The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era



SEEING as how Kiran was struggling to control his temper, Astrid strategically stepped between the two without showing that he was deliberately doing it. 

"Hi," he greeted the girl. "I'm Kiran's friend, my name is Astrid Townsend. I don't mean to be rude, but—"

"Oh, the model on the billboard I saw earlier looked exactly like you," the girl suddenly said, cutting off whatever Astrid was about to say. She tilted her head. "Is it you? Or someone who just looks like you?"

"Yes, it's me. By the way—"

"I knew it. How can there be two people with the same outstanding looks?" the girl cut him off again. "If you're here, then you're an artist under Polaris, right? Me too! Are you also from the music division? But how come I only see you now? I would have definitely remembered that face."

"I'm from the acting division—"

Astrid stopped and blinked. The reason why he interfered with the two was so he could help Kiran out. But with this flow of conversation, it seemed like he was going along with the girl's pace. No, he was totally doing it. 

He looked at this 'Miss Carter'. The other had this atmosphere as if pink flowers were floating around her. Just like those anime characters who were designed to be natural airheads. But not in the annoying kind of way. Some might even find her cute and endearing. Though he could understand why Kiran would have a hard time dealing with her.

"Oh, the acting division!" the girl said with a clap of her hands. "No wonder I haven't seen you. You must be really famous. I'm sorry if I don't know you."

The other said it with no malice. Although some sensitive person might think that she was being sarcastic. But in Astrid's opinion, that wasn't the case at all. She seemed to be really sorry that she didn't know him. 

So, he also said in a light-hearted manner, "That's okay. I also don't know about you. And don't worry, I'm not really that famous."

As expected, the other didn't take offense to what he said and just accepted it as if it was natural. 

"I'm also not that famous. I'm just starting as a singer. Oh, and my name is Mirabelle Carter."

"Nice to meet you, Miss Carter," Astrid said with a smile. "As I've said  earlier, my name is Astrid Townsend."

"Oh, you smile so nicely," Mirabelle said, totally out of the blue. Then added as if she did not just say that, "You can just call me Mira or Belle. Either one is fine. You can't call me 'Mimi' though. That one is reserved for Kiki."

Astrid instinctively turned to Kiran and he saw how the facial muscles on the other's face twitched at the mention of the nickname 'Kiki'. He must have really hated the name.

"Excuse me, but we're running out of time. We really have to leave now," Kiran said through gritted teeth.

And then, he quickly pulled Astrid towards the elevator. This time, Mirabelle was not able to step in between and stop them. 

"Wait- Kiki, what about the song?" she asked before the door to elevator closed.

"Let's talk about it tomorrow," Kiran said.

The door to elevator finally closed and it descended. Astrid heard Kiran heaving a sigh of relief, as if he just passed a great ordeal.

"You seem to not like Miss Carter," Astrid commented.

Kiran showed a complicated expression. "It's not like that. I don't dislike her. It's just... she's hard to handle."

"Well, I could see that she's definitely... unique. But I don't think that she's that difficult to get along with," Astrid said, truly meaning it. 

Kiran sighed once again. "That's because you have better social skills than me."

And as if a dam had been opened, Kiran started to pour out all his dissatisfaction.

"That girl, she couldn't read the room at all. It's like everything for her was all daisies and sunshine. As if she couldn't fathom that a person could have a negative opinion or emotion. Then, there was her habit of not letting people finish what they're saying. Seriously, I'm surprised she had grown that big without getting on the nerves of the people around her. 

"But that's not the worst part of it. That girl, she seriously doesn't know what a personal space is. Ever since we met, and that's only a few days ago, mind you, she kept on invading my personal space as if it was nothing. I wouldn't mind if we were close, but she could hardly be called an acquaintance at best and yet she was hugging my arm and back as if we've known each other for decades!

"It would be tolerable if she was as flat as a washboard. But no, those things she has are like mel—"

Kiran stopped and then his whole face suddenly turned bright red as if he only realized then what he was about to say. 

Astrid glanced at him with interest and amusement. Maybe Kiran hadn't realize yet that the reason he couldn't 'handle' Mirabelle was not because of the things he listed but because of something else entirely. Something that he probably never imagined was possible. 

"No, let's not talk about that anymore," Kiran said, promptly putting an end to the topic of 'Mirabelle Carter'. "What brings you here, by the way?"

Astrid smiled. "I'm here to bring you lunch."

Finally, Kiran's expression finally turned brighter. "Really? Aww... you shouldn't have to. But I'm glad you came. If you didn't, I'll probably be stuck with Mirabelle in the studio all afternoon."

Astrid smiled inwardly at how natural he called Mirabelle's name. The other probably didn't even realize it himself. "Is she the singer you're writing a song for?"

"No. It's for another singer. But she accidentally heard me playing one of the songs when I was in the studio and she insisted on being the one to sing it," Kiran said with a grumble. "And someone from the upper management probably agreed to it because the next day I received a message about letting her sing the song I made."