Would you Swallow all your Pride?

Chapter Nineteen: Mahogany.

"Me too." Finding a table on the back of the restaurant, Billie Dean set their tray and sat down. Wilhemina did the same. With a bright smile, she looked at Venable. "Ready?"

"I suppose." Wilhemina let out a laugh.

"Alright." Billie reached for their food and set one of each thing aside for Venable, and then she put their tray away so they had more room. This is weirdly exciting. "The hamburger is called a Big Mac, then you have the delicious fries and a strawberry milkshake."

Wilhemina examined the food. Gently, she opened the small box to reveal the burger. Not impressive. "That meat indeed looks weird."

Billie let out a laugh at Venable's reaction. She reached for some fries and ate them. "Just take a bite."

"Okay." Hesitantly, Wilhemina grabbed a napkin and, clumsily, managed to pick the burger up. Lettuce fell down on the table, and her cheeks tinted softly; that was definitely not up her alley. She stared at the burger for a second before leaning closer and taking a first bite. The taste that invaded her mouth was different from anything she had ever tried—it was clearly chemical, but still so delicious. Setting the burger back down, Venable quickly wiped her lips clean.

"So?" Billie Dean stared at her excitedly. She's adorable.

"I can see your point."

"Yes!" Billie laughed as she reached for her own burger and took a big bite. "Try the fries."

With a nod, Wilhemina reached for one; her eyes opened a little more when she tasted it. "Oh God," she murmured. Shyly, she grabbed another one. "How can it taste so good?"

Billie Dean couldn't help but laugh a little more. She ate more of her food. "I told you."

"You can't make homemade fries taste like that." Wilhemina reached for her burger again, being careful not to let it fall apart.

"That's McDonald's thing. Everything just tastes... different." Billie Dean took a sip of her milkshake. "Granted—it's definitely not healthy. But once in a while won't hurt anyone."

Venable nodded as she ate. Her eyes landed on the milkshake, and she found herself wanting to try everything. The meat wasn't good alone, but in the context of the burger it just worked. "What else can you get here?"

I think she liked it. Billie Dean's eyes shimmered with a happy glow. "Nuggets, ice cream, coffee, chicken sandwiches, hash browns, tiny apple pies... there's a lot of things."

"Everything is fast like that?"

"Mhm." Billie Dean took another sip of her milkshake. Wilhemina's look was one of pure wonder, almost childlike. How could a grown woman have such a light, beautiful aura like that? I want to know more about her. It was a constant thought on Billie's mind. Venable was such a mystery, and every time Billie Dean learned a little more, she got more and more fascinated by it. I want her to experience life with me. Being Wilhemina's first was addicting.

"I can definitely see the appeal." Venable reached for more fries. They came in a huge box. How much was it? She'd check it later.

"Final verdict?" Billie Dean teased with a cheeky smile, which got her a chuckle from Wilhemina as she took a sip of her own milkshake.

"Approved."

Billie Dean gasped playfully. "Victory!" They both laughed a little, eyeing each other. When the chuckles died down, Billie bit her lower lip. I should say something. "I... I really like being around you, you know?" She started.

Wilhemina smiled softly. I don't understand how, but I am thankful for having you. She couldn't say that. As she thought about an answer that could represent how she felt, her phone began to vibrate nonstop on top of the table. Billie Dean arched an eyebrow. "Sorry." She quickly reached for it. And then her cheeks tinted even more and her whole body grew hot. On the screen there were a bunch of notifications from Emma; she had just seen the picture Venable had sent—and forgotten about it—to her. The reminder came crashing down in what felt like embarrassment. 'Oh my God.' read the first message, 'You are so GORGEOUS.' read the second one, followed by others with similar content. Venable turned her phone down.