Through the Noise

4 | The Comfort of Her Voice

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Billie's POV

Watching Lena's confidence return is like witnessing a flower bloom after a storm. Every day, she's stepping into her power, but there's still a part of her that feels hesitant. I know her better than she knows herself sometimes, and I've been waiting for the right moment to show her the songs I wrote with her in mind.

After dinner, I sit next to her on the couch. She's engrossed in editing photos on her iPad, her focus intense. I wait a beat before speaking, not wanting to interrupt her flow.

"Lena," I say softly, catching her attention. "Can I show you something? It's...personal."

Her eyes meet mine, curiosity flickering in them. "Of course. What is it?"

I grab my laptop from the coffee table and open the folder containing the demos. "These are two songs I wrote. Well, Finneas and I wrote them, but they're about you. I never intended to share them with anyone, not even the world. But I think you're ready to hear them."

She sits up straighter, her expression a mixture of surprise and intrigue. "You wrote songs about me?"

"All for you," I confirm. "The first one is called come out and play. I wrote it after my birthday, during that week when I didn't see you. It's about you stepping into your light, showing the world who you really are. Just listen."

I press play. The soft guitar intro fills the room, and as the lyrics unfold, I watch Lena's reaction closely. Her eyes widen, her lips part slightly, and she clutches the edge of the blanket draped over her legs.

When the song ends, she exhales a shaky breath, her voice barely above a whisper. "Billie...that's beautiful. It's me, isn't it? Every word."

I nod, my throat tightening. "It's everything I wanted to say to you. You're incredible, Lena, but you've always held yourself back. This song was my way of telling you to stop hiding and let the world see how amazing you are."

Tears well in her eyes as she smiles. "I don't even know what to say. Thank you for this."

"There's one more," I say, my voice softer now. "It's called The 30th. It's heavier. It's about the accident and how it felt for me. Are you ready?"

Her smile falters, but she nods. "I want to hear it."

The haunting melody begins, and the room feels heavier, the air thick with unspoken emotion. As the lyrics unfold, Lena listens intently, her tears falling silently. When the song ends, she wipes her cheeks, looking at me with a mixture of sadness and gratitude.

"You felt all of that?" she whispers.

"It was the only way I could process it," I admit, my voice cracking. "I was terrified, Lena. The thought of losing you was unbearable."

She leans into me, her head resting on my shoulder. "You've given me so much, Billie. I don't deserve you."

I kiss the top of her head. "You deserve everything and more."

After a moment of silence, she lifts her head and looks at me. "Why aren't you releasing these songs? They're beautiful. The world deserves to hear them."

I hesitate. "They're so personal, Lena. They're for you, not for the world."

"But that's what makes them special," she insists. "Your music connects with people because it's real. These songs could inspire someone the way they've inspired me. Come Out and Play—that's exactly what you should do. Keep showing the world how amazing you are."