I hate you | B.E.

10

wore my heart on a chain
around my neck
and now it's missin'

----

Aurelia stepped into the dining room, her expression a mask of calm despite the tumultuous emotions swirling inside her. The table was already set, with Maggie and Patrick bustling around, adding the final touches. The aroma of the noodle soup wafted through the air, mingling with the warm atmosphere of the family home.

Billie trailed behind Aurelia, trying to compose herself. She took a deep breath, hoping to dispel the lingering embarrassment from their encounter. As they entered the room, Maggie looked up, her face lighting up with a smile.

"Just in time, girls," Maggie said, her tone cheerful. "Sit down, and let's eat."

Patrick glanced over, giving Billie a nod of acknowledgment before turning his attention back to the dishes. Aurelia slid into a chair, her eyes meeting Billie's briefly before quickly looking away. She could feel the weight of the unresolved tension between them, but she knew now wasn't the time to address it.

As Billie took her seat across from Aurelia, Finneas and Claudia walked in, their laughter filling the room. They were a striking couple, exuding an effortless charm that made everyone around them feel at ease. Claudia's eyes sparkled as she greeted Aurelia with a warm hug, while Finneas gave Billie a playful nudge.

"Hey, Billie," Finneas teased, ruffling Billie's hair. "How's it going?"

Billie forced a smile, trying to mask her inner turmoil. "It's going," she replied, her voice steady but lacking its usual enthusiasm.

Claudia took her seat next to Finneas, casting a curious glance between Billie and Aurelia. "Everything okay?" she asked, her tone light but concerned.

"Yeah, just a long day," Aurelia replied quickly, not wanting to delve into the details. She picked up her spoon and stirred her soup, the aroma of the broth providing a small comfort.

Maggie took her seat at the head of the table, her eyes scanning the group with a mother's intuition. She could sense the underlying tension, but she chose to focus on the positive. "Alright, everyone, let's enjoy this meal. It's been too long since we've all been together like this."

The family began to eat, the conversation flowing naturally around the table. Finneas shared stories from his recent tour, and Claudia chimed in with anecdotes about her latest photography project. Maggie and Patrick exchanged loving glances, their bond evident in the small, unspoken gestures.

Aurelia found herself relaxing slightly, the warmth of the family dynamic easing some of her anxiety. She stole glances at Billie, who seemed to be doing the same. Despite their "hatred" for each other, they were the only ones who understood each other, a shared history that bound them together.

As the meal progressed, Maggie's attention turned back to the girls. "So, how's school going? Any exciting projects?"

Aurelia swallowed a spoonful of soup before answering. "It's been good, just busy. I've been working on an extensive math project they selected me for in school."

Maggie's eyes lit up with pride. "That's wonderful! I can't wait to see it."

Billie listened quietly, choosing to ignore her mom's question, her thoughts still tangled from their earlier confrontation.She glanced at Aurelia, admiring her ability to perform so well in mathematics. Billie had always found Aurelia's intelligence incredibly attractive and couldn't deny how amazing she thought Aurelia was. It was a major reason why she was so drawn to her.