BLUEPRINTS || Billie Eilish

Casper the ghost

Kai wiped the sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand, her body tired from the long hours. The afternoon sun was unforgiving, and the heat clung to her, making her shirt stick to her back as she smoothed out the cement for the outdoor kitchen. She had been working for hours, determined to finish the project today. The young couple had been excited about their new addition—a beautiful space where they could entertain friends.

But today, her mind wasn't here. It was somewhere else entirely, drifting back to Billie.

She sighed, frustrated that she couldn't seem to shake it. It had been over a week and a half since that morning they spent together, and yet Billie was stuck in her mind. It wasn't just the way Billie had smiled at her or how their conversation flowed so easily. It was more than that. It was how Billie had been so patient and gentle with Nicky. The way she'd quietly listened to him, how she'd laughed at his jokes like he was the funniest person in the world, it made something stir in Kai that she hadn't felt in a long time. It was like a seed of something deeper, but she didn't want to acknowledge it.

On the drive to drop Nicky off at her mom's house, he couldn't stop talking about Billie. 'She's so cool,' he'd kept saying, his little voice was full of awe. 'Do you think she likes me, Kai?' he'd kept asking, his wide eyes waiting for her answer. She had smiled and reassured him, but inside, something shifted. Billie had left an impression, not just on her but on Nicky too. That wasn't something Kai took lightly.

But Kai knew better than to let herself get caught up in those feelings. She had pushed them aside as best she could, telling herself that a relationship with Billie wouldn't work. Billie, was busy with her rising fame, her shows, her spotlight, was a far cry from the simple, practical life Kai led. Kai's life was built on routines, responsibilities, and trying to make ends meet for her family. As much as the thought of Billie made her chest ache with possibilities, she knew deep down it couldn't go anywhere.

Still, that didn't explain the texts. Why had Billie suddenly started answering less? The first few days, Kai had chalked it up to busy schedules, but as days stretched into over a week, the silence had become louder than any excuse. Maybe Billie had come to the same conclusion Kai had—that it wasn't going to work. That thought, while expected, stung more than she wanted to admit.

Kai set down another brick, focusing on keeping the lines straight and neat. She worked with precision, knowing that if she could just finish the job, maybe she could clear her head.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket, breaking her concentration. She ignored it at first, trying to stay focused on her work, but when it buzzed again—and then again—she couldn't resist. The temptation was too strong. Sighing, she pulled off her gloves and fished her phone out of her pocket.

Aiden.

Her heart did a small flip, a reaction she wished she could control. Aiden had that effect on her, no matter how many times she tried to convince herself it was over. His messages were brief, almost nonchalant.

Aiden: Sorry I've been busy

Aiden: You've been on my mind. I really do miss you

Aiden: Can you come over tonight?

Kai stared at the screen, her chest tightening. It was always the same with him. Weeks without a word, and then suddenly, he'd reappear as if nothing had happened. And every time, without fail, she'd get that flutter in her stomach, the kind that made her want to believe things could be different. But deep down, she knew better. Aiden had ghosted her before, and he'd do it again. It was a pattern, one she had tried to break from but couldn't seem to let go.

Her phone pinged again, another message from Aiden, probably after seeing she had read his texts.

Aiden: Hey