Beyond the lens - Billie Eilish

36 -

Ellie and Billie had just returned to the party after the strange moment they'd shared in the bedroom. Ellie couldn't shake the memory of what had just happened. The image of Billie, her cheeks flushed and her gaze averted, was stuck in her head. Had she really flirted with me? Ellie wasn't sure what she was feeling, but one thing was clear: the tension between them was growing more and more palpable.

As the party raged on, Billie quickly blended into the crowd and went to join Joan by the beer pong table. Ellie, on the other hand, felt suddenly lost, like something was slipping through her fingers. She stayed on the sidelines for a moment, her thoughts muddled by alcohol and the recent encounter with Billie. Every now and then, she caught Billie's eyes, glancing at her discreetly. Those piercing looks threw Ellie off completely, to the point where she did everything she could to avoid them, looking down whenever their eyes met.

It was then that Aubrey, always keen to notice every little detail, spotted Ellie's unusual behavior. She walked over to her with a curious yet amused expression.

Aubrey: "Hey, what's going on? Are you totally spaced out or am I wrong?"

Ellie looked at her, hesitating slightly. She didn't know how to talk about what had just happened with Billie. But Aubrey wasn't the type to let things slide, and Ellie knew she could talk to her. After a brief pause, Ellie decided to spill.

Ellie: "Billie, like, totally flirted with me in my room, I think... I don't know, but it was so disorienting, damn, I can't get over it."

Aubrey's eyes widened, then she burst out laughing.

Aubrey: "What? Billie? Seriously?"

Ellie blushed, not sure if Aubrey was taking her seriously or if she was making fun of her.

Ellie: "I swear, it was weird. We were in my room and she said stuff... well, I think she was flirting with me."

Aubrey shook her head, still amused.

Aubrey: "No way, can you even believe what you're saying? Billie Eilish hit on you??"

Ellie looked down, embarrassed. She didn't want to believe it either, but the chemistry she had felt just minutes ago had been real. Aubrey, seeing that Ellie seemed genuinely troubled, decided to lighten the mood.

Aubrey: "Alright, you need to take your mind off this. Come on, let's get a few shots."

Aubrey grabbed Ellie by the arm and pulled her toward the makeshift bar where bottles of alcohol were piled up.

Ellie, still uncertain, went along without protesting. Maybe a little alcohol would help her forget the tension that was weighing on her. After the first shot, she felt the warmth spread through her and her head spin slightly. The second shot went down even faster. And by the third... that's when Ellie really started feeling the effects of the alcohol taking over. Her mind, once clouded with thoughts, felt freed. Lightheaded, she felt ready to let go.

A burst of laughter caught her attention: Billie and Joan were laughing loudly by the beer pong table. A thought crossed Ellie's mind. Why not get back at her? After all, Billie had played with her emotions, so why couldn't Ellie play the same game?

With a smile on her face, she headed toward the table. Joan had just missed his throw and Billie was laughing, teasing him. Ellie moved closer, unnoticed by Billie at first, and slipped behind her. With a gentle motion, she placed a hand on Billie's hip and leaned in, whispering in her ear.

Ellie: "So, are you replacing me now?"

Billie froze instantly, surprised by the sudden closeness. She blushed slightly before turning to Ellie with a curious look.

Billie: "What are you playing at?"

Ellie, clearly amused, replied nonchalantly: "The same game you are."

Billie burst out laughing, taken aback by Ellie's new boldness.

Billie: "Really?" she replied, her eyes sparkling with mischief. There was something about the tension between them that unsettled her, but also fascinated her.

The night went on like this, with teasing banter between the two women. They laughed, exchanged sly glances, almost as if they were the only ones who understood the rules of this little game they'd started. But little by little, Ellie started to feel the alcohol's effects more intensely. Her movements became more clumsy, her words a little more muddled. Billie, always attentive, quickly noticed that Ellie was starting to lose control.

Seeing her friend wobble, Billie gently took her hand.

Billie: "Hey, come on. I think it's time you take a break."

Ellie, slightly disoriented, nodded and let herself be guided. She wobbled a bit on her feet, but the warmth of Billie's hand in hers was strangely reassuring. They climbed the stairs to Ellie's room. The place was bathed in a comforting dim light, far from the chaos of the party.

Once inside the room, Billie helped Ellie take off her t-shirt. Ellie, still a little drunk, stared at her for a moment. It wasn't just because of the alcohol. No, there was something else. A deeper feeling, a connection she couldn't explain. She looked into Billie's eyes, and Billie seemed to notice the intensity of her gaze. A silence settled between them, a silence full of meaning.

Ellie couldn't help but murmur:

"You're beautiful, you know..."

Billie, surprised by the confession, raised an eyebrow before laughing softly.

Billie: "You really have had too much to drink." she said with a smile, trying to downplay the situation. "You're talking nonsense."

But Ellie, even in her state of drunkenness, was determined. She gently took Billie's hand and said more seriously:

Ellie: "No, I really mean it. You're perfect."

Billie felt a shiver run down her spine. Moments like this, when words were spoken without barriers, unsettled her a little. She was used to compliments, but not in this kind of intimacy, and certainly not from Ellie. She squeezed Ellie's hand gently, trying to keep some emotional distance, telling herself it was just the alcohol talking.

Billie: "Come on, get some sleep now." She murmured, trying to shift the conversation.

Ellie, exhausted by the events and the alcohol, slid under the covers, but before Billie could move away, she grabbed her hand again.

Ellie: "Stay with me, please."

Billie froze for a moment, unsure of what to say. But seeing the sincere look in Ellie's eyes, she couldn't bring herself to leave. With a small smile, she nodded.

Billie: "Okay, I'll stay."

She lay down beside Ellie, without saying another word. The two girls stayed there, side by side, a comfortable silence enveloping them. The distant noise of the party continued, but here, in this room, it felt like everything had stopped. Their hands still intertwined under the covers, Ellie gently closed her eyes, a peaceful smile on her lips.

And without really understanding why, Billie felt good right there, in that moment, next to Ellie. She closed her eyes too, and little by little, sleep took them both, their hands still linked, in an unexpected serenity.