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20 Something—SZA
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I don't want to go home. Ash coils a wisp of hair around her finger, tugging with less strength than she would prefer. She'd behaved all day, keeping her hands at her sides and away from her neck. She had, and Billie even let her know she was glad. Ash didn't think Billie would have noticed, but it made her feel a certain kind of warmth in her chest anyway.

Now, though, all she wants to do is claw at her neck till it's raw.

"Ready?" Billie chimes as smiley as ever. "Finneas said he wants to stay behind 'cause he feels exhausted from the trek to and from the gas station." She snorts, skipping down the steps of her house to Ash, who quickly hides her hand back into her pocket.

Walking beneath the sky, Ash ponders back to the day she and Billie first had an actual conversation. How that one moment led to this entire mess. A mess with sparks of good, sure, but Ash can't help but think she's at fault for bringing Billie into her familial issues.

"You're doing it again," Billie says, pushing her thumb between Ash's brows, the wrinkles disappearing. Ash blinks, bringing her eyes down to the blonde, who catches them with her blues.

"Sorry..."

"Don't apologize, oaf." Billie, having taken Ash's hand into her own at some point during their intentionally slow walk, runs a thumb over the other girl's knuckles. "But, can I ask what you were thinking about?"

Ash hesitates, even though she knows that she will just end up saying 'Nothing.' And she does. And it tastes bitter on her tongue.

"And your definition of nothing is...?" Billie gazes through her eyelashes, still sliding her thumb lovingly. Ash almost laughs at her attempt to pull out her thoughts.

"Clever."

"I know," Billie remarks, smiling toothily. "Question is: did it work?"

Ash, in a futile attempt to wipe a smile, rolls her eyes and nudges the blonde with her elbow. "Only a bit. Keep trying, though. It's cute."

Billie then bursts into flames, her grip on Ash tightening while her other hand fruitlessly blocks the burning blush on her freckled cheeks. Ash, feeling brazen, leans her torso and fixes her face right in front of Billie's red one.

"I think I recall you saying that you wouldn't get embarrassed by comments like that." Ash smirks, enjoying the sight of Billie turning a deeper shade of crimson by the second.

"Shut up, Ash," Billie groans into her palm, then uses it to shove Ash's face away. "Don't act all cheeky when you know very well that you've gotten flustered plenty of times, too."

"Doesn't mean I can't enjoy when I do it to you, though." Ash pokes the girl's forehead, who scrunches up her nose playfully.

"Hmm, and don't think you've gotten away with anything. I still want to know what's got your brain up in a mess." Billie tugs Ash closer, linking their arms now and resting her cheek on her shoulder. Ash, who can't seem to detach her eyes from Billie due to her new position, struggles to not make any uncomfortable movements to not disturb her.

"... Listen, it's not a big deal or anything. I'm just worrying myself over something possibly stupid. Nothing worth talking about out loud," she says and, now that she hears herself say it, realizes it's not all that comforting.

"Ash–" With a quick spin, Ash interrupts Billie and grabs her by the shoulders, leaning so their eyes meet perfectly.

"This is going to sound kind of crazy, okay? But, hear me out." Ash becomes overly serious, her hands now cupping Billie's jaw. "I won't lie and say that I am okay anymore, but I will be. So, just for now, I want to keep my thoughts to myself. I really do appreciate your concern, though. Thank you for caring." With that, Ash kisses her forehead, brushing away the bangs beforehand. Billie, surprising herself, feels more at ease than she's been the entire day.