Fever Dream

Kalena

I woke up to the sound of soft movement—the rustle of fabric, the faint zip of a bag, footsteps light on the hardwood floor.

The early morning light leaked through the blinds in pale streaks, painting lines across Billie's bare back as she leaned down to grab her shoes. Her hair was tousled, her black tank top clinging to her like a memory I already missed.

She noticed I was awake and turned with an apologetic smile. "Hey," she said softly, walking back over to the bed. "Didn't mean to wake you."

My voice was hoarse, still thick with sleep. "You heading out?"

She nodded, sitting on the edge of the bed. "Studio day with Finneas. Early session. But—" she turned toward me, "I'm not trying to run out or disappear. Just... you know. Work."

I smiled, reaching up to tuck a strand of her hair behind her ear. "I get it. Really."

She exhaled like I'd just lifted a weight off her chest. "Last night was..."

"Incredible," I finished.

She laughed, quiet and real. "Yeah. That."

We leaned in at the same time, our lips meeting in a soft, slow kiss. Familiar already. The kind of kiss that lingered.

When she pulled away, she looked at me for a long second, like she wanted to say something else but wasn't ready yet.

"Text me later?" I said.

"I will."

Then she was gone, leaving behind her scent in the sheets and something heavier in the air—something like hope.

-

I didn't get out of bed for a while. Just lay there, tangled in the blankets and Billie's ghost. It felt too perfect, too big to move from. But eventually, my stomach growled, and reality returned.

I wrapped myself in an oversized sweatshirt and padded out to the kitchen.

The second I turned the corner, I knew.

Ivana and Armani were perched at the counter with coffee mugs, whispering like their lives depended on it. When they saw me, they froze. Eyes wide. Expressions equal parts smug and scandalized.

"Oh my God," Ivana said first, a slow grin spreading across her face.

"You didn't," Armani gasped.

I said nothing. Just gave them a look. One that confirmed everything.

"You did," Ivana shrieked, jumping to her feet.

Armani stood too, holding her mug like it might shatter from the gossip. "Kalena. You had sex with Billie Eilish?"

"Jesus," I muttered, making my way to the fridge. "Could you say it louder? I don't think the neighbors heard."

Ivana followed me. "We heard things last night."

"Very specific things," Armani added.

I groaned. "I'm going to die."

"No, you're going to spill," Ivana said, crossing her arms. "Right now."

I sighed, leaning against the counter. "It wasn't... planned. We just had dinner, and it was perfect, and we were talking and laughing and then... we kissed. And it felt real. Like, really real."

"And then she rocked your world," Armani said with a smirk.

I covered my face. "Oh my God."

Ivana softened a little. "Was it good, though? Like... more than just hot?"