the bass was still humming in the air as the crowd roared behind the barricades, a buzz of excitement crackling through the night. billie had just finished her last song and was drenched in sweat with her smile wide and real. she tossed her in ear monitors to a tech then turned towards you like you were gravity

“you ready baby?” she said, hopping onto the electric scooter with a grin that made your stomach flip

you laughed, already wheeling yours beside hers “born ready”

security had tried to usher her backstage but billie wasnt having it. not tonight. tonight was freedom. she was electric and still flowing from the adrenaline of the show

“first to the end of the block buys veggie grill” you challenged, your fingers gripping the handlebars with your eyes locked on hers

“deal” she smirked and without waiting another second she kicked off

the fans screamed louder as the two of you zoomed past them. billie leaned into the wind, laughter spilling from her lips with her hair whipping behind her. you were right on her heels, laughing with your scooter bumping against hers

“hey!” she shouted over her shoulder “thats cheating!”

“shouldve been faster baby”

people along the sidewalk cheered, their joy adding to the chaos of the moment. billie turned into the next street and you followed her through the blur of neon and streetlight. for a few minutes it was just you and the night, her hand briefly reaching back for youre when you caught up, your fingers brushing together as you smiled like idiots in love

when you finally slowed down with your hearts racing and scooters blinking red for low battery, she was breathless and doubled over laughing “okay okay you win”

you grinned and leaned in to kiss her cheek, your voice warm in her ear “i love you”

she turned to you, her eyes soft as her thumb grazed your jaw “i know but i love you more”