Girl, I thought you had disappeared from the application and had left the series aside! I finished it in one day and I can't wait for the sequel or the previews of the other two!! Your writing is really so admirable, I am suggesting that in the future you do with Billie a bunch of a stories like Letitiaa's
It made my day happy to find that you hadn't let me write, it was like a pamper to the soul โค๏ธโ๐ฉนโค๏ธโ๐ฉน
I haven't been on this app for awhile and seeing your message made me so happy!! Thank you so much love! ๐ฅบ๐คI won't be active on here anymore but I'm active on my Wattpad account: Naftalyspaces ๐ค
Sorry for the late reaction but I appreciate you saying this ๐ซถ๐ฝ
There is something I need to address here. I will no longer publish The Journalist on this platform. I don't feel the energy in here which is sad because I'm very passionate about this new story! But I understand, the change I made to write a Billie Eilish story is a lot and I understand that most people are more interested in the Letitia stories.
I feel like none is reading The Journalist (and if you do, thank you soo much!) and that is too bad because I spend a lot of time publishing the chapters here as well. I hope the people who may read the story will understand where I'm going from.
If you'd like to continue reading the story you can always read it on my Wattpad account: Naftalyspaces
The Billie Eilish community there is great! Maybe I will see you there? ๐ฅบ๐ฉท
Hi loves, welcome, and thank you for the wait! I felt a little sick but I'm here with an extra long chapter! Have fun and see you soon! The story is NOW really beginning *wink wink wink* ๐ค
It's official. Elsie wants to move to Los Angeles this June. She has a month to sort everything out, including securing a visa and ensuring she has a home there. A new luxury apartment complex is under construction in Santa Monica, conveniently close to where her brother Armani lives. Elsie has already claimed one of these homes, still in the making.
Her job at Britbuzz covers her housing and furnishings, in addition to her usual monthly salary. She's still working for them remotely, which makes the transition easier.
Elsie has already packed most of her belongings. With her box braids styled in a low bun, she carries a box to the living room. She stacks her boxes, labeling each one with a black marker. Reggaeton music plays in the background, keeping her energized. She sings along in Spanish, her hips swaying to the rhythm, making the packed room feel lively.
A knock on the door interrupts her dance. Elsie lowers the volume and rushes to the door, peeking through the peephole. A delivery person stands there, holding a vase overflowing with flowers. Puzzled, Elsie opens the door.
"Good afternoon, this is for you!" He says, handing her the vase. Elsie thanks him and shuts the door.
"What the heck," She mumbles, placing the vase on a table. She gazes in wonder at the bouquet, a vibrant mix of blue delphiniums, white and pink waxflowers, orange roses, and bright pink gerbera daisies. A smile spreads across her face as she admires her favorite flowers, beautifully arranged. She wonders who sent them.
Searching for a note, she finds nothing. "Oh no," Elsie mutters, rushing to her window. She sees the delivery person heading towards his van and flings the window open. "Hey, sir!" She calls out. He stops and looks around. "Behind you! Up here!" Elsie shouts. He finally spots her.
"Wasn't there a letter with the bouquet?" She asks. He rummages in his bag and pulls out an envelope with Elsie's name on it.
"Elsie Singh?" He reads. Elsie rolls her eyes.
"Yes, just throw it in my mailbox." He nods and heads to the lobby where the residents' mailboxes are located. Elsie slips on her slippers and mutters to herself, "What a dumbass. That's why I don't date men. They are useless."
She steps out to retrieve the letter herself. Back on the couch, she carefully opens the envelope, pulling out a letter on slightly rough, thick paper. As she unfolds it, a smile forms on her lips.
____________________________________
Dear Elsie,
You've been on my mind so much lately, and I can't help but reminisce about our little adventures together. Each moment we share feels like a precious gem, sparkling with joy. The other day, I saw some flowers that reminded me of you vibrant, beautiful, and full of life. They symbolize the deep bond we share, a friendship that blossoms more with each passing day.
I long to see your face and hear your voice. Let's plan some days to FaceTime soon so we can stay close, no matter the distance. I don't want to miss a single moment of your life. Feel free to call me anytime.
Love,
Billie
____________________________________
Elsie shook her head and laughed. "Billie," she sighed, staring at the flowers. She checked her phoneโit was noon, which meant it was around 8 p.m. in Los Angeles. Elsie quickly stood up and walked to her mirror, deciding to restyle her box braids.
The top section of Elsie's braids was pulled back and secured with a hair tie, beautifully framing her face while the rest hung down freely. She sat back down on her couch and FaceTimed Billie.
In LA, Billie was having dinner with her family. She had just finished her favorite dish that her mother made. Billie placed her fork on her empty plate and glanced at her silently buzzing phone. Her face lit up with a radiant smile when she saw Elsie's caller ID, her heart thumping with excitement.
"Excuse me, I need to take this," she said, standing up with her phone in hand and walking out of the dining room. Billie decided to sit in her parents' garden, where the clear evening sky allowed Elsie to see her.
She answered Elsie's call and sat down on a lounge sofa. Elsie's face popped up on the screen, and Billie's jaw dropped, breaking into a big smile.
"Hi, Billie!" Elsie giggled, biting her plump lip.
"Oh my god, wait!" Billie brought her phone closer. "Your hair! I love your hair!" She gasped. Elsie laughed sweetly and thanked her, admiring Billie's crystal blue eyes up close. Billie moved her phone back, still smiling.
"Black girl hairstyles have always fascinated me," Billie said, shaking her head with a chuckle. "Like damn, you can pull off so many looks." She complimented Elsie again.
Elsie's face glowed with a serene, angelic smile, her eyes twinkling with a gentle confidence that only comes from knowing the truth about her hair. "My hair keeps dying," Billie revealed.
Elsie sighed, looking sarcastically. "You think? When was the last time you didn't bleach your hair?" She pointed out.
They locked eyes for a moment, staring each other down. Billie rolled her eyes, giving in, and Elsie laughed.
"However, your hair always looks amazing," Elsie said. Billie gave a slight smile, thinking Elsie's hair was much more beautiful than hers.
Elsie hummed. "You know what? When you've seen all my hairstyles, I want you to pick your favorite!"
Billie grinned. "I think I already know, but sure!" she nodded, agreeing. "Do you have a preference for my hairstyle?" She asked curiously. Elsie nodded, smiling knowingly.
"Honestly, I loved the blonde," Elsie revealed. Billie's eyes widened in surprise. "Just because blonde is your natural color, and you look so cute with it," Elsie shrugged. Billie smiled, her cheeks warming. "The way you dare to play with bright colors is just amazing. I could never." They laughed together.
Billie narrowed her eyes. "Ooh, Elsie. Don't say that too soon. Who knows, you might want to dye your hair lighter someday." Elsie pressed her lips together, humming. "Look at us, talking about hair for fifteen minutes," Billie laughed, checking the time. Elsie gasped, and Billie eyed her.
"I'm sorry, am I disturbing you right now?" Elsie asked, seeing the concern in her eyes. Billie stared at her with a playful smile. "What's wrong?" Elsie raised her brow, looking confused.
"I've known you for a little while, and this is the first time I've seen you so concerned about something so small. It's cute," Billie said.
Elsie rolled her eyes. "Fuck you, Billie," She said, laughing. Billie watched her with amusement. "Look, I know how busy and scheduled pop stars like you areโ"
Billie rolled her eyes. "Popstar like me? Shut up. I can always make time for you. Besides, I appreciate my quality time with myself, you know."
Elsie smiled. "You can make time for me? Is that why you sent flowers to my door?" She teased. Billie smiled as Elsie's eyes wandered to the bouquet she had gifted her. "How did you find the perfect flowers for me?" Elsie asked.
"I have my ways," Billie tried to act cool. Elsie eyed her suspiciously. Billie sighed. "Okay, I saw one of your pictures holding a bouquet and figured out the kinds of flowers you like," Billie admitted. Elsie laughed, finding her funny. "Is it to your liking, Miss Singh?" Billie asked in a British accent. Elsie gasped and laughed. Billie chuckled. "Sorry, I shouldn't have done that."
"I'm so going to strangle you one day! But yes, I love it, Billie. Thank you." Elsie giggled, and Billie nodded. "But, you could have just texted me. This is soโ" Elsie glanced at the bouquet. "Do you do that for all your friends?" She asked.
Elsie wanted to feel special to Billie. She didn't know why, but she just did at that moment.
"Not like this. I was very poetic for you," Billie answered, tucking her lips for a moment. "But that's because I feel attracted to you," Billie revealed, her heart in her throat. She was usually honest about her feelings, but this time was different. This was the first time she genuinely wanted a woman and wanted to explore this side of her with Elsie.
Elsie moved her lips, wanting to say something, but nothing came out. She felt butterflies in her stomach. She smiled and looked away for a moment. "Billieโ" she started.
"You don't need to say anything. I just wanted you to know. There's no need to be difficult," Billie reassured her. Elsie nodded.
"Okay," Elsie whispered, unable to stop smiling. She appreciated Billie's straightforwardness. Elsie took a deep breath and sat up straight. "Okay, so! What if we call every Monday and Friday? We'll probably have a lot to talk about each week."
Billie nodded. "I'm in!" She smiled, and they continued talking. Billie occasionally zoned out, simply admiring Elsie.
May 17
Lily gasped at what Elsie had just told her, watching her friend eat her fish and chips. They were at a small restaurant in the city, having stopped for a break during their shopping trip for Elsie's summer clothes for Los Angeles.
"Okay, let me get this straight." Lily sat up, eyes wide. Elsie looked at her while sipping water through a straw. "Billie confessed that she likes you, as in romantically likes you, and you said NOTHING?" Lily's voice rose, causing Elsie to shush her and glance around. The restaurant was sparsely populated, and no one seemed to be paying attention.
"What is wrong with you, Els? I haven't raised you like this!" Lily pointed at her, making Elsie laugh and shrug.
"I don't know. It was sudden, and I don't see her that way," Elsie sighed. Lily's mouth dropped.
"We're talking about Billie Eilish. She's successful, talented, rich, good-looking, and kind! What more do you want, Els? You deserve her," Lily said, smiling at the thought of them dating.
Elsie looked at her in disbelief. "I deserve her? What do you think this is, Lily? A love story?" She laughed. "I'm going to LA to report on a pop star's private life. This will be a scoop! I'll get the credit and the job I've always wanted, and I'll watch Anne cry. It's all professional. So Billie and I? Not happening."
Lily rolled her eyes, clearly unconvinced. "But what do you think of Billie? Put professionalism aside." She leaned forward, smiling teasingly. "She sent you flowers with a letter. Isn't that heartfelt and sweet?"
Elsie sighed and nodded. "Yes, she's sweet and funny." A small smile crept onto her face. "And she's kinda... hot." Lily squealed. "But! Professional distance!"
Lily grabbed her purse and coat. "That distance will disappear when you and Billie are close! I know you too well. When a hot woman like her pampers you, you jump right in. It's logical." She stood up and grabbed Elsie's hand. "We need to do more shopping! Come on!" Lily started pulling her up.
"But we haven't finished eating!" Elsie protested, looking at their plates as Lily dragged her away.
The next day, Elsie was in her office, packing a few things to take to her apartment in Los Angeles. It was mostly administrative documents and her findings.
Oscar saw Elsie kneeling on the ground, throwing a pile of papers into a pink-colored box. He knocked gently on the glass door and stepped inside.
Elsie turned around and smiled. "Hey! I was hoping to see you." She stood up and smoothed her long skirt.
"It's official now," he said with a small smile. Elsie nodded, pressing her lips together. "When will you be back?" he asked. Elsie hid her hands behind her back and took a step closer to him. Oscar stopped breathing for a moment; he still had a crush on her.
"I don't know, but I will be back," Elsie assured him. Oscar nodded sadly. "Aw, Oscar," Elsie said softly and immediately hugged him. He wrapped his arms around her. "We can always call, and you can visit me! When I'm visiting my family, we should meet up." Elsie held his shoulders, looking into his green eyes. She smiled, touching his medium-length hair. Oscar shivered a little and nodded.
Elsie let go of him and grabbed the box. "You should come to my farewell dinner," she invited. Oscar smiled, thinking it would be just the two of them. "My parents, Lily, Frankie, and Sydney will be there as well." His smile dropped when he realized it wouldn't be just them. He nodded, wanting to come only for Elsie.
Elsie smiled and turned around, walking out of her office. Panic filled Oscar's eyes. "Wait, Elsie." He walked after her. Elsie turned to look at him. "Look, I know youโuh," he stammered, blushing. Elsie smiled, knowing he had a crush on her for a long time. She wanted him to continue, but nothing more came out.
Elsie laughed and took a step closer. She knew Oscar would never have a chance with her, primarily because she only falls for women. Still, she wanted to make him feel special. They were so close that Oscar could smell her strawberry bubblegum breath. Elsie leaned in and kissed his cheek for a few long seconds. Oscarโs eyes widened, he froze, and his face turned red. โIโll text you the date and location of the dinner!โ Elsie winked and walked away.
Oscar needed to sit down for a moment to process what Elsie had just done to him. He got called through his walkie-talkie, but he wasn't mentally at work anymore. He feels like he might faint.
May 19
Billie wrote the words down in her black notebook and glanced at her phone, propped up against her water bottle. She watched Elsie write something down as well, a slight bashful smile appearing on her face. Sensing Billie's stare, Elsie smiled back.
"Yes?" Elsie giggled, her hand gliding over her iPad with a special touch pencil, her eyes fixed on what she was writing. She heard Billie chuckle on her phone. Elsie bit her lip as she continued writing.
It was nighttime for Elsie, and she was wearing a white camisole top with small blue floral prints and matching underwear that also featured the same pattern, complete with a lace trim around the waistband. Her braids were tied in a ponytail.
"No, I'm just looking at you," Billie said, admitting what she was doing. Elsie glanced up and smiled. "No, please, keep going." Billie didn't want to distract her. Elsie nodded and looked back at her iPad. "Wait, you took off your nose piercing?" Billie asked, leaning in to look more closely.
Elsie nodded. "Yeah, it just didn't feel like me anymore, so I took it out. The hole has closed up now. It's like the end of an era." Billie nodded in understanding.
"Are you going to keep sending me flowers, Billie?" Elsie asked, using her iPad pencil. Today, Elsie had received flowers from Billie again.
Billie took off her cap and ran her fingers through her red and black hair, grinning and looking away. "What? Is Sydney going to be jealous?" Elsie made direct eye contact with Billie, surprised by her question. Raising her brows, she placed her iPad down on her desk.
"What makes you think that?" Elsie asked, curious about Billie's answer. Billie relaxed in her seat.
"I just remembered the way she was looking at you. You two probably have some history, and now that she's near you, I figured you might be hanging out," Billie explained. Elsie stared at her for a few moments before laughing a little, not believing what she had just heard.
Billie shook her head and sighed. "I'm sorry. This isn't any of my business. It must be nice to be in your presence all the time. I understand where Sydney is coming from. I would do the same if I lived close to you," Billie flirted a little. Elsie smiled.
"Don't do this, Billie," Elsie laughed, shaking her head.
"Why? If this has to do with my sexuality, I don't have an answer for you. But what I know is that I feel strongly towards you, and it feels great," Billie said, speaking her heart out.
Elsie nodded. "And that is totally fine, Billie. It's just... we're not a match, and I don't think we ever could be," Elsie responded. Billie stared at her without showing any emotion. "I'm sorry," Elsie added, biting her lip, feeling a bit sour in her stomach. Billie smiled slightly and looked down at her lap, licking her lips.
"Nah, I don't believe that," Billie said, looking into Elsie's eyes. Billie blinked her eyes a few times more, having a quick tic reaction from her Tourette's. Elsie hummed. "I think we're a great match. I know it's hard to believe, but can we just set our careers aside and see each other as two individuals who just met and want to discover each other? I at least want to try."
Elsie felt warm inside, hearing Billie speak. "I'm not trying to convince you to feel the same way because I don't want to push you. I know you don't want me because you want to be professional with me. I know your work involves things that have to do with me." Elsie's lips parted, unsure of what to say.
Billie smiled. "I'll stop, okay? I'll stop. For now. But I won't give up, Elsie. You give me a lot of energy and inspiration, you know that?" Billie grabbed her phone and stood up, walking towards her desk with her studio equipment. Elsie smiled and frowned, needing to recover from what Billie had told her.
"How?" Elsie asked. Billie put her phone down so Elsie could see her while she worked on something.
"Listen," Billie said, pressing play to let Elsie hear a snippet of a new song. Elsie sat up, smiling big as she moved to the music and listened to Billie's voice.
"And I know that you love me, you don't need to remind me. Wanna put that all behind me, but baby I see her in the back of my mind," Elsie heard Billie sing.
"Oh my gosh, Billie! This sounds amazing!" Elsie gasped when Billie pressed the button to stop the take. "But I hope this isn't about me?" Elsie frowned, smiling. Billie laughed and grabbed her water bottle.
"Yeah, it was wrong of me to say beforehand that you inspire me. It isn't this song, I promise," Billie assured, taking a sip of water. Elsie stood up and walked away to grab something, giving Billie a clear view of her body.
Billie's eyes got stuck on Elsie's round butt. With her mouth full of water, she ended up spilling it all over her shirt. "Fuck," she whispered, looking down at her shirt. Elsie walked back.
"Oh, you spilled something?" Elsie gets closer to the phone, watching Billie struggle with her shirt.
"Uh, yeah." Billie laughs a little awkwardly. Elsie smiled watching Billie dry out her shirt.
May 28
Elsie sat next to her parents at church, as they did every Sunday. Today was special it would be their last church service together before Elsie left town. She wore a beautiful cream-colored dress, perfect for the occasion.
Raised Catholic, Elsie had always made Sunday church a part of her routine, attending with her parents without fail.
She had taken her braids out and now wore her naturally curly hair, half-up to keep her view unobstructed. Occasionally, Elsie teared up during the hymns, overwhelmed by the thought of not sharing these moments with her parents for a long time.
At one point, Elsie's parents stood next to the pastor and announced that their daughter was about to embark on a big adventure. They asked the congregation to pray for her, that God would guide her in the right direction.
Elsie smiled and dried her tears with a tissue. The entire church prayed with them, and so did Elsie. After the service, several people shook her hand, wishing her luck and assuring her that God would watch over her. Elsie appreciated their words and looked at her parents, who were smiling proudly at their daughter.
The next day, Elsie stood in her bathroom, putting on her makeup. Sydney was waiting in the living room, sitting on the couch and looking at all the boxes that would be taken away the next day to transport Elsie's belongings to the United States.
Sydney got up and walked over to the dinner table, admiring the three beautiful flowers there. Just then, Elsie walked into the living room, fastening her diamond earrings. Her golden Jimmy Choo heels clicked on the wooden floor as she noticed Sydney examining the flowers. Sydney turned to Elsie, confused, and pointed at them.
"Billie gave me these," Elsie said with a smile as she walked towards her purse.
Sydney's eyes widened. "Billie Eilish is sending you flowers?" She asked.
Elsie nodded, tossing her lip gloss into her purse. She turned around, her long dark hair swaying. "Yes, such a sweetheart," she said, glancing at herself in the mirror one last time. Sydney hummed, looking at the flowers again. Elsie rolled her eyes and laughed. "What? It's not like we're together. We only share the bed," Elsie reminded her.
Sydney shook her head. "Yeah, I know. I just want to understand her intention in sending you flowers." Elsie smiled and grabbed Sydney's hand.
"Come on, we're running late!" Elsie pulled her towards the front door, and they headed to the car.
Lily, Oscar, and Frankie had already arrived at Elsie's father's cafe, sitting at the long table. Elsie and Sydney arrived shortly after, greeting everyone. Elsie hugged her friends and parents, who were serving the food.
The atmosphere was warm and lively, with everyone chatting and enjoying the delicious dinner. Elsie stood up. "Can I have everyone's attention, please?" she called out with a smile. The room quieted, and all eyes turned to her. "I want to thank you for coming to this farewell dinner, and I especially want to thank my parents for cooking my favorite meal. I'm going to miss it," she said, smiling at her parents before looking around the room. "The day after tomorrow, I'm leaving this beautiful town. I never expected to say that a month ago..."
Her eyes started to water. "But I want to say thank you all for being in my life and for making everything so easy for me. You are all a huge part of my life, and I can't imagine leaving you all just now..." Elsie let a few tears slip down her cheeks. Lily started crying, and Frankie wiped his eyes. "I'm so grateful to know you, and I will be back. London is my home, but most importantly, you all sitting at this table are my home, and I will take all the beautiful memories with me." Elsie nodded and dried her tears with a napkin.
Everyone applauded, and Elsie smiled. Lily stood up and hugged Elsie tightly. "Let's call every day, okay?" Lily whispered.
Elsie nodded, promising her best friend that they would.
June 04
Los Angeles
Billie drove herself to the venue where she needed to perform tonight, her heart a mix of excitement and anxiety. Her best friend, Zoe, sat in the passenger seat next to her, her presence a comforting anchor. As Billie stopped at a red light, she grabbed her phone, hoping for a message.
"Ugh," she groaned, disappointment washing over her as she put her phone back down. Zoe looked up from her phone, sensing the frustration.
"Elsie hasn't texted you back?" Zoe asked gently. Billie shook her head and started driving again as the light turned green, her grip on the steering wheel tightening.
"But how? I thought you guys had great contact," Zoe pressed, her voice laced with concern.
"Yeah, it's probably my fault," Billie admitted, rolling her eyes at herself. "Iโ" She sighed heavily. "I caught myself flirting with her. A lot." Zoe's mouth dropped open in surprise. Billie quickly glanced at Zoe, laughing a little to break the tension, then looked back at the road. "Yeah, I messed up our friendship quickly," Billie said, pressing her lips together in regret.
"Wait, wait. Are you in love with Elsie!? Oh my god," Zoe exclaimed, her excitement palpable.
"I'm not in love. Not yet," Billie said quickly, her voice tinged with a mix of denial and hope. "I just like her a lot. Have you seen her? She is beautiful."
"I mean, yes, she is very pretty! But, Billie. Oh my god. You like a girl for once! That's new. Your fans are going to go crazy!" Zoe laughed and gasped, covering her mouth in astonishment. Billie chuckled, feeling a flicker of joy despite her worries. "But when did this happen? Your feelings for Elsie? And WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME SOONER!" Zoe pinched Billie's arm a few times in mock anger. Billie laughed, taking Zoe's hand to stop her.
"Because I was confused too. But I feel great, really great. Every time I talk to her, I just want to know her more. I want to know what she likes to wear on lazy days, what she likes to eat, what her favorite scent is, and what she looks like after a hot shower. She makes me so curious about her because she's always the one asking the questions."
Zoe's smile widened, a knowing look in her eyes. "This is the first time I've heard you talk about someone you like. How did Elsie react?"
Billie laughed, a bittersweet sound. "She wants to keep some distance between us because of her work, and I'm probably not her type. I've seen her exes before." Zoe immediately started to search for Elsie's Instagram page. "These women all look athletic, they're taller, and they're black. I'm nothing compared to them." Billie laughed again, but it was tinged with sadness. "What am I thinking? It's so stupid," she whispered, the words almost lost in the noise of the car.
"Okay, you might not be black or an athlete. But you are a little taller than her, and you have muscles!" Zoe said, her tone bright and encouraging. "Oh, her ex is kind of hot. Let me look." She tapped on her Instagram page and zoned out for a moment. Billie rolled her eyes, focusing on the road ahead.
"Hey, hot stuff! We've arrived and are so ready for your performance!" Odessa burst into Billie's dressing room, her energy infectious. She immediately plopped onto Billie's lap, peppering her cheeks with kisses. Billie laughed, feeling lighter.
"Hey Dessa, you made it." Billie patted her hip affectionately.
"Of course! Quen is coming as well." She grabbed her phone and got off of Billie just as Finneas walked in, greeting Odessa with a wide grin.
Billie frowned, curious. "What? Why are you smiling like that?" she asked. Finneas shrugged it off, taking a sip of his water. Billie received a message and quickly grabbed her phone, only to sigh in disappointment when it wasn't from Elsie. "Everyone around me is acting weird!" Billie complained, sitting down as the makeup artist applied a little powder.
Her mother looked up from her phone, concern etched on her face. "Is everything okay, Billie?" she asked gently.
"Billie is fine. Don't worry, Bil. Enjoy the show and the fans," Finneas answered for her and walked out of the room. Quenlin walked in and screamed when she saw Billie. Billie eyed her in the reflection and laughed. When the makeup artist was finished, they hugged tightly.
"We will be watching you, boo!" Quenlin kissed Billie's cheek and walked towards Odessa. "Let's go!" She nodded and wished Billie luck before they left backstage to go to their reserved seats on the balcony. The venue wasn't that big. It was just an exclusive concert for fans who won tickets and invitees.
Billie stood up, looking at her outfit in the mirror. She was wearing a simple oversized black sweater paired with loose, baggy pants that had a relaxed, worn-in look. Silver necklaces and rings adorned her fingers. Her red and black hair was styled with bangs framing her face. She sprayed her favorite perfume and closed her eyes, trying to find a moment of peace. She left her worries about Elsie behind for now, opening her eyes with a renewed sense of determination, ready to perform for her audience.
She walked next to her mother behind the stage, giving her one last hug before stepping out.
The audience erupted in applause and cheers as Billie took the stage. She smiled gratefully at them, waving. "Hello, thank you for being here," Billie laughed a little. "Oh, I love this small space; it allows me to see your beautiful faces." Billie bit her lip. "Normally, my shows are crazy, but tonight I want to keep it more serene and relaxing. So my brother Finneas, the band, and I have collected a few songs that we turned into acoustic versions." The audience cheered excitedly. "Enjoy your time here, hold the person you love, and yeah, let's go."
Billie looked back at Finneas and her band. They started to play one of her well-known songs, and she began to sing, her eyes closing as she lost herself in the music. The fans sang along, their voices blending beautifully with hers.
Inside the small venue, the VIP section was in the middle of the ground. Four round tables with VIP guests surrounded them and a small bar offered drinks anytime they wanted.
Claudia smiled big, filming Elsie, who looked mesmerized by Billie. Elsie glanced at Claudia and laughed. "I can't believe you are here!" Claudia said, her excitement evident. Elsie smiled back.
"Me neither. I hope she's not too mad at me for ignoring her." Elsie bit her red-colored lip, worry flickering in her eyes.
"No! She is not," Claudia assured her, grabbing her drink. Elsie hummed, still unsure. She would be mad too if she were left on read, but she wanted to surprise Billie so badly.
Billie started to sing "Bitches Broken Hearts," Elsie's favorite song of hers. Billie watched the VIP section, spotting Claudia sitting with a few other people. Claudia waved at her, pointing excitedly at Elsie next to her.
Billie frowned, taking a step closer to the edge of the stage. "Can we have more light over there?" Billie said between singing, pointing at Claudia's table.
Elsie waved with her fingers, smiling at Billie. Elsie laughed at her reaction, Billieโs mouth dropping open in surprise. The song continued, but Billie couldn't sing anymore. Her eyes were locked with Elsie's. "Oh my god," Billie covered her mouth, looking at Finneas, who laughed too. The fans noticed Elsie sitting next to Claudia.
"It's Elsie, hey Elsie!" the fans started to greet her. Elsie smiled and waved at them, giggling.
"No way this is real! No way!" Billie laughed into the microphone, her heart racing. Elsie smiled sweetly at her.
"It is real!" Elsie shouted back, and everyone laughed. Billie shook her head, still smiling, staring at Elsie.
"Who is that?" Odessa asked in confusion, looking at Quenlin and Zoe, who were filming this odd moment. They ignored her. Odessa hummed, looking down at them.
"Let's start over," Billie said, still looking surprised at Elsie. Elsie smiled at her while she sang the song again. Billie couldn't help but look at Elsie; she saw that she was singing along with the rest of the audience. Billie took the microphone off the stand and started to walk down the stairs off-stage.
She made contact with her fans, touching their hands and looking into their eyes. Then she walked straight up to the VIP section. Elsie's heart pounded as Billie approached, her breath catching in her throat. She crossed her legs, revealing more of her bare leg.
Elsie's dress was a sleek and elegant gown with a deep plunging neckline. The fabric was a light, shimmering off-white material. The dress featured two prominent floral embellishments, one at the midsection and another on the upper thigh where the high slit began. The slit was very high, revealing much of her leg. She completed the look with pointed-toe heels. The dress was sleeveless with thin straps, giving it a chic and sophisticated appearance.
Her hair was styled in loose, voluminous waves that framed her face beautifully. It was parted in the middle, with soft layers adding depth and movement. Her makeup was lightly done with just winged eyeliner, mascara, blush, and a soft red color on her plump lips.
She turned her head to the side and smiled at Billie, who walked over to her. Elsie looked her up and down, checking her out with an intensity that made Billieโs heart flutter. The way Elsie looked tonight, paired with the way she looked at Billie, sent butterflies dancing in Billieโs stomach. Elsie turned in her chair as Billie stopped in front of her, the world around them fading into the background.
Billie took Elsieโs hand and placed it gently on her cheek as she got very close. The crowd cheered with excitement, sensing the magic of the moment. Elsie smiled, caressing Billieโs cheek with her thumb while gazing deeply into her blue eyes.
Elsie slid her hand down Billieโs neck to her chest, their eyes still locked. She paused there, feeling Billieโs rapid heartbeat. Billie bit her lip, goosebumps rising under Elsieโs touch. Billie placed her hand on Elsieโs arm and moved behind her, wrapping her arm around Elsie and singing softly in her ear. With Billieโs chin resting against her shoulder, Elsie touched Billieโs cheek with her free hand while her other hand held Billieโs hand. They breathed in each otherโs scents, the intimacy of the moment overwhelming.
They eyed each other for a lingering moment before Billie let go and walked back to the stage. The crowdโs excitement was palpable.
Claudia laughed, watching Elsie use her hand to fan herself. โItโs getting hot in here,โ Claudia said with a grin. Elsie laughed with her, enjoying the rest of the show, her heart still racing from the encounter.
Hi love and welcome to this sheet of ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ง๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ก๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ฌ! Because this story is a whole book and it's kinda handy that you get to know the characters you will be reading mostly! Some characters aren't on this list, think of Oscar, Sydney, Billie's parents, and Elsie's parents (and probably more) but that's okay you can use your โจimaginationโจ even though you might know what Billie's parents look like๐คญ and of course I describe them myself!
Anyway, go through the characters list and let it sink in! โ๏ธ
The Journalist is back! Thank you so much for waiting this out! I'm done with school for now which I have time to write this story out! I hope you are still here with me because this book is about to be crazy! โค๏ธ
"Hi, welcome to the newest episode of Think Like Elsie. I'm Elsie, and I'm here today with my lovely friends Lily and Claudia." Elsie looked at Lily and Claudia, who were sitting across from her at the round table. The girls greeted enthusiastically.
The three women adjusted their headphones and positioned their microphones as the camera rolled.
"Many of you requested Claudia's return to the podcast, so here she is!" Elsie announced with a bright smile, causing Claudia to laugh.
"Yes! When I found out I'd be in London, I had to ask Elsie if I could join again. I've started to enjoy this!" Claudia explained, her eyes sparkling. Elsie smiled, biting her tongue, while Lily giggled and nodded.
"The last episode with you was everyone's favorite! I've listened to it countless times on my way to work," Lily said. Claudia smiled warmly at her. "Being on the podcast is so much fun! This is myโ" Lily paused, thinking. "Fifth time, right, Elsie?" Elsie nodded, smiling. "Yes! And I still love it just as much!"
Elsie took a sip of water.
"I just wanted to say that!" Claudia interjected quickly. "It's really fun, and I love reading listeners' reactions and opinions." Elsie hummed in agreement.
"Yes, and that reminds meโif you have any topics you'd like us to cover, feel free to send them in. I try to read all the comments, and you might get lucky. Also, if you have a question for me, use our podcast hashtag so I can see it. I pick one question each week."
Elsie glanced at her laptop. "This week's question is from Lolaeilish, and it's one many of you have asked. She writes: 'Hi Elsie, I love your weekly podcastsโkeep up the good work! Are you and Billie Eilish a thing? The chemistry looked real at the Britbuzz interview. If you don't want to answer, that's okay. I love you and can't wait for your next content! xx"
Claudia and Lily laughed as Elsie sighed and smiled, closing her laptop.
"Can I say something?" Lily asked, and Elsie nodded. "The chemistry was undeniable. Be for real," Lily teased, pointing at Elsie. Elsie laughed and shook her head.
"But seriously, Billie's fans are intense! I see so many edits of you two on my TikTok and Instagram."
"It's crazy!" Claudia agreed. "Wait, I saved one because it was so creative." Claudia pulled out her phone. Elsie gasped, laughing in disbelief.
Claudia showed Elsie the video. It was a compilation of clips featuring Elsie and Billie, set to a fitting song. The video included their Britbuzz interview where Billie and Elsie exchanged charming smiles. When Billie said, "It's a date," the song's timing was perfect.
Elsie smiled. "Oh, this is cute!" She handed the phone back to Claudia. "But Lolaeilish, do you mean a friendly relationship or a romantic one? How should I interpret that?" Elsie shrugged playfully. Claudia grinned widely, and Lily laughed.
"Okay, all jokes aside. Billie and I are great friends. When we're in the same city, we try to catch up, but it doesn't happen often because she's incredibly busy, and I have my commitments here in London. So, yeah!" Elsie concluded with a smile, nodding at the girls.
"Okay, today's topic is something I hope we all do or will do in the future. Of course, with consent, pleasure, and love. Sex! We're going to talk graphically about sex, so children, this episode isn't for you. And if you're too prudish, grow up!" Elsie exclaimed, making Lily and Claudia laugh.
To get things started, Elsie shared her experiences. "I was probably seventeen when I first had sex. By that age, I already knew I was only attracted to girls. I thought my parents didn't know I was a lesbian."
"How did they find out? Or did you tell them?" Claudia asked. Elsie chuckled, recalling the memory. Lily took a sip of her water, already familiar with the story.
"That's a funny story, so brace yourself. I had a secret girlfriend, very cuteโeighteen, dark-skinned, brown hair, dark eyes. She was a neighbor, and I'd always had a crush on her. When she wanted to be my girlfriend, it meant a lot to me and was exciting because she was my first actual girlfriend!" Elsie explained, with Claudia nodding. "Anyway, one day my parents weren't home, so I invited her over. We went to my room and, long story short, we had sex. It was my first time."
"For those who might complain, I was almost eighteen, okay? Chill out! So, let's just sayโ" Elsie laughed a little. "When I was, uh, taking the deep dive on her, my mother walked in." Claudia gasped, covering her mouth, while Lily burst out laughing. Elsie nodded. "Yup, my mom walked in, saw what was happening, said 'Oh sorry!' and walked out, closing the door behind her." Elsie covered her face, laughing with embarrassment.
"Oh my god! How did your parents handle the fact that you only fall for women?" Claudia asked curiously.
"Well, they told me they already knew and had accepted it. My parents aren't that difficult, and I'm lucky. I know a lot of stories where that's not the case. If you're in a situation where you feel trapped because you're scared to come out, there will be a moment when you can. Ripping off the bandaid always hurts at first, but it gets better. Trust your surroundings and the moment you're in. You can do it," Elsie said, making the girls smile at her.
They then started to talk about crazy and funny sex facts and their experiences.
"Well, my boyfriend and I tried sixty-nine on a bed made of two single beds pushed together," Claudia explained. Lily and Elsie nodded. "We were kinda busy, and I don't know how it happened, but one of the beds shifted, and we fell hard to the ground. I hurt my arm pretty badly!" Claudia showed the bruise on her arm. Lily gasped and laughed, while Elsie smiled and gently touched her bruise.
"Girl! This is proof that you had some great sex!" Elsie giggled. Claudia laughed.
"I haven't done it in a long time. But I feel like I just need the right person otherwise, I won't enjoy it," Lily shrugged. Elsie and Claudia nodded agreeing.
"What I'm crazy about? Hm," Elsie thought. "I think the intimate eye contact before, during, and after sex. It turns me on and makes me love that person even more. Oh, and kissing! I love kissing." Elsie sighed and closed her eyes. "A deep smooch session can't be missed in my relationship!"
"Mhm, I can't agree more!" Claudia nodded enthusiastically.
"Okay, okay, so we're at the end of this podcast, and before we say goodbye, I have a surprise!" Elsie smiled and bent down, grabbing two boxes. Claudia and Lily laughed when they saw what it was. "In collaboration with Durex, who also sponsored this episode, they've sent me their newest toy, a Satisfyer! Girls, I've tried it, and it works so well! You can adjust it to your liking, it's quiet, and trust me, it just works!"
"Oh, I can't wait to try this!" Lily gasped, looking amazed. Elsie grabbed two cute pink tote bags and handed them to Claudia and Lily. They smiled broadly, thanking her. Claudia eagerly peeked inside her bag.
"I made a goodie bag for you guys. It's got everythingโa vibrating egg, a 'horny jar' which is a clit balm, some condoms, the newest Satisfyer, cute panties, everything!" Elsie explained, grabbing the third bag.
"Oh my god, thank you! I can't wait to try a few things out with Fin," Claudia laughed, pulling out a few items.
Lily picked up one of the panties and grinned. "Wait, this is so cute! Are you serious?" She giggled. Elsie smiled warmly.
"I also made a goodie bag for a listener. So, if you want to win this bag filled with pleasure and happiness, follow my accounts and comment why you want to win. Maybe you'll be the lucky winner!" Elsie chuckled softly, delighted to see the girls so happy with the goodie bags she had prepared.โ
May 11, 2023
The next day, Elsie is having her usual workday inside the office. She sits behind her desk, finishing off an article. She reads it several times before deciding to send it to her supervisor.
Elsie lets out a groan and closes her eyes, running her fingers through her dark curls. She has been working for hours without a break and desperately wants to finish this small project so she can move on to her big one: the Billie Eilish project.
Anne, her not-so-fun colleague, sees Elsie looking tired in her office. With a devilish smile, she shoves her blonde hair out of her face before entering.
"Look who we have here, Elsie Faye Singh," Anne says, standing confidently in front of Elsie's desk, holding a clipboard. She pouts mockingly. "Aww, look at you. Is Elsie a little tired?"
"What do you want, Anne?" Elsie asks, not bothering to hide her irritation. Anne smiles and steps closer.
"How's the Billie project going? You have her wrapped around your finger, don't you? That baby is going to get it." She laughs, and Elsie rolls her eyes. "I hope all this isn't for nothing," Anne adds, shrugging as she turns to walk away. Elsie stands up quickly.
"What do you mean?" Elsie asks, walking around her desk. Anne hears the sound of Elsie's heels on the smooth floor and turns around, a mean smirk crossing her face.
"A few employees, including me, have been interviewed for the Britbuzz News Channel job. They told me I have a big chance of getting it." Elsie looks shocked, which Anne enjoys. "I thought you might need to know. I've seen you pulling your hair out; maybe you should slow down since your chances are getting smaller. Just a tip." Elsie crosses her arms and smiles a little.
"What do you need? For someone to... Satisfy you? Because I would gladly do that if it makes you shut your mouth for once," Elsie says with a laugh, teasing her. "Well, I don't know if it would work, but would you mind if I tried? I won't tell anyone." Elsie whispers, still teasing. Anne's face turns bright red, blushing deeply.
Frankie walked into Elsie's office. "Hey, Elsie. And Anne? Since when are you in here?" He frowned. Anne jumped a little in shock upon hearing Frankie's voice. She quickly turned around and walked away. Elsie laughed softly and sighed.
"Will you think about it, Anne?" She called after her, causing Anne to walk even faster toward her own office.
Frankie grinned and looked at Elsie. "Playing the freaky lesbian shuts her up instantly. I can't stand the way she talks." Elsie shrugged and leaned on her desk. Frankie laughed and sighed.
"Nobody can. Good job, darling!" Frankie and Elsie high-fived and snapped their fingers. "Ready for lunch? And don't say no, you need a break!" Frankie pointed at her and grabbed her hand.
"I do, but I need to finish this article," Elsie said, letting go of his hand and turning back to her computer.
"No, no!" Frankie grabbed her arm. "You've already finished it! Just eat something, read it one more time, and send it to Henry. You're good enough!" Frankie tried to convince her. Elsie gave in and walked with him out of the office. They took a break at the lounge, called the Britbuzz Cafe, which was only for employees.
Frankie and Elsie paid for their lunch and sat comfortably on soft chairs across from each other with a table in the middle. "How is your husband doing?" Elsie asked him, and they started a good conversation.
"Soo, Sydney moved back to town," Frankie started. Elsie put down her panini and grabbed her cup of black tea with milk, giving him a side-eye as she sipped. Frankie's eyes widened. "No, you both did not!" He took off his fancy hat, revealing his smooth bald head. His stylish black glasses still made him look flawless, just like his personality.
Elsie pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh. She swallowed and giggled. "She came back and was eager to catch up, so we did. Now we're sharing old memories, kind of reliving old moments."
"No strings attached?"
"No strings attached," Elsie confirmed, shaking her head. "I'm not looking for a relationship. Syd is going to travel again for work, and I have this project. Neither of us has time to be committed, and that's nice." Elsie smiled, thinking of Sydney. "I missed her and her body. Gosh, I can't keep my hands off her."
Frankie laughed. "I knew I was dirty, but YOU. Girl!" He shook his head. Elsie smiled, taking a bite of her panini.
"How's the contact going with Billie?" Frankie asked. Elsie hummed, chewing and placing a finger on her lips.
"Lily has been asking the same thing," she said, still chewing. "We haven't talked in like two weeks. I've been checking Billie's update accounts to see where she's hanging out. She's been having fancy parties and events with friends." Frankie nodded, focusing on Elsie's findings.
"Do you think she's forgotten about you?"
Elsie shrugged. "I don't know. It wouldn't surprise me if she has. We live in different ways and on different continents. It makes it harder for me since I need to come up with a good nonfictional story about her." She sighed. Frankie placed his hand on her wrist.
"Everyone keeps saying it, and so am I. The way Billie looks at you tells us all that you won't be forgotten. It's so obvious. She won't let you go." Frankie said. Elsie sighed and laughed.
"What if Billie says she's into you? What's your reaction?" Frankie asked curiously.
"Hm." Elsie thought for a moment. "There are a lot of things about Billie that attract me. I have to admit, there were moments when I just wanted to smooch her all over. But, she's younger than me and a musician. I just can't." Elsie took a sip of her tea. Frankie frowns.
"What is wrong with dating musicians?" Frankie asked.
"What isn't wrong? When there's a breakup, they start singing louder than birds," Elsie rolled her eyes. "I've been there, done that, and I'm not doing it again." Frankie grinned.
"Journalists can be worse too," he said. Elsie nodded in agreement. "But, never say never," Frankie winked.
"Not a chance," Elsie corrected him taking her last sip. "Ugh, I'm so mad! I'm working my ass off, and my chances of getting the job are getting smaller! I'm going to talk to Henry. I'll quit the Billie project if I'm not sure about getting a shot at the Britbuzz channel."
"I honestly think Anne is just trying to drive you crazy by saying that. But it wouldn't hurt to talk to Henry about it," Frankie suggested. Elsie sighed and rested her head on the table, feeling Frankie's supportive pat on her back.
Determined, Elsie headed to Henry's office. His assistant, busy on the phone at her desk in front of his office, pointed with her pen toward the meeting room when Elsie asked if Henry was in. "Thank you," Elsie replied. She turned and saw Henry giving a presentation through the glass walls. When he noticed her, he waved her in.
Elsie cleared her throat, straightened her blazer, and walked into the room. Everyone's eyes turned to her. "This is Elsie Singh," Henry introduced her to a few key figures in the media business. The room erupted in applause, and Elsie forced a smile, taken aback by the sudden attention. "Elsie is our youngest publisher. Her talent is highly regarded by everyone!"
Elsie felt her cheeks warm with pride and was grateful for her stylish, sophisticated gray suit, which exuded confidence and professionalism. The outfit featured a tailored, slightly oversized blazer, matching wide-leg trousers, and a gray vest, creating a cohesive, monochromatic look.
"Elsie, these are the directors of the British Broadcast Corporation," Henry continued. Elsie gasped, realizing she was in the presence of BBC executives. She walked around the table, shaking hands with each of them. "We are going to collaborate with them for the Britbuzz channel, which will air on their network."
"Wow, it's a pleasure to meet you all!" Elsie said, excitedly standing next to her supervisor.
"I was just telling them what a great journalist you are and that they should consider you for the Britbuzz channel," Henry explained. Elsie was shocked, hardly believing what she was hearing.
"We've seen your published articles and the celebrity interviews you've conducted. They are magnificent!" said an older man, standing up. Elsie thanked him politely. "You have skills, young lady, but so do your colleagues. What makes you special enough for us to hire you?" he asked.
Everyone turned their attention to Elsie, waiting for her response. She stood confidently. "Uh. I think it's not just my charisma that sets me apart. I have an unparalleled knack for uncovering the facts and delving deep into the stories that matter. In a world where information is abundant but often unreliable, my commitment to truth and accuracy shines brightly. I have my finger on the pulse of what's happening between people, within communities, and across the globe. My dedication to bringing the most relevant and timely news to the forefront is a testament to my professionalism and passion," Elsie explained.
"What truly makes me exceptional, though, is my relentless pursuit of growth. I am not content with merely staying informed; I am constantly striving to elevate myself, to enhance my skills, and to expand my horizons. Whether through additional training, seeking new experiences, or staying ahead of industry trends, I embody the spirit of continuous improvement. I understand that to be the best, one must never stop learning, never stop pushing the boundaries of what is possible." She smiled, her words leaving the room in thoughtful silence. "With my current project, I can demonstrate my dedication to this job. I will work tirelessly to earn this position. It's all I strive for."
"We need to keep her in mind; she's good," one director whispered to another, who nodded and wrote her name down. After the meeting, Henry and Elsie shook hands with the executives, bidding them farewell. As Elsie followed Henry toward his office, she noticed Anne watching her with shock and jealousy.
Elsie smiled smugly and made a teasing gesture at Anne by flicking her tongue between her pointer and middle finger shaped like a V. Anne gasped and looked away. Giggling, Elsie stepped into Henry's office and sat down across from him. "Thank you so much for introducing me to the BBC," she said gratefully.
"Of course. I'm glad you're here because I need to talk to you about the Billie Eilish project," Henry revealed. Elsie nodded, listening intently. "How is it going? Do you feel you have gathered enough information for your article?" he asked, stroking his beard. Elsie nodded again.
"I'm busy with it, trying to find more sources about her."
"I don't think that's enough, Elsie," he said, shaking his head. Elsie parted her lips in surprise. "You need to dig deeper into her life, and she will let you in if you get closer to her." Elsie frowned, puzzled. "I want you to go to California to continue your work there."
Elsie's eyes widened. "W-what? Why?" she asked, shocked, standing up. Henry looked up at her.
"Because I believe that by being in Billie's environment, you will know her better, which is crucial for your article. Staying in London won't work anymore."
Elsie touched her head, pacing a bit. "But my life is here in London. Iโ" Henry stood up, looking serious.
"Elsie, if you want this job, you have to go the extra mile. It's now or never. Don't worry, everything will be financed. You'll have an apartment there, a car, whatever you need, and it's not foreverโjust a few months. Isn't your brother living there? You'll have all the freedom you need." He explained. Elsie looked down, unsure what to say.
"Think about it. I hope you make the right decision for your career, Elsie." He touched her shoulder and left the office, leaving her alone.
Elsie sighed, holding her curls up. โFuck.โ She mumbled and let go of her hair.
After work, Elsie changed into something comfortable before heading to her father's cafรฉ for her daily visit.
From the kitchen, her mother and father watched as Elsie sat at the bar, staring down at her plate of barbecue ribs and mashed potatoes. She leaned her head on her fist, left elbow on the bar, and poked at her potatoes with a fork.
Elsie had just told her parents that her boss suggested she move to the United States for a work assignment, a business trip of sorts. They could see she was deep in thought, needing advice. Her mother patted her husband's back. "I'll handle the kitchen; you talk to her," she suggested. He nodded and walked over to his only daughter.
He looked at her plate. "You don't like the food I made you?" he asked.
Elsie looked up. "No, it's delicious," she said, sitting up straighter and taking a bite.
He hummed and smiled a little. "I don't like it when you don't enjoy my food, sweetheart. Talk to your father."
Elsie set down her fork. "I don't know what to do, Papa. Moving to California is a big change. I like how things are here. I don't want to leave."
Her father nodded and shrugged. "Then don't leave if you don't want toโ"
"But this could change my career for the better. Being on television is a dream. I don't know what to do," Elsie said, covering her face. Her father caressed her arm for support.
"What makes you happier, Elsie? Staying here with your family and friends, or living somewhere new where you have your brother and countless opportunities that could change your life for the better?" he asked. "Whatever you decide, your mother and I support you, and I'm sure Lily does too." He smiled, and Elsie nodded, hugging him tightly. He kissed her cheek when they pulled away. "Don't worry too much. Life is too short for that," he said, touching her chin.
A customer called for her father. He let go of her and walked over to help, while Elsie grabbed her phone to text Lily.
Lily
Go to California this instant!
Lily texted back quickly and went offline. "Well, that's clear," Elsie whispered to herself, laughing a little.
"What are you laughing about?" she heard a familiar voice behind her. Elsie turned and saw Sydney standing close, smiling at her. Sydney's short, neatly styled hair and sleek, black glossy coat added a modern and edgy touch to her look. Her confident expression and polished appearance made her presence striking.
Sydney smiled as she took Elsie's hand. "Hey, Mr. Singh!" she greeted Elsie's father as he walked by. He turned and smiled warmly.
"Nice to see you again, Sidney!" he waved before heading to the kitchen.
"What are you doing here?" Elsie asked, squinting slightly.
"I listened to your newest podcast and wanted to congratulate you personally," Sydney said, playing with Elsie's fingers. "I liked it."
"Of course you did," Elsie whispered, smiling as she leaned in to give Sydney a quick kiss, making her warm inside.
Sydney looked at Elsie's plate. "You're not going to finish that? Is something wrong?" She asked, sitting down next to her.
Elsie sighed. "I've been asked to go on a business trip to California for a few months," she explained. "I don't know what to do. My parents support me either way, and Lily wants me to go because I've never been to California before."
"What do you want?" Sydney interrupted. Elsie shrugged, unable to answer. "You need to consider that if you go, your life will never be the same. Trust me, I've traveled around and learned new things and met new people."
"What do you think I should do?" Elsie asked, searching for an answer. She didn't want to keep Henry waiting too long, even though this was a big decision.
Sydney placed her hand on Elsie's leg. "I think there are more opportunities waiting for you than just being a publisher for Britbuzz. I know you're loyal to your country, and you always can be, but you have a strong personality. I know you'll do great things if you take that chance."
Elsie looked down, taking in her words. "But it's up to you. You need to want this," Sydney added.
"Mhm, I know. Thank you," Elsie whispered, looking at her again. "Are we going?" Sydney nodded as Elsie stood up. She walked into the kitchen to hug her parents before leaving the busy cafรฉ with Sydney.
Elsie couldnโt sleep that night. Her eyes were wide open, not feeling the slightest bit of tiredness. She turned to see Sydney next to her, sleeping peacefully. Carefully, Elsie moved toward the edge of the bed, not wanting to wake her. She covered her naked body with her white robe and tiptoed out of the bedroom.
In the kitchen, Elsie bent down and pulled open a drawer, finding a pack of cigarettes she hadnโt used in a while. She usually didnโt smoke, but sometimes she wanted to relax with a bit of nicotine, especially when faced with a difficult decision.
Elsie sat down on a chair on her small balcony, placing the cigarette between her lips and lighting it. She watched the beautiful yet rainy view of London, grateful to be sitting dry under a shelter. She grabbed her phone, feeling the need to talk to someone, but knowing that everyone was asleep.
Los Angeles, California
As usual in Los Angeles, itโs a warm day. Everyone is enjoying the weather by going to the beaches or relaxing by their pools. But for some, work calls. Armani, who works for one of the successful music labels, is behind the scenes more than heโs an actual performer. Still, he dreams of becoming a big artist someday.
Just as he finishes dressing, he gets a call from his friend Mustafa, a talented artist in the music industry. Theyโve worked together a few times, forming a strong friendship through their collaborations.
โYo, the location has changed! Denzelโs house, now. Want me to pick you up?โ Mustafa offers.
โYeah, sure,โ Armani accepts, walking downstairs. โDo I need to bring anything? I still haveโโ He rushes to the fridge. โA couple of beers andโnah, thatโs it, man.โ
โI think Denzel has the whole shop in his house. Youโre good. Yo, do you have some good Kush?โ
Armani chuckles. โAlways. Iโll bring some.โ
โGood, Iโll be there in five minutes,โ Mustafa says before they hang up. Armani grabs two small packs and puts them in the fanny pack slung across his chest.
He glances at a cabinet full of photos. One catches his eyeโa golden-framed picture of his younger self holding his sisterโs hand. A small smile crosses his face as he thinks of his family in London, especially his little sister, whom he hasnโt seen in so long.
When Mustafa arrives, Armani steps into his friendโs yellow Ferrari. They give each other a fist bump before Mustafa starts the engine.
On the way, Armani rolls a blunt. โYouโre quiet today. Is something wrong?โ Mustafa asks, glancing at him and then back at the road.
โNah, just family stuff,โ Armani mumbles, licking the edge to seal the roll. Mustafa hums, sensing thereโs more to it.
โIf you want to talk about it, Iโm all ears,โ Mustafa offers. Armani nods but doesnโt say more, placing the blunt between his lips but not lighting it.
Denzel, aka Denzel Curry, welcomes Mustafa and Armani into his house, where several other artists have also gathered. Denzel has a huge studio in his home, used by him and his friends to share ideas and work on new music.
Armani sits behind the control panel next to Denzel while others hang out, having drinks or smoking weed.
โHey! You made it!โ Denzel smiles, standing up.
โOf course I made it! Are you crazy?โ Armaniโs eyes widen as he recognizes a familiar voice. He turns around to see Denzel hugging Billie, who has a friend with her. Mustafa also stands to hug Billie. Though Armani knew of her, this is his first time meeting her in person.
Billie is wearing an oversized graphic T-shirt with a detailed image on the front, loose-fitting camo-pattern cargo pants, a white hat, high-top sneakers, and a crossbody bag with a camouflage pattern, completing her laid-back, urban look.
โHey, guys!โ Billie waves, and everyone greets her warmly. Denzel glances at Armani.
โBil, I want you to meet Armani. We work together often, and heโs a great friend outside of work,โ Denzel introduces. Armani stands up, and they hug.
โYo, Iโm a fan of you and your brotherโs work!โ Armani compliments Billie, who laughs.
โStop, Iโm a fan of yours! I donโt understand why you havenโt broken the charts yet. Youโre a genius,โ Billie responds, pointing at him. Armani smiles big, feeling honored.
Billieโs smile fades a bit as she studies Armaniโs face. โHave we met before?โ she asks, frowning. Armani shrugs and shakes his head.
โI donโt think so,โ he answers, grinning, knowing she met his sister before.
Billie hums, letting it slide for now. She introduces Armani to her best friend Zoe, and they hug. โPicture time!โ Zoe says enthusiastically, grabbing her camera. Billie and Armani pose for cool pictures together.
After a few hours in the studio, Billie decides to swim in Denzelโs pool with Zoe. As they relax by the poolโs edge, Billie notices Armani on the phone, looking excited and surprised.
โI just recognized Armani from somewhere. I just canโt place it,โ Billie mumbles, watching him. Zoe hums, also looking at Armani.
โI donโt know, Billie. Isnโt it just his music?โ she suggests.
Billie shakes her head. โNo, thereโs more to it.โ
Armani waves at them from across the pool. โGuess what, Billie is here too. Sheโs right across from me, wearing a different-colored bikini,โ Armani whispers into the phone. Elsie on the other end gasps, making Armani laugh.
โWait, this is so weird. Does she know youโre my brother?โ Elsie asks nervously.
โWhy should I keep it a secret, El? She almost caught on. She sees you in my face,โ Armani argues, chuckling.
Elsie sighs. โBecauseโฆIโve decided to move to LA,โ she reveals, making her decision at that moment. Armani jumps up in happiness. โI need to take care of a few thingsโโ
โYou have no idea how happy I am! I canโt wait for you to be here. You wonโt regret this decision, I swear!โ Armani beams, thrilled. Elsie laughs, glad to hear her brother so happy. Maybe stepping out of her comfort zone is a good idea.
โAbout Billieโs bikini,โ Elsie starts, biting her nails.
Armani chuckles. โNo, I wonโt take a secret picture of her! Damn.โ He laughs as Elsie groans in disappointment. Billie swims over to him.
โI need to go. Iโll talk to you later, okay? And get some sleep.โ
โSure, sure! Bye, brother,โ Elsie says, making a kiss sound before hanging up. Billie places her arms on the edge of the pool, floating in the warm water.
โEverything okay?โ she asks curiously. Armani chuckles and steps closer, squatting in front of her. โYou look happy. Did you get good news?โ Billie continues.
โYouโre nosy, arenโt you?โ he smiles. Billie sighs.
โYeah, sorry. Itโs getting boring here, you know,โ she says.
Armani nods, understanding. โDonโt worry. I have a feeling it wonโt be boring for much longer,โ he hints, giving her a wink before heading inside. Billie looks suspiciously after him, curious about what he meant.
Chapter 5 will be published tomorrow! I'm so happy to be back and I can't wait to see how this story will unfold and what you think of it! Let's deep dive into the interesting story of the journalist Elsie Singh and the musician Billie Eilish โก Thank you so much for waiting!
Billie found herself in a moonlit garden, the air filled with the sweet fragrance of night-blooming flowers. Elsie stood before her, bathed in the soft glow of the moon, her eyes reflecting the stars. They moved closer, their hands finding each other naturally, fingers intertwining.
As Billie gazed into Elsie's deep brown eyes, she felt an overwhelming pull. Elsie's lips parted slightly, inviting Billie closer. Their breaths mingled, creating a tantalizing tension. Billie leaned in, their lips meeting in a kiss that was both tender and electric. She could feel the warmth of Elsie's body against hers, every touch sending shivers down her spine.
Their kiss deepened, filled with unspoken desires. Billie's hands traced the curves of Elsie's back, pulling her closer, while Elsie's fingers tangled in Billie's hair. The world around them faded, leaving only the intense connection between them.
Billie's heart raced as she felt Elsie's soft lips travel from her mouth to her neck, leaving a trail of delicate kisses. Every touch was a promise of more, a blend of romance and burgeoning passion.
Just as the dream began to reach its crescendo, Billie woke up, breathless and longing for Elsie.
Billie rubbed her left eye with the palm of her hand, adjusting to the clear light streaming into her bedroom. Turning on her side, she grabbed her phone. Among the several messages she'd received, one stood out. It was from Elsie, sent an hour ago.
Elsie๐ฌ
Call me when you are awake ๐ค
Billie's heart raced with happiness as she searched for Elsie's number and pressed the call icon, lying on her back. Meanwhile, Elsie was rushing around her house, already showered, dressed, and with her hair and makeup done for the day.
Hearing her black coffee finish brewing, Elsie hurried to the kitchen. As she did, she slipped on her heels, almost stumbling in her haste. Holding her phone between her shoulder and ear, she tried to slide her right foot into a heel while pouring hot coffee into her white tumbler.
"Good morning, Billie Eilish. Did you sleep well?" Elsie asked with a smile, now standing steadily. She poured the last bit of coffee and closed the lid of her tumbler.
Billie chuckled, recalling her recent dream. "Yes, I slept well. How about you?" She heard the clicking sound of heels on the other line and guessed that Elsie was already dressed and ready to go somewhere.
"I slept great until my supervisor woke me up. Plans have changed. I hope you got a message from your management," Elsie said.
Billie frowned and slowly sat up. "Your management called Britbuzz to schedule an interview in about two hours. They're picking two lucky fans to meet you. The fans had to buy the latest Britbuzz paper, subscribe to all our channels, and send in a video explaining why they want to meet you. So, actually, two interviews."
Billie put Elsie on speaker while checking her updated schedule. "Okay," she said, getting out of bed.
"I don't want to shock you, but there's a press group outside your hotel," Elsie continued, placing her tumbler and notes in her purse and heading towards her coat rack.
Billie, noticing she was only wearing a top, quickly put on some pants and walked to her window. She opened the curtain to see a group of paparazzi and fans gathered at the entrance. The paparazzi started taking pictures, and the fans cheered excitedly when they saw her. Billie ignored the press and glanced at the fans.
"Oh, wow, already?" Billie sighed, giving the fans a smile. Their cheers grew louder, making Billie laugh. "They look cute, though. The fans."
Elsie smiled, ready to leave. "I'll let you wake up. See you at the studio, okay?" she said, locking her door and heading to her car.
"Okay, see you soon. Bye, Elsie," Billie replied with a smile.
"Bye, Billie." They hung up at the same time.
Billie went directly to her travel bag and collected every empty piece of paper she could find. She ripped them into pieces and started to write her signature and sweet affirmations on them. The fans screamed like crazy when they saw Billie appear by her window again. She opened her window a little and started to throw the pieces toward her fans. They all tried to catch one.
Billie laughed, watching the fans while she sat by the window. "I need to go, but I love you so much! Thank you for being here!" Billie shouted at them. She received sweet reactions from the fans. Billie smiled and waved at them before closing the curtains again to get ready for the day.
Billie, Finneas, and Claudia had breakfast together at the hotel. They first had an online call with her management about a small business matter Billie had to attend next to the show. But she already knew because Elsie had told her about the interviews.
"I thought this small tour would only be about the shows and not the press," Finneas complained, drinking his fresh orange juice. Billie chewed her croissant, looking at her brother.
"Elsie is going to interview you, right?" Claudia asked, drinking her coffee. Billie nodded and smiled a little, she couldn't wait to see Elsie again.
Finneas and Claudia glanced at each other and smiled. Billie noticed and narrowed her eyes. "What?" she asked, looking at them both.
Finneas shook his head. "Nothing. We just see that you act very differently when we mention Elsie. That's all."
Billie shook her head and smiled a little. โWhatever.โ
Finneas hummed knowing that Billie has this interest in Elsie. "Elsie seems like a nice woman, but you need to keep your eyes open, Bil. She's a journalist," Finneas warned his sister. Billie shrugged.
"I don't know why you feel the need to say that. Butโ. Don't worry about it." Billie swept the crumbs off her fingers into her empty plate. Finneas roll with his eyes.
Claudia let out a laugh and ate her yogurt. They both knew that Billie was a risk-taker. So whatever happens it's on Billie but Finneas always will protect her sister.
Billie is always open about her feelings toward her family and her best friends Zoe and Drew. But she remains silent about her feelings for Elsie. Only because she wants to figure that part out for herself.
They were taken to the Britbuzz studio. Billie realized that this was the company where Elsie worked full-time. She felt a New York Times vibe when she saw the high building and all the people walking in and out, dressed neatly.
Billie was dressed in a casual, laid-back style. She wore a black and green striped beanie, adding a pop of color to her outfit. Her oversized dark grey Harley-Davidson t-shirt was layered over a long-sleeved, camouflage-patterned shirt, giving her look a rugged and relaxed vibe. She paired this with black knee-length shorts, black Nike socks, and black Converse sneakers. Billie accessorized with multiple silver necklaces and rings, completing her edgy, effortlessly cool appearance.
Claudia and Finneas sat in a lounge area with a television to watch the interview live on YouTube.
Billie had a list of questions she could expect Elsie to ask her. The director of the Britbuzz YouTube channel went through the questions with Billie, making sure there were no questions she didn't want to answer.
Elsie walked toward the interview room, feeling both excited and confident about the interview she was about to conduct with Billie. She had carefully chosen her outfit to reflect a blend of professionalism and style.
Her ensemble began with a cream-colored, fitted top. The long sleeves hugged her arms gracefully, while the deep V-neck and subtle collar added an element of sophistication without being overly formal. Complementing the top was a high-waisted skirt in the same cream hue, creating a seamless and elegant look. The skirt draped smoothly over her hips and fell to a modest length, with a tasteful slit that added a touch of allure and allowed for easy movement.
To enhance her silhouette, Elsie had chosen a tan leather belt, which cinched her waist and provided a subtle yet effective contrast to the cream tones of her outfit. Completing her look were her favorite nude-colored heels. These heels elongated her legs and maintained the outfit's sophisticated, neutral palette, ensuring she looked polished and chic.
Elsie saw Billie and the director talking busily. She didn't want to disturb them, so she walked toward the platform where there was a blue-colored couch with a matching seat diagonally next to it. There were cameras everywhere and great exposure. Elsie sat down on her seat and crossed her legs, watching them discuss everything.
When the director walked out of the room, Billie was still reading the list of questions. Elsie giggled and stood up. Billie heard her giggles behind her, looked up quite shocked, and slowly turned around.
Every time Billie caught a glimpse of Elsie, her heart seemed to skip a beat. It was as if the world around her blurred into insignificance, leaving only Elsie in sharp focus. Billie felt a warm flush rise to her cheeks, her pulse quickening with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation. Her usually composed thoughts would scatter, replaced by a flurry of emotions she couldn't quite name. The mere sight of Elsie, with her radiant smile and effortless grace, filled Billie with a deep sense of admiration and an undeniable yearning to be closer to her. In those moments, Billie felt an intoxicating blend of happiness and vulnerability, the intensity of her feelings both exhilarating and daunting. Billie needed to think of that dream.
"Are my questions so bad that you need to read them again?" Elsie teased, frowning with a cute smile. She took a step down the platform and walked toward Billie, her curly hair bouncing with each step.
"Oh, uh." Billie let out a laugh and looked down at the papers. "No, they are great. Did you think of all these questions?" She asked, meeting Elsie's dark eyes again. She nodded and held her hands together.
Billie smiled, putting the paper down on the nearest table. "You could also ask me some of these questions last night, you know?" she hinted. Elsie sighed and crossed her arms, smiling at Billie; she liked the way Billie talked. "You look flawlessly good for a morning interview," Billie added, getting more of a glimpse of Elsie's outfit.
"Well, thank you, Billie. This is a very special moment for me. This interview means a lot to me," Elsie revealed. Billie realized that this interview had two sides of meaning for them both. For Billie, it was one of the many interviews she would do in her career. But for Elsie, interviewing such a world superstar could significantly impact her career.
Billie just wanted to do this interview well so Elsie would get more recognition. Working in the media business is hard, especially staying on top.
Elsie took a step closer to her. Billie snapped back to reality and eyed her. "I'm so sorry that you need to do this all of a suddenโ." Billie shook her head and took Elsie's hands in hers, wanting her to stop talking.
"Don't worry about it. I'm used to sudden schedule changes, and I want to do this for you," Billie said, looking deep into her eyes. Elsie felt the intensity. It was so strong that she felt uneasy, her mind filling with thoughts she should keep to herself. It was Billie's eyes and her words that softened Elsie a little. She had a weakness for seductive but at the same time gorgeous women.
Elsie cleared her throat and smiled. "You always have your answers ready, don't you?" Billie licked her lips.
"As long as you're the one questioning me, yeah," Billie teased back. Their energy matched so well. They felt a strong chemistry. Billie wanted to find out what this all meantโwho Elsie was and what drew her to act so flirtatiously toward her. Billie's curiosity about having a lesbian relationship had increased significantly.
The crew came in, ready to air the interview. Billie and Elsie stepped away from each other. "Elsie, can you give a test to this microphone?" one of the crew members asked.
Elsie nodded. "Of course!" She walked over to him, focusing on her work and maintaining professionalism with Billie. But Billie wasn't able to do the same, she kept her eyes on Elsie the whole time. Especially the interview, she has plenty of time to look at her.
Billie and Elsie positioned themselves diagonally across from each other, ensuring both eye contact between themselves and visibility for the camera capturing their expressions and body language.
Elsie, with a mini microphone affixed to her top, and Billie, similarly equipped, sat ready with a stack of Britbuzz cards containing interview questions, just in case of any lapses in memory.
"Hi ladies and gents, my name is Elsie and you are watching the Britbuzz celebrity check series!" Elsie began energetically, prompting a closed-lip smile from Billie as she listened. "Today we have a very special guest with us. A twenty-three-year-old global superstar, the most incredibly, inspiring, talented, all-awards winnerโ."
Billie couldn't help but laugh, feeling genuinely flattered by the glowing introduction.
"Billie Eilish!" Elsie declared, her eyes meeting Billie's with a warm smile.
Billie laughed, "I've never had such a long sweet intro about me before. I love it," her grin broadening.
Elsie returned the smile, jokingly patting herself on the shoulder before pushing her curls back. Billie chuckled and glanced down at her pants.
Behind the scenes, her supervisor watched with amusement, confident in Elsie's ability and the promising future of Britbuzz.
"Hey, Billie. How have you been feeling recently with everything that's going on in your career?" Elsie inquired.
Billie nodded thoughtfully. "I'm fine, Elsie. Uhโ," she paused, gathering her thoughts, "It's weird because the world tour ended a few weeks ago now which feels very relieving but at the same timeโ," squinting slightly, she continued, "I want to say odd because I've been touring for over a year. By that time, I had created this routine, which isn't much but it worked well for me. Now that's all gone, I feel kinda numb." Elsie nodded in understanding.
They delved into Billie's tour experiences, recent projects, and creative inspirations, their relaxed postures reflecting the ease of their conversation.
"Have you ever had a song or album idea coming from your dream? Your first album When Do We Fall Asleep Where Do We Go doesn't count toward this question!" Elsie interjected playfully, pointing at Billie.
Billie, surprised, swallowed her water before responding, "Hmโ," considering the question, she admitted, "Most of the time, it starts with a fantasy or dream I endure whenever I sleep. But, it will turn out to be an actual life experience. Which is quite scary to think of but it happens most of the time. I'm talking about, friendships, adventures, relationships," she concluded, smiling dreamily at Elsie.
Elsie laughed, "You are such a tease!" prompting Billie to playfully stick her tongue out at the camera.
Their banter continued as Elsie teased about Billie's romantic life, leading to a playful negotiation for a post-interview drink.
"On the moment, no and I'm fine with it. But don't come at me because I have a date with Elsie now, HA!" Billie joked, their laughter filling the room.
After the lively interview, two lucky fans met Billie, marking another successful session for Britbuzz.
Due to the interview and all the related work, Billie and Elsie didn't have enough time to spend the day together outside. So, they decided to hang out in one place where they could chat and have a drink since it was almost nighttime.
Billie and Elsie laughed as they sat at a luxurious bistro with live music playing in the background. It was a secluded space for wealthy couples seeking privacy on their day out. They chose the rooftop area, taking advantage of the pleasant weather.
"I can't believe you just said that, Bil! We're going to have so much commotion," Elsie said, shaking her head with a smile. Billie took off her beanie and ran her fingers through her red and black hair.
"You're so unfair, you started by asking me about my romantic life, which wasn't the agreement," Billie fired back, resting her arm on the back of the sofa where Elsie was sitting. Elsie turned fully around, her legs on the couch, sitting close to Billie. Billie could see the guilt in Elsie's eyes. "Stop, it's okay," Billie rolled her eyes playfully and chuckled.
"I understand. It's in your nature to ask me these questions, to dig into my privacy and publish it. I know what your work means, Elsie," Billie lowered her voice so only Elsie could hear. Elsie felt her heart pounding and her cheeks warming. "I'm not stupid." Elsie's lips parted. "You caught me off guard with that question. Why are you asking? Is it really for the media, or do you want that information for yourself?" Billie whispered. Elsie felt Billie's warmth on her skin.
A smile formed on Elsie's lips. "Since you know my job so well, Billie, you should know I'm the one asking the questions between us, not you," she said confidently. Billie's brows rose.
"Fair enough," Billie chuckled. Elsie smiled and looked away. "But it would be boring if our conversation was one-sided, don't you think?" Billie cocked her head, seeking eye contact with Elsie again.
Elsie met her eyes. "You have a point, sadly," she joked, making Billie laugh. "Is there anything you want to know about me?" Billie sighed and nodded.
"You better ask if there's anything you don't want to know," Billie smiled. Elsie laughed and took a sip of her wine. Billie, having a virgin cocktail, didn't drink alcohol.
"Can you tell me about your roots?" Billie asked, taking a sip of her cocktail.
Elsie giggled and bit her glossy red lip. "If you look at me, where do you think my roots lie?"
"Oh, hm. You're asking meโ" Billie's eyes wandered over Elsie's body. She noticed Elsie's beautiful curves, her glowing dark skin tone between cashew and walnut, her full lips, and expressive eyes. Then Billie looked at her curly hair.
"You look tropical, from the Caribbean?" Billie guessed carefully. Elsie nodded, and Billie smiled. "Where exactly?" Billie asked, focusing on Elsie.
"I was born in Trinidad. My whole family is from there. My parents moved to England for better job opportunities. So, I didn't spend my whole childhood there my brother was only two when we moved to London."
"The distance is huge," Billie remarked, and Elsie nodded. "Can you remember anything from living there?"
"No, I was too little, unfortunately," Elsie sighed and shook her head. "Sometimes I wonder how my life would look if we still lived there, if my father hadn't found his restaurant here," Elsie said, realizing she was staring at Billie.
"I understand. Have you visited Trinidad since?" Billie asked. Elsie shook her head.
"No, but my brother did when he was old enough to travel alone." Before Billie could ask about her brother, someone stood in front of them.
Billie looked up to see a tall, stylish woman with a buzz cut. Billie glanced at Elsie, who looked surprised.
"Sydney?" Elsie said, smiling.
"Hey, Elsie," Sydney's name rolled smoothly off her tongue, which Billie immediately disliked, feeling a pang of jealousy as Elsie and Sydney hugged. Billie clenched her jaw and stood up.
"What are you doing here?" Elsie asked, frowning and smiling.
"My job is done, and I was thinking of you," Sydney smiled, taking Elsie's hand. Billie started to panic inside. "Damn, I have missed my Elsie." Elsie shook her head and smiled. Billie cleared her throat.
"Oh!" Elsie quickly let go of Sydney's hand. "Billie, this is Sydney; we were fellow students in the journalism course. Sydney, this is Billie; you might know her already." They shook hands, and Billie smiled politely.
"Of course I know Billie Eilish! You're from that song, 'I'm a bad guy, duh duh duh!'" She sang the line and laughed. Elsie giggled, and Billie chuckled, though she sighed inwardly.
"Yeah. Even though the 'duh' in that chorus is stupid," Billie commented, talking negatively about her world-famous song. Elsie frowned and touched Billie's shoulder.
"Well, I think the 'duh' is very catchy! I love it," Elsie complimented Billie, who smiled at her.
"Elsie, can I talk to you for a moment?" Sydney asked.
"Can we do this tomorrow? I'm with Billie now. It's her last day here," Elsie replied. Billie immediately turned to her.
"It's okay, I can wait," Billie offered.
"No, she's right. Sorry for interrupting," Sydney said, shaking Billie's hand again. "It was nice to meet you, Billie." Billie nodded. Sydney faced Elsie. "I'll call you," she said, smiling. Elsie nodded, and they watched Sydney walk back to her table.
Billie saw the tension between Elsie and Sydney and wondered if they had a past.
As it was getting late, Billie and Elsie decided to leave. They had a dinner planned with Finneas and Claudia at Elsie's father's restaurant, Trini Spice Bistro. Claudia was already familiar with the restaurant from a previous podcast session with Elsie.
The restaurant looked cozy and cultural, with a wall full of pictures of Elsie's father with various celebrities. Naturally, Billie and Finneas had to take a picture with him for the wall of fame.
The four of them enjoyed a dinner made with love by Elsie's parents. "Now I understand why you advertise to famous people you want to fill that wall!" Claudia laughed. Elsie smiled.
"Yes, it's my father's dream. I'm trying hard to bring celebrities so he can take pictures with them," Elsie explained, making Finneas laugh. Billie smiled at Elsie.
"Your parents are so sweet, and you look like your mother!" Billie complimented her. Elsie nodded, smiling.
"That's what everyone says," Elsie replied. Her mother, standing behind her, touched her shoulders.
"We're just like sisters!" Elsie's mother joked, making everyone laugh. Elsie smiled, feeling a bit embarrassed.
They enjoyed dinner together before Billie, Finneas, and Claudia headed to the airport.
Billie and Elsie pulled away from their last hug outside the restaurant. "When will I see you again? Like this," Billie asked.
"I don't know. Maybe very soon," Elsie replied with a smile. Billie smiled and nodded.
"Then it's a see you soon," Billie said, convinced they would meet again soon.
"See you soon," Elsie echoed, watching Billie get into the Uber. The vehicle drove away.
Hi loves, enjoy this extra-long chapter since I won't (maybe) be able to publish every week, (school exams are near ew) I will try my best to publish every week! But just so you know ๐ค have fun reading! (Reminder this story takes place in 2023 NOT 2022! I forgot to change the year in the previous chapters but now we are good!)
Billie sat in a chair while her private hairdresser dyed her hair black, covering her blonde roots. She took a picture in the mirror, intending to post it on her Instagram story. However, as soon as she opened Instagram, she immediately sent Elsie a message, forgetting all about the picture.
๐๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐ฌ
Good evening, Elsie! It's noon here, so I assume it's around 8 PM your time. Are you having dinner? I have a question for you that you must answer. What's your favorite thing about living in England? Is there particular place or activity that you think defines its charm?
Elsie stuffed ramen noodles into her mouth, having just bought dinner from a nearby Japanese takeout restaurant. She was comfortably seated with her feet on the couch, watching old episodes of Gossip Girl on her television.
Her phone chimed with a notification from Instagram. Elsie bent over and glanced at her phone on the coffee table. Seeing it was a message from Billie, she let out a soft gasp and quickly grabbed her phone. Smiling as she read the message, she set aside her box of noodles to respond to Billie's question.
Elsie๐ฌ
Good afternoon, Billie! You're right, I'm just eating my noodles and watching my favorite series! To answer your question, I love going to local markets to pick out fresh ingredients Borough Market is a favorite with its great deals and vibrant atmosphere. For a regular walking spot, I enjoy Hampstead Heath; it's perfect for picnics when the weather cooperates. While the monuments and museums are nice, they do feel a bit basic compared to these local gems ๐.
Billie chuckled and bit her lip as she typed a reply.
Billie๐ฌ
You really enjoy nature and being outside, don't you? The last time I had a picnic was last week in my own garden. But it didn't go well my dog ate something he shouldn't have and ran off because he knew he was in trouble. I had no idea what he ate, so I had to take him to the vet. ๐ Thinking about it, he isn't very smart. By the way, what's your favorite series?
Elsie gasped in shock and quickly typed a reply. Her noodles were getting cold, but she didn't care.
Elsie๐ฌ
Oh no! His name is Shark, right? Poor thing how is he doing? And a picnic in your garden is kind of sad, haha. But I understand why you had to; I can't imagine! My favorite series is the old version of Gossip Girl!
Billie๐ฌ
Shark ate a slice of carrot cake. He's fine now, but he needs to go on a diet for a few weeks. Stupid dog, but I love his silly self. Don't laugh at me, Elsie ๐. I know my freedom is very minimalistic. Sometimes, I want to go to a faraway country just to do groceries. Can you imagine flying somewhere just to shop for groceries? I would never! But it's kind of funny to think about. Gossip Girl? That sounds like something you'd enjoy. ๐
Elsie laughed, knowing exactly what Billie meant. She made herself more comfortable and texted back. Their conversation was so random, but it was fun.
April 12, 2023
Elsie sat comfortably on her plush sofa inside her office, taking a break from her work. She wanted to congratulate Billie on another Golden Globe she and her brother received for the "What Was I Made For" soundtrack. Elsie had seen the news where Billie and Finneas received their Golden Globe, and they looked so joyful and emotional. Noticing their parents' pride was truly beautiful to see.
Elsie๐ฌ
Hey Billie, you might not respond to this, but I just wanted to congratulate you and your brother on the Globe! "What Was I Made For" is such a beautiful and touching song that resonates with so many people. You deserve it! ๐ค
Billie lay casually in her bed in the dark, having just returned from the after-party. A small smile crept onto her face when she saw a notification from Elsie.
Billie๐ฌ
Why wouldn't I answer you? I wanted to text you before I go to sleep. I'm glad you like the song. Thank you, Elsie โค๏ธ. Do you have a great day at the moment?"
Billie sent the text and waited patiently for Elsie's answer. She saw that Elsie was typing at the moment.
Elsie๐ฌ
I'm working, but it's been a nice day so far! Thank you for asking. Oh no, I shouldn't have texted you! I'm sorry.
Elsie sent the text and noticed that Billie was typing. Just then, Oscar walked into her office.
"Hey, Elsie!" Oscar greeted, taking a seat in a comfortable chair across from her.
"Hey!" Elsie responded, briefly glancing at her phone to see that Billie had texted again. She had completely forgotten about Oscar's presence. He frowned as he watched Elsie being distracted.
Billie๐ฌ
Nice. Don't apologize. I like it when you text me. I usually don't respond to texts, not even from my friends; they just need to call me. But you? You're something else, Elsie
Elsie's lips parted, feeling warmth spread across her cheeks as a fluttery sensation rushed through her body. She couldn't quite pinpoint why she felt this twinge of attraction. Was it the way Billie talked, or simply the fact that she was Billie Eilish she was conversing with?
Elsie immediately began to type, while Oscar raised his brows, wondering if Elsie was in a relationship.
Elsie๐ฌ
The difference between your friends and me is that you don't know me. So I understand what you mean.
Elsie wasn't quite sure what Billie meant by "you are something else," so she tried to remain casual about it.
As Oscar stood up, he said, "My break is over. I'll see you again soon." He waited for her response, and Elsie nodded.
"Okay, bye," Elsie said without even looking at Oscar. He sighed and walked out of her office, closing the door behind him. Elsie nervously bit her nail as she waited for Billie's response.
Meanwhile, Billie turned onto her back and frowned. She let out a chuckle, realizing what Elsie was doing now.
Billie๐ฌ
That's not what I meant. I enjoy talking to you. I want to talk to you every day, Elsie. Because you interest me.
Billie smiled, locked her phone, and placed it on the charger. Closing her eyes, she drifted off to sleep, leaving Elsie hanging with her last comment.
Elsie stared at Billie's response, unsure of what to say or how to feel. One thing she knew for certain was that she enjoyed talking to Billie. It all felt so unreal. Despite her growing feelings, Elsie reminded herself to maintain a professional distance and not get carried away by Billie's charm.
Elsie๐ฌ
I like talking to you too. Sweet dreams, Billie ๐ค
She pressed send and closed Instagram, ready to return to work. "Elsie!" Her supervisor, Henry, called out. Elsie promptly stood up and walked out of her office to join him.
Henry was seated behind his desk. "Close the door behind you, please," he requested. Elsie nodded and complied, taking a seat opposite him.
"How's it going with the Billie Eilish project? I see you've caught her attention!" Henry inquired, a smile on his face.
Elsie nodded, uncertain whether she should reveal that she was actually in communication with Billie. She felt inclined to keep it to herself until the timing was right. "Yes, I'm fully immersed in learning everything about Billie. Building a connection with her sister-in-law has been incredibly beneficial."
"Good to hear! Remember, if you need any support from the company, just let us know, okay?" Henry assured her, making sure she understood. Elsie nodded, offering a closed-lip smile in return.
April 17, 2023
These days, fans have noticed Billie often covering the top of her head with a beanie, cap, or bandana, sparking speculations that she may have dyed her hair again. Some fans speculate it could be red or the famous Billie green color.
There are theories circulating that Billie dyed her hair red because it resembles Elsie's signature red coat. Since Billie liked Elsie's pictures, she garnered more attention from her fans.
Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, it's five PM, and Billie is in the studio of the label she's working with. Usually accompanied by Finneas or friends, this time she's alone with her dog, Shark. Billie is meticulously editing sounds Finneas has sent her, playing with them to see if something remarkable emerges.
As she clicks to edit, Billie presses her lips together and moves her head to the beat, feeling the rhythm. Shark lies on her lap, snoring like a contented baby.
In London, it's one AM. Elsie lies in bed, wide awake, pondering something that's keeping her from sleep. Perhaps that's why she finds herself on Instagram, typing a message to Billie.
Elsie๐ฌ
Can I ask you something?
Billie's attention was drawn to her phone as it lit up, signaling a message from Elsie. Despite having turned off WhatsApp and other apps for her studio session, Instagram remained on, allowing notifications.
Removing her headphones, Billie called to her dog, Shark, in her gentle baby voice, guiding him over to the couch where he could relax. With Shark settled, she picked up her phone and began composing a reply to Elsie.
Billie๐ฌ
You, always.
Elsie is still surprised that Billie replied so fast to her.
Elsie๐ฌ
If you colored the top of your hair red. Why did you do that?
Billie surmised that Elsie was referring to the rumors surrounding Elsie's red jacket. Setting back down in her chair, she removed her bandana and decided to make a video for Elsie. Fingers running through her red and black hair, she filmed herself.
"Hi, Elsie," Billie waved, opting for a video instead of typing. "I thought, let me make a video so I can answer you fast. But as you see," She focused the camera on the red part of her hair, "The red is there!" Explaining her decision, Billie continued, "Why did I do it? Well, when my hair was green, I wanted to dye it red, but I never did." She paused, lips pursing. "So, when I saw that picture of you in your red coat, it just clicked." A smile played on her lips as she laughed. "I really liked that picture of yours, and that was part of the reason why I did it, so..." Her gaze shifted away briefly, embarrassment evident before she returned to the camera, biting her lip. "I'm probably creeping you out right now. I'll stop." Billie smiled at the camera, imagining Elsie's reaction. "Okay, okay! I'll stop! Bye!" With a quick send, she dispatched the video to Elsie.
Watching the video, Elsie couldn't help but smile at Billie's gesture. It was confirmed the rumors regarding Elsie were true. She found it adorable and genuine that Billie addressed her by name. She found herself captivated by Billie's bright blue eyes, almost as if they were addicting to look at.
Furthermore, Elsie couldn't help but ponder the trust Billie had already placed in her by sending such a personal video. While her journalist instincts briefly entertained the idea of sharing the video with the world, she quickly dismissed it. Instead, she anticipated Billie revealing her hair publicly soon. However, this video wouldn't suffice for her upcoming Billie Eilish article for Britbuzz.
Billie๐ฌ
Don't send anything I can hear your voice.
Elsie๐ฌ
Why?
Billie๐ฌ
I want to keep it a surprise until I see you in person, which will be soon. Hopefully, I'll get to be with you.
Elsie's heart pounded with anticipation. She yearned to understand what Billie meant by "soon." Did Billie possess information that Elsie didn't? Seeing Billie typing again, Elsie quickly sat up, feeling a rush of adrenaline at the mere thought of meeting her.
Billie๐ฌ
My label and I just had a meeting to plan some extra shows to close off the Happier Than Ever era. I'm set to perform at the Electric Ballroom nightclub in Camden Town on Saturday. And guess what? It's already sold out!
Elsie couldn't contain her excitement and let out a shout, quickly covering her mouth when she realized it was nighttime and her neighbors were already asleep. She hurriedly stood up and turned on the lights in her bedroom before typing a response.
Elsie๐ฌ
Omg, Billie! Why didn't you tell me sooner? I had no idea! I could have bought a ticket to attend! ๐ญ
Billie frowned, a mixture of amusement and affection evident on her face. "Oh, this babe," She mumbled, before replying to Elsie's message.
Billie๐ฌ
Shawty, I already sent you a ticket pass to your address. Don't worry ๐
"Oh my god. OH MY GOD!" Elsie freaked out. "Okay, Elsie, calm down. It's only Monday, and the show is on Saturday! You have enough time to prepare!" She convinced herself and sat down on her bed.
Billie๐ฌ
Elsie still there? Or did she just died?
Elsie๐ฌ
Stfu Billie!!
Billie laughed finding Elsie very cute at the moment.
Billie๐ฌ
Claudia will be there too, I know you two have this friendship now. :) I just can't wait to see you. I mean it, I really can't wait. I can't say it enough that I'm excited to see you, Elsie. Hehe โค๏ธ
Billie repeated herself multiple times, expressing her excitement. Elsie couldn't help but giggle at her enthusiasm.
Elsie๐ฌ
I can't wait to see you either, Billie. I'm not sure how I'll react when I see you. Sorry, that sounded silly.
Billie๐ฌ
I understand. But I think I'm the one being foolish. I'm probably more of a fan of you than you are of me. I just know it.
Billie and Elsie smiled, thoroughly enjoying their conversation.
___________________________________
April 23, 2023
Nighttime in Camden Town
Lilly๐ฌ
Have fun POOKIE! And try to have fun instead of work! And you better end up in Billie's bed ๐คญ after today tell me ANYTHING YOU HEAR ME?๐น love you๐
Lilly had sent Elsie a message while she was still at home. Elsie shook her head and laughed, then tossed her phone into her purse. A sense of butterflies fluttered inside her, mingling with nervousness. As she glanced at the Electric Ballroom building, knowing Billie was inside, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath, readying herself.
She joined the small line of fans outside, waiting patiently for her ticket to be scanned. A few fans recognized her and greeted her warmly, complimenting her outfit for the night's event.
Elsie is wearing a chic, all-black outfit that consists of a fitted, long-sleeve dress with buttons running down the front. The dress is short, ending mid-thigh, showcasing her legs. She pairs this with sleek, knee-high black boots, adding a touch of sophistication to the ensemble. To finish the look she wears her red coat. Elsie's hairstyle features long, voluminous, and well-defined natural curls cascading down her back. Her hair is parted slightly to the side, allowing some curls to frame her face. The curls are glossy and well-maintained, showcasing their natural texture.
Inside the building, fans were eagerly claiming their spots near the stage. The area was so small that it allowed for an intimate experience with the artist. There were no seating spots, except for those reserved for disabled fans. Elsie had been instructed by Billie to enter through the backstage entrance so they could meet before the show.
Elsie knew the way, having been there before for a night out with friends. Camden Town was her go-to spot for a good time.
"Oh my god, BILLIE! WE ARE GOING TO SEE BILLIE!" a fan screamed with her friend, their excitement palpable. Elsie couldn't help but laugh, finding Billie's fandom both amusing and endearing in their enthusiasm.
She approached the backstage entrance, where two towering guards stood. "Hi. I was told I could enter through the backstage entrance," Elsie said, looking at them expectantly.
"By who?" one guard asked, while the other stifled a laugh. Elsie rolled her eyes in annoyance.
"By Billie, of course. My name is Elsie. I'm on the list."
The guard burst out laughing. "That's what every fan says. Please move along, lady. Enjoy the show."
Elsie made fists and stomped away, feeling furious at their refusal to take her seriously. They hadn't even bothered to check.
She grabbed her phone, trying to send Claudia a message, but her internet connection was painfully slow. There was no WiFi in the building either. "Shit! Why me," Elsie sighed, feeling a wave of frustration wash over her. This was such an important night for her.
Resigned, Elsie accepted that she wouldn't have the luxury of standing backstage and meeting Billie. Instead, she stood with the rest of the fans at the back, but fortunately, the venue was small enough that she still had a clear view of the stage.
Billie looked one more time in the mirror of her dressing room, she put on a cap on her head. Billie is wearing an oversized black T-shirt paired with loose-fitting black pants. The T-shirt features a small, subtle logo of Nike. Her pants are cargo-style, with multiple pockets and drawstrings, and white sneakers with black soles adding to the casual and relaxed vibe of the outfit. Billie accessorizes with a few silver rings and a necklace, giving her look a touch of personal flair. Her hair is styled in a slightly messy, carefree manner, enhancing the laid-back and effortless aesthetic she often embraces during her performances.
Finneas and Andrew, Billie's drummer who has always been by their side, walked into her dressing room, finding the door slightly ajar. "Are you ready?" Finneas asked.
Billie turned around and nodded, a smile spreading across her face as she heard her fans chanting her name. "Yeah!" she exclaimed, laughing and feeling energized by the crowd's enthusiasm.
The three of them held hands and sent up prayers for an incredible show. Claudia walked in, looking stunning in a nude-colored short dress. "Without me?!" she exclaimed, quickly joining the circle by squeezing in between Finneas and Andrew.
Everyone laughed. Once their prayer was finished, Finneas and Andrew headed towards the stage. Billie and Claudia were left alone as the other crew members exited the room. Billie turned to Claudia. "Where is Elsie?" she asked, concerned.
"I don't know! I tried to call and text her, but it went straight to voicemail," Claudia replied, checking her phone again to see if Elsie had sent any messages.
Billie's eyes widened, and she let out a sigh of worry. "What if something happened to her? I can't imagine, but what if a crazy person did something to her because she's in the spotlight because of me? I should have waited outside for her or something. Fuck!"
"No, no, don't think like that! I bet she's here but wasn't let in backstage. I'll go look for her, and you need to focus on the show, okay?" Claudia reassured Billie, hugging her. They pulled away, and Billie nodded.
"You're right. Okay, thanks!" Billie said. Claudia patted her back and followed Billie to the behind-the-stage section.
The crowd erupted into cheers when Billie appeared on stage. She shyly covered her face and laughed, seeing a small group of enthusiastic fans. As the first song, "Bury A Friend," started, she began jumping around. Finneas and Andrew joined her on stage, using their instruments and equipment to make the show sound incredible.
Elsie, standing in the back, beamed as she watched Billie sing and move around the small stage, engaging with her fans. She clasped her hands together, unable to take her eyes off Billie. She thought Billie looked and sounded amazing, even better in person. The more she watched, the more she realized how much she liked Billie.
"Elsie?" a voice called out. Elsie turned to see Claudia standing next to her. They laughed and hugged.
"Oh my god, Claudia! It's so nice to see you!" Elsie giggled, glancing back at Billie's performance. The crowd was so focused on Billie that no one noticed Claudia.
"I have many questions, but first, let's go!" Claudia grabbed Elsie's hand, leading her towards the backstage entrance. "What happened?" she asked. Elsie explained the whole situation, which made Claudia momentarily furious. Claudia and Elsie enjoyed the show from backstage, dancing and jumping together.
Funny things happened throughout the show, like Billie casually chatting with the fans and receiving her favorite Takis chips, which she shared with three fans. At one point, Billie got off stage and stood against the barricade, where many fans reached out to touch and hug her. Two guards held Billie steady as she was pulled around. It was a cute and special moment for the fans.
Finneas and Andrew strolled off the stage, excitement radiating from their expressions. "Wait, is that Elsie? No way! Billie's going to flip!" Finneas exclaimed, his gaze fixed on Elsie, whose smile could light up a room. Claudia nodded, her own smile widening as she captured the tender embrace between Elsie and Finneas.
Elsie and Andrew exchanged a warm hug, their rapport immediate. "It's such a pleasure to meet you both, and the show was absolutely incredible! Your talent is truly remarkable," Elsie praised, her words sincere and heartfelt. They thanked her graciously, their appreciation evident in their smiles. Finneas draped an arm around Claudia, and they shared a fleeting kiss, their bond palpable.
As Billie bid farewell to her fans and stepped down from the stage, the crew erupted into applause, earning appreciative high-fives from the star. However, Billie's stride faltered when she caught sight of Elsie engaged in conversation with Finneas and Claudia.
With her back to Billie, Elsie's silhouette painted a striking picture her curls, the elegant dress, and the boots, coupled with the red jacket slung casually over her arm, left no doubt in Billie's mind that it was indeed Elsie. Sensing Billie's presence, Finneas and Claudia exchanged knowing smiles. Slowly, Elsie turned around, her heart skipping a beat at the sight of Billie.
Reality sunk in after weeks of Instagram messages, they were finally face-to-face, no longer separated by distance. Both Billie and Elsie pondered the surreal experience of meeting in person.
Elsie's smile widened as she reached up to touch her cheeks, her eyes reflecting joy and disbelief. Billie chuckled with delight, closing the gap between them in a rush. Their embrace was tight, comforting, and filled with warmth. Elsie couldn't help but notice Billie's scent a woody cologne that enveloped her in a sense of familiarity.
Looking into Elsie's eyes, Billie felt a rush of emotion. "I can't believe it!" Elsie exclaimed, her voice filled with awe.
Billie returned her gaze, cupping Elsie's cheeks tenderly. "You're even more beautiful in person," Billie whispered, her words meant only for Elsie.
As Billie flirted playfully, Elsie found herself drawn in, captivated by Billie's charm. Despite her initial confidence, standing so close to Billie was both exhilarating and unnerving.
Elsie gently placed her hands on Billie's, which still cradled her cheeks. "Billie," she murmured, shaking her head in disbelief. Billie's eyes never left hers as she intertwined their fingers, a soft smile playing on her lips.
"What is it?" Billie inquired, her gaze filled with curiosity and affection.
Elsie laughed softly, her eyes twinkling. "It all feels so surreal," She confessed, her voice filled with wonder.
Billie chuckled and pulled Elsie into another embrace, savoring the moment.
When it was time to leave the building, Finneas and Claudia held hands as they followed the path security had cleared towards the waiting SUV. Fans and the press lined the route, their excitement palpable. As Billie and Elsie stepped outside, the crowd erupted with enthusiasm.
Billie usually stopped to chat with her fans, but with Elsie by her side, she prioritized her safety. She glanced at Elsie, a smile lighting up her face, grateful for her presence. She let Elsie enter the vehicle first, then waved one last time to the fans.
"Thank you for coming! I love you! See you soon, okay? I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE YOU SO MUCH!" Billie called out with a beaming smile before joining Elsie in the SUV.
Elsie settled into her seat, marveling at the vehicle's luxurious and spacious interior. She sat next to Claudia, with Billie and Finneas seated across from them. She could feel Billie's eyes on her, and when she met Billie's gaze, she smiled and quickly looked away.
"What happened that you couldn't go backstage, Elsie?" Finneas asked, echoing Billie's curiosity. Elsie recounted the situation, prompting an exasperated response from Billie.
"What the fuck? I told that guy to put your name on the list. Fucking hell," Billie murmured, rolling her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Elsie," she added, her expression softening.
Elsie smiled and shook her head. "It's fine, really! I actually enjoyed standing with the fans. The view is always better when you're in the crowd!" She tried to stay positive, already having moved past the mishap. Finneas and Billie nodded in unison, prompting Elsie to giggle. "You can really tell you two are siblings," she noted, making Claudia laugh in agreement.
Billie and Finneas exchanged a smile. "So, I guess you're staying up since Elsie is here?" Finneas asked.
"Yes! I don't want to waste a single second now that Elsie's here," Billie replied with a smile. Elsie laughed and shook her head, while Claudia watched them, finding their chemistry endearing and hoping they'd become a couple.
Upon arriving at the hotel where Claudia, Finneas, and Billie were staying, Finneas and Claudia wished them goodnight and headed to the elevator. Elsie and Billie were left alone.
"I never thought I'd end up in your hotel room," Elsie said with a laugh. Billie looked at her.
"Only if you're comfortable with it. I can call a cab for you if you prefer," Billie suggested warmly. Elsie stared at her for a moment, smiling.
"Alright then," Billie nodded, and they stepped into the elevator. Billie pressed the button for her floor, and as the doors closed, they exchanged smiles.
They arrived at Billie's luxurious hotel suite, which looked more like a small penthouse. Elsie hung her red coat on a chair and took in the elegant surroundings, a sense of awe washing over her.
When she turned around, she found Billie already looking at her. Elsie froze as Billie took a few steps closer, their proximity sending a thrill through her.
"Are you hungry?" Billie asked, making Elsie smile.
Instead of sitting at the table, they opted to sit on the floor of the bedroom, backs against the bed. Elsie tossed the last pizza crust into the box and glanced at Billie, who was sipping her chocolate milkshake. Elsie preferred strawberry.
She couldn't help but admire Billie's side profile. Striking and distinctive, it captured a unique blend of elegance and edge. Her face, framed by vividly colored hair, revealed a smooth, porcelain-like complexion. High cheekbones added a sculpted quality, subtly catching the light.
Billie's nose, with its gentle slope, lent softness to her profile. Her full, shapely lips looked soft and pinkish. Elsie wondered secretly what they felt like. Billie's defined yet feminine jawline harmonized with the rest of her features.
The arch of her eyebrow added intensity to her gaze, even in profile, hinting at the expressive blue eyes just out of view. Her overall profile exuded a blend of youthful nonchalance and timeless beauty, embodying her distinctive style.
Billie's eyes landed on Elsie, who was examining every detail of her. Elsie's face was a captivating blend of striking features and soft beauty. Her full, dark brown eyes were rich and expressive, framed by naturally long lashes. Her warm brown skin had a healthy glow, enhancing her overall radiance.
Her full and meticulously groomed eyebrows added sophistication to her look. Elsie's full lips exuded natural allure, while her sharp, feminine jawline gave her profile a defined elegance. Unlike Billie's more angular features, Elsie's cheeks were slightly rounded and plush, adding a hint of softness to her face.
A small nose ring piercing on the left side of her nose added a dash of edginess, complementing her overall style. Her long, curly hair cascaded down, exuding a tropical fragrance that Billie couldn't help but notice. Elsie's combination of sharp and soft features created a harmonious balance, making her both striking and approachable.
"Are you enjoying the picnic?" Billie broke the silence and their intense eye contact. Elsie nodded.
"Pretty much," Elsie smiled. Billie let out a laugh.
"I just can't believe we are doing this. It went from a simple phone conversation to this," Elsie said, sipping her strawberry milkshake while looking at Billie.
Billie placed her cup on the ground. "It's unusual for me too. I normally wouldn't do this, but it felt right. I just had a feeling I needed to meet you." Her lips formed a genuine smile.
"I'm the lucky one," Elsie joked, giggling.
Billie laughed and shook her head. "You're so wrong. I'm the one being blessed. I mean it." Billie's words made Elsie feel an affection she had never felt before. They shared an intense moment of eye contact again, and Elsie felt her cheeks heat up.
A shiver ran through Elsie's body. "Hm." She smiled and looked down at her phone. Billie watched her movements and noticed Elsie's shocked expression. "Oh my. I should go home!" Elsie quickly stood up. Billie stood up as well.
"Wait, already?" Billie asked, not wanting Elsie to leave. Elsie reached for the pizza box, but Billie stopped her by touching her arm. "It's okay. You can leave it here, thank you though." Elsie smiled at Billie.
"Thank you for the whole night and the pizza. I had so much fun." Elsie grabbed her red coat as they stood in the living room. Billie nodded.
"Good. The cab will be here soon," Billie assured her, making sure Elsie would get home safely. Elsie smiled, appreciating Billie's caring nature.
"Tomorrow is my last day here. I leave at seven PM," Billie said.
"I'll see you tomorrow then," Elsie replied sweetly and turned to walk toward the door. Billie watched her leave, then grabbed her phone and started typing.
Elsie's phone chimed with a new WhatsApp message. She read Billie's text.
Billie๐ฌ
You have a beautiful voice, Elsie.
Elsie paused, staring at Billie's first message on their WhatsApp chat. They officially had each other's numbers.
She turned and saw Billie with an attractive, flirty smile. Elsie gave a sincere smile back. "Goodnight, Billie." She held the doorknob, and opened the door. Elsie stepped into the golden elevator. As she leaned against the mirrored wall, she realized she was attracted to Billie. This could mean bad news.
The stage is set, and all eyes are on Elsie as she steps into the spotlight of her talk show studio. The anticipation of her audience fills the air as she makes her grand entrance, exuding glamour and confidence with every graceful step.
Dressed in a stunning long, tight dress that accentuates her every curve, Elsie radiates poise and elegance as she moves across the stage. Her smile is bright and infectious as she waves to the crowd, her excitement palpable as she prepares to take center stage.
As she takes her place behind the desk, the audience erupts into applause, their cheers echoing through the studio like a symphony of support. With a confident nod, Elsie acknowledges their enthusiasm, her eyes shining with determination and resolve.
Elsie is not just the host of her talk show, but the star of the show, captivating her audience with her charm and charisma. With each word she speaks, she commands the stage with a truly magnetic presence.
But as the first light of dawn begins to filter through the curtains, Elsie's eyes flutter open, the dream slipping away like smoke on the wind.
Elsie lay on her bed, staring at the ceiling, her hands resting gently on her chest. A small smile crept across her face as she recalled the dream she had just awakened from. The vision of hosting her talk show had firmly rooted itself in her mind, a dream she was inching closer to each day. She turned her head to the side, watching the rain cascade against her window, each drop a reminder of the wet commute awaiting her.
With a sigh, Elsie glanced at her phone, noticing she had woken up early, beating her alarm by thirty minutes. For a moment, she contemplated drifting back to sleep, but she knew it would only leave her feeling groggier. She decided to stay awake and silenced the alarm that would soon sound like a flock of ducks.
The previous night, she and her best friend Lily had watched Billie Eilish's documentary, The World's A Little Blurry. Though Lily had seen it before, she suggested they watch it together, a gesture that meant to Elsie so Lily could give more clarification. Throughout the film, Elsie found herself clutching Lily, offering comfort each time tears flowed. The documentary was an emotional roller coaster, leaving Elsie deeply moved.
Elsie had jotted down a few notes from the documentary. First, she was struck by how young Billie was when she began her career, just fourteen. She also noted Billie's ongoing battle with shin injuries that required regular physiotherapy, enabling her to perform at her best. The revelation of Billie's severe depression and self-harm during her teen years left a heavy mark on Elsie, especially the image of Billie pouring her heart into her diary, filled with doodles and personal thoughts.
Another revelation was Billie's struggle with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, a condition she kept hidden until the documentary was released nearly two years ago. Finally, Elsie was deeply touched by Billie's experience with a profound heartbreak, a pain that had shaped her journey.
In conclusion, Elsie reflected on how Billie had faced and endured so many of life's harshest challenges at such a young age. Physical illness, mental health struggles, and emotional turmoil Billie had weathered them all.
Elsie marveled at Billie's resilience, wondering how she managed to stand so strong in the face of such adversity.
She grabbed her phone and went on her Instagram page. Her heart beats rapidly when she sees more than a thousand likes, comments, and new followers. Elsie sat up and looked at the comments on her recent post. All the nicknames of Billie fans popped up. Most of them are asking who she is but also informing Elsie that Billie has been looking way too much at her at the London concert which was already two weeks ago.
"Oh, god," Elsie whispered to herself. People assume that Billie and her know each other, which isn't the case. Now because Billie lied her eyes on her, she has some fans behind her back sniffing around and starting to criticize Elsie a little.
When she went to her DM's she gasped and pulled her bonnet off of her head. "OH MY GOD!" She screeched out, her bunch of curls set free like the mane of a lion.
She sees a message from Claudia Sulewski, the girlfriend of Billie's brother Finneas. Elsie tapped on the chatbox and read the message she received.
__________________________
Hey girly,
I know this is out of place but I have watched your previous podcasts and I couldn't stop watching your content, the topics you discuss are something I also stand for! Around April I'm traveling to London for a press visit. I was hoping that I could be your next special guest. That would be such a great experience! Let me know if you have any interest in that idea โก
- Claudia
__________________________
Elsie, brimming with excitement, leaped to her feet but promptly forgot about the box beside her bed. She tripped and fell face down onto the floor, letting out a groan of pain but still clutching her phone. Despite her awkward position, she quickly responded to Claudia's text. After sending the message, she remained lying on the soft carpet for a moment, clad only in a pajama top and underwear. Her wild curls fanned out around her, her bonnet having fallen somewhere on the floor.
Realizing she needed to reschedule her agenda, Elsie knew that her story about Billie would have to wait. This opportunity to record a podcast session with Claudia was too good to pass up and had the potential to elevate her career even further.
Elsie had been hosting her podcast for over a year, a passion project that complemented her work as a journalist. The podcast didn't feel like work; it was more of a beloved hobby. She regularly posted teasers on her TikTok and Instagram accounts, while the full episodes, complete with images, were available on Spotify.
Inside Elsie's office, she sat behind her computer, deeply engrossed in searching for an interesting topic for her podcast with Claudia. With her work tasks completed, she had some time to figure this out.
Frankie walked into Elsie's office and noticed how fixated she was on her screen. "No, no, no!" she mumbled in frustration, typing furiously. She didn't realize Frankie was sitting on the fluffy couch, observing the whiteboard full of detailed information about Billie Eilish.
"Her tour ends in April?" he asked, trying to catch Elsie's attention. She looked up, nodded, and returned her gaze to the screen.
"Correct, her Happier Than Ever tour ends in April. Which means it's getting difficult for me to keep up with her! She's in Mexico now, and all she does is post on Instagram about how thankful she is for her fans and how much she's been thrift shopping with her friends!" Elsie complained, standing up. Frankie laughed, his eyes following her. "It's insane how much she thrift shops! I wouldn't dare to look at her closet it's probably a hot mess! Not that I'll ever get to look in there," Elsie laughed, gently caressing her curls.
Frankie couldn't stop laughing. Elsie plopped down next to him and slowly slid to the ground with a groan. She was having a breakdown moment. "How am I supposed to write an interesting article about Billie when she's just being sweet and fun? People don't want to read that nowadays. Britsbuzz won't approve, and that means goodbye to Britsbuzz and goodbye to my dream talk show." Elsie covered her eyes with her arm in shame. Frankie slid down to sit beside her.
"Is it that time of the month, honey?" Frankie asked, trying to understand Elsie's sudden negativity. She nodded. "You were so excited about the podcast with Claudia when you walked in. This is your chance to get closer to Billie!"
Elsie peeked at him with one eye. "What if you two become friends? You could do podcasts more often since Claudia loves your work. Billie will eventually notice you, and maybe she'll approach you, or you'll have a reason to approach her! If you see something notable about Billie, publish the article and you get your promotion! Simple as that!" Frankie explained. Elsie stared at him.
"Wow, you always know how to cheer me up," Elsie smiled. Frankie snapped his fingers. "But I don't know Billie in person. I doubt she'll approach me."
"Girl, did you see how she looked at you at the concert? The videos are everywhere, even the fans noticed, and they're usually right!" Frankie mentioned the concert and stood up. Elsie stood as well and sighed, crossing her arms.
"It doesn't mean anything; everyone's overreacting."
"Or you're the only one who doesn't see it," he winked. "Alright, my break's over. I'll bring your favorite muffins on my next break." They air-kissed, and Frankie walked out. Elsie bit her lip, sat down on the couch, and grabbed her phone. She searched for the video where Billie kept glancing to the right side of the arena at the London concert, smiling as she sang.
Elsie couldn't help but feel something about the way Billie looked at her. Remembering that electrifying moment made her blush. She quickly unlocked her phone and tried to focus on the podcast again. She stands up and walks back toward her desk.
Elsie couldn't help but be captivated by Billie's picture hanging in the center of the whiteboard. Billie's warm smile radiated a genuine and approachable aura. Her straight, dark hair framed her face perfectly, with bangs falling naturally over her forehead. Billie's bright blue eyes were slightly squinted in happiness, enhancing the warmth of her smile. Dressed casually in a dark top and a silver necklace, she looked effortlessly stylish. The soft lighting and neutral background gave the photo an intimate and relaxed feel, capturing Billie in a candid and joyful moment. It almost felt like Billie was staring directly at Elsie.
"Don't you dare distract me!" Elsie whispered to herself, walking towards the whiteboard. She flipped Billie's picture around, leaving only a plain, blank side visible.
___________________________________
Two weeks later
"Thank you," Elsie said with a warm smile to the waitress as her order was placed in front of her. She bit her tongue lightly and glanced around the charming cafรฉ, waiting patiently for Claudia to arrive.
Elsie was usually a natural at meetings, but this time she felt a bit nervous. She had prepared the entire podcast and wanted to discuss its topic with Claudia, hoping for positive feedback. This meeting was also Elsie's chance to get closer to Claudia, which would help with the Billie project.
Elsie wears an off-the-shoulder, oversized gray sweater, which gives a cozy yet trendy vibe. Her gray pleated mini skirt adds a youthful touch to the outfit, perfectly balancing the voluminous top. On her feet, she has opted for red pointed-toe heels paired with gray socks, creating an eye-catching contrast and a hint of playful. She accessorizes with a red woven handbag slung over her shoulder, complementing her shoes and adding a pop of color to the otherwise muted tones of her attire. Elsie's dark brown hair which she has straightened falls in loose waves around her shoulders. She has a natural make-up look.
Elsie quickly applied a little bit more lipgloss and threw the product back into her purse. The bells of the door tinkled, making a sign that someone walked inside.
Elsie stood up and smiled warmly as she saw Claudia removing her black sunglasses and setting her umbrella in the corner to dry. Elsie was pleasantly surprised by Claudia's outfit. She's wearing a black polo shirt under a nude-colored plaid skirt, topped with a long denim jacket and complemented by black high-knee boots. Claudia's dark brown hair was styled in a low bun, and her makeup was natural and understated.
It almost seemed like they had coordinated their outfits. Claudia's eyes lit up with excitement as she spotted Elsie. "Hi! Oh my god!" she exclaimed, beaming as she walked over to Elsie. They embraced tightly, and Elsie felt relieved to see Claudia's sweet demeanor, which gave her hope that Claudia would like her podcast idea.
"Hello! Welcome to England!" Elsie said as they took their seats across from each other. Claudia removed her jacket and draped it over the back of her chair.
"Thank you so much! I didn't expect such rainy weather during my visit," Claudia remarked, looking surprised. Elsie giggled. "But I love it! It gives off that classic old Britain vibe like I'm the main character in a movie walking around with my umbrella," Claudia shared with a smile. Elsie nodded, thinking Claudia's spontaneity and interesting perspective were perfect for the podcast.
"That's what most visitors say about the rain in London. The red buses and telephone booths enhance that feeling," Elsie explained. Claudia nodded in agreement, then turned to the waitress to order a warm drink. Elsie sipped her English tea as they also ordered a high tea platter to share.
When the waitress left, Claudia turned back to Elsie. "Can I just say, you have such a beautiful voice! I love your British accent. It's one of the reasons I couldn't stop listening to your podcasts."
Elsie smiled sweetly. "Thank you so much. It still surprises me that people listen to my podcast out of all the content out there," she said with a giggle, making Claudia look shocked.
"Why? Your podcast is so real and relatable! Anyone not listening is missing out, girl!" Elsie laughed, feeling her cheeks warm. "Finneas and I always listen while we're cooking! He asks me to wait for him when there's a new episode, but I can't help it. I secretly listen and then pretend I haven't when I'm with him," Claudia confessed, making Elsie laugh out loud and gasp at the realization that Finneas was also a listener. It felt like a small victory for Elsie.
After chatting and discussing the podcast topics with some drinks and snacks, Elsie invited Claudia to her home, where she had a cozy podcast set up in her hobby room. They sat comfortably around a small round table, with microphones and headsets ready, a professional camera filming from a distance, and soft music playing in the background.
Claudia asked if she could film Elsie for her vlog, capturing her visit to London and their collaboration. Holding her camera high, Claudia began, "So, as I mentioned before, I'm having this amazing collaboration withโ" She panned the camera to Elsie, who smiled and waved. "Elsieeeeee!! Whoohoohoo!" Claudia cheered.
Elsie giggled. "Hi!" she greeted sweetly.
Claudia continued filming both of them. "Can you give a little introduction to my subscribers?"
Elsie nodded. "Of course! My name is Elsie. I'm from London, I work at Britbuzz Media as a journalist for young adult content, and in my free time, I have a podcast called 'Think Like Elsie,' which Claudia is here to join today!" she said excitedly, looking at Claudia, who laughed. "I feel honored that you want to do an episode on my podcast channel!" Elsie added, placing a hand on her chest.
Claudia smiled. "Thank you for having me! I'm a fan of your work. I remember the first podcast I listened to, where you talked about not knowing what you want career-wise. It was so relatable and inspiring, and reading the comments, I see you've inspired many others too. You deserve the recognition!"
Elsie's eyes shone with happiness. "That's so sweet of you, thank you." Her face lit up with genuine joy.
"So, when this vlog goes live, the podcast will be available too! I'll put links in my bio to Elsie's podcast channel and Instagram. Go listen, watch, and follow her!" Claudia pointed down for emphasis. "Oh, and give a like to this video if you love Elsie's outfit!" she added, filming Elsie from head to toe. Elsie stood up, spun around, and posed cutely for the camera. They laughed together.
Elsie sat back down. "It's funny because we're both wearing skirts, but we didn't plan it," she said to the camera, and Claudia hummed in agreement, laughing. "I've been looking through Claudia's Instagram for outfit inspiration, soโ" Elsie admitted with a playful side-eye, making Claudia gasp and laugh.
They talked for an hour, covering a range of topics from everyday challenges to relationships and career changes. The podcast session was spontaneous and engaging, with Claudia already looking forward to their next collaboration.
To wrap up, they had a photoshoot in the city for their promotional collaboration. Oscar, who is now the photographer, and a makeup artist were on hand. Claudia filmed Elsie posing next to a red telephone booth as the makeup artist did touch-ups. "We're busy with the promotion shoot! Look at how pretty Elsie is!" Claudia exclaimed.
Elsie laughed. "Stop it," she said in her charming British accent. They did a fun photoshoot together inside a telephone booth, pulling funny faces and pretending to gossip on the phone.
"It's a wrap!" Claudia cheered, filming them. Elsie threw her arms up and danced happily. They hugged each other. "This is going to be great!" Elsie nodded and blew kisses. "We're so hungry now! You said we're eating at your father's cafรฉ?"
"Yes! My father owns a cafรฉ and he's an amazing cook!" Elsie said. Claudia hummed with anticipation, feeling her stomach grumble. They stepped into a car.
"I can't wait! Wellโ" Claudia looked at the camera. "I'll stop filming now. See you when I'm back in LA." She filmed Elsie one last time. Elsie started the engine, waved sweetly at the camera, and said her goodbyes.
___________________________________
Los Angeles
Walking into the music studio at Finneas and Claudia's house feels like stepping into a sanctuary of creativity and achievement. The room is spacious yet intimate, with walls adorned with framed album covers and platinum records, celebrating Billie Eilish's success. Each piece tells a story of artistic triumph and dedication.
The studio is equipped with state-of-the-art recording equipment, including a high-end mixing console, multiple microphones, and soundproofed walls to ensure pristine audio quality. In one corner, a grand piano stands elegantly, its polished surface reflecting the soft ambient lighting. Nearby, a collection of guitars, both electric and acoustic, are neatly arranged on stands, ready to be picked up and played.
Awards and accolades line the shelves, from Finneas's Grammy statuettes to music industry plaques, each symbolizing the countless hours of hard work and passion poured into their craft. A sleek digital workstation, complete with the latest music production software, sits at the heart of the studio, surrounded by monitors and speakers that ensure every note is heard in perfect clarity.
Comfortable seating areas with couches and chairs provide a place for brainstorming sessions or simply relaxing between takes. The walls are painted in warm, inviting tones, creating an atmosphere that is both inspiring and calming.
Finneas sat behind his computer, immersed in the task of creating new sounds. Behind him, Billie lay upside down on the couch, her head hanging off the edge while her legs rested on the backrest. Her black hair cascaded downwards as she wore a simple black top and oversized joggers.
With closed eyes, Billie attempted to connect with Finneas' music, searching for inspiration. Trying to visualize an image or color that matched the sound, she found herself coming up empty, devoid of inspiration. Beside her, Shark and Peach, their dogs, lay peacefully, adding to the tranquil scene.
Letting out a groan, Billie rose from the couch and moved to the carpet. Adopting a yoga-like position, she formed a perfect triangle with her forearms, her head hovering above the ground. Balancing on her arms, she focused on her core strength and stability, seeking clarity in the physical challenge.
Sensing the silence, Finneas swiveled his chair and caught sight of his sister, standing upside down like a human pole. Grinning to himself, he couldn't resist asking, "What are you doing?" knowing well Billie's penchant for unconventional ideas.
"Maybe this will flood ideas into my head," Billie replied nonchalantly, her voice tinged with determination.
Finneas raised an eyebrow. "And where do these ideas come from?"
"I don't know. My toes, my coochie. I don't fucking know," Billie shrugged, stepping away from her makeshift yoga pose, feeling a bit lightheaded but quickly regaining her balance.
Observing her, Finneas suggested gently, "We just came back from touring. It's okay not to feel inspired right now. Maybe it's a sign to take a rest."
Billie turned to face him, a mixture of frustration and determination in her gaze. "Yeah, I guess," she replied, though the itch to create lingered.
"Go home or stay here, watch a movie, call your friends. Socializing always helps," Finneas offered, knowing the power of downtime and connection.
Later that night in Los Angeles, Billie found herself at home in her living room with her lifelong friend Zoe. They relaxed, watching a movie with snacks on the table. Browsing through Instagram, Billie stumbled upon Finneas' story and was intrigued by an image featuring Claudia and another woman named Elsie.
Curious, Billie tapped on Elsie's profile, drawn in by her aesthetically pleasing feed. As she scrolled through Elsie's photos, admiring the cohesive theme.
Billie found herself lost in a picture of Elsie, clad in a vibrant red coat, her sweet smile illuminated by the glow of her phone screen. A microphone bearing the name of the media company rested in her hand, adding to her captivating allure. Billie couldn't help but feel a rush of warmth in her chest, accompanied by a fluttering sensation that danced within her.
With a gentle smile playing on her lips, Billie whispered in awe, "Wow." Her friend Zoe, sensing the shift in Billie's demeanor, turned to her with curiosity.
"Is everything okay?" Zoe inquired, noting the pink hue that graced Billie's cheeks. "Or should I say, who happened?" she teased, a knowing glint in her eyes.
Billie couldn't suppress a guilty chuckle as she touched her flushed cheek. "Is it that obvious?" she asked, feeling a mix of embarrassment and amusement.
Zoe nodded knowingly as Billie handed her phone over, directing her attention to Elsie's Instagram account. Billie watched intently as Zoe's lips formed an 'o' of surprise. With a smile, Billie reclaimed her phone, feeling a sense of reassurance in Zoe's reaction.
"She's fine, isn't she?" Billie mused, her gaze lingering on Elsie's pictures.
"She really is! I saw her in Claudia's latest vlog, and she seemed so genuine and sweet," Zoe chimed in and watched the movie again. After a while they are lying in bed, Zoe is sleeping over for the night. She already has drifted to sleep. Billie is still awake.
Left alone with her thoughts, Billie continued to scroll through Elsie's feed, captivated by her presence. In a moment of impulse, she liked the picture of Elsie in the red coat, a subtle gesture of admiration.
Summoning her courage, Billie decided to send Elsie a message. With a nervous bite of her lip, she typed out her thoughts, letting her heart guide her words. Without further hesitation, she hit send, feeling a flutter of excitement mixed with anticipation.
โBillie
Hey Elsie, I hope you don't mind me sending you a message out of the blue.
As Elsie prepared to wrap up her workday in London, her mind already drifting towards the comfort of home, a sudden notification disrupted her thoughts. With a curious glance at her phone, she froze in astonishment at the sight of a message from Billie Eilish's verified account. A rush of disbelief and excitement surged through her, causing her heart to skip a beat.
Gasping in disbelief, Elsie hastily retrieved her phone, double-checking to ensure she wasn't imagining things. But there it was, unmistakably real an unexpected message from Billie herself.
Elsie's usually composed behavior faltered as she bit her nail nervously, her mind racing with a flurry of thoughts and emotions. It was a rare moment of uncertainty for her someone who typically exuded confidence and poise in her professional life suddenly found herself at a loss for words.
Closing her office door for privacy, Elsie paced around her workspace, her mind abuzz with possibilities. This wasn't like any other interaction she had encountered before; this felt different, special. With each step, she pondered what to say, knowing that her response could set the tone for what lay ahead.
Elsieโ
Hey Billie, not at all! How are you doing?
Elsie pondered her response for so long that Billie eventually drifted off to sleep, her phone slipping from her grasp as she succumbed to exhaustion.
I'm really glad that I have found out that it was time for a new Billie book. It feels so right to be back from long gone. (Wattpad was the only place I made Billie content)
For the loves who are reading, inspiration source is definitely from her newest album ๐ซถ๐ฝ๐ (HAVE YOU LISTENED TO IT BC I DID AND I DIED)
The book will be the summer vibe of this year! I know there aren't many people reading this at the moment which is fine but hopefully you can give it a chance and let me know what you think? Loving Billie is seriously fun I swear ๐คญ๐๐ซถ๐ฝ
would you ever consider writing Billie fics on wattpad ? Cause most people that read Billie fics are over there and I think theyโd love your fics if you wrote them there
The Journalist (Billie Eilish interracial story) can also be read on Wattpad!!
My username is: naftalyspaces
Thank you for pointing this out!! ๐ค๐ซถ๐ฝ
Everything I publish on here is also on my Wattpad page! For the readers who loves Billie Eilish (like I do) I have six other books about her on my Wattpad account! Check it out if you have interest!
In the bustling streets of London, Elsie, a junior reporter, finds herself at the epicenter of the city's most influential entertainment news office. But when an unexpected opportunity arises to elevate her career, Elsie must convince her skeptical superiors that this promotion is more than just a stepping stoneโit's her destiny.
Her new assignment? Digging into the mysterious life of a famous musician. Elsie knows she has to impress her superiors with this story. As she digs deeper, she discovers more than she expected, pushing her boundaries.
With each day, Elsie uncovers feelings that blurs her role as a journalist. As she grows closer to the musician, she faces tough choices about where her loyalties lie.
In London's competitive entertainment scene, Elsie must tread carefully, knowing one mistake could ruin everything she's worked for.
Authorโs note
Hi love, welcome to the first chapter of the newest Billie book! I hope you like it! Don't forget to leave out a comment what you think! Also, I think for the up coming chapters I will use a pov. ๐ค I don't have much to say now, thank you for reading this ๐คญ๐ค
As her crystal blue eyes locked onto Elsie's gaze, a captivating connection formed between them. With a smug smile gracing her lips, she sang her song about passion and desire, drawing Elsie into a world of intoxicating allure. At that moment, amidst the sea of faces in the arena, Elsie felt weightless, as if they were the sole inhabitants of their private universe. It was a night suffused with a luscious excitement, a feeling Elsie had never experienced before, igniting a flame of longing that burned brightly within her soul.
March, 10, 2022
London, England
As rain fell on London's busy streets, the city buzzed with activity. People hurried by under the colorful umbrellas, dodging the puddles and seeking shelter.
Elsie joined the throng, feeling the energy of the city despite the gloomy weather. Her right hand is clinging to her purple umbrella stem. Elsie's other hand is wrapped around a coffee cup from the Pret cafe corner she makes a quick stop.
Something Elsie is known for, she can't start the day without a hot brew in her system. Black Americano roast with no sugar will do the job for her.
Elsie stood in front of the big building where escapism would be created for people who want to relax from their daily lives. She looked up at its tall shape, rain pouring down the windows. The building had smooth lines going up, and each raindrop made the windows shiny. People were going in through the spinning door, trying to get out of the rain. The building seemed to poke into the clouds, standing strong in the rainy weather. Other tall buildings around were blurry because of the rain, but Elsie's workplace still stood out, especially the red and black letters of the great business called Britbuzz Media.
Elsie approached the revolving door, neatly folding her umbrella before stepping inside. Her unmistakable presence was always honored by the vivid red of her cashmere coat, which blends beautifully with her warm undertone and rich mahogany skin. It's like her mark, Elsie's favorite fabric to wear.
Her long dark brown defined curls are draped on the red fabric. Her curls are voluminous each curl dancing around her shoulders. Most people who approach Elsie couldn't help but have a smile on their faces. Not only because of her dancing curls or her cheerfully red coat, but her face as well. Elsie has a beautiful appearance. Her round brown eyes have a gentle crinkling of genuine happiness and softness. When her full lips have an upward curve, two dimples appear on her cheeks and this intense glow in her eyes forms like stars in the night sky. If something is way too funny for Elsie, she tends to show her white teeth. She had braces when she was little so her teeth are perfectly aligned.
Elsie was warmly greeted by a handful of her colleagues as they hurried past her, likely assigned to venture out on the road. With a quick sweep of the area, Elsie's eyes alighted on her favorite counter attendant, serenely stationed at his post.
"Frankie!" Elsie cheerfully waved a pack of fresh cookies she just fished out of her purse. The heels of her black leathered boots clicked on the smooth flooring. The thirty-five-year-old bald man with a white mustache and black stylish glasses greets Elsie with an amused laugh.
"I'm always waiting for the moment when you try to make me fat with my favorite cookies," Frankie revealed and grabbed the pack when Elsie placed it in front of him on the counter. When Elsie was a newbie here, no one wanted to help her find her way into this busy business. Frankie was so generous to be there for her and ever since, they have been here for each other through thick and thin. It's like a great friend at work.
"And you don't mind at all."
"You know me, sis." He snapped his fingers and grabbed the pack. Elsie had a playful smile and was about to take a sip out of her coffee cup. Frankie suspiciously looked left and right and signed her to come closer to him. Elsie placed her arms on the counter and leaned forward. "There are rumors of a new job offer. Britbuzz is having their channel soon so they want news reporters for their channel. Only employees have a chance to earn this job."
Elsie wheezed stunned. She is already living her dream, working for Britbuzz. Her current job is to write celebrity news for the Britsbuzz teens platform. She loves her job, but this isn't her dream job. Elsie wants to be in the spotlights, she wants her talk show that broadcasts all over the world. Working at Britbuzz will eventually lead her to her dream, she believes she can make it true someday.
Hearing of this new job offer, being on television for Britbuzz is a huge chance for Elsie. Frankie knew about her dream so he just wanted to give her a heads-up. He gave her a wink and took a bite of his cookie.
Elsie stepped inside the elevator and pressed on ground level six. She holds the lanyard that's around her neck with her personalized Britbuzz pass tightly.
The elevator stopped by every level, employees walked in and out. One of them glanced at Elsie. "I liked your newest article! I didn't know Kylie Jenner was such a naughty woman! Cheating with someone else. Wow!" Her co-worker giggled. "How did you find out?" She asks curiously.
Elsie smiled a little devilishly. Other co-workers are listening to this conversation. "I just had the paparazzi team flying over to check it out for me. Someone from TMZ clarified this in my mail as well." Elsie rubbed her lips together, the soft lubricate of her gloss made her plump lips more shinier with a bit of red shade. the elevator approached the sixth floor, the doors opened "Appearances are deceiving, we call. Excuse me."
Elsie walks confidently out of the elevator. The co-workers kept staring at her till the elevator door closed. She is in a room full of closed offices. There is also a kitchen and a lounge area where you can take a break and an outside terrace where you can get some fresh air. She waved to a few of the employees who were sitting inside their office, the walls were made of glass so there wasn't privacy at all in this building.
Elsie steps into her sleek office space, where the panoramic views of London's bustling cityscape unfold through expansive glass walls. From the desk nestled against one side of the room. A state-of-the-art computer hums softly, its screen alive with the latest updates and enticing tidbits of celebrity gossip. Adjacent to the desk, a pristine whiteboard stands as a testament to the office's vibrant energy, adorned with a colorful collage of headlines, rumors, and insider scoops meticulously curated by Elsie.
The air is alive with the buzz of creativity and collaboration, as the office hums with activity. A cozy corner is adorned with plush seating and vibrant decor, inviting moments of respite and inspiration. Colorful trinkets and mementos adorn shelves, adding a personal touch to the space and infusing it with Elsie's warmth and personality.
Elsie breathed in and let out a loud sigh of solace. She's just happy to be back at work again. She took off her red coat, leaving her in a white blouse with the sleeves rolled up a little, the ends inside her plaid skirt. She placed her cup of coffee on her desk and walked to her lounge corner. She kneeled and picked out a vinyl album from Lana Del Ray. Just to start her morning peacefully. She placed the vinyl on her record player and started to play the whole album with a minimum sound. The walls are soundless, but Elsie wanted to make sure she wouldn't disturb anyone's work. Working for Britbuzz can be hectic sometimes. She experienced it a lot of times.
Her co-worker Oscar had watched Elsie's arrival, so he was waiting for the right moment to say hi. He's carrying the same lanyard but with a different pass. He's one of the cameramen of Britbuzz. He mostly works together with Elsie when she's in an event for work and he needs to film when she's going to report for their Britsbuzz YouTube channel.
Oscar sees Elsie dancing inside her office. He grinned watching her for a little while. He has a crush on Elsie, just the moment he met her. Elsie turns around and sees Oscar outside of her office staring at her. She immediately stopped dancing and rolled her eyes, opening the door for him. "You creep!" She walks back inside her office. Oscar snickered and sat down on her fluffy seat.
"Good morning to you too, sunshine." He spread his arms against the backrest, watching Elsie walk around her desk. She sat down on her white desk chair and logged in on her computer. She has received a few emails she needed to answer soon. Oscar could see that Elsie was a bit tense. "What happened to your mood, Lana Del Ray is still playing you know?"
Elsie almost felt obliged to say what she just heard before arriving at her office. She quickly stands up and walks fast towards the door. She closed it and turned to Oscar. "There's a rumor about a job offer and I want it. Badly!" Oscar's brows knitted together.
"Oh well, they just published a job offer at the lounge." Oscar pointed in the direction with his thumb. Elsie's eyes widened, and now she realized why it looked so quiet here. Most of her co-workers are probably thinking of how to prove themselves for this newest job that will make a huge step in their careers.
"Need to go, NOW!" Elsie hurried out of her office, not caring that she was wearing boots with high heels. Arriving, she sees six of her colleagues looking at the job offer poster. She made her way to read the information. "Excuse me, futuristic news anchors need to go through." Elsie stands in front of them.
A woman next to her laughed sarcastically. Elsie knows that laugh way too well. Anne Marilynn, her co-worker writes gossip about athletes. Let's say, Elsie and Anne aren't vibing with each other. "You being the news anchors? Don't let me laugh. They only want blonde on television, you don't make any chance I'm sorry to break it to you." Anne flipped her blonde hair out of the way. Elsie looked around, everyone was peeking at her. The only black woman in this high position. It sometimes feels lonely out here.
Elsie felt her face burning with humiliation as she replayed what Anne told her in her mind. The smug smirk on her colleague's face and the mocking tone in Anne's voice were all too much to bear. How dare she belittle me like that? That's what Elsie thought. Elsie seethed with anger, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. She felt a surge of heat rising in her chest, threatening to spill over into a torrent of rage.
But beneath the anger, there was a deeper, more insidious feeling of humiliation. She couldn't shake the sense of shame that had settled over her like a heavy cloak. As she struggled to compose herself, Elsie vowed that she would not let her colleague get the bad of her. She would show them all that she was not to be underestimated.
Elsie smiled confidently, Anne looked offended by the way Elsie was handling this situation. "How foreign of you that you use appearance as an opportunity. It takes more, I wish you the best of luck. Cheerio!" She waved in Anne's face. She gasped taking a step back. Elsie let out a giggle and turned around walking out of the small crowd. She handled it well, but it didn't take away that it hurt what Anne just said. Elsie has worked her ass off to get the position where she is now.
She bites her lip, she just can't wait to hide in her office and let her lead into the celebrity gossip.
Her supervisor Henry appeared in the doorway. "Elsie, can I have a word with you?" Elsie immediately turns around and nods. He walks inside his office taking a seat behind his desk. "Close the door behind you." Elsie did what he said and sat down across from his desk. The powerful man who's behind the entertainment news is Henry Archer. He gives Elsie and the rest of the team a chance to work at Britbuzz.
"I wanted to congratulate you personally on your Kylie Jenner scandal, everyone loves it." Elsie has a contented smile, she feels relieved that he has good news for her. It's always scary when someone is called by him, there could be good or bad news. If he's not happy with the work, you will hear from him soon enough. She thanked him. "Can you tell me your further plans?" He has his elbows on his desk.
"Yes. I was thinking of focusing on the drama that has been going on with Cardi B and her boyfriend Offsetโ." Henry let out a hum.
"No, something else." He simply said. Elsie's lips parted, and now she's feeling nervous. Not getting Henry satisfied isn't good for her career at all. She nods.
"O-okay. I also had plans with Kanye Wโ." Henry managed to interrupt Elsie again.
"That man has so many problems that it's getting boring for our readers. I have something else for you." He pointed at Elsie and typed something on his computer. Elsie silently waited for him, her head was spinning at what he now had in store for her.
He turns his screen towards her. "Do you know who that is?" He pointed at a picture of a light-skinned girl with blue eyes and green and black hair. She's wearing all green.
"That's pop sensation Billie Eilish, sir," Elsie answered and viewed him. "I don't understand. Billie is the most unproblematic celebrity she's one of the few that wants to stay out of trouble." Elsie explains. Henry smiled and pointed at her.
"And that is why I need you for this job. Billie Eilish is very hot among teenagers and grown-ups. Britbuzz will receive a lot more readers when Billie's name appears in our articles. Do your research on her, how is her life out of the spotlight? Is her family really that perfect or are they hiding a secret family drama? What about Billie's love life?" Elsie understands the assignment, but she has no idea where to start.
"Okay, but how am I going to do that? Billie is very private in these situations and she manages to keep it like that. None ever caught her in any situation." Elsie crossed her legs. Henry smiled and leaned a little forward.
"You need to do whatever it takes to get the information you need, Elsie. You are a part of Britbuzz, you have the right to be anywhere and everywhere you need to be to do your work. Also, you are young and have a beautiful appearance, you will get where you need to be. You just need to play along. That's all."
Elsie doesn't know what to say. "I know that you want this new job offer. If you can give me Billie scandal, then I'm highly sure that you are worth the job. See this like aโ. Trial period. Every employee who wants that job has a trial period. This is yours, Elsie. I count on you."
This sentence kept in Elsie's mind. She needs to let all the celebrities down and focus on one specific one. Billie Eilish. Back inside her office, Elsie made sure her whiteboard was empty. She hung a current picture of Billie in the center and started to write all the detailed information about her around the picture.
Elsie needed to use all her expertise for this task. After a few hours, Oscar walks inside Elsie's office holding two cups of coffee. He sees a pile of magazines with Billie Eilish on the cover spread around Elsie's desk.
"What happened here?" Oscar watched Elsie standing in front of her whiteboard full of information about this pop star. "Is that Billie Eilish?" Elsie nods and walks over to them. They are standing against the desk holding their coffee while they look at the whiteboard.
"This woman is going to make sure I get the job I want to get." Elsie pointed at Billie's picture and took a sip of her coffee. She hums and turns to him. "Are you free next week on a weekend?" Elsie asked smiling stunningly. Oscar blushed a little at her sudden action.
"I have free time!" He said fast. Elsie nods.
"Good, we are going to a Billie Eilish concert! I have a week of study to do, I need to know her songs!" Elsie walks out of her office. Oscar groaned in disappointment. He was hoping for a date with her.
๏ฟผ___________________________________
"Oh my god. I'm soo lucky to have you as my friend!" Elsie's best friend Lily screams it out. "WE ARE GOING TO BILLIE EILISH!!" She couldn't help but scream again from excitement. Oscar who's driving the company car jumps a little out of shock. Lily was screaming so loud that it caught him off guard.
Elsie who was sitting next to him laughed and turned around so she could face Lily on the back. "I'm so happy I can take you. I remember that you couldn't get any tickets for her show." Lily nods.
"It was so dramatic I constantly got kicked out of Ticketmaster when I was queuing. It was such a traumatic experience." Lily sighed, Elsie pouted holding her hand for support. She knows that Lily has been a huge Billie fan for a long time.
"But now we are going together now!" Elsie cheered her on Lily nodded and bounced on her seat from excitement. The girls laughed, Oscar watched them through the rearview mirror and let out a chuckle.
They parked next to the venue. Oscar is unloading the equipment Elsie and he needs to do their work. Elsie helped him carry while the three of them were walking towards the venue entrance. A couple of hundred fans are standing in line, waiting patiently for the venue to open so they can secure their great spot to see Billie up close or just have their reserved seating spot. A few of the fans spotted them.
"Wait I know that red coat, that's Elsie from Britsbuzz! Oh my god!" A fan shouts out and stands up from her spot. She jumped up and waved at Elsie. All of a sudden a lot of fans became aware of Elsie's presence.
Elsie smiled and waved at them. She turned to Lily. "We are doing some work for a bit then I will join you!" Lily smiled and nodded she enjoyed herself by going to the merchandise stand on her own.
Elsie is holding her Britsbuzz microphone and Oscar is carrying his professional camera on his shoulder. Elsie fixed her hair a little and applied extra lipstick.
"How do I look?" She asks eyeing Oscar. He couldn't help but blush a little. He knows that Elsie is looking way too beautiful, as she always does in his eyes.
"You look beautiful." He answers staring at her. Elsie nods. "Uhโ." He clears his throat and turns his black Britsbuzz cap on his head so the front is on the back. He looked into the camera. "Ready?" Elsie nods smiling a little. "Alright, three, twoโ." He points at her. Elsie has an adorable smile and stands straight and strong. She held the microphone in front of her chin.
"Good afternoon ladies and gents, my name is Elsie from Britsbuzz and we are located at the O2 arena because tonight a world phenomenon is going to perform. It is none other than!" Oscar filmed the fans who were standing behind Elsie.
"Billie Eilish!" The fans screamed at the top of their lungs.
Elsie laughed. "Keep watching!" Elsie did a few interviews with the fans. There are also atmosphere videos made of fans singing and dancing to Billie's songs. Elsie called a DJ over so he could play live Billie music for the fans, she just made sure the fans got a little entertainment before they were able to get inside the venue with full energy for the show.
In the heart of the venue, Elsie, Oscar, and Lily find themselves nestled in secluded seats, a private retreat with an unparalleled view of the stage. Positioned in the coveted front row, they eagerly anticipate Billie's arrival after a captivating performance by a special guest.
As Billie takes the stage, the atmosphere electrifies with the passionate cries and tears of adoring fans. Lily leaps to her feet, her excitement palpable as she captures every moment on her phone. Meanwhile, Elsie sits upright, her gaze fixed on the screen, where the talented American pop sensation enchants her audience with her soul-stirring melodies and infectious smile. It's a moment of pure magic as Billie performs for her devoted fans, each one eagerly awaiting her every word and gesture.
Elsie couldn't help but admire Billie's passion for her craft. It was evident that she poured her heart and soul into her performance, radiating a sense of empowerment with every note she sang. As Elsie observed, Billie's attention to detail extended beyond her music to her meticulously curated outfit. From the vibrant patterns adorning her layers of oversized clothing to the playful accessories like her black beanie adorned with fiery red flames, every element seemed to reflect Billie's unique style and personality. With her hair styled in twin tails and her ensemble completed by holey gloves and stylish sneakers, Billie's outfit was a true reflection of her artistic vision and individuality.
Also, the respect Elsie has for Billie's genuine affection for her fans. Not only did Billie express heartfelt gratitude for their support, but she also made personal connections with them, taking the time to interact and show her appreciation. What truly impressed Elsie was Billie's compassionate nature. She didn't hesitate to pause the show twice when a fan needed medical attention, ensuring they received care and even arranging water breaks to keep everyone comfortable. Billie's thoughtful gestures exemplified her as a true artist, not just in her music, but in her care for those around her.
Oscar and Lily are sitting down after they jump around on Billie's uptempo songs. Elsie lifted herself off of her seat and placed her hands on the railing, looking down at the fans underneath her. She's deep in thought about her work. She has no clue how to start, to come up with a good story about Billie Eilish. But how will she manage to do that when Billie is just being Billie?
The spotlight accidentally stopped right where Elsie was standing. Billie is sitting on the edge of the stage grasping a few hands of the fans, while she's singing for them. "Wait, is that Elsie over there?" Billie heard a fan saying. She kept singing while she was glancing sideways out of curiosity. She stood back up and turned around, while she walked towards the center of her stage, Billie was looking up at the crowd. She noticed the spotlight shining on Elsie.
"They are working on it." Billie heard her brother Finneas's voice inside her earpiece. He is playing the electric guitar. Billie sees the downcasted facial expression of Elsie. She's wondering what's on her mind and why she isn't joyful at a concert.
In that enchanted moment, Elsie felt a magnetic connection with Billie as their eyes met, the spotlight casting a luminous glow upon her. Though not typically shy, Elsie couldn't help but be surprised by Billie's lingering gaze, her heart fluttering to the rhythm of the music and Billie's melodic voice. A soft smile graced Elsie's lips, mirroring the coy expression on Billie's face, igniting a playful exchange between them.
In that fleeting moment of connection, Elsie realized that she no longer needed to hold any anxiety. She remembered her supervisor's adviceโto simply go with the flow. With a subtle gesture, she delicately grazed her lip with her teeth, a tantalizing display that momentarily caught Billie off guard, reminding her of her presence on stage.
As the music continued, Billie's laughter rang out through the microphone, her playful behavior endearing her even more to the adoring crowd. "Fuck, I forgot the words," she confessed, eliciting an uproar of laughter and support from her fans.
In the bustling streets of London, Elsie, a junior reporter, finds herself at the epicenter of the city's most influential entertainment news office. But when an unexpected opportunity arises to elevate her career, Elsie must convince her skeptical superiors that this promotion is more than just a stepping stoneโit's her destiny.
Her new assignment? Digging into the mysterious life of a famous musician. Elsie knows she has to impress her superiors with this story. As she digs deeper, she discovers more than she expected, pushing her boundaries.
With each day, Elsie uncovers feelings that blurs her role as a journalist. As she grows closer to the musician, she faces tough choices about where her loyalties lie.
In London's competitive entertainment scene, Elsie must tread carefully, knowing one mistake could ruin everything she's worked for.
I've been thinking for awhile and I finally decided to just do it! I'm here with a new Billie story y'all! I've made Billie stories before but this will be the first time on Tumblr! I know y'all have found me writing about Letitia and I still want to find my way back to it because I have made a beginning of something new about her! But I just wanted to have a little break and see where my writer's mind is going. Which leads me to here, lol.
My very first interracial couple story just published on my birthday๐! I never knew I had the confidence to write about this context but I'm here now and I'm so excited! I hope you are with me through this new journey๐ฅโค๏ธ๐
In the bustling streets of London, Elsie, a junior reporter, finds herself at the epicenter of the city's most influential entertainment news office. But when an unexpected opportunity arises to elevate her career, Elsie must convince her skeptical superiors that this promotion is more than just a stepping stoneโit's her destiny.
Her new assignment? Digging into the mysterious life of a famous musician. Elsie knows she has to impress her superiors with this story. As she digs deeper, she discovers more than she expected, pushing her boundaries.
With each day, Elsie uncovers feelings that blurs her role as a journalist. As she grows closer to the musician, she faces tough choices about where her loyalties lie.
In London's competitive entertainment scene, Elsie must tread carefully, knowing one mistake could ruin everything she's worked for.
Authorโs note
Hi love, welcome to the first chapter of the newest Billie book! I hope you like it! Don't forget to leave out a comment what you think! Also, I think for the up coming chapters I will use a pov. ๐ค I don't have much to say now, thank you for reading this ๐คญ๐ค
As her crystal blue eyes locked onto Elsie's gaze, a captivating connection formed between them. With a smug smile gracing her lips, she sang her song about passion and desire, drawing Elsie into a world of intoxicating allure. At that moment, amidst the sea of faces in the arena, Elsie felt weightless, as if they were the sole inhabitants of their private universe. It was a night suffused with a luscious excitement, a feeling Elsie had never experienced before, igniting a flame of longing that burned brightly within her soul.
March, 10, 2023
London, England
As rain fell on London's busy streets, the city buzzed with activity. People hurried by under the colorful umbrellas, dodging the puddles and seeking shelter.
Elsie joined the throng, feeling the energy of the city despite the gloomy weather. Her right hand is clinging to her purple umbrella stem. Elsie's other hand is wrapped around a coffee cup from the Pret cafe corner she makes a quick stop.
Something Elsie is known for, she can't start the day without a hot brew in her system. Black Americano roast with no sugar will do the job for her.
Elsie stood in front of the big building where escapism would be created for people who want to relax from their daily lives. She looked up at its tall shape, rain pouring down the windows. The building had smooth lines going up, and each raindrop made the windows shiny. People were going in through the spinning door, trying to get out of the rain. The building seemed to poke into the clouds, standing strong in the rainy weather. Other tall buildings around were blurry because of the rain, but Elsie's workplace still stood out, especially the red and black letters of the great business called Britbuzz Media.
Elsie approached the revolving door, neatly folding her umbrella before stepping inside. Her unmistakable presence was always honored by the vivid red of her cashmere coat, which blends beautifully with her warm undertone and rich mahogany skin. It's like her mark, Elsie's favorite fabric to wear.
Her long dark brown defined curls are draped on the red fabric. Her curls are voluminous each curl dancing around her shoulders. Most people who approach Elsie couldn't help but have a smile on their faces. Not only because of her dancing curls or her cheerfully red coat, but her face as well. Elsie has a beautiful appearance. Her round brown eyes have a gentle crinkling of genuine happiness and softness. When her full lips have an upward curve, two dimples appear on her cheeks and this intense glow in her eyes forms like stars in the night sky. If something is way too funny for Elsie, she tends to show her white teeth. She had braces when she was little so her teeth are perfectly aligned.
Elsie was warmly greeted by a handful of her colleagues as they hurried past her, likely assigned to venture out on the road. With a quick sweep of the area, Elsie's eyes alighted on her favorite counter attendant, serenely stationed at his post.
"Frankie!" Elsie cheerfully waved a pack of fresh cookies she just fished out of her purse. The heels of her black leathered boots clicked on the smooth flooring. The thirty-five-year-old bald man with a white mustache and black stylish glasses greets Elsie with an amused laugh.
"I'm always waiting for the moment when you try to make me fat with my favorite cookies," Frankie revealed and grabbed the pack when Elsie placed it in front of him on the counter. When Elsie was a newbie here, no one wanted to help her find her way into this busy business. Frankie was so generous to be there for her and ever since, they have been here for each other through thick and thin. It's like a great friend at work.
"And you don't mind at all."
"You know me, sis." He snapped his fingers and grabbed the pack. Elsie had a playful smile and was about to take a sip out of her coffee cup. Frankie suspiciously looked left and right and signed her to come closer to him. Elsie placed her arms on the counter and leaned forward. "There are rumors of a new job offer. Britbuzz is having their channel soon so they want news reporters for their channel. Only employees have a chance to earn this job."
Elsie wheezed stunned. She is already living her dream, working for Britbuzz. Her current job is to write celebrity news for the Britsbuzz teens platform. She loves her job, but this isn't her dream job. Elsie wants to be in the spotlights, she wants her talk show that broadcasts all over the world. Working at Britbuzz will eventually lead her to her dream, she believes she can make it true someday.
Hearing of this new job offer, being on television for Britbuzz is a huge chance for Elsie. Frankie knew about her dream so he just wanted to give her a heads-up. He gave her a wink and took a bite of his cookie.
Elsie stepped inside the elevator and pressed on ground level six. She holds the lanyard that's around her neck with her personalized Britbuzz pass tightly.
The elevator stopped by every level, employees walked in and out. One of them glanced at Elsie. "I liked your newest article! I didn't know Kylie Jenner was such a naughty woman! Cheating with someone else. Wow!" Her co-worker giggled. "How did you find out?" She asks curiously.
Elsie smiled a little devilishly. Other co-workers are listening to this conversation. "I just had the paparazzi team flying over to check it out for me. Someone from TMZ clarified this in my mail as well." Elsie rubbed her lips together, the soft lubricate of her gloss made her plump lips more shinier with a bit of red shade. the elevator approached the sixth floor, the doors opened "Appearances are deceiving, we call. Excuse me."
Elsie walks confidently out of the elevator. The co-workers kept staring at her till the elevator door closed. She is in a room full of closed offices. There is also a kitchen and a lounge area where you can take a break and an outside terrace where you can get some fresh air. She waved to a few of the employees who were sitting inside their office, the walls were made of glass so there wasn't privacy at all in this building.
Elsie steps into her sleek office space, where the panoramic views of London's bustling cityscape unfold through expansive glass walls. From the desk nestled against one side of the room. A state-of-the-art computer hums softly, its screen alive with the latest updates and enticing tidbits of celebrity gossip. Adjacent to the desk, a pristine whiteboard stands as a testament to the office's vibrant energy, adorned with a colorful collage of headlines, rumors, and insider scoops meticulously curated by Elsie.
The air is alive with the buzz of creativity and collaboration, as the office hums with activity. A cozy corner is adorned with plush seating and vibrant decor, inviting moments of respite and inspiration. Colorful trinkets and mementos adorn shelves, adding a personal touch to the space and infusing it with Elsie's warmth and personality.
Elsie breathed in and let out a loud sigh of solace. She's just happy to be back at work again. She took off her red coat, leaving her in a white blouse with the sleeves rolled up a little, the ends inside her plaid skirt. She placed her cup of coffee on her desk and walked to her lounge corner. She kneeled and picked out a vinyl album from Lana Del Ray. Just to start her morning peacefully. She placed the vinyl on her record player and started to play the whole album with a minimum sound. The walls are soundless, but Elsie wanted to make sure she wouldn't disturb anyone's work. Working for Britbuzz can be hectic sometimes. She experienced it a lot of times.
Her co-worker Oscar had watched Elsie's arrival, so he was waiting for the right moment to say hi. He's carrying the same lanyard but with a different pass. He's one of the cameramen of Britbuzz. He mostly works together with Elsie when she's in an event for work and he needs to film when she's going to report for their Britsbuzz YouTube channel.
Oscar sees Elsie dancing inside her office. He grinned watching her for a little while. He has a crush on Elsie, just the moment he met her. Elsie turns around and sees Oscar outside of her office staring at her. She immediately stopped dancing and rolled her eyes, opening the door for him. "You creep!" She walks back inside her office. Oscar snickered and sat down on her fluffy seat.
"Good morning to you too, sunshine." He spread his arms against the backrest, watching Elsie walk around her desk. She sat down on her white desk chair and logged in on her computer. She has received a few emails she needed to answer soon. Oscar could see that Elsie was a bit tense. "What happened to your mood, Lana Del Ray is still playing you know?"
Elsie almost felt obliged to say what she just heard before arriving at her office. She quickly stands up and walks fast towards the door. She closed it and turned to Oscar. "There's a rumor about a job offer and I want it. Badly!" Oscar's brows knitted together.
"Oh well, they just published a job offer at the lounge." Oscar pointed in the direction with his thumb. Elsie's eyes widened, and now she realized why it looked so quiet here. Most of her co-workers are probably thinking of how to prove themselves for this newest job that will make a huge step in their careers.
"Need to go, NOW!" Elsie hurried out of her office, not caring that she was wearing boots with high heels. Arriving, she sees six of her colleagues looking at the job offer poster. She made her way to read the information. "Excuse me, futuristic news anchors need to go through." Elsie stands in front of them.
A woman next to her laughed sarcastically. Elsie knows that laugh way too well. Anne Marilynn, her co-worker writes gossip about athletes. Let's say, Elsie and Anne aren't vibing with each other. "You being the news anchors? Don't let me laugh. They only want blonde on television, you don't make any chance I'm sorry to break it to you." Anne flipped her blonde hair out of the way. Elsie looked around, everyone was peeking at her. The only black woman in this high position. It sometimes feels lonely out here.
Elsie felt her face burning with humiliation as she replayed what Anne told her in her mind. The smug smirk on her colleague's face and the mocking tone in Anne's voice were all too much to bear. How dare she belittle me like that? That's what Elsie thought. Elsie seethed with anger, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. She felt a surge of heat rising in her chest, threatening to spill over into a torrent of rage.
But beneath the anger, there was a deeper, more insidious feeling of humiliation. She couldn't shake the sense of shame that had settled over her like a heavy cloak. As she struggled to compose herself, Elsie vowed that she would not let her colleague get the bad of her. She would show them all that she was not to be underestimated.
Elsie smiled confidently, Anne looked offended by the way Elsie was handling this situation. "How foreign of you that you use appearance as an opportunity. It takes more, I wish you the best of luck. Cheerio!" She waved in Anne's face. She gasped taking a step back. Elsie let out a giggle and turned around walking out of the small crowd. She handled it well, but it didn't take away that it hurt what Anne just said. Elsie has worked her ass off to get the position where she is now.
She bites her lip, she just can't wait to hide in her office and let her lead into the celebrity gossip.
Her supervisor Henry appeared in the doorway. "Elsie, can I have a word with you?" Elsie immediately turns around and nods. He walks inside his office taking a seat behind his desk. "Close the door behind you." Elsie did what he said and sat down across from his desk. The powerful man who's behind the entertainment news is Henry Archer. He gives Elsie and the rest of the team a chance to work at Britbuzz.
"I wanted to congratulate you personally on your Kylie Jenner scandal, everyone loves it." Elsie has a contented smile, she feels relieved that he has good news for her. It's always scary when someone is called by him, there could be good or bad news. If he's not happy with the work, you will hear from him soon enough. She thanked him. "Can you tell me your further plans?" He has his elbows on his desk.
"Yes. I was thinking of focusing on the drama that has been going on with Cardi B and her boyfriend Offsetโ." Henry let out a hum.
"No, something else." He simply said. Elsie's lips parted, and now she's feeling nervous. Not getting Henry satisfied isn't good for her career at all. She nods.
"O-okay. I also had plans with Kanye Wโ." Henry managed to interrupt Elsie again.
"That man has so many problems that it's getting boring for our readers. I have something else for you." He pointed at Elsie and typed something on his computer. Elsie silently waited for him, her head was spinning at what he now had in store for her.
He turns his screen towards her. "Do you know who that is?" He pointed at a picture of a light-skinned girl with blue eyes and green and black hair. She's wearing all green.
"That's pop sensation Billie Eilish, sir," Elsie answered and viewed him. "I don't understand. Billie is the most unproblematic celebrity she's one of the few that wants to stay out of trouble." Elsie explains. Henry smiled and pointed at her.
"And that is why I need you for this job. Billie Eilish is very hot among teenagers and grown-ups. Britbuzz will receive a lot more readers when Billie's name appears in our articles. Do your research on her, how is her life out of the spotlight? Is her family really that perfect or are they hiding a secret family drama? What about Billie's love life?" Elsie understands the assignment, but she has no idea where to start.
"Okay, but how am I going to do that? Billie is very private in these situations and she manages to keep it like that. None ever caught her in any situation." Elsie crossed her legs. Henry smiled and leaned a little forward.
"You need to do whatever it takes to get the information you need, Elsie. You are a part of Britbuzz, you have the right to be anywhere and everywhere you need to be to do your work. Also, you are young and have a beautiful appearance, you will get where you need to be. You just need to play along. That's all."
Elsie doesn't know what to say. "I know that you want this new job offer. If you can give me Billie scandal, then I'm highly sure that you are worth the job. See this like aโ. Trial period. Every employee who wants that job has a trial period. This is yours, Elsie. I count on you."
This sentence kept in Elsie's mind. She needs to let all the celebrities down and focus on one specific one. Billie Eilish. Back inside her office, Elsie made sure her whiteboard was empty. She hung a current picture of Billie in the center and started to write all the detailed information about her around the picture.
Elsie needed to use all her expertise for this task. After a few hours, Oscar walks inside Elsie's office holding two cups of coffee. He sees a pile of magazines with Billie Eilish on the cover spread around Elsie's desk.
"What happened here?" Oscar watched Elsie standing in front of her whiteboard full of information about this pop star. "Is that Billie Eilish?" Elsie nods and walks over to them. They are standing against the desk holding their coffee while they look at the whiteboard.
"This woman is going to make sure I get the job I want to get." Elsie pointed at Billie's picture and took a sip of her coffee. She hums and turns to him. "Are you free next week on a weekend?" Elsie asked smiling stunningly. Oscar blushed a little at her sudden action.
"I have free time!" He said fast. Elsie nods.
"Good, we are going to a Billie Eilish concert! I have a week of study to do, I need to know her songs!" Elsie walks out of her office. Oscar groaned in disappointment. He was hoping for a date with her.
๏ฟผ___________________________________
"Oh my god. I'm soo lucky to have you as my friend!" Elsie's best friend Lily screams it out. "WE ARE GOING TO BILLIE EILISH!!" She couldn't help but scream again from excitement. Oscar who's driving the company car jumps a little out of shock. Lily was screaming so loud that it caught him off guard.
Elsie who was sitting next to him laughed and turned around so she could face Lily on the back. "I'm so happy I can take you. I remember that you couldn't get any tickets for her show." Lily nods.
"It was so dramatic I constantly got kicked out of Ticketmaster when I was queuing. It was such a traumatic experience." Lily sighed, Elsie pouted holding her hand for support. She knows that Lily has been a huge Billie fan for a long time.
"But now we are going together now!" Elsie cheered her on Lily nodded and bounced on her seat from excitement. The girls laughed, Oscar watched them through the rearview mirror and let out a chuckle.
They parked next to the venue. Oscar is unloading the equipment Elsie and he needs to do their work. Elsie helped him carry while the three of them were walking towards the venue entrance. A couple of hundred fans are standing in line, waiting patiently for the venue to open so they can secure their great spot to see Billie up close or just have their reserved seating spot. A few of the fans spotted them.
"Wait I know that red coat, that's Elsie from Britsbuzz! Oh my god!" A fan shouts out and stands up from her spot. She jumped up and waved at Elsie. All of a sudden a lot of fans became aware of Elsie's presence.
Elsie smiled and waved at them. She turned to Lily. "We are doing some work for a bit then I will join you!" Lily smiled and nodded she enjoyed herself by going to the merchandise stand on her own.
Elsie is holding her Britsbuzz microphone and Oscar is carrying his professional camera on his shoulder. Elsie fixed her hair a little and applied extra lipstick.
"How do I look?" She asks eyeing Oscar. He couldn't help but blush a little. He knows that Elsie is looking way too beautiful, as she always does in his eyes.
"You look beautiful." He answers staring at her. Elsie nods. "Uhโ." He clears his throat and turns his black Britsbuzz cap on his head so the front is on the back. He looked into the camera. "Ready?" Elsie nods smiling a little. "Alright, three, twoโ." He points at her. Elsie has an adorable smile and stands straight and strong. She held the microphone in front of her chin.
"Good afternoon ladies and gents, my name is Elsie from Britsbuzz and we are located at the O2 arena because tonight a world phenomenon is going to perform. It is none other than!" Oscar filmed the fans who were standing behind Elsie.
"Billie Eilish!" The fans screamed at the top of their lungs.
Elsie laughed. "Keep watching!" Elsie did a few interviews with the fans. There are also atmosphere videos made of fans singing and dancing to Billie's songs. Elsie called a DJ over so he could play live Billie music for the fans, she just made sure the fans got a little entertainment before they were able to get inside the venue with full energy for the show.
In the heart of the venue, Elsie, Oscar, and Lily find themselves nestled in secluded seats, a private retreat with an unparalleled view of the stage. Positioned in the coveted front row, they eagerly anticipate Billie's arrival after a captivating performance by a special guest.
As Billie takes the stage, the atmosphere electrifies with the passionate cries and tears of adoring fans. Lily leaps to her feet, her excitement palpable as she captures every moment on her phone. Meanwhile, Elsie sits upright, her gaze fixed on the screen, where the talented American pop sensation enchants her audience with her soul-stirring melodies and infectious smile. It's a moment of pure magic as Billie performs for her devoted fans, each one eagerly awaiting her every word and gesture.
Elsie couldn't help but admire Billie's passion for her craft. It was evident that she poured her heart and soul into her performance, radiating a sense of empowerment with every note she sang. As Elsie observed, Billie's attention to detail extended beyond her music to her meticulously curated outfit. From the vibrant patterns adorning her layers of oversized clothing to the playful accessories like her black beanie adorned with fiery red flames, every element seemed to reflect Billie's unique style and personality. With her hair styled in twin tails and her ensemble completed by holey gloves and stylish sneakers, Billie's outfit was a true reflection of her artistic vision and individuality.
Also, the respect Elsie has for Billie's genuine affection for her fans. Not only did Billie express heartfelt gratitude for their support, but she also made personal connections with them, taking the time to interact and show her appreciation. What truly impressed Elsie was Billie's compassionate nature. She didn't hesitate to pause the show twice when a fan needed medical attention, ensuring they received care and even arranging water breaks to keep everyone comfortable. Billie's thoughtful gestures exemplified her as a true artist, not just in her music, but in her care for those around her.
Oscar and Lily are sitting down after they jump around on Billie's uptempo songs. Elsie lifted herself off of her seat and placed her hands on the railing, looking down at the fans underneath her. She's deep in thought about her work. She has no clue how to start, to come up with a good story about Billie Eilish. But how will she manage to do that when Billie is just being Billie?
The spotlight accidentally stopped right where Elsie was standing. Billie is sitting on the edge of the stage grasping a few hands of the fans, while she's singing for them. "Wait, is that Elsie over there?" Billie heard a fan saying. She kept singing while she was glancing sideways out of curiosity. She stood back up and turned around, while she walked towards the center of her stage, Billie was looking up at the crowd. She noticed the spotlight shining on Elsie.
"They are working on it." Billie heard her brother Finneas's voice inside her earpiece. He is playing the electric guitar. Billie sees the downcasted facial expression of Elsie. She's wondering what's on her mind and why she isn't joyful at a concert.
In that enchanted moment, Elsie felt a magnetic connection with Billie as their eyes met, the spotlight casting a luminous glow upon her. Though not typically shy, Elsie couldn't help but be surprised by Billie's lingering gaze, her heart fluttering to the rhythm of the music and Billie's melodic voice. A soft smile graced Elsie's lips, mirroring the coy expression on Billie's face, igniting a playful exchange between them.
In that fleeting moment of connection, Elsie realized that she no longer needed to hold any anxiety. She remembered her supervisor's adviceโto simply go with the flow. With a subtle gesture, she delicately grazed her lip with her teeth, a tantalizing display that momentarily caught Billie off guard, reminding her of her presence on stage.
As the music continued, Billie's laughter rang out through the microphone, her playful behavior endearing her even more to the adoring crowd. "Fuck, I forgot the words," she confessed, eliciting an uproar of laughter and support from her fans.