here we are, again | billie eilish

21 | how could you

- leilani's pov -

"time for lineup ladies!" sasha yelled into our dressing room before leaving out. "cmon cmon!"

the girls started rushing out, me included. we made it out into the hallway when i heard "rose, stay back for a second."

i rolled my eyes at the sound of the voice.

i stopped in my tracks and waited for everyone to pass me so that i'll stay back. once all the girls headed up front, i turned around to see mr. marino with his arms crossed, having a smirk on his face.

"what?" i asked, immediately annoyed.

"how are you dear?" he asked me in his feminine voice, trying to be funny.

"that shit isn't right," i shook my head starting to turn around.

"woah wait a minute," he grabbed my hand to stop me from walking away.

"the show starts soon, i need to go line up," i expressed.

"you're not doing the show," he stated.

"excuse me?" i rose my voice and eyebrows. "wha- why?"

"because i said," he shrugged. "you didn't fit the requirements this week."

"how did i not- i don't understand-"

"hey why are you two being so loud?" sasha walked into the hallway where we were. "what's going on?"

"mr. marino said i can't walk tonight," i looked at her.

sasha squinted her eyes. "why?" she looked at him.

he suddenly got nervous as he now needed an excuse. "look at her stomach, she's clearly bloated and not fit this week."

sasha gave him a weird look and then proceeded to look at my stomach. "she looks fine," she shrugged.

"sasha dear," he started. "you're not paying attention-"

"im also not paying you to waste my time," she looked at him. "leilani is one of our best models, she walking," sasha demanded as she walked off.

i looked down at the floor with a grin of relief.

"this isn't over," he shook his head.

i furrowed my eyebrows being so ever confused. "what is your problem? i haven't said anything to you in weeks."

"you didn't have to," he shook his head. "but you need to set the record straight that i will not be played with or threatened."

"what?" i asked, lost as ever. "whatever i don't have time for this. i have a show to do."

"you may can get away with doing the show, but i'll still make it hell for you up here," he glared at me.

my eyes got slightly wide in fear and i quickly walked away.

what the fuck?

the show ended and we all went back to the dressing room to change and pack our things for the night.

"hey lani," one girl approached me. "you drove billie's car here today?"

"hmm?" i looked at her in confusion.

"billie's car," she said again. "i saw it outside earlier when i was pulling up."

"oh she was dropping me off," i nodded.

"no one was in there though," she furrowed her eyebrows. "and it was parked on the side of the building."

"huh?" i asked, now lost.