you yanked the seatbelt across your lap, tightening it until it dug into your waist. the overhead lights buzzed softly as the plane cabin filled with the rustle of boarding passengers and the low hum of engines warming up. you shifted in your seat, legs stiff, hands clenching the fabric of your hoodie

flying always terrified you. the feeling of not being in control and being suspended miles in the sky with nothing but metal and air beneath you made your stomach churn and your heart race

next to you, billie adjusted her hoodie and turned toward you, already clocking the tension in your body. she let out a soft, breathy laugh, not mocking just familiar like shed seen this before

her hand slid onto your knee, warm and grounding, as she started rubbing slow circles there with her thumb

"youre fine baby" she murmured, glancing at you through the corner of her lashes "its just a plane. youve got me"

you exhaled shakily, trying to focus on her touch and the way her fingers moved in that soothing and unhurried rhythm. you looked over at her, your eyes meeting for a second. she looked soft in the low cabin lights with tousled hair, no makeup, and that easy half smile that only she could pull off at 30000 feet

"i hate this" you muttered, voice barely audible over the intercom crackling to life

billie leaned closer, her shoulder pressing gently against yours "i know but ill hold your hand the whole way if you want. even through the turbulence"

you gave her a weak smile and without waiting for permission, she laced her fingers through yours. her grip was firm and steady like she wasnt going anywhere and just like that the roar of the engines faded into the background