lovely | billie eilish

3 | Unexpected Reunion

Hailey and I couldn't stop talking about the concert, eagerly sharing our backstage encounter with Billie Eilish with anyone who would listen. Despite the excitement, life quickly settled back into its usual rhythm. Classes, assignments, and study sessions filled my days, but there was an underlying buzz that hadn't been there before.

I couldn't help but share our incredible night on Instagram. I posted pictures from the concert, including one of Hailey and me with Billie backstage. I tagged Billie in the posts, not really expecting anything to come of it. To my surprise, she not only liked the photos but also left a comment: "Loved meeting you both! 🩵"

The interaction sent me over the moon, adding an extra layer of excitement to an already unforgettable experience. Hailey and I would occasionally recheck the post, marveling at Billie's comment and enjoying the aftermath of the concert.

One Friday evening, Hailey and I decided to treat ourselves to dinner at our favorite restaurant downtown. It had been a long week, and we needed a break from the relentless grind of college life. We dressed up a bit, wanting to make the night feel special, and headed out just as the sun was setting.

The restaurant was cozy and bustling with activity. The warm lighting created an inviting atmosphere. Hailey and I found a table near the window, ordered our meals, and settled in for a relaxing evening.

As we waited for our food, we chatted about our classes, upcoming exams, and, of course, the concert. The memory of that night was still fresh in our minds, and we found ourselves drifting back to it often.

"You know," Hailey said, taking a sip of her drink, "I still can't believe we met Billie Eilish. It feels like a dream."

"I know," I replied, smiling at the memory. "It was such an incredible night. I keep replaying it in my head."

Just as Hailey was about to respond, she suddenly stopped mid-sentence, her eyes widening in surprise. "Oh my god, Violet, look who just walked in," she whispered, nodding towards the entrance.

I turned to see Billie Eilish, casually dressed in a hoodie and jeans, her blue hair unmistakable even in the dim light. She was with a small group of people, including a couple of security guards who discreetly kept an eye on things. My heart skipped a beat, a mix of excitement and disbelief washing over me.

"Do you think she'll remember us?" Hailey asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't know," I replied, trying to keep my composure. "But I'm not going to let this chance pass by."

As Billie and her group settled into their seats, I gathered my courage and stood up. Hailey gave me an encouraging nod as I made my way over to their table. I took a deep breath and approached Billie, who was chatting with her friends.

"Hi, Billie," I said, trying to sound calm. "I don't know if you remember me, but we met backstage at your concert last week."

Billie looked up, her eyes widening in recognition. "Violet, right? Of course, I remember you! What a surprise to see you here."

I smiled, feeling a rush of relief. "Yeah, it's crazy running into you like this. This is one of my favorite places to eat."

Billie grinned. "It's one of mine, too. The food here is amazing."

One of her security guards stepped closer, eyeing me cautiously. Billie glanced at him and gave a reassuring nod. "It's cool, she's a friend."

The guard relaxed slightly, stepping back to give us some space.

"Hey, do you and your friend want to join us?" Billie asked, motioning to the empty seats at their table. "There's plenty of room."

My heart leaped at the invitation. "Sure, let me just grab Hailey."

I quickly went back to our table and relayed the news to Hailey, who looked thrilled. We gathered our things and moved over to Billie's table, introducing ourselves to her friends. The initial awkwardness quickly faded as we all started talking, sharing stories and laughter.

"So, how have you been since the concert?" Billie asked as we settled in.

"It's been great," I replied. "We couldn't stop talking about how amazing the show was."

Hailey nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, we were blown away. You're even better live than on the album."

"Thanks," Billie said, smiling warmly. "I love performing live. There's just something about connecting with the audience that you can't get anywhere else."

We chatted about everything from music and college life to our favorite books and movies. Billie's friends were just as down-to-earth and welcoming as she was, making us feel like part of the group.

"So, what are you studying?" one of Billie's friends asked, turning to me.

"I'm majoring in psychology," I replied. "It's challenging but really rewarding."

Billie's eyes lit up. "That's awesome. I've always been fascinated by psychology. It's cool to understand what makes people tick."

The evening flew by in a blur of conversation and delicious food. We shared stories and laughter, the atmosphere light and easy. As the night drew to a close, Billie glanced at her phone and sighed.

"I have to head out soon," she said, a hint of regret in her voice. "But this was really fun. I'm so glad we ran into each other."

"Me too," I replied, feeling a pang of disappointment that the evening was ending.

Before we left, Billie pulled out her phone. "Let's keep in touch. Can I get your number?"

I nodded, and we exchanged numbers. "I'll text you," she said with a smile.

We hugged goodbye, and I watched as Billie and her friends walked away, blending into the night. I felt a sense of disbelief at the coincidence of it all, but also a bubbling excitement for what might come next.

As Hailey and I walked back to campus, the events of the night played over and over in my mind. Running into Billie again, completely by chance, felt like fate. And as I opened my messages to find a new text from her, I knew this was just the beginning of something extraordinary.