you’ve been in love with her for as long as you can remember. you’re twenty-three now, and so is she. the two of you grew up tangled together, always too close, always too intense. there was that one night you kissed, so cute and quiet. full of love and affection, a moment that changed everything and nothing all at once. because after that, she chose simplicity. she chose him. her new boyfriend, a longtime friend, someone easy to love in a way the world understands. she does love him, she’s happy, or at least she tells herself she is… but it’s not the same. it can’t be. there’s always that small, unspoken thing between you. because being with him is simple. but being with you would mean facing the truth of a lesbian relationship, something messy, terrifying, and far from the easy path she craves.

she’s in the crowd tonight, clinging to his arm like he’s the only thing holding her up. the lights hit your face as you walk on stage, microphone cold in your hand, heart heavier than it’s ever been. you’re not here to talk to her. you’re here to sing. but every note is yours and hers alone.

you let the first words spill out, soft but clear, slicing through the thick air of the venue

“but the other woman will always cry herself to sleep… the other woman will never have her love to keep…”

the words taste bitter on your tongue. the world goes silent around you, like even the crowd knows this song isn’t just a performance. it’s a confession. a plea. your eyes meet hers across the darkness, and she looks like she might shatter if you breathe too hard.

he looks down at her… she’s untangling herself from his touch, she’s taking a step aside, and she’s crying. soft tears on her beautiful cheeks. like she knows something, like she just realized something. worry twisting his features. he reaches for her hands, eyes wide, voice shaking.

him : “Billie my baby what’s wrong ? why are you crying ?”

he tries to pull her close, leans in like he wants to kiss her. but she flinches back, hands pushing against his chest. the taste of your kiss rushes back to her mind. how you held her like she was breakable, how you brushed her hair back and whispered like she was the only thing that mattered. she can’t do this. can’t pretend tonight didn’t crack her open. she’s stunned, broken, tears streaking down her cheeks as she backs away from him, heart screaming the truth she’s tried so hard to bury.