Sibling spotlight - billie and Finneas story

out there

Chapter 24: out there

The following day, the sun streamed through Y/N’s window, but the brightness felt muted as she sat on her bed, strumming her guitar absentmindedly. Despite the fun they had at the arcade and the supportive conversation with Billie and Finneas, an underlying heaviness still lingered in her heart.

Billie knocked softly on her door. “Hey, you want to come down for breakfast?”

Y/N didn’t respond right away, lost in her thoughts. Finally, she replied, “I’ll be down in a minute.”

As she picked at her guitar strings, her mind raced with conflicting emotions. She had shared snippets of her song, but a nagging fear gnawed at her. What if the world didn’t understand? What if the comments were even worse this time?

After a few moments, Y/N made her way downstairs. Billie and Finneas were already at the table, their faces lighting up at her arrival.

“Morning!” Billie said, a hopeful smile on her face. “How did you sleep?”

“Okay,” Y/N replied, but the lack of enthusiasm in her voice didn’t escape them.

“Just okay?” Finneas asked gently. “You know you can talk to us, right?”

Y/N hesitated, glancing down at her plate. “I’ve been thinking… I want to post the song I teased yesterday.”

Billie exchanged a glance with Finneas, both surprised and a bit worried. “Are you sure?” Billie asked. “I mean, you don’t have to rush into it.”

“I know,” Y/N said, her voice firmer now. “But I want to share it. It’s a part of me, and I need to get it out there. Even if it’s scary.”

“Okay,” Finneas said, his tone supportive. “But let’s make sure you’re in the right headspace for it. We can help with the post, too.”

Y/N nodded, but deep down, she felt a sense of dread creeping in. “I just… I don’t want to hide anymore. I’m tired of pretending everything is fine.”

Billie reached across the table, squeezing Y/N’s hand. “You don’t have to pretend with us. We’re here, no matter what.”

As they finished breakfast, Y/N felt a flicker of determination ignite within her. She wanted to share her truth, but the fear of backlash still loomed large.

Later that day, they gathered in the living room to prepare the post. Y/N set up her phone, her fingers trembling slightly. Billie and Finneas stood beside her, their presence a comforting reminder that she wasn’t alone.

“Just be yourself,” Billie encouraged. “This is your moment to shine.”

Y/N took a deep breath, staring at the camera. “Hey everyone, I just wanted to share a song I’ve been working on. It’s really personal to me, and I hope it resonates with you.”

As she spoke, a wave of anxiety washed over her. What if they didn’t understand? What if they criticized her?

But she pushed through the doubts, finishing the video with a soft smile. “Thank you for listening. Here’s to being real.”

After the video was posted, Y/N sat back, her heart racing. The initial excitement began to fade, replaced by an overwhelming sense of vulnerability. She felt exposed, like she had laid her soul bare for the world to see.

“Now we wait,” Finneas said, trying to lighten the mood. But Y/N could feel the weight of the silence, the uncertainty hanging in the air.

As the minutes ticked by, Y/N felt her mood shift. Despite the happy day they had just shared, she couldn’t shake the feeling of sadness creeping back in. It was as if the relief of sharing her song had revealed the depth of her struggle.

Billie noticed the change in Y/N’s demeanor, her heart aching for her sister. “Hey, you okay?” she asked softly.

“I don’t know,” Y/N admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. “I thought this would help, but it just feels… heavy.”

“It’s okay to feel that way,” Billie reassured her. “You’ve been through a lot. Just know that we’re here for you, no matter how you feel.”

Y/N nodded, but the weight of her emotions felt suffocating. Even in moments of joy, the shadows lingered. She wanted to fight through it, to find the light again, but today, the darkness felt all-consuming.

As the afternoon wore on, Y/N couldn’t help but wonder how long it would take for the world to accept her for who she truly was.