chance

chapter 5

"Order up!"
A plate of food is thrust into my hands, I march over to table 4, setting down breakfast for a sweet looking old couple.
It's been two days since my mom came around. I texted Billie, just to tell her that I had a family thing. I didn't want her to think I had ghosted her or something.
"Snap out of it Bella." my manager says to me curtly. I wink at him playfully before scurrying back to where they pass the food.
"Okay this is to table 7, and that one come back for it's one of those bullshit gluten free, meat free messes."
I giggle quickly returning for the quote on quote 'mess'.
"It's take away apparently she's waiting at the door, typical!"
"I'm sure it's not so bad."
I carry the bag over to a familiar figure. Billie stands in a huge basketball jersey, with her face hidden by sunglasses and her hood.
"Surprised?" she opens her arms. I melt into her taking in the smell of vanilla in her hair.
"You okay? I've barely heard from you since the other day."
Is that worry in her tone?
"Yeah, just had some stuff happen with my mom you know."
"Is she okay?"
"Yeah she's fine, she might need her head checked but she's fine." The bitter tone from the other day creeps in.
"You wanna talk about it?"
"I gotta work Bils," I say sadly. I'd love to hang out with her, I love how I feel around her.
"How about we do something after you finish?" she asks. Her eyes analysing my face through her sunglasses, she bites her lip in anticipation.
"I'd love that," I smile, "I finish at 5 if that's cool?"
"I'll see you then." She hugs me for a second longer than you would normally and turns to leave.
I feel the lack of her presence immediately, I return to the mundane of my work.
"You know that girl you were talking to looked a lot like Billie eyelash." My manager stated simply, he obviously hadn't seen the concert.
"Yeah" I laugh, "I guess she does." Enjoying the irony.

At five, I promptly see the iconic, matte black dodge pull up. I jump in, happy to see Billie again.
"You wanna talk about it?"
"Umm I guess if you wanna know?"
"Only if you're comfortable." she reassures.
"Well, my parents are like super religious and we have a really strained relationship because of it."
"Why's it strained?"
I almost laugh because it's so obvious.
"Umm because I'm gay Billie?"
"Really?" Her eyebrows raise and her face looks dumbfounded.
"Yeah,couldn't you tell?" I motion to my baggy outfit, my rings and my piercings.
She laughs, "I guess not."
I continue to explain everything.
"God I'm so sorry, my parents were so supportive when I talked to them about my sexuality. I can't even imagine what it's like to have your family say those things."
"Wait hold up, your sexuality?"
"Bro not this again" she laughs, "I'm bi!"
"But how come you always have a rumoured boyfriend?"
"My team does it to keep the heat off my back. Like I'm only 20, everyone's always watching me, I'll come out when i can deal with everyone. Plus I only realised a year ago or so."
"Wow, dude you had me fooled."
"Guess we need to work on our gaydars." she jokes. We hold eye contact again.
"Dude focus on the road!" I shove her shoulder playfully.
"I ammmm." she jests.

We pull up to her place. The smell of lavender hits my nostrils again. I take a breath enjoying the garden.
"I love it here, it's like no one else exists." Billie says. She twirls taking in the sent and pointing out various parts of the garden.
"Hey you wouldn't mind if I made dinner would you? It helps me take my mind off things."
"Of course, only if you let me keep you company."
"Duh!"
I start making falafels, tzatziki and flatbreads, all vegan of course. I put on my kitchen playlist which consists of jazzy music from the 50s. We both sing along to 'a sunday kind of love' by etta james. Her voice is soft and lovely, angelic. We continue like this until the food is done. She then guides me to the sofa, putting the office on and her arm behind me. I feel like a dumb teenager with the butterflies I've got.
This moment is so quiet and comforting. Everything about the past couple days melts away, all that matters is about what's happening right now. I feel warm.
Our perfect little corner of the world is interrupted by Fin calling. He knows we're together so wants us at the studio.
I call Holly and let her know what's going on, she reminds me not to be late to work tomorrow, as I got so caught up last time.