CHIHIRO | Billie Eilish

Chapter 40: Old friend

Author's POV

Nayla was lounging at home on a lazy Saturday afternoon, her mind wandering as she flipped scrolled through TikTok. The quiet hum of Billie's favorite playlist filled the air, blending with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Billie, immersed in her sketchbook, was seated at the kitchen table, pencil in hand, capturing the play of light through the window.

Suddenly, Nayla's phone buzzed with a message notification. She glanced up to see a name she hadn't expected in years: Rhea. A surge of nostalgia mixed with curiosity swept over her. "Hey, Billie, look at this," Nayla called out, walking over to where Billie was sitting.

Billie glanced up, her brow furrowing slightly as she read the message over Nayla's shoulder. It read: "Hey, Nayla! I'm in LA for a week. Would love to catch up if you're free."

"Rhea... Who's that?" Billie asked, setting her sketchbook aside.

Nayla settled into a chair opposite Billie, her voice softening with reminiscence. "Rhea and I met at university back home. I was this shy, introverted girl with social anxiety, and she was the complete opposite—confident, outgoing. We clicked instantly."

Billie raised an eyebrow, curious. "And? What happened between you two?"

Nayla continued, "Well, she developed a bit of a crush on me. It was complicated because she was always flirting with others, kind of a player. It was fun but also frustrating. We never dated because of that."

Billie listened attentively, her concern growing subtly. "So, do you think meeting up is a good idea? You said she was a flirt."

Nayla shrugged, a small smile playing on her lips. "It's been years. People change. Catching up wouldn't hurt, right? Plus, she was a good friend at one point."

Billie still looked uncertain. "And you really want to rekindle that friendship? Are you sure it's just about catching up?"

Nayla nodded, trying to reassure her. "It's just one meeting. I want to see how she's doing."

Billie sighed, glancing back at her sketchbook. "Alright, just be careful. I trust you."

"Thanks, Billie," Nayla said, reaching out to squeeze her hand.

A few days later, Nayla returned home with a contented smile, recalling her day with Rhea. Billie looked up from the couch, curiosity in her eyes. "How was it?" she asked, trying to sound casual.

Nayla plopped down beside her, her excitement palpable. "It was like old times! We went to that cute little café downtown, and it felt just like back in university. We talked about everything—our old friends, her life in New York, and all the crazy things we did back then."

She continued, "Rhea hasn't changed much. She's still got that spark, and it was fun reminiscing about the past. We laughed a lot, and it was nice to reconnect. She even remembered my favorite coffee order!" Nayla beamed, clearly happy.

Billie listened, nodding along, but she felt a twinge of jealousy beneath the surface. She did her best to hide it, maintaining a supportive smile. "Sounds like you had a great time."

"Yeah, it was really good to catch up," Nayla said, oblivious to the flicker of unease in Billie's eyes. "We talked about meeting up again."

Billie felt a pang of jealousy but kept her tone light. "That sounds nice. Just don't forget about me," she teased, though there was a hint of seriousness in her voice.

Nayla chuckled, leaning in to give Billie a quick kiss. "Of course not! You're still my favorite."

Billie smiled back, her heart warming despite the lingering jealousy. "I'm glad you had a good time," she said, trying to push her insecurities aside.