Listen To Your Heart ~ Book One.

What's Wrong with Billie?

"Keep reading, the best is yet to come."

(I continue to scroll down the list, then I see it. Billie Eilish forgets words to song. Billie Eilish curses at fans. Billie Eilish collapses on stage. Billie Eilish bandaged wrist...is she harming herself again? Billie Eilish runs off stage crying. Billie Eilish throws tantrum on the Tonight Show. Billie Eilish cancels concerts. Billie Eilish weight loss, is she anorexic? The list goes on. I look up at Claudia.)

"What the hell? What happened?"

"That's only half of it. The news hounds don't know the worse half...yet."

"Worse half?"

"She's tried to kill herself twice."

"What? Damn."

(Claudia sits down again.)

"So, let's try this one last time, shall we? What the hell happened between you and Billie? And what did she mean, when she told her mom...I need his heart back?"

(I look at Claudia in surprise.) "She said that?"

"Yes. Do you know what she means, and who she's talking about?"

('Oh...my...God.' I think. I swallow a lump in my throat and begin telling Claudia everything.)

(After a couple of minutes.)

"Wait...wait. You and Billie did what?"

"We talked. We kissed, and one thing led to another...and..."

"What?"

(I try to avoid eye contact with Claudia.)

"Oh my God. The two of you didn't? No wonder her cheeks were so red when I spoke to her. You do realize her family's not going to be happy if they find out?" (She laughs.)

"I can't see what the issue is." (I growl.) "It was consensual, she's over eighteen. So, what's the problem?"

"Billie's sucked a few cocks in her rise to fame, but she's never gotten so sexually involved with anyone she barely knows...until you."

"Oh...I didn't realize...I had made such an impact on her."

"So why does she need your heart back?"

(I shrug) "Because she fell asleep in my arms, I guess."

"She slept in your arms. No night terrors? She didn't wake up screaming?"

"No, we both slept thru the night. When I awoke in the morning, she was gone."

(Claudia laughs) "Her parents' are going to have a hell of a day with you. You have sex with her and keep away her night terrors all in one night? First, they'll want to kill you, then they'll want to thank you."

"Yea...well. I haven't heard from Billie in three months, so I doubt that'll happen."

"Only one way to find out if you're the solution to whatever's bothering Billie. Go get showered and shaved. Wheels up in two hours. I got to call Finneas."

(There was that name again.)

"Who's Finneas?"

"Billie's older brother? My boyfriend? Billie's protector?"

"Oh...right. Okay." (I trudge towards the bathroom. 'My ass is in trouble when I get to California' I think.)

(After taking a very hot shower. I'm standing outside the shower, towel drying my hair.)

"Now there's the guy Billie was telling me about."

(I slowly remove the towel from my head. Claudia is standing a few inches away from me, eyeing me up and down. I feel my heartbeat quicken. 'Down boy.' I tell myself. She has a boyfriend...remember Billie.)

"Do you always walk in on guys taking a shower?"

(She smiles) "A girl can window shop, can't she?"

(She walks a slow circle around me, gliding her fingers over my wet muscular body. Then she locks eyes with me and smiles.)