THE NEXT FEW DAYS PASSED in a comfortable blur for valerie and billie. there was a new, unspoken closeness between them that neither fully acknowledged, but both seemed to gravitate toward. little inside jokes, lingering looks, and the gentle way billie would sometimes look out for her reserved just for moments when it was just the two of them.
that weekend, billie invited valerie over for a movie night at her place. just the two of them, tucked away from the world in billie's cozy living room. it was the kind of invitation that felt like more than just hanging out but still light enough that neither had to address anything outright.
valerie arrived in her oversized jeans and t-shirt, hoping her heart would slow down from the steady thumping in her chest. when billie opened the door, smiling as if she'd been waiting all night, valerie felt her own smile tug at her lips without even trying.
"hey, vei," billie said, stepping aside to let her in. her gaze was soft, something almost playful there, like she was daring valerie to guess what she'd been up to.
"hey." valerie's voice came out softer than she expected. she took off her shoes and followed billie inside, the familiar scent of billie's place already easing her nerves.
they settled onto the couch, blanket over their legs, snacks spread out on the coffee table. billie pressed play, and some indie drama with too many plot twists started up. but within minutes, valerie felt herself relaxing into the comfort of it all-the low hum of the movie, billie's shoulder a solid presence next to hers.
"i got the sour gummy worms just for you," billie whispered at one point, holding the pack out to her with a gentle smile.
valerie laughed, reaching for them. "you know me so well."
"of course i do." billie's tone was soft, and for a second, valerie thought she saw a glint of something more in billie's eyes.
they watched for a while, their laughter filling the room during the movie's awkward moments. then, somewhere around the middle, billie shifted closer, leaning her head against valerie's shoulder in a way that felt as natural as breathing. valerie froze for half a second, then let herself sink into it, her pulse quickening.
"you don't mind, do you?" billie's voice was a low murmur, barely louder than the sound of the movie.
"no. not at all." valerie's words came out quieter than she intended. she could feel her heart racing, her skin tingling where billie's head rested against her.
they stayed like that for a while, neither wanting to break the moment. valerie's hand brushed against billie's fingers, and before she could pull away, billie's fingers intertwined with hers, casual but with an unmistakable hint of intention.
"hey, vei?" billie's voice was soft, her thumb gently brushing over the back of valerie's hand.
"yeah?"
"i'm really glad you came," billie said, her words hanging in the air like they held so much more meaning.
valerie's heart did a flip, and she glanced down, cheeks warm. "me too. you're like my favorite person to hang with, billie."
billie chuckled softly. "good, 'cause you're mine too."
they fell into a comfortable silence, just holding hands, the movie long forgotten as they let themselves be wrapped up in the quiet of the moment, side by side.
later, after valerie got home, her phone buzzed with a text from her friends
imessages
the girls (+conan)
val - valerie wilson
livvie - olivia rodrigo
cone - conan gray
bri - sabrina carpenter
grace - gracie abrams
danah the menace - danah ali
danah the menace
ok spill
how was movie night with you know who?
val
omg can't a girl watch a movie with her friend??
livvie
not when that girl's been all "ð" about it all week
come on val
details
val
ugh fine it was really nice happy??
danah the menace
really nice? yeah sure
and i'm the queen of england
livvie
so are you officially head over heels or what?
val
fuck off
okay maybe i was a little into it
grace
yeah you were
and remember
no mess ups
we know how you get when yk
val
okay rude
but don't worry dr. phil i got this
bri
just remember to send our invites
when this turns into something official
val
i hate you guys
cone
aww how sweet love u too!!
vivi disliked this message
but as she laid in bed, she thought back to the quiet, unspoken moments with billie. and for the first time in a long while, she fell asleep with a smile, her heart already aching in the best way for the next time they'd be together.
calm before the storm...