Would you Swallow all your Pride?

Chapter Thirteen: Lilac.

"Okay, then." Billie Dean smiled back. She reached for Venable's hand once again, tangling their fingers before leaning back against the seat and closing her eyes. Wilhemina stared at their intertwined fingers; how come it came so naturally to Billie Dean? What are we even doing?

The rest of the flight was peaceful; Wilhemina kept on staring out of the window, eyes lingering on the clouds and then on their still intertwined fingers and slowly moving up to Billie Dean's face. In her asleep state, Billie had not one single dimple of worry. Her skin is absolutely flawless. Granted, she was wearing makeup, but still. Floratta Blue kept on invading Venable's nostrils, causing her chest to flutter every single time. Why was Billie Dean making sure to hold her hand? She's just being nice. Even though Wilhemina didn't want to, her mind slipped to the thoughts she had the day before... to how she had pictured Billie Dean in such indecent situations... to how she had imagined her kiss to be like. Ugh. Her cheeks tinted as she looked away and back to the window. Cutting her thoughts, a voice on the speaker let them know the plane was getting ready to land. Venable sat up a little better, heart picking up in speed. From the corner of her eyes, she watched as Billie Dean began to wake up.

"Mph," Billie murmured as she slowly opened her eyes, free hand reaching for the arm rest. Her eyes looked around, and the first thing she saw was Wilhemina; she looked concerned. Billie Dean frowned, moving to sit up a little. "Everything alright?" she asked softly, voice struggling to come at first. Only then she realized their hands were still together. She didn't let go. It was... strange. Billie Dean was a person who didn't mind physical affection, but she knew Venable wasn't. Or didn't want to be.

"Yes," Venable looked back at Billie. Subconsciously, she held her hand a little tighter. "We're about to land."

"Are you nervous?"

Why does she keep on asking me that? Billie Dean knew she was. But how could Venable get mad? "A little."

"Don't be." With her thumb, Billie caressed Wilhemina's hand. She was so soft to the touch. And cold. "If you want, we can talk about something to distract you."

Billie Dean was weird, Wilhemina had decided. She was weird, because she was different. She treated her different. No one treated her like that, with such attention and kindness. Emma does. It wasn't the same, somehow. "Do you mind?"

The tone Venable used nearly caused Billie Dean to pout. She sounded scared, ashamed. What happened to you? Billie was decided she'd find out. "Not at all," she shook her head. "What would you like to talk about?"

Nothing came into Wilhemina's mind. It was all blank and full of thoughts about everything that could go wrong at the same time. I'm such an idiot. Billie Dean would never want her around again. "I-I don't know."

"Let's see..." I have an opportunity. "Tell me about your family?"

Fuck. Billie Dean couldn't have picked a worse subject. "What about it?"

Score. "Are you an only child?"

"That I know of," Wilhemina nodded. And only with the look Billie Dean gave her she realized she'd have some explaining to do. Venable was usually so careful with her words, but everything was a little hectic right now. "My parents never told me much about it."

Oh? Billie Dean didn't know if she fully understood that, but she figured it was enough of an answer for now. "Do you talk to them about it?"

"No." Wilhemina didn't talk to them at all. She didn't even know who they were. Too soon to tell her that. "Are you?"