𝐑𝐈𝐃𝐄 | B.E

PART 12

012; perfection

tw: mentions of abuse, and slight smut.

billie's pov

as the clock struck midnight katherine and i finally arrived at my house, entering as quietly as possible aware that if we made any noise we'd wake everyone up. i haven't been able to stop smiling since the kiss, i couldn't feel anything but happy. 

even on the car ride home, i held onto her thigh softly threading my thumb across. i remember how her fingers danced on the back of my hand while cutely biting down on her bottom lip as she smiled. i never wanted to let her out of my sight ever again.

kat clearly was in a lot of pain and tried to hide how badly hurt she is from me, but as always i saw right through it. every time i gaze into her eyes i see how trapped she seems although i know she's a loving person all i can see is that cage.

"are you sure this is okay?" katherine whispered. worried that my parents would be mad if they found out, i noticed how nervous she is right now so i slowly snaked my arm around her waist after silently closing the door behind us.

"i wouldn't have brought you here if it wasn't. all i want is you to be safe and that's here with me" i replied reassuring her. kat's paranoia is something i've learned how to handle, how to calm her, and how to protect her even if she didn't want me to.

the living room was dark so i had to guide us through to my room, but before i could the lights suddenly switched on causing our heads to cock towards the noise. i feel katherine jump out of her skin as we both saw finneas and claudia on the couch grinning at us like creeps.

"why the fuck are you lurking in the dark like that?" i exclaimed making them both laugh at me. my finger gently squeeze on kat's hip a little subtly telling her it was alright and not to be scared.

at the same time they both locked eyes on katherine and i shoot them an awkward smile giving them a moment to realize who she was. claudia's jaw dropped in awe, "oh my god are you billie's girlfriend?" she asked excitedly jumping up from the sofa. 

"uh-" kat glanced up at me with a panicked face not knowing how to answer, "aren't you going to introduce us?" my brother queried also standing up. they both stand silently with huge smiles on their faces patiently waiting.

"sure- kat... this is my brother, finneas, and my almost sister-in-law, claudia" i explain making katherine's face nod in realization as the puzzle pieces in her head connect. i notice how tired her eyes were but somehow kat was way too good of an actress for them to even realize what a day she'd had.

"hi... congratulations on your engagement" katherine smiled shyly, it most certainly was the cutest thing i've ever seen in my life. i rub my thumb across her lower back which causes her to glance up at me with a light in her eyes as they glow so beautiful when met with mine.

my heart flutters in my chest admiring how pure her smile is. she's so strong you could see that from a mile away even if you had no idea what she's been through. 

"you're so hot! i mean billie told us but i didn't believe her" claudia states, i saw how her bubbly personality absolutely terrified kat by how petrified her eyes turned. not really paying attention katherine nods with a smile oblivious to the conversation.

i kissed my teeth feeling the embarrassment hit me like a truck, now kat knew i had been talking about her to my family. "sorry, i've had a bit too much bible juice" claudia admits with an awkward sigh.

"bible juice?" kat questions furrowing her brows, "it's what she calls wine" finneas replied making me chuckle to myself. of course, this is how katherine met my family in the weirdest way physically possible.