come out and play (billie eilish christmas story)

4

"So, Willow," Billie started as we slowly sauntered down the sidewalk to her car.

"You said you just moved here... where are you from?" She questioned, glancing at me curiously.

"Uh, I'm from Canada originally, but we moved to Seattle when I was fifteen and then I came here," I told her with a shrug.

"Wow, Canada. That explains the accent," Billie teased, nudging my shoulder lightly with her own. I smiled, surprised at how welcome the affectionate gesture was.

Billie continued before I had to think of something else to say. "Whose 'we'?"

My smile faltered, but I struggled to keep my tone casual. "My parents and I,"

"They didn't move with you?" She questioned, and I felt a sudden flare of annoyance that quickly faded. She doesn't know, I reminded myself.

"No. They died," I kept it short, since I knew if I tried to elaborate, I would break down. My voice was already becoming shaky.

By now, we had reached her car. Billie stopped by it and looked at me, eyes full of sympathy and concern.

"I'm sorry you had to go through that, are you okay?" She asked gently, reaching for my hands.

I looked down at our hands, shook by how much this girl, who was nearly a complete stranger, cared about me. I felt overcome with gratefulness and renewed grief.

"I-it comes in waves. Thanks for asking b-but, I-uh, would rather not talk about it anymore right now," I pulled one of my hands from hers to wipe a tear off my cheek and steeled myself to prevent anymore.

Billie didn't respond for a moment, and I didn't look at her. Suddenly, I was swept into a tight hug. Immediately I hugged her back just as tight, not realizing how badly I had subconsciously craved the physical touch.

After she pulled away, she didn't speak but just opened the passenger door for me. It didn't feel awkward, which was an extremely welcome change. I tried to freshen up my face a little as she crossed to the other side of the car.

"Are we going to the same place as yesterday?" Billie asked, looking over at me, once we were both strapped in. It had begun to snow lightly again, and so she had her window wipers on.

I nodded. "Thank you, by the way, for driving me. Today and yesterday," I added.

Billie chuckled. "Of course, pretty. You look like you need some friends, and I wanna be one of them," she told me, meeting my eyes for a moment before putting the car in drive and pulling away from the sidewalk.

I missed everything she said after 'pretty'. I didn't often get compliments from anyone besides my mom before she passed, and I was surprised by the fluttery feeling I got in my stomach when she said it.

"Do you live by here?" I asked after I recovered.

Billie nodded, focused on the road. "Yep, my parents house is only about a five-minute drive from that café. My house is a bit farther, closer to your place. Maybe a ten-minute drive, so about halfway between,"

"Oh, I didn't mean for you to go out of your way, I'm sorry," I apologized, biting my lip nervously.

Billie scoffed. "Willow, stop apologizing. Are you forgetting the part where I offered you a ride? Not the other way around? Hm?" She smirked at me, glancing over briefly.

I smiled bashfully. "I know, I know, but still. I mean, you hardly know me," I explained.

Billie shook her head slowly, still smiling. "But I will know you. Everything about you. Every single one of your secrets," She joked, winking at me again, like she had just minutes earlier in the coffee shop. And just like earlier, my brain froze. She looked kinda... sexy when she did that.

I felt my cheeks growing red at my thoughts and quickly shook them off.

"How old are you?" I changed the subject.

"Twenty-two on the eighteenth. You?" She asked, not looking at me since the snow had picked up and the slippery roads demanded her attention.

"I just turned twenty-two. I'm older than you," I said in a sing-song voice, sticking my tongue out playfully.

Billie pouted. "What day?" She whined.

"November 28th," I informed her, still gloating.

Billie rolled her eyes. "Not even a month," She grumbled.

I laughed lightly, undoing my seatbelt since she had just pulled up in front of my building.

"Thanks so much for the ride again, and it was nice talking to you," I told her genuinely as I slung my bag over my shoulder, hand on the door handle.

Billie smiled. "Of course, Willow. I loved getting to know you. I'll text you later; we should hang sometime soon," She promised.

I was totally cheesing, but I tried to hide it by turning to the door. "Y-yeah, of course. See you!" I waved goodbye and made my way inside, not letting myself look back so that Billie wouldn't see how big my smile was.

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