CHIHIRO | Billie Eilish

Chapter 16: Back to reality

Nayla's POV

The plane ride back to London was a bittersweet journey. As the city came into view from the window, I felt a mix of emotions swirling inside me. On one hand, I was excited to be back, to return to my familiar surroundings and routine. But on the other hand, I couldn't shake the feeling of sadness knowing that Billie would be leaving soon.

Squeezing Billie's hand tightly, I stole a glance at her, taking in every detail of her face, every curve of her smile. I wanted to freeze this moment in time, to etch it into my memory forever. But I knew that soon, she would be gone, and I would be left with nothing but memories of our time together in LA.

"Hey," Billie whispered, squeezing my hand back. "Are you okay?"

I nodded, forcing a smile. "Yeah, it's just...I will miss this...a lot."

She leaned in closer, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "Me too, Nayla. But we'll come again soon, I promise."

I tried to hold onto her words, to let them comfort me as we prepared to disembark from the plane. But deep down, I knew that saying goodbye to Billie wouldn't be easy.

The weekend with Billie was like a dream come true. We spent our days lounging around the apartment, lost in each other's company. There were no schedules to adhere to, no obligations to fulfill—just the two of us, enjoying the simple pleasures of being together.

As we curled up on the couch, watching our favorite movies and sharing whispered conversations, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. This was where I belonged, in Billie's arms, surrounded by love and warmth.

But as the weekend drew to a close, a sense of sadness began to creep in. I knew that soon, Billie would have to leave, returning to her hectic life and demanding schedule. And while I tried to push the thought to the back of my mind, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending loss.

"I wish we could stay like this forever," I murmured, snuggling closer to Billie as the sun began to set outside.

She wrapped her arms around me, holding me tight. "Me too, Nayla. But we'll make the most of the time we have together, okay?"

I nodded, burying my face in her chest, trying to memorize the feel of her heartbeat beneath my fingertips.

As I sorted through my wardrobe, selecting the perfect outfit for the following day, I couldn't help but marvel at the efficiency of my ritual. Organizing my clothes in advance not only saved me precious time in the morning but also allowed me to steal a few extra minutes of sleep—a luxury I cherished dearly. However, as I meticulously arranged my attire, I couldn't ignore the sound of running water echoing from the bathroom. Billie's showers were notorious for their length, often extending far beyond the bounds of practicality. With a resigned sigh, I resigned myself to the inevitable delay, knowing that patience would be my greatest ally in weathering the storm of Billie's prolonged grooming routine.

After finishing with my clothes I tidied up the kitchen and living room, ensuring that everything was in its rightful place. Finally, with a satisfied sigh, I settled onto the couch with a steaming cup of tea, savoring the tranquility of the moment. The sound of running water signaled Billie's lengthy shower, and I couldn't help but chuckle at her notorious penchant for luxurious bathing. After what felt like an eternity, she emerged, her hair still damp and a mischievous glint in her eyes as she joined me on the couch.

"Well, well, look who's finally decided to grace us with her presence," I teased.

"Oh, you know you'll miss me terribly once I leave, darling," Billie responded with a playful grin.

"Maybe just a little bit. But don't let it get to your head," I retorted, rolling my eyes.

"Too late for that, I'm afraid. My head's already swollen with all the adoration you shower upon me," Billie quipped.

I couldn't suppress a smile at her antics. "You wish, Eilish. You wish."

"Oh, I do more than just wish, darling. I expect regular updates on how much you miss me once I'm gone," Billie teased, leaning in closer.

I felt a shiver run down my spine at the intensity of her gaze, my heart fluttering at the sincerity in her words.

"Well, in that case, I suppose I'll have to make sure you don't forget about me in the meantime," I replied, meeting her lips in a tender kiss.

Billie asked looking at the clothes I laid out on my bed "Are you excited to get back to uni and work?"

I replied confidently, "Yeah, I am. It's tiring, but I'm looking forward to getting back into the routine."

Continuing, I added, "Actually, my contract with the school is ending on Wednesday, but I think they'll extend it. The principal and all the teachers seem really satisfied with my work. Who knows, maybe they'll even give me a raise."

"Of course they're satisfied with you," Billie affirmed, her voice gentle yet confident. "You're incredible at what you do, Nayla. They'd be lucky to have you around, contract or no contract." She flashed a reassuring smile, her eyes reflecting unwavering support and affection. "And hey, even if they don't extend it, we'll figure something out together. I've got your back, always."

"Thank you," I murmured and left a gentle kiss on her cheek.

Billie chuckled softly, her eyes gleaming with affection. "You're so cute when you talk about work and all that," she teased gently. "Honestly, if it were up to me, I'd make sure you never had to work a day in your life. Just focus on your studies, and I'd take care of everything else for you. But I know you, you'd probably kill me if I suggested that," she added with a playful grin.

I couldn't help but laugh at Billie's playful remark. "As tempting as that sounds," I replied, returning her grin, "I think I'd go crazy if I didn't have something to keep me busy. Besides, I want to earn my own keep and not rely on anyone else." Despite Billie's sweet sentiment, I knew the importance of independence and self-sufficiency in my life.

Billie grinned at my statement. "Whatever keeps my girl happy," she replied playfully, her eyes sparkling with affection.

As Billie's words sank in, I couldn't help but blush furiously, feeling a rush of warmth spread through me. She called me her girl. Billie Eilish's girl. The thought sent a thrill of excitement through me, and I couldn't wipe the silly grin off my face.

The next morning felt oddly quiet as I woke up to the familiar sound of my alarm, realizing for the first time in two weeks that I was alone. Billie had left at around midnight , and her absence echoed throughout the apartment. I went about my morning routine, preparing for the day ahead on my own.

Dressed in the new clothes Billie had bought for me and carrying the stylish bag she had gifted me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of confidence as I looked myself in the mirror. I paused in front of the mirror to snap a quick picture of my outfit. I wanted to share it with Billie, as if seeking her approval even though she wasn't physically here.

After my lecture, I met up with Sarah at our usual spot on campus. The sun was shining, and the air was filled with the buzz of students going about their day.

"Hey, Nayla! How's it going?" Sarah greeted me with a warm smile as I approached her.

"Hey, Sarah! It's been a whirlwind, let me tell you," I replied, taking a seat beside her on the bench.

Sarah raised an eyebrow curiously. "I bet! Your pictures with Billie were all over social media."

I took a deep breath, trying to find the right words to explain without revealing too much. I promised Sarah to tell her the story when I get back after she texted me the day me and Billie got spotted arriving in LA. "Yeah, it's been quite the experience. Billie and I met at her concert, and we hit it off. Remember her liking and reposting my TikTok video? She recognized me. She's been a really good friend, and she invited me to LA for spring break. It was just a fun trip, you know?"

Sarah nodded, a knowing smile on her face. "That sounds amazing! It must have been so cool to hang out with her."

I nodded, relieved that Sarah seemed to accept my explanation. "Yeah, it was a blast. Billie's really down-to-earth, despite all the fame."

With that, we fell into easy conversation, catching up on each other's lives as if nothing had changed. But beneath the surface, I couldn't shake the weight of the secret I was keeping from my friend.