CHIHIRO | Billie Eilish

Chapter 41: University

Author's POV

Billie woke up early, the sunlight streaming through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. She glanced at Nayla, who was still peacefully asleep beside her, her chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Billie smiled softly, careful not to disturb her, and quietly slipped out of bed.

In the kitchen, Billie moved with practiced ease, setting up the coffee maker and preparing breakfast. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee soon filled the air, mingling with the scent of sizzling eggs and toast. She took a moment to enjoy the peaceful morning, the birds chirping outside adding to the tranquility.

Nayla stirred in the bedroom, the comforting smells drawing her out of her slumber. She stretched, blinking sleepily before making her way to the kitchen. Seeing Billie busy at the stove brought a smile to her face.

"Good morning," Nayla said, her voice still tinged with sleep as she sat down at the table.

"Morning, baby," Billie replied, turning with a warm smile. She placed a plate of scrambled eggs and toast in front of Nayla and handed her a steaming cup of coffee. "I've arranged the flight for your mom. She'll be here next week. I will send you the details, so you can forward them to her."

Nayla's face lit up with surprise and gratitude. "Thank you, Billie. That's amazing." She reached across the table to squeeze Billie's hand. "I'll send her the details right away."

Billie returned the squeeze, enjoying the simple domestic moment. "I thought it would be easier for her to visit if I arranged the flight."

Nayla nodded, taking a bite of her breakfast. "It'll be good to see her. Thank you."

Billie smiled, pleased. "Welcome, my love. I know how much you miss her."

They finished breakfast, enjoying the comfortable silence that came with their familiarity. Billie cleaned up the dishes while Nayla sent the flight details to her mom, and soon they were ready to start their day.

"Have a good day at the studio," Nayla said as she saw Billie off, giving her a quick kiss.

"You too, babe," Billie replied, squeezing her hand one last time before heading out. "Call me if you need anything."

"I will," Nayla replied softly, watching Billie leave with a sense of fondness. She lingered by the door for a moment, feeling the absence of Billie's presence in the quiet of their home.

Nayla's routine continued as usual after Billie left for her studio. She tidied up the kitchen, humming softly to herself as she washed the breakfast dishes and wiped down the countertops. With the house in order, she decided to prepare a light lunch for herself, chopping vegetables and tossing together a fresh salad.

As she ate, Nayla found herself growing restless. She glanced out the window, the sun beckoning her to step outside. Deciding to distract herself, she changed into comfortable walking shoes and headed out for a stroll around the neighborhood.

The streets were quiet as Nayla wandered, the rhythm of her footsteps soothing. She passed by a pet shelter, a small sign catching her eye. Curious, she stepped inside and was greeted by a friendly shelter worker.

"Hi there! Welcome to the shelter. Are you looking to adopt today?" the worker asked cheerfully.

"Actually, I was wondering if it's possible to just spend some time with the animals," Nayla replied.

"Of course!" the worker said with a warm smile. "Feel free to play with the dogs and cats. They love the attention, and it really helps them socialize."

Nayla nodded and made her way to the dog area first, kneeling down to pet a friendly dog. She smiled as it wagged its tail in delight. Moving on to the cat area, a fluffy tabby caught her attention. Sitting cross-legged on the floor, Nayla played with the cats, enjoying their playful antics and affectionate nuzzles.