VALERIE COULDN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT IT.
three kisses now-one at the concert, one at the release party, and one at the beach-and not once had they talked about what it all meant. sure, they'd confessed they liked each other, but they hadn't defined anything.
and that scared her.
her phone buzzed beside her, pulling her from her thoughts. the name on the screen sent her stomach flipping: billie.
"hey," valerie said, answering the facetime call and trying to act casual.
"hey, vei," billie greeted her with a soft smile, using the nickname only she could call her.
valerie couldn't help but grin at the sound of it, even as nerves twisted in her stomach.
"what's up?" valerie asked, leaning back against her couch and trying to keep her voice steady.
"nothing much. just wanted to see your face," billie replied, her voice low, almost teasing, but her expression sincere.
valerie's heart fluttered. "i'm sure you did," she teased, though her voice came out softer than she intended.
billie smirked. "so, i was thinking... tomorrow, you and me. a proper date."
valerie froze for a second, her mind short-circuiting.
"a date?" she echoed, a little breathless.
"yeah, a date," billie said, leaning closer to the screen as if to make sure valerie understood. "no 'hanging out,' no 'just two friends grabbing food.' a real, actual date. what do you say?"
valerie blinked, her lips curling into a small smile. "you're serious?"
"dead serious," billie said, her gaze steady.
valerie let out a soft laugh, her nerves easing slightly. "okay," she said finally. "it's a date."
billie grinned, her eyes lighting up. "great. i'll pick you up at 7. dress nice. we're going somewhere good."
valerie raised an eyebrow. "somewhere good? should i be nervous?"
"only if you're scared of impressing me," billie teased.
"oh, please," valerie shot back, her confidence coming back. "if anyone needs to impress someone, it's you, eilish."
billie laughed, the sound warm and genuine. "touché. i'll bring my A-game."
"you better," valerie said with a playful smirk.
they stayed on the call for a while longer, talking about everything from music to the party to plans for their upcoming performances. valerie found herself relaxing more and more as the conversation flowed, the tension from her earlier thoughts fading into the background.
and yet, when they finally hung up, valerie couldn't help but stare at her phone for a long moment, her mind spinning with what tomorrow could bring.
a real date.
with billie eilish.