One Night Only

3 | take me out

It's been a few days since that event with Billie and things have only gotten weirder; which is saying something, considering that was a very weird situation. I've also taken off work because, with the money that Billie gave me, I can afford to. She also paid me said money in cash which I thought was interesting. I guess if she only intended it for a night maybe she didn't feel the need to let me have her Zelle? I don't know.

That's really irrelevant and not what I should be thinking about at this point. I just haven't been able to get her off my mind. I actually found her instagram but I didn't follow because I thought it would seem stalker-ish somehow. I do have a second account as well so I followed her with that which is arguably more stalker-like, but I digress.

I get a notification that she's posted and as much as I try to restrain myself from doing so, I have to look at it. I click on it and it takes me to her page, pulling up the post to show the picture. It's simply two wine glasses tipped together, candles reflecting on them creating a hazy yellow glow. I glance at the caption and there's just an account tagged with two hearts, one pink and one green.

I click on the @ and of course it's her. I scroll through a few of her posts, most of them just being of scenery. Then there's pictures of her various vacations, her long legs against the horizon of the setting sun. I frown as I look at them, she's actually quite beautiful and I'm not sure if that's what makes this so infuriating.

I suddenly remember I have Billie's number and my frown disappears. I go back to her post, trying to see if she put a location. She sure did and so I look the place up to see it's not very far from me. I browse through the pictures there and it's really fancy; definitely out of my tax bracket — but that's not surprising. I go to the messages app and type in her name, drafting a text to send.

Watcha doing?

It may not be the most elegant way to start a conversation but it does the job for now.

At dinner, why? Is something wrong?

She seems so concerned... all I asked was what she was up to, how does that translate to something being wrong?

No... I was just asking

Somethings wrong. What is it?

Ok maybe something is wrong but how does she supposedly know that?

Nothing I swear. I was just thinking about you

As if I couldn't be any creepier.

You were 'thinking about me'? Are you sure you're ok?

Geez what is it with this woman??

Yes why do you keep asking?

Well I'm a stranger that practically snatches you off the street for one night and now you're thinking about me? I'm concerned you're experiencing Stockholm syndrome or something

Really... Stockholm syndrome? I mean in her defense that does sound on brand for me.

Billie I'm fine

Ok then. Share your location so I know you are

Well that escalated quickly...

Didn't you just say you were a stranger? Why would I send a stranger my location?

Checkmate.

Because you're still responding to me, which means you obviously want to talk to me so send it.

Not checkmate.

*Mackenzie has started sharing her location*

It's only fair you do it too now

Your name isn't Kenzie? Just a nickname I see...

Don't ever call me that. I hate it

Noted.

*Billie has started sharing her location*

I quickly check where she is and I see she's indeed still at that place. That post was made like an hour ago. I wonder how long they've actually been there...

How fancy

What are you talking about?

Where you are is really fancy, I've never been there

I could bring you sometime

I smile a little as I read that. Maybe she actually does want to see me again.

Are you asking me out on a date?

Do you want me to?

Ugh. A 'no' would've been better than this. She's just asking me to embarrass myself now.

That's a trick question

How so?

It just is
*read*

I wait for her to send a message but eventually the typing bubbles go away. I stare at it for a while, hoping that she'll respond. It becomes clear to me after half an hour that she won't. I frown, putting my phone on the nightstand and reluctantly placing my head on the pillow. I wish I didn't care so much about this, I wish I didn't care at all but, rather unfortunately, I do.

Billie's pov
I sigh as I get in my car, forcing a smile and waving at Xandra as she gets in the back of her car. I push the button to start mine, taking a few deep breaths and letting my shoulders drop. I remember that I never replied to Kenzie so I pick up my phone to text her back.

Sorry, Xandra was being an attention whore as usual

I hope she doesn't take that the wrong way but in the back of my mind, I know she won't. I could tell by her facial expressions that night, she's not someone that tends to beat around the bush. Not only that but she's also so different from them in a way that's like a breath of fresh air. She's special.

I check her location and decide to head there before going home. Something about the way she texted me out the blue just felt alarming. Maybe it's my own projection but I felt like she needed me somehow. My intuition is typically, if not always, spot on. Once I park outside, I take a look around as I wait for her to answer.

I hate how it looks. I've not been rich my entire life so it's not that I think it's a dump but it just doesn't fit her. Such a beautiful person shouldn't be living somewhere like this. I'm sure it's not by choice as I think everyone would love a life of luxury — whatever that looks like for them, and it makes me feel... selfish almost.

I have wealth most people will never achieve and I try my best to share it, donating to charity and such, but it doesn't feel like enough.

Are you still awake?

I realize I've been sitting here for a while so I text her again to see if I should even wait. I'll give it ten more minutes. As I sit and stare up at the building, I think about how her life might've been before me. What will it be like after me? For some reason I don't want to try to picture her life 'after' me. At the very least I hope we'll be friends for a long time.

She hasn't replied to my text which means she's probably asleep. I sigh deeply, backing out and heading home. I may have missed my chance tonight but I will certainly make plans to see her again. I'm not sure how but it's like she's gotten me on a hook and despite the unpredictable waters ahead, there's no way I'm turning back now.