Actor in Hollywood

Kristen felt a bit uncertain and dazed, unsure of what exactly was going through her mind.

Last night, everything had been great. She had met up with friends, talked about their roles and work, and met a nice guy who made her heart flutter just a little.

This morning, when she saw Jake on set, Kristen felt a bit shy, but she couldn't deny that her heart had started racing.

However...

Now, Kristen found her gaze unconsciously drifting toward Anson. She didn't even notice that she was starting to care about his reaction. When Jake invited her for coffee, she should have been happy, but instead, she instinctively focused on Anson's response and ended up turning Jake down.

Oh, God, what was she thinking? How did things get so complicated?

Kristen could hardly believe herself. Is this what adulthood is all about—confusion and contradiction? Her cheeks felt like they were on fire.

As soon as she looked up, she found herself locking eyes with Anson.

Huh.

Kristen quickly lowered her gaze, trying to hide her confusion and disorientation. But she couldn't help but glance back up, trying to read the expression in his eyes. To her surprise, Anson seemed perfectly calm.

There was no storm, no turmoil, and no overwhelming emotion.

His blue eyes were so calm, yet so deep, looking at her openly without the need to hide anything, filled with sincerity and straightforwardness.

This... wasn't what she had imagined.

Kristen was taken aback.

Before she could figure out what was going on, Anson smiled at her, and before she realized it, her own lips curved into a smile in response.

"Jake, it's okay to mess up once. Anyone can make mistakes."

"The key is, after making that mistake, are you willing to try again, a second time, even a third? Or will you just give up? Is she worth it?"

A short sentence, yet it struck like a bolt of lightning, exploding in their minds.

Jake was stunned, and Kristen was no exception.

If Kristen still didn't realize that Anson was creating an opportunity for Jake by hinting that she would be free after filming tomorrow morning, then her sense of romance was probably beyond saving.

Clearly, Anson didn't have any special feelings for her.

She paused, and then her smile grew wider, feeling a sense of relief wash over her.

So, she had misunderstood.

That fluttering feeling just now—it wasn't Kristen Dunst's feelings for Anson Wood; it was Mary Jane's feelings for Peter Parker.

Everything was just a case of getting too immersed in the role.

Like a mirage, it seemed real but would dissolve with the slightest disturbance.

For a moment, she couldn't tell where reality ended and the illusion began.

Kristen prided herself on being in the industry for ten years, having faced all sorts of situations. She had once mocked getting too caught up in a role as an amateurish mistake, but now, here she was, in a scene with this newcomer Anson, and she was the one who had lost herself while Anson had already stepped back.

It was almost laughable.

But on reflection, this was probably the first time she had done a serious romantic role—not the kind of high school rom-com, but a story where the characters truly get to know each other and then fall in love.

True or false, real or imagined, without even realizing it, she had gotten lost in the emotional maze. Taking on this project as her coming-of-age transition was opening a new door in her acting career. It wasn't bad at all.

Kristen genuinely began to look forward to the completion of "Spider-Man."

Today's filming was over, and so was the performance.

Taking a deep breath, when Kristen looked at Jake again, something had changed. There was no more shyness or awkwardness; she was back to her usual playful self.

Jake took a deep breath, mustered up the courage to extend a second invitation, "Kristen, maybe tomorrow…"

But as he spoke, his voice naturally faded away.

At that moment, Jake finally realized what a foolish thing he had just done. His entire body radiated regret and frustration, his brows knitting together as he couldn't help but look up at the sky and let out a long sigh.

Kristen couldn't help but smile at the scene unfolding before her.

Then, Anson's concerned voice cut through the air, "Are you okay? Did you just eat some Mexican chili? Do you need some water?"

Pfft.

Kristen burst out laughing.

Jake almost choked on his own spit, looking over at Anson in disbelief.

Anson continued, "Otherwise, why have you been sighing like your mouth is burning?"

The scene, filled with frustration and absurdity, suddenly became even more comical.

Jake didn't know whether to laugh or cry, shooting a helpless look at Anson: Brother, are you sure this is helping?

But Jake couldn't hold it in either. The more he thought about it, the funnier it became, and he too broke into laughter, raising his hands in surrender.

Kristen's eyes, mouth, and heart were all filled with a bright smile, her mood lifting completely. "Okay."

Jake blinked, "What?"

Kristen repeated, more confidently this time, "Okay."

Jake paused for a moment, and then a smile slowly spread across his face, first a small one, then a bigger one, until he was beaming. He slammed his right fist into his left palm. "That's awesome!"

After his little celebration, Jake finally caught up with the moment and started to explain, "Sorry, just now, uh, I got a little carried away."

By now, Kristen had fully returned to her usual self, and it seemed like a little devil was dancing on her head, waving a tiny fork and baring sharp fangs.

"'Just now' as in which 'just now'? The one where you celebrated me accepting your invitation, or the one where you stood in front of me and wouldn't stop talking about acting? Oh, or maybe the one where you completely ignored my existence and showered a certain someone with endless praise?"

Jake scratched his head; it seemed like there was no right answer to this question.

A laugh bubbled up from Kristen, her face lighting up with amusement. "No need to be nervous, I know Anson's performance was indeed outstanding."

As she said this, Kristen's eyes brightened, and she turned to look at Anson.

There was no avoiding, no escaping, no shyness, and no unease. She looked at Anson openly and straightforwardly. Though her heart still beat a bit faster, the earlier awkwardness had completely vanished.

Kristen knew now that there would be no problems in the upcoming shoot.

She was ready.

As for the brief, unexpected moment that had just occurred, there was no need for anyone else to know. It would remain her little secret, one that only she was aware of.

"Thank you," Kristen said.

Anson was puzzled.

"For last night and today. After reading the script, I was really worried about this scene. I was afraid I might bring that 'over-the-top' feeling from 'Bring It On,' but everything went so smoothly."

"All because of you."

Kristen was sincere, genuinely appreciative.

Not only was she impressed, but she was also grateful.

Looking back, choosing to partner with Anson on this project had been an incredibly wise decision, and Kristen was glad she had made the right choice.

Though Anson had no idea about the turmoil in Kristen's mind, her sincerity and openness were clearly conveyed through her gaze.

If it had been a half-joking comment, Anson would have accepted it casually or maybe even joked back. But Kristen's earnestness was so palpable that it made Anson feel a bit self-conscious as well.

This was the first time someone had so earnestly and seriously praised his acting, especially for such an important scene.

For a brief moment, time seemed to rewind to when he was twenty-five in his previous life. Back then, how could he have let a simple compliment throw him off?

Now, Anson was at a loss for how to respond.

So, he slouched his shoulders, mimicking the gloomy character from "Inside Out," and turned to leave, "Alright, I get it. You guys are tired of having this bright lightbulb around, and this is your way of telling me to take a hint and leave..."