meh. The last episode was just there. Don’t even know why people are praising it so much.

SeriesLover: Why not just stick to reviewing games then yeah? I’m sure the gamers must really love your articles!

WaifuWithARocketLauncher: What’s the name of the actor that played Harry? He was really great especially with that advice scene. I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere before though… but where…

SayYesToDrugs: See this is what you get when you combine a director who loves his work along with good actors who are ready to breathe life into their characters! 10/10 final season. 10/10 final episode! You can’t change my mind!

Princess Peach: @ WaifuWithARocketLauncher; His name’s Kyle Kestis and you probably saw him on this season of ‘Rising Voices’. Asides from being a pretty good actor (Which I also just found out through this episode because wow!), he’s also a really great singer so please check him out if you can.

Meme_Researcher: Haha! You guys need to see this! | https://tweettalk/GrowUpmeme |. That funny ‘coconut’ scene between Harry and Matts has been turned into a hilarious meme!