CHIHIRO | Billie Eilish

Chapter 2: The Struggle

Author's POV

The first week in London was a whirlwind of new experiences and challenges for Nayla. As she navigated the bustling streets and intricate Tube system, she couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer size and diversity of the city. However, despite her best efforts, Nayla still found herself getting lost from time to time, her phone's GPS becoming her lifeline as she attempted to find her way.

As Nayla stepped onto the crowded platform of the Tube station, she felt a surge of anxiety wash over her. She glanced down at her phone, trying to make sense of the labyrinthine map of London's underground system. A voice beside her startled her out of her thoughts.

"Excuse me, are you heading to UCL?"

Nayla looked up to see a fellow student, a friendly smile on her face.

"Yes, I am," Nayla replied, grateful for the assistance.

The student introduced herself as Sarah, offering to accompany Nayla on the journey to campus. As they boarded the train together, they struck up a conversation about their respective programs and shared their excitement and nerves about starting at UCL. By the time they reached their stop, Nayla felt a little less alone in the bustling city.

"Thanks for showing me the way," Nayla said, offering Sarah a grateful smile.

"No problem! See you around campus," Sarah replied, waving as she disappeared into the crowd.

At University College London, Nayla attended orientation sessions and picked up her schedule of classes and textbooks. The campus was sprawling and intimidating, but Nayla was determined to make the most of her time there. She attended lectures and seminars, soaking up as much knowledge as she could, though she couldn't shake the feeling of being a small fish in a big pond.

During her first week, Nayla had yet to make any acquaintances outside of the student counselor who had provided her with information about navigating campus and settling into life in London. She spent her evenings poring over textbooks and lecture notes, determined to stay on top of her studies despite the challenges of adjusting to a new city and a new academic environment.

As the weeks went by and Nayla settled into her routine, she found herself facing the harsh reality of the high cost of living in London. With rent, tuition, and living expenses to cover, Nayla quickly realized that her student budget would require careful planning and strict discipline. She scoured the internet for budgeting tips and meal prep ideas, determined to stretch her funds as far as possible.

Despite her financial worries, Nayla threw herself into her studies with gusto. She attended lectures, participated in group discussions, and spent hours in the library, immersing herself in her chosen field of education. Her headphones became her constant companion, the familiar strains of Billie Eilish's music providing a welcome escape from the stresses of academic life.

One month later, Nayla had made significant strides in her journey to establish herself in London. She had attended numerous job interviews, determined to find employment related to her field of study rather than settling for menial work. Eventually, her perseverance paid off, and she secured a position as a teaching assistant at a primary school close to her apartment and university. It was a relief to have a steady income and a sense of purpose beyond her studies, though Nayla knew that the road ahead would still be challenging.

As Nayla reflected on her first month in London, she felt a sense of pride at how far she had come. Despite the obstacles and uncertainties she had faced, she had persevered. With each passing day, Nayla grew more confident in her ability to navigate the complexities of life in the bustling metropolis of London. And as she looked ahead to the future, she knew that whatever challenges lay in store, she would face them with the same determination and resilience that had brought her this far.

Nayla made her way to the university bookstore to pick up her textbooks, feeling a sense of camaraderie with the other students as they browsed the shelves together. As she waited in line to pay, she struck up a conversation with the student behind her, bonding over their shared love of literature.

After her classes for the day had finished, Nayla decided to explore the city a bit more. She wandered through the streets of London, marveling at the historic landmarks and vibrant culture that surrounded her. As she passed by a group of street performers, the strains of familiar music caught her ear. She paused to listen, a smile spreading across her face as she recognized the melody of a Billie Eilish song.

"Great choice!" a passerby commented, noticing Nayla's grin. "She's going on tour soon, you know."

Nayla's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Billie Eilish's concert. It had been a dream of hers to see her favorite artist live, but she had never imagined it would be possible. The idea of attending the concert became a glimmer of hope in the midst of her struggles.

"Really? That's amazing," Nayla replied, her mind racing with possibilities.

As Nayla continued her journey through the city, she couldn't shake the thought of the concert from her mind.

As Nayla stepped into her modest apartment after a long day of classes, her mind buzzed with thoughts of the stranger's words about Billie Eilish's upcoming tour. She dropped her bag by the door and collapsed onto her bed, the events of the day swirling around her mind.

Billie Eilish. The mere mention of her name sent a jolt of excitement through Nayla's veins. Ever since she was sixteen, Billie's music had been a constant presence in Nayla's life. It was Billie's haunting melodies and soulful lyrics that had accompanied Nayla through the highs and lows of her teenage years, serving as a source of comfort and inspiration.

But Billie Eilish held an even deeper significance for Nayla. It was through Billie's music that Nayla had first begun to come to terms with her own sexuality. She remembered the moment vividly: sitting in her room, headphones on, obsessing over Billie. It was as if Billie had reached into Nayla's soul and put words to the feelings she had long kept buried deep inside. In that moment, Nayla had realized that she was gay, and it was okay.

A wistful smile tugged at Nayla's lips as she thought back to that pivotal moment in her life. Billie Eilish had been more than just a singer to Nayla; she had been a guiding light, helping Nayla to embrace her true self and find the courage to live authentically.

And now, here she was, in the same city as her idol. The thought sent a thrill of excitement through Nayla's body, but it was quickly tempered by a sense of disappointment. Nayla knew that attending the concert would be a luxury she couldn't afford. With rent, tuition, and living expenses to cover, saving up for a concert ticket seemed like an impossible dream.

But as Nayla lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling, a spark of determination ignited within her. She had faced challenges before and had always found a way to overcome them. This would be no different. Nayla made a silent vow to herself: she would find a way to save enough money to attend Billie Eilish's concert, no matter what it took.

With renewed determination, Nayla sat up and reached for her journal. She flipped to a fresh page and began to sketch out a plan. She would pinch pennies wherever she could, and pick up extra classes at work. Every spare penny would go towards her goal of seeing her idol perform live.

As Nayla poured her heart and soul into her plan, she felt a sense of purpose wash over her. This was more than just a concert; it was a symbol of everything she had overcome and everything she hoped to achieve. With each stroke of her pen, Nayla felt herself drawing closer to her dream, one step at a time. And as she drifted off to sleep that night, a smile played on her lips. The dream was within reach, and Nayla was determined to make it a reality.