"okay groups of three" your teacher said, slapping a stack of worksheets onto the desk "dont complain. this is how its gonna be"

you already knew what you wanted. you glanced across the room and your eyes locked with billies. like always, she was leaned back in her chair, hoodie strings pulled tight, with that lazy smirk on her lips like she knew you were gonna look because you always did

she lifted her chin in your direction, barely noticeable unless you were watching closely, which you were

"billie, y/n, and.." the teacher scanned the room "maya"

you stiffened. maya? seriously?

youve seen the way maya looked at billie in class. all googly eyed and giggly, flipping her hair and leaning too far into her space like she was trying to become her hoodie

billie groaned under her breath and muttered 'of course'

you walked over to the back lab table where billie was already slouched, dropping your bag next to her with a heavy thud. maya followed close behind, all too chipper

"this is gonna be so fun" maya said, squeezing herself in next to billie, thigh to thigh "were gonna kill this project"

you watched as she touched billies arm when she laughed for no reason. you could feel your jaw clench as billie stayed still, expression unreadable, eyes drifting down toward the desk like she was trying not to cause a scene

"guess were starting now" you said flatly, yanking a worksheet toward you

"oh my god billie. i saw your hoodie on that one site. can i borrow it sometime?" maya asked, fingers tugging lightly on billies sleeve

billie let out a small laugh but it was the fake kind. the kind you recognized because youve heard the real one when it was just you two

"i barely let myself borrow my hoodies" she mumbled

that made maya giggle more and it made your skin crawl

you didnt say anything but you didnt have to because billies eyes flicked over to you like she knew exactly what you were thinking. she always did