the music from the backyard speakers buzzes low, mixing with the hum of conversations and the faint smell of beer and sunscreen. billies laugh is lazy against your chest, her head nestled perfectly in the crook between your arm and your ribs, like it was always meant to fit there. her hand rests over your stomach, thumb brushing idle circles into your flannel like she doesnt even realize shes doing it

youre trying to act normal, whatever that means when billie eilish is literally draped across your body and looking up at you like you hung the stars

“stop looking at me like that” you murmur, eyes flicking down to meet hers

“like what?” she smirks but its soft, half lidded and dangerous

“like youre in love with me or something”

she grins, tilting her head slightly with her cheek brushing your ribs “gross. you wish”

you both know its a lie

then the camera flash catches you off guard “hey-”

finneas lowers his phone, grinning from a few feet away “you two are disgusting” he says flatly “tell me again how youre just friends. i need it for my notes”

“finneas-” billie groans, trying to sit up but you instinctively tighten your arm around her

“you literally just blinked at her like you were in a rom com” he adds, walking away while reviewing the picture “im framing this. moms gonna sob”

billie tosses a hair tie at him but doesnt move. she stays where she is, head now resting on your shoulder, lips just barely parted like she might say something else but she doesnt

you both fall quiet again, letting the world keep assuming while you pretend you dont feel the truth pulsing between you like its always been there