Everyone has a song that captures who they are. No one but Leila Gonzalez can hear them.
Melodies and tunes fill her head everywhere she goes, and all she wants is to replicate them in her songwriting. There's just one problem: she sucks at songwrit...
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"I CAN'T DO THIS," Leila squeaked into her phone, head buried into her pillow.
"Leila, our song is amazing," Neil reassured her from the other end of the call. "When we get up on stage tomorrow, you're gonna walk up to that mic and kill it." His soft tone calmed her down somewhat, but that didn't stop her body from jolting and shivering every few seconds.
"I don't know," she mumbled.
"Okay, I'm gonna pick you up," Neil said. "Get your little butt out of bed because we're going on an adventure." He disconnected the call after, so she took her time screaming into the fluffy throw-pillow that belonged to Elisa.
"Are you okay?" Ismael asked from the doorway. That video game-like track played in her head and she turned back to find him holding a newer robot model in his hands.
"Just swell," she managed. She didn't offer any other explanation as she stood up from her bed to put on pants that were more acceptable before Neil called her from the street.
She waved bye to her parents as she closed the door to their apartment. Her phone buzzed in her hand as she walked out of the building, right to the street where Neil revved his pick-up truck.
"Aye, look at her! She's alive," he greeted. Leila opened the passenger door and got inside, a pout on her face. "Don't give me that look. Come on, we're having an adventure today."
She didn't answer as he drove off, right out of the city and into the rural side of Hillbourne. She sensed Neil turning his head to her, but she didn't bother meeting his gaze. She distracted herself with the green meadows and the occasional cow they passed by.
Before she lulled to sleep, Neil parked the truck in the middle of nowhere. Her sleep almost jumped out of her body as she turned to find him, one arm over the steering wheel, the other resting on his lap, and a small smile on his lips.
He got out of the car and went to her side, offering her his hand. She accepted and stared out into the nothingness that spread for miles in every direction, besides a colossal tree that took root a mere feet away, protruding over the earth in giant arcs. Lush foliage covered its branches, casting a dark shadow underneath.
It was like the tree of life everyone always pictured, but more compact.
Neil led her towards it, sitting down on a huge root, his back facing the tree's trunk. She followed his example and sat on the same root, a few inches from his legs.
The silence she'd grown used to encircled them, and Leila settled into it as if she were in a trance. Wind ruffled her hair about, messing it up further. She hadn't bothered with her hair brush since she woke up.
"Leila," Neil spoke up. "Tomorrow is just gonna be like any other day, except that we'll sing a song."
"It's the singing part I'm terrified of, Neil," she said. It was the first time she opened her mouth since he picked her up. He bit on his bottom lip, and she looked away into the field of grass that swayed in the direction the wind blew. "This whole thing is just...not for me."
"You don't even see your talent, do you?" He chuckled but it sounded almost like a scoff. "You're so convinced that you're a terrible artist, but here you are with notebooks filled with lyrics that can move people, songs that need to be put out, a voice so charming, and a determination that surpasses most idiots in this stupid industry." He spat out the last part, as if it grossed him out somehow.
"Who's an idiot in this industry?" Her voice was small, but any topic to distract her from their performance at the festival was welcome.
"I've seen bands make it big from other towns...all with people who aren't even passionate about it." Neil shook his head. "I live for music, and I can't even get past this town. Not even because this town doesn't like me very much."
"You'll get your big break soon," she reassured him. "One day you'll leave Hillbourne and won't even remember me. It's all just gonna fade away into nothing."
He smiled. "Try as I might, I could never forget you, Leila."
The words replayed in her head as she fought to contain her flush.
"You'll never forget how you forced me into this performance?" She meant to sound teasing, but her nerves clogged up her throat, so she sounded like she was about to cry.
"Look at me." He grabbed onto her icy hands. "You're gonna get on that stage and you're gonna wow everyone. The world will know who Leila Gonzalez is forever."
"That is exactly what I'm afraid of," she confessed. "What if I mess up so bad that I will never be able to show my face in town?"
Neil chuckled and squeezed both of her hands in reassurance. "You're gonna kill it out there, Leila. Trust me. I wouldn't let you do anything you weren't prepared for."
She turned to him with a pout. "Really?"
"Really," he confirmed. "So...tonight you're getting a good night's sleep and tomorrow you're gonna sing How I Want You and you're gonna watch people scream your name as they see how much talent is in you."
Leila sniffled. "Not enough to play guitar though."
"That's a different story."
She shoved him away while he laughed.
"Come on, let's enjoy this scenery for a bit," Neil said, pointing to the root right next to him. She sighed and sat with her back to the bark, just to make him happy. "Don't worry about tomorrow. I'll be with you at all times."
"Promise?"
He held out his pinky to her. "Promise."
She nodded and interlaced their pinkies together. Neil whistled a soft tune as she rested her head on the tree and closed her eyes. Her nerves didn't disappear, but a reassurance settled her frantic thoughts.
Neil would be there, and he'd be right beside her for whenever she needed him.
