Stages of The Heart- Ellie Morch

Chapter 4: A Talk with Lana

Erica sat at the small café nestled in the heart of Silver Lake, twirling her straw in her iced coffee as she waited for Lana to arrive. It was their favorite spot to catch up, a cozy hideaway from the frenetic energy of the city. Lana had been her rock through the ups and downs of her career—the one person who understood her fears, frustrations, and ambitions better than anyone. Erica needed to talk this out with someone who wouldn’t judge her, someone who wouldn’t question her decision or try to convince her otherwise. She needed Lana.

A few minutes later, Erica saw Lana’s familiar figure crossing the street, her signature effortless style on full display: oversized sunglasses, a loose white shirt tucked into high-waisted jeans, and messy waves that somehow always looked perfect. Lana waved as she approached, and Erica felt a rush of relief.

Lana slid into the seat across from her, a grin on her face. "You look like you’ve got something heavy on your mind, girl."

Erica forced a smile. “That obvious?”

“Erica, you’ve got that ‘I’m about to drop some major news’ look written all over your face. Spill it.” Lana took off her sunglasses and leaned in, giving her full attention to her friend.

Erica took a deep breath, running her fingers through her hair before looking up at Lana. “I turned down the role in The Love We Leave Behind.”

Lana’s eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t interrupt. She just nodded for Erica to continue.

“I know it’s crazy,” Erica said quickly, rushing to fill the silence. “I mean, it’s a huge opportunity. A major director, great exposure, and Mark’s been pushing hard for it. But… I just couldn’t do it. The script—it just didn’t feel right. It’s another shallow, one-dimensional character, and I’m tired of playing those roles. I don’t want to keep being typecast as the pretty girl with no depth.”

Lana sat back in her chair, studying Erica’s face. “Okay. So, what do you feel right now? Relief? Fear? Regret?”

“All of the above,” Erica admitted, laughing bitterly. “I’m relieved that I stood up for myself, but I’m terrified I’ve just shot my career in the foot. You know how this industry is. One wrong move, and you’re forgotten.”

Lana took a sip of her iced tea, her expression thoughtful. “I hear you, but you’re not wrong for wanting more, Erica. The fact that you’re turning down roles that don’t challenge you shows how serious you are about your craft. And you know what? That’s a good thing. It’s your career—you get to decide what direction it goes in.”

“But what if it’s the wrong decision?” Erica asked, her voice shaky. “What if I’ve just made a huge mistake?”

Lana leaned forward, her eyes full of understanding. “Let me ask you something. If you’d taken that role, would you have felt excited? Proud? Or would it have just been another paycheck?”

Erica hesitated. “Honestly? I probably would’ve felt empty. Like I was just going through the motions again.”

“Then you didn’t make a mistake.” Lana’s voice was firm but kind. “You made a tough decision, but it was the right one for you. And that’s what matters.”

Erica sighed, staring down at the table. “It’s just… I don’t know, Lana. It feels like I’m fighting a battle I can’t win. I want to do something meaningful, but every time I turn around, it’s the same kind of role, the same expectations. It’s exhausting.”

Lana nodded sympathetically. “I get it. This industry tries to box people in, especially women. They want you to stay in your lane, keep doing what they think works. But you’ve got more to offer than just being the ‘pretty girl.’ And you know that. That’s why you’re making these hard decisions.”

“I just don’t want to disappear,” Erica said quietly, her biggest fear slipping out. “What if I turn down too many roles, and they stop calling? What if I’m forgotten?”

Lana reached across the table and took Erica’s hand. “You won’t disappear. You’re too talented for that. The right roles will come, but they might take time. You have to be patient and trust that you’re making these decisions for the right reasons.”

Erica blinked back the tears that were threatening to form. “It’s hard, you know? When everyone around you is telling you to keep going, to take every opportunity… it’s hard to say no. I feel like I’m going against the current.”

“You are,” Lana said softly. “But sometimes going against the current is exactly what you need to do. Look, you’re not in this to be a one-hit wonder. You’re in this to have a career that lasts. And if that means turning down some roles to get the ones that matter, then so be it. You’re playing the long game, Erica. Don’t forget that.”

Erica smiled weakly. “I wish I had your confidence.”

Lana laughed. “Hey, I’ve got enough confidence for both of us, don’t worry.” She squeezed Erica’s hand before letting go. “Seriously, though, you’re doing what’s best for you. And if people don’t get that, screw them. You’re going to find the roles that make you feel alive again. It might not happen overnight, but it’ll happen.”

“I hope you’re right,” Erica said, feeling a bit lighter. “Because right now, it just feels like I’m free-falling.”

Lana leaned back in her chair, her expression softening. “You’re not free-falling. You’re flying. It just feels scary because you’re finally taking control. And that’s a good thing, even if it doesn’t feel like it right now.”

Erica let those words sink in, a quiet sense of calm washing over her. Maybe Lana was right. Maybe this fear wasn’t a sign that she was failing—it was a sign that she was pushing herself to grow, to demand more from her career and herself.

“I’m glad I talked to you,” Erica said, smiling gratefully. “You always know how to put things in perspective.”

“That’s what best friends are for,” Lana said with a wink. “Now, enough about Hollywood drama. Let’s talk about something fun. How’s your love life? Any cute guys on the horizon?”

Erica laughed, shaking her head. “Lana, I just turned down a major role. I don’t think I have the emotional bandwidth to talk about guys right now.”

“Oh, come on,” Lana teased. “We all need a little distraction from time to time.”

Erica grinned, feeling some of the weight lift from her shoulders. For the first time in days, she allowed herself to relax, to let go of the fear, if only for a little while. She didn’t have all the answers yet, and the road ahead was still uncertain. But with friends like Lana by her side, she knew she wouldn’t have to face it alone.

And that made all the difference.