Beyond the lens - Billie Eilish

3 -

The Weeknd's concert was in full swing. Ellie was there, right in the middle of the action, camera in hand, ready to capture the raw energy radiating from the stage. Every light, every note resonated within her as she snapped photo after photo, capturing the artist from every angle. The visual world he had created was breathtaking: red and blue lighting effects, extravagant costumes, and a set that evoked a dark, futuristic city.

Her camera felt like an extension of her body, each click precise and instinctive. She captured moments of pure intensity, The Weeknd, the crowd in a trance, hands raised in the dark. She felt as if she was diving into a parallel world every time she pressed the shutter. This was exactly what she loved about concert photography. It wasn't just the music, it was the emotion reflected in every face, every movement.

The evening flew by, and before she knew it, the last song was playing. The Weeknd left the stage to a thunder of applause, and Ellie felt exhilarated by the entire experience. She knew she had taken some amazing photos.

On her way out of the concert, still with her camera hanging around her neck, Ellie made a quick stop at the merch stand to buy t-shirts for Joan and Aubrey. She'd rather not find out what awaited her if she didn't. The ride home was filled with a comfortable silence, punctuated by the music still buzzing in her ears.

When she arrived back at the apartment, Joan and Aubrey were already on the couch, ready to hear all about it. Ellie walked in with a big smile, holding up the t-shirts like a trophy.

Ellie: "Got you guys some gifts, kiddos!"

Joan jumped off the couch, grabbing one of the t-shirts with a laugh.

Joan: "Aargh, I love you! So, no backstage this time?"

Ellie laughed at his comment. His reference to her improbable encounter with Billie Eilish made her smile. Joan never missed a chance to remind her of that moment. But this time, she'd managed to avoid getting lost backstage.

Ellie: "Nope, no backstage this time! But seriously, it was incredible. The atmosphere, the lights, the costumes... I got some insane photos! It was like stepping into another world."

Aubrey raised an eyebrow, calm and collected as always, but held out her hand to take her t-shirt with a grateful smile.

Aubrey: "No surprise there, can't wait to see them."

Ellie: "I think this might be my fucking best shoot yet."

Joan nodded with an impressed look.

Joan: "Tell me, are you ever going to post the one from Billie's concert?"

Ellie: "I don't know yet, but it'll be soon, I promise."

Joan's comment sparked something in Ellie's mind. She still hadn't posted the photos from that concert where she'd accidentally wandered backstage and met Billie. She hadn't dared to share them until now, maybe because she feared it would seem too... bold? Or maybe because the weight of that unexpected encounter had felt too surreal to share.

But now, lying on her bed a few hours later with Livai curled up at her feet, Ellie decided to post the photos. After all, they were part of her portfolio, and the more she shared her work, the more chances she had to get noticed. She took her phone, scrolled to her favorite shots from Billie's concert, selected the best ones, and started preparing them to post.

With a sigh, she finally posted them on Instagram, tagging Billie discreetly in the caption. It wasn't her style to seek attention like this, but she felt proud of these shots, and that was all that mattered.

Ellie (thinking aloud): "I'm stressing like an dumbass for no reason. She's never gonna see them."

After posting, she slipped under the covers, satisfied with her day, but exhausted. Within minutes, she fell asleep, her eyes closing over her phone.

The next morning, Ellie woke up to a flood of notifications on her phone. She blinked, still half-asleep, realizing something strange was happening. Her post from the night before had blown up with likes and shares. Dozens of Billie's fan accounts had reposted her photos, some even complimenting the quality of her shots.

Ellie (muttering to herself): "What the fuck...?"

She quickly scrolled through the comments and reposts. It was crazy. Her photos were everywhere on Instagram. She hadn't expected this at all, but the response was overwhelmingly positive. Her photos had captured something special, and the fans saw it.

The rest of her day went by in a blur between her job at the café and her studies, but that little victory lingered in the back of her mind, making her smile. That evening, as she lay down to sleep, exhausted, she decided to check her notifications one last time.

And then, her heart stopped for a moment.

At the top of her alerts, there was a like on her post. Not just any like. Billie Eilish had liked her post. Her mind raced, unable to believe what she was seeing. Then, just below it, she noticed something else: a direct message.

IT WAS BILLIE EILISH.

Her hands trembled slightly as she opened the notification, her heart pounding. The message wasn't long, but it was enough to make her heart race.

Billie: "Your photos are incredible. Thanks again for capturing that."

Ellie stayed frozen for a moment, barely processing what had just happened. She smiled, unable to stop, feeling a rush of pride and excitement.

She let her phone drop onto her bed, her heart still racing. Maybe this moment, this small acknowledgment, was the beginning of something much bigger than she had ever imagined.