Beyond the lens - Billie Eilish

50 -

The next morning, Ellie woke up gently, careful not to make any noise. She sat up in bed and glanced over at Kate, still deeply asleep, her features marked by the fatigue and emotions of the day before. The dark circles under her eyes were proof of her sleepless night. Ellie sighed, her heart heavy for her friend. She decided not to wake her up right away, giving her a little more time to rest.

With slow movements, Ellie got out of bed and grabbed a jacket, making sure not to make a sound. She carefully avoided opening the curtains, knowing the light would hurt Kate's still-sensitive eyes. Closing the door softly behind her, Ellie went to find something for breakfast that might give Kate a bit of strength.

She returned half an hour later, carrying a tray filled with pastries, fresh strawberries, and two large caramel coffees. She hoped it would be enough to wake the lifeless body still sprawled on the bed. As she set the tray on the small table, she looked over at Kate, who was slowly moving under the blankets. Her eyes were still red from last night's tears, and she seemed utterly drained, both physically and emotionally.

Ellie approached quietly, offering a soft "Hey," without needing to ask how she was. The answer was clear in the heavy silence that hung in the room.

Kate opened her eyes, blinking a few times to adjust to the dim light. Her face brightened slightly as she saw the tray.

Kate: "You're an angel," she whispered with a tired smile.

She struggled to sit up, drawn to the smell of the chocolate pancakes. With an almost childlike motion, she dove into the breakfast, grabbing a plate as though she hadn't eaten in days. Ellie smiled silently, happy to see Kate indulging in something comforting, as simple as food.

Ellie sat down beside Kate, taking a sip of her coffee before gently breaking the silence.

Ellie: "Are you ready to talk about that phone call?"

Kate nodded, slowly putting her pancakes down as if preparing herself for something difficult. After a long pause, she sighed and let it out all at once, as if trying to get rid of a weight.

Kate: "He cheated on me with his ex."

Ellie froze for a moment, surprise giving way to a deep, simmering anger. Kate continued, her voice a little shaky.

Kate: "It's not the first time. He already did this to me, and... I forgave him."

Ellie immediately furrowed her brow, struggling to understand why her friend had accepted this. She felt a lump of anger rise in her throat, but she stayed quiet, letting Kate unload.

Kate: "This time," she went on with a bitter smile, "he told me it was different. That he wanted to give his ex another chance. That it was more serious, that he loved her."

Ellie couldn't hold back her emotions anymore : "What a fucking asshole!"

Kate burst into laughter, a nervous laugh, as if she had been waiting for Ellie to say what she herself hadn't dared to.

Kate: "I knew you'd react like that," she said, shaking her head.

Ellie: "He doesn't deserve a single one of the tears falling from your beautiful face. Seriously, Kate, you've got nothing to regret. This guy is a fucking idiot, the worst kind, he doesn't deserve you at all."

Kate sighed, but a small smile appeared on her lips.

Kate: "It's easy to say, but I feel so stupid. Like I let this happen."

Ellie took her hand and squeezed it gently.

Ellie: "You're not stupid. You just wanted to believe in him, and he betrayed you. He's the one to blame, not you. Don't blame yourself for his bullshit."

Kate seemed somewhat comforted by Ellie's words and gave her a grateful look.

Kate: "Thank you, Ellie. Really. I don't know what I'd do without you."

They spent the rest of the morning talking, gradually easing the tension. Between bites of croissants and strawberries, Kate seemed to find a bit of peace. She tried to smile, even though the shadow of the pain hadn't completely left her.

The rest of the day passed in a strange sweetness, punctuated by comfortable silences and shy laughter. They ordered room service, giving in to the temptation of everything greasy and comforting—pizzas, burgers, fries... and of course, sushi, everything they needed to forget the outside world, even if just for a few hours.

The afternoon was devoted to a Hunger Games marathon. The films played one after another, and even though Kate's attention wasn't fully there, Ellie could tell it helped her distract herself, lose herself in something other than her pain.

The sun began to set over the city. As they finished the last movie, there was a knock at their door. Ellie, thinking it was the room service, quickly stood up to open it.

But when she opened the door, she froze, unable to say a word. Time seemed to stop as she stared at the man standing on the other side. Her throat instantly tightened, and she felt her heart race.

Kate, still lying on the bed, called from the other side of the room.

Kate: "Ellie, are the burgers here or what?"

Ellie didn't answer, her eyes wide open, fixed on the man in front of her. This made Kate worry, and she immediately got up. She walked toward the door, still lost in her thoughts, but the concern in her voice was obvious.

Kate: "Ellie? What's going on? Who is it?"

Ellie slowly turned her head toward Kate, her lips trembling. In a barely audible voice, she murmured, "It's... it's my dad."

Kate stopped dead in her tracks, shocked. She knew Ellie hadn't spoken to her dad in years, but she never explained why. He was never mentioned in their conversations, as if he belonged to a distant past, a life Ellie had tried to escape from.

The man in front of them seemed just as uncomfortable, his hands shoved in the pockets of his leather jacket. He was looking at Ellie with a nervous look, as if he wasn't sure of his place here, as if he didn't really know what he was waiting for.

Kate, frozen next to Ellie, didn't know what to say or how to react. The silence between them became almost oppressive, heavy with an emotional weight only Ellie and this man seemed to understand.

Ellie stood still, her face marked by surprise and a touch of anger, a storm of feelings she still couldn't name.

Ellie: "What the fuck are you doing here?"

Ellie's dad looked at her, a mix of regret and sadness on his face.

Dad: "We need to talk, Ellie. It's time."

At that moment, Ellie felt like her world had just shattered.