Panic // Billie Eilish

T W E L V E

Talia's POV

I roll out of bed, letting myself fall to the ground with a thump. After practically crawling out of my room, I trot downstairs, hoping Miles has left my Captain Crunch alone.

There's hope. I see the box in the cupboard with the other boring-ass cereal boxes.

I pick it up, expecting it to be heavier than it is. I give it a shake—nothing but the sound of a few stale ones floating around the bottom of the box.

"Fucking Miles," I grunt.

I search through the fridge, hoping there would be something tasty looking in there—practically nothing. I close the refrigerator, smacking my head against the door, before realizing there is a note from Miles stuck on it.

"Meeting up with some people. See ya later," I read aloud, slightly confused as I don't know where he found the time to make friends. It's not like he left his room when he did live here for those two weeks a year ago. He's probably just meeting up with someone from tinder or something.

The grumbling of my stomach causes me to question what I'm going to eat. I could go and buy some groceries... or be lazy and go out and eat. I make myself presentable enough to go out in public, then set off to the Cafe two blocks away.

The bell on the door chimes as I walk into the cafe. I grab a menu and then slide into a booth. My stomach grumbles more profusely as my eyes tear across the page.

After ordering, and munching my way through Belgian Waffles and a thick shake, I hear the bell on the door chime a few times, but don't think much of it. I scroll through my social media feed for the one hundredth time today when I hear her voice. My head shoots up, and I see Billie and her family. Fantastic. And they're seated right in front of the door. Even more Fantastic.

I stand up, but crouching, so I don't bring attention to myself and go into the bathrooms behind my booth. I go into a stall, locking the door. I don't know what I'm supposed to do. Do I make a run for the door, or do I walk and ignore, or do I wait until they leave?

My train of thought is interrupted by someone's loud entrance into the bathroom and the slamming of a stall door. I jump when they knock on the connecting stall wall.

"Yo can you pass some toilet paper, I got none."

Of course, it would be Billie with my luck. I grab the roll and pass it under to her.

"Thanks, bro."

I stay quiet, not wanting to give away that it's me.

"Thanks, bro," She says louder.

"Mhmm," I breathe, so my cover isn't blown.

"You don't really talk, huh" Billie sighs, passing the toilet paper back under. This is the perfect chance for me to run. I bet her family won't even recognize me.

My chance is ruined by the sound of a flush and the stall door opening.

"Well, it was a pleasure to be accompanied by you while I took a piss ma'am or sir." She jokes as she goes to wash her hands. As soon as I am pretty sure I am the only one in the bathroom, I open my stall.

"Had a hunch," Billie says, standing up straight from leaning on the counter. I start walking towards the door, but she blocks my way. "Talia, I just wanna-"

"I don't care what you want Billie, leave me alone."

"But I-"

"I'm sorry you want to talk to me now, but you lost the chance to talk to me when you lost me. You made that choice. Now live with it."