You were sitting in the living room, fidgeting with the hem of your sleeve, trying not to let your nerves show. Your best friend was chatting with someone in the kitchen, leaving you alone with Billie, who was perched on the arm of the couch, sipping his coffee.

He tilted his head slightly, his eyes narrowing with gentle concern. “Hey… you okay? You seem a little… tense.”

You tried to brush it off with a weak laugh, but he didn’t let it go. “Nope. I see right through that. You’re worried about something. Want to talk about it?”

You hesitated, staring at the floor. Billie leaned forward, setting his coffee down. “Look, I’m not here to lecture you or tell you what to do. I just… notice when people around me are struggling. And it’s okay to feel anxious sometimes. Doesn’t mean you’re weak.”