The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 545: FILMING AGAIN

THE beach was shrouded in a veil of quiet sorrow; the moon casting a ghostly glow over the forlorn sands. Abby stood alone, her heart echoing the mournful cadence of the waves. Because she knew this was a dream. The place where her brother often brought her to play.

Since this was a dream, she had often hoped that she would see him. But only the silent sea welcomed her. As if mocking her. Telling her that she didnʼt deserve to see her brother, even in her dreams.

At this point, she would have already wept bitterly. But somehow, she felt like there was something different in todayʼs dream. For one, there was a moon shining above the sky that was always covered with clouds. There were even abundant stars scattered in the usually dark sky. Which then made the sea glimmer, as if there were thousands of jewels in them.

When Abby looked around, she noticed a familiar figure emerging from the shadows. As the light from the moon and stars fell on that familiar figure, her body started to shake. And when that personʼs face finally appeared, she felt like her heart was slowly breaking apart.

”Hey, sis. Missed me?” Dannyʼs cheerful voice wrapped around Abby, stirring emotions long buried.

Abby nodded instinctively, a tear escaping the corner of her eye, as if the ocean within her sought release.

”Youʼve been carrying this weight for too long, Abby,” Dannyʼs words, laden with understanding, as he wiped away the single tear that escaped her eye, hung in the air like a haunting melody.

But Abby immediately understood what he meant. She knew this was just a dream. But she couldnʼt help but be affected. She couldnʼt help but think that her older brother was really standing in front of her right now and saying these things.

”I donʼt know how to let it go, Danny. Itʼs already a part of me,” Abby confessed, her voice a fragile echo on the desolate shore.

Danny gestured for her to sit beside him.

”Listen, what happened that day was not your fault. I made a choice out of love,” Danny spoke with a smile. ”Iʼm your older brother. Protecting you was like second nature to me.

Abby stared at her brother. He still looked the same as he did eight years ago. Like a bright teenage boy full of playfulness. While she had already reached the age he had.

His time stopped at the age of 18, and her time continued on until she reached the same age. But in some way, her time was also stuck at that time. No matter how much she wanted to move forward, she couldnʼt. Itʼs like her feet were stuck in a quicksand. The more she tried to move, the faster she sank beneath.

”But I couldʼve—” Abby began, her words choked by the anguish that clutched at her throat.

”No ʼbuts.ʼ Life takes unexpected turns, and we canʼt control everything. Blaming yourself wonʼt change the past,” Danny interrupted.

Abby met Dannyʼs gaze, her vulnerability laid bare in the shimmering tears.

”You shouldnʼt seek for my forgiveness, Abby. Because thereʼs nothing to forgive. So itʼs time you forgive yourself,” Danny said, his touch a gentle caress, wiping away the tear-streaked memories.

”I want you to be happy. Itʼs what Iʼve always wanted for you,” he continued, his words an echo of love in the empty expanse.

”I donʼt know if I can...” Abby confessed, her voice trembling with the weight of unreleased sorrow.

”You can. Youʼre stronger than you think. Let go of the guilt, Abby. Live your life. Find happiness,” Danny urged, his voice a tender melody, a whisper of encouragement amidst the cries of her wounded heart.

Abbyʼs tears flowed freely now, a torrential release of pent-up emotion. ”I... I canʼt promise that, Danny,” she sobbed, the grief pouring forth like a storm that refused to be contained.

***

”And cut!”

As Director Hale shouted that, the staffs finally let out a sigh of relief. It was because this scene had been taken for five times already. One would probably think that five takes were not that much and were still within the tolerable range. But the problem was, the director wanted to successfully get this scene while the moon and the stars were visible.

Even if this was an artificial planet, the day and night were still scheduled in a very prompt manner. Which meant that the moon above could potentially move and its position might not be in the desired position the director wanted.

Yes, they could just edit it with special effects. But the director didnʼt want that. She preferred the movie to look more natural. Itʼs not only for the aesthetic but also for the overall atmosphere of the movie.

If they didnʼt get the scene right tonight, they would have to take this scene again tomorrow. Which would mess up the schedule. Thankfully, they didnʼt have to worry about that.

”Are you alright?” Snow asked Charlotte in a hesitant voice.

Even though the other no longer had any expression on her face, her tears were still flowing continuously.

”Yes, Iʼm fine,” Charlotte said as she wiped the tears away with a tissue she took out from the space ring sheʼs wearing. ”Good job, by the way.”

”You too.”

Just like Snow had thought, the otherʼs acting almost devoured him. It was the reason why it took them five takes to finish this scene. Because he couldnʼt keep up with Charlotte. Good thing at the end, he was still able to give the performance the director wanted.

”Actually, the scene wouldnʼt be the same if not for Miss Anderson,” he continued honestly.

Charlotte tilted her head and stared at him, as if observing him. ”Interesting. You really feel that way and yet you donʼt think of it as something negative.”

”Ahm, yeah?” Wasnʼt that only natural?

Charlotte nodded. ”Youʼre good, so donʼt put down yourself too much. And you can just call me Charlotte. Can I call you Snow?”

Snow was a bit confused by the sudden jump of topics. But he still nodded at the end.