CHIHIRO | Billie Eilish

Chapter 29: Surgery

Nayla's POV

The weeks following my graduation flew by in a whirlwind of activity. I was finally back in LA, trying to set a new routine. One evening, Billie told me about a party she wanted me to attend, hosted by one of her close friends from the music industry. She thought it would be a good opportunity for me to meet more of her circle.

The night of the party arrived, and I dressed in a sleek, black dress that Billie had picked out for me. As we approached the trendy venue where the gathering was taking place, I couldn't help but feel a flutter of anticipation.

"Are you ready for this?" Billie asked, flashing me a reassuring smile as we walked hand in hand.

I nodded, trying to quell the butterflies in my stomach. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Inside the venue, the atmosphere was alive with the buzz of conversation and the thump of music. I stuck close to Billie as she navigated the crowd, her presence a comforting anchor in the sea of unfamiliar faces.

"Hey, Billie!" a voice called out, and we turned to see a group of people waving enthusiastically at us.

"Hey, everyone!" Billie greeted them with a grin, pulling me along beside her. "I want you all to meet Nayla."

The introductions came fast and furious, and I struggled to keep track of everyone's names amidst the din of conversation. But despite my nerves, I found myself warming up to Billie's friends, who welcomed me with open arms.

"Nice to finally meet you, Nayla," one of Billie's friends said, offering me a drink. "Billie's been talking about you nonstop."

I smiled gratefully, feeling a knot of tension loosen in my chest. "It's great to meet you too."

As the evening wore on, I found myself engaging in animated conversations with Billie's friends, sharing stories and laughter as we got to know each other better. With each passing moment, my initial nerves melted away, replaced by a sense of belonging among these new acquaintances.

Eventually, the night came to a close, and as we bid farewell to Billie's friends, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the opportunity to meet the people who were important to the person I loved.

A few days later, Billie immersed herself in her music projects, while I balanced my time between exploring the city and working on my online entrepreneurship. The days were mostly calm, filled with quiet moments and shared meals, but as with any relationship, not everything was smooth sailing.

It started innocently enough, a simple misunderstanding that quickly escalated into a full-blown argument. Voices raised, emotions heightened, until the tension crackled between us like electricity.

"I thought we agreed to spend Saturday together," I insisted, my frustration mounting as Billie's rebuttal cut through the air like a knife.

"I never said that," she shot back, her tone sharp with irritation. "I told you I had studio time booked."

The words felt like a slap to the face, and before I could stop myself, I lashed out in anger. "Well, maybe if you actually communicated with me instead of springing things on me last minute—"

"Don't turn this around on me," Billie interrupted, her voice tinged with frustration. "You knew I had commitments. I can't just drop everything whenever you feel like spending time together."

I felt the sting of tears pricking at the corners of my eyes, a mixture of hurt and anger boiling inside me. "I'm not asking you to drop everything," I retorted, my voice trembling with emotion. "I just want to feel like I matter to you."