Amara's hands trembled as she clutched the mug of herbal tea Elliot had made for her. The warmth of the mug seeped into her palms, but it did little to calm the cold knot of anxiety in her chest. The competition was over, their victory cemented, yet she felt no triumph. Instead, an unease settled over her, the weight of a thousand prying eyes pressing down on her every move.
Across the room, Elliot's brow furrowed as he flipped through a stack of papers—a contract from their label, urging them to expedite their album release. His usual charm was replaced by a tense focus, and Amara couldn't help but notice the way his shoulders hunched as if he bore the world on them.
"Amara," he called, not looking up from the papers. "We need to talk about this timeline. They want a first single out in two weeks."
Her stomach churned. Two weeks? The idea of rushing into the spotlight felt like stepping back onto a stage where her fears and insecurities had played out before an unforgiving audience.
"I don't think I'm ready," she said softly, her voice almost drowned out by the sound of rain pattering against the window.
Elliot glanced up, his eyes softening as they met hers. "Hey, I get it. It's a lot. But this is our chance to show the world what we're capable of. We just have to push through a little longer."
Amara's fingers tightened around the mug. "And what if I can't push through? What if—" Her voice cracked. "What if I freeze again? What if I let everyone down?"
Elliot crossed the room and sat beside her on the couch, his expression a mix of empathy and determination. "Listen to me," he said, his tone gentle but firm. "You didn't let anyone down at the competition. You were brilliant, Amara. And if you ever feel like it's too much, we'll take a step back. Together. I promise."
But his words, though comforting, couldn't erase the memories of her past. As the rain continued to fall, she stared into the darkened window, her reflection blurred, as if even her own image couldn't decide what it wanted to be.