I hate you | B.E.

1

I WANT YOU TO STAY
'TILL I'M IN THE GRAVE

                                                                                                -----

6 years ago, 4th grade, elementary.

"I want everyone to give Aurelia a warm welcome! She just moved here from..." She paused, looking down at Aurelia for approval. "Mexico... was it dear?"

The young girl slowly nodded, her naive eyes frantically analyzing the room in front of her. The classroom was inviting, with handcrafted artworks hanging from the ceiling, paintings on the cupboards, and all over the desks. Her eyes trailed down to her classmates, all sitting cross-legged on the carpet before her and the teacher. They looked up at her as if she were an animal in a zoo—not in a malicious way, she hoped—but simply because their undeveloped minds were intrigued and occupied by their new peer, who had just immigrated.

As she continued scanning the room, awkwardly waiting for the teacher to instruct her next move, her eyes landed on another pair, staring right back at her from the back. She froze, her gaze locked on them, her heart now racing far faster than moments ago. These eyes were crystal blue, their gaze piercing deep into her soul. She knew many people with blue eyes, but this blonde girl below her seemed unlike anyone she had known before. The teacher cleared her throat, snapping Aurelia out of her trance. She spoke slowly, as if Aurelia couldn't understand English.

"Alright Aurelia, I'd like you to take a seat next to Billie on the floor over there."

The teacher pointed at the girl Aurelia had been staring at for a much longer time than she had intended. She released a shaky breath she didn't know she was holding, nodding as she walked to the back of the floor space and took a seat next to "Billie" on the colorful play mat. As the teacher began explaining an English concept Aurelia was not familiar with, she found herself daydreaming, longing for a lesson on fractions instead—those were her favorite. She jumped as she felt a light tap on her shoulder and turned to meet those cold blue eyes, a weak smile forming on her lips.

"Yes?" she whispered to the blonde.

A light blush spread across Aurelia's cheeks as she shamefully gazed into Billie's eyes, her own accent echoing in her ears. Billie let out a soft giggle in response, mumbling something back.

"Why do you talk like that?"

Aurelia shrugged, her heart sinking at Billie's words. Pouting slightly, she turned away. Maybe Billie didn't mean to be rude, but it still stung—Aurelia didn't like being different. Billie furrowed her brows, noticing the change in Aurelia's expression and the tension that filled the air. Aurelia finally spoke, stumbling a little over her words.

"It's because I speak Spanish better than English... So I talk like this."

Billie nodded understandingly, giving her a soft smile.

"Let's be best friends," the blonde quietly said into Aurelia's ear.

Her head shot up, staring at Billie with wide eyes. A smile slowly crept up on her face, her heart racing once again. Billie reached her hand out, touching Aurelia's tied-back dark curls. Aurelia felt panic rising—did Billie think her hair was dirty? Did she think Aurelia didn't shower enough? That it wasn't brushed well... too frizzy... too curly?

"I like your hair..." Billie said, her voice trailing off as she played with Aurelia's locks, a look of astonishment plastered on her face.

Her eyes widened in surprise. She was over the moon—Billie wanted to be friends with her.

----

Billie and Aurelia quickly became inseparable. Their differences were set aside, and just as Billie had promised, they became the best of friends. Aurelia joined Billie and her friends during breaks, and they had frequent playdates at each other's houses. Maggie, Billie's mom, taught Aurelia how to write songs, and soon they were composing music together. In return, Aurelia's mom, Aurora, showed Billie how to construct impressively large buildings with paddle pop sticks, sparking a new creative collaboration between the two girls.

As their friendship deepened, so did the bond between Maggie and Aurora. They began to spend time together, enjoying coffee dates and visiting each other's homes for tea and lively conversation.

Aurelia's father was absent in her life, so she often looked to Patrick, Billie's dad, as a father figure. Aurelia's younger siblings adored Billie, and Finneas, Billie's older brother, also formed a fondness for Aurelia. In short, Aurelia and Billie were perfect for each other, soulmates you could call them. Their friendship was unparalleled, a bond like no other.

That was until the seventh grade.

A/N

I just wrote that in like 40 mins bro and I thought I wrote sm, and I looked back to see literal crumbs... There are probably so many mistakes but it's okay, I'll live. I wonder what happens to their friendship after the seventh grade. it's totally not predictable🙄 

also if you are somehow reading this (if you are ily) what is ur fav song on HMHAS? mine is the diner 100% 

(P.s future me edited this and made it past tense bc it was annoying me, im also going to do that to the rest of the early chapters i wrote in present tense.)