as usual, claudia got pretty tipsy with finneas. it was more like they were on there own little date and the rest of us just so happened to be there. but we let them. we enjoyed just being four. zoe started to get more comfortable around me, so did jack. i wanted to talk more to billie.
we were eating our last bits of the sundae we ordered. i slid just a little closer to her. i could feel her hand close to mine on the seat. i leaned in to take a piece of the ice cream.
"bro save some for us." billie laughed at my large spoonful.
"nah, dog, help yourself." i teased, moving my hand a little closer to hers. she gave me a cheeky look.
billie suddenly grabbed a spoon and tried to steal my scoop. she tried to swat away my spoon with hers, but i fought back. cream and chocolate sauce got on the bowl and almost everywhere around it. all four of us started laughing while jack and zoe put up their hands to protect their face.
jack laughed loudly. "dude, stop!" he chuckled in between his words.
i eventually got the scoop to my mouth and swallowed it. billie glanced at my with her mouth hanging open. she quickly returned to the bowl, scooped some melted cream, and flung it at me. i gasped and laughed hysterically. zoe and jack looked shocked as well, with big grins on their faces.
"billie!" i shrieked.
she giggled as i threw my hands at her to push her away. she caught my hands and her fingers interlocked with mine. we pushed each other back and forth, chuckling and smiling. jack pulled billie away from as zoe did the same with me. we laughed it off.
but our fingers stayed interlocked on one hand. my heart was having an earthquake by now. i glanced at our hand, the up at billie. for a moment, i saw her smile at me. and i smiled back, letting go. but i didn't want to. i wanted to hold her hand forever.
"soooo," claudia looked at me. "how was it?"
finneas drove me and claudia home. again, it was like most of the time i didn't see her there. but i was glad she had a good time with her boyfriend. when we got home, we slipped into pajamas leapt onto the couch.
i breathed. "it was great, actually."
"see? i told you!" she giggled. "didn't you get invited to that, like, huge ass party tomorrow?"
i nodded. suddenly my phone rang. i ran to pick it up and saw billie's name. she wanted to facetime. i picked it up almost immediately. her hair was a little messy, but she still looked beautiful.
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"yo." she said, her voice a little raspy.
i smiled. "what's up?"
"you still wanna go?" she asked, moving something around.
i nodded. "of course, dude. you already sent me the shit i need to get there."
"i know. jack is gonna pick you up at eight, right?"
"yup." i paused for a moment. "so, why the call huh?"
"i dunno, just wanted to talk i guess."
"aw do you miss me?" i started to walk upstairs into my bedroom.
she paused too. "kinda." she whispered.
i chuckled thinking she was joking, but billie didn't laugh. my heart started to have another earthquake again. she started talking.
"so, what you doing?" she asked. "texting a boyfriend?"
i giggled. "i'm not batting on your team, bro. sorry."
bil sounded surprised. "so you like girls."
"mhm."
"makes two of us then," she grinned.
i almost choked on nothing. "really? i thought you said—"
"i'm bisexual. i just can't tell anyone because they'll expose my ass." billie sounded lighthearted, but i could tell she was hurt.
i didn't know what to say. i had experienced hardcore homophobia when i was in high school, but i eventually found friends who actually supported me. i'm a lesbian black woman, what can i say? i've seen it all. and i'm only nineteen.
"i'm sorry, bil, i need to change real quick."
billie giggled. "oooh, lemme see." i laughed back. "hey, call me back, ok?" she asked.
"when you get this, or when you—" i repeated her song.
