Part 47

" Ok, so what's been up with you lately?" Grace asked as she slumbed on the couch between Chris and I pausing our movie.

We had finally found the time to spend an evening together after each of us being so busy lately.

We had ordered some takeout, which we now devoured on the couch while watching The devil wears Prada, which Chris insisted on. All to celebrate the fact that I got an email today confirming that a photo of mine will be in the next vogue edition.

I shrugged at Grace's words.

"I mean, one of my photos is in the next vogue edition, but I don't know which photo it will be.Other than that, I don't know." I said, struggling with my chopsticks.

I was never really good with my fine motor skills.

Once I figured it out, I looked back up to see Grace and Chris looking at me, expecting.

"What?" I asked, furring my eyebrows .

They beamed at me with these smug smiles like they knew something I didn't.

"What did you guys do?" I asked, scared for my life. Their expression really worried me. They looked like they had done something they knew I wouldn't like but they were excited about.

Chris finally broke the silence. "No, the better question is what did YOU do?"

"Huh?" I was totally clueless.

"Billie -" Grace said teasingly, and now I knew exactly what they wanted.

"Oh! Nah, nothing. " I said, but my red cheeks gave away that I was lying. Thinking about Billie was enough to make me blush.

"Oh my god, Valerie. Come on, tell us everything. We know there is something going on with you two." Chris said, taking another bit of his noodles.

I pursed my lips before speaking. "Okay, okay. Maybe , perhaps we sort of kinda - kissed last weekend. " I teased my cheeks burning when thinking back to our kiss and how sweet Billie had been the next morning when I woke up in her bed.

"No fucking way." They both gasped out.Chris almost spilling all of his food on the carpet but luckily still catching it in time. Grace would have killed him if he didn't.

"Yeah I guess it just kinda happened. "

I knew Grace and Chris were rooting for Billie and I since the beginning. So this was big news for them. And they were so happy.

"Omg, tell us all about it . Now." Grace basically yelled, jumping up and down on the couch a little.

"Okay, calm down, though. " I laughed, pulling her back down.

Both of them were dead quiet as I began listing the events of last weekends party.

"And then I stayed the night at her place but like nothing else happened. " I said already catching Chris smug face .

"No sex ,Chris. Just cuddling and sleeping. "

He looked almost disappointed.

"The next morning she woke me up for breakfast and served me delicious pancakes. We kinda just hung out for the rest of the day till she drove me home around noon." I explained with a smile plastered on my face.

"God that's soo cute." Grace squeaked.

"And now?" Chris asked." What are you two now?"

His question caught me of guard. I hadn't thought about that nor had I talked to Billie about it.

"I mean- I dont know. I guess we're still just friends.  Though she did invite me to her parents place for dinner this week. But that's kinda nothing new. I used to basically live at the O'Connells places."

I chuckled thinking back to the good old times were I used to spend all my free time at the table with the O'Connell family playing games.

Grace chimed in again. "Hm I dont know. I mean friends dont just kiss. And she did kinda confess her feelings to you a little back."

She had a point.

" But I'm not sure if she actually ment it back then. What would've  you done if your childhood best friend suddenly sits in your backyard after 5 years crying about the past and how she thinks shes the problem all the time."

We were quite for a second letting the weight of my words linger before Chris spoke again.

"I dont think I would have said that I'm literally in love with you if I didn't mean it. You were in a vulnerable place that night. Lying wouldn't have fixed anything. "

"I think Chris is right ." Grace agreed.

I was silent for a moment letting their words sink in while fiddling with my noodles.

I shrugged.

"I dont know what you guys want me to do now." I said my voice barely above a whisper.

"Do you have feelings for her?" Grace asked.

I was quiet though my mind wasn't.

"I mean-" I started after a second. " -  I dont think I'm in LOVE with her yet. For that we haven't been hanging out enough.  But I do think I have feelings for her, yeah." I rambled, the couch suddenly too soft. It felt like I was sinking right in.

We quietly continued eating our food for awhile . The air suddenly heavy. Heavy of the truth.

Chris was the first to finish his food placing the empty container on our coffee table. " I think you two should talk about what that kiss means to yall." I nodded.

"But enough about me . What's new with you guys.  I feel like it's been forever since the last time we were all together. " I smiled, trying to push all the big thoughts clouding my mind away.

"Yeah, we haven't properly hung out since, like Coachella. But no, nothing new with me." Grace said, putting her empty container next to Chris.

My eyes wandered to Chris, hoping that he would have some news. Luckily, he did.

"Yeah, actually. I've got some news. But I'm not sure how yall will react. " He said, chuckling a little nervous.

"Oh, oh." Grace and I said in union.

"I mean, it's nothing bad -" Chris tried calming us down.

"- do yall still remember Simon from Coachella?" He asked and we nodded.  Of course we still remembered the guy Chris met at Coachella with whom he went on some more dates afterwards.

"So actually we're- we're together now."

"Om my god!" Yelled the both of us jumping off the couch.

"Thats amazing Chris! Why wouldn't we be happy for you two?" I squeaked jumping around with Grace celebrating like he won some award.

"Because there's more. Can you please sit back down ." He laughed pulling us back on the couch next to him.

"So what's up? Tell us."  I said growing inpatient.

"Okay . So he asked me to move in with him and I said yes."

It was quite for a second.

" Wait so you're moving out?" I asked a little confused. I mean I heard what he said but he barely told us anything about Simon and now he was just moving out.

"Yeah. " He said sounding almost a little sad aswell.

"So this is basically our last movie night together as roommates?" Grace asked twirling her honey blond hair around her  finger.

Chris shrugged.

This evening was supposed to be fun and not form new confusions and sad feelings.

But I could see that Chris was happy with Simon.  Atleast ever since Coachella he seems to be so much more happy and full of joy. 

"I'm happy for you Chris . We both really are. Im sorry we can seem to show it right now. Its just sad that you're moving out and that we wont be roommates anymore. " I explained. I could see how Chris expression had shifted into guild.

But he should feel guilty for being happy with someone.

"Thanks Valerie that means a lot. And I get it . I will miss you guys too. But Simon doesn't live too far from here so I can still visit you guys all the time." Chris said a smile spreading on his lips again.

"Is that a threat?" Grace asked smiling and we all lost it. Laughing till we all gasped for air. We flopped back down on the couch for a group hug promising to continue with our movie night legacy and formed plans for dinner to meet Simon.

"Oh and you should ask Billie to come aswell." Chris proposed.

"Wait so that you guys can have a double date and I have to thirdwheel." Grace complained as she was the only one not in a relationship or situationship.

"Don't worry Grace we'll find someone for you too." Chris chuckled.

We talked a little more about Graces preferences in men and soon discovered the reason why she hadn't found anyone yet.

After that we decided to finally continue with our movie we had paused about an hour ago .

We were all slumbed into the couch half asleep and wrapped up in blankets when I felt my phone vibrat beneath me.

I ignored it for a second before it vibrated again make me pick it up. It was Billie texting me. My heart instantly skipped a beat.

___BillieI would like to keep my promise and take you out on a date this week if you'd like.

And if you're free of course.

___ I smiled so hard my cheeks hurt. I couldn't believe she remembered the promise about taking me on a date.

I quickly tipped back.

___

Valerie I'll have to check my schedule, but I would love to.I actually wanted to talk to you anyway  so perfect timing.

BillieI hope nothing bad.

Valerie Nah, of course not.Don't worry. Just tell me where and when.

Billie Will do.And don't worry Ill come and pick you up of course.

And I will open the door for you.Even if you look absolutely gut wrenchingly hot.

Valerie Ill try my best;)

BillieWhat are you up to right now?

Valerie Movie night with Grace and ChrisBut their basically asleep. Me probably soon too.

Billie Sounds nice.Don't want to keep you up.Goodnight princess;)

Valerie Very funny. Goodnight Billie.

BillieGood night Valerie dream well.

Valerie You too.

___

I smiled tucking my phone away again. She was really taking me out on a date and I couldn't be happier.

Soon just like the other two I fell asleep on the couch.

A.NIm on a little vacay right now. So Im eighter gonna right more or not lol.Anyway hope you enjoyed as always.