Beyond the lens - Billie Eilish

11 -

Four days after her return to Portland, Ellie was still full of doubt. It wasn't so much the decision to join Billie on her tour that worried her, she had already decided to drop everything to live this dream. No, what was holding her back was finding the right moment and the right way to tell Billie. She didn't want to seem too eager or, worse, desperate. After all, Billie was a superstar, used to professional and measured exchanges. Ellie didn't want to come off as the one who jumped at the chance too quickly. She had to be calm, composed... but she also knew she couldn't wait much longer.

Sitting in her room, her computer open with her latest photos in the background, she stared at her phone. She had already written the message several times, erased it, then rewritten it. Finally, she took a deep breath and went for it.

She wrote something simple and direct:

Ellie: "Hey Billie, I took some time to think about your offer, I'm fucking in!"

She read her message one last time, bit her lip, then pressed "send." It was done.

Now, all that was left was to wait for a response. Her heart raced, as if sending the message made the adventure feel even more real. But the wait was shorter than expected. Just a few hours later, her phone vibrated with a notification. Billie's name appeared on the screen.

Billie: "Hey! That's awesome dude, I'm such an idiot, I totally forgot to tell you that you'll be paid. The team will reach out soon to organize everything. The tour picks up again in a month in New York. Get ready, it's gonna be fucking amazing!!"

Ellie smiled as she read the reply. The mention of payment caught her off guard. She hadn't even thought about the financial aspect of this opportunity. She was already so grateful to have been chosen to follow Billie that she hadn't considered it as a paid job.

Ellie: "I'm so excited, thanks again, I hope my photos will live up to it!"

Billie: "Don't worry about that, I'm sure they'll be great. See you in a month in New York!"

A month. That timeline reassured Ellie. She had time to organize, pack her things, and prepare properly. Most importantly, it gave her a little space to reflect on everything she was leaving behind, her friends, her apartment, her job at the café. In a way, it gave her the chance to ease into this new adventure before diving in headfirst.

Preparing for the Future

The days that followed were strange for Ellie. She went back to work at the café, knowing each day brought her closer to her departure. She worked harder than ever, saving every penny to buy new photography equipment, better lenses, higher-quality memory cards. She knew she'd need it all to meet Billie and her team's expectations.

Joan and Aubrey, for their part, tried to keep the mood light. Even though Ellie's departure weighed on them a little, they were fully supportive. They knew how much this project meant to her. There had been several nights where they sat together in the living room, talking about the best options for Ellie, how she could manage her life on the road, and the tools she needed for her work. Joan had even found an old, super practical camera bag, which he gave her in advance.

"You're gonna miss us, mate," Aubrey said one evening, as they all sat together watching a movie. "But we know this is what you gotta do."

"You'd better not replace us" Joan joked, throwing a pillow at her. "We want exclusive photos and backstage access!"

Ellie laughed, but deep down, she already felt the pang of leaving. Sure, she could reach out to them anytime, but life on the road would be different. She had never left Portland for more than a few days, and the idea of leaving, of leaving her routine behind, was starting to make her anxious. The month passed quickly, split between her last days at the café and nights spent packing.

In the end, she had saved enough to buy the photography gear she needed. The last lens she had ordered arrived a few days before her departure, and she spent an entire afternoon testing it, taking photos of Livai in the park. She wasn't sure how she would handle being away from home during her travels. Joan and Aubrey had naturally offered to look after Livai, but the thought of leaving him behind was one of the hardest parts of this adventure.

"So, the big departure for New York is tomorrow?" Aubrey asked as she entered Ellie's room the night before her departure.

Ellie: "The flight leaves tomorrow morning at exactly 10:50."

Aubrey sat on the edge of the bed, watching Ellie fold her last few things. "How do you feel about leaving all this behind?"

Ellie took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping over the room that had been hers for years. "I'm scared," she admitted, "but I think it's the right decision. I want to chase my dreams, and I know it's gonna come with sacrifices."

"Yeah, I get that," Aubrey said. "But you know what? You're gonna make it. And Joan, Livai, and I will be here, ready to welcome you back when you return."

Ellie smiled. She knew how lucky she was to have such supportive friends. "Thanks, Aub. I don't know what I'd do without you guys."

The next morning, with her bag packed and her gear carefully arranged, she took one last look around the apartment. Joan and Aubrey walked her to the door, and after a warm goodbye and a few tears from Aubrey, always the most emotional, Ellie headed for the airport.

Tomorrow, she'd be in New York, ready to start this new adventure with Billie.