Beyond the lens - Billie Eilish

2 -

Two months had passed since Ellie's encounter with Billie, and although her daily life hadn't drastically changed, she felt a new sense of purpose. That unexpected moment with the artist had reminded her of the essentials: her passion for photography. Since then, Ellie had been diving even deeper into her work, attending every concert she could, capturing raw emotions—from the crowd, the musicians, the stage bathed in bright lights.

Today, like usual, she was juggling her job at a coffee shop, where she worked part-time to fund her history studies—a degree she was pursuing more out of obligation than desire. Her heart was fully in photography, but it didn't pay. To cover the bills, she still had to juggle cappuccinos, espressos, and takeout orders.

Ellie shared these long workdays with her two best friends and roommates, Joan and Aubrey. The trio ran the coffee shop together, and even though the work wasn't always thrilling, they always found a way to make it bearable, even fun. That morning, Joan was in charge of the espresso machine, while Aubrey, laid-back as always, took orders, leaning casually against the counter. She didn't say much, but her gentle smile and endearing personality made her an essential part of their little team.

Joan: "So, tomorrow's The Weeknd concert, huh? That's gonna be fucking insane."

Ellie, who was wiping some mugs behind the counter, smiled at the thought. She'd managed to get access to photograph The Weeknd's concert the next day. It wasn't her first time shooting a big artist, but this one was special. She loved his dark, cinematic aesthetic and knew the photos would be unique.

Ellie: "I'm so pumped, man. The photos are going to be crazy. I love how he plays with light and atmosphere during his shows."

Aubrey: "Could you stop spreading your joy around me? I'm trying to focus on the guy who just walked into the café."

Ellie chuckled and shook her head. Aubrey always had that detached tone, but Ellie knew that deep down, she was excited for her. Meanwhile, Joan was juggling orders while keeping an eye on Ellie.

Joan: "Don't forget to shoot the crowd. Like, how they react when he drops his biggest hits. That must be intense."

Ellie nodded.

Ellie: "That's exactly the plan. I'm going to capture as much emotion as possible."

The café doorbell rang as a wave of customers came in, and the little break the trio had taken to chat quickly disappeared. Service resumed, and for a few hours, it was a whirlwind of coffee and pastry orders. After their shift, Ellie, Joan, and Aubrey went back to their apartment together. They lived in a spacious four-bedroom shared apartment, each with their own bathroom, which avoided morning disputes. It was a small luxury in their somewhat chaotic daily lives, but it kept their household harmonious. Their apartment was both their refuge and playground, filled with posters, old vinyl records, and countless shared memories.

Ellie entered her own room and flopped down on her bed, her Australian shepherd, Livai, immediately running over to lick her face. She smiled, scratching her faithful companion's head affectionately. Livai had helped her through so many tough times, especially after she lost her mom as a teenager. Her mom had been everything to her, and her passing had left a void no one could fill. As for her dad... their relationship was nothing more than a cold, distant formality. He sent money every month, $500, as if he could buy a place in her life. But that money had never made up for his emotional absence.

Joan and Aubrey were hanging out in the living room, debating which movie to watch that night, but Ellie had something else on her mind. She settled at her desk, camera in hand, and started prepping her gear for the concert tomorrow—charging batteries, checking lenses, preparing her SD card. She loved this ritual, this calm moment before the storm.

Aubrey poked her head through the slightly open door, her face neutral but her eyes glinting with playful curiosity.

Aubrey: "Ready for tomorrow?"

Ellie: "Yeah. I just hope it's as amazing as I imagine."

Joan (yelling from the living room): "You're gonna crush it, Ellie! And don't forget to bring me back a concert t-shirt!"

Aubrey: "I won't bother you any longer, rest up, and if there's an extra shirt, feel free to grab me one too."

Ellie: "An extra shirt? Is that your way of asking nicely?"

Aubrey: "I didn't want to be as rude as that idiot Joan," she said, gently closing the door.

Ellie smiled at the comment; she loved their dynamic. They were like a little chosen family, an essential support system for Ellie, especially during moments when she doubted herself.

After she finished preparing, she collapsed onto her bed, Livai curling up beside her. She could feel the excitement building, the anticipation of the day to come. Tomorrow, she'd dive once again into her world, behind the lens, where she felt most herself. Photography was more than a passion; it was her escape, her way of expressing herself. And she was ready to do whatever it took to make it her life.