the party was pulsing with music and warm bodies but you stayed mostly in the background, posted up near the sliding doors to the patio. you kept your eyes low and drink in hand while pretending not to scan the room every five seconds but you were scanning. for billie

then you saw her in a tight black tank top with her hair messy but gorgeous while standing too close to jesse. it was too close for comfort. you knew the way she flinched when he moved too fast and you knew what she wasnt saying even when she was smiling

you hadnt done anything but there were looks, touches that lasted longer than they shouldve, and long texts late at night when she couldnt sleep and didnt feel safe. you werent her savior. you werent trying to be but you wanted to be the place she ran to

you turned away to keep from staring but then the shift happened. you could feel it like the music dropped out for just a second. when you turned your head back, jesse had her by the arm. it was a hard grip. his fingers dug into her skin and she winced

she said "jesse stop" and tried to pull away

that was all you needed. you were across the room before you knew what you were doing

"get your fucking hands off her" you snapped, shoving him hard

he turned, smirking like you were a joke "whatre you gonna do about it?"

"you think you own her? you think that makes you a man?!" you shouted, voice shaking with rage

then he shoved billie and something in you just broke. you blacked out with red behind your eyes. you swung first and caught him right in the cheek. he tried to push you back but you grabbed his shirt and slammed him down onto the hardwood. the sound cracked through the room louder than the music

he tried to get up but you were already on top of him, fists flying "dont" punch "fucking" punch "touch her" punch "again"

blood splattered across your knuckles and you werent sure if it was yours or his. people were screaming and backing up but you didnt stop. you couldnt. you didnt want to

"you dont get to hurt her and walk away" punch "you shouldve let her go" punch "you sick fuck" *punch"

then suddenly arms are around you

"get off me" you screamed, trying to twist away but billies voice cut through it

"hey. hey. look at me" she said, breathless as she grabbed your shoulder

"let me go billie. im not done. im not fucking done"

"no youre done" she barked, suddenly strong and shoved you backwards. you stumbled and before you could catch yourself, she tackled you down onto the floor, straddling your back

"get off me" you growled, thrashing underneath her

"stop it" she hissed into your ear, her breath shaky. she leaned closer, her weight pressing you down as your cheek hit the cold floor "you did enough. you did enough okay?"

your hands were still clenched into fists and your body was tense, ready to spring back up

"i cant breathe when youre not safe" she whispered "dont make me lose you too"

her voice cracked and you felt her chest shudder against your back. her fingers were in your hair, pulling gently like she was grounding both of you. blood was still on your lip but you stopped struggling

you swallowed hard, cheek against the floor while breathing with her "billie.."

"yeah" she breathed, not moving "i got you"