WALLFLOWER // B.E

twenty-two

billie

it's still monday, and i'm still at juniper's house. she's sleeping soundly again, though she had tossed and turned for a while before she finally fell back asleep.

after her nightmare, she had tried to tell me that she was fine. she was clearly not fine.

she obviously doesn't want to talk about it though, and that's perfectly okay. if she wants to tell me, she will. if she doesn't want to, she won't. it's as simple as that.

before she had went back to sleep, she told me that she didn't want me to leave. i don't mind staying here, even if i am just sitting here while she sleeps.

while she's been sleeping, i've just been on my phone. i texted mikey for a bit, though i eventually told him to go do his class work instead. i've texted finneas too, and just played games and whatnot.

there was a small knock on the door, which made me turn my head towards it. i got up, and i walked over to it. i quietly opened it.

i looked down, and i smiled as i saw archer. his face lit up as he saw me. i bent down, and he crashed into my arms with a giggle.

"hi, lil' man," i murmured. "here, let's get out of junie's room real quick, okay? she's sleeping right now."

his eyes widened, and he covered his mouth. i shook my head with a laugh before i stood up. we walked out of her room, and i closed the door behind us.

archer raised his arms, so i bent down, and i picked him up. i held him loosely when he asked me to.

"why is junie still sleeping?" he tilted his head. "today is... today is a school day."

"she just doesn't feel good right now," i explained softly.

"she's sick?" he frowned.

"yeah, but she'll be okay. don't worry, buddy," i assured with a smile.

"oh, okay. that's good," he nodded quickly, which made me giggle.

juniper and archer's grandma walked by, and she met my eyes. her brows raised.

"well, hey, billie. i didn't know you were here," she said.

my eyes widened a bit. "oh, yeah, i came here a few hours ago. junie is sick, so i came over to just kinda take care of her, you know?"

"she's sick?" her brows furrowed.

"yeah. she didn't tell you?" my brows furrowed too.

"no. she always waits until i'm awake to tell me, because she 'doesn't want to wake me up,'" she muttered. "i always tell her that i don't mind if she wakes me up, but..." she trailed off, and she shrugged.

"is she okay though?" she asked. "how sick is she?"

"yeah, she's okay. i think it's just a cold; she's running a fever," i explained. "she's napping right now."

"well, i'm glad she's okay," she gave a small nod. she then gave me a look. "i'm surprised you're not in there cuddling and napping with her."

my eyes widened again, and my face flushed. "huh? i'm not— she— well, we just were—" i stumbled over my words.

"relax," she laughed. "i'm just messing with you."

my face flushed brighter. archer then spoke up as his eyes lit up.

"grandma! can me and billie make junie some muffins? please?" he asked excitedly.

"i mean, as long as she knows how and cleans up my kitchen afterwards, i don't see why not," she shrugged.