𝐁eyond the Lens - b.e

19 -

Arriving in Baltimore, Ellie and Kate stepped off the plane, relieved to leave behind the hustle and bustle of New York for a slightly more relaxed atmosphere. Even though Baltimore was still a big city, there was already a noticeable difference, starting with the airport, where the crowd seemed far less overwhelming. It was calmer, more peaceful. They took their time walking towards security, joking and chatting about anything and everything, their conversations flowing easily with the bond they had developed over the past few days.

"I think I already like this city better," Ellie said.

Kate smiled and nodded.

"Yeah, I get that. After the craziness of New York, it's nice to catch your breath a little. But you'll see, Baltimore has its own charm too."

Once they cleared security, they headed towards the exit, where a woman was waiting for them, holding a sign with their names on it. When Ellie saw her, she burst out laughing, followed by Kate.

"It feels like we're in a movie," Ellie whispered, amused by the situation.

"Welcome to showbiz!" Kate giggled.

They approached the woman, still laughing, but a question started forming in Ellie's mind. She wondered where the rest of the team was. Why were they the only ones being greeted like this? Slightly puzzled, she turned to Kate, her tone hesitant.

"Hey, where's the rest of the team? Were we the only ones on this flight?"

Kate nodded, familiar with how things worked.

"Yeah, most of the time, part of the team takes the shorter trips by bus, like between New York and Baltimore. It's easier for them, and Billie prefers to travel by road when she can. As for the others, they're often on different flights, depending on ticket availability. Since everything is usually booked last minute, we often end up scattered around."

Ellie nodded, satisfied with the explanation, though it all still felt a little surreal. She hadn't yet fully grasped the logistics and workings of a tour of this size. It was a new world, full of surprises.

When they arrived at the hotel, Ellie couldn't help but notice the crowd of paparazzi gathered near the main entrance. There was a buzz around the place, as if something big was about to happen. Camera flashes were going off everywhere, photographers ready to capture every moment. Ellie quickly realized they were waiting for Billie to arrive. The thought that she might be sharing the same hotel as Billie this time crossed her mind.

"Looks like we're going to be seeing Billie around more often here," Ellie said to Kate, glancing at the crowd of paparazzi.

"Yeah, probably. We don't always get this kind of attention, but sometimes the whole team stays at the same hotel as Billie, especially if it's a big chain she has deals with. We're lucky!"

Their taxi finally made it through the throng of photographers, and they were quickly welcomed at the reception. Ellie and Kate picked up their room keys and, at the last moment, parted ways, as their rooms were right across from each other.

"Catch you later," Kate said as she entered her room. "If you want to grab dinner later, just let me know!"

Ellie nodded with a smile and entered her own room. She closed the door behind her and sighed, exhausted from the journey but happy to have finally arrived. The luxury of the room didn't go unnoticed. It was more than she had expected, with calming tones, thick curtains, and a massive bed. She immediately spotted a bag placed on the bed, filled with various small luxuries: a soft robe, slippers, high-end bath products, and even a small bottle of champagne.

"Well, I guess we really are in a fancy hotel," Ellie murmured to herself, smiling.

Ellie approached the bag and picked up the robe, surprised by how soft it was. She found herself imagining the extravagance of this lifestyle. She wasn't used to it yet, but she certainly wasn't going to complain. She then opened the champagne, pouring just a small glass, not because she was a fan of alcohol, but more to mark the occasion.

After finishing her glass, Ellie took a quick shower, enjoying the hotel's luxurious bath products. The hot water instantly relaxed her, washing away the fatigue and tension that had built up. When she stepped out, she slipped into the robe, feeling as if she were wrapped in a cocoon of luxury.

Sitting on the bed, she checked her phone and noticed a few message notifications. Nothing urgent, just a few texts from her friends back in Portland, curious about how her tour was going. She quickly responded to their questions, sharing a few funny anecdotes but without going into too much detail. She wanted to save the best stories for when she saw them in person.

Once her messages were sent, she let herself fall back onto the bed, her eyes fixed on the ceiling, thinking about everything that had happened in the past few days. Everything seemed to be moving at a crazy pace, between the concerts, meeting Billie, and the fun moments with Kate. She had barely had time to catch her breath since arriving in New York.

Still, she couldn't help but feel a deep sense of gratitude for this adventure she was on. Working alongside Billie Eilish, being immersed in this world of artists and creatives... it was a dream come true. And even though it was all still new to her, she already felt like she had found her place.

After all, Baltimore was just beginning for her, and the concert was still three days away.