In The Public Eye

Chapter 19 | Defeated

~ Ivy's perspective

"You've got to be kidding me," Billie's voice cracks through the speakerphone, sharp and frustrated. Her tone carries that edge I've heard so many times before, the one that makes it sound like every nerve in her body is pulled tight. "Is there nothing you can do about it, Penny?"

On the other end, Penny lets out a heavy sigh, the kind that instantly tells you she's run out of options. Defeated. "Billie, we've tried. We've gone over every angle. Jesse is really upset, and he's not going to make it easy for us. I can't believe he is still on this shit, you and Ivy have been together for almost one and a half month now."

Billie hangs up and yanks the phone across the room so hard it clatters against the cushions, and the silence that follows is almost louder than her voice. She whirls toward me, eyes burning with the kind of pain she refuses to call pain. "Well, what am I supposed to do now?" she asks, her voice shaking even though she's trying so hard to keep it steady. "Why the fuck would he say shit like that in his new album... it's mental."

I step closer, reaching out, my fingers curling gently around her wrist in an attempt to anchor her before she flies apart. "Billie... I wish there was more we could do," I murmur softly, searching her face. "But you heard Penny. They've already tried everything they thought might work."

Her shoulders slump for a brief second before she shakes her head. "But they're not trying everything," she sighs, the words sounding exhausted rather than angry this time. "I'm not even allowed to react, Ivy. Not even allowed to defend myself, just so we don't make the problem bigger than it already is. Do you know how insane that feels? I think it would help if I said something. If I could just... be honest for once."

I bite my lip, because I know she's right, and yet the truth is crueler than either of us can admit. Jesse's album had just dropped, and every song is like a knife, slicing into her reputation with carefully chosen words. The world doesn't hear it as cheap shots, they hear it as gospel, because people love a scandal. And the worst part? We've been told to disappear from each other's side, like our love is some kind of gasoline to his fire. It makes me sick. It's just not fair.

"Why can't we just show them we're happy together?" Billie's voice cracks again, and I see the shimmer in her eyes before she looks away. "I know the fans would understand if they could just see it for themselves..."

Her words hang heavy between us, full of longing and quiet defiance, but the walls around us don't bend, and the silence that follows is suffocating.

Finally, she takes a step back, her gaze flicking to the floor. "I think I'm gonna go home," she says quietly, like the fight's been drained out of her. "I just need to think for a minute... alone."

I follow her upstairs as she grabs her things from my bedroom, every movement rushed but heavy with something unspoken. "You can leave these here," I tell her gently when I notice her trying to stuff everything into her bag. "Pick them up another time. It's fine."

She pauses, looks at me, then sets the clothes back down. "Thanks, Ivy," she whispers, and suddenly her arms are around me. The hug is warm, almost desperate. Her breath brushes my ear when she adds, softer still, "I love you..."

I freeze for a second, my heart hammering in my chest. Her words are simple, but the weight behind them feels like a tidal wave. I open my mouth, but the only thing that stumbles out is, "I-"

She pulls back slightly, her hand sliding down my arm like she's reluctant to let go. "You don't have to say it back," she says quickly, almost protectively. "I just wanted you to know how I feel."

All I can give her in that moment is a small, awkward smile, the kind that holds both gratitude and fear, though neither is strong enough to win. We walk slowly toward the front door, side by side but each lost in our own storm.