chapter eighteen:

lake

~💚~

the afternoon sun glinted off the water as billie and madigan walked down the narrow path that led to the secluded lake. the air was crisp, and a gentle breeze swept through the trees, carrying the scent of pine and the soft hum of nature. it was the same spot billie had taken her to before—away from the noise, away from the world. a place where they could just be.

madigan couldn't help but smile as she looked around, taking in the familiar sight of the shimmering lake, the little dock jutting out over the water. it felt like they had come full circle. the first time they were here, everything was so uncertain—so new. now, things felt different. there was a sense of calm that hadn't been there before, even though a nervous energy still buzzed in the pit of her stomach.

billie walked beside her, hands stuffed into her pockets, glancing over every few seconds with a small, quiet smile. madigan could tell something was on her mind, but billie had been quiet the whole drive up, lost in her own thoughts.

they reached the dock, and billie paused, looking out over the water for a moment before turning to madigan. "i thought it'd be nice to come back here," she said, her voice soft. "you know, where things started for us."

madigan smiled, feeling her heart skip a beat. "yeah, it's perfect."

billie sat down on the edge of the dock, her legs stretched out in front of her, and gestured for madigan to join her. madigan turned around, slipping between billie's legs, her back resting against billie's chest. billie's hands found their way around madigan, supporting her as they settled into a comfortable position.

"i've been thinking a lot," billie said after a while, her thumb brushing gently over madigan's arm. she looked out over the water, her voice thoughtful. "and i know this is gonna sound crazy, but i don't want to keep pretending like what we have doesn't matter."

madigan felt her heart race, the warmth of billie's body against her own sending a thrill through her. "yeah?"

billie nodded, her grip tightening slightly. "i've never been good at this kind of thing, you know? like... relationships, being vulnerable. it's always been easier to just... keep things casual, to not get too close." she paused, her fingers brushing through madigan's hair as she spoke. "but with you, it's different. i don't want casual. i want you in my life, for real."

madigan's breath caught in her throat. "are you sure about that?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

billie shifted, her chin resting lightly on madigan's shoulder as she looked at her. "i'm scared, honestly. but i'm more scared of not trying. i don't want to fuck this up. i don't want to lose you."

madigan's chest tightened, emotions swirling inside her. she had been waiting for this—for billie to finally say what they both had been feeling for weeks.

billie took a deep breath, her voice softening. "i want to be with you, madigan. like, i want you to be my girlfriend."

madigan's heart raced, and she could feel the tears welling up behind her eyes. "you really mean that?"

billie nodded earnestly, her eyes searching madigan's face. "i do. you mean too much to me."

madigan's heart felt like it might burst. "okay. yes, i want that too," she said, her voice steady despite the emotional whirlwind inside her. "i'll be your girlfriend."

billie's face lit up, relief washing over her as she tightened her embrace. "are you serious?" she asked, her voice filled with disbelief and joy.

"yeah, billie. i am serious."

in an instant, billie pulled madigan closer, wrapping her arms around her tightly as a laugh of joy escaped her lips. madigan melted into her, feeling the warmth of billie's body surround her, a sense of belonging washing over her.

billie kissed the top of madigan's head, their hearts pounding in sync as they soaked in the moment. "you have no idea how happy that makes me," billie whispered.

madigan smiled, her heart racing as she turned her head to meet billie's gaze. "i think i have an idea."

they stayed like that for a while, just watching the sky change colors, the world around them quiet and peaceful. it felt like they were in their own little bubble, away from everything else—just the two of them, finally together.

as the last light of the day faded and the stars began to appear, billie turned to madigan, her voice a soft whisper in the night. "i'm really glad you said yes."

madigan smiled, turning her head to kiss billie's shoulder, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath her lips. "me too, billie. me too."

billie took a deep breath, holding madigan a little tighter, and they stayed like that, watching the stars emerge one by one. it was the kind of moment that felt eternal, a perfect encapsulation of everything they had built together.

eventually, billie leaned back slightly, her hands resting on madigan's shoulders, making her turn her head. "so, what do you think we should do now? we could make out for a while, or we could plan a fucking world tour together," she teased, a playful smirk on her lips.

madigan laughed, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "world tour? i mean, i could handle that."

"oh, definitely. we'd have the best time," billie said, her voice dropping lower as she leaned in closer. "just imagine all the late-night drives and secret hotel parties."

madigan rolled her eyes playfully. "only if you promise i can steal your hoodies."

"deal," billie shot back with a wink before leaning in, capturing madigan's lips in a slow, tender kiss. time seemed to stand still as they melted into each other, everything else fading away. the kiss deepened, becoming more passionate, filled with all the longing they had kept bottled up.

when they finally pulled away, both breathless and smiling, madigan couldn't help but tease, "so, are we just gonna sit here all night kissing?"

billie chuckled, her eyes shining with mischief. "we could definitely do that. but i think i'd rather show you around the lake."

madigan raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "show me around?"

"yeah," billie said, her tone conspiratorial. "let's go for a swim."

madigan's heart raced at the suggestion. "swim? in the dark?"

billie shrugged, a playful smile on her lips. "you scared?"

madigan grinned, standing up and looking back at billie with a challenge in her eyes. "not even a little."

with that, she took off her shirt, revealing her swimsuit underneath, and before billie could react, she dove into the water, the coolness of the lake wrapping around her like a refreshing embrace.

"hey!" billie shouted, laughing as she quickly followed, the water splashing around her as she dove in after madigan.

the two surfaced, laughing and splashing each other, the world around them fading into the background as they enjoyed each other's company. the laughter echoed off the trees, and in that moment, everything felt right.

madigan swam closer, her heart full as she gazed at billie, the moonlight reflecting off her skin, giving her an ethereal glow. "this is amazing," she said, her voice a little breathless. "i can't believe we're here."

billie moved closer, brushing her wet hair back from her face. "just wait until we have more adventures. this is only the beginning."

madigan nodded, feeling the weight of the moment sink in. she had made a choice, one that would lead her into uncharted territory, but with billie by her side, it felt like the most natural thing in the world.

as they swam and played, the rest of the world melted away, leaving only the two of them—two souls finally connecting, discovering what it meant to truly be together. in that moment, surrounded by the beauty of the lake, the stars above, and each other, everything felt right.