One example of figurative language in the passage is the simile "her stomach dropped like a free-falling elevator." This comparison emphasizes the intense feeling of anxiety and fear that Melanie experiences as she steps onto the stage, suggesting a sudden, sinking sensation in her stomach.
Another example is "bent the microphone toward her mouth, like the straw in her pink lemonade." This simile compares the action of adjusting the microphone to the familiar motion of bending a straw, which helps to convey a sense of intimacy and relatability in her nervousness, illustrating how she is trying to make herself comfortable in a daunting situation.