Chapter 14 : Surprise

Billie pov

I tried to calm myself down as we drove home, staying silent the entire time. Even Nate seemed tense; he knew something had happened, but I wasn't in the mood to fill him in on what Alice had said. Honestly, I didn't care whether she liked him or not, but she shouldn’t have overstepped her bounds. I didn't have any feelings for Nate, and I wasn't sure I ever would. Just because he had been a nice guy and friendly with me for a few days didn't mean anything significant. It felt like he was after something, and I didn’t think I had whatever it was.

I looked at myself. If he wanted a girl to hook up with, he could have gone for someone attractive like Alice. So why come to me? I couldn't stop wondering what his mission was, and why he was trying so hard to befriend me. He knew I was overweight, yet he still chose to hang out with me and defended me when someone insulted me. I knew he was nice and a good person, and I could see he was a better guy than John.

John was crazy and only cared about his selfish interests. I shook my head. No, enough of this. I didn't love him, and I was sure he wasn’t in love with me either; he was just trying to be friends.

"But I don't want that," I thought to myself loudly.

"What?" Nate glanced sideways at me.

"Um, nothing," I quickly replied before he could ask further. "Just some projects I've been trying to work on with Ann; I'm just a bit stressed."

He nodded. "Of course, you're just overloaded, Billie. You're brilliant, and you shouldn't let anyone treat you like you're their servant."

Is that a compliment?

"Anyway," Nate said, smiling, "where are you going for the holiday, you know, for Christmas?"

What a question!

"Um, I don't know yet. Maybe we'll be celebrating at home this year," I replied.

Nate nodded in understanding. "Okay."

The rest of the ride home was in silence. As soon as the car parked in front of my house, I heaved a sigh of relief.

I got out before Nate could help me.

He pouted. "You should have let me open the door for you."

"Sorry," I said. He bowed slightly and led the way to the front porch, then stopped by the steps.

"I had to make sure you got home safe and sound. Now I can get going," he said.

“Thanks for the date, Nate,” I said. I genuinely enjoyed the day— the ride, the conversation, and how he laughed at things—except for the scenes at the restaurant with the man and Alice. I guess those were my only reasons for saying I had a bad date.

Nate had a look on his face that I didn't understand, but he only nodded. “I also enjoyed my time with you, Billie. Thank you.” What did he mean? I had no clue what he was saying. Was he thanking me for going on the date with him or something else?

I stared at him, realizing he was a very difficult person to understand. A part of me that I didn’t want to acknowledge wished I had met him before John, or that he had been a closer friend.

“I should get going now,” he said, finally breaking the silence and walking back to his car. He turned back to me. “Billie, about the school party, would you mind if I were your dance partner?”

Dance partner? It was true that our Christmas high school party was just a few days away, but I couldn’t wrap my head around it. I had never attended one before because I had no one to dance with, nor did I even feel like anyone knew me. The last time I went to the Christmas party was when Blake tricked me into thinking she was being nice. For once, I thought, wow, my sister is nice to me. She argued that I should come for her sake, and I obliged. I had no idea she had a trick up her sleeve. When I arrived, dressed in my new outfit, Blake poured her drink on my dress, soaking it and making my skin exposed through the fabric. My big body was fully exposed, which led to me being absent from school for a week due to the humiliation of being called "wet mama."

When I finally returned, I thought the students had forgotten about the party, but Alisha broke it down again—my embarrassment resurfaced. I couldn't back out; I endured it until they grew tired of it and found new ways to pick on me.

“Billie,” Nate’s voice snapped me out of my trance. “I want to be your dance partner, and I would be glad if you could allow me.”

No, I didn't want to make a mistake. What if Alice was right about Nate being nice only to use and dump me? Since he hadn’t found any use for me, did he want to humiliate me? I knew Nate seemed like a nice guy, but that’s exactly how Blake had played me back in the day, and I didn’t want to risk it again—not this time.

“I’m sorry, Nate, but I don’t go to the party anymore, so it would be a waste to find a partner,” I said. The shock in his eyes mirrored disappointment, and before he could think of something to say to change my mind, I opened the door and mouthed a “goodnight” behind him, just loud enough for him to hear, before shutting the door.

If I spent another minute outside waiting for him to talk, I knew I would eventually give in, and I didn’t want to.

“You’re back!” Blake’s voice greeted me as soon as I stepped into the living room. I halted as I locked eyes with her. Her gaze was almost clouded with sleep, and I could tell she was trying not to show it. She was already wearing a nightgown, her hair tousled, and without makeup. Even at night, Blake was still beautiful.

“What are you doing here?” I forced myself to ask as I shot her a curious look. “I hope you don’t have any tricks up your sleeve.”

Her eyes widened at my outburst. I had never spoken to her—or anyone who bullied me—like this, but for some reason, I found courage in Nate's words. She slowly stood up from the sofa and walked toward me, swaying her hair back.

“Are you okay?” she asked in a calm voice that dripped with venom and deception. Why was she acting weird? Normally, Blake would have snapped at me for speaking to her like that. Not only is she older, but she also thinks she’s superior—something I used to believe, too. But now she just approached me, asking if I was okay.

I knew she was holding back from…

A loud clap echoed behind me, and I turned to see Mom and Dad both smiling.

“Good, Blake,” Dad said, shooting her a knowing look. “Now, say it.”

“Say what?” I asked, looking confused. Blake rolled her eyes, and then, in a tone I hadn’t heard from her in ages, she said, “Sorry.”

I swallowed hard as my throat felt dry.

Mom laughed. “It’s okay, Billie. She wanted to apologize for that day.”

I forced a smile and looked back at Blake, raising my head proudly. “It’s okay. I forgive you.”

Her eyes seemed to shine with anger, but I felt a sense of superiority wash over me. She could see it, and it made her even angrier, but now she couldn’t act out. Dad was probably keeping her in check.

Mom moved up to me and handed me a letter. “A letter.”

“Hm?” I asked, wondering why it was here. I thought we had ended things since he couldn't come forward and reveal himself.

“No, Mom, we ended things. I’m not sure…” I trailed off, still feeling sad because it had only been a brief meeting. I wished I knew him or at least who he was, but it was done.

“No, sweetie, it’s from your grandmother,” Mom said, almost laughing.

“Grandma?” It had been years since we heard from her.

I took the letter and opened it quickly. There it was—her beautiful handwriting. I started reading, and by the end, I was beaming.

“I am going to her place for a week?” I asked, amused as I looked at both my parents in amazement. They nodded, and Blake shrugged. I couldn't contain my excitement.

I knew that for Grandma to write me a letter inviting me to visit, it had to be for something important—something I needed to know about.