Brighter Stars // Billie Eilish gxg

t h i r t y o n e

Carmen's POV

The next several days we spend at Finneas' home, hiding from the world and everyone in it.

I got a new phone and its been ringing non stop, but I've been declining most of the calls unless they're from the police station.

A hashtag was trending on twitter for a bit, #CarmenIsHome. I didn't realize the kind of publicity I got when I was missing. There are pictures everywhere of Billie's mugshot, and articles detailing how she "saved" me. She's a hero.

My most recent instagram post is littered with comments from hundreds of thousands of people, telling me what an inspiration I am and how they are all so happy I'm okay.

No one has even heard anything about me or Billie or what we've both been through. No one even knows the extent of the horror I've lived over the past several weeks yet they're still so supportive.

Today I have to go to the station to hear the details on Webb's sentencing. The attorney representing all of the victims wants me to speak at the hearing, since Webb pled guilty. He told me he wants as many faces of victims as he can get, so hopefully he won't get anything short of a heavy sentence.

Billie has been nothing but a steady force of support and unconditional love this whole time.

"Are you sure you want to go in by yourself?" Billie asks, as I step out of the shower, wrapping myself in a towel.

"Yeah, I think so. You can wait in the car if you want." I say, plugging my blow dryer into the wall.

"You're braver than I am, Carmen." She says, planting a kiss on my forehead and leaving the room.

I dry my hair and put a generous amount of makeup on, throw a sweater and a pair of jeans on as well, then step out of the bathroom.

I sit on the floor and slip my shoes over my feet.

Billie walks into the bedroom from the hallway holding a water bottle. She stops in her tracks and looks at me.

"You are so attractive." She smiles, eyeing me up and down.

I finish putting my shoes on, and jump up to stand next to her.

"Look who's talking." I say, putting my lips up to hers.

Billie smiles into my lips and kisses me softly.

"I'm ready to go." I say into her lips.

She nods and leads me to her car parked in Finneas' driveway.

She opens the passenger side door for me then shuts it behind me once I climb in.

A short car ride later, and we are at the local police station. I'm absolutely stunned when as soon as I pull up, there are paparazzi everywhere.

"Oh my god..." I say, as Billie parks.

Dozens of them run towards Billie's car and are practically pushing their cameras against the windows.

"This has to be a joke." Billie says, flinging her door open and slamming it shut behind her.

"Move please, move! Motherfucker, guys..." I hear her say, shooing them all away from the car.

Once they've backed up a little, she opens the door for me. I stand up and she snakes her arm around my waist, then closes the door behind me. She guides me to the door of the station, as they all yell questions at us.

"Carmen!! What happened to you in that mansion?" One yells.

"Do you have anything to say to Mr. Webb, Carmen?" Yells another.

I try to ignore them all as Billie opens the door to the station for me, and leads me inside.

"Sorry about all of that, Miss Price. They came out of nowhere!" Sheila says, greeting me.

"Hi, Sheila." I say, hugging her.

"Sheila, this is... my girlfriend, Billie. Billie, this is my Victim's Advocate, Sheila." I say, introducing them cautiously.

"Nice to meet you, Billie." Sheila says, shaking her hand.

"You too, Sheila. Thank you for all of the help with Carmen." Billie says.

"I'm here for you both!" Sheila says.

"Carmen, you ready for the meeting?" Sheila asks, looking at me.

"Yes ma'am." I say.

I squeeze Billie's hand, and she takes a seat in the lobby.

Sheila leads me into a quiet conference room and seats me in a comfy office chair at the table.

"Everyone should be here momentarily." Sheila says.

Not long after I sit, a familiar face gets sat next to me.

"Carmen?" The girl asks, looking at me.

Holy shit, it's Flora.

"Flora?" I ask, not knowing how to react.

"I'm so sorry for everything. I'm so glad you're okay." Flora says, placing her hands on mine.

"Why are you here?" I ask, pulling my hands away.

"I'm a victim, too." She says, folding her hands in her lap.

"He used me in a fucked up way, Carmen. I never wanted to do any of those things to you." She says, looking at her lap.

I am unsure what to say, as everyone else files into their seats.

"I was the one that texted Billie." She continues.

"You texted Billie?" I ask.

"Yeah, I told her everything." Flora says, confused.

"What do you mean?" I press.

"I was the one who told her where you were. I reported Webb to the FBI, too. It was the least I could do after putting you and so many others through hell." She says, nervously playing with the rings on her fingers.

"Wow." I say, trying to take it all in and piece everything together.

"Okay, it's wonderful to have you ladies here." Our attorney says, opening a file folder up.

"As you have heard, the hearing is in three days, and I would love it if you all could write impact statements for the hearing." He says, looking each of us in the eyes.

"What exactly is an impact statement?" I ask.

"Think of it like something you want the judge to hear about how this entire thing has taken a toll on you. Everyone in the court will hear it, even Mr. Webb." Sheila pipes up next to me.

I nod. So basically it's the biggest speech of my life. Got it.

"Mr. Webb is taking a plea bargain by entering a guilty plea. We want to make sure he doesn't get off easy. We need to hear from you, the victims." The attorney adds.

Everything else that's said fades into the background as I try to imagine what I would possibly say in front of the whole court. I haven't spoken to anyone about anything yet, how am I supposed to spill my guts out in front of an entire room full of people?

The meeting ends and I'm released back out into the lobby where my Billie is sitting.

She stands up and kisses me on the cheek when I approach her, then she puts me in her car and takes me home.

"What happened in the meeting?" Billie asks.

"You're good at writing, so I think I'm going to need your help." I say, placing my hand on her leg.

//

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