my mom is billie eilish

Chapter 1: A Day Like Any Other

The alarm clock buzzed incessantly, its shrill tone breaking through the silence of my room. I groaned, rolling over to hit the snooze button with more force than necessary. Another day, I thought, just like all the others. It had been almost a year since my mother passed away, but the ache in my chest hadn't dulled. If anything, it was a constant, gnawing presence that refused to leave me alone.

I lay there for a moment, staring at the ceiling, before finally forcing myself out of bed. My feet hit the cold wooden floor, sending a shiver through me. The sun barely peeked through the blinds, casting long shadows across the room. I pulled on my usual jeans and hoodie, the same outfit I wore nearly every day. It was easier not to think about what to wear, just like it was easier not to think about anything that might hurt.

The house was quiet, as always. Mrs. Thompson, the elderly neighbor who had taken me in after Mom died, had already left for her morning errands. She was kind, always leaving notes for me, little reminders that she cared. Today's note was on the kitchen table, next to a half-eaten bowl of cereal that I couldn't muster the appetite to finish.

"Have a good day at school, Katherine. I'll be back around 4. Love, Mrs. T."

I stuffed the note into my backpack and grabbed an apple before heading out the door. The crisp morning air hit my face as I walked the familiar path to school. It was a short walk, one that I could probably do with my eyes closed. Sometimes, I wished I could just keep walking and never stop. But that wasn't an option. Not yet, anyway.

By the time I reached school, the hallways were already buzzing with chatter. I kept my head down, weaving through the crowds of students, none of whom paid any attention to me. I liked it that way—being invisible. It was easier to get through the day if no one noticed you.

Classes passed in a blur, as they usually did. Math, history, science—nothing seemed to stick in my brain. It was like the words went in one ear and out the other, leaving nothing behind. I was just going through the motions, waiting for the day to end so I could go back to the safety of my room.

The final bell rang, and I slowly packed up my books, dreading the long walk home. I could already feel the weight of the afternoon pressing down on me, the loneliness that awaited me in the empty house. I was just about to close my locker when I saw her.

At first, I didn't believe it. I mean, why would Billie Eilish, of all people, be standing in the hallway of my small, nowhere school? But there she was, unmistakable with her platinum blonde hair and oversized hoodie. My heart skipped a beat as I stared at her, my mind racing to make sense of what I was seeing.

Then she looked at me.

Our eyes met, and my breath caught in my throat. Billie Eilish was looking at me. She started walking in my direction, her steps slow and deliberate. I quickly looked away, pretending to be engrossed in something in my locker, but my hands were shaking, and I couldn't focus.

"Katherine?" Her voice was soft, hesitant.

I turned, my heart pounding. "Uh... yeah?"

She smiled, but it was a nervous smile, not the confident grin I had seen in so many interviews and music videos. "Can we talk for a minute? It's... important."

I blinked, trying to process what was happening. Was this some kind of prank? A hidden camera show? I glanced around, expecting to see someone filming, but there was nothing. Just Billie, looking at me with those piercing blue eyes.

"Okay..." My voice came out shaky, and I wasn't sure if it was from shock or fear.

We walked outside, away from the bustling crowd of students. The air was cooler out here, the breeze tugging at Billie's hoodie. We found a quiet spot near the edge of the school grounds, where the noise of the day seemed to fade away.

"I know this is going to sound crazy," Billie began, her hands fidgeting with the sleeves of her hoodie, "but... I'm your mother."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. "What?"

She took a deep breath. "I'm your biological mother. I know this is a lot to take in, but it's the truth. I've been looking for you for a long time."

I stared at her, my mind spinning. "No, that can't be right. My mom... my mom died last year. She raised me—she was there for everything."

Billie nodded, her expression pained. "I know. She was your adoptive mother. She took you in when... when I couldn't."

I felt like the ground was shifting beneath me. "But... how? Why?"

"It's a long story," Billie said, pulling a folder from her bag. "But I have proof. Documents, everything."

She handed me the folder, and my hands shook as I opened it. Inside were birth certificates, adoption papers—my name was all over them, along with hers. It was all there in black and white. My head spun as I tried to make sense of it.

"This... this doesn't make any sense," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

"I wish it didn't," Billie said softly. "But it's the truth. I was too young, too scared to raise a child back then. I thought I was doing the right thing by letting someone else take care of you. But I never stopped thinking about you. I've been trying to find you for years."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I fought to keep them from falling. "Why now? Why did you come back now?"

"Because I finally found you," Billie replied, her voice trembling. "And I want to be a part of your life, if you'll let me. I know it's a lot to ask, but... I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

I couldn't breathe. Everything I thought I knew had just been turned upside down. The woman who raised me, who loved me, wasn't my real mother. And now this stranger—this celebrity—was telling me that she was.

"I... I don't know what to say," I managed to choke out.

"You don't have to say anything right now," Billie said gently. "Just... take your time. I know this is overwhelming. But I want you to know that I'm here. And I'm not going to disappear again."

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. My mind was reeling, my emotions all over the place. I needed time to process this, to figure out what it meant. I couldn't just accept it, not like this.

Billie reached into her pocket and handed me a card. "Here's my number. If you ever want to talk, or if you have any questions... about anything, just call me."

I took the card, my fingers trembling. I stared at it, the simple black and white text blurring as tears filled my eyes.

"I'll be in town for a while," Billie added. "But I won't push you. This is your decision. Whatever you choose, I'll respect it."

I nodded again, still unable to find the words. Billie gave me one last, searching look before turning and walking away. I watched her go, my legs feeling like they were made of lead. When she was finally out of sight, I sank to the ground, clutching the folder and the card to my chest.

The tears I had been holding back finally spilled over, and I sat there, crying in the quiet corner of the schoolyard. My world had just been shattered, and I had no idea how to put the pieces back together.