living for the hope of it all - b.e

1

just wanted to note that the timeline doesn't really fit real life, the present time for this book is set in 2020 - in this early era of writing the book i may change it but just so u lot know and don't get confused, it fits the basic timeline of her career i guess just years and stuff are more fluid

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December 18th 2020:

Bitter as ever, the New York air stabs at Billie's uncovered legs- she's beginning to curse wearing shorts out today, the trip is only to go get some almond milk but her legs are beginning to feel like heavy icicles threatening to lodge into the footpath forever. It's hard to dodge the cameras and the people wanting to talk to her and take a photo, but having black hair like many other people makes it easier to navigate than when she had green roots. Still, making it and out of her apartment in New York without being stopped at least 10 times is an impressive feat.

The warmth of her luxury apartment makes her cold limbs tingle at the contrasting heats inside and outside- comfort envelopes her as little paws make their way towards her. "hey!" Billie chirps at her puppy shark, who she got just a month ago. He yaps excitedly at her being back, jumping up on her leg as she hangs her coat on the hook by her door.

"come on!" she calls to him as she heads to her room to change, when she hops in the shower and relaxes into the stinging heat of the water she doesn't hear her front door open, and shark doesn't bark at people he knows- so she jumps in shock when she notices that her girlfriend, Amerie had let them self in to sit waiting on Billie's bed.

"Jesus" she exclaims, "you scared me shitless" - she laughs and makes her way to sit next to Amerie on the bed, "hey baby" she smiles, leaning in to kiss her.

"hey" Amerie smiles when they pull away from their short kiss. As of today, Billie and Amerie have been dating for 6 months- so they're going to celebrate with a couple close friends by drinking tonight.

When Billie's gotten dressed the couple head to the kitchen to set up the snacks and stuff Billie had bought yesterday for the group, along with the drinks she bought.

"what time are they getting here?" Amerie asks.

"uuuuh, i think Teo is getting here in..." she checks the time on her phone, then slips it back into her pocket before continuing- "10 minutes"

Amerie nods to while Billie fishes her phone out once again and checks her messages to see when their other friends said they'd arrive. "Jay and Roshad are at J's Dad's house but they'll come whenever they're done there"

Jay and Roshad are high school sweethearts, the meal they're currently eating at Jay's Dad's is for their Grandfather's birthday.

When Teo; also known as Mateo, arrives- Billie can't help but laugh at him bringing his own liquor, he drinks the most out of any of them so it makes sense- even if Billie always insists she's bought enough and she doesn't mind him drinking what she bought. "Hey!" he greets them enthusiastically as he places the drinks down.

Billie gave each of her close friends a key to her apartment, so Teo had let himself in instead of knocking- her management would kill her if they knew she was giving out keys to her home but she figures what they don't know won't bother them.

"hey Teo" Amerie smiles warmly at their friend, she smiles wider when they hear Billie laughing at the alcohol.

"how are you guys?" Teo asks as he sits down across from the couple after getting a drink.

Both Amerie and Billie go to speak but before they can even reply Jay and Roshad stumble in, "hi!" they greet everyone in unison, "we left early!"

"for us, or did Grandpa Joe have something bigoted to say again...?" Billie asks, already knowing the latter is the reason.