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Back at the party, the dim lights create an electric atmosphere, where bursts of laughter and pop melodies mix with the sound of clinking glasses. The dance floor is still packed, lit up with colorful neon lights dancing on the walls. Ellie weaves through the groups of people, the combined smells of alcohol and perfume intoxicating her more with every step. She smiles as she spots Joan leaning against the bar, a beer in hand and a twinkle in his eye.

Joan is clearly in a good mood, a smile plastered on his face as he stares at a specific direction. Ellie follows his gaze and spots the curly-haired girl, laughing and dancing near the DJ booth.

Ellie: "So, you like her ?"

Joan nods, a dreamy look in his eyes.

Joan: "Yeah... Her name's Hailey. I swear, she's amazing."

Ellie stifles a laugh, raising an eyebrow skeptically.

Ellie: "Amazing? That much?"

Joan looks at her with a mock outraged expression.

Joan: "Look at her, dude, she's funny, sweet, smells fucking amazing, and her smile... I'm gonna lose my mind."

Ellie: "Well, you seem to be enjoying your night."

Joan takes a sip of his beer before giving her a curious look.

Joan: "And where the hell were you? I thought you were with the girls?"

Ellie: "I was with Billie."

She instinctively turns around, scanning the crowd to find Billie and back up her words. But when her eyes finally land on her, she freezes slightly. Billie is there, standing not too far away, talking to a girl who seems way too close for comfort. The blonde girl is laughing at something Billie just said, and her hand brushes gently against Billie's arm in a gesture that's both innocent and familiar. Ellie's gaze locks in, unable to tear her eyes away from the scene.

Joan, noticing the sudden tension in his friend, steps closer with a mischievous smile.

Joan: "What are you staring at like that?"

Ellie quickly looks away, trying to regain her composure.

Ellie: "What? Me? Nothing."

Joan eyes her, amused.

Joan: "Wait, don't tell me you're jealous," he says, laughing softly.

Ellie crosses her arms, feigning indignation.

Ellie: "Me? Jealous? You're crazy."

Joan bursts out laughing and gives her a friendly pat on the shoulder.

Joan: "Come on, have a drink before you curse that girl with your voodoo stare."

Ellie grabs the drink Joan hands her, but her attention keeps drifting back to Billie and that girl. Their closeness, the laughter, and especially the subtle but constant physical contact is unsettling her. The more she watches, the more the heat of the alcohol and the tension in the air get to her head. She grits her teeth, grabs her drink, and knocks it back in one go.

Ellie: "I gotta go, man, I can't sit still anymore," she says suddenly to Joan, setting her empty glass down with a dull thud.

Joan: "And I'm the crazy one ?!"

Ellie doesn't respond. She pushes through the crowd, her heart racing, looking for Billie through the shadows and flashes of light. When she finally spots her, Ellie walks up to her resolutely and without hesitation, grabs Billie's hand, pulling her along without saying a word. Billie looks at her, confused, but lets herself be led, weaving through the crowd, bumping into people along the way as they give them surprised looks. They finally reach the bathroom. As soon as they're alone, Ellie lets go of Billie's hand and starts pacing back and forth, visibly troubled, a glint of agitation in her eyes.

Beyond the lens - Billie EilishWhere stories live. Discover now