Nightcall - Billie Eilish

5 -

After Billie left, Dina locked up the shop, a smile still on her lips, feeling a warm rush of euphoria rising inside her. She'd recognized the singer right from the start, it was hard to miss that magnetic presence and those striking blue eyes. But from their first meeting, Dina had decided to keep quiet, wanting to act professionally and avoid making Billie uncomfortable. Yet, over the course of their exchanges, she'd gotten caught up in the game. She hadn't said anything for the fun of it, savoring this secret connection they'd built.

On her walk home to her small apartment, Dina let her mind wander through memories of the evening and the nervous thrill that still lingered. She lived just a few minutes from the shop, an easy stroll under the dim glow of streetlights. As she stepped into her building, she climbed the few stairs to her floor, eager to get inside and settle back into her own space.

Opening the door, she found Kate, her roommate and best friend, sprawled across the couch. She'd left the soft lights of the living room on, the TV on pause, ready to dive into the show they watched together.

"Yo, babe, so how was your day?" Kate called out, sitting up a bit, a big, mischievous grin on her face.

Dina grinned back. She adored Kate, her steady rock. They'd grown up together, really, Kate had spent more time at Dina's place than with her own parents. Through endless arguments and reconciliations, Kate's family eventually accepted Dina's family's help, and the two girls couldn't have asked for a better situation. They'd become sisters at heart, sharing everything, even this apartment now.

"Not bad," Dina replied, setting down her bag and heading over to the couch, her smile unwavering.

"Good to hear!" Kate answered. "Now get over here, I've been waiting for you all day so we can watch the next BoJack episode."

Dina burst out laughing.

"Ahhh, girl, I was looking forward to this! Let me grab a quick shower, and I'll be right back."

Kate nodded, smiling. "Gives the delivery time to get here," she added casually.

"The delivery?" Dina asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I felt like sushi. You don't mind, I'm sure."

Dina threw herself onto the couch, collapsing onto Kate. They both cracked up as Kate shouted in mock offense, "Get off, you smell like death, girl!"

Dina got up, grabbed some comfy clothes from her room, and hopped into the shower. Under the warm spray, she thought back over the evening, replaying every detail of her encounter with Billie. She could still feel those deep blue eyes watching her, the singer's slightly reserved smile, and that feeling of having shared something unique, even if just for a moment. She remembered the way she'd called her by her name right as she left-"Goodnight, Billie." Dina smiled to herself, amused at the thought that the singer might only just now realize that she'd been recognized from the start.

Twenty minutes later, Dina returned to the living room, clean and cozy in oversized sweatpants and a hoodie. Kate had set everything up on the table: sushi boxes, sauces carefully poured into little bowls, and napkins rolled into neat cones. Dina dropped onto the couch beside her, and they started the episode.

The evening rolled on with laughs, sighs, and reactions to the show's twists. BoJack Horseman had that way of making them laugh and cry, and each reflection seemed to remind them of their own lives, which they shared as they passed sushi and sipped beer. Dina felt her mind unwind bit by bit, though at each pause, her thoughts flicked back to Billie.

Toward the end of the episode, Kate turned to Dina, eyes glinting.

"By the way, did your mystery customer finally get her album?" 

Dina couldn't help but grin. She'd never told Kate who this customer really was. Kate was a huge fan of Billie's. If she knew the singer was dropping by the shop, she wouldn't have hesitated to camp out there, or even work there for free. Dina cared too much about Kate to put her in that position, and she knew how much it mattered to Billie to find a little normalcy.

"Yep, she came in just before closing," 

"So, circle complete. Think she'll come back?" 

Dina shrugged, trying not to show her own hope. "No idea... guess we'll see."

But deep down, she really did hope Billie would return. Catching the look in Dina's eyes, Kate raised a suspicious eyebrow.

"She really made an impression on you," she said with a knowing smile.

Dina just tossed a pillow at her to change the subject.

"You're just jealous I'm making new friends."

They both burst out laughing before starting another episode. Time slipped by quickly, and soon they were sinking deeper into the couch, falling into a calm that felt almost meditative.

When Dina finally climbed into bed, a gentle warmth filled her. One question lingered softly in her mind: Would she come back?

She let the thought hang in the air like a silent promise. Maybe Billie would return, maybe not. But deep down, Dina knew she wouldn't forget their encounter. For the first time in a long while, she fell asleep with a little smile on her lips.