bils 🫶🏼 don't forget that im taking you to the beach tomorrow no backing out vei
vei oh god we're really doing this aren't we?
bils 🫶🏼 YEAH WE ARE
THE NEXT DAY, they found themselves walking along an empty stretch of shoreline, the air cool and quiet under the early evening sky. they settled on the sand, both looking out at the waves, the sun dipping low, casting deep orange and purple across the water.
valerie hugged her knees, taking it all in. "it's... different here. quieter than i thought," she admitted softly.
"it's one of the only places where i don't feel like i have to be... anything for anyone," billie replied, her gaze distant but warm.
they both stayed quiet for a while, letting the sound of the waves fill the silence between them. after a moment, billie's voice broke the calm, soft but serious. "vei... i feel like there's so much in you, stuff you never talk about."
valerie hesitated, feeling her throat tighten. "yeah. sometimes it's like... no one would get it, so what's the point in saying it out loud?"
billie shifted closer, her expression patient and open. with a shaky breath, valerie began to speak, the words coming out slowly.
"my life was actually... really good. at least, until my dad left," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "he cheated on my mom. after he left, everything just... shattered. my mom, she wasn't the same. she started drinking, and suddenly, everything that had felt so stable was just gone. she was angry all the time. it was like she'd forgotten how to love anything."
billie's hand found hers, warm and grounding. "you went through that alone?"
"i guess i did," valerie murmured. "i didn't know how to deal with it. eventually, i turned on myself. self-harm, eating problems... it felt like control in a world that was completely out of mine." she hesitated, swallowing hard. "i even... tried to end it. once. it was the only way i could see to stop the hurt."
billie looked at her, eyes wide with understanding, and valerie saw something vulnerable flicker across her face.
"i've been there too," billie whispered. "it got so dark for me once, i didn't think i'd make it through. everyone expected me to just be okay all the time, to keep performing, keep smiling... but it was like drowning, and no one could see."
they both sat there in silence, letting the weight of their words settle. it was a shared understanding they hadn't voiced before, a painful kind of closeness.
billie tightened her hold on valerie's hand. "but here we are," she said softly. "we made it through. and i'm really glad you're here."
valerie's heart beat faster, and when she looked up, billie's gaze was locked on hers, steady and full of warmth.
"you're beautiful, inside and out," billie continued, her voice barely above a whisper. "i wish you could see yourself the way i do."
valerie's heart pounded as billie leaned in closer, her breath warm and comforting, and before she could second-guess it, their lips met. the kiss was soft, gentle, a silent promise of safety and understanding.
when they pulled apart, billie gave her a small, soft smile. "the beach isn't so bad, huh?"
valerie laughed, feeling lighter than she had in a long time.
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VAL FINALLY OPENED UP TO BILLIIEEEE THE WAY BILLIE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS A HEART NEXT TO HER NAME IM DEAD. also their first kiss omg if you think this is going to fast trust me its for the plot
