Anthony was surprised when he met Shayla's old friend.❤️ Full Story Below
Anthony was surprised when he met Shayla's old friend.❤️
Scene: A cozy coffee shop. Anthony and Shayla are sitting by the window, sipping lattes and talking. The bell above the door jingles as someone walks in. Shayla suddenly looks up and freezes.
Shayla: (Eyes widening) Oh my God… Marcus?
Marcus: (Turning toward her voice, surprised) Shayla? No way—Shayla Brooks?
Shayla: (Stands up, smiling nervously) It’s been forever! What are you doing here?
Marcus: I could ask you the same thing! Wow, you look… different. Grown. Beautiful, actually.
Anthony: (Stands up slowly, watching them) Hey. I’m Anthony.
Shayla: Oh—right, sorry. Anthony, this is Marcus. We went to college together. He’s… um, an old friend.
Marcus: (Extending a hand to Anthony) Nice to meet you, man.
Anthony: (Shakes it, eyeing him) You too.
Shayla: We had a whole crew back then—late-night study sessions, open mic nights… Marcus was always the guy with the guitar and the deep poetry.
Marcus: And Shayla was the girl stealing the spotlight with that voice. She could sing circles around all of us.
Anthony: I didn’t know you were into music, Shay.
Shayla: (Shrugs, a little embarrassed) It’s been a while. Life kinda got in the way.
Marcus: You stopped singing?
Shayla: Not by choice. Things just changed, you know?
Marcus: Hm. That’s a shame. You had something special. Still do, I bet.
Anthony: (Trying to redirect) So, Marcus—are you still in music?
Marcus: Yeah. I’m actually back in town for a gig. I’m headlining at The Velvet Room tomorrow night.
Shayla: The Velvet Room? That’s amazing.
Anthony: (To Shayla) You know that place?
Shayla: Yeah, it’s kind of a big deal for local artists. I always wanted to perform there… never did, though.
Marcus: You should come. Both of you. I’d love to catch up more—and hey, maybe I could convince Shayla to get on stage for one song?
Shayla: (Laughs nervously) Oh no, I don’t think so…
Anthony: (Looking at her) Why not?
Shayla: It’s just been so long. I’d probably freeze up.
Marcus: You? Freeze up? Not the Shayla I remember.
Anthony: (Softly) Maybe it’s time to bring that Shayla back.
Shayla: (Biting her lip, thoughtful) I don’t know…
Marcus: Just think about it. You don’t have to decide now. But if you show up, the mic’s yours anytime.
Shayla: Thanks, Marcus. That’s sweet.
Marcus: I should let you two enjoy your coffee. But seriously, come by tomorrow. It’d be great to reconnect.
Anthony: Yeah, maybe we will.
Marcus: Take care, Shay. And nice meeting you, Anthony.
Anthony: You too.
(Marcus walks out, leaving a light tension in the air.)
Anthony: So… that was unexpected.
Shayla: Yeah. I haven’t seen him in years. He was a good friend… once.
Anthony: Just a friend?
Shayla: (Pauses) We had a moment. Nothing serious. It just never worked out. Timing, mostly.
Anthony: Okay. I appreciate you telling me.
Shayla: Are you okay?
Anthony: I’m not jealous, if that’s what you mean. I just… didn’t know that part of you. The music, the performing. I feel like I’ve missed something important.
Shayla: You haven’t missed it. I just buried it. Life after college got messy. I stopped believing I had anything worth sharing.
Anthony: Well, I don’t know Marcus, but I agree with him on one thing: you still have it. I’d love to hear you sing.
Shayla: (Smiling softly) Maybe tomorrow?
Anthony: I’ll be there. Front row.
Anthony: (Looking around) This place has a vibe. You nervous?
Shayla: (Scanning the crowd) Beyond nervous. I don’t even know why I came.
Anthony: You came because deep down, you wanted to. And I think you miss this.
Shayla: (Softly) Maybe. Or maybe I just wanted to see what he’d say.
Anthony: Marcus?
Shayla: Yeah. Part of me still wonders what life would've looked like if I'd stayed in that world… kept singing, stayed close with him.
Anthony: And the other part?
Shayla: Knows I wouldn’t trade what I have with you for anything.
Anthony: (Smiles) Good answer. I was starting to feel like a background character in your musical.
Shayla: (Teasing) You? No way. You're the leading man. Always were.
(They find a table near the stage. Marcus appears from backstage, guitar slung over his shoulder. He spots them and makes his way over.)
Marcus: Hey, you made it!
Shayla: We said we would.
Marcus: I’m glad. This place always had your name written all over it.
Anthony: She was nervous. Still is.
Marcus: That’s normal. Even I still get nervous. But the stage misses you, Shayla.
Shayla: (Hesitating) We’ll see. I’m just here to watch… for now.
Marcus: Well, I’m starting in ten. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.
(Marcus walks toward the stage. The lights dim, and the crowd quiets as he begins to play. He’s good—really good. Smooth vocals, raw emotion. Shayla is transfixed. Anthony watches her more than the performance.)
Anthony: (Leaning in) That look in your eyes—I haven’t seen that before.
Shayla: What look?
Anthony: Like you’re remembering who you are.
Shayla: (Whispers) I don’t know if I can get on that stage, Ant.
Anthony: What’s really stopping you?
Shayla: What if I’m not who I used to be?
Anthony: Then be who you are now. That's who I love.
(On stage, Marcus finishes a song. The crowd claps. He steps up to the mic.)
Marcus: Before I play the next one, I want to invite someone up here—someone I haven’t seen in years but who used to light up every room with her voice. Shayla Brooks. If you’re willing… we’d love to hear you.
(The room shifts. Heads turn. A hush falls.)
Shayla: (Eyes wide) Oh my God.
Anthony: (Softly, encouragingly) You don’t have to. But… I think you want to.
Shayla: I’m scared.
Anthony: Then do it scared.
(Shayla slowly stands. The crowd parts as she makes her way to the stage. Marcus hands her a second mic. Their eyes meet.)
Marcus: You ready?
Shayla: Not even close.
Marcus: Good. That’s when the best stuff happens.
(The guitar starts. It's a slow, soulful tune—one they used to jam to back in college. Shayla hesitates, then sings. Her voice—shaky at first—grows strong, warm, powerful. The crowd is dead silent, then bursts into applause.)
Anthony: (Whispers to himself) Damn…
(After the song ends, Marcus nods at her, stepping back to let her take the spotlight. She smiles, full of something new and old at once.)
Later, backstage…
Shayla: (Rushing to Anthony) Did you see—?
Anthony: I saw everything. You were unbelievable.
Shayla: I felt like myself again. Like... I woke up.
Anthony: Then don’t go back to sleep. Whatever this is—singing, performing—it’s part of you. Let it live.
Shayla: (Emotional) Thank you. For pushing me. For believing in me.
Anthony: Always.
(Marcus walks up, towel around his neck, grinning.)
Marcus: You killed it out there. I mean it.
Shayla: Thanks, Marcus. It meant a lot that you invited me up.
Marcus: We should do it again sometime.
Anthony: (Arm around Shayla, calm but clear) We’ll think about it.
Marcus: (Chuckles, reading the room) Right. Of course.
(They all share a final moment of silence. A past rekindled, a present reaffirmed, and a future… just beginning.)
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