Chapter 62: Chapter 62

Rylie's POV

I was seated on the couch, a cup of cocoa in my head as I stared at my ex, trying to make sense of what he'd just asked me.

"I don't get it. You want me to act as a supporting character in a movie you're acting in because why now?" I queried.

"Well it definitely has nothing to do with my ex being back in town. Hey, this is some great cocoa!" He quickly took a sip of his hot cocoa.

"Wait, your ex is back in town? Kristen, the actress?" I slowly inquired. All of a sudden, I could feel my stomach turn sour and I didn't like it. Why did I not have a good feeling about this?

"Yeah, that's the one," Blake sighed deeply, staring at the ceiling like he was lost in thought.

"And you guys are going to be working on a movie...together?" I gulped.

"Yes. But you have to believe me when I say that there is nothing going on between us, okay? Nothing!" he reiterated, looking deep into my eyes.

My heart fluttered and I found it hard to look away. We were no longer together but Blake still always knew the right words to say. Gah! That is so not right and so not fair!

"So what do you say?" Blake asked, leaning back in his seat.

"Oh right. About the acting stuff–" I shook my head as I struggled to regain my composure. "Blake, the thing is I don't even understand why you're asking me to even do this. Your ex is back. So what? We're no longer together so why should I care?"

Even as I spoke those words, I could hear my subconscious taunting me. I did care that his ex was back. I cared way more than I was supposed to. Why? The answer was quite simple. My heart still beat for Blake Weston even though there was no chance of a future between us ever again.

"Rylie, I've seen the video," Blake started solemnly.

"Wait, you have? Did you like it? Did I sound good?" Somehow, his opinion still mattered to me more than everyone else's ever could.

"Of course you sounded good. You're my Rylie. Uh... I mean– I think I'll just stop talking now," he looked away awkwardly.

"Blake, you don't have to be so awkward about it. I don't mind... *In fact, I wish you would call me that again.*" But I didn't add the last part.

"Okay, since you don't mind, the only reason why I'm asking you to do this is because I think it'll be good for you. The director of the movie is looking for young popular faces and what better way to use your newfound popularity than in a movie."

"But I don't act, Blake. I sing," I reminded him.

"You don't have to worry about that. I can tutor you plus the character I have in mind for you is also an aspiring musician who's scared to follow her dreams. I think you'll have no problem connecting to your character on a deeper level and playing her. What do you say?"

Based on everything he'd said, the whole movie was beginning to look like a good idea but there was still one thing that was making me hesitate: Kristen.

"Blake, what about your ex?"

"Kristen? What about her? I thought you said you didn't care about her," he reminded me.

"I know and I don't but– I just... What if the director doesn't like me?" I tried another method.

"Why wouldn't he like you? You're perfect for the character and you're a popular face. He'd be crazy not to like you."

"But Blake–" I started to object again.

"Rylie, whatever you have to say, I don't want to hear it. I know you're scared but you don't have to be. I'm here for you, okay? Whatever you need on set, all you just need to do is ask me, got it?" He grabbed my hand and locked eyes with me.

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, I eventually found myself agreeing. On hearing my answer, his eyes lit up and he pressed his lips to my forehead before pulling away almost immediately.

"I think it's time for me to leave," he hurriedly let go of my hand and stood to his feet. "I'll see myself out so uh– no need to see me out."

"Oh okay," I simply nodded as I watched him pull on his jacket.

"Oh and Rylie?" Blake called already on his wat out.

"Yes?" I turned my head to the side.

"Meet me outside tomorrow morning, let's say 9am latest."

"Okay, I'll be there... Bye Blake and thanks."

He smiled. "Bye Rylie." Then he walked out the door, leaving me alone with the dopiest smile on my lips. Why was I so excited about tomorrow? It definitely couldn't be anticipation about spending an entire day with Blake, right? Yeah, definitely couldn't be that.

Yet, I found myself smiling for the rest of the day.

***

The next day arrived fairly quickly and by the time it was fifteen minutes to ten o'clock, Blake and I were on our way to the set where the movie was being filmed.

"So how exactly does this thing work? Do I have to audition or something?" I threw a question at Blake while trying to avoid disrupting all the activity that was going on around us.

"If everything works out according to plan, you won't have to do anything. Just let me handle everything, okay?"

I nodded, having complete trust in him. He smiled, took my hand in his and squeezed lightly before letting go. I looked away to avoid him seeing me blush.

You can do this, Rylie. You can do this. He's just one guy. You've got this.

When we eventually got to the set, Blake left me standing in a corner before going to speak with the director. While I waited, I found myself getting carried away by the various activities going around me; some actors were practicing their lines, others were trying on costumes while the set was being designed. There was just a lot going and I found it hard to believe that I was actually going to be in a movie.

Moments later, Blake motioned for me to meet he and the director. I gulped and slowly made my way over to them.

"Morning Sir," I greeted the director.

He nodded and started by saying, "I've seen the video where you sing, Miss Myers and I must say that you're a pretty talented singer."

"Thank you, Sir."

"No need to be so formal. You can call me Lucas. Anyway Rylie, while your singing is okay, can you act? Do you have any acting experience?"

"Well to say the truth, Lucas, not really. In fact, I only just started singing in public recently," I admitted.

"Blake mentioned that. He also said that that's why you're the perfect candidate to play Victoria."

"Who's Vic... Oh! My character!"

Lucas turned to Blake and groaned, "Did you think to inform Rylie about the role she's supposed to be playing?"

"I gave her the rundown on the character but trust me Lucas, she's perfect for the role," Blake promised.

"Hmm, let me be the judge of that." He called a petite lady over and then handed me a piece of paper. On looking at it, I realized that it was a script. "I want you to act out that scene right there on that stage." He pointed to the stage a few metres away from where we were standing.

I stared at the script and then back at him, trying hard not to fidget. "N-now?"

"Yes now. Go on," he gestured me in the direction of the stage.

When I seemed to find it hard to move, Blake grabbed my hand and assisted me onto the stage.

"Rylie, you don't have to be scared. I'm right here. You've got this, okay?" he whispered into my ear, before pulling away and flashing me a smile. I smiled back shakily then took a moment to study the script. It was a short scene and wasn't that hard to memorize.

In this scene, my character, Victoria was confiding in Blake's character, Chase about an offer she'd received from a top record label but was too scared to accept.

Once I was sure I'd memorized my lines, I dropped the script on a nearby table and gave a nod to Blake to show him that I was ready. Blake nodded and began since his lines were first.

While acting the entire scene, the words came naturally to me and even when I didn't remember a line, it didn't bother me much and I just spoke like I knew my character would. It wasn't exactly hard to do because I could see myself in Victoria's shoes. She had so much potential but was too scared to use it. We were alike in a way.

Eventually when the scene came to an end, I felt like I was finally able to breathe. Still I didn't know if I performed well so I looked to Blake for his reaction. He was grinning at me while muttering the words, "You did great!"

I smiled at him, feeling all my worries fade away. As long as Blake thought that I did good, it didn't really matter what everyone else thought.

Blake helped me off the stage and together, we walked over to Lucas.

"Have you really never acted before?" Lucas asked, staring at me suspiciously.

"No, never," I shook my head.

"Well that– that was amazing. You've got the role." Lucas extended his hand to me for a handshake.

"Wait really?" I exclaimed, not believing my ears.

"Yes. Of course your acting still needs a little bit of work but I'd be crazy not to hire you. So do you want it?"

"Hell yeah I do! Thank you so much!" I graciously accepted the handshake after which he walked away.

"Why do I feel like you've been holding out on me?" I heard Blake ask beside me after Lucas left.

"What does that mean?" I turned to look at him.

"It means you're good at everything. First you went literally viral just yesterday for singing and now you're surprisingly good at acting?! What's next? Modeling? Then again, you'd probably be good at that too."

"Quit exaggerating, Blake. It's not that big of a deal. Besides you heard Lucas. I still need practice and that's where you come in."

"It'd be my pleasure, milady," he gave a slight bow. "Now let's get you set up. Come along."

***

Later that day, I'd just finished watching a scene that Blake had filmed and was in the bathroom freshening up for one of my own scenes when I heard someone walk in.

I was still washing my hands when I heard the person walk up to me and open the water. Though I was looking down, I could feel the person staring at me so curious, I looked up at the mirror and saw a polished girl with glossy blonde hair washing her hands while having her eyes fixed on me.

Even without knowing her name, I could tell that she knew me and I knew her too. The one and only Kristen Harper. Realising now that she had my attention, she turned off the water and turned to face me, hands on her waist.

"Rylie Myers, we have to talk," she proclaimed matter-of-factly.

She already knows my full name. This should be good...