Through the Lens of You | Billie Eilish fanfic

Chapter 9: In the Afterglow

The next few weeks passed in a whirlwind of travel and concerts. I found myself hopping from city to city, often tagging along with Drew and the crew, a constant presence backstage. Each show brought a new thrill, and with every performance, my admiration for Billie deepened. I was captivated by her ability to connect with the audience, to weave their energy into her music.

During this time, I started a personal photography project—an exploration of the world I had stumbled into. I wanted to capture the magic backstage, the camaraderie among the crew, and the genuine joy on fans' faces as they watched Billie live on stage. Every night, I snapped candid moments, wanting to preserve the thrill of the tour, the laughter shared, and the new cities I was discovering. It was a way to document not only my experiences but the essence of what made this journey so special.

It was in Seattle that something shifted between Billie and me. After the concert, I watched as she wound down, her laughter echoing through the green room as she interacted with her band and crew. The air was filled with the afterglow of the performance, and I felt it too—a fizzing of excitement, a tension that hinted at something more.

Once the crowd thinned and the backstage lights dimmed, Billie found me sitting on a couch, reviewing the photos I had taken that night. She plopped down beside me, her presence igniting an energy I couldn't ignore.

"Any good shots?" she asked, leaning in to peek at my screen, her shoulder brushing against mine.

"Yeah, a few. You looked incredible tonight," I replied, my heart racing slightly at her closeness. "You really know how to work the crowd."

She chuckled, a sound that sent warmth coursing through me. "It's all about feeling the moment. Sometimes, I get lost in it, you know?"

I nodded, feeling the weight of her words. "I think I can relate, in a way. When I'm behind the camera, it's like everything else fades away, and I cease to exist."

For a moment, we sat in comfortable silence, the world outside fading. I felt a surge of courage and turned to her. "Do you ever get scared? I mean, with everything that comes with your career?"

Billie's expression shifted, and I could see the vulnerability beneath her confident facade. "All the time," she admitted. "There's pressure to keep pushing, to be perfect. Sometimes, it's overwhelming."

Her honesty struck a chord within me. "You know, I admire how you handle it all. It's not easy, and yet you make it look effortless. I'm trying to capture some of that in my project. I don't exactly know why yet, but it feels important to document this world, to show the real moments behind the scenes."

Billie's eyes lit up with interest. "I'd love to see what you've got."

Just then, the tour manager entered, breaking our moment. "Billie, we need to get going."

As she stood, I felt a drop of disappointment, but it was quickly replaced by determination. I knew I wanted to explore this, to find out where it could lead, and I was kind of tired of waiting for the right moment.

"Hey," I said, rising to my feet and, without thinking, gently grasping her wrist. An electric jolt shot through me like I'd been struck by lightning, as my hand made contact with her warm skin. Billie turned back to me, her eyes locking onto mine as if she were silently asking me to answer the unspoken question that had been hanging between us for so long. All I could manage, stuttering slightly, was, "I'll be around tomorrow. Maybe we can grab dinner after the show?" I tried to keep my tone casual, but my stomach fluttered nervously, feeling as if it might burst.

Billie paused, and though her expression didn't reveal any disappointment, I held my breath. Then she smiled—a radiant light that filled the dim room. "I'd like that" she replied, her voice warm and inviting.

The conversation shifted back to her manager and the usual tour antics, but I couldn't shake the electric tension still lingering between us. As the night wore on, I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety knotting in my stomach. What had begun as a simple friendship was clearly evolving into something more—something that both thrilled and terrified me. The closer we got to crossing that line, the more I found myself grappling with the challenges it might bring, and the idea of what would happen next felt both exhilarating and daunting.