Nightcall - Billie Eilish

11 -

Waking up, a killer headache reminds me how reckless I was with those drinks last night. I think it was a good night, though. At least, there's nothing super embarrassing in my memory, so that's a win.

I drag myself into the living room, where I find Kate already up and making coffee. She sees me, hair all over the place, and says with a smirk, "You look like the guy on the subway who screams at pigeons."

I rub my temples, wincing, "Please, not today."

"Still haven't recovered from the shots with Alex?"

"Look, I may never recover from those."

She laughs and hands me a mug of coffee. I murmur a sincere "Thank you," and after a few sips, we end up deciding not to spend the afternoon slumped on the couch. Today, we're going out.

We wander around Los Angeles in the bright sun. The city's in a good mood today; everyone seems to have a genuine smile, and it feels nice. Kate is stopping at every store we pass, trying on clothes.

We go from shop to shop, and every time, she spends forever trying on different outfits... only to end up buying nothing. But hey, she's happy, so I let her do her thing.

In what must be our twentieth store, Kate's still in the fitting room, so I decide to answer a call from my sister, Lucy. She's taken up the habit of calling me once a week to play the "concerned older sister" role.

After our conversation, I hang up, turn around... and bump right into someone. Someone tall, visibly muscular. I look up, recognizing that face immediately.

"Skeet?"

He smiles, "Dina? Looks like fate's on my side today."

I blush a bit, embarrassed. Running into someone I've hooked up with is always awkward. Some pretty twisted fate if you ask me.

He gives me an amused look. "How's it going?"

"Good, you?"

"Always. What brings you here?"

"Same as you, I guess. Shopping with Kate."

He smiles, hesitating for a second. "I was thinking about texting you, by the way."

I blush even harder without meaning to, "Oh yeah?"

"Yeah... to remind you of my offer to hang out sometime?"

I start searching for a polite excuse to decline, but he quickly adds, "As a friend, I swear! I'm not a creep, promise."

I can't help but smile; he sounds genuine. "Listen, right now, I don't know what my plans are, but I'll let you know."

"No worries, I've got all the time in the world."

We keep chatting for a bit, and just then, Kate comes out of the fitting room and joins us with a shirt in hand. "I'm getting this one..." She stops short, recognizing Skeet. "Oh, hey Skeet!"

"Hey, Kate!"

They exchange a few words, then he excuses himself. "Well, I'm gonna go catch up with my brother. See you around, Dina."

After he leaves, Kate gives me a look full of innuendo. I hold up my hands to stop her before she can say anything. "Don't start, Kate. There's nothing."

She smirks and imitates Skeet's smooth voice, "See you around, Dina..."

I laugh and give her a gentle shove, "Shut up."

We finally head to checkout and make our way back home. Once at the apartment, we go our separate ways, each to her own room. I grab my phone for the first time today, and... one notification immediately grabs my attention: a message from Billie.