𝐆𝐎𝐎𝐃 𝐆𝐈𝐑𝐋𝐒 ➼𝐁𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐄 𝐄.

10 | ms. roommate

"wait-wait-wait-wait-wait, what?"

i stopped dead in my tracks. claudia's light tugging stopped as well, she looking back at me. a blank expression was the first thing i saw, but then she flashed me a look of understanding. and i don't know if that comforted me or scared me beyond belief.

"god, dre, you act like you're five." she giggled, arching her brows in amusement. i shook my head vigorously.

"i'm serious," i breathed. "i don't know if i want to."

"if it's not like that then why are you so nervous to meet billie's mom?"

claudia knew. of course, claudia knew. she knew everything about me, even when i didn't tell her. maybe i was being obvious about it. maybe i hadn't given away a single thing. regardless, claudia had the full picture. well, not the full—

jesus andrea stop being gross.

i heard claud's soft giggle again, lifting my gaze from my shoes. "i won't introduce you as anything different, just as a friend." she smiled.

i nodded, swallowing hard. at this point, she wasn't pulling me, i was just cowering behind her. she had always been the more confident one between us. clothing wise, socially wise, and just in general. the incredible contrast between the two of us is what kept us together for so long. sugar and spice made everything nice. that's not the line, but you get what i mean. know what? fuck it, i like mine better. that's now the line.

"hey, maggie," claudia began.

shuffling my way to stand directly beside claudia, i looked up. a woman with dark brunette hair and gentle blue eyes turned to face me. she felt pleasant and kind, her soft smile comforting my anxiety even more. my beating heart began to slow down and the rushing thoughts in my head started to melt away. i felt relaxed. "there's someone i'd like you to meet." claud said, glancing over at me.

i panicked in that moment. all my muscles tensed up and my mind spun. what do i do? handshake or hug? hug is too comfortable. handshake is too business-y. shit, do i just wave? no that's weird, what if she goes in for a hug? or a handshake? i'm not handling this well. i hope i don't look like it. do i look like i'm handling this well? fuck, i haven't said anything it's been like two seconds. i extended my hand reluctantly.

"hi, i'm claudia's roommate," i smiled, trying to seem as calm and collected as possible. maggie shakes my hand in return. from her delighted grin, i could tell she liked the introduction. but then she started to giggle a little. then it hits me.

"nice to meet you, ms. roommate," she said. my eyes darted over to claudia, who was staring at me intensely. i didn't need to hear what she wanted to say, which was probably 'you're ruining this for yourself' or 'way to go on the not embarrassing yourself thing'. i shake my head, seeming dazed.

"hah, sorry, my name's andrea. but please call me dre," i pull away from her soft hand with a halfhearted smile. she nodded respectfully.

"don't worry about it," she assured me. "have you met billie?"

i nodded, realizing my cheeks started to become redder. "she's so great, i was initially a fan of hers. a fan of both bil and finneas actually."

maggie leaned backwards in the manner you do when you seem surprised. or i guess, how most moms seem surprised. "wow, that's awesome! i'm so glad you enjoy their music."

i nodded once more, deepening my smile as she spoke. i looked to my left. claudia finally looked pleased with the interaction. she dipped her head and started to speak again. "well i'm going to show dre around the venue," she said. "thanks, maggie!"

claudia and i stepped away as maggie waved for a moment, then returned to another conversation. i walked with a feeling of pride, but also joy. maggie was so nice, and so accepting as well. she wasn't judgmental or quiet in any way. we walked outside of the green room, going down the metal steps. the same familiar laugh filtered into my ears. it was only then did i realize i was smiling like an idiot.

"you look happy," she said between laughs.

"shut up."