35 -

The party was in full swing in the apartment. Ellie and Billie were sitting together on one corner of the couch, chatting casually, their voices blending with the noise of conversations and music. Despite the chaos around her, Ellie seemed fully focused on what Billie was saying. Their connection was undeniable, marked by exchanged smiles and meaningful glances. Every word Billie spoke seemed to capture Ellie's full attention, as if they were the only two people in the room.

Suddenly, Joan burst into their bubble with a mischievous grin on his face, "Come on, Billie! You're gonna get swallowed up by the couch, it's Beer Pong time, get over here."

Billie: "I'm coming, I'm coming!" she laughed softly, following Joan to the game table. Ellie, watching them leave, smiled as they walked away.

A few minutes later, Ellie joined Billie by the Beer Pong table. They decided to team up, and it quickly became clear that they were unbeatable. Their movements were synchronized, and their chemistry was something to behold. Every time they scored, they high-fived, laughing together, completely absorbed in each other. The other guests watched them with admiration, unable to ignore the obvious connection between them.

After a few wins, Ellie excused herself for a moment to grab some cups from the kitchen. Billie, left alone, stretched and grabbed her water bottle, catching her breath. That's when Chloé appeared, slowly walking toward her. She had a confident stride, but her gaze betrayed a certain tension. Billie, surprised by Chloé's presence, dropped her smile and watched her with curiosity.

Chloé: "So, you're the famous Billie Eilish."

She let the words hang in the air, as if her name was supposed to carry weight.

Billie: "In the flesh."

Chloé stepped closer, her eyes locked on Billie: "You know, Ellie and I go way back. I've seen how she can manipulate people, and I'm sure that if she's this close to you, it's only for the fame you bring her. She's not who you think she is."

Billie, surprised by the veiled attack, furrowed her brows slightly. Chloé's voice, soft at first, had turned sharp, as though she'd been waiting a long time to unload these accusations. But Billie, not one to get rattled easily, kept her cool.

Billie: "You're full of shit. I know Ellie is genuine, and you're not gonna make me believe otherwise."

Chloé, clearly frustrated by Billie's response, clenched her fists: "You don't know her like I do. You have no idea what she's capable of. She's using you, just like she used me, like she uses everyone around her."

Billie, still calm, locked eyes with Chloé. She could tell that Chloé's words weren't just driven by pure malice, but by pain she still carried. She sighed before responding.

Billie: "Look, I get that you're still hurting from all of this, but Ellie's not responsible for how you feel. If she's changed, it's not necessarily to hurt you."

Chloé, clearly at her breaking point, started raising her voice: "This is all your fault. We were about to get back together before you came into her life. You don't even know how to make her happy."

Billie tried to stay composed: "Chloé, there's no need to make a scene like this. I get that you're angry, but this isn't the time or place."

Chloé, who had seemed like she wanted to maintain some control, suddenly cracked. She broke down in tears, unable to hold back the pain she had been carrying for too long. Tears streamed down her face, and in her rush, she bumped into a guest who was dancing. The impact knocked over the drink they were holding, spilling a cascade of liquid on Billie.

Billie stepped back, surprised by the cold shower. Her t-shirt was soaked, and she couldn't help but let out a nervous laugh at the absurdity of the situation. Before she could react, Ellie reappeared, her brows furrowed as she took in the scene.

Ellie: "Chloé! What the hell is your problem?"

Chloé, already destabilized and humiliated, lowered her head and quickly left the apartment, her sobs mixing with the noise of the party.

Ellie, still furious, approached Billie, her expression dark: "She spilled her drink on you? I'm gonna..."

Billie: "Hey, hey, it's fine, calm down," Billie interrupted, gently taking Ellie's hand. "It was an accident. It's not her fault."

Ellie, still tense, relaxed a little when she felt Billie's hand in hers. She gave one last look toward the door where Chloé had just left, then sighed.

Ellie: "Okay... if you say so."

Billie was still wiping punch off her t-shirt, a playful smile on her face.

Billie: "Well, this time, I'm the one who gets a drink spilled on me. Even though champagne is classier than punch," she said with a light laugh.

Ellie: "Follow me, I might have something that could help," she said, leading Billie to her room and pulling out a t-shirt she had bought a few days earlier. "Here, it's a gift. I saw it when I was walking by a store and thought you'd like it."

Billie looked at the t-shirt, her eyes lighting up. On the front was the face of Michael Scott, taken from a classic scene in The Office. She burst out laughing, clearly thrilled.

Billie: "Oh my God, this is awesome! Seriously, you thought of me when you saw this?"

Ellie nodded, a shy smile on her lips.

Ellie: "I couldn't see anyone else wearing it."

Billie, without hesitation, started to take off her wet t-shirt to put on the one Ellie had just given her. It was then that Ellie, suddenly aware of the closeness and intimacy of the moment, blushed fiercely and turned away. She could feel her heart racing, an unexpected warmth spreading through her.

Billie, amused by Ellie's reaction, bit her lip before teasing : "You know, you can look, right? I'm not gonna bite."

Ellie, frozen with her back still turned, felt her face flush even more. She swallowed hard : "Stop saying nonsense."

A silence fell, but Billie, with a more serious glint in her eyes, insisted, her voice slightly softer :"You're scared you won't be able to hold back, huh?"

Ellie felt her heart skip a beat. She knew Billie liked to tease, but there was something different in the way she said those words. It was as if it was more than just a joke.

Ellie: "I promise, Billie, I have a little more self-control than that."

But inside, she was shaken. Part of her was starting to understand what Billie was implying, but another part refused to believe it. Why would Billie be interested in her like that? It couldn't be, could it?

Billie sighed lightly, still smiling but her eyes betraying another emotion, deeper and almost vulnerable : "Come on, Ellie. Turn around. I'm dressed now."

Ellie hesitated but eventually turned around, her eyes meeting Billie's immediately. She had put on the t-shirt, but the look Billie gave her was intense, almost penetrating. There was something in the way she was looking at her, a palpable tension, something Ellie couldn't ignore anymore.

Billie bit her lip before taking a step closer to Ellie : "So? Does the t-shirt look good on me?" her voice soft and slightly provocative.

Ellie, feeling trapped by the intensity of the moment: "Yeah, it looks pretty good on you," she said softly, almost nervously. But it wasn't just the t-shirt that caught her attention. It was Billie's presence, the closeness, the barely veiled flirtation that she was starting to understand but that still left her in disbelief.

Billie took another step closer, her eyes never leaving Ellie's : "You look tense. Relax, Ellie. I'm having an effect on you, aren't I?" she said with a teasing smile, but this time, there was an underlying seriousness in her words.

Ellie felt her heart beat faster. The intensity of the moment, the way Billie seemed to be crossing the line of friendship, was shaking her. She felt the need to respond, to regain some control : "Stop with your damn nonsense, I know you're joking," she said, trying to laugh, but her voice betrayed her discomfort.

Billie, clearly enjoying the situation, responded with a mischievous smile : "What if I'm not joking?"

Ellie froze. She hadn't expected that response. She felt her throat tighten, unable to respond immediately. She was searching for words, but nothing came out. It was as if she was finally realizing where their exchanges were heading.

Ellie: "Billie... I..." She had just begun to form a response when Billie burst out laughing, instantly breaking the tension.

Billie: "Relax, Ellie. I'm kidding," she said, adjusting her t-shirt and looking at her with a mocking smile.

Ellie felt both relieved and slightly unsettled : "I knew you were joking, witch," she replied, forcing a smile. But deep down, she was really wondering. What if Billie wasn't entirely joking? The thought haunted her, making her question herself in an unexpected way.

Billie, still smiling, pretended to focus on the t-shirt : "Thanks, I love this gift. It's saving my night." She paused, then added, looking Ellie straight in the eyes, "Looks like you know how to please me"

Ellie blushed even harder, caught off guard once again by the remark. There was definitely more than just friendship at play here, but she wasn't ready to fully accept it yet. Still, Billie had managed to plant a seed of doubt, and that thought would follow her long after this night.

Without saying another word, Billie winked at her before heading for the door to return to the party, leaving Ellie alone with her thoughts and a flood of conflicting emotions.