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"Billie!" Finneas blurts excitedly as I enter the basement.

"Hey," I murmur while flopping down on the couch he has in his studio.

"Listen to this," he exclaims, then proceeds to play a new tune through his speakers.

"This is fire," I state while listening.

"I thought we could work on it today," he suggests.

"Let's do it," I smile back, eager to work on the new song.

We spend a couple of hours writing, recording, and coming up with melodies.

"I'm gonna go get some water," Finneas says, getting up from his seat.

"Okay, just don't mess with Claudia's cookies!"

I hear Finneas laugh as he walks up the stairs and I slide my phone out of my pocket, noticing a dm from Carter.

So I was waiting for you to dm me but I guess you're playing hard to get

yeah that's what i was doin not like i have a life or anything

I knew it

You free?

maybe

"What's got you grinning like that?"

"Oh uh, nothin," I stammered, stuffing my phone back in my pocket quickly.

"Who is he?" Finneas asks, sitting down in his chair, and taking a sip of water. "Or she?"

"What?" I blurt out surprised and absolutely blushing.

"You never smirk like that unless you're into someone," he says seriously.

Well in that case I have a serious problem.

"It's seriously no one," I state matter-of-factly.

"Ooookay then" he teases, spinning back around in his chair.

"Can we do that last recording again?" I ask, trying to change the subject.

After a few more endless but pleasant hours of recording, I find Finneas, Claudia, and I sitting outside in their yard finally eating the cookies Claudia made.

"Fuck" I groan, taking another bite of the cookie. "These are fire."

"Thank you," Claudia laughs.

Just then my phone starts ringing and I see it's a call from Carter. What the fuck? I blocked my number when I called her.

I gaze at my screen both confused and excited. Butterflies beginning to erupt in my stomach and I freeze, just gawking at the screen.

"Answer it, you clearly want to," Finneas taunts.

I roll my eyes at him then glanced at my screen for a second longer, before running inside picking up the call. "Carter?" I ask quickly.

"Yup," she responds.

"How the fuck did you get my number?" I ask with confusion.

"It's not that hard to figure out someone's number even if they blocked it," she explains.

"Okay creep," I joke.

"So you free?" She asks, a small smirk playing in her voice.

"Let me breathe, damn."

"Well?"

"Yeah sure," I mutter, giving in quickly.

"I'll text you my address," she immediately says before hanging up.

I walk back outside, seeing Finneas stuffing a cookie in Claudia's mouth. Them both giggling, being all romantic and shit. "Get a room," I scold and they both look up at me with curious faces.

"So?" Finneas asks.

"I gotta go," I say, reaching for another cookie.

"Oh, I see," Claudia winks.

"Okay bye," I blurt out before turning on my toes and walking back inside.

"Love you," they both shout in unison.

"Love you too," I shout back. The second I get in my car I check my phone seeing it's 10 pm before putting the address Cartee sent me on google maps. Luckily it's only 10 minutes away from Fin and Claudia's, only 5 minutes from my house.

I pull up to a fancy-ass-looking apartment building and pull out my phone.

i'm here.

5th floor, rm 505

I take a deep breath and grab my backpack before heading inside. I get in the elevator, thankfully not seeing anyone on my way in. This is so against any of my personal rules, she could literally be a stalker and have a gun, but here we go.

I slowly meander down the carpeted hall until I see room 505. I roll my eyes to myself because why the fuck am I nervous? Lifting up my hand I knock on the door, only a few moments later the door opens up, revealing Carter.

Her long hair is up in a messy bun. She's wearing an oversized grey hoodie and looks like she's wearing no pants due to the sweater going almost down to her knees, but I assume she has shorts on underneath.

"Hey," she greets me quietly and steps aside to let me in.

I walk in and she closes the door behind me.

My eyes examine the small but clean apartment. It's an open concept area. The kitchen has white cabinets with black hardware and marble countertops. There's an island separating the kitchen and the living room, and there's a little hallway off to the side where I assume her bedroom is. Carter has a large couch, tv, and a couple of decór items but not much.

"Welcome to my humble abode," she says while draping herself on the couch.

"It's nice," I smile sitting next to her.

"You live here alone?" I ask.

"I- yup, mhm. Can't live with roommates, I like to keep the place clean."

"I see that," I pause, taking a moment to glance around the place. It's pretty cold, not super homey but I guess some people really are minimalists. "How do you afford this?"

"I have a job dumbass," she says sarcastically.

"Where?" I wonder, pulling a blanket onto me that she had laying on the couch.

"I work at the Apple store," she shrugs, "not the best, but it's something."

"Sounds cool."

"Want anything to drink?"

"No, I'm good, thanks."

"I've got options," she offers again but I shake my head, watching her get up and open up the fridge. I see her grab a glass and pour some pineapple juice into it. Umm, am I just really dirty-minded or is she just genuinely drinking pineapple juice? Do people just drink pineapple juice for fun? She sits back down beside me but this time a little closer.

"Want to watch something?" She asks, taking a sip of the juice.

"Yeah," I smile.

She grabs the remote and opens up Netflix, without asking she puts on a horror movie and I smile to myself, feeling content.

"This okay?" She asks, even though it's already started playing.

"Mhmm," I nod.

She doesn't move closer to me at first, but about halfway through the movie, she puts her head on my shoulder. The simple action alone sends shivers up my spine. Also, it makes me think about what she's like behind doors. She has a badass exterior but you never know who someone truly is just by looking at them. I personally didn't think she'd be the type to put her head on someone's shoulder, especially not mine.

A few more minutes pass and I hear soft breathing coming from her mouth. I peer down at her and find her eyes sealed. Displaying her perfect long lashes. For a moment I study her face, how perfect and blemish-free it is. I glance back at the tv and see the end credits beginning to play.

I tap her shoulder softly her eyes quickly flutter open. "Oh sorry," she mumbles, promptly sitting up.

"You're good," I smile genuinely.

Her phone starts to ring and I glance to see the name "James". I hear Carter sigh and answer the call. "Hi," she says plainly, as she stands up and walks back to the kitchen.

"No, not right now," I hear her grow slightly frustrated.

Moments later she comes back to the couch, looking a little sad but obviously trying not to show it. "Who was that?" I ask.

"No one," she fakes a smile.

I grab my phone and see that it's already shortly after midnight. "I should go," I clear my throat and start to stand up.

Carter grabs my arm and I look back at her. "You should stay."

"Um, I guess," I mumble, Wondering if she wants to hook up or just have an innocent sleepover.

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A/N: Ah,hi, okay so like how are we feeling? What are your thoughts and what do you think is gonna happen?

Word count: 1366