I hate you | B.E.

9

I don't want it
And I don't want to want you

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Aurelia stared blankly at the ceiling, lying on her back in Billie's bed. Dressed in one of Billie's hoodies and her own boxers, she intended to drift into sleep, avoiding the harshness of reality, despite it being only 6 PM. Billie had been crying in the bathroom for over an hour, each soft sob twisting Aurelia's heart into tighter knots. All she wanted was to hold Billie and reassure her that everything was okay. But it wasn't okay. Billie was teetering on the edge of insanity, and Aurelia's love for her had allowed it to go unchecked. Ridiculous.

The door clicked open, and Aurelia instantly shot her head up, hoping it was who she thought it was. Her eyes widened, and a smile spread across her face when she saw someone even better.

"Maggie!"

Maggie stood in the doorway, smiling at Aurelia with cloth bags filled to the brim with fresh vegan produce. Aurelia scrambled off the bed and rushed to her, throwing her arms around her and nearly causing her to drop the bags. Maggie laughed, setting the bags on the floor before wrapping her arms around Aurelia.

"Hi, honey," she spoke softly, soothingly rubbing Aurelia's back. "Long time no see." She laughed as they swayed from side to side.

That wasn't exactly true. Maggie had seen Aurelia last week when she came over for tea with Aurelia's mom, but Aurelia loved Maggie so much that a week felt far too long—and much longer than usual.

"Where is Billi—" Maggie didn't even finish her sentence before a teary-eyed Billie stepped out of the bathroom. Aurelia and Maggie jumped apart, slightly startled. Billie's puffy face hung low as she sped walked to her room, shoving past Aurelia, who was still standing in the doorway, and slammed the door shut. Maggie turned to Aurelia, wide-eyed with concern and a raised brow.

"Oh my goodness...Is she okay?" 

Aurelia chewed on her bottom lip, looking back at the door that had just slammed shut behind her.

"Um, yeah. She just had a rough day at school. She needs some... alone time." Maggie nodded understandingly, scanning Aurelia's face, sensing a lie but choosing to ignore it. Aurelia bent down, picking up the groceries and guiding Maggie to the kitchen.

"I'll help you put these away."

"Thank you, sweetie," Maggie sighed. "I wanted to make some noodle soup. Want to help?" She gave an anticipating smile at Aurelia as they set the bags on the counter, taking the ingredients out one by one. "I know how much you love to cook."

Aurelia nodded frantically, a wide grin on her face as her eyes sparkled.

"Yes!" She clapped her hands softly in excitement. "I would love to help!"

-

Maggie and Aurelia were cooking away in the cozy kitchen. Aurelia deftly chopped vegetables while Maggie stood over the stove, gently stirring the pot where a savory aroma was beginning to fill the air. The clinking of utensils and occasional sizzle of ingredients provided a soothing background to their shared task.

After a while, Maggie set down her spoon and leaned against the counter, looking over at Aurelia with a thoughtful expression. The silence between them had been comfortable, but now she felt the need to speak.

"So what exactly happened with Billie?" Maggie asked, her voice gentle yet probing.

Aurelia's heart raced at the question. Her hands shook slightly as she continued to cut the carrots, now more deliberately, careful not to slip and cut herself. She took a deep breath, considering how much to share with Maggie.