Chapter 5%
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“June 2025. I couldn’t help it–I snuck off to see Grayden again.”
“You’ve lost your mind, haven’t you?!”
Chantal hissed at me, practically whisper–yelling.”
“The doctor said no moving around for a couple of days! You’ve still got the IV bandage on, and you’re here?! On set?!“%
I shoved my hands into my pockets, curled up under the shade of a sun umbrella in the comer. I had a hat on, a mask too–only my eyes showing.
“I’m just… looking,” I mumbled, nodding toward the film set.
“Grayden’s shooting outdoors today. Didn’t you say his acting’s mid? I’m just here to supervise.”
Chantal rolled her eyes. “Supervise? Miss S, this is straight–up-“}
“Shhh!” I cut her off, holding up a finger. “He’s coming!“>
In the frame, Grayden was in costume, sunlight hitting his shoulders–he looked almost too bright to be real.
The director shouted, “Action!”
Grayden furrowed his brow, lowered his gaze, then looked up–all in one fluid motion, every emotion falling perfectly into place. My eyes started to sting.
“He’s getting better and better,” I said softly to the camera, crouching. “So much stronger than when he read his first lines for his debut. His acting’s so much more grounded now. That’s good. He’s really going to be a big star.“2
I turned my head, wanting one more glimpse of him.
But life doesn’t let things go smoothly.”
I took two steps forward, and then something behind me crashed with a bang. Someone must’ve bumped into a prop box–didn’t secure it properly.
I flinched instinctively, but my legs froze.
The box came down fast.”
Next thing I knew, I was on the ground, pain shooting through my lower back.
“Miss S!” Chantal screamed.§
The set exploded in chaos. Crew swarmed in from every direction.
I forced my eyes open. Through the blur, I saw a familiar silhouette walking toward me against the light! Grayden.
He pushed past the crowd. As soon as he looked down and saw me, his eyes widened in shock.
“Shirl?”
A sharp buzz rang through my head. I clung to Chantal’s sleeve with all my strength and whispered horsely.
“Run.”
“What?“2
“Run! He saw me!“%
Chantal hadn’t even processed it when I was already scrambling up, limping away as fast as I could.2
The camera was shaking like crazy. Everything was a blur, and the sound turned chaotic.
“Hey! Stop!“2
Grayden’s voice rang out behind me–sharp and louder than I’d ever heard.
“Shirl! I know it’s you!”
I clenched my jaw and didn’t turn around–afraid that if I did, the tears would fall.
“Why are you hiding from me?!*%
I stumbled, nearly falling. Thank god Chantal caught me just in time.
“You’re insane! You’re completely insane-” she muttered frantically.
“Shut up.” I coughed, my voice raw, my chest tearing with every breath. “Don’t let him.. catch up. I can’t let him see me like this!*%
We made it to the car. On camera, I looked pale and bruised, lips colorless, arms covered in IV marks–out of breath after just a few steps. “This… This isn’t how I want him to remember me.
“Vie finally managed to part ways. I can’t let him look back.“%
I leaned against the car window, watching the crowd fade… and Grayden, standing just a little taller than everyone else.§
“You’re still looking at him,” Chantal said.
I smiled faintly, pressing my cheek to the glass.
“Chantal. I miss him.2
“I miss him so much
“I know that if I told him the truth he’d understand. He might even stay and help me through this.
“But
I don’t want
to hold him back.
“I
I don’t want him
The camera
to miss his chance because of me.“”
slowly panned to the window.
In the
distance, Grayden was still standing there–staring straight at the
lens.
