Beyond the lens - Billie Eilish

49 -

As Ellie stepped out of the party, she ordered a taxi for herself and Kate, her heart still racing from the intense exchange she'd just had with Billie. She felt lost, torn between the excitement of what could have happened and the reality of her best friend, who was now crying the equivalent of three liters of tears on her shoulder.

It was now 2 a.m., and as soon as they arrived at the hotel, Ellie helped Kate get into her pajamas. The breakup seemed to have driven Kate to drink far more than her fragile body could handle, and Ellie, concerned, made sure she was comfortable.

She played a calm playlist in the background, hoping the soft music would help soothe Kate's swirling thoughts. As they both lay down, Kate turned her gaze to Ellie, her eyes still red from crying.

While Ellie closed her eyes, she remained worried about the events of the night. Thoughts of Billie were still floating in her mind, but for now, all she could do was be there for her friend, ready to support her through this.

Kate: "I really fucked up, huh?"

Ellie, a little surprised, didn't immediately understand. She studied her friend's face, trying to make sense of her words: "What are you talking about?"

Kate nervously tugged at the ends of her pajamas: "Between you and Billie..."

Ellie couldn't help but laugh softly, offering a comforting smile: "No, not at all. You haven't messed anything up. What matters now is you," she reassured her. She leaned in a little closer, wanting to get Kate's attention: "You need to rest. We'll talk about all of this tomorrow morning."

Kate rubbed her eyes, still clearly troubled: "But..."

"No, Kate, now's not the time to worry about that. Just take a moment to relax, okay?" Ellie gently took Kate's hand, hoping to give her a bit of strength.

"Okay..." Kate replied, a sigh escaping her lips. She seemed a little calmer, but the anxiety was still visible in her eyes.

"I promise, everything will be okay. I'm here," Ellie murmured, shifting to her side to face her friend.

The music continued playing softly in the background, filling the room with a calming atmosphere. The dimmed lights created a cozy cocoon around them, and Ellie hoped this moment of tranquility would help Kate fall asleep.

After a few minutes of silence, Kate whispered: "Thanks for being here, Ellie. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Ellie smiled, touched. "You don't have to say that. This is what friends do, like you always say." She thought about Billie, the stolen moment in the kitchen. The tension, the passion—everything seemed so far away now, like a waking dream she couldn't fully grasp. She shook her head slightly, pushing those thoughts aside to focus on Kate.

"You know," Kate started, breaking the silence, "I never wanted it to end like this." She paused, and Ellie could see how much it affected her. "I thought he was different."

Ellie straightened slightly, her gaze encouraging. "It happens, Kate. Sometimes, we think we know someone, but the reality is different, especially when it comes to guys."

Kate nodded, but a shadow of sadness still passed over her face. "I know, but it's hard. I wish I were strong enough to handle this on my own."

Ellie couldn't help but smile at her, even though her own thoughts were pulling at her. "No one's expected to go through this kind of stuff alone. You need time to process, and I'm here to help you get through it."

She got up and walked over to the nightstand to pour a glass of water, which she handed to Kate. "Drink a little. It'll help you feel better in the morning, your body's probably made of 80% alcohol right now."

Kate took the glass and sipped it slowly, her eyes fixed on Ellie. "And you, Ellie? What happened with Billie?" she asked, curiosity overtaking her sadness.

Ellie, caught off guard by the question, hesitated for a moment. "I don't know yet. It was fucking intense..." She forced a smile, even though she knew the situation was more complicated than she was letting on.

"It sounds like something special," Kate observed, her eyes sparkling with interest. "You should really keep exploring that with her."

Ellie was swept up in her friend's enthusiasm. "Yeah, but I don't want to rush into anything, especially if you need me."

Kate sighed, clearly touched by her best friend's loyalty. "I don't want my situation to hold you back. If Billie means something to you, then go for it!"

"I know, but..." Ellie didn't know how to express what she was feeling. The conflicting emotions were crashing inside her head.

Kate looked at her for a moment, then gave her a soft smile. "Then do it. I promise I'll feel better. We'll both have things to sort out, but I don't want you to put your life on pause for me."

Ellie felt a mix of love and admiration for her friend. "I get it. But for now, let's just focus on the present moment."

Kate, a little calmer, let out a light laugh. "Maybe we can do a Hunger Games marathon tomorrow?"

Ellie smiled, grateful for the suggestion. "Yeah, that's actually a great idea."

Finally, they fell silent, the quiet between them soothing. The atmosphere was filled with mutual understanding, and they let themselves be carried by the soft music playing in the background.

Kate turned to her side, wrapping herself in the blanket. "Billie, she seems like a good person."

Ellie: "She's incredible."

"Are you falling for her?" Kate asked with a wink, trying to lighten the mood.

Ellie: "Honestly? I don't know, and that's the shitty part."

They both laughed softly together, the lightness of the moment bringing a small spark of joy to the sadness in the air. Ellie knew there would be darker days ahead, but she was grateful to share this moment with Kate.

The music kept playing, filling the room with a gentle vibe as they lay next to each other, finding comfort in their friendship, ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.