Can We Pretend // Billie Eilish

chapter four

The next day my house was surrounded by paps. I was making myself breakfast when I opened the blinds and spotted them milling around the street, cameras in hand. 

For anyone else, they wouldn't have thought about it twice. And yet for me it was my first time being in the public spotlight. I've always been a nobody and I intend to keep it that way. But the paparazzi waiting for me outside obviously thought otherwise. 

I closed all the blinds and windows around my house, hoping they wouldn't catch sight of me. At least they didn't have the nerve to come knock on my door. But by the look of things I won't be able to leave anytime soon either, not unless I want to give them an opportunity to publish articles about how shitty I looked. Thankfully they hadn't figured out who I was out and I intend to keep it that way. 

Billie has been holed up in her house too from what I've heard. She has it even worse than me, having to resort to stationing security around her front lawn. I haven't talked to her much since yesterday, still feeling partially guilty about everything that's going on. No one knew yet how this would impact her career, wether she'd get in trouble or get backlash from her fans.

I went back to the kitchen and sat down at the dining table. With the way things were going, I'd be cooped up inside all day. 

My phone started to vibrate in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw that it was a FaceTime call from Billie. 

"Hi." I mumbled out after pressing accept. 

Her face popped up on the screen. "Hey Alvina." 

It was weird to think that at this same time yesterday, Claudia had called to tell me how badly everything was fucked up for Billie after the paps caught us. 

"Everything okay?" I asked. 

She nodded, "Yeah, everything's okay . . ." I could tell she felt awkward after the breakdown she'd had yesterday. Her eyes kept flying all over the place, like she couldn't bear to make eye contact. "I just called the security agency and told them to send someone to your house. Is that okay?"

I nodded gratefully. "That's really helpful actually. My house is surrounded by paps right now, when I woke up it was just a few but now there's a crowd."

"Shit, I'm sorry I had no idea it was that bad. I should've sent someone over sooner. Why didn't you tell me?" She said with her brows furrowed. 

"No, don't worry about it. I didn't wanna bother you, thought you'd be really busy right now," I said shyly.  "How long is the security person staying?" 

I watched as she sat up and brought the phone closer to her face. "I told him to stay until midnight, you want me to tell him to stay longer?"

I shook my head. "No, it's okay. I think I might have to go into work later though."

"It's fine, he'll just follow you and make sure you get inside safely."

"Thank you for this, Billie. You didn't have to."

She gave me a small smile. "Don't thank me for that, it's the least I can do. The paps are only here because of me any—"

She stopped mid sentence when the doorbell rang through my house. I picked up the phone and  headed towards the door to open it. 

"Hi Ms. Castillo, just wanted to introduce myself and let you know I've been sent from the security agency. I'll try to keep the paps under control," said the man who stood in front of me. "I'm Denzel, let me know if you need anything." 

I dumbly nodded my head, but at the moment I was preoccupied by the tightly fitted shirt he was wearing. It was as if every muscle on his body was outlined by it, not to mention the chiseled face that was looking down at me. The dark sunglasses he was wearing hid his eyes but maybe that was a blessing because if I could see them I might've passed out right then and there.