Part 41

Wednesday rolled around quicker than I realized. I had an early morning at the office, following Miranda around. My day at work was busy and filled with an endless to-do list, so I was glad when I finally left work.

I stepped into the packed bus, luckily still finding a seat. Only to give it up a few minutes later when a pregnant woman stepped in.

I had to fight with Billie that she wouldn't come pick me up and that I could take the bus.

It would be a real detour for her, and taking the bus would take me 10 min max. Still, she had argued that it wouldn't be a problem for her. Somehow, I could convince her not to, though.

The location she'd send me was a small café downtown. I would have totally missed this place if I didn't have the location. From the outside, it looked like a normal building, but from the inside, it felt like a mythical place. Ivy was hanging from the sealing and ingeneral it felt like fairys could live here.

I slipped into a booth in the far back so that we would have our privacy. We'll mostly Billie could have her privacy.

She wasn't here yet, so I waited with my order and simply got myself a water. I swear today was the hottest day ever, and I was basically melting every time I went outside. So I really needed the hydration.

Luckily, it didn't take Billie too long, and soon she slipped into the booth, sitting down in front of me , a smile tucking on her lips as she looked at me.

"Hey." I said calmly, trying to ignore the way my heart fluttered at her presence.

"Hey." She smiled, little cockyness painting her tone.

I was about to open my mouth to say something more when a waitress came to our table.

"Welcome at Millies . What can I get for you two?" The girl smiled. She looked cute and even had some elves' ears clipped to her real ones. Fitting for this place I thought.

Billie was to first to speak. " Can I get the vegan strawberry milkshake and 2 vegan pancakes please. " The waitress nodded taking notes on her little notepad.

Billie looked up from the menu card infront of her, looking at me." What about you Val?"

I was a little taken back. I didn't even had time to look at the menu yet." Uhm- I'll get- uhm. I'll get the same as her ." I stuttered a little , shooting her a smile to cover my embarrassment.

"That will be out in a second. " The waitress smiled before disappearing as quick as she had come.

"So.." I started. Some how this felt akward. Not akward because it was Billie sitting infront of me but because I had so many things to say and I just wasn't really sure where to start.

"The strawberry milkshake here is really good. Im sure you're gonna like it." Billie spoke.

I nooded. This isn't really what I wanted to hear but still her words calmed me a little. This was chill, just two old friends catching up and maybe will adress the elefant in the room.

Because those friends weren't just old friends, they had been lovers, and maybe they still were.

"How's your internship at Vogue coming along?" Billie started. I was glad we were starting of with small talk first. And if I read her expression right she seemed truly interessted.

"Uhm- Its great. Lot of work, obviously, but it's fun." I told her. Billie occasionally nooded along to show that she was still listening and was actually interested.

This was one of my favorite characteristics of her, that she was just such a good listener and eventhoug she didn't talk much and mostly listened she would always show that she was interested and listening. She made me feel understood in a way no one else could.

I smile spread across my lips as I continued to talk about my internship showing my obvious passion for it.

"And my boss Miranda made me do a portfolio of my work and she told me that if it's good enough, one of my photos might end up in the next edition. "

"Wow, Valerie, that amazing. I'm sure your work is amazing. And when it's in a Vogue magazine I will buy a hundred copies. " Billie laughed. I know she meant it more as a joke, but I could see her actually do that shit.

"Thanks, B." I smiled. After I told her all about my internship, I made her tell ma about what she's been up to, and Billie told me that she was already working on her next album.

"Wow, your latest album is barely out, and you're already working on the next." I giggled. Billie shrugged. " I've just been feeling really inspired lately. Music has just been flowing through my veins. "

"It always does."

My words made a smile spread across her lips.

Before we could continue with our conversation, the waitress came back with our milkshakes and pancakes. The food looked heavenly and tasted just as good as it looked. Maybe it was my hunger speaking because the only other thing I had eaten today had been a protein bar.

"The milkshake is really good." I mumbled as I was already filling my mouth with a fork full of pancakes. Billie chuckled at how frantically I was stuffing my mouth.

"Told ya, it was good."

We didn't talk much while we ate, mostly because every time I tried to talk , I had to repeat myself multiple times as my mouth was always full.

Maybe I looked like an idiot eating, but I didn't care because I knew Billie didn't care eighter. She was never one to judge. Especially me.

She found my state rather entertaining.

"Damn, I think I'm gonna explode. " I whined, pushing my plate away from me.

"Me too." Billie groaned, falling back against the backrest.

2 pancakes each hadn't been enough for us, so we had decided to share 6 more. We'll that's was a mistake because now I felt like I was gonna throw up from all that syrup on the pancakes.

The waitress came to collect our dishes and we used that opportunity to order some more water.

"Im glad you came here with me," Billje murmed , a hand resting on her full stomach.

"Me too. And this is such a nice place. Can't believe I've never been here before." I smiled.

"Yeah, I found this place when I was hiding from paparazzi. I've only ever been here alone, but it's nice having company. " Billie told me before taking another long sip of her water. The AC was on full blast in the café casting the whole place in a comfortable temperature but still cause of the fight with the pancakes I was sweating.

" But maybe we should finally address the real reason we are here. " I said my voice full of unsurtendy and angst. Billie nooded. I could see the nervousness creep up in her and the way she chewed on her bottom lip. Not in a playful way but in a nervous way.

"I've been thinking a lot since that night at your place." I started pausing for a moment in case Billie wanted to say something. She didn't, simply nodded.

"And I'm -ugh." Why was it so hard to get my words out.I stared down on the rings on my fingers, fidgeting with them a little to calm myself.

" I'm just thinking this is all going really fast, and we barely know each other anymore. I mean, that doesn't mean I dont want you , i don't want us, but I - Can we just take it slow. I dont want to rush anything. And most important of all I dont want to lose you again. "

Billie let out a long breath i didn't realize she was holding before giving me a shaky laugh." I was lowkey preparing myself for you to tell me you dont want to see me again." She chuckled, but I could tell she was just trying to hide her nervousness.

"Oh god, no!" I exclaimed. I didn't realize that she thought I was gonna say something negative. "That's definitely not the case, dont worry. "

Billies expression softened, and a small smile tugged at her lips." Ok, good. And dont worry, we dont have to rush anything. We can just take it slow. At the pace you decide. I'm not gonna make a move unless you want me to."

I nodded, my heart fluttering a little at how understanding she was.

"Thanks, Billie."

"Of course. How about I take you out on a date some time." Billie proposed.

A smile spread across my lips.

"I would like that. "

I was glad that I was able to get all my words , thoughts, and feelings out. And most of all, I was glad that Billie was so understanding. She made me feel understood and, like, my opinion really mattered.

Our conversation shifted to some lighter topics, easily flowing along until Billie waved the waitress over to pay.

"Ok, so the total is 32,75$. Will this be split or together?" The waitress asked , tipping in all of our dishes.

"Shared.""Together."

I shot Billie a look telling her that I wouldn't let her pay for my food as well, but she simply pulled out her credit card and slipped it across the tabel.

"Do you wanna come over and cool down a little in my pool?" Billie asked as we gathered our things to leave. I thought about it for a second before answering. 

" Yeah, sure, I would like that. Let me just go hone real quick to grab my bikini, and I'll take the soonest bus back to your place. Should take me an hour, perhaps ." I shrugged, pulling out 15 dollars and slipping them across the table for Billie to take.

"Really Val." She huffed and slipped them back towards me." I've told you before I dont need your money. And it's no problem it's my treat, really. "

I let out a sigh. There was no use in fighting Billie.

"And also you can borrow one of my bikinis. " Billie added quickly before slipping out of the booth, waiting for me to catch up.

I raised an eyebrow. " I'm not sure they would fit. I mean, my boobs are pretty none existing. " I chuckled.

"Well, last time I saw them, they looked pretty nice." Billie said with a straight face. It took her a second to realize what just came out of her mouth.  She awkwardly laughed before adding ." Sorry,  didn't mean to."

I shook my head but fought the smile daring to form on my lips.

"I'm sure they're gonna fit. If not, I guess you need to go in nude." She said with cocky smile.

She was so unserious. I couldn't keep the laugh from escaping my lips. " You're unbelievable. "

"Maybe I am. But you love it."

I stayed quiet because maybe she was right

I followed her out of the café and around the corner to where her car was parked. It wasn't her porsche this time. Instead, it was an Audi with red rims. Really sexy.

As always she opened the car door for me before rounding her car and getting in the driver side.

The car ride was filled with music, and Billie singing along to the lyrics. I stayed quiet, simply listening to Billies angelic voice. I think she could easily sing me to sleep.

Shark came bolting for us as soon as Billie unlocked her front door. He was seeking attention and some belly rubs, which I obviously gave him. He was just the cutest.

"Come on ." Billie said, basically dragging me away from shark. I followed her down the hallway to her bedroom, where she roamed through her huge closet for some bikinis.

She pulled out a bright pink one for herself before throwing over a black one towards me.

"Good catch. " She praised before slipping into her connecting bathroom to change, leaving me alone in her bedroom.

I dont even know why Billie had this bikini because it was tiny as hell and barely covered anything.  Of course, she would pick this one for me.

Even my small boobs basically spilled from the top.

I awkwardly sat down on her bed, waiting for her to finish getting changed. My hands slipped over the sheets, thinking back to over a week ago when I woke up in these exact sheets tangled with Billie.

My phone vibrated next to me on the bed. It was Grace.___Grace When are you coming home today?I was thinking move night and Thai food.

Valerie Not sure yet.Currently over at Billies.

Grace Billies?Doing what exactly?

Valerie Cooling down in her pool.Have you been outside today?Its brutally hot.

GraceI have. Really jealous right now.

Valerie You could come over.I'm sure Billie wouldn't mind.

GraceNah, but thanks.Gonna give you two lovebirds some space.

Valerie Lovebirds?Don't know where you got that from.

GraceDon't even try to hide it.I see the way you look at her.But mostly, I see the way she looks at you.

___I could feel my cheeks burning a little at Grace's words. I was about to text her something back when Billies bathroom door finally opened.

Her hair was messily pulled up into a bun, and a thin towel was lazily wrapped around her hips.

I quickly turned my phone off, getting off her bed.

"Damn." Billie murmured under her breath at the sight of her bikini on my body.

I dont think she realized that I heard her because she plastered an innocent smile on her lips. She reached for the extra towel on the sink before making me follow her outside.

Shark sprinted outside as soon as Billie opened the glass sliding door in her living room .

I followed after shark but instead went right for Billies pool diving in with a splash. Once I reached the surface again, I could Billie with her bottom lip between her teeth. She was unbelievable.

"Come on, the water is really nice." I laughed, gesturing her over.

"Im sure it is." She said before whispering something to herself.

Unlike me, Billie went for the stairs , slowly getting into the cooling water.

"If I had a pool, I'm sure I would be in it every day."  I said swimming around a little, splashing the water.

"Well, you're welcome every day, you know. " Billie chuckled, swimming over in my direction.

"I might have to take you up on that offer," I said, meeting her halfway.

Our bodies were only a few centimeters away from each other but not touching in anyway.  " Tell me when and I'll come pick you up." Billie basically whispered. There was no need to talk loudly as we were so close already anyway.

I playfully rolled my eyes." I am pretty capable of taking the bus, you know. You dont have to pick me up all the time."

"Im sure you're capable, but I don't have a problem with picking you up all the time. Even if it's the middle of the night." She chuckled, referring to the night she came to pick me and Grace up from a club.

The night I made her stay and sleep in a bed with me because I needed her more than I felt bad that she would get no sleep if she'd drove back home.

I never told her that, of course.

Billies hands slowly slipped across my waist, carefully and waitingly. Waiting for me to tell her that she could. I nooded.

Her hands gripped my waist a little tighter, more sure and possessive now.

"All at your pace." Billie said barely above a whisper. My heart fluttered a little at her words, and a funny feeling spread through my stomach.  Other people would probably describe this feeling as butterflies in the stomach.

"Stay the night?" She asked, almost pleading.

"I dont know. Grace wants to do a move night tonight. " I told her even though I internally screamed yes.

"I'm sure she'll survive a night without you. What about Chris? Isn't he home as well?" Billie said, her thumbs stroking my sides. She was really needy. Not in a sexual way, but in a way, she just needed me to stay. Stay with her and stay in reach.

"Yeah, he should be home tonight. "

"So she won't be alone. I'm not forcing you to stay, obviously. But it would be nice if you stayed, don't you think?" She looked so deep into my eyes that I'm sure she could see my soul.

A smile tugged at my lips.

"Ok, I'll stay. You're right. " I answered.

"Great," Billie smiled before dunking me under water with her. I instantly clutched onto her, my legs slipping around her waist and my arms around her neck as she dove back up.

"You bitch. " I murmured gasping for air though I stayed clamped against her. Billies hands supporting my thighs.

"Ups." She mocked a cocky smile playing on her lips.

I pushed against her chest , slipping from her touch. I swam away a little ,acting pissed.

"I'm sorry mamas. Come back please. " She whined following me. Then I used my chance , turned around and fully splashed her with water. Well, that's just fair. She gasped for air , coughing a little from swallowing water.

"Oh, you're so gonna regret that." She laughed before launching for me.

We played around for a little while, dunking each other before both of us were too tired, too - simply floating around the water for a little longer.

We only got out of the pool as the sun stared to set and our stomachs were growling.

"My skin is all shriveled. " Billie gasped, looking down on her hands as I was drying off. "Well, that's what happens when you're in the water so long." I said in a duh tone.

Billie rolled her eyes but smiled anyway.

We settled back inside - me sitting on the kitchen counter as Billie roamed through the kitchen, cooking us some dinner.

"You really need to fill your fridge, Billie. It's basically empty. " I stated, looking at the sad vegetables and pre-wrapped sandwiches inside.

"Not one of my favorite tasks if paparazzi is hunting me down." Billie shot me a quick glance before turning her attention back to the tomato sauce she was making for our pasta.

We flopped down onto her couch , watching some cheesy move while enjoying the pasta. Shark settled onto my lap. I wasn't sure if it was because he likes me so much or if it was because he was waiting for me to drop some food.

Eighter way I enjoyed his company.

We didn't stay up for too long after as the day in the pool had tired us both a lot.

"Come on sleepy head." Billie chuckled as she basically shook me awake. I realized that I had fallen asleep against her shoulder - I shot up quickly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean too." I said a little groggy, my voice full of sleep.

Billie smiled softly her expression caring and a little playful.

"Dont worry.  You only drooled on me a little bit."

I gasped. "No I did not." I gave her a playful push. "Its ok it was cute." She giggled but I just rolled my eyes.

She reached out her hand for me to grab . She pulled me up from the couch - her hand staying wrapped around mine while we walked down the hallway to her room.

She went to the bathroom first while I patiently waited for her when I remembered that I should text Grace again.

___

GraceOk ouch that you're just leaving me on read.Chris took your spot.He's a better friend than you.Thats a lie he fell asleep mid film.

Valerie Sorry totally forgot to text you again.Was in the pool all day with Billie.I'm staying the night, it's late.

GraceDon't worry. Just good to hear you're still alive.Good night Vai.

ValerieGood night Gray.

Grace Don't call me that.I'm way to happy to me nicknamed gray.

ValerieWhat ever you say gray

Grace Shut up.I'm going to bed now.See you tomorrow.

Valerie Jup unfortunately. ___

"Bathroom's free." Billie called as she stepped back inside her bedroom. I locked my phone, throwing it somewhere on her bed before slipping into the bathroom.

Clothes were already waiting for me on the sink. A small smile spread across my lips at her action.

"Come here. I wanna cuddle. " Billie whined from her spot on her bed as I came out of the bathroom again - dressed in some of her basketball shorts and a tanktop.

"You're so whiny." I giggled as I crawled into bed next to her. "Nah I just wanna cuddle. " She stated wrapping her arms around me and pulling me into her side.

I rested my head on her chest listening to the soft beats of her heart while her hands softly brushed strands of hair behind my ears.

"Gets some sleep." She whispered, her breath against my ear sending a shiver down my spine.

"You too Billie." I whispered. " You need to rest too."

"Yeah. I will. With you I will."

I smiled , burying my face into the crook of her neck and letting myself drift off to sleep with her fingers drawing patterns against my skin.

A.NNot exactly happy with this chapter but I'm too lazy to rewrite it or rather dont know how to make it better. But oh well. I hope you enjoyed .