Nightcall - Billie Eilish

17 -

We had first tried to go outside, but the rain showed up almost immediately.

"Turn around!" she said, holding out her hand.

I followed her, her soft hand guiding mine as we made our way through the crowd. Right at that moment, a song by The Weeknd blasted through the speakers. Billie instantly turned to me, her eyes widening like a child's.

"We can't leave the dance floor now," she said with conviction.

Before I could protest, she grabbed my arm and pulled me closer. The gesture made me burst out laughing. She was adorable. I couldn't refuse this moment. She started dancing, and damn, she knew how to move. She took my hand, spun me with an effortless confidence, then pulled me even closer. Every move of hers made me more and more unsettled.

What the hell was happening to me?

At one point, her hands landed on my hips, following the rhythm of my movements. My hands instinctively found their place around her neck. Our faces were so close I could feel her breath on my skin. My eyes slid, just for a moment, toward her lips, but I pushed that thought away as quickly as it had come.

When the music stopped, she reached out her hand again.

"Come on, let's go," she said.

"Go where?" I asked, curious.

"Just follow me."

The warmth I felt was indescribable, intense.

We made our way through the crowd, toward a door a little off to the side. She opened it, and as we entered, I quickly realized we had just arrived in her room.

"I've got something to show you. Sit down and close your eyes," she said, nodding toward her bed before closing the door behind us.

Something to show me? On her bed?

I was surprised but followed her instructions and sat on the bed.

She glanced my way.

"You haven't closed your eyes yet, I can still see you idiot."

"Alright, ma'am."

I shut my eyes instantly, and she burst out laughing, beginning to move around the room, shifting things, clearly preparing something.

Suddenly, a soft, deep melody filled the air, slightly muffling the noise of the party outside, but honestly, we could hardly hear anything, the sound from the other room was too loud.

Billie groaned, frustrated.

"Shit, I can't turn the volume up on this bitch," she complained.

I smiled, still with my eyes closed.

"Need help?"

"No, stay seated, I've got it, with this..., damn."

But after a few moments, she let out a string of curses. I couldn't help but open my eyes and saw her bent over the turntable. The scene made me laugh. I stood up slowly and walked over, gently placing a hand on her hip to move her aside.

"I know this model. Let me do it."

Billie stepped back, clearly disappointed.

"I ruined the surprise," she mumbled.

I laughed softly, turning up the volume. A gentle guitar played, followed by her clear, captivating voice. I turned to her, intrigued. She nervously played with her rings, clearly waiting for some kind of reaction from me. Once the song ended, she carefully lifted the turntable arm, stopping the music.

"Billie... what was that?" I asked.

She smiled shyly.

"An unreleased track. You're literally the first person to hear it besides my brother."

"Shit, that was incredible!" I replied, still in shock. "Is it finished?"

She nodded softly, her gaze still locked on mine.

"Do you really like it? I'm not totally convinced," she admitted.

I furrowed my brow.

"It's amazing, really, but it's like..."

She cut me off.

"Like something's missing. I know. Finneas does too. That's why we never released it."

"Why'd you let me listen to it?"

She was close. Way too close. And I just realized it now.

"You've got a damn good ear, Dina, and you just proved it again."

I blushed despite myself. Music was my life, and knowing that she'd noticed so quickly meant a lot to me.

"That much?" I asked, a little shaken.

She smiled.

"You really made a strong impression, right from the first time we met."

I watched her carefully place the record back. Every movement seemed thoughtful, precise. Her attitude, her gaze... what the hell was happening to me?

She finally turned toward me. I looked away, studying her room. It was large but cluttered, a strange mix of order and chaos. It felt like walking into her mind. Her voice brought me back to reality.

"Want to go back to the party? I don't want to keep you locked up here any longer."

She moved closer, slowly.

"Unless you want to do something else?"

My heart skipped a beat. Was she really insinuating what I thought? Her gaze seemed to confirm it.

"What are you thinking?" I murmured, nervous.

No, I shouldn't play into her game, but still... She moved closer, and my eyes followed her.

My heart was racing. Every inch she closed between us made me lose my footing a little more. Her gaze was intense... captivating. I couldn't look away.

"Tell me what you want" she whispered, a playful smile on her lips.

My breath hitched for a split second. I knew I was playing with fire, that she was too, but how could I resist? Finally, her hands gently landed on my hips, just like they had on the dance floor, but this time there was no music to justify the gesture.

But before I could respond, a loud noise broke the moment. The door suddenly swung open.

"Billie, you need to come now!" a guy shouted, out of breath.

Billie turned, clearly annoyed.

"Nat? What's going on?"

"It's Skeet, he woke up, and he's about to fight some asshole in a tank top, over a girl, I think."

Billie sighed, "Shit, this guy's gonna drive me crazy."

AND ME ???

She shot me one last look.

"Sorry..."

"I'm coming with you. I think I'm involved in this somehow."

She stopped abruptly, a look of realization crossing her face.

"Wait... the guy in the tank top, you think it's the guy who was hitting on you?"

I nodded to confirm.

She muttered, "God, Skeet," before rushing out the door.

—

I can't wait to write the next part...