SLIPPING (B.E.)

{two}

sucking my pacifier gently, i tugged wolfie closer to my face, inhaling his scent and smiling softly.

i pulled my blohsh blanket further up my shoulders so it covered my face up to my cheek, instantly feeling safer. everytime i cuddled with this blanket, it was so easy to imagine billie was actually here with me, hugging me from behind, keeping me close to her. so i was safe and protected in her arms.

i sighed contentedly, blinking my eyes open a touch. it was still dark out, but i felt too awake to go back to sleep right away. so i reached down and grabbed my phone, its screen lighting my face up softly.

it was 4:47, but i didn't pay much attention to that. i furrowed my brow at the text on the screen, from an unknown number. it was cut off, so i opened the imessage app to read the whole thing.

###-###-####

hello, gwen gray! we have successfully classified you, which you can view from this link below, and located your soulmate!
however, unfortunately we are unable to get you two together immediately. your mate, billie o'connell, is famous worldwide and her security has requested another interview with you to be certain she will be safe with you.

i had to pause there, reading the name again and again, feeling numb. there was no way my mate was actually billie, this had to be a scam. i continued to read.

-we ask that you come to new horizons high school at 11 A.M tomorrow (wednesday, january 5) for this interview. if you are unable to make this time, please contact us ASAP through this number to arrange for a different time.

i stared at it, still disbelieving. finally, i decided to text ginger.

i screenshotted the messages then sent it to her without any words, knowing she'd understand what i was feeling.

realizing i'd probably had enough overwhelming emotion for one night, i set my phone down and settled back into my blankets, sucking on my pacifier again as i drifted off.

***

billie

"this is bullshit," i muttered, running my hand through my black hair while i watched the video in front of me.

"like, she's little, finneas. little! she's not about to beat me up or some shit," i ranted, then focused on the video when gwen smiled.

"i really love wolves, and i've wanted to become a wildlife observer for a while now, and i like drawing too, and writing. i like writing about personal experiences and turning it into a cool story. oh! and um- i like making music. mostly just playing bass, though,"

she is sooo adorable, i thought, smiling softly at her lil face, dusted with freckles, her bright blue-gray eyes and fiery red hair. i can't wait to meet her.

"billie? are you even listening?" finneas questioned, slight exasperation in his tone.

i glanced up at him, reluctantly pausing the video. "hm? no, not really, say it again,"

he sighed. "i said, you're probably right and this is just your team overreacting again. as it is, though, there isn't much we can do about it. but what you can do? get your house ready for her, go shopping, whatever. because you and i know, and likely enough so does your team, that she's completely harmless and you need to be ready for her to move in. especially if she's little."

i stared at him for a few moments with wide eyes. "oh my fucking god, how did i not think about that? finneas, i have to start shopping right now!"