THE CONCERT VENUE BUZZED WITH energy, the music vibrating through the floor as valerie stood with billie, odessa, quen, and olivia in their vip section. the night had been fun, filled with jokes and shared glances, but now valerie couldn't stop noticing how close billie and odessa were. billie's hands rested on odessa's waist as they swayed to the beat, their laughter mingling with the music.
valerie clenched her drink tighter, willing herself to look away. odessa leaned in, whispering something into billie's ear, and billie laughed, her head tilting back in that gorgeous way that always made valerie's heart ache.
"you good?" olivia asked, leaning in closer to be heard over the music. valerie plastered on a smile. "yeah, just need to use the bathroom."
before olivia could ask anything else, valerie slipped through the crowd, her chest tight with a mix of jealousy and frustration.
in the quiet hallway by the restrooms, valerie leaned against the wall, taking a deep breath. she didn't want to feel like this-jealous, small, insecure-but watching billie with odessa made it impossible to ignore how much she cared.
"vei."
the familiar nickname made her heart jump. valerie turned to find billie standing a few feet away, her blue eyes searching valerie's face.
"what are you doing here?" valerie asked, trying to sound casual and failing. "i saw you leave," billie said softly, stepping closer. "you looked upset. are you okay?"
"i'm fine," valerie said quickly, folding her arms over her chest. billie frowned, tilting her head. "you don't look fine." valerie sighed, the words tumbling out before she could stop them.
"what were you even doing back there? with odessa?" billie blinked, surprised by the question. "dancing. why?" "you were all over her," valerie muttered, her voice tight.
billie's brows knitted together as she stepped closer. "are you jealous?" "no," valerie lied, but her voice wavered. billie's lips twitched into a small smile, her gaze never leaving valerie's. "you are. aren't you?" valerie looked away, heat rising to her cheeks.
"what does it matter?" "it matters," billie said, her voice dropping to a gentle murmur. "because i like you, vei." valerie's heart stopped. she looked at billie, her breath catching. "what?" billie took another step closer, their faces just inches apart now. "i like you. I thought it was obvious."
valerie stared at her, the words sinking in, disbelief and hope swirling in her chest. "you're not just saying that, are you?" "no," billie said, her voice steady. "i mean it. you drive me crazy, vei, in the best way. and you don't usually kiss people you don't like do you?" valerie hesitated, her emotions warring inside her. then she took a shaky breath. "i like you too, billie."
the words were barely out of her mouth before billie closed the gap between them, her lips capturing valerie's in a kiss that was soft at first, testing, but quickly grew deeper. valerie melted into it, her hands gripping billie's shirt as billie's fingers gently brushed her waist.
for a moment, the world fell away-no music, no crowd, no odessa. just them. when they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathing hard, their foreheads resting against each other.
"well," valerie said, her voice shaky but teasing. "guess we're both jealous idiots." billie chuckled softly, her thumb brushing over valerie's cheek. "yeah. but it's kinda working for us." valerie smiled, her cheeks flushed. "yeah. it is." billie stepped back slightly, still holding her hand.
"ready to go back?" valerie nodded, lacing her fingers with billie's as they made their way back to the vip section. everything felt lighter now, the air between them charged with something new, something real.
a bit way too happy... (not for long)