it had been exactly a month since you and billie broke up. a month to the day

you had counted each one. each night you had gone to bed without her voice in your ear and each morning you woke up reaching for a body that wasnt there anymore but you still talked. not as much though. sometimes it was just a 'thinking about you' or a heart emoji in the middle of the night. other times it was a song link with no words

tonight billie was performing jealous by labrinth. it was the song the two of you had once covered together in the studio. it had been an impromptu session. you were curled up in her lap with her arms around your waist as both of you were whispering the words like a secret

you were in another state, curled into your hotel bed with your phone propped on your chest while watching livestream clips roll in and then one hit different

billie was hunched over, gripping the mic like it was holding her up as her oversized striped shirt was swaying while she leaned forward. her voice cracked on the line "im jealous of the rain.." and then her body followed as a sob slipped through

the crowd had cheered louder but you knew her too well. that wasnt performance. that was pain

your phone buzzed before you could even blink the tears from your own eyes

billie: i cried singing it. im sorry.

y/n: don’t be. answer your ft

she did immediately. her face filled your screen with her mascara smudged and lips trembling

"hey" she breathed out, trying to smile

"hi baby" you whispered and the word slipped out before you could stop it

she didnt correct you. instead she wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and said "it felt like you were there. singing it with me and it fucked me up"

you nodded, eyes burning "i was. every word."

silence bloomed between you for a second. it wasnt awkward, just heavy with everything unsaid

"i miss you so much it hurts" she whispered

"i know. me too"

she leaned closer to the camera like she could crawl through the screen "can i stay on with you tonight? just sleep. like before?"

"always" you said without hesitation