lovely | billie eilish

2 | Backstage Magic

The weeks leading up to the concert seemed to crawl by. Each day was marked by a countdown on my phone, a steady reminder of the impending night. Hailey and I spent countless hours listening to Billie Eilish's latest album and perfecting our concert outfits. Every conversation seemed to loop back to the concert, filling us with a mix of anticipation and impatience.

Finally, the day arrived. It felt surreal waking up, knowing that in just a few short hours, I'd be in the same space as Billie Eilish. I spent the day distracted, my usual focus on lectures and assignments completely shattered. I could barely sit still through my morning classes, my mind constantly drifting to the concert. By lunchtime, I had given up any pretense of productivity and headed back to my dorm to get ready.

Hailey was already there, sprawled across her bed, scrolling through Instagram. She looked up as I entered, her face lighting up with a grin. "It's tonight, Violet! Can you believe it?"

I shook my head, a smile spreading across my face. "It's going to be amazing. What are you wearing?"

We spent the next couple of hours perfecting our outfits. Hailey opted for a black crop top and ripped jeans, while I went for a purple dress that matched the dyed half of my hair. We both wore sneakers, knowing we'd be on our feet all night. As a final touch, I added a thin silver chain around my neck with a small pendant of a broken heart.

By the time we were ready, the sun was setting, casting a golden hue over campus. We decided to drive to the concert venue, Hailey taking the wheel of her trusty Honda Civic. The ride was filled with excitement as we sang along to Billie's songs blasting from the speakers, our voices blending with the music.

As we approached the venue, the energy was palpable. Crowds of fans, many sporting Billie's signature oversized clothing style, filled the streets, their excitement buzzing in the air. We found a parking spot a few blocks away and joined the sea of people all moving toward the same destination.

Inside, the venue was electric. The stage was bathed in blue and purple lights, a perfect reflection of Billie's aesthetic. Hailey and I found our seats, which were surprisingly close to the stage, and settled in, our anticipation reaching a peak.

The opening act came and went in a blur, their performance unable to capture our attention as we eagerly awaited the main event. Finally, the lights dimmed, and the crowd erupted into cheers as the first notes of "bury a friend" echoed through the venue.

Billie Eilish emerged, her blue hair glowing under the stage lights, her presence commanding the entire room. The moment she began to sing, the world outside ceased to exist. Her voice was even more captivating live, a mesmerizing melody that resonated deep within my soul.

Song after song, we sang along, our voices blending with the thousands around us. The energy was intoxicating, each beat of the music syncing with the thumping of my heart. Hailey and I shared glances of pure joy, knowing this was a night we'd never forget.

As the concert drew to a close, Billie performed "when the party's over," her voice filled the room. As she sang, her eyes wandered over the crowd until they unexpectedly locked onto mine. The connection felt electric, as if her gaze pierced through the haze of the concert directly to me. Time seemed to stand still for that brief, charged moment, leaving me with a lingering sense of wonder and intrigue.The final notes lingered in the air, the applause deafening as Billie stood on stage, taking in the moment. We stayed in our seats long after the lights came up, unwilling to let go of the magic.

Just as we were about to leave, Hailey turned to me with a gleam in her eye and pulled two lanyards from her bag. "Guess what?" she said, grinning. "Backstage passes!"

My eyes widened in shock. "Are you serious?"

Hailey nodded, her excitement mirroring mine. "Yep! I wanted it to be a surprise. Let's go meet Billie!"

We followed the signs that led to the backstage area, my heart pounding in my chest. I felt Hailey's reassuring hand in mine, grounding me as we approached the door marked "VIP." The noise of the crowd faded away, replaced by the hum of equipment and the distant murmur of voices.

A security guard checked our passes and let us through, directing us down a hallway. The anticipation was almost unbearable as we turned the final corner and found ourselves in front of a door with a star on it.

I took a deep breath and knocked. A moment later, it opened to reveal Billie Eilish herself. Up close, she was even more mesmerizing, her blue hair framing her face like a halo.

"Hey there," Billie said, her voice warm and inviting. "What are your names?"

I was too stunned to speak. Hailey nudged me, and I managed to find my voice. "I'm Violet, and this is Hailey. It's such an honor to meet you."

Billie smiled, her eyes twinkling. "I saw you two in the crowd. Your energy was amazing."

I blushed, feeling my heart swell with joy. "Thank you! Your music means so much to us. It's been a huge part of our lives."

Billie motioned for us to come in, and we followed her into the room. It was filled with comfortable chairs, a small table with refreshments, and the unmistakable aura of a post-concert buzz.

We spent the next hour talking with Billie, sharing stories and laughter. She was down-to-earth and genuine, making us feel like old friends rather than fans. Hailey and I hung on her every word, soaking up the experience.

As our time together came to an end, we exchanged hugs, and Billie gave us each a small, signed poster as a memento. "Thank you for coming tonight," she said. "I hope you had a great time."

"It was incredible," I replied, my voice full of gratitude. "I'll never forget this night."

Billie smiled. "Neither will I. Take care, Violet."

As we walked back to the car, the cool night air was a clear contrast to the warmth of the backstage room. Hailey and I were silent, lost in our thoughts, replaying every moment in our minds.

"That was incredible," Hailey finally said, breaking the silence as we got into the car.

I nodded, still feeling the echo of the music in my chest. "It was more than incredible. It was life-changing."

As we drove back to campus, I couldn't shake the feeling that this night had marked the beginning of something new. I didn't know what it was yet, but I was ready for it, whatever it might be.