In the apartment building where Lucas's music video was being filmed, curious tenants couldn't help but notice the commotion. Jenny, one of the residents, observed the bustling activity and approached her friend June, whose apartment was at the center of the hubbub.
"June, why is your place so lively today?" she asked, raising her eyebrows inquisitively.
June's eyes sparkled with excitement as she lowered her voice, "They're shooting a music video here!" she whispered, nodding towards the door of her apartment. Curious onlookers from other units peeked out their doors, equally intrigued by the commotion.
"Oh, really?" Jenny feigned indifference, trying to mask her own curiosity.
June nodded, her excitement evident. "My mom owns this apartment building, you know," she said, her voice filled with pride. "She lent out my place for the video shoot, and I was annoyed at first. I mean, why mine and not one of the other tenants'? But then I found out it's for my idol! Can you believe it?" June's eyes sparkled with admiration, her initial irritation long forgotten.
Jenny raised her eyebrows, feigning indifference. "Your idol, huh? Who might that be?"
"Taylor Swift!" June's voice was filled with awe. "She's the one shooting her music video in there!"
Jenny's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but squeal. "No way!"
June nodded, grinning from ear to ear.
"Can we... can we go ask for a picture?"
Jenny asked, trying to sound casual.
"We can try," June said, glancing at her watch. "They've been filming in my apartment for hours now. They should be wrapping up any minute."
---
Inside June's apartment, green screens stood in place of actual walls, ready to be edited later. Lucas and Taylor Swift filmed a heartwarming scene, portraying the epitome of a perfect couple. They laughed, they danced, and their chemistry was undeniable.
However, as the shoot progressed, the mood shifted. The once-happy couple began to argue, their words laced with venom and hurt. The intensity of their performance was palpable, even through the lens of the camera.
"Cut! That was great!" Lily, the young director, applauded. She couldn't believe her eyes. "Lucas, you're something else when it comes to acting."
Taylor, who had been immersed in the scene with him, dabbed at her teary eyes with a towel. The raw emotion he'd evoked in her was unexpected, but she knew it would translate beautifully on screen.
It was clear that Lucas wasn't just a talented singer and songwriter; he was also just that talented in acting. As the scene wrapped up, he sat down next to Taylor, who dabbed at her eyes with a tissue.
"You know, you're really good at this," he said, grinning. "You were actually crying."
Taylor laughed through her sniffles, "Well, it helps when your partner is so convincing."
Lucas feigned a wounded expression. "Oh, so it's my fault you cried?"
"No, no," Taylor quickly clarified, playfully nudging him. "I'm just an emotional person, alright?"
Lucas laughed, "Got it. You're as sensitive as… as my… as my guitar strings after a breakup."
Taylor couldn't help but chuckle at Lucas's joke. The production resumed, and they filmed a scene of Lucas strumming his guitar and singing, the sound of his voice filling the room. Although his live performance wouldn't be used in the final cut, his acting was on point.
An hour and a half later, they finally wrapped up filming in the apartment. The reason for the extended shoot was due to the improvised storyboard and filming sequence, which allowed for more creativity.
Both Lucas and Taylor had also ad-libbed during some scenes, making the final product even more relatable. The exhaustion from the long shoot was evident on everyone's faces, but the energy in the room was still high.
As the production wrapped up, Lucas and Taylor were engrossed in a lively conversation when two starstruck women approached them, their faces flushed with excitement.
"Taylor Swift! I'm a die-hard fan!" one of them squealed, her hands trembling as she held out her album for an autograph.
Lucas and Taylor, accustomed to such encounters, isn't surprised. Taylor turned to greet her fans with genuine warmth. "Hi there, ladies, how are you both doing today?" Taylor asked, flashing her megawatt smile as she took the album.
The two fans couldn't believe they were actually speaking to the rising star in person.
"We're feeling on top of the world right now, that's for sure!" the other woman gushed, fanning herself to cool down.
"I'm so glad to hear that," Taylor said, her eyes twinkling with amusement as she signed her name on the album. "What's your name, hon?"
"I'm June," she replied, blushing profusely. "And this is my friend, Jenny."
"It's a pleasure to meet you both," Taylor said, writing their names on the albums with a flourish before handing them back with a radiant smile.
"I can't wait to see your new music video, Taylor!" June gushed, bouncing on her toes.
Jenny nodded in agreement, grinning at her friend. "Yeah, and I'm excited to see June's apartment getting some screen time too, hehe."
June blushed, but she couldn't help but chuckle along with them.
Taylor, sensing their excitement, turned to Lucas and then back to the two fans.
"Actually, it's not my music video we're filming here," she said, causing their faces to fall slightly. "I'm just featuring in it. This talented guy right here is Lucas Knight, and it's his music video."
Lucas, who had been observing the exchange, removed his cap and sunglasses, revealing his smile. "Hi there, ladies."
Recognition dawned on their faces as they looked at him more closely. They'd only seen him in tv series and on films, never expecting to meet him in person, let alone on the set of his own music video.
"Wait, Lucas!" Jenny shrieked, her eyes widening in recognition. "I can't believe it's you! I'm a huge fan!"
June's jaw dropped, equally starstruck. "You mean, you're filming your music video here? This is surreal!"
While they were both die-hard Taylor Swift fans, they knew who Lucas was. His songs had been dominating the charts lately, and his recent rise to fame in the US had eclipsed even Taylor's. The public had rallied behind him after the release of his diary entries, which exposed the hardships he'd endured, including his strained relationship with his stepmother. Now, it was she who was drowning in bad press thanks to her false accusations against Lucas.
"Wow, can we also get an autograph?" June asked, her eyes shining with excitement.
Lucas grinned and took the pen Taylor handed him. "Of course!" he said, signing their albums as they chatted for a few more minutes.
Finally, it was time for them to leave. "It was so nice meeting you both," Taylor said, hugging June and Jenny goodbye.
"Yeah, see you around!" Lucas added, waving as they headed back to their respective cars.
June and Jenny couldn't contain their excitement as they rushed back to their respective apartments, eager to share their incredible experience on Twitter. They gushed about how they'd just bumped into none other than Lucas Knight, who was filming a music video in June's very own apartment, and guess who was starring in it? The one and only Taylor Swift!
As expected, most of their followers were skeptical. After all, it was just text, and where were the receipts? While some of Lucas's fans were intrigued by the tweets, they too soon dismissed it as an attention-grabbing stunt.
However, June and Jenny didn't let the naysayers dampen their spirits. They knew the truth, and that was enough for them. They'd not only met their idol, Taylor Swift, but also got to meet and greet the rising star, Lucas Knight, and even managed to snag autographs from both of them.
---
As the days flew by, Lucas was consumed by the production of the second music video, "Viva La Vida." The majority of the filming took place in a soundstage, where he knew the footage would require extensive editing. Meanwhile, both music videos were sent for post-production, but it was clear that "Viva La Vida" would take longer; the intricate visuals and storyline demanding a meticulous touch in the editing room.
In the meantime, Lucas seized the opportunity to meet Liza and visit the children at the cancer ward hospital. Arriving with gifts in hand, he couldn't help but smile as their faces lit up upon seeing him. The kids rushed to hug him, their tiny arms wrapping around his waist. Liza followed closely behind, sharing a warm smile with the nurses. As Lucas handed out the presents, squeals of delight filled the room. He strummed his guitar, serenading the children with a heartfelt melody. Nurses discreetly recorded the touching moment, but respecting Lucas's privacy, they decided not to share the videos on social media.
***
As Lucas lounged on his couch, his phone buzzed with a notification. The trailer for "Midnight in Paris" had just dropped on YouTube, and the production studio and distributor had reached out, requesting him to promote the film. He reluctantly unlocked his Twitter account, which only had two posts: one photo with the "Hunger Games" cast and crew, and another of a serene Los Angeles park.
Scrolling through the replies, he chuckled at the netizens' comments.
The lack of activity on his account didn't escape netizens' attention. "Wow, does Lucas even have a PR team or social media admin?" they joked. Despite the jokes, both posts had garnered hundreds of thousands of likes and thousands of retweets.
Lucas hesitantly tapped away at his phone, deciding to have some fun with it. "Hey there, guys! So, Sony Pictures called me up and was like, 'Yo, Lucas, we need you to promote this lil' indie film you're in,' and I'm like, 'Mmm, I dunno, I'm kinda busy being a couch potato here.' But then they were like, 'But you're the main guy in it!' and I was like, 'Oh, when you put it that way…' So, check out 'Midnight in Paris'—I act the character of Gil in this film! Trust me, it's gonna be good."