Nightcall - Billie Eilish

38 -

"billie?"

i jump at the voice behind me. i squint, trying to make out the face, lit only by the tiny ground lights

the person steps closer, probably to get a better look at me, then suddenly steps back

"wait... you're not billie"

the way he says her name calms me a little.

ok, i've got zero survival instincts, but i can feel he's not a creep

shark leaps off the lounge chair and starts bouncing around him, begging for pets. the guy crouches down and says calmly,

"easy, shark"

i sit up quickly and grab a towel from the ground to cover my wet body

"yeah no, i'm not billie"

he gets up and takes a few steps closer

"is she here? i've never seen you around before"

"pretty sure i'm the one who should be asking who the hell you are, and what you're doing here at 2 am?"

"i'm—"

"david?"

billie's voice echoes from the glass doors

i immediately turn my head. she's coming out with two glasses of water, both filled to the brim

the guy turns to her, and before i can even process, she sets the glasses down on the table and rushes to hug him

their hug lasts forever

when they finally let go, david glances at me, then back at billie

"since when are you back in LA?"

"just a few days ago. i meant to text you but i completely forgot"

"you've been forgetting a lot lately"

"sorry man, things have been moving so fast... i barely even had time to see my parents"

finally, billie's eyes flick to me

thank god, i'm not totally invisible

but just as quickly, she turns back to david

"and you? what the hell are you doing here at two in the morning?"

he scratches the back of his head, looking guilty

"i might've forgotten to feed shark tonight... i had a nightmare about him starving to death"

she bursts out laughing

"shit, i thought odessa was on pet duty this week"

"she was, but she got called to a last-minute shoot"

i feel like a ghost standing in the middle of this

i finally step closer, grabbing one of the glasses of water off the table. only then does billie seem to remember i exist, and she looks slightly embarrassed

"oh, right... david, this is dina."

i give a small wave, still clutching my towel

david smiles at me. his face is soft, his dark eyes shining in the night

"another new friend?"

another?

billie scratches her neck, but answers without hesitation

"yeah, we've only known each other a few months"

ouuuch

i know it's true, we barely know each other...