Part 36

The sky had already started to lighten a little again before we packed our things up. The view from the little hill in the park was amazing, and I wished we'd could stay a little longer in the moment where everything felt good between Billie and I.

It for sure wasn't like before, but it was something.

"Come on, let's get you home." Billie said, reaching her hand out for me to grab - pulling me up in a swing. The walk back was quite again like we left our talkative and giggling selfs on the hill.

Billie opened the car door for me as always before rounding the car and getting in herself. Once again, she put her playlist on shuffle- shifting the gear and pulling out of the parking lot.

"I had fun tonight. " I tried lightening the sudden akward mood. Billies eyes shot my way for a second - sparkling with joy. A soft smile on her lips. "Yeah, me too. I'm glad you came along." I nodded at her words, a small smile resting on my lips as well.

"You know -" Billie spoke a few minutes later. "I'm having some friends over at the end of the week , you should come. I'm mean you can Grace and Chris if you'd like, and Claudia and Finneas will be there as well . Oh, and Quen." Billie started to listen up people I know like she was desperate to give me a reason to come.

"Yeah, sure sounds nice. If that little get-together doesn't turn into a massive party like Claudias, then sure." I shrugged.

Billie cackled her familiar laugh, filling the silence. " Don't worry, wouldn't set you up like that." She chuckled her eyes brighter than before.

Only minutes later, she pulled into the garage of my apartment complex. Billie let out a sigh after turning her car off - almost like she was disappointed that I'd leave her now.

She turned a little in her seat, her black messy hair flipped to one side. Damn she looks good, I thought to myself, but quickly shook that thought out of my mind.

"I'll text you the details about the weekend, ok?" She asked, calm. I simply hummed my eyes fixed on her. I didn't move - didn't leave , but neither did Billie.She didn't look rushed like she was only waiting for me to get out of her car. She looked more like she was trying to find something that would make me stay a little longer.

"You looked really pretty tonight." She finally spoke. Her eyes were soft, searching mine for a reaction. I could feel the heat creeping up my cheeks, making me turn my head down a little.

But Billies soft, warm hand, finding my chin, making me look back up on her.

"Don't get shy on me now Valerie. " She said, her smile turning into a sligh smirk.I rolled my eyes at her, but only because I didn't want to show her how much power she still had over me.

Her hand pulled from where it hand been resting against my cheeks back into her lap.

"I should go now. Don't want to keep you up any longer. " I said as a soft pink light filled the garage.

"Don't worry, Val." She answered, now fully smirking.

I took that as my cue to leave. I opened the car door, stepping out." Good night, B." I murmured.

"Night Val." Billie murmured back before I slammed the door shut, making my way up to my apartment - leaving Billie behind.

She waited a little longer till she saw me step into the elevator before driving off .

I stepped into the dark apartment. It was quiet. I wasn't sure if the others were back yet or not . I slipped out of my shoes only now, realizing that I still wore Billies sweater. My hands gripped the soft fabric at the hem - stearing a little at it before walking over to the kitchen.

Just as I was about to round the corner in the living room, someone jumped in my way baseball bat in hand.

"Chris what the fuck." I almost screamed ducking away from the swing of the bat.

"Jesus Valerie! I thought you were an intruder. " He said clamping an hand over his heart. " Well sorry to disappoint you, it's only me. But seems like you're well prepared if anything ever happens. " I breathed out half laughing.

" I thought you were home all this time. Where the hell were you?" He asked following me to the kitchen.

"I was out ." I shrugged getting myself a water. "Out? With who?" Chris asked , putting the baseball bat back into the dresser in the livingroom.

"Billie." I quickly answered before taking a sipp of my water. Chris raised an eyebrow. " Billie? "

"Yup"

"Okay..Interessting. " He said sounding a distrustful but he didn't push- not needing any details for now. Shortly after I finally crashed into my bed.

____

The weekend came around a little quicker then I had hoped. It had been my first week as an intern at vogue and it was amazing - a lot of work but amazing.

After I told Chris and Grace about Billies invite the immidiatly decided that we're were gonna go. So here I was at my vanity getting ready.

Billie had texted me again, reassuring me that it was all casual and chill. I did some light makeup only that I would look a little more alive than I felt inside.

Work had been ruff , having to run around 24/7 getting coffee for people and making appointments for other people. Not really having anything to do with photography but it had only been my first week.

I dont aspect to be touching a camera in my first 3 month and I could live with that.

"Valerie you ready?" Chris knocked against my open bedroom door. " Jup almost done." I said shooting him a quick smile.

The car ride to Billies house was quicker than I thought as she didn't live too far away. A few cars were already parked in the driveway but definitely less than at Claudias - that calmed me a bit. Billie promised me it wouldn't be more than 10 people.

The door opened in a swing , laughter and soft music playing filtered outside. "Hey guys!" Billie welcomed us, stepping aside to let us inside. Her hand brushed against mine when she closed the door behind me quickly but long enough for me to register .

I wasn't sure if the touch had been intentional or not - her face was relaxed, not showing any reaction. An oversized body swallowed her body.

Before I could continue looking at her outfit, her hand landed on my back softly, pushing me towards the kitchen. I could feel the heat radiation off her body. It wasn't for long simply until we stepped inside the kitchen.

Quen and Odessa were each leaning against the counter, sipping on some drinks , deep in conversation. Quens eyes flickered my way for a second, a smile spread across her lips before turning her attention back to Odessa , laughing at something she said.

"Anyone want something to drink?" Billie asked, filling herself a cup of coke. Grace and Chris joined Billie getting some non-alcoholic drinks, but I simply declined - walking into the connected living room.

"Hey Valerie. " Claudia called from her place on the couch next to Finneas. She got up, giving me a quick hug , pulling me down on the couch next to her.

"Good to see you two. " I smiled, leaning back into the couch a little. Finneas gave me an acknologing nod, turing back to his conversation with Nat.

Claudia and I talked for a bit mostly about her little party, and she apologized that it turned into something bigger. I simply told her not to worry about it. Our conversation shifted a little Claudia talking about some new Cyklar perfumes she would release soon.

But I couldn't help look around Billies living room a little. My eyes catching the shelves stacked with Grammys and other awards she'd won for her music.

The living room was nothing over the top , pretty simple, but if someone had placed me in this room and asked me who's living room this could be , I could easily tell it's Billies . It wasn't anything specific that made it really feel like Billie, but there was something about it that just screamed her name.

My eyes glanced around the room while trying to listen to Claudia telling me all about her brand. The next big thing that caught my eyes was the grand piano in the other corner of the room.

The couch next to me dipped, making me snap my head away from the piano and back to the person who sat down next to me.

Billie.

"Wanna play?" She asked a smirk, sitting on her lips, cup in hand ."What?" I asked, confused. "The piano. Wanna play? I saw you looking at it. It's all yours ." She said, looking past me at the piano, making me follow her gace.

"Oh no, thanks. I dont even think I could play if I wanted to." I said, turning back to her, catching her eyes already on me again.

She chuckled softly before she contradicted. " That's a lie. I'm sure your still amazing at playing the piano. " She said turning herself more towards me , her shoulder leaning against the couch cushions.

I shrugged. " I dont know haven't played in years." I know Billie wanted to add something but someone called her name across the room . She excused herself , walking over to Alex and Odessa.

My eyes left Billie turning over to Grace who walked out of the kitchen with two cups in hand. "Here for you." She said handing me obe before flopping down on Billies previous spot on the couch next to me. I looked a little skeptical before taking a sip. Luckily it was only coke.

Sometime after Claudia and Grace stared a conversation talking over me as I was sitting in between them. Still that didn't keep me from watching Billie across the room. It wasn't obvious, simply glancing at her over the rim of my cup.

She kept laughing at something thing Odessa said making me internally cringe.

"And what about you Valerie?"

"What?" I shoot my head over to Claudia as she mentioned my name. The girls giggled at me. " I asked what's new with you ?" Claudia said still laughing a little.

"Oh. Uhm- Nothing I guess. " I shrugged taking another sip.

"Wait that's a total lie Valerie. " Grace bumped me from the side making me almost chock on my drink but I think I coverd it well.

"I dont know what you're talking about. " I said actually being clueless. " Omg are you stupid. " Grace exclaimed. Only then did I gasped out loud. " Oh yeah. A little new - I got a job as and intern for photography. " I explained turning back to Claudia.

Grace growned to me. " Omg Valerie stop being so modest. If you're not telling Claudia I'll have to." Grace said leaning over a little so she could see Claudia on the opposite better.

"Valerie got an internship at Vogue!" Grace said smiling.

"Wait what!" Claudias words came out louder than intended making me wince.

My eyes spotted Billie across the room again looking confused my way. Even Finneas had whipped his head around at his girlfriend basically screaming.

"That's crazy Valerie. Congrats !" Claudia added not caring that basically all of the attention of the room was only her now.

"Thanks. " I murmured quietly, hating the attention that was suddenly on me."Wait what happened?" Quen asked across the room. Now really everyone's attention was on me.

My eyes caught Graces reassuring her that she could go ahead and tell it everyone else. " Valerie got an internship at Vogue. " Grace repeated.

Quen got all exited about it starting to rent about how big of an opportunity this was. But I mostly blocked it out .

I was busy keeping eye contact with Billie. A soft smile had spread across her lips, and her facial expression almost looked proud. I had totally forgotten to tell anyone else besides Chris and Grace about it.

I got multiple congratulations from people - Billies gace continued to linger on me.

After everyone finally calmed down about it, Quen announced that it was time to play games. Everyone gathered around the small coffee tabel on the ground, and Quen whipped out a board explaining the rules.

"Ok, so we need two teams who will be competing against each other. " She placed two play figures at the start of the board game - multiple fields formed a way up the board game to the finish line.

We decided it would be the easiest to just split the group in two. Grace , Chris , Claudia,Finneas, and I formed one team. And Billie, Quen , Odessa , Nat, and Alex formed the other.

"So we got a stack of cards which basically says some truth or dare kinda shit and a number of steps we can go if answered. One after the other, we will each pick a card, but if you decide not to do what the card says, you have to go the number on the card backwards. Whatever team reaches the end first wins, you know the shit."

Quens explanation was a little vague, but I got the hang of it pretty quickly.

"Oh, and may I add the things on the card are kinda spicy. " Quen said before we started the game. Great, there was no way out of this now.

I was luckily, as it was only my turn later on. There were questions like "number your body count " or " what's your favorite position." So far, both teams were holding on strong , answering every question. But unfortunately, my time to shine came. Carefully, I reached for a card on the stack, handing it to Quen, who read every card out loud.

"Wait, who's turn, is it?" Finneas asked, coming back from the kitchen with a bowl of snacks. " Valerie's." Chris answered, stealing some chips out of the bowl.

Quen cleared her throat, reading out the car."Ok Valerie, your card is: Name every sexual partner you've ever had."

I basically chocked on my own breath .

"Uhh, that's mean." Nat chuckled next to Quen." Or go 3 steps back." Quen read the rest.

My fingers fidgeted with my rings , my gace burning into the board game, not dearing to meet anyone's eyes. " Nah, I can't." I said defedetly, moving the figure of my team 3 steps back.

"That bad, huh?" Odessa chuckled, and the others chimed in.

The game continued on, but I stayed mostly silent. In the end, my team lost , needing the points from my card to win the game. I felt bad that I was the reason we lost. " Wait, this was fun. Let's play another round." Chris called .

The other agreed but decided to take a little break - everyone needing to do something else , like use the toilet , get more snacks or another drink.

I used the moment of chaos, slipping through the half open sliding door outside.

Outside, there was a big lit up pool, and next to it was a little patio. I made my way over, slumbing into one of the outdoor door couches. Luckily, it was pretty warm tonight, unlike last week.

"You running away from a party again?" My head whipped up seeing Billie step outside, making her way over to me.I shrugged. The couch next to me dipped, and Billie once again took her place next to me. " Congrats, by the way." She spoke. " Huh?" Billie laughed at me, being confused. " You're internship at Vogue ."

"Oh. Thanks." I said my fingers, playing with my rings once again. I could feel Billies gace burning into the side of my head, but I didn't look her way.

"Maybe we should go back inside so they don't start the next round without us." Billie said, glancing towards the sliding door. " Yeah, go ahead. I think I'll stay a little longer. I dont want to play anymore anyway. " I said, staring at the little up pool.

"Oh, come on . You just have to let loose a little. You could have easily answered that question . Everyone of us shared something we would have rather kept hidden." Billie spoke, leaning back manspreading.

My head whipped back at her words. " What , would you rather have me say your name? As the only name I could have said." I shot.

Billies smirk fell. She didn't even remember.  She had forgotten it had ever happened. My chest ached knowing that the person I had my first time with didn't even remember.

"Unbelievable. " I murmured, turning back.

"Valerie. I'm sorry ." Billie said, shooting forward again. " I can't believe you forgot that." I whispered, fighting back tear.

"What , hey , hey no. I do remember. It's just I didn't realize that I was your only..." She didn't finish that sentence. But she didn't need to.

Her hand landed and my back once again.

"So you wouldn't have mind me say your name at the game." I asked a little bit of sarcasm, painting my voice.

Billie was quiet for a second, her hand absently stroking my back. " No, I wouldn't have minded. I mean, Finneas and Claudia know anyway and -"

"They know?" I shot. Billies expression looked almost guilty. " Yeah. I mean, I've always told Finneas everything, and I dont know it kind came up in front of Claudia as well." She shrugged her fingers, picking at the fabric of my shirt.

"Did you ever tell someone?" Billie asked her words slow and a little unsurtend. I shock my head. " No. The only friends I ever had were Chris and Grace, and I didn't even tell them I knew you till I saw you at Coachella ." I explained. Billie slowly nooded , a small smile creeping up her lips again.

"I understand that." I think I kinda got her when I told her that I never said anything about her to my friends ever. Still, she put on a smile to hide it. Her hand left my back, and she got up. She reached out her hand for me to take.

" Come on, let's get inside again and be honest this time." I nooded, grabbing her hand and letting her pull me up. Her hand stayed in mine while we walked back to the door - only leaving mine to let me step inside first.

A.NTo be continued because the chapter is getting pretty long and I dont know if anyone wants to read this. (3132 words)(Also I made up that game in my head, dont know if something like this actually exists. )