Part 37

Billie led me to take the lead to go back inside first before slipping through the door right behind me.The air felt used compared to the outside, and it felt harder to breathe.

"We're good, right?" Billie asked as she stepped back inside behind me before closing the sliding door. " Yeah, of course. " I said genuine. She nooded.

The others had settled into the dining room this time, probably tired of sitting on the living room floor . Grace glanced my way as I stepped into the dining room connected with the living room. A smirked formed on her lips as she spotted Billie close behind me. I simply rolled my eyes, slipping into the empty seat beside her.

"Ok, let's spice things up a bit." Quen announced from her seat opposite mine. I internally growned - the game was already bad enough anyway.

"Every man for themselves. " She called , whipping out more figures , one for each. Great.

We all shoot our arms out in an instance to grab a good color. I landed with red and out of the corner of my opposite me Billie grabbed blue."No! I wanted Green." Chris whined.

The game started - one after another picking cards.

"Ok, Odessa, you got: Name the hottest person in the room." Quen read out. "Lame!" Alex yelled before adding," How many points?"

"2"

"What ? For this silly question, she's getting 2 points? That's absolutely not fair!" Alex complained. He took this game way too seriously.

A discussion broke out if this simple question should be worth two points or not. "Well, that's what the games says you idiot. I dont make the rules. " Quen defended the game. "This is stupid. "Alex murdered but gave up anyway and slumbed back in his seat, defeated.

Odessa looked around the tabel for a second before lqnding on someone and answering, " Billie, of course. " She smirked . Quen faked being hurt that Odessa didn't pick her ,earning a laugh from Billie . " Thanks, baby." Billie chuckled before dramatically flipping her hair.

The round continued Grace having to tell about her most embarrassing date before it was my turn. " Let's see if Valerie will be a pussy again." Alex laughted . I could see Billie across the table, shooting him a death stare, making him shut up in an instance.

"Your card Valerie : kiss count, how many people have you kissed? 1 point. " Quen announced.

At least this time, it wasn't such an intimate question. I had to think about it for a second before answering, " I think 3." I moved my figure one forward.

"Lowkey, after you didn't answer the question earlier, I thought you screwed around a lot." Odessa shot. Her comment earned some laughter from the others, but I didn't think it was funny at all. Grace must have realised that Odessas comment had made me uncomfortable as her hand slit to my shoulder for comfort.

The round continued on with Alex, Chris who each had to do something silly making us cackle so bad. Then it was  Finneas and Claudia turn. Claudia had to send a spicy picture to someone - obviously choosing Finneas - so easy task. All around till it was Billies turn .

"Billie, you need to send a text to one of your exes. 2 points." Quen read out the card. "Does it say what I have to write?" Billie asked, pulling out her phone. "Nope . Guess you're lucky." Quen laughed before flipping the card to the other ones.

Billie tipped something on her phone before slipping it back into her jeans pocket.

My phone vibrated in the back of my pocket.

Wait, what? Weird coincidence, I thought. Or did Billie just text me as her ex? Billie didn't spear me a look . I was too nervous to get my phone out to check. No one seemed to notice anyway, simply continuing on with the game. I didn't take out my phone to look , instead, I pushed the thought away.

My leg bounced nervously up and down, waiting for my turn again. Once again, I pulled out a card handing it to Quen to read out. She quietly read it out for herself, a smirk forming on her lips. Oh no, someone help me, I thought to myself.

"Valerie, you got: let the group pick someone on who's lap you'll be sitting for the rest of the game. 4 points." Quen read out. I was internally praying to get someone like Grace or Claudia or maybe even Quen - with them, I wouldn't mind, but by the looks of the others, that wasn't gonna be the case.

I hate this game, I thought.

I knew Grace next to me was smiling like an idiot while having a quick conversation with Quen without words.

"Ok Valerie, majority of the group - like 2 people - have decided on Billie." Quen announced. Of course. To be honest, I already expected it . Claudia seemed thrilled about it while Finneas just shot Billie a look.

Billie seemed unbothered.

I let out a sigh, moving my figure 4 forward before pushing my chair back and walking over to Billie.

She looked up at me, a soft smirk forming on her lips. "You need a seat?" She asked like she wanted to rub salt into the wound. I nodded, not giving her the pleasure of hearing my words.

She pushed her chair back a little , letting me climb into her lap - her arms instantly slinging around my waist to keep me in place.

The game continued on, but I couldn't really concentrate on it as Billies front was basically pressed against my back , her breath warm against my neck.

"Grace, you got: Call an ex. 3 points." Quen announced. Oh, this is good, I thought to myself.

I watched as Grace carefully reached for her phone. Her last ex had been totally obsessed with her , so this was gonna be funny. I was praying that he would pick up, and luckily, this time, my prayers got heard. Through the speaker, I could make out a faint. " Hello?"

Graces cheeked turned red in an instance, quickly hanging up again. Unfortunately for me, this was it . I had hoped that they would actually talk, but Grace only did the bare minimum.

I shifted a little in Billies lap, trying to find a more comfortable position . Her hands around my waist tightened, pulling me closer against her front . " You're not leaving. " She whispered into my ear so only I could hear . A shiver ran down my spine by the way her breath was warm against my ear." I wasn't trying to." I shot back my tone more annoyed than hers.

Her hands stayed clamped around my waist - her rings cold against my bare skin where my t-shirt had ridden up a little.

After Grace, it was my turn again. Quen told me that I had to name a person out of the group I'd kiss. I smirked a little, knowing exactly who.

"Uhm, I'd pick you Quen, of course. Your hot af." I chuckled. " Thanks, baby. " Quen called back, and I could feel Billies hands tighten a little around my waist for a second. I let it slide.

We continued on for a little longer , Billies fingers absently stroking against my skin throughout the rest of the game , till Quen was the first to cross the finish line. She simply had no filter and answered everything single card. Even though the game was over, I stayed in Billies lap a little longer than I had to .

But mostly because I don't think Billie would have let me go.

Alex and Nat were sharing a story about their childhood as actors. It was pretty funny mostly because Nat kept humiliating Alex. Though I did feel a little bad.

Billie, tapping my arm, pulled me out of it.

"I need to get up." She whispered. " Oh yeah, sorry. " I apologized, slipping off her lap so that she could get up.

Billie got up, slipping past me but not before whispering something again." Stop apologizing all the time. " I nodded a little .

My slipped out of the dining room, making slumb back into my previous seat next to Grace.

The night continued on for a little longer before one yawn turned into more, and everyone decided to call it a night.

Claudia and I helped carry some cups into the kitchen before packing up our things to leave. Grace and Chris were already settled at the front door talking to Finneas, ready to leave when I joined them.

" Hurry up, Valerie. I'm tired. " Grace whined. "Yeah, chill." I murmured back, bending down to put on my shoes.

I caught Billie whispering something to Odessa while I was putting on my shoes. Odeassa nooded, a little smirk playing on her lips before she walked off,  disappearing further in the house.

She was staying.

I dont know why it bothered me so much, but somehow it did. But I shook it off.Billie made her way over to us to say bye. "Good night, guys." She called leaning against the open front door, watching us climb into our cars . Her eyes caught mine one last time as Chris pulled backward out of the driveway, but only till Odessa slipped her hands around Billie , pulling her back into the house.

The drive was quiet with Chris driving and me and the passenger seat. Grace was in the back, probably passed out, or at least she didn't say a word."You gonna put on music again?" Chris asked."Yup. "I pulled out my phone to play my music, my eyes catching a text message.

From Billie.

From the game earlier . She had, in fact, texted ME.

I hesitated. I threw on some music first before returning to Messenger. My eyes flickered over to Chris, who was totally focused on the road. My finger floated over the screen a little before pressing down, opening our chat.

___

Billie

I dont regret it.

___

That was all it said. What the hell did she mean with "it" ? I was about to overthink everything, but Chris already pulled into the garage of the apartment complex.

Once inside our apartment, I slumbed into my bed - forgetting about everything and simply letting the sleep take over me.

A.NIt's a little shorter again, and I wanted to add more to it, but it has been sitting in my drafts for a few days, and I haven't done anything with it. So I guess this is it for now.