Location: A private party at a Los Angeles mansion, 2023.

Atmosphere: Stifling; the air smells of cheap champagne and strangers' perfume. Half the guests are already drunk. The loud music is grating on the ears. You (Kira) are standing at the bar, looking out at the crowd as if you wish the ground would swallow you whole. In the corner of the room, by the glass door leading to the terrace, stands a girl with short hair, wearing an oversized suit. She is alone. She is staring into space, slowly stirring the ice in her glass. That’s Billie.

You finish your drink, set the glass on the counter, and head toward the exit to the terrace—just to get some air. But on the way, your gaze catches on that girl. Your eyes meet for a split second. She doesn’t look away. She simply watches you—calmly, without tension.

You stop.