Behind the spotlight

The morning light filtered softly through the sheer curtains, casting delicate shadows on the walls. I lay there for a few moments, just listening to the quiet hum of the world outside. The bed was warm, and Billie's body was pressed up against mine, her soft breath gently tickling the back of my neck. The peace of the morning wrapped around us, cocooning us in a feeling of comfort and safety. It felt like time was standing still, like this moment could last forever—before the inevitable rush of the day ahead came crashing in.

I shifted slightly, just enough to glance at the clock. 9:15 AM. I smiled softly to myself. The world outside was still asleep, but here, in this little corner of it, everything felt calm. I could hear Billie's breathing, steady and slow, and the sound of her slight movements as she started to stir. Her face, peaceful and relaxed, was so close to mine, and I couldn't resist the urge to watch her wake up.

Her eyes fluttered open, and she let out a soft groan, her hand running over her face as she stretched like a lazy cat. "Ugh," she mumbled, her voice still heavy with sleep. "Why does the sun always wake me up too early?"

I smiled, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face, letting my fingers linger for just a moment longer than necessary. "It's 9:15, Billie," I teased. "You're not a morning person, are you?"

She opened one eye to look at me, a sleepy, exaggerated look of disbelief painting her face. "Do you hear how loud the sun is?" she groaned dramatically, raising one hand to shield her eyes, even though it wasn't bright enough to bother.

I couldn't help but laugh at her antics. "You're so dramatic," I said, grinning as I propped myself up on one elbow, admiring her in the early morning light.

Billie smirked at me, now fully awake, and in one smooth motion, she rolled over to face me and leaned in to press a slow, lazy kiss to my lips. I melted into it, feeling the warmth of her skin and the gentle pressure of her lips. "Good morning, trouble," she whispered, her voice low and warm, the words sending a flutter through my chest.

"Good morning," I murmured back, my heart swelling at the softness of it all. There was something about waking up next to Billie that made everything feel right, even on the busiest, most chaotic days. She had this way of making the world feel smaller, more manageable.

Her arms wrapped around me then, pulling me closer like she never wanted to let go. I smiled against her skin, savoring the moment, but eventually, she shifted, pulling away just enough to look into my eyes.

"I was thinking..." Billie trailed off, her voice soft and playful, with that familiar mischievous edge.

"Uh-oh," I said, pretending to be worried. I raised an eyebrow, trying to look serious.

She gave me a sideways grin, her eyes glinting with a hint of mischief. "What if you came to my show tonight?"

I rolled my eyes, letting out a small laugh. "You know I'll always go with you, Billie."

Billie's grin widened, and she quickly sat up in bed, pulling the covers off of us. "Let's get up and get ready pretty."

I shook my head, laughing. "Only you could make something like this sound so easy."

Billie stood up, already moving to get ready. "You know you love it," she teased.

I rolled out of bed and followed her to the bathroom, my heart still racing with a mix of excitement and nerves. There was something about how Billie could make even the most chaotic plans seem effortless that always left me feeling like anything was possible. It didn't matter where we were or how far we had to go—we'd figure it out together.

We both quickly got dressed, matching once again, as if our minds were on the same wavelength without us even trying. Billie pulled on her oversized jacket, and I went for something more fitted, but we both opted for comfort. After all, we'd be spending hours on a plane. And if the jet was as nice as the last one, comfort was a must.