Through the Noise

1 | The 30th (continued)

*******Recap********

The cool breeze hit her as she stepped outside, and she breathed in deeply, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling that had settled in her chest.

Camila's POV

Camila watched as Lena exited the café, her gaze lingering as Lena walked away. She waited a moment before pulling her phone out of her bag and dialing a number.

The phone rang twice before it was answered.

"Hey, she's leaving now," Camila said, her voice low but clear.

***********End of Recap***********

Camila's POV

I leaned back in my chair, glancing out the window as Lena disappeared into the crowded street. Good riddance. I'd waited long enough for this opportunity. Watching her sit across from me, all righteous and self-assured, made my skin crawl. She always had that air about her, like everything she touched turned to gold. And for some reason, it always did.

It wasn't fair.

"How is she still getting everything?" I muttered, more to myself than the person on the other end of the line. "She shouldn't even be here. Vogue? Billie? Zendaya? None of it makes sense. It's like she gets handed opportunities just for existing."

I paused, biting the inside of my cheek. "Actually, no, I know exactly how she does it. She's black. They love that. The diversity hire. Always her story, her identity. That's the ticket."

The bitterness rolled off my tongue, and I didn't care. She didn't deserve this life. I was just as good—no, better. I worked twice as hard and got half the recognition. And then there was Billie. The thought made my stomach tighten.

Her first Vogue gig was Billie. That should've been me. I knew it was because of their relationship—there was no other explanation. She'd used Billie to get ahead, and everyone just pretended it was talent. It made me sick.

"I'm the one who told TMZ about them, you know," I said into the phone, my voice low but proud. "I sold the pictures. The ones in the article? Yeah, that was me."

A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips as I said it. It felt good, taking control like that. I'd been watching them for months, waiting for my chance to tip the balance. This wasn't just about jealousy—it was about justice. About proving that she didn't deserve the pedestal she was on.

If I could split them up, Billie would see the truth. She'd see who Lena really was—an opportunist, a fraud. And then maybe Billie would look at me. Maybe she'd see the person who actually understood her.

"She'll come to me," I whispered, half to myself. My heart raced at the thought. "I just have to keep the pressure on Lena. Break her down. It won't take much."

I ended the call and slipped my phone back into my bag. Outside, the street bustled with life, but all I could see was the future I was about to create. Lena wouldn't even see it coming. Billie would be mine.

Lena's POV

I stormed out of the café, my head spinning. Camila's words still echoed in my mind, but I shoved them aside. I couldn't deal with her right now. As soon as I was outside, I pulled my phone from my bag and called Billie.

"Hey," she answered, her voice a balm to my frayed nerves.

"Hey," I said, exhaling slowly. "I'm on my way back to the house now. Are you ready?"

Billie hesitated, and I could almost see her checking the time on her phone. "Lena, if I wait for you, we're not gonna make it. Why don't we just drive separately? I'll meet you at the arena."