Morning sunlight painted the walls of the hotel room in soft hues as Story stretched lazily, her hand reaching out instinctively to the other side of the bed. Her fingers brushed against cool sheets, and she blinked awake, her brow furrowing as she realized Billie wasn't there. Sitting up, she glanced around the room, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
The clock on the nightstand showed it was still early. Billie's concert wasn't until tomorrow, so where could she have gone? It wasn't like her to wander off without saying anything. Story shook her head with a small smile, guessing that Billie might've gone to the gym or found some way to channel her boundless energy.
Deciding not to dwell on it, she headed to the bathroom for a shower. The warm water cascaded over her, easing the tension from her body as memories of the past few days flickered in her mind. Exploring Kuala Lumpur with Billie had been a dream, each moment filled with laughter and wonder. Story couldn't get over how each city brought something new and exciting to their journey—and how sharing it with Billie made it all the more special.
After drying off, she slipped into a cozy outfit: soft lounge pants and an oversized sweatshirt that felt like a warm hug. With her hair tied into a messy bun, she sat at the desk by the window, her phone in hand. She scrolled through her contacts, her finger hovering over a familiar name before she tapped it.
The FaceTime call connected after a couple of rings, and Gracie's face filled the screen, her wide smile instantly lifting Story's spirits.
"Hey, stranger!" Gracie greeted, her voice cheerful.
"Hey, yourself," Story replied, grinning. "What's new with you?"
"Oh, you know, the usual—writing songs, living at the studio. But guess what?" Gracie's eyes sparkled as she tilted her phone, revealing a small black kitten curled up in her lap.
Story gasped. "No way! You got a kitten?"
Gracie beamed. "Meet Salem. He's a rescue, and he's already ruling the house."
The kitten stretched, blinking sleepily at the camera with mesmerizing green eyes.
"He's so adorable! Look at those eyes," Story cooed. "He looks like the cuddliest little guy ever."
"He's a cuddle monster, alright," Gracie said, stroking Salem's fur. "So, what's up with you? How's the glamorous tour life treating you?"
Story launched into a recap of her adventures, describing the vibrant energy of Kuala Lumpur, the incredible food, and, of course, Billie's awe-inspiring performances. Gracie listened intently, occasionally interjecting with questions or teasing remarks.
As they chatted, the door to the hotel room opened, and Billie walked in, her face slightly flushed and her hair damp from sweat. She wore workout gear, and a gym bag hung over her shoulder. Story glanced up and tried not to stare, but Billie's post-workout glow was hard to ignore.
"Hey," Billie greeted, setting her bag down and flashing a quick smile.
"Hey," Story replied, her voice a touch softer than she intended.
"Who's that?" Billie asked, nodding toward Story's phone.
"Gracie," Story said, tilting the screen so Billie could see.
Billie waved. "Hi, Gracie!"
Gracie grinned. "Hey, Billie! Still putting in work even on your day off?"
Billie laughed. "Gotta keep the energy up. What about you? What are you up to?"
"Just hanging out with Salem here," Gracie replied, angling the camera back to the kitten.
YOU ARE READING
Everything I Wanted
FanfictionRising star Story Belle is quickly finding her voice in a world where dreams rarely come true. With lyrics that cut to the core and a sound as unique as she is, she's caught the attention of fans everywhere. But there's one person she's always hoped...
