Part 32

The sun was already filtering through the blinds as I woke up for the first time. My head was pounding a little, but to be honest, I expected it to be worse - throwing up had worked miracles.

Billie was still sound asleep behind me, her arm lazily draped around my waist. She stirred a little in her sleep, pulling me closer to her like it was a reflex, her breath warm against my neck.

I still could remember most of last night. Only going to bed with Billie was a little blurred.

My heart fluttered a bit as she was still here, and I was still in her arms. Not like the time at Coachella where she had sneaked out in the morning.

I reached for my phone next to me on the nightstand. It was plucked in the charger. A smile formed on my lips - Billie must have done that because I knew for a fact that I didn't .

It was already 9, but considering that I only went to bed at around 4, it was way too early to get up. I put my phone back down and pulled the covers a little higher over my shoulders - falling right back asleep.

The next time I woke up, I was in bed alone. The only trace of Billie ever being here were the crinkles in the sheets behind me, and the faint warmth of her body still lingered.

I let out a disappointed sigh. I dont know why I thought that this time would be different, that Billie would still be here when I woke up again.

Slowly, I crawled out of bed , my limbs aching a little.  My clothes from last night were scattered around my room. I walked over to my closet, pulling out some sweats and a hoodie, the fabric soft and soothing against my skin.

As my eyes met my reflection in the bathroom mirror, I almost choked on my own spit in my mouth. Mascara was smeared under my eyes, and my hair was a mess. I fixed myself up a bit as well as possible before going back into my connected bedroom. I checked my notifications as laughter echoed from the kitchen. What the- ?

I slowly opened my bedroom door, making my way to the kitchen. There stood , leaned against the counter cup in hand Billie. Next to her was Grace at the stove cooking some pancakes. " Look who's finally up." Grace laughed as she spotted me walking in. Billies eyes met mine, a small smile spreading across her lips before she took another sip from her cup.

"Morning," I greeted them, my voice still full of sleep. Suddenly, I became aware of how bad I probably looked . I didn't expect Billie to still be here . To be honest, I thought she had left when I woke up alone in my bed.

So I was a little shocked to see her standing in my kitchen with Grace like it was nothing. Like it was the most normal thing in the world.

"Do you want tea as well?" Grace asked from behind the stove. " Yes, please. " I mumbled, flopping down on one of the chairs at the kitchen island. " You feeling better?" I asked Grace as she filled the kettle with water. " Yeah , last night was ruff. Sorry for being such a burden. " Grace said as she sat the cup of tea in front of me.

" Nah, don't worry. You only scared me a little. " I laughed, taking a sip. Billie chuckled a little behind her mug.

"Well, I'm glad, but anyway, pancakes are ready. " Grace called, pulling out three plates loading each with some pancakes.

"Wow, they taste amazing, Grace." Billie murmured her mouth stuffed with a fork full of pancakes. " Glad they turn out good. Was my first time trying out this vegan recipe. "

Billie and Grace talked a little about some vegan recipes while eating, but I kept a little more to myself. It wasn't akward that Billie was here it was just strange, I guess.

Billies phone buzzed on the kitchen counter, pulling me out of my thoughts. I didn't even realize that I had zoned out. " Oh, I have to take this." She mumbled before walking out of the kitchen for some privacy.

Grace used this time of us being alone, giving me a smirk. " So you and Billie slept with each other last night?" I chocked on my pancake gasping for air. " That is absolutely not what happened last night." I chocked out, reaching for my mug to take a sip.

"Oh yeah? Looked like that, though. She came out of your room this morning. " Grace said, still having this cocky smile on her lips. I rolled my eyes at her words.

" We slept in a bed together, but we didn't sleep with each other. " I explained.

"Well, how did that happen?" Grace raised an eyebrow. " I dont even know. Last night's kinda a blur, but I guess I just asked her to stay the night because it was already so late. I woke her up in the middle of the night, begging her to pick us up. I guess I just felt bad." I shrugged before taking the last bite of my pancakes.

"Yeah, sure, you just felt bad." Grace said, her voice full of sarcasm. I shot her a death stare, but Billie came back before I could say anything more.

" I gotta go. I have a meeting in a bit, and Finneas wants to meet before ." Billie sighted. She almost sounded like she didn't wanna leave just yet. " Oh, ok." I said a little akward. Billie shot me a confused smile.

Why am I suddenly so weird?

Grace cleared her throat, breaking the akward silence. " Well, thank you again for picking us up last night."

Billie pulled her gace away from me to Grace ." Yeah, no problem, and thanks for the amazing breakfast. " She smiled.

" Ok, I should go."

"Let me bring you out. " I said, climbing out of my chair. " Yeah, thanks." She smiled, following me to the door.

I leaned against the wall, watching her put on her shoes, which she had apparently carried out of my room already this morning. Once she was done, she lifted her head, looking up at me. Her eyes were soft and a little brighter than usual.

" Thank you for getting us home last night.- And for staying the night ." I added."No problem, Val. I can only repeat my words from last night. Call me when you need me no matter the time." I slowly nooded. " I will."

"Ok, I should go. I dont want to keep Finneas waiting." She said her voice soft, but she stayed - didn't move a bit. Our eyes stayed looked and there was this tension between us neither of us could deny.

"Ok," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Ok," Billie repeated my words. Only then did she turned around to leave. She was already halfway out the door before she turned again. " Oh, and congrats on passing your finals." Her voice genuine.

"Thanks." I said, and I could feel the heat creeping up my cheeks. Billie nooded before turning and leaving the door closing softly behind her . I stayed put for a little longer, staring at the closed door before making my way back to the kitchen.

Grace was loading the dishwasher with the plates from breakfast, looking up at me as I walked through the living room to the kitchen. " You two." She laughed, shaking her head . I simply rolled my eyes.

____

It was a few days later and I haven't heard from Billie since.  Well, I didn't text her eighter. To be honest, I had other things on my mind. My professors at college recommended me to a photographer who works for vogue. She  was apparently an old friend of hers . Ms. Charlson had been such a big supporter all throughout my college years. She had definitely been my favorite professor.

A few days ago, she had emailed me that she had sent some of my pictures to Vogue, and they wanted to invite me to an in-person interview for an internship .

And that interview was today in about 3 hours.

I've been super nervous this entire morning, and to be honest, I didn't get much sleep last night eighter. " You seriously need to calm down, Valerie. It's gonna be fine. They're gonna love you!" Grace said as we sat at the kitchen island.

"I hope you're right."

"She's always right, Valerie. You know that." Chris chimed in from the living room. " This is just such a huge opportunity - I mean it's fucking vogue- and I'm just scared I'm gonna blow it." I said my leg nervously bouncing up and down.

Some how I managed to survive the time before my interview. Chris offered to drive me because I was way too anxious to drive myself.

" Ok so call me when you're down and I'll come pick you up again." Chris said as we sat in his car in the parking lot. " Hello Valerie are you even  listening?"

" What sorry.  What did you say?" I whipped my head towards him.

" Ok Valerie you need to breath.  You're being dramatic . It's gonna be alright just be yourself and you'll be totally fine, ok?"

"Ok" I said but my voice came out quiter then intended. Chris chuckled a little before chasing me out of the car. I clutched onto my bag as I walked inside the building.

I anonced myself at the front desk the lady pointing me to the right room. I knocked, a faint "Come in."echoed through the door. Inside there was a lady sitting at a big desk, smile forming on her lips as she saw me enter.

"Hello you must be Valerie. So nice to meet you. I'm Berta I texted with your professor. She seemed really astonished by your work. Come sit." She invited me, indicating towards the chair in front of her desk.

"Nice to meet you too." I said, reaching out to shake her hand."So let's start." She smiled at me, and I nooded.

____

"And how was it?" Chris asked as I opened the car door.  " I think it went really well . She said she would email me about further details, but it's not sure yet if I got the internship or not." I said, letting out a deep breath, the tension leaving my body finally .

"Yeah, I'm sure you'll get it." Chris said, his eyes meeting mine before pulling out of the parking lot.

"We're back." I yelled as I unlocked the front door. Grace appeart in an instance. " And ? How was it?" Grace said, almost sounding impatient.

I started to tell both of them all about my interview, what questions she asked, and how she praised my work.

" Oh, by the way. You got a package, Valerie. " Grace said, pointing to the box on the kitchen counter. " Weird I didn't even order anything, I'm too broke for that." I chucked, making my way over to the kitchen.

"Maybe it's a bomb." Chris laughed,but  Grace and I shot him  a death stare, making him shut up. " Not funny, Chris." Grace said, hitting his upper arm. "Oww." He whined over dramatic as she didn't even hit him properly.

I took a pair of scissors, cutting open the box.

" What is it?" Grace asked . "Probably a bomb. " Chis laughed again.

"Valerie?" Grace repeated . I was frozen in my movement, staring at the content of the box. " Valerie, what-? " Grace repeated a third time. " It's a camera." I finally answered.

"A spy camera?" Chris asked from the couch.  " No, an actual camera. The one I've been saving money for. " I said. Grace got off the couch, making her way over to the kitchen.

" Wait, from who is it?" She asked.

I hesitated before answering. " From Billie. "

Grace looked over my shoulder at the content. It was a brand new professional camera and ontop rested a little post-it note " Congratulations, Photographer - B"

"Wait, that's so cute." Grace squealed beside me . " Yeah, that's really nice of her." I whispered.

I couldn't believe Billie did that for me. Even more I couldn't believe that she remembered that I needed a new camera.  It had been weeks since the dinner at the O'Connells, where I had told her that. But still she had remembered and that meant more to me than anyone could ever guess.

A.NAnother cutesy chapter . Also, my story has been kinda blowing up, which is crazy because I didn't think anyone would ever read this, so thanks. Hope you once again enjoyed the chapter. (It's almost 2 am and I should be asleep, ups)