CHIHIRO | Billie Eilish

Chapter 6: Surprise

Nayla's POV

The day started like any other, with me getting ready for work at the school. As I stood in front of the mirror, pondering what to wear, I couldn't help but chuckle at my own reflection. "Wow, I would smash," I joked to myself, admiring the sleek black suit and heels I had chosen for the day. With a smirk, I grabbed my phone and headed off to school, ready to tackle whatever the day had in store.

Billie Eilish's new album dropped, and I was all in, soaking up every beat and lyric like it was my lifeline. Her music became the backdrop to my days in London, whether I was hitting the books at the library, wandering the streets, or chilling in my little apartment. It was like she was speaking directly to me, whispering truths I didn't even know I needed to hear.

Now, my TikTok wasn't anything special, just a place where I'd share random bits of my life with a small group of followers

Once at the school, it was business as usual. The halls were bustling with students and teachers rushing to and fro, lost in their own worlds. As I made my way to the library, I couldn't help but notice how empty it was—a rare occurrence in a place usually teeming with activity. Seizing the opportunity, I set up my phone and began recording a TikTok, more for fun than anything else.

With the infectious beat of Billie Eilish's "Billie Bossa Nova" playing in the background, I swayed and lip-synced to the music, feeling a surge of confidence wash over me. It wasn't so much about the dancing as it was about owning the moment, letting loose and just being myself. Little did I know, this impromptu video would change everything.

As the views on the video began to climb, I watched in disbelief as the numbers skyrocketed, far surpassing anything I had ever experienced before. And then, like a bolt from the blue, came the notification that stopped me dead in my tracks—Billie Eilish had not only liked my video but had also reposted it to her own TikTok account.

My heart raced with excitement as I read through the flood of comments, each one more incredulous than the last. "Billie reposted!" they exclaimed, their excitement palpable even through the screen. It was a moment of validation unlike any other, a surreal experience that left me breathless with disbelief.

In the days that followed, my TikTok account exploded with newfound fame, my once modest following ballooning into the millions. Messages of support and admiration poured in from every corner of the globe, each one a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and bring people together.

As the shock of Billie Eilish liking and reposting my video began to settle in, I couldn't shake the feeling that it was more than just a stroke of luck. It felt like a second sign, a cosmic nudge from the universe, guiding me down a path I had never dared to imagine. First, our chance encounter on the dimly lit street, and now this—a direct acknowledgment of my existence from the very person who had inspired me to embrace my true self. It was as if the universe was conspiring to remind me that anything was possible, that dreams could indeed come true if only I dared to reach for them.

Amidst the chaos of midterms week at university, exhaustion had become my constant companion. Each day blurred into the next, a relentless cycle of studying, exams, and endless cups of coffee. But on the last day of midterms, as I trudged out of the exam hall, feeling drained and defeated, Sarah appeared like a ray of sunshine, offering to whisk me away for a much-needed celebration. "Girls' night out," she declared with a mischievous twinkle in her eye, promising to bring along some friends to liven up the evening. Eager for a break from the relentless grind of academia, I eagerly accepted, knowing that a night of fun and laughter was just what I needed.

"Nayla, meet my friends," Sarah said with a warm smile, gesturing to the two girls beside her. "This is Emily and Lily."

"Hey, nice to meet you both," I greeted them, offering a friendly wave.