[INTRO] [A single spotlight. The stage is empty except for Ava.] AVA (softly): Everyone says… “You make it look easy.” (She smiles faintly.) I wish they knew. ⸻ [VERSE 1] Every morning… Another list. Another goal. Another promise I made to myself. Straight A’s. Perfect auditions. Perfect rehearsals. Perfect smile. Perfect timing. Perfect… Everything. ⸻ [PRE-CHORUS] People cheer When you never miss. But nobody asks What it costs To never miss. ⸻ [CHORUS] 🎶 I’m standing in the spotlight… Trying not to fall. Everybody sees the brightest part… Nobody sees it all. If I keep pretending I’ve got everything together… Will they still believe in me… If I’m not perfect forever? 🎶 ⸻ [VERSE 2] Sometimes… I watch everyone else Laughing between rehearsals. Making mistakes. Starting over. And I wonder… What that feels like. ⸻ [PRE-CHORUS 2] Because somewhere… Between all the applause… I forgot How to breathe. ⸻ [CHORUS] 🎶 I’m standing in the spotlight… Afraid to let it fade. Every expectation Feels heavier each day. If I stop reaching higher… If I slow down… If I finally tell the truth… Would anybody stay around? 🎶 ⸻ [BRIDGE] [The orchestra fades. Just piano.] Maybe… The spotlight Was never supposed To define me. Maybe… It’s okay To step outside the light… And still be enough. ⸻ [The strings begin to rise.] ⸻ [FINAL CHORUS] 🎶 I’m standing in the spotlight… But now I understand… The brightest light Was never meant To come from where I stand. It comes from every moment I dared to simply be… Not the person Everyone expected… But the person I’m becoming. 🎶 ⸻ [OUTRO] [The spotlight slowly widens, revealing the rest of the stage.] AVA (quietly): Maybe… I don’t have to earn My place here. Maybe… I already belong. [Lights fade.]
