Confession

By the time Nat finished locking up, the streets outside were nearly empty. The air was cool, crisp, the kind that made Billie tuck her hands into her hoodie pocket as she fell into step beside Nat.

"Let me guess," Nat said as they walked, her voice teasing. "You're gonna tell me you just so happen to be heading the same way as me."

Billie smirked. "Nah. I'm just making sure you don't get into another fight."Nat rolled her eyes. "One time." Billie raised a brow. "Uh-huh." Nat huffed a small laugh, shaking her head. But she didn't argue.

They walked in easy silence for a while, the only sounds their footsteps on the pavement. Billie glanced over at Nat, watching the way the streetlights cast a glow against her skin, how the wind tousled her hair slightly.

And God, she was beautiful.

Billie had known that for a while now. But lately, it felt different. Heavier. Like something she couldn't keep pushing down, no matter how hard she tried.

She swallowed, glancing away. "So... you heading home?"

Nat shrugged. "Probably. You?"

"Yeah." Billie hesitated, then nudged her gently. "You sure you're okay? Like, really okay?"

Nat slowed slightly, glancing at Billie.

Something unreadable flickered in her eyes.

"...I think so," she admitted.

Billie nodded, waiting.

Nat sighed, running a hand through her hair. "It's weird, you know? After everything that's happened, I thought I'd feel..." She trailed off, searching for the right words.

"Worse?" Billie guessed.Nat nodded. "Yeah." She let out a breath. "But today wasn't bad. And neither was tonight."

Billie's chest tightened. "Good."

They reached a crosswalk, the red hand blinking as they stopped at the curb.Nat shifted on her feet, glancing at Billie again. "Hey."

Billie turned toward her. "Yeah?"For a second, Nat looked like she wanted to say something.Something important. But then she just shook her head, smiling slightly. "Thanks for sticking around today." Billie studied her for a moment. Then, softly, she said, "Always." The light turned green. And even as they crossed the street, even as the city stretched out around them, Billie couldn't shake the feeling that something between them had changed.

—

Billie lay on her couch, staring at the ceiling.She had been home for hours, but sleep wouldn't come.Her body felt exhausted, but her mind wouldn't shut up—not when all she could think about was her.

Nat.

The way she moved, the way she fought, the way she felt beneath Billie's hands when she had massaged the tension from her shoulders.Billie exhaled sharply, pressing the heels of her palms into her eyes.This wasn't just a crush. It wasn't some fleeting feeling she could brush off, something she could blame on the adrenaline of the past few days.This was deeper.And that scared her.She groaned, reaching for her phone before she could talk herself out of it. She pulled up her brother's contact and hit call.

It barely rang twice before Finneas picked up, his voice groggy. "Billie, it's one in the morning."

"I know."

Silence. Then, "What's wrong?"

Billie hesitated.

She hadn't planned on confessing everything, but the second she opened her mouth, it all just spilled out. "I think I'm in love with Nat." Finneas was quiet for a beat.

Then—

"No shit."

Billie groaned, flopping back onto the couch. "Dude." Finneas chuckled. "Bill, you've been obsessed with her for months. You're just now figuring this out?"

Billie scowled. "I wasn't obsessed." Finneas hummed. "Sure."

Billie sighed, rubbing her temple. "It's just... it feels different with her, you know?"

"Yeah," Finneas said, his voice softer now. "I know."

Billie swallowed. "And what if I mess it up?"

"Then you mess it up," Finneas said simply. "And you deal with it. But, Bill, from what I've seen? I don't think you will."

Billie closed her eyes, something in her chest tightening.

"...Yeah?"

"Yeah."

She let his words settle for a moment. Then, quietly, she admitted, "I think I've been in love with her for a while." Finneas let out a small laugh. "Yeah, we know. You're the last one to figure it out." Billie huffed a quiet laugh, shaking her head.

Finneas yawned. "Look, Bill, I love you, but I need to sleep. Just... talk to her, okay?"Billie hesitated. Then, softly, she said, "Yeah. Okay." They said they're goodnights, and Billie hung up. She stared at the ceiling for a long time, heart pounding. She needed to tell Nat. And soon.