{21}✔️

Dahlia's POV

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I hated the ride home from Billie's house to my own. We'd just spent the most amazing day together, ending it with an intense make-out session and then the best sex of my life, no doubt. Now we're only a few minutes away from my house and I hate the fact that I can't stay with her for longer, but I'm also kinda glad I'll have some time to myself to think about everything that's happened. All I can think about right now, while she's driving with one hand on the wheel and one hand holding onto mine, is how damn fucking lucky I am and how much I wish we could do this whole day, especially the last part of it, over and over again.

"When do you think I'm gonna see you again, angel?" She muttered, clearly tired. It had been a long day. A long, beautiful, amazing day.

"Whenever you want...As long as it isn't tomorrow. My dad wants to spend the day with me."

"Think you'll go back to school after tomorrow?"

"No."

I wish I could just drop out, but my dad won't allow it. Being homeschooled isn't an option either. He works too much and apparently I'm not allowed to homeschool myself. Online classes? I'd never get anything done.

I can't see myself going back this week though. I need to let this all die down a little. Lucky for me, my dad agreed to let me take the week off.

"I have to go back next week, though." I sighed.

"One week should be plenty enough time for you to get over everyone seeing your naked picture." My dad had joked before quickly apologizing as it was obviously too damn soon.

"It's going to be okay, I promise." She reassured me once again. I nodded and squeezed her hand before letting my head fall back against the seat.

We were at my house in only a matter of minutes and I sighed before gathering my stuff and kissing Billie goodbye. I clumsily wobbled up to my door and tried to open it without dropping anything, but it swung open before I could.

I started to speak but didn't get to as Julia practically ran out of the house. I stared at her as she ran to the side of the house, probably where she'd parked her car, and then walked inside.

I closed the door behind me and silently cursed myself for not simply just putting all my shit into one big bag instead of carrying a shit ton of little ones. Once I got up the stairs and into my room, I opened the door and put the stuff down on the floor before stepping across the hall to knock on my brother's door.

When he yelled a muffled "Come in!" I opened the door and raised my brows at him. He was lying on his bed playing some video game.

"What happened to Julia? She ran past me crying when I was coming in."

"I forgot our two month anniversary." He rolled his eyes. I frowned.

"You guys have been together for almost four months."

"Whatever."

I plopped down on his bed and let out a small sigh.

"Good day?" He asked.

"Great day! It was a lot of fun. Billie took me to IHOP and then the mall and then we just hung out at her place—"

"You went to their house? Was Finneas there?" He cut me off quickly, pausing his game. I shook my head. "No, he was out. I think he was hanging out with one of his friends or something. Why?"

"Just wondering. Was gonna text him later and ask if I could come over to practice."

"I still can't believe you're learning to play the guitar! I literally never would've guessed that you'd be into music like that."

He cleared his throat and sat up, sitting criss-cross applesauce as he unpaused his game. "I don't really care about playing guitar. But Finneas is pretty cool and I like hanging out with him."

I laughed at that. "Dude, I'm pretty sure he'd hang out with you if you just asked. You don't have to sit through guitar lessons you don't care about just to spend time with him."

"I think I do. I've tried hanging out with him before, but if it's got nothing to do with guitar or some type of music it's pretty rare he wants to do it. Plus, I like being around him when he gets in his zone. He gets really focused and it's just...nice watching him."

I nodded. I knew exactly what he meant. Watching Billie when she was singing her songs—

I knew exactly what he meant.

I knew exactly what he meant.

"You're sitting through a thousand guitar lessons you don't care about just to hang out with him? What, do you want an older friend that bad?" I half-joked and half pried.

"I wish he wasn't older," he laughed softly. "Get out of my room, dweeb. I've gotta focus on my game."

I left after messing up his hair and went to check in on Cora who kicked me out immediately because she was busy FaceTiming her little crush. I went back into my own room after that, closing the door behind me and ignoring all the bags on the floor as I plopped down on my bed.

I turned on my TV and tried to stay awake as I watched Nickelodeon, but my eyes fluttered shut after just a few minutes.

***

It seemed as if I'd only been asleep for a few seconds when I woke up. By the time I'd woken up, though, it was dark out and I could hear the crickets chirping. I'll probably be up late tonight because of my little nap, but it'll be fine.

I sat on my bed scrolling through my phone for a while, checking my text messages and scrolling through Twitter and Instagram. I deleted my Facebook only after I saw that Kai's post had been taken down and she was suspended from Facebook. I don't know how many people had saved and reposted that picture of me, but at least the main post is gone and she can't put it back up.

I was still sick of people messaging me and asking me about it though, so I decided I'd go ahead and delete my page. It's not like I used it that much anyways. I got on every few days, scrolled for five minutes at the most, and then got back off again.

I'm glad nothing went down on Instagram. Instagram is my baby and I can't imagine having to delete it.

After I got bored of being on my phone, I got up, stretched, and decided to unpack all the stuff I'd bought today.

I stared at the sexy underwear sets I'd bought and smirked as I decided to try them on.

I bet Billie would love to see me in these. I can't wait to see her again.

"D!" I heard Cora scream through the door. I rolled my eyes as I slipped my shirt from today back on and went to open it. "I need your help! I need you to help me get ready for my first date!"

I looked at the time on my TV and then narrowed my eyes at her. "Cora, it's already ten o'clock. You can't go out—"

"Not tonight, dumb dumb!" She rolled her eyes. "It's next Saturday."

"Why are you asking me? Don't you usually make fun of my clothing and my love life?"

"Yeah, but as ugly as your clothes can be, you know how to put them together so that they don't look that terrible on you. Imagine what you could do with all the fantastic clothes in my closet!" She exclaimed. "Plus, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I need relationship advice from you."

"From who?" My eyes widened as I straightened up. Why the hell was she asking me about relationship advice?

"You. I'd ask Denver, but I think we both know he sucks when it comes to relationships. Julia literally just ran out of here earlier today because he forgot her birthday."

"Birthday? I thought it was their four-month anniversary?"

"They've been together five months and their anniversary was three days ago." She shrugged. "I figured that since you somehow managed to get Billie to go out with you—"

"Whoa, Whoa! Me and Billie are not dating!" I blushed.

"Yeah, right. I see the way she looks at you and the way you look at her. I see how you two are all gushy when you're around each other. It's disgusting. And anyway, nobody beats somebody's ass the way she beat Kai's ass for someone who's just a friend."

"Everything I've done for you, I'd never do for just a friend."

Billie had said that earlier.

But we're not really dating. She hadn't officially asked me out and I hadn't officially asked her out. And I'm not sure if either of us will.

"Look, I'll help you or whatever. Next Saturday."

"Good." She grinned. "And you better not screw it up!"