Chapter 23: Los Angeles and New York.
Just as Harvey Weinstein had warned, Ryan's life changed overnight. Fame felt sweet at first, but it also brought endless headaches. Avoiding paparazzi was now part of his daily routine.
Three weeks after The Sixth Sense opened, Asimov's publishing house rode the wave of publicity and released the second Harry Potter book: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.
Pat Kingsley had delivered the finished manuscript to the publisher long ago. They had deliberately held it back so the first book could build momentum. The timing turned out perfect. One week after release, the new novel landed on the bestseller list.
"Ryan, the publisher has called several times asking when the third book will be ready," Pat Kingsley said, stopping by the apartment. She looked a little harassed from all the pressure.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets had boosted sales of the first book even higher.
Anyone with eyes could see this was only the beginning of a massive series. The little wizard with the magic wand was starting to work his magic in both America and Britain—especially Britain, since the stories were set right there in the United Kingdom.
A few sour voices called it nothing more than the wild imagination of a strange boy and simple children's fare, but nothing could stop the climbing sales or the growing buzz.
Ryan wasn't in any hurry to release the third book. He planned to sit on the finished manuscript for a while. His age was still a sensitive issue.
Right now he had a different problem—one that had nothing to do with the paparazzi camped outside his building. It was Natalie in New York.
Ever since the Los Angeles Times article ran, Natalie had stopped replying to his letters.
When he called, her parents always answered and said she was busy. Mr. Avner and Mrs. Sherry had even asked if the two of them had fought.
Fought? They argued in almost every letter and phone call. Ryan didn't mind the bickering, but he missed the wonderful feeling of becoming friends with his favorite star from his previous life as Alex and watching her grow step by step.
From the little things Natalie had let slip over the years, Ryan had guessed she wasn't popular with kids her own age. And he had been right. Except for him, she basically had no friends.
For a proud, ambitious girl like her, discovering that her only friend had suddenly leaped far ahead—into a place she could only look up to—had to hurt.
Fine, little miss sulking. I won't hold it against you. Ryan checked the time, picked up the phone, and dialed New York.
Natalie walked through the door, dropped her schoolbag on the sofa, and wore a stormy expression that said she was ready to fight anyone who looked at her wrong.
"Jerk!"
She glared at the letter in her hand, tempted to crumple it and throw it away. After a moment's hesitation, habit won out and she tore open the envelope.
The familiar handwriting, the familiar tone—exactly like the four books she had bought.
But this letter was different. The usual sharp jabs were gone, replaced by sincere apologies.
Even though she still felt a little grumpy, a tiny smile crept onto her lips by the time she finished. She could perfectly picture the annoying boy writing it, choosing every word with extra care.
Hmph! I still won this round! A small spark of pride warmed her chest.
The phone in the living room rang. Her parents were out, so Natalie set the letter down and answered.
"Hello, Hershlag residence."
"N-Nat?" The voice on the other end sounded hesitant, almost unsure.
"Ryan!" She nearly slammed the phone down.
"Wait, Nat—"
"What do you want?" Her tone was sharp.
"I'm sorry, Nat…" Before he could finish, she cut in. "Ryan, you know what they say—liars' noses grow longer!"
"Okay. If it makes you happy, I'll be Pinocchio. Whatever you say, Snow White." Since he couldn't fight back openly, Ryan slipped in a sneaky counterattack.
"Hmph!" Natalie snorted, but her eyes curved in amusement. This was the first time the guy had actually backed down.
"Nat? You still there?"
"Mmm-hmm~"
"I know I shouldn't have kept things from you, but I had an agreement with Harvey Weinstein at Miramax. Some stuff was out of my hands…" Ryan smoothly shifted most of the blame to the studio and publisher. "You're my only friend, Nat. I don't want anything to come between us."
"Fine. I'll let it go this time. But if you hide anything again, don't expect me to speak to you." Listening to him, Natalie suddenly remembered the newspaper story about Ryan's orphanage past. Even though she couldn't fully imagine what that life had been like, she felt a pang of guilt for how she had treated him.
"I promise, Nat. Just ask me anything."
With that, the chapter was closed. After trading a few more playful jabs out of habit, Natalie asked how things were going in Los Angeles.
"Don't even ask. I'm stuck at home. I had to take a long leave from school. The paparazzi are camped outside the building. They've harassed me, Nicole, and even the neighbors."
"That's the price of fame," Natalie teased.
"But I made it to the big screen, and everyone's saying my acting is amazing," Ryan shot back.
"That's only because they haven't seen me yet, Ryan Jenkins. Just wait—I'm going to surpass you one day!"
"I'll be watching, dear Nat." His voice dripped with smug satisfaction. "Even if you beat me at acting, you'll never write as many stories as I have."
"Stories? Your face is thicker than a brick wall. I've read those four books—they're just children's stuff." Natalie refused to back down.
"Oh? You think The Sixth Sense is children's stuff too?" The guy on the phone was clearly trying to annoy her to death.
"Ryan, you're so good at writing stories and scripts, huh?" she growled through gritted teeth.
"Of course. Actually, after finishing The Sixth Sense I already completed two more screenplays." He was definitely showing off now.
"Great. Don't forget—you've lied to me twice now." Natalie neatly turned the tables. "To make up for the emotional damage, you have to write me a hundred screenplays in the future!"
"A… hundred?"
Hearing his shocked tone, Natalie finally felt satisfied. She quickly said goodbye and hung up.
The front door clicked open. Mrs. Sherry had come home.
"Nat, what's got you smiling like that? It's been ages since I've seen you this happy." She noticed the letter on the coffee table.
"From Ryan? So you two made up?"
"Yeah, Mom. We weren't really fighting—just had different opinions on some things."
Natalie quickly scooped up the letter and slung her bag over her shoulder. "I'm going to my room."
Mrs. Sherry sighed. She still couldn't quite believe that the boy who had visited their home—the only friend her daughter had—was accomplishing such unbelievable things.
Back in the safety of her room, Natalie glanced around at the photos on the wall. They were all from dance recitals and theater performances. But deep down, she knew she loved acting far more than dancing.
She wasn't even nine yet, but she already understood she was different from other kids. She knew what she wanted and what she was willing to work for. That was why she spent every school break at drama camp.
Shaking her head, she pushed the thoughts aside and found herself thinking about the boy in Los Angeles. The one-year-older kid who had stunned her with his performance in The Sixth Sense. Honestly, calling it the best child acting she had ever seen didn't feel like an exaggeration.
If it had been her up there… well, she had to admit it. She had felt jealous these past few weeks. Jealous that her only friend had hidden so much, and jealous of the spotlight he now stood in.
Who wouldn't want to be the center of attention? Who wouldn't want the media chasing them? Who wouldn't want to become a shining star?
Her chance would come. Just wait, Ryan, she told herself. I'll catch up to you soon.
Ryan listened to the dial tone, scratched the back of his head, and smiled. For some reason, whenever he talked to Natalie he couldn't help arguing with her—and showing off like a proud little peacock.
A hundred screenplays? He rolled his eyes. Of course she had been joking, but ten? That was easy.
Thinking back to their one meeting, Natalie had looked much smaller and younger than he remembered. If she tried to star in that movie now, her age would cause even more controversy than in his previous life. Better to wait a few years.
Luc Besson already had a solid reputation.
Ryan decided he should ask Pat Kingsley to track down his address in France. He would finish the screenplay and mail it directly—before anyone else could.
Yeah, the mischievous boy thought with a bright grin. That's a perfect plan.