a/n: it;s been a while ngl but I wanted to make this cause this is genuinely what me and my friend where doing around our res.
the hallway smells faintly like beef instant noodles and someoneโs too-strong perfume, the kind that clings to the dorm walls for hours after they've walked through. itโs way past midnight,technically tomorrow, and your friend is still buzzing like itโs the middle of the day.
โyou donโt understandโ she whispers, gripping your wrist as she drags you to the next door.
โiโm so close. I just need like five more sign ups. five, thatโs it'' immediately your eyes roll over at the words.
โyouโve been saying that for the last ten doors,โ you mumble before hugging yourself due to the cold since you're wearing just your pyjamas.
she ignores you. of-course she does
her knuckles gently tap against the door three quick knocks. you shrink back a little leaning against the opposite wall already preparing your apology smile for whoever opens it.
thereโs a slight pause before some shuffles
then the door swings open
a cold chill runs down your body as your eyes fall on the person who just swung the door open.
she looks exactly like she did that nightโno actually scratch that-better. standing there in a white tank clinging to her like itโs part of her skin, grey sweatpants sitting low on her hips. her bold hair is messy, damp at the red roots, sweat glistening down her neck, her collarbones, the curve of her arms like she just came from a workout.
your brain short-circuits. a small part of you wants to run and abandon your friend here but then again your pride does not want you looking too affected by her.
because the last time you saw her not in your resident hallway, not in your resident at all and definitely not with your friend next to you talking about-
โhi! sorry to bother youโ your friend launches into it immediately, stepping forward with that unstoppable energy. โweโre just going around the res asking people to download temu using my link-โ
you barely hear the rest because billieโs eyes land on you. and they stay there
recognition hits her instantly. you can see it. the flicker in her bright eyes then an eyebrow shoots up followed with a smirk.
oh god. if only the floor could swallow you up now
that night flashes through your head in broken pieces.
music too loud, bodies too close, her hand on your waist pulling you through a crowd, laughter spilling between you like youโd known each other forever. the way she leaned in, close enough that you could feel her breath when she asked your name.
the way you ended up in a room that wasnโt yours and the way you didnโt leave until morning. you havenโt seen her since.
and now sheโs standing here like this.
โโand if you just click the link, itโll literally take two seconds,โ your friend continues, completely oblivious to the tension crackling behind her.
billie doesnโt respond for a moment. her eyes are still on you. slow and intentional like sheโs taking you in all over again.
your throat goes dry and your eyes try and find someplace else to look at other than her.
โyeah?โ she finally says, voice low, a little rough like she hasnโt used it in a while. but sheโs still looking at you. โthat so?โ
your friend nods eagerly. โyes! exactly! you just-โ billie steps back, opening the door wider.
โorโ she cuts in casually, tilting her head, โyou could come inside instead of pitching me at my own door.โ
your friend lights up instantly. โoh my gosh, yes, thatโs even better-โ
you freeze. because that smirk? feels targeted and itโs definitely meant for you.
โwouldnโt want you just standing out here,โ billie adds, her gaze flicking down and back up in a way that makes your chest feel tight. โfeels rude.โ
your friend grabs your arm again, pulling you forward. โsee? this is perfect. you can help me explain-โ
but youโre barely listening to be honest because as you step inside, brushing past billie, thereโs a split second where youโre close-too close-and you catch the faint scent of her. it's fresh probably deodorant.
it sends a jolt straight through you.
the door clicks shut behind you and suddenly itโs quieter but not for long.
your friend is already talking again, pulling out her phone, launching into another enthusiastic explanation about links and referrals and free gifts.
billie leans against the door still watching you.
โyou always this quiet?โ she asks, like your friend isnโt even there.
heat floods your face and you swear you're now sweating but you try to keep calm. โno, just tired โ
โmmh, makes senseโ she murmurs, pushing off the door and taking a step closer. โ because thatโs not how I remember you.โ
your friend pauses mid-sentence. โwaitโyou guys know each other?โ
again you wish the floor would swallow you whole
billieโs eyes donโt leave yours, โsomething like that.โ
your heart is beating way too fast now
โfrom a party,โ you manage, voice smaller than you want it to be.
billie hums, like sheโs considering that.โyeahโ she says slowly. โwe met at a partyโ
thereโs something in the way she says it like it means more. like she knows you remember every second just as clearly as she does.
your friend looks between you, confused but intrigued. โokayโฆ well, thatโs even better! you can definitely convince her to use my link-โ
billie huffs a quiet laugh, dragging a hand through her damp hair.โiโll use your link,โ she says easily finally glancing at your friend. โrelax.โ
your friend gasps, โwait, really?โ
โbutโlikeโright now?โ
billie shrugs, already reaching for her phone. โsure.โ
your friend nearly vibrates with excitement, rushing to stand next to her explaining the steps again even though billie clearly doesnโt need it.
and that leaves you standing there and trying not to look at her.
because every few seconds, billie glances up and every time she does she catches you looking.
and every time-that smirk comes back.
โyou good?โ she asks after a moment quieter this time.
you nod too quickly โyeahโ
she raises an eyebrow, unconvinced,โdidnโt seem this nervous before,โ she murmurs.
you wanted to roll your eyes so bad but that wouldn't be so nonchalant now would it.
โbillie, click the link-no, the blue one,โ your friend insists, leaning over her shoulder.
billie sighs, but thereโs amusement in it. โi am clicking it.โ but then her eyes flick back to you again.
like sheโs more interested in this than the whole temu situation.
โdoneโ billie says finally, holding up her phone.
your friend squeals. โoh my gosh, thank you! you are literally my favorite person right now.โ
billie chuckles โyeah? good to knowโ
your friend turns to you, grabbing your arm again. โokay, we should goโI still have like three more doorsโโ
โno,โ billie says, a little too quickly.
she shrugs, casual again. โI meanโฆ you can go.โ
your pulse spikes. she did not just say that.
your friendโs jaw drops. โohโokayโwaitโreally?โ
billie just shrugs again, like itโs nothing but itโs not nothing not with the way sheโs looking at you.
your friend turns to you, eyes wide, silently screaming say yes.
you should probably say no. you should probably walk out, go back to your room, pretend this isnโt happening but instead-
billie smiles small, but real this time.
that feels even more dangerous than the night of the party
