You're Mine // WLW

Eight and Ivy

Max and I found a small table in the back of the restaurant. We decided to come sit down and unwind while grabbing a bite to eat at a local spot just a few blocks down from the station. I was starving since I didn't eat before heading out earlier.

"So, talk to me y/n. What was with the tension and lies in the studio? What's going on in your mind?" Max asked, clearing his throat.

I sighed, looking down at the open menu in front of me before meeting his eyes. "A lot, Max. So much went down at Coachella after you left."

"Talk to me." he encouraged, giving me a reassuring look.

I took a deep breath, ready to unpack the storm swirling inside of me. "Well, after you left, I had decided I wanted to go chill out in the VIP lounge. Remember Dylan? The guy I collaborated with on 'Ethereal'? Yeah, well he was there and he was completely wasted. He mentioned seeing Billie and I backstage and started going off about how she's using me and just nonsense. It was clear he was jealous." I said keeping my voice low.

"Mhm" Max hummed with his attention fully on me, urging me to keep going.

"We ended up in a heated argument and I stormed out. But here's the kicker—our little spat was filmed and posted online, and it's gone viral since this morning. I can't even imagine the numbers it's doing now." I continued, my voice barely above a whisper.

Max's expression morphed into disbelief.

I pressed on. "That happened, right. And then there's Billie. You know how Billie and I's encounter went down backstage. I was under the impression that maybe something more, something untold was developing between us. Turns out after I left Coachella, she kissed this girl named Quenlin Blackwell. I don't even know who she is, but we're already on the wrong foot. I know it sounds trivial, but it's been eating at me since I fell asleep last night."

Max nodded, he was listening. I let the words flow out of my mouth like a nonstop rapid. I was actually...ranting and it felt so good.

I leaned more lower, more closer to Max so he could hear my lowered voice. "I mean, Max, you're the only one who knows that I fucking love women. I'm not straight, I only lied to those interviewers to deflect attention off of Billie and I; and mainly myself. No one knows about my sexual orientation." I paused, allowing myself to catch a breath. "My mom doesn't, the public doesn't and I would love to keep it that way. It's just a page in my book that I'm not ready to have others read yet...not after what I been through." I said trailing off, thinking back on my childhood.

"And to top it all off, Billie texted me during the interview. Right after they played my song. She asked if we could talk. I could only assume it's about last night, but honestly? I don't know how to feel. I'm terrified, annoyed, angry...it's like I want to know what she has to say more than anything, but at the same time, I don't want to hear it." I finished off.

Max studied me for a moment, letting my words sink in. I could feel the turmoil inside me, clashing of confusion and vulnerability, but somehow it felt good to share it all.

"Wait, hold on. Dylan was mouthing off about Billie and causing a scene? I didn't know you two were on bad terms." He leaned back, his eyebrows knitting together. "I mean, he's always been a great guy, but... this is shocking to hear."

I nodded, feeling a knot tighten in my stomach. "Yeah, it caught me off guard too. I thought we were cool, but he just...flipped."