Beyond the lens - Billie Eilish

12-

On the plane, Ellie felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. She had traveled alone before, but this time felt different. She wasn't going away for just a trip; she was leaving her hometown for an adventure that could change her life and her career. The more she thought about it, the more she questioned whether she had made the right choice. Had she really left everything behind, her friends, her daily life in Portland, to follow a star on tour? She loved photography, she knew she had a good eye, but was she ready for such a leap? What if she failed? What if her photos didn't meet the expectations?

As she gazed out the window, her thoughts swirled. Then, suddenly, an image of her mother flashed in her mind. Ellie knew that if her mother were still here, she would have told her to seize this opportunity, not to let fear hold her back from achieving her dreams. A sad smile spread across her face at this thought. "She would be proud of me," she said to herself. With that idea came a bit of comfort.

To distract herself, Ellie immersed herself in a series that had always captured her attention: Grey's Anatomy. It was her refuge, a show that had accompanied her for years and that she knew by heart. She started an episode, hoping it would calm her nerves a bit. But instead of reassuring her, the episode turned out to be incredibly emotional. She tried to stay calm, but as the story unfolded, she felt her eyes welling up.

Tears began to flow freely down her face. Normally, she might have hidden her reaction, but the stress of traveling, her emotions, and what she had left behind overwhelmed her. The passenger next to her shot her a curious, slightly concerned glance. Ellie quickly wiped her tears away, slightly embarrassed, and tried to regain her composure. "It's just an episode," she thought, but she knew it was more than that. Everything was rushing through her head, but deep down she held onto one certainty: she had made the right choice.

A few hours later, the plane landed in New York. The city was enormous, much larger and louder than anything Ellie had known. She stepped off the plane, still a bit shaken by her emotions and the few hours of sleep. At the airport, a woman was waiting for her, holding a sign with her name on it. It was the first time Ellie had been welcomed like this, and it made her smile.

"Hello, Ellie? My name is Rachel, I'm part of Billie's team. I'll take you to your hotel so you can rest before the concert tonight."

"Thank you so much, that's amazing," Ellie replied simply, following Rachel toward the exit.

They got into a car that drove them through the bustling streets of New York. Ellie watched the city with wide eyes, everything seemed bigger, livelier than in Portland. When they arrived at the hotel, a large chic complex in the heart of Manhattan, Ellie felt both excited and nervous. Everything was becoming more real.

Upon entering her room, she immediately noticed a bag placed on the bed. Curious, she opened it to discover official tour merchandise: clothes, a backstage pass, and other little goodies. There was also a small envelope inside. Ellie took a moment to open it and smiled when she saw it was a note from Billie:

"Welcome to the team, Ellie! Can't wait to see what you create. Have fun, and see you tonight :) - Billie."

Ellie read the note several times, a smile on her lips. She suddenly felt more at ease, as if Billie herself was telling her that she belonged here. She carefully placed the note on the nightstand and began to prepare her equipment for the concert. Her cameras, her lenses, everything had to be ready. The camera bag that Joan had given her was already packed to the brim, and she did a final check before sitting down for a few minutes to rest.

Time flew by, and before she knew it, it was almost time to leave. She headed to the concert venue, where she was quickly welcomed by the technical team. It was a special night: a large part of the concert was being filmed by a Vogue crew, which added extra pressure for everyone, including Ellie. She met several other photographers and cameramen who were part of Billie's regular team. They were warm and welcoming, chatting with her about their work and their past experiences on the tour.

"The energy here is insane," one of the photographers, a man named Jake, said while adjusting his camera. "Every night is exceptional, but New York is always special. This city has a unique energy."

Ellie nodded, trying to contain the excitement rising within her. This was a whole different level than what she had known as an amateur photographer. Here, everything was grand, precise, professional. She finally positioned herself in the area reserved for photographers, just a few meters from the stage. The venue was already starting to fill up, and the atmosphere was building.

The lights suddenly went out, and a murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd. Ellie felt her heart racing. This was the moment. The music erupted in the venue, followed by the cheers of the audience, and Billie stepped onto the stage with incredible energy. Ellie, finger on the shutter, focused on the stage, ready to capture every moment of magic.

The concert had just begun, but Ellie already knew she was experiencing a moment that would mark her career.