Chapter 24

A week later.

This morning we were leaving for Australia. I woke up to ivy shaking my shoulder like her life depended on it.

"get up Emmy" she whispered, voice laced with excitement."your future awaits"

I groaned, face buried in my pillow.what time is it?"

"time to be an international sensation" she snickered yanking the blankets off me with way too much enthusiasm."plane leaves in 4 hours. Billie was texting you to make sure you're conscious, so rise and shine sweetie"

My heart fluttered at the mention of Billie, nerves and excitement tangling together in my chest. I sat up, rubbing my eyes, the weight of the day slowly sinking in. Billies tour was finally starting again even though I was only there for moral support and to be with her. After weeks of media training, endless packing and figuring out how to disappear from the public eye when needed, it was finally happening.

and i'd get to be with Billie through it all.

I showered quickly, triple checking my suitcase and then spent half an hour pacing in the living room whilst ivy sipped her coffee like she had all the time in the world.

"you okay?" she asked, watching me with a raised brow.

"i think i'm gonna throw up" I admitted, hugging my arms around myself. "What if I accidentally expose us, like seriously, what if i'm a distraction for Billie and she doesn't perform her best?"

"What if you blow everyones minds just by existing?" ivy cut in, rolling her eyes.

'you've got this and Billie will be there, watching you with heart eyes from across every room"

my face burned."thats not-"

"please" she snorted "i've watched her look at you like you hung up the stars. it's embarrassing, really"

I threw a pillow at her, but she just laughed, dodging it effortlesslyBefore I could argue, my phone buzzed. Billie's name lit up the screen.

Billie:i'm outside

I grabbed my bag, adrenaline surging as Ivy and I rushed out the door. Billie was leaning against her car, sunglasses perched on her nose and a soft smile tugging at her lips. She looked so effortless, like she belonged on the cover of every magazine on the planet. My chest constricted at the sight of her, A familiar ache I was starting to crave.

"ready" she asked, her voice warm as she pulled me into a hug that made my lungs forget how to work.

"as i'll ever be " I whispered, my grip lingering just a little longer than necessary.

Ivy clapped her hands together."okay, lovebirds, time to conquer the world. Text me when you land. And don't forget to send me a-lot of photos, I need to live vicariously through you."

I giggled giving Ivy a long and loving hug.

The ride to the airport quiet, but not in an awkward way. Billie kept glancing over, her fingers brushing against mine like she couldn't help herself. Every-time she touched me, my pulse jumped, my skin burning where she made contact. I squeezed her hand, hoping she could feel the way my heart like a drum solo I couldn't control.

"you sure you're okay with this" she asked, her voice gentle"i know it's a-lot"

I nodded, swallowing hard."I want to be with you. I don't care where we are"

Her smile was soft, almost shy, and she lifted my hand to her lips, pressing a kiss to my knuckles like she couldn't stop herself.

-

The airpot had been a blur of security checks and fans lingering near the gates, hoping to catch a glimpse of Billie. We kept our heads down and hands to ourselves. Yasmin ran interference like a pro, guiding us through the crowd with practiced ease. Billie wore her hoodie up, sunglasses on, and I kept my head down with my hood up, heart pounding every time someone lifted their phone to take a picture. Yasmin expertly deflected questions, steering us towards the gate like she was leading a secret mission.By time time we finally settled into our seats on the plane, exhaustion had settled into my bones like cement. still keeping our hoodies over our heads. Billie leaned her head on my shoulder, sighing softly, her body fitting against mine like we were puzzle pieces meant to click together. It was only then, away from the cameras and crowd, that I felt like I could breathe again.. We kept our heads down, fingers intertwined.

"i'm glad you're coming with me" She whispered, her words barely audible over the hum of the engines.

I tilted my head, resting it against hers."me too"

We talked quietly while the plane taxied, her fingers tracing lazy circles on the back of my hand. She told me about the setlist, about how she was worried she might mess up due to not performing some songs before, I told her I would cheer her on even if she sung a totally different song, she laughed and I thought my heart might fall off the plane.The plane took off, carrying us toward whatever chaos and magic the tour had in store.And for the first time, I felt at peace.