Beyond the lens - Billie Eilish

58 -

Joan and Aubrey exchanged a worried glance as they sat closer to her on the couch. The scent of freshly brewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the sweet smell of pastries.

Joan: "What's going on?"

Ellie: "It's about my dad... and Billie." She hesitated for a moment, aware that revealing this might catch her friends off guard. "My dad came back. He found me after all this time."

The expressions on her friends' faces froze, surprise clearly written across their features.

Aubrey: "What, your dad?! Why didn't you tell us earlier?"

Ellie: "I... I didn't know how. It was complicated. At first, I was so angry and confused. I thought he really wanted to apologize, but he just wanted me to sign some damn papers to cut me off from his financial help. And then he told me he had started a new family. Like I was just a memory to him. I kicked him out."

Joan clenched his fists, his anger palpable. "What?! What kind of crazy shit is that? He's such a fucking coward, selfish and manipulative to the end, that guy."

Ellie nodded, her voice cracking slightly. "I thought it was a chance to start over. But really, it was just a trap. And Billie... she came to comfort me after that. She was there for me, but... I'm so scared of losing her. So I told her to leave, and she did."

Tears began to fall down her cheeks, washing away all the pain she'd tried to hide.

Ellie: "I didn't want her to suffer because of me," she said, her voice barely audible. "I'm so afraid of abandonment. I don't know how to deal with all of this. I feel so lost, like I'm that seven-year-old girl again, sitting in front of my mom's grave."

A heavy silence settled, the ticking of the clock on the wall only amplifying the tension of the moment. Aubrey and Joan realized just how deep the struggle Ellie was facing really was.

Aubrey: "Ellie, you can't push away the people who are trying to help you like that," she said, gently placing a hand on her arm. "Billie wants to be there for you, no matter what happens. You can't build a wall around your heart and expect everything to be fine."

Ellie let herself be embraced by her friends, the warmth of their arms providing some comfort.

Ellie: "I'm so scared of what I feel... I feel like I'm going to mess everything up."

Joan: "Ellie, listen, what your dad did has nothing to do with what Billie feels for you. They're not even comparable. Billie is here because she cares about you. You're allowed to feel vulnerable, but don't push away the people who want to help."

Ellie closed her eyes, the weight of her emotions growing stronger.

Ellie: "I know, but it's terrifying. I'm afraid she'll leave me too or that I'll screw everything up... It's so hard to trust."

Joan pressed on: "You need to tell her that, open up to her. You can't let fear destroy what you've built. Billie deserves to know how you feel."

Ellie felt her heart race at the thought of talking about her feelings.

Ellie: "There was this night, organized by Finneas... and Billie and I, well, we got closer than we expected." She looked down, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Joan and Aubrey's surprise was evident as they realized the extent of what she was revealing.

Joan: "Wait, you're really saying you two went further than just holding hands?" Joan asked, his eyes widening in disbelief. "That must have been... an intense moment."

Ellie: "Yeah, we kissed and it was... incredible and terrifying at the same time. I don't know what to think about it. It made everything more complicated. I'm not sure I'm ready for this."

Aubrey: "I can't believe you two got that close, that quickly, it must be confusing for you."

Ellie closed her eyes again, the pain of her emotions intensifying.

Ellie: "It's way more than I ever imagined..."

Joan and Aubrey exchanged supportive smiles, their hearts filled with both concern and hope.

Joan: "You're strong, Ellie. Stronger than you think. And we'll always be here for you, no matter what happens."

Aubrey: "Take all the time you need, but don't let your dad ruin everything you've built, especially with Billie..."

With these comforting words echoing in her mind, Ellie took a deep breath, determined to face this fear and not let the past control her present.

Ellie: "I'll try," she said, her voice full of determination, though still trembling.

Ellie felt comforted by their words, but she knew there was still a tough road ahead of her... yet, for the first time, she felt a sense of hope.