Ella (bites her lip): You really think I should ask him about my movie?
Rey (smiles and nods firmly): Yeah. Give it a try. You never know until you ask.
Ella (softly, still unsure): Are you sure?
Rey (confident): Yeh. I'm sure.
(They both smile slightly. Ella glances at the wall clock and lies down, eyes still wide open with thoughts.)
On Set – Between Takes
(The crew is wrapping up rehearsal. Damian stands off to the side, tapping on his phone. Ella hesitates nearby, clearly building up the courage to speak.)
Ella (softly): Uh… Damian—sorry, sir. Can I ask you something?
Damian (without looking up): Yeah?
Ella (gathers her courage, but pauses): Well…
Damian (glances up, slightly impatient): Say it fast.
Ella (blurts out, in one breath): I-need-your-help-with-my-script.
Damian (leans forward, confused): What? Say it slower.
Ella (voice shaking, nervous): I… I need your help with—
(Damian's focused now, watching her intently. He raises an eyebrow, confused by her hesitation. Just then, Mr. Mah walks in briskly.)
Mr. Mah: Damian, we're ready. Come on.
Damian (to Ella, calm but brief): If it's a long talk, we'll do it later.
Ella (quickly, retreating): Yeah, it's… it's not that important.
(Damian walks away. Ella sighs quietly and looks down at her shoes, kicking a pebble on the studio floor.)
(Damian walks off. Ella sighs and lowers her gaze.)
Ella (muttering to herself): Why am I like this? I shouldn't have said that…
Later that Day — At the Set
(The shoot wraps up. Mr. Mah is going over tomorrow's schedule with Damian while Ella stands nearby.)
Damian: So we'll get off early tomorrow?
Mr. Mah: Yeah, looks like it.
Ella (thinking to herself, a bit relieved): It's nice to have shorter working hours once in a while…
(Suddenly, Damian turns to her.)
Damian: Hey—you were trying to ask me something earlier during the shoot, right?
Ella (nervous): Me? Yeah… I was.
(in her mind) Oh no… not now…
Damian: So what was it?
Ella (glances at Mr. Mah who's nearby, watching. She panics slightly): Uh… well…
(hesitates) Let's just leave it.
Damian (slightly confused but shrugs): Uh-huh… okay.