Chapter 8

I threw on a pair of baggy low waisted jeans and paired it with a tight baby tee, my belly button piercing was showing and I loved it. It dangled down my stomach a bit and glistened in the light.

"Ivy we gotta go now!" I yell out to her from my room, I get a yup as a reply, that's my quee to ring Billie.

"hey pretty" she's says over the phone, her voice soft, I can hear a few people talking and laughing in the background.

"Hey Billie, we're just about to leave" I shyly say, butterfly's slowly forming in my stomach from the way she greeted me over the phone.She tells me the address and I insert it into google maps, double checking it's correct before we say our goodbyes and Ivy and I are on our way.

As per usual, I was playing the next song from her happier than ever album. "Billie bossa nova" I listened intently whilst driving towards finneas', these lyrics are not what I expected at all but I'm throughly enjoying it.Maybe too much.

"Is this Billie?" Ivy asks next to me, knocking me out of my trance, I glance at her before looking back towards the road

"Yeah, I've been listening to this album, just wanting to see what all the craze was about" I chuckle, earning a small smile from Ivy next to me

"You've met the craze yourself, in person, you have her number, what more could you get from this song?" Ivy questions.There's a lot more I could get from this song. A.lot.

Soon enough we're pulling into his driveway, almost fully full with cars. Ivy and I gather our stuff, i quickly fix up my hair in the mirror, the waves fully gently over my shoulders. I gave Ivy a small smile as we left the car.

I knocked on the door, my heart racing a little bit more than I wanted it too. Before I could second guess anything the door was opening. There stood Billie.

"Hey stranger" I say as I see Billie's face, she gives me a big grin and pulls me into a tight hug. Smelling the exact same as last time. She moved out the way, gesturing for us to enter.

"This is my best friend Ivy" I say whilst introducing them to eachother.

"Hey Ivy, it's nice to meet you, I've seen you all over Embers Instagram" Billie chuckles to herself. My cheeks blush, she's gone through my instagram.

"Hi Billie, I've heard... well I've actually not heard too much about you, but what I have heard was good" Billie lets out a loud laugh at Ivys comment, I give Ivy a small tap on her arm, now extremely embarrassed.

"Anyway, come in I'll introduce you both to some people" she smiles leading us into the kitchen where a few people were scattered throughout the living room and kitchen.

The kitchen smelled like a mix of tequila, lime, and something faintly sweet - maybe someone had been baking earlier. There were a few people gathered around the island, chatting and laughing as they poured drinks and snacked on chips and salsa, a classic.

Billie led us over to a group standing by the counter. "Guys this is Ember and Ivy" she announced, her hand lightly brushing against mine as she spoke. my heart thudded painfully in my chest.

A girl with messy curls smiled at us "I've seen you in concert, you're insanely good" she comments, I blush and thank her for the compliment."You guys want a drink?" The curly haired girl asks, she reached for 2 more plastic cups.

I glanced at Ivy, who nodded enthusiastically. "Sure, why not" I said, my voice a little too high-pitched.

Billie leaned in close, her mouth by my ear. "I can get you something else if you want?" She whispered; her breath warm against my skin.

I shook my head, swallowing hard "this is fine" I replied, barely able to keep eye contact with her without feeling like I might explode.

Ivy was already mingling, she was really good at being able to get along with any one, chatting up a guy with dark brown hair by the sink. Meanwhile, Billie stuck by my side, pointing out different people and telling me little anecdotes about them.

"That's Finneas over there" she said, nodding towards a guy with ginger hair laughing on the couch, guitar resting in his lap. "He's probably already written a song about this party" I laughed, feeling myself relax a little. Billie's energy was magnetic- it was hard to feel awkward when she made you feel like the most important person in the room.

A few minutes later, Finneas wandered into the kitchen with a girl by his side.She had long straight black hair and a warm smile that lit up the room. Billie immediately perked up.

"Ember, Ivy, this is my brother Finneas and his girlfriend Claudia" she introduced, her arm brushing against mine again.Finneas grinned and offered a handshake.

"Hey, nice to meet you guys" he said; his voice as friendly as his smile. "Billie mentioned she invited some friends"

Claudia beamed. "I love your hair" she told Ivy who blushed and tucked a strand behind her ear."You guys look like you're having fun already"

"Yeah, Billie's been showing us around" I said, trying to ignore the way my pulse raced whenever Billie stood too close.Eventually, we found ourselves on the back patio, where fairy lights twinkled above us like tiny stars. The music was quiter out here. Finneas and Claudia joined us, chatting with Ivy about music and their favourite TV shows. I sat by the railing with Billie, feeling like I was floating.

Finneas suddenly clapped his hands together, a playful grin sledding across his face. "Okay I have an idea" he announced. "Let's play 'never have I ever'. Classic party game - and it always makes things interesting"

Billie rolled her eyes but smiled "Finneas, you always want to stir up drama." She teased, but there was hint of excitement in her voice.

Claudia nudged him "it's a good icebreaker, though" she said, her eyes twinkling.

Ivy practically lit up. "I'm so down" she said, grabbing a drink and settling into a patio chair.Billie looked over at me, her expression softening. "What do you think? Wanna play?"

I shrugged, "sure" I said sitting a little closer to her.

They gathered in a circle, everyone holding their drinks, Finneas started the game with a mischievous flint in his eyes. "Never have I ever...crashed a party" he said looking around, I rolled my eyes, what a stupid question.

Billie leaned against the railing, her blue eyes reflecting the soft glow of the lights. "So...you like the album?" She asked, her face locking with mine. We briefly talked earlier about how I was listening to her second album.

I bit my lip, "yeah. Maybe a little too much" I admitted, my heart pounding at the vulnerability of my words.

Her smile was slow and knowing. "What's your favourite song?" She asked, tilting her head.I hesitated, then decided to be honest. "Probably Billie Bossa Nova. It makes me feel...things"I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Billie's eyes softened, and she took a step closer. "That's one of my favourites too." She said, her voice equally as quiet. She looked like she wanted to say something more; but instead, she just smiled and sat down next to me, letting the conversation flow naturally as the night stretched on.

The rest of the party joined us outside, intrigued by the fact we were playing never have I ever.Finneas, not one to let the night die down, leaned forward with a wicked grin. "Never have I ever:.. had a crush on someone in this room?" He said, raising his eyebrows as he took a dramatic sip from his cup.Claudia let out a loud laugh and also sipped her drink.

Billie smirked but stayed quiet, her fingers playing with her drink. My face flushed, and I prayed no one noticed how stiff I went.

Claudia giggled, nudging Finneas "you're just trying to start something"

"Isn't that the point" he teased, winking.

Ivy; always bold took a sip, making everyone laugh. "What? I'm honest" she shrugged.

Billie turned to me, her voice low. "You didn't drink?" She whispered, her lips twitching into a small smile. My throat went dry, I don't have a crush on her, that's why I didn't drink. Just a couple of butterfly's here and there, that's normal.

The game rolled on, each question getting bolder. Claudia tossed out "never have I ever...skinny dipped". More people drank than I expected. Then Ivy added "never have I ever hooked up with the same sex"

Billie smirked and took a sip, her fingers lazily twirling her cup. I felt the weight of everyone's eyes on me, this one I'm not ashamed of

Ivy drank too, completely unfazed.

I lifted my cup grinning whilst doing so and took a sip grinning , The group erupted into cheers and teasing, and Billie just smiled at me, her eyes burning into mine.

The questions swirled. playfully and charged, the tension between Billie and me growing thicker with every glance and quiet exchange. I wasn't sure where the night was heading, but I knew I didn't what it to end anytime soon.