"Hey, baby, can you drive me home?" Delilah asks Billie at the end of the day as she was walking out the door.
Billie met Delilah on her second day of the job. She had been sick they day prior, but she heard of the colleague whose shifts would align with her own.
Since the day they met, Billie witnessed nothing but perfection from her, everyday. Punctuality, good customer service, diligence, respect. Everything she admired about Delilah was everything she saw in Vanessa. The things she didn't like about her, were traits that were absent in Vanessa.
Like her soft laugh. Vanessa's was loud. A shameless howl that attracted the attention of anyone within their vicinity. She doesn't like how Delilah is so meek, and submissive. Vanessa is hardheaded, and a stubborn spirit, yet somehow she knows when to humble herself and oblige to a command.
Unlike Vanessa's long, black, wavy hair, Delilah's was short, cut into a bob, and straight. Not to mention it was a light brown, almost dirty blonde color. Delilah had gorgeous brown eyes. But they were brown, not forest green.
Delilah's smile is gorgeous. But it doesn't reach her eyes the way Vanessa's does. She doesn't show all her teeth the way Vanessa does. Her smile doesn't make Billie swoon the way she would when Vanessa smiles.
"Sure. But I have to pick up Nessa from school first." Billie says.
"That's great! I love Vanessa. You guys should come over for a bit. I miss her."
Another convenient inconvenience. Delilah and Vanessa are good friends. Not to the extent that they hang out without Billie. But when they are together, they laugh and gossip all day.
Billie opened the passenger door for Delilah before going to the drivers side.
"You know, a customer's kid got coke all over my shirt and pants." Vanessa said, pointing at the wet stains on her black golf shirt and pants.
"Yeah, that's why I don't serve for kids." Billie says.
"Now I have to wash it." she mumbled. "I officially do not like kids. We are never having one of those."
Billie didn't respond. Mostly because she didn't want to tend to the fact that Delilah is making future plans for them. They've only been dating for two years. It seemed sort of rushed.
She didn't want to start an argument, so she silently continued to drive.
When they parked at Vanessa's school, the young girl was already waiting with her head down and her arms crossed over the baggy shirt she borrowed from Billie.
Upon seeing Billie's car, she rushed over, getting into the car and shutting the door with a loud bang.
"What took so long?" she sassed.
Billie scoffs. "Well, good afternoon to you, too. I work, remember?"
She turns around towards the back seatcheck on her, and then a frown molds her feature. "Were you crying?"
"Can you just drive, please?"
"Nessa-"
"Just drive, for God's sake!"
Billie would've addressed that disrespectful tone if she wasn't feeling bad about seeing her upset.
Rarely is Vanessa sad, but when she is, it makes Billie even more sad. She complies, starting the car and driving to Delilah's house.
She looks through the rare view mirror to find Vanessa wiping more tears that had fallen.
"Delilah said we can stay over for a while. And if you stop crying I'll let you have one glass of alcohol."
