At first glance, Billie and Odessa made an unlikely pair. Billie Eilish, the singer with her signature green-and-black hair, bold style, and soulful eyes, had captured the world’s attention with her music and fearless individuality. Odessa, on the other hand, was her own quiet mystery. Her blonde hair fell gently over her shoulders, her expression always calm but watchful, and she moved through life with a quiet grace that made her seem like she was carrying her own secret world. She was a photographer, an artist with a keen eye, and a deep soul. Where Billie was loud and colorful, Odessa was muted and reserved. But they understood each other in ways words couldn’t touch.
What connected them most profoundly was their shared experience of autism. They’d met by chance when they were both thirteen, introduced through a therapist who thought their friendship could offer mutual comfort and understanding. And the therapist was right. Billie, who also dealt with severe Tourette’s, immediately noticed Odessa’s calm presence and the way she didn’t flinch or stare when Billie’s tics erupted. Odessa, who was non-verbal, appreciated that Billie didn’t pressure her to talk or communicate in the usual way. Instead, Billie would read Odessa’s notes or interpret her expressive eyes and subtle gestures with a remarkable empathy. From their first meeting, an unspoken bond grew between them—a friendship that transcended the awkwardness and misunderstandings that often came with interacting with the outside world.
Over the years, their friendship deepened. They spent countless hours together, sharing their worlds without needing to talk constantly. Billie would sing or hum softly, experimenting with melodies, while Odessa quietly sketched or photographed the moments, capturing Billie’s candid expressions and uninhibited laughter. Billie cherished the fact that Odessa didn’t need her to be “on” or flawless; she was her truest self with Odessa.
Now sixteen, they found themselves back in the familiar setting of their therapist’s office, a cozy, softly lit room with warm-toned walls, shelves full of books, and chairs arranged in a circle. The air was filled with the familiar scents of peppermint and lavender from a diffuser on the shelf. Both girls had been through years of therapy individually, but lately, they’d started attending some sessions together—a practice their therapist, Dr. Harper, had suggested. She believed that exploring their friendship in a therapeutic setting could deepen their understanding of themselves and each other.
As they settled into the soft armchairs across from Dr. Harper, Billie felt a flicker of nervousness. Sessions together always felt a bit more intense, with emotions sometimes raw and overwhelming. But Odessa’s steady presence next to her helped ground her.
“So, how are you two feeling today?” Dr. Harper asked, her voice gentle and inviting.
Billie took a deep breath. “I’m good. A little… like I have a lot of energy,” she admitted, rubbing her hands together in a familiar stim she often did when she felt excitement or nervousness building up. Odessa gave her a small smile, her eyes conveying a warmth and understanding that Billie had come to rely on.
Odessa lifted her notepad and quickly scribbled something down. She held it up: Nervous, but happy.
Dr. Harper nodded, acknowledging the words with a thoughtful smile. “I’m glad to hear it. I know sessions together can feel different from our solo work, but it’s an opportunity for us to explore your connection and how it supports each of you in your individual journeys.”
Billie shifted in her seat, feeling the familiar buildup of energy that often signaled her Tourette’s tics. As if on cue, a series of small, sharp movements started, her head jerking slightly, accompanied by a quick series of hums that broke through her words. She tried to keep speaking, though her voice was punctuated by involuntary sounds.
“I just… I think Odessa… makes me feel safe, you know?” Billie said between tics. “Like, when I’m with her, I don’t have to hide anything.”
Odessa reached over and gave Billie’s hand a reassuring squeeze. She didn’t flinch or look uncomfortable; instead, she looked calm and resolute, as if Billie’s tics were as normal as the sun setting or the leaves rustling in the wind. It was one of the things Billie valued most about their friendship—Odessa’s unwavering acceptance.
The room was quiet for a moment, allowing Billie’s words to settle. Dr. Harper nodded. “That’s a beautiful thing, Billie. And it’s so important to feel safe with someone, especially when we’re carrying experiences that make us feel different. Odessa, would you say that’s something you feel with Billie too?”
Odessa nodded vigorously, and then wrote: She makes me feel seen. She hesitated, then added, Like I don’t have to pretend to be someone I’m not.
Billie’s face softened, a warm smile breaking through. The honesty and simplicity of Odessa’s note touched her deeply. She thought about how, with Odessa, she didn’t have to constantly manage her tics or mask her feelings. Billie was free to laugh, to be silly, to stim freely without worrying what her friend thought.
Odessa, noticing Billie’s hand twitching with unspent energy, nudged her slightly, pulling out a small stress ball she’d brought along—something she always carried in case Billie needed it. Billie accepted it with a grateful grin, squeezing it between her fingers as her tics gradually subsided. She didn’t have to explain why she needed to stim; Odessa just knew.
Dr. Harper watched the interaction with a thoughtful expression. “You two have built something very special. It’s not easy finding that level of understanding and acceptance, especially when dealing with challenges that others might not fully understand.”
Odessa wrote quickly on her pad, the words flowing without hesitation: We are each other’s safe place.
Billie looked at her, her heart full. She didn’t need Odessa to speak; her words on the page were powerful enough, carrying the weight of everything she wanted to say. Billie knew exactly what Odessa meant because, for her, the feeling was mutual. In a world that often felt harsh and overwhelming, they were each other’s comfort, each other’s anchor.
After a moment, Billie spoke up, her voice soft but determined. “I think… I think with Odessa, I don’t have to explain myself all the time. People are always asking me to be quieter, to control myself, or they stare when I can’t. But Odessa, she never stares. She never judges me.”
Odessa’s cheeks flushed slightly as she read Billie’s words, and her eyes sparkled with emotion. She felt the same way—Billie had a way of understanding her without words, respecting her silence without trying to fill it. It was a rare connection that she valued deeply, especially because she didn’t have to perform or conform when she was around Billie.
Dr. Harper smiled warmly at the two of them. “It sounds like you both give each other a space to be real. That’s a beautiful gift, and it’s one that can carry you through so much in life.”
As the session wrapped up, Billie felt an overwhelming wave of excitement and gratitude bubbling inside her. She reached over and gave Odessa’s hand a quick squeeze, and as soon as they left the therapist’s office, both girls seemed to break into their familiar stims, almost in sync. Billie flapped her hands joyfully, her energy spilling out in waves of movement and laughter, while Odessa gently rocked back and forth, her body swaying with a calm, rhythmic motion. It was their way of processing the emotions from the session, of letting the energy flow through them in ways that felt natural and safe.
For Billie, the stimming gradually triggered a flare-up of her tics, her body jerking in quick, involuntary movements as she laughed and stumbled slightly. Odessa steadied her, her hand gentle on Billie’s arm, her expression calm and understanding. They didn’t need to explain it or apologize. They were simply themselves, free to be exactly as they were—two souls who had found their way to each other in a world that often didn’t understand them.
As they walked home together, their hands occasionally brushing, Billie couldn’t help but feel grateful for Odessa’s presence in her life. She knew they would always be each other’s safe place, no matter where life took them.
