Let The Games Begin // Billie Eilish

Chapter 22

"Spin around for me!" Sabine shouts excitedly as she admires Billie and I in our matching outfits for The Ring.

We both awkwardly turn around so she can get a good look at us.

The outfit is very simple. It's a black t-shirt and grey cargo pants with a shell-material jacket and shoes that resemble hiking boots. To be completely honest, it kind of resembles our uniforms here. It's designed to be practical, not fashionable.

I look over at Billie to examine the outfit on her. It's not exactly stunning, but somehow on her it looks great. She just has a way of making anything look good. I'll never get over how so effortlessly attractive she is.

"Are you happy with it ?" She asks hopefully.

"Yeah, it should do the job." I chuckle, while Billie smiles and nods.

"Very well. Alright, you can change back into your uniforms now." She says and we both begin to walk behind the individual changing curtains. "But just one more thing!"

Billie and I simultaneously stop in our tracks and look over at her.

"I'm not allowed to have favourites, but, well, ah screw it. You two are my favourite." She admits as she relaxes her stance by leaning on leg.

"Really?" I question in disbelief.

"Yes, but you must not tell anyone! I just wanted to sincerely wish you both the best of luck. It has been an honour to be your mentor over the past two months." She says, and I swear I can see her eyes bristling with tears.

"Oh, wow. Thank you Sabine. We really appreciate everything you've done for us." I reply kindly.

"Yeah, you're a real one." Billie says quietly.

A silence blankets the room, the unbearable reality of this situation sinking in.

"Alright, let's get you changed, shall we." She claps enthusiastically in an effort to shift the mood.

Billie and I both nod and head over to the curtains.

As Billie pulls back her curtain, I notice the yellow ribbon poking out from the sleeve of her jacket.

I smile to myself at the fact that she made the effort to put it on this morning, before covering myself with the curtain and changing back into my uniform.

~

Dinner today was weird. Nothing out of the ordinary happened, but the mood was just... different. It was quiet. The pressure of tomorrow is looming and for a lot of us, tonight was our last dinner ever.

The only thing that's lifting everyone's spirits is this 'party' some of the players have organised in the garden area, which is actually where I am now.

It is absolutely not a party. There is no music, no alcohol, no illegal substances, no cool lights, nothing. It's basically just all of the players hanging out together in our free time.

I'm currently sat with James and Audrey, while all of the other players are chatting and mingling with each other one last time across the garden.

"You don't need to worry Milaus, we all know you're gonna win. The rest of us are screwed." Myra laughs.

"Now now, there's no need to blow smoke up my ass." He chuckles, but I can tell he's loving the ego boost.

"Who do you think is gonna make it into the top 5?" Nikki asks.

Milaus thinks for a second. "Probably me, you, Billie, Peter, and... hmmm... maybe Steph?"

"What the hell?! What about me?!" Myra asks defensively, offended by his harsh statement.