If Time is All We Have | ?.? ????????

Billie hummed softly to herself as the lukewarm water cascaded down, washing over her skin like a half-hearted summer rain. The steam curled around her, clinging to the bathroom mirror like ghosts of thoughts left unspoken. Her skin was tinged pink from standing too long under the spray, but she didn't care. It was her sanctuary, the only place where the world couldn't touch her for a moment. Finally, with a reluctant sigh, she turned the faucet off, the water's final drops splattering like a distant applause.

She wrapped herself in a towel, the fabric warm against her slightly flushed skin, and began to dry her hair, the wet strands falling in loose waves around her face. It was her third day in this quaint little town, and though she had no plans, a subtle excitement stirred within her chest, like the first breath of spring in a long, grey winter.

Later, Billie found herself seated in an empty booth at the local coffee shop, the scent of roasted beans mingling with the crisp pages of the book in her hands. The words seemed to leap off the page, drawing her deeper into the story until the rest of the world faded away. Each page was a fresh wave, carrying her further from the shore of her own thoughts.

"Billie?" A voice broke through her immersion, soft yet enough to snap her back to reality. She looked up, startled, to find the girl from the day before-the one with the silver hair that shimmered like moonlight-standing beside her.

"Yes?" Billie blinked, her heart giving a small jolt as if her soul had tripped over itself. The girl, Melody, offered an apologetic smile, her cheeks tinged with a delicate blush.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," Melody said, her voice like a soft hum, barely above a whisper. "I noticed you were deep into your book and thought I'd offer you a coffee, so you wouldn't have to get up."

Billie chuckled, the sound light and airy, as if the atmosphere around them had lifted. "I'd love one, thanks," she said, feeling a strange flutter in her chest, like the first note of a melody she hadn't heard in years.

Melody blushed deeper, her hands fidgeting at her sides, reminding Billie of a shy rabbit. She quickly nodded and turned away, her quick pace betraying her nerves. Billie wondered if the girl would remember her order-she hadn't even asked what Billie wanted this time.

In just a few minutes, Melody returned, placing a latte made with oat milk and a vegan blueberry muffin in front of her. Billie's eyes widened, a genuine smile lighting up her face.

"You remembered," she said, her voice full of surprise and warmth, as if Melody had pulled the sun from the sky just for her.

"Well, you're kind of hard to forget," Melody replied without thinking, then froze, her eyes widening in realization. A rosy hue spread across her cheeks, deeper this time. "I-I mean, it's a small town, and we don't get many visitors," she stammered, clearly flustered.

Billie couldn't help but laugh softly, finding the girl's awkwardness utterly charming. "Don't worry, I'll take it as a compliment," she said, meeting Melody's eyes, which sparkled with a mix of embarrassment and something else, something warmer.

"What are you reading?" Melody questioned inquisitively, Billie turned to the cover page to show the girl and her eyes went wide in recognition. "Where the Crawdads Sing," Billie read out softly.

"Oh my biscuits, I loved that book! What part are you up to?" Melody gasped, excitement taking over her cutely like a child on Christmas.

Melody's genuine enthusiasm was contagious, and Billie found herself smiling widely. "I'm getting deep into the story," she replied, her eyes still fixed on Melody's eager expression. "Just reached the part where Kya faces her trial and all."