Scene: A bustling cafe, the air thick with the smell of coffee and rain. Lila sits by the window, watching the storm rage outside. Her phone vibrates, and she answers, a sigh escaping her lips.
Maya: (Cheerful, excited) Hey, you still coming to the audition?
Lila: (Hesitant) I don't know, Maya. I'm just... not feeling it.
Maya: (Scoffing) Come on, Lila! You've been talking about this for months. It's your chance to finally take the stage.
Lila: (Quietly) I know, but... It just feels like so much pressure.
Maya: (Confused) Pressure? Lila, you're a brilliant musician. You have the talent, you have the passion, what's holding you back?
Lila: (Hesitant) I don't know if I'm ready to face the expectations.
Maya: (Exasperated) Expectations? Lila, this is your dream! You want to write music, you want to share it with the world, and this audition is the first step. Just give it a chance, you won't regret it.
Lila: (Almost a whisper) I'll think about it.
Maya: (Pleading) Just promise me you'll at least go. It's not like you have to win, just experience it, feel the energy, the excitement. You might even surprise yourself.
Lila: (Reluctantly) Alright, I'll go.
Scene: The cafe door opens, letting in a gust of wind and a young man. He smiles at Lila, his eyes full of warmth.
Noah: (Warm, friendly) Lila?
Lila: (Smiling) Noah! What a surprise.
Noah: (Grinning) Nice to see you too. Heard you were in town. Decided to check out my favorite coffee spot. Turns out, you're here too.
Lila: (Laughing) How's life treating you, Noah?
Noah: (Shrugging) Same old, same old. Chasing the dream, trying to make some noise. You know how it is.
Lila: (Wistfully) Yeah, I know.
Noah: (Observing her) So, what's with the long face?
Lila: (Hesitant) It's nothing.
Noah: (Leaning closer) Come on, Lila. You can tell me. I've been there, I know how it feels.
Lila: (Sighing) It's just... this audition. I don't know if I'm ready for all the expectations.
Noah: (Understandingly) Expectations can be a real killer, but... you're talented, Lila. You deserve to be heard. Don't let fear hold you back.
Lila: (Looking down at her hands) I know, I just... I'm scared of failing.
Noah: (Smiling) Failing is just a stepping stone, a part of the journey. You learn from it, you grow from it. You can't expect to hit every note perfectly the first time.
Lila: (Looking up at him, a glimmer of hope in her eyes) I guess you're right.
Noah: (Enthusiastically) Of course I'm right! Now, how about we grab a table and catch up? I've got some stories to tell you.
Lila: (Nodding) Sounds good.
Scene: Noah and Lila sit at a table, their conversation filling the cafe with laughter and shared memories. Lila feels a sense of comfort in Noah's presence, a reminder that she's not alone in her journey.
Noah: (Looking at Lila) You know, you're a damn good musician, Lila. You've got something special.
Lila: (Embarrassed) You really think so?
Noah: (Nodding) I do. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Just go out there, play your heart out, and have fun. Don't expect too much from yourself.
Lila: (Thinking about Noah's words) Don't expect too much...
Noah: (Smiling) Now, tell me about this audition. What's it all about?
Lila: (Taking a deep breath) It's for a songwriting competition. I'm entering with a song I wrote a while back.
Noah: (Intrigued) Let me hear it sometime. I'm always up for new music.
Lila: (Smiling) Maybe I will.
