Desire (wlw)

XXX.

Lea

I sat cross-legged on the bed, Isabel pressed up beside me, the laptop balanced between us. Her focus was sharp, her hazel eyes locked on the screen as yet another audition tape played.

The girl's voice was fine. Good, even. But there was nothing behind it—no emotion, no spark. Just notes strung together like she was following a recipe. I sighed, closing the video before it could finish.

"Next," Isabel said flatly, dragging her finger across the trackpad.

Her voice held the same frustration I felt. I glanced over at her, noting the slight furrow in her brow, the way she leaned forward, elbows on her knees. Even in moments like this, Isabel had an intensity about her that I couldn't help but admire.

"This one looks promising," I muttered, clicking play on the next video.

The audition started, and within seconds, my hopes sank. The girl sang softly, almost timidly, and while her voice had potential, she didn't feel the song—not in the way I needed her to.

Isabel groaned, falling back against the headboard dramatically. "How are we supposed to find the right person when all of these girls sound the same?"

I smirked, trying not to let the disappointment settle too deeply. "Well, if it were easy, we'd be done by now. Besides, we still have plenty of tapes left."

She turned her head toward me, giving me a skeptical look. "Plenty of tapes, and no one even close to what you're looking for."

I shrugged, scrolling to the next submission. "The perfect one is out there. We just haven't found her yet."

Isabel watched me for a moment, her expression softening. "You know, you could always just sing it yourself."

The suggestion made me pause. It wasn't the first time someone had said that—Avery had brought it up weeks ago—but the thought still didn't sit right with me.

I shook my head. "No. This song is too personal. I'd overthink every word if I tried to perform it. It needs someone who can make it their own."

Another video. Another singer. Another sigh of disappointment.

"Okay, if the next girl doesn't give me goosebumps, I'm taking a break," Isabel declared, folding her arms.

"Deal," I muttered, clicking on the next audition.

A few seconds in, Isabel groaned, flopping onto the bed dramatically. "This is torture."

I had just set my laptop down on the nightstand and swung my legs over the side of the bed, ready to retrieve Isabel's much-needed energy drink, when her phone started ringing.

Isabel grabbed it off the mattress and looked at the screen. "It's Gio," she said, swiping to answer and immediately putting the call on speaker.

"What's up," she greeted, her voice warmer than I'd heard it in a while.

"Hey, hey!" Gio's voice came through, full of energy as usual. "What are you two up to?"

Isabel rolled her eyes, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Working. What else would we be doing?"

"Ugh, of course you are," Gio groaned. "Don't you ever take a break?"

"I mean, I was just about to get snacks," I chimed in, unable to resist.

"Snacks don't count, Lea," Gio shot back. "You guys need real fun. And lucky for you, I've got just the thing."

Isabel tilted her head, her curiosity piqued. "Oh? What's the thing?"