Miss O'Connell | B.E

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"Why did he run away?" Billie asked as they made their way through the dense forest.

Divine glanced over, relieved to hear her speak. She slipped an arm around Billie's shoulders, pulling her in close.

"He ran because he thought I had a gun in my pocket," Divine said flatly, no trace of humor in her tone. But internally she was smiling ear to ear.

Billie's eyes widened in shock, her breath catching as she came to a sudden halt. Divine kept walking toward the old tree that hid the cubby.

"Wait—what?" Billie stammered, her voice shaking. "A gun? How did the school even—?" She was too stunned to finish her thought.

Divine giggled, reaching the thick roots of the tree. She stomped the ground until she heard the familiar hollow sound that marked the hidden door. Dropping to one knee, she lifted the flap and slipped inside with ease. Once she was down, she gently placed the teddy on her cushions before turning to look up at Billie. She held her arms out for her, inviting her to step down.

But Billie stood frozen.

"Come on, let me help you down," Divine called, her brows furrowing in concern. "What's wrong?"

Billie shrugged, rubbing her arms nervously, shifting uneasily in place.

Divine sighed and rolled her eyes, lifting herself out of the cubby. She walked over to Billie and, without a word, threw her over her shoulder.

Billie let out a startled scream, instinctively wrapping her arms tightly around Divine's neck. "McClelland, I swear, I'm going to kill you! Put me down!" she yelled, but her grip tightened, opposite to her protests.

Divine chuckled softly, cradling Billie like she weighed nothing. "Relax, I've got you." She lowered them both into the safety of the cubby, smiling at the way Billie clung to her, even if she wouldn't admit it.

Divine gently set Billie onto the floor, then slammed the door shut, sealing them in darkness. Billie blinked, trying to adjust to the sudden blackness, and instinctively stepped backward until she bumped into what she thought was a wall—until arms wrapped around her, and she realized it was Divine.

"Sorry, the lights are out because the ones I installed are solar-powered, and it's been raining like crazy, and I don't have a candle or anything—" Divine rambled.

"It's fine! I don't care!" Billie interrupted, huffing as she stepped away from Divine, her tone sharp.

Divine, though she couldn't see Billie's face, could sense her unease. "Heyyy, why'd you move away from me?" she asked with a playful pout, reaching for Billie in the dark.

"Divine, stop it!" Billie snapped, her voice cracking just enough to give away how shaken she was.

Divine's hands fell to her sides, and a soft pout formed on her lips. "Sorry..." she whispered, trying to figure out what was wrong. She paused, the earlier events suddenly flashing back. "Wait, is this about the gun?" Did Billie not understand her humor?

Billie pursed her lips, nodding before realizing Divine couldn't see her in the darkness. "Yeah," she whispered, sinking down onto the cushions at her feet, beginning to tug off her muddy boots.

Divine couldn't help but snicker at Billie's response. She heard the sound of Billie settling down, and she began kicking off her own boots and flopping down next to her.