behind the velvet rope | billie eilish wlw

CH2 -The Night Ignites: Just add some friction..

Excitement was mixed with trepidation. Claire's pulse raced as she said her goodbyes to Paul. As she followed Billie outside, she couldn't help but admire the city lights that beautifully gleamed in the dark. The night air was sharp, despite being in California, forcing Claire to tighten her coat around herself.

Billie turned with a carefree smile, pressing her car key. "You good to go?"

Claire nodded, her voice somewhat hesitant yet enthusiastic. "Yeah, I'm ready."

The SUV door opened, and Claire climbed into the soft leather seat. The scent of the interior and Billie's faint perfume combined into a heady mix that made Claire slightly dizzy.

Billie hopped in beside her and shut both doors. She sighed and took out a folder. "Alright, here's the NDA," she stated casually. "It's just a formality. You know the drill." Claire had worked with multiple celebrities, even before arriving in LA, so to her signing such a thing was definitely not an abnormality, but it still felt somehow comical in that moment. The corners of her lips lifted involuntarily for a second but she refrained from making a comment and took the form. "Okay, just to keep everything confidential?" Their fingers brushed as she took the pen that Billie handed her.
"Yep, just standard stuff." Billie inserted the key and started the engine.

As the SUV moved, the city lights outside blurred. The silence between them was pleasant, accompanied by the soothing hum of the motor and Claire felt herself get more relaxed. It was so peaceful to just sit together without having to say a word after the nightly event that had been so fast-paced and noisy. Once they were on a quieter road and Claire had finished looking through the document she had to sign, Billie turned toward her, her voice easy and friendly. "So, what got you into this whole entertainment scene?"

Claire met Billie's glance before Billie returned her attention to the road. "I've always loved how film and music are capable of connecting with people, regardless of where they come from or what they've been through. It's about human connection. You don't see that in many other fields, I'd say."
Billie's eyes glittered. "I hear you. Music has this way of hitting where it matters. It's for everybody, you know?"
"And for you, what's been the moment, like, when you realized you really made it?"
Billie thought for a moment. "Performing live, when the crowd's really into it." A little smile played around her lips. "There's nothing like it. Like, when you realize everybody's shouting back the lyrics you wrote alone in your sad little bed at night. That's for real insane."
Claire nodded. "Sounds incredible. To be so connected with everyone like that."
Billie shrugged. "Mhm, makes the rest worth it, I guess."
Claire noticed a fleeting frown on Billie's face before it relaxed again. She wanted to ask about the journalist's situation, but she also didn't want to make things awkward, so she shifted to lighter topics.

Their conversation flowed naturally. The world outside the tinted windows blurred into a kaleidoscope of city lights. They sat together in the car for what felt like ages and just a short moment at the same time. Claire would have liked to hear more from Billie whose soothing voice was like a melodic counterpoint to her racing thoughts. Now and then, their eyes would meet, and Claire felt an almost hungry anticipation rising inside that she decided to push back for the moment. Billie's eyes always met hers for only a moment before escaping back to the road in front of them. Claire noticed the way Billie's throat slightly tensed as she gulped.

As they neared their destination, the city lights outside grew dimmer, replaced by the soft glow coming through the curtain-covered windows of the property. Claire glanced at Billie, curious.

"Almost there," Billie said as she started to reverse the car into the parking of the mansion. She effortlessly spun the steering wheel with her left while grabbing the top of the seat behind Claire with her right hand to be able to look through the back window. Claire's breath caught in her throat for a moment. She crossed her legs and looked outside the window.