The invitation had come from Finneas—a casual, friendly suggestion for a movie night at their house. You liked Finneas, and the two of you had gotten along well since meeting. So, when he suggested you come over, you immediately said yes, not thinking much of it. What you didn’t know was how Billie felt about your impending arrival.

“She’s coming here?” Billie had snapped earlier that afternoon, arms crossed tightly as she leaned against the kitchen counter. Her brows were furrowed, and her irritation was plain.

Finneas, unbothered, leaned back in his chair and shrugged. “Yeah, I invited her. What’s the big deal?”

“The big deal is…” Billie started, but then trailed off, struggling to articulate why the idea annoyed her so much. She didn’t even really know you. She just knew you were someone Finneas spoke about a little too fondly, and she didn’t like the way it made her feel. “Whatever." she mumbled, brushing it off as she walked away.

But the irritation lingered, and by the time the doorbell rang that evening, Billie was already bracing herself to dislike you. She slouched against the wall of the entryway, her face carefully neutral, determined not to care.

Then Finneas opened the door, and you stepped inside.

Billie’s heart stumbled in her chest the moment her eyes landed on you. Whatever preconceived notions she had about you dissolved instantly. You were gorgeous—so much so that she momentarily forgot to breathe. She straightened up without realizing it, her eyes fixated on you as you smiled warmly.

“Hi!” you said, stepping further into the house. You looked at Billie, your gaze lighting up in recognition. “Oh my god, you’re even prettier in person.”

Her stomach flipped. Pretty? You thought she was pretty? She blinked, completely caught off guard, her carefully built walls crumbling in an instant. For a second, she almost forgot how to speak.