Beyond the lens - Billie Eilish

60 -

Ellie was feeling better and better. It was subtle, almost imperceptible to her own eyes, but each day spent in Paris allowed her to breathe a little more freely. The memories of her doubts and fears seemed less overwhelming, softened by the comforting presence of Joan and Aubrey, and by the city itself.

The fear of abandonment was still there, lurking deep inside her, like a shadow that never fully disappeared. Yet, something was changing. Ellie felt a desire to move forward, to no longer be trapped by her own walls. Life was way too short, and the scars of her past couldn't dictate her future forever. The days passed by in a blur, and soon, the departure for London was approaching.

Sitting on the couch in the apartment they had rented, Ellie looked out at the view beyond the large windows. The smell of coffee and fresh croissants filled the air, reminding her of the moments shared with Joan and Aubrey. That morning, they were deep in a light conversation.

Joan: "I feel like this city has some sort of magic. Every street corner makes you think about your life, it's totally crazy or maybe I'm just going completely crazy, I don't know yet."

Aubrey, wrapped in a blanket, nodded with a laugh.

Aubrey: "I vote for the second option, Mr. Philosopher. The only thing I'll remember is the butter croissant from that little café near the Seine."

Joan gave her an amused look.

Joan: "Really, Aubrey? With everything we've seen here, your best memory is the food?"

Aubrey shrugged with a smile.

Aubrey: "Well, you've got to appreciate the little pleasures in life, right? And what about you, Ellie, what stands out the most for you?"

Ellie took a moment to think. The past few weeks had been a whirlwind of conflicting emotions, moments of peace mixed with intense anxiety. But deep down, she felt something changing. Slow, fragile, but real.

Ellie: "I think it's this feeling of freedom. I still have trouble letting go, but I can feel something shifting inside me, like an armor cracking."

Joan put his cup down and looked at Ellie seriously.

Joan: "I can see it, you know? You seem different, more open. I don't know if you feel it, but it's obvious to us. And we're really proud of you."

Aubrey raised an eyebrow with a smirk.

Aubrey: "Maybe it's the Paris effect, or maybe it's because you've decided to stop fighting everything. You're about to join Joan in the very exclusive club of philosophers."

Ellie smiled, amused by the comment, but she knew Aubrey was right.

Ellie: "A little bit of both, I think. But mostly, it's because of you guys. You've been here, even when I wasn't ready to talk or let you in. That's made all the difference."

Joan: "We'll always be here," he replied confidently. "No matter where you are or what you're going through. That's what friends are for."

Ellie felt a wave of emotion rise within her. Joan and Aubrey had always been there for her. And it was because of their unwavering support that she was finally starting to allow herself to feel, to live again.

---

The next morning, as the sun rose over Paris, they took the train to London. The journey was long but pleasant, filled with bursts of laughter, moments of quiet contemplation, and a sense of anticipation that hung in the air. Ellie, sitting by the window, watched the landscape rush by, but her mind was elsewhere. She was thinking about Kate.

Kate. A friend she had neglected, someone who had meant a lot to her. Ellie knew she could no longer put off this meeting. It was time to see her again, apologize, and make up for all the lost time. With a certain nervousness, she took out her phone and typed a message.