BLUEPRINTS || Billie Eilish

New York

Kai grabbed her suitcase from the corner of the hotel room, hoisting the backpack onto her shoulder before giving the space one last look. The room was quiet, illuminated by the soft, warm glow of the setting sun that filtered through the open curtains. Golden-orange light stretched across the bed, where messy sheets were still crumpled from her earlier nap. The pillow had an indentation from her head, and she could still feel the residual exhaustion clinging to her muscles.

She sighed softly, her fingers tapping absentmindedly on the suitcase handle as her eyes scanned every surface—the nightstand, the bathroom sink, even under the bed—just to make sure she hadn't left anything behind. Satisfied, she took a deep breath, rolling her shoulders as if preparing for the next phase of the day.

Pulling the suitcase behind her, she made her way to the door, hesitating for a brief second to take in the peaceful silence one last time. The hotel had been a quiet reprieve from the chaos of the tour, but it was time to move. She stepped out into the hallway, the loud click of the door closing behind her breaking the silence.

The elevator ride down was uneventful, but the hum of the moving lift and the soft, warm light inside made her eyelids heavy. She leaned her back against the elevator wall, closing her eyes for a moment, breathing in the stillness. The low murmur of elevator music was just loud enough to lull her into a brief moment of peace.

The elevator dinged, snapping her back to reality. Kai straightened up, blinking away the drowsiness as the doors slid open, the stillness of the ride abruptly shattered.

"Kai!" Greg's voice boomed, and Billie's followed right after. They were standing together in the lobby, both walking toward her at the same time, talking over each other like they were competing for her attention.

"Huh?" Kai's eyebrows furrowed, confused as she adjusted her grip on the suitcase. She stepped out of the elevator, her mind still shaking off the haze of exhaustion, trying to keep up with what they were saying. But it was impossible to understand them when they were both talking so loudly, overlapping each other.

"Kai, listen—"

"Kai, wait a sec—"

She raised a hand, exhaling a long breath as she walked past them, her suitcase dragging a little too loudly across the polished floor. "One at a time," she muttered, the weight of the day already making her patience wear thin. She wasn't in the mood for their frantic energy. All she wanted was to get to the bus, put her bags down, and maybe close her eyes for a few more minutes before the next leg of the tour.

But Billie wasn't ready to let it go. She quickly followed after Kai, reaching out and gently grabbing her shoulder. "Kai," she called out, her tone holding more urgency this time, as if she really needed an answer.

Kai stopped, her body stiffening at the touch. "What?" she asked, turning halfway, her eyes scanning Billie's face. She noticed the stress lines on Billie's forehead, the way her lips were pressed tight in frustration.

"Do you have my ring? The one with the skull?" Billie's words came out in a rush, her eyes darting all over Kai's face, searching for some sort of recognition or confirmation.

Kai blinked, her expression flattening as she let out a sharp exhale. "Billie, you didn't give me any of your rings." Her voice was flat, almost robotic, as she started walking again, the sting of yesterday's argument still fresh in her chest.

Billie's steps quickened as she followed behind, her tone shifting to something more hopeful. "Yeah, but I don't know, maybe you saw it on the floor or something and picked it up?" There was a flicker of hope in her voice, like she needed this to be true, like she wanted Kai to be the solution to her problem.