𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐌𝐄 𝐁𝐘 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐄 - 𝐁.𝐄

four - break

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billie.
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mid to late june.

i twist and turn endlessly in this hotel bed, the sheets bunching up beneath me as i struggle to find some semblance of comfort. being in korea, my body seems to be refusing the time zone adjustments to the countries i've travelled to this past month. it's been nothing but a relentless cycle of go-go-go, with no mercy for my constantly sleep-deprived self.

i feel terrible for zoe. she must be suffering beside me, trying to get some rest while i'm here flailing like a rotisserie chicken, tangled and restless within these sheets. i just want the morning to come already, to bring an end to this torturous night. pleasepleasepleaseplease.

last night, i somehow managed to get a solid five hours of sleep—not exactly what i aimed for, but at this point, i'll take what i can get.

when i finally dragged myself out of bed, finneas had already taken care of everything, his early bird tendencies in full swing, paired with what i swear is borderline ocd. he had my bags packed neatly, even setting aside my toiletry bag with all my skincare essentials for this morning, and an outfit perfectly laid out for the airport. thank god for older brothers, man.

as i stand there brushing my teeth, i catch a glimpse of his figure in the mirror, standing somewhat behind me and hovering just outside the doorway. his expression reads that he's waiting to drop some news on me.

"mom and dad said i can't keep it from you any longer," finneas began, his voice laced with seriousness that instantly makes me furrow my brows. what can't they hide? is it something genuinely bad? or is he just messing with me again, trying to get me all worried before dropping the punchline?

i spit out the foamy toothpaste into the sink, still speaking with a half-full toothpasty mouth before i can even rinse. "what?" i respond with concern creeping into my tone as i raise a brow at him, trying to gauge if this is another one of his tricks or if there's actually something i need to brace myself for.

he sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose, making me wonder just how bad it could possibly be. "we like—rented a lake house for the family at the end of the summer, so we can get a break, a chill before the world tour," he finally says, a smile spreading across his face that immediately changes the energy in the room.

my eyes light up, excitement bubbling inside me as i quickly rinse out my mouth, the last traces of toothpaste clinging to my lips as i turn to face him. he's standing there with that giddy, child-like smile, his arms crossed casually. "dude, what? since when?" i ask, my voice laced with disbelief and joy as i pull him into a quick, tight, side hug.

he laughs softly, ruffling my hair in that older-brother way. "we booked it in like—may because they book out quick," he explains, still smiling as he lets go of me. "you've been talking about wanting to get away since literally the beginning of the year. so, we're going up north."

i lift my brow slightly as i turn back to the sink, twisting the faucet to let the water run again, the sound of it filling the bathroom as i watch finneas through the mirror. "who's all going?" i ask, curiosity tingling in my voice as i grab my toothbrush, rinsing off the last remnants of toothpaste thoroughly under the stream.

"me, you, claud, mom, and dad," he replies, leaning his back casually against the doorframe. "zoe couldn't make it because she's got some photography thing to attend," he adds, his tone bringing a sense of understanding. i nod, recalling how she mentioned her schooling plans for photography earlier in the summer.

i turn off the faucet for a moment, replying to my brother. "ah okay," i say lightly. a small smile tugs at my lips as i glance at him through the mirror, grabbing my biba de sousa cleansing gel. "thank you, fin," i say softly, turning the water back on to rinse my face before applying the cleanser. the cool water feels refreshing against my skin, a small waker-upper amidst my excitement for the soon-to-be relaxation.

he pats my shoulder as he turns to leave the bathroom. " 'course, sis," he says, his back already turned as he heads out. i smile to myself in the mirror, feeling a wave of gratitude and anticipation wash over me.

finally, a fucking break, dude.

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798 words
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a/n: just a quick filler chapter! hope you guys are enjoying so far! xo <3