As I woke up to the sound of my phone buzzing, I carefully reached over and saw Greta's name on the screen. She was the babysitter I'd hired to watch Lily, my five-year-old sister. I silenced the call quickly, not wanting to wake Billie, who was still asleep beside me, her breathing deep and even. The morning light was just starting to filter through the blinds, casting a soft glow across the room.

For a moment, I simply lay there, watching Billie sleep. Her face was peaceful, framed by tousled hair, and the sight filled me with a warmth that contrasted sharply with the anxiety gnawing at the edges of my mind. I wanted to stay in this cocoon of quiet comfort, but the reality of my responsibilities weighed heavily on me. I needed to leave soon, and the thought tugged at my heart, making it ache with a longing to stay.

I slipped out of bed as quietly as possible, trying not to disturb Billie. As I stood up, I realized I didn't have a change of clothes with me, so I grabbed the outfit I'd worn the day before and made my way to the kitchen. The loft was serene in the early morning light, the calm before the day truly began. Each step felt significant, the wooden floor cool beneath my bare feet, grounding me as I moved through the space.

In the kitchen, I changed quickly, pulling on my clothes with a sense of urgency. I glanced at the clock on the microwave—it was 7:00 a.m. The time reminded me that I needed to pick up Lily from school later today. The thought filled me with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. I missed her, but I also felt the weight of the responsibilities I'd been trying to balance over the past few days. It wasn't just about getting her from school; it was about being there for her, making sure she was okay, and trying to maintain some sense of normalcy in our lives.

As I moved through the kitchen, my mind began to race with everything I needed to do. I'd have to leave soon if I wanted to make it back in time to pick Lily up, and that meant saying goodbye to Billie, at least for now. The thought tugged at my heart, but I knew I couldn't stay. There were so many things left unsaid between us, so many emotions I hadn't fully processed. I wanted to talk to her, to reassure her that everything would be okay, but I wasn't sure if I could do that when I wasn't entirely convinced myself.

I started making some coffee, the familiar routine helping to calm my nerves. The quiet hum of the machine was soothing, a small comfort as I mentally prepared myself for the day ahead. The rich aroma of the brewing coffee filled the kitchen, mingling with the scent of Billie's perfume that still clung to my skin. I found myself closing my eyes, inhaling deeply, trying to hold onto the moment for just a little longer.

As I waited for the coffee to finish, I leaned against the counter, my thoughts drifting back to the night before. Billie had been so understanding, so supportive, and yet I couldn't shake the feeling that I was letting her down by leaving. We hadn't even had a proper conversation about what was happening, about how we were going to handle things moving forward. I knew I needed to talk to her, to explain, but I also knew that I didn't have the time.

The coffee finished brewing, and I poured myself a cup, the warmth of the mug a welcome comfort in my hands. I sipped slowly, savoring the taste, trying to ground myself in the present. I needed to focus on the day ahead, on getting back to Lily, but my thoughts kept drifting back to Billie, to the way her arms had felt around me as we fell asleep, to the way she made me feel safe in a world that often felt anything but.

Finally, I set the mug down with a sigh, knowing that I couldn't put it off any longer. I had to go, had to face the day, even if it meant leaving behind the comfort of Billie's loft and the warmth of her presence. But as I took a deep breath and prepared to leave, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was leaving a part of myself behind, that a piece of me would stay here with Billie, waiting for the day when I could come back and make things right.

I reached for the coffee mug once more, letting the warmth seep into my hands, trying to hold onto the moment just a bit longer. The loft was still quiet, Billie still asleep in the other room. I knew I couldn't delay much longer, but the thought of leaving without saying goodbye felt wrong, even if it was just for a few hours.

Setting the mug down, I glanced around the kitchen, searching for something to write on. My eyes landed on a notepad near the fridge, the one Billie usually used to jot down reminders or lyrics that came to her in the middle of the night. I picked it up, the pen already attached to it, and hesitated for a moment before starting to write.

"Billie, I'm sorry I had to leave without waking you. I didn't want to disturb your sleep. Greta called, and I need to pick up Lily from school. I'll be back as soon as I can. Thank you for everything... I'll miss you today. Love, Daphne."

I read over the note, feeling the weight of each word. It wasn't enough, not for everything I wanted to say, but it was all I could manage in the moment. I carefully tore the note from the pad and placed it on the counter where I knew she'd see it, weighing it down with the coffee mug.

As I finished, the sound of my phone buzzing again drew my attention. It was a text from Grace, my best friend, letting me know she was outside and ready to give me a ride back home. I'd called her late last night, knowing I'd need help getting back in time and not wanting to deal with the hassle of public transportation so early in the morning.

I sighed, glancing back towards the bedroom where Billie was still asleep. The urge to go back, to kiss her goodbye, was strong, but I knew that if I went back into that room, I might not be able to leave at all. Instead, I steeled myself, grabbing my bag and slipping quietly out of the loft.

The hallway was silent as I closed the door behind me, the soft click echoing in the stillness. My heart felt heavy as I made my way to the elevator, the silence almost oppressive. It wasn't until I stepped outside into the morning air that I felt like I could breathe again.

Grace was parked at the curb, her car idling as she waited. When she saw me, she leaned over to unlock the passenger door, giving me a small smile as I climbed in.

"You okay?" she asked as I buckled my seatbelt, her eyes filled with concern.

"Yeah," I replied, though the word felt hollow. "Just a lot on my mind."

Grace nodded, understanding without needing to ask more. She'd been my rock through everything, always there when I needed her, and I was grateful for her presence now. We drove in silence for a few minutes, the city slowly waking up around us, the streets beginning to fill with the morning rush.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Grace finally asked, her voice gentle.

I shook my head, staring out the window at the passing scenery. "Not right now. I just need to get back to Lily, and then maybe... I don't know. I'll figure it out."

Grace reached over and gave my hand a comforting squeeze. "You don't have to do it all alone, you know. I'm here for whatever you need."

"I know," I said softly, squeezing her hand back. "Thank you."

The rest of the drive passed in a comfortable silence, the kind that only comes with years of friendship. As we approached my neighborhood, the anxiety that had been simmering beneath the surface began to bubble up again. There was so much I needed to do, so much I hadn't figured out yet. And while I knew I had to focus on getting back to Lily, my thoughts kept drifting back to Billie, to the note I'd left on the counter, to the way her arms had felt around me last night.

Finally, Grace pulled up in front of my building, and I turned to her with a grateful smile. "Thanks, Grace. I owe you one."

"You don't owe me anything," she replied with a smile of her own. "Just take care of yourself, okay? And if you need anything, call me."

"I will," I promised, grabbing my bag and stepping out of the car. I waved goodbye as she drove off, the sound of her car fading into the distance as I turned to head inside.

The familiar routine of getting back to my apartment, of checking in on Lily, helped to ground me, to push aside some of the worry and uncertainty that had been swirling around in my mind. But even as I went through the motions, my thoughts kept returning to Billie, to the quiet intimacy of the loft, and to the note I'd left behind.

I hoped she would understand. I hoped she knew how much I cared, even if I hadn't found the words to say it out loud. And as I got ready to pick up Lily, I couldn't help but think about the next time I'd see Billie, about the conversation we still needed to have, and about the decisions we had to make.

But for now, all I could do was focus on the day ahead, on taking care of Lily, and on finding my way back to Billie when the time was right.

As I stepped out of Grace's car and into the familiar comfort of my neighborhood, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. The streets were just beginning to come alive with the buzz of morning routines, children heading off to school, and neighbors exchanging pleasantries as they walked their dogs. It felt like an entirely different world compared to the one I'd just left behind at Billie's loft.

I paused for a moment, taking a deep breath and allowing the cool morning air to settle my nerves. My thoughts were still tangled up in the events of the past few days—Billie, the unexpected whirlwind of emotions, and the responsibilities waiting for me back at home. But there was something grounding about being back in this familiar place, where everything seemed simpler, more manageable.

The entrance to my apartment building was just ahead, and as I approached, I fumbled in my bag for my keys, my mind still half-occupied with thoughts of Billie. I couldn't help but wonder if she had woken up yet, if she'd found the note I left, if she'd be okay with the way I had to slip out so suddenly.

The door to my building creaked slightly as I pushed it open, the sound echoing in the quiet lobby. The air inside was warm and slightly stale, a stark contrast to the crispness of the morning outside. I made my way up the stairs, each step bringing me closer to the reality of my life here—my responsibilities, my worries, and the balance I was trying so hard to maintain.

When I finally reached my apartment door, I hesitated, my hand hovering over the doorknob. Inside, I knew, was the life I had been living before Billie came into it—a life filled with routine, with obligations, with the ever-present pressure to keep everything running smoothly for Lily's sake. But now, there was something else too, something new and uncertain that had taken root in my heart.

With a deep breath, I unlocked the door and stepped inside. The familiar smell of home greeted me, a mixture of clean laundry and the faint scent of vanilla from the candle I'd left burning the night before. The apartment was quiet, just as I'd left it, but there was an underlying sense of warmth that made me feel like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

I set my bag down on the small table by the door and took a moment to survey the living room. Everything was in its place—the books neatly stacked on the shelves, Lily's toys tucked away in the corner, the framed photos of us on the walls. It was a comforting sight, one that made me feel like I was back on solid ground.

But even as I stood there, the image of Billie lying in bed, peaceful and unaware that I had left, kept creeping into my mind. I wondered how she would feel when she woke up alone, if she would understand why I had to leave. I hoped the note I left would explain enough, but a part of me couldn't help but worry that it might not be enough.

I shook my head, trying to push those thoughts aside. I couldn't afford to get lost in my own head right now. There was too much to do, too many things that needed my attention.

Just as I was about to head to the kitchen to make breakfast, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw a message from Grace: "Made it home safe?"

I smiled, touched by her concern, and quickly typed out a response. "Just walked in. Thanks again for the ride. Couldn't have done it without you."

Her reply came almost instantly. "Anytime, Daph. Take care of yourself, okay? And remember, I'm here if you need anything."

I tucked my phone back into my pocket, feeling a little lighter knowing that I had Grace's support. It was a reminder that I wasn't alone in this, that I had people who cared about me, who were there to help me navigate whatever life threw my way.

The next few hours passed in a blur of routine. I made breakfast, ate quickly, and then got ready to pick up Lily from school. The familiar rhythm of my morning tasks helped to calm my racing thoughts, allowing me to focus on the here and now instead of the what-ifs that had been plaguing me.

By the time I was ready to leave, I felt more grounded, more centered. I grabbed my keys and headed back out the door, locking up behind me and making my way down the stairs to the street below.

The walk to Lily's school was short, just a few blocks, but it gave me time to think, to process everything that had happened. The morning air was fresh and invigorating, the kind of crispness that made me feel more awake, more alive. As I walked, I found myself replaying the events of the past few days in my mind, trying to make sense of the whirlwind of emotions I'd been feeling.

When I arrived at the school, I spotted Lily right away. She was standing with her teacher, clutching her little backpack and chatting animatedly with one of her classmates. When she saw me, her face lit up with a smile, and she waved excitedly.

"Daphne!" she called out, her voice filled with excitement as she ran over to me.

"Hey, kiddo!" I greeted her with a warm smile, bending down to give her a hug. "How was school today?"

"It was fun! We learned about dinosaurs!" Lily exclaimed, her eyes wide with enthusiasm.

"Dinosaurs, huh? That sounds awesome," I replied, taking her hand as we started the short walk back home. Lily chatted nonstop the entire way, telling me all about the different types of dinosaurs and how she wanted to be a paleontologist when she grew up.

As I listened to her, I felt a sense of peace settle over me. Despite everything that had been going on, despite the uncertainty and the anxiety, this moment felt right. Being here with Lily, listening to her talk about her day, reminded me of why I was doing all of this in the first place.

When we got back to the apartment, I helped Lily with her backpack and set her up with a snack at the kitchen table. As she happily munched on her apple slices, I took a moment to check my phone. No new messages from Billie, but I hadn't expected any just yet. She was probably still asleep, or maybe she was busy with her own morning routine.

I leaned against the counter, my thoughts drifting back to the note I'd left on the counter. I hoped Billie would understand why I had to leave, that she would know I wasn't trying to avoid her, that I just had responsibilities that couldn't wait.

But as the day went on, I found myself constantly checking my phone, waiting for a message, a sign that everything was okay. And though I tried to focus on Lily, on the little moments that made up our day together, a part of me couldn't shake the feeling of anticipation, the hope that soon I'd be hearing from Billie.

Until then, all I could do was wait and hope that when the time came, we'd be able to pick up right where we left off.

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Dear Readers,

I wonder what will happen next...

Hope you girly-pops enjoyed the chapter. Feel free to comment and leave feedback! Question of the day: What's your favourite fruit :D Mine is Raspberries!

XXX

Poppy