LOVE ISLAND USA SEASON 7: THE ISLAND TWIST
fem! billie x fem! reader
a/n: billie is not famous in this universe because she deserves viewers who aren't bullies and judgemental freaks. this is truly one of my fav works so far in my fanfic writting history so please appreciate it.
"on this episode of love island usa... there's trouble in paradise. but really, would it be love island without a little drama?"
billie is seated on a daybed. the sun casts a warm glow over the villa facing jesse, her partner since the most recent recoupling. theyโve been together a few days now, and according to billie, she's ready to lock it down and see where things can go.
unfortunately for her, jesse isn't on the same page. even though he claims to share the same feelings commitment isnโt on his radar just yet.
"I just donโt get why you still feel the need to explore," billie says, squinting at him in confusion. her lips go dry, but she quickly licks them. "I thought we had something going."
jesse lets out an awkward laugh shifting closer ,his hand casually landing on her exposed thigh.
"look," he says with a shrug, "donโt get me wrong, I do feel a connection but this is love island, babe. weโre supposed to be exploring."
billie presses her lips into a tight line trying to stay composed. a sudden giggle is heard across the villa, and she instantly recognises the sound, itโs you. her ears perk up and, almost instinctively, she turns her head toward the pool area.
there you were sprawled out on a lounger, skin glowing under the golden island sun. your partner, jason, sits beside you completely engaged in your conversation and laughing with ease. the two of you look like you're having the time of your lives, and for a moment, billie canโt help but compare.
"yeah... okay. I get it," billie mumbles, trying to shake the thoughts from her head.
without warning jesse leans in and kisses her. itโs short, smug, and leaves her feeling unsettled. she musters a small smile before standing up and makes her way towards you.
she wasnโt particularly close with the other girls in the villa just friendly enough for casual conversations, but with you it was different. from the moment you walked in something just clicked. no tension, no awkward vibes. just an easy, natural bond.
as she approaches, your head turns toward her. a huge smile breaks out across your face.
โbillie, baby! come here!โ you squeal with delight making room beside you.
her cheeks flush at the pet name, but she doesnโt hesitate. she lies down next to you resting her head against your chest with a sigh of relief.
โhey, jasonโ billie greets your partner politely.
โhey,โ he replies with a warm grin. โIโm gonna head over to the boys, give you guys some space.โ
with that he gets up and walks off, leaving you and billie nestled together on the shared lounger, your legs comfortably tangled in the afternoon sun.
you lift your hand and run your fingers through her hair, absentmindedly playing with the strands as silence settles between you.
then you speak, your voice gentle. โso...how was your talk with jesse?โ
youโre hoping for the best. after all just yesterday, billie had come to you asking if now was the right time to tell jesse how serious she was getting about him.
"he... he's still exploring." billie's words come out soft, but you still catch the same sharpness in her tone. billieโs naturally loud, just like you, one of the things you two share, an indication that she's not okay.
you nudge her shoulder, rubbing it gently as comfort before pressing a kiss to her forehead. "donโt let that worry you, babe. youโre perfect. you deserve someone whoโs sure about you, and youโll find them, yeah?" your accent becomes apparent the words soft but sincere. her lips curve ever so slightly, a small smile breaking through.
billie lets out a deep breath, as if the heaviness of it all is finally starting to lift. "on another note... do you wanna go inside? your skinโs gonna burn."
she snickers before glancing up at you, her lashes fluttering. "what about your skin?"
you roll your eyes, laughing, "baby, Iโm naturally protected. have you seen me?" your hand sweeps over your melanin-rich skin, the confidence oozing effortlessly.
''a new bombshell hits the villa and she seems to have peaked jesse''s interest. is this his chance to be dora the explora and go on an adventure?''
a new girl had arrived in the villa, and though the crowd of candidates had greeted her with warmth and excitement. all that energy quickly turned to jealousy at least for billie.
she sat at the bar in a sheer two-piece set of a noodle-strapped crop top and a short skirt, paired with shoes sheโd shamelessly stolen from your luggage. billie still found it funny how you had separate suitcases for your clothes and your shoes but right now, her attention was drifting elsewhere.
you were right beside her, mixing drinks, but billieโs eyes kept wandering. across the lawn, jesse was sitting way too close to the new girl whose name billie had already started to forget. the girlโs smile was too big, her laugh too loud, and jess wasnโt that funny. at least not that funny. billie swore the only person who could make someone cackle like that was you.
she kissed her teeth resisting the urge to roll her eyes as she turned back to you, just in time.
"okay," you said, dragging out the word dramatically as you slid the drink toward her. "taste it and tell me what you think."
your eyes were wide and your whole face lit up with anticipation. billie didnโt know why maybe it was the way you looked at her, so excited for her approval but a small smile crept onto her lips. for just a second she forgot all about jesse and the girl with the annoying laugh.
billie took the glass in her hands and took a sip. woah. she hadnโt expected you to be horrible, but she definitely hadnโt expected you to be this good either. her eyes widened in surprise as they met yours.
โoh my god, are you a bartender?โ she asked, already halfway to giving you a full-on compliment.
โI was, back in college. guess I still got it,โ you said with a proud grin, turning your face toward the sun. the light hit your features just right, catching your eyes and making them shine brighter than usual.
billie followed your gaze, her own face turning toward the light and just like that, it caught her eyes too, throwing flecks of warmth and gold into them.
โgosh, your eyes are so beautiful,โ you blurted, unable to stop yourself, the words coming out like a soft whine.
billie turned toward you, a slow smile creeping onto her lips as a pink hue touched her cheeks.
โthank you,โ she murmured, barely louder than a whisper.
sheโd been complimented on her eyes before ,plenty of times, but something about the way you said it felt different. not like the lazy pickup line jesse had tried when he awkwardly said something about โgetting lost in themโ and then winked.
this felt like being seen.
billie didnโt make a point to argue or bring up the new girl whose name, she was reminded, was gina when jesse casually mentioned the โgreat conversationโ they'd had even though she hadnโt asked.
she just smiled faintly and changed the subject.
later that night things were different. billie didnโt cuddle him, didnโt stay up talking about their lives like before. she just turned away in bed and went to sleep. she somehow could already feel him slipping away.
the very next day, gina was awarded a date card ,the freedom to choose anyone she wanted. and without hesitation, she picked jesse.
โsorry girl, but it is love island,โ gina said all sugar and chirpy confidence before dragging him off by the hand. and he went on it ,no last few words to billie. nothing. he just eagerly followed behind her.
billieโs heart sank and even if she wanted to put on a brave face, she couldnโt. her eyes had already gone glossy by the time they walked away.
you were the first to come to her, your words of comfort spilling out like you could erase her heartache with them. you cupped her face gently, brushing away the first tear that fell before pulling her into a hug, tucking her face into the crook of your neck.
billie didnโt try to hold the tears back she just tried to quiet them. her hiccups were muffled only by your skin her fingers clinging to the fabric of your shirt like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.
the rest of the cast seemed to take the hint and gave you both space.
only jason's eyes lingered watching the way you held billie, the way your attention didnโt even flicker toward him once.
you were too consumed by her.
during the day, a message came through, alerting the cast to a new recoupling tonight. that alone was enough to stir the pot.
โwhilst the mood is a bit sour in the villa, here come the sunshines who will either brighten it up or most likely burn it all down.โ
billie isnโt around to witness jesse and ginaโs return. instead, sheโs tucked away in the makeup room, sitting beside you as you braid your hair into a sleek style. her mind is far, far away.
sheโs trying not to cry about it because somehow she has grown to be more sensitive than usual but itโs hard. Itโs not just the embarrassment, itโs the reality she'll have to face if this recoupling doesnโt go her way. she's at the risk of going home.
but even with her thoughts flooding in her eyes are on you. billie's watching the way your hands move through your curls, twisting and guiding them into place with quiet confidence. thereโs something calming about it.
as if sensing her stare, you glance over, your brows rising in question. but she doesnโt say anything she just keeps looking or as the viewers would later say, admiring.
you finish the last braid, your fingers slowing as you shift to face her fully, leaning in a little closer.
โdonโt show them how hurt you are, okay?โ you whisper, your voice barely louder than the intention being for only billie to hear. your hand brushes down her hair, smoothing it gently.
billie nods slowly and heavy showing you she's listening regardless of her heavy heart.
โyouโre going to be okayโ you reassure. โmen are stupid anyway. somebody who really liked youโฆ would never do that to you.โ
thereโs a pause before billie speaks.
โyou wouldnโt do that, right?โ billieโs voice cracks, soft and aching. a hot tear slips down her cheek before she can stop it.
โno,โ you answer almost to quickly. โIโd never.โ
your words soften, your eyes locked on hers not pitying her but feeling it all like her hurt is your own. your hand doesnโt move from her hair. neither do your eyes.
then billie does something she shouldn't.
she looks down at your lips.
she doesnโt look away right away. she doesnโt feel the need to pretend it didnโt happen.
she takes her time and when she finally looks back up, thereโs something new in her gaze. something bold, broken.
your heart picks up speed the moment you register it.
but even then, your hand stays exactly where it is. your fingers still threaded gently in her hair.
you donโt look away either instead your eyes flicker down to her lips too.
and once again neither of you pretend not to notice.
your eyes stayed locked for a second too long billie doesn't look away.
and slowly , so slowly the space between you began to shrink. your breath hitched when you felt hers ghost across your lips, soft and warm and close enough to taste. her eyes flickered down again, and this time, so did yours. her lips were slightly parted, waiting. so close to yours
your hand was still resting gently in her hair, and she hadnโt moved away from your touch. her breathing changed . it began shallower, more desperate like she didnโt want to break the moment but also wanted to feel your lips on hers immediately.
she leaned in a little more.
and you leaned closer meeting her in the middle.
your noses brushed. lips hovered. a shared breath.
voices, laughter and shuffled footsteps echoing down the hallway disturbed the moment. the girls, coming back into the room.
you both froze but not in panic. just stillness.
billie pulled back first, slowly and calmly as if sheโd only leaned in to whisper something. you let your hand fall from her hair but didnโt look away.
there was no awkward laugh, no scrambling to cover it up. just calm. the moment still pulsing between you like a secret only your bodies knew.
then she smiled softly. she didn't regret it one bit.
โI should, umโฆโ she started, but didnโt finish the sentence.
not a second later the door swung open letting in a burst of chatter and different scents as the girls filtered into the room heels clicking against the floor, bracelets jingling, energy loud contrast to the silence between you and billie.
''fucking hell it's so hot outside โ one of them groaned, fanning herself dramatically.
โright I'm out there quietly thanking god for not making my makeup melt off''
a few of them laughed, dropping bags and makeup into scattered places as they claimed their seats. billie sat back slightly giving the impression sheโd been relaxing the whole time, legs crossed, posture straight but you could still feel the thumbing of your heart.
then came gina, all energy and bounce, swinging into the room like she owned it.
โare you okay? you look sick,โ she asked, her chirpy voice cutting through the air as she looked right at billie.
billie didnโt answer fast enough or maybe she didnโt want to but you answered faster than anybody could register gina's intent on asking the question.
โsheโs good,โ you said, your tone sharp. then you smiled casually mocking her. โmight just be something sheโs looking at thatโs making her sick.โ
it was so sudden and unexpected it's like everything stilled
a few of the girls glanced over, eyes widening, unsure whether to laugh or let the silence stretch. gina blinked, clearly caught off guard.
โOookayyy,โ she said, drawing the word out like a slow shield, before pretending to focus on her makeup bag.
one of the girls snorted under her breath, pretending to be too busy with her lipstick to be paying attention. the rest smiled to themselves like right after looking between the two of you like they knew what was happening.
but billie didnโt even blink instead, she looked at you.
in that second, something shifted in billie's demeanor. it was sudden and so electric. it wasn't just admiration or comfort.
you said it without hesitation. without looking to her for approval. you defended her like you werenโt afraid of the tension in the room, gina or jesse.
that's when billie felt it and it was terrifyingly clear than the kiss you almost shared.
she liked you more than she has realised.
not just because you were kind or safe or solid but because you stood your ground. because you saw her even at her worst and still chose to show up for her.
''well if you like tension it's your lucky day because we some more to dish up at the recoupling tonight''
the sun had dipped low by the time everyone gathered around the firepit. the atmosphere was thick, humming with nerves. tension coiled tight in every glance, every nervous fidget, every heartbeat drumming in peopleโs chests.
the host stood tall in-front of the cast and even though her composure is commanding and calm she was neither of those things. she had seen all the things around the villa unravel just like the viewers.
''just a reminder to let your heart lead in love'' the host said peering over the cast her eyes landing on you last.
just like that couples began forming one after the other. boys stood up claiming girls they were most compatible with. some smiles were genuine, some forced. Some hearts soared others sank quietly.
and with every new couple that was formed, the numbers of the ones left got smaller. until only three people were left standing:
an unsettling silence fell over the villa.
billie could feel it in her throat that sting of possibly leaving the villa not for reasons regarding jesse anymore but you. her chest tightened as jesse stepped forward, his eyes flickering between her and gina.
you were watching it all sat besides jason. still as a statue a silent prayer going over and over in your head while your pulse was hammering like crazy.
โthe girl I want to couple up withโฆโ jesse started, swallowing hard, โโฆis someone Iโve gotten to know recently'' billie didn't need to hear anymore of it that was enough of a message to let her know she was going home.
''sheโs made me laugh, and sheโs shown me a different side of myself. I feel like thereโs more to explore.โ
billieโs nails dug into her palm trying to restrain herself from being emotional.
gasps erupted. a few hands slapped over mouths. someone whispered โno wayโ under their breath.
billie didn't move and neither did you.
but when she did her head hung low her hair cascading over her shoulders and shielding her face and the tears broke free. silently.
your words from earlier โdonโt let them see your hurtโ echoed somewhere in the back of her mind. but she couldnโt stop it. the tears had a mind of their own, and they fell.
gina hugged jesse. the kind of hug that was too giddy for the moment.
''billie... you are now the only islander left single which unfortunately means you are at risk of being dumbed from the island ''the host cleared her throat, voice crisp
the cast shook their heads in belief of what's happening.
billieโs sobs broke through. and that was it.
that was the reason you stood up.
โI know the rules say that only those not in couples can choose to recoupleโฆโ you began, voice steady.
the entire villa was silent. jason besides you looked confused he himself eyeing you.
โI want to couple up with billie, please.โ you weren't telling them but you were pleaded with the hope they'd allow it.
somebody screamed ''holy shit'' and the rest followed with gasps and murmurs. someone cursed under their breath.
jason blinked in stunned silence. the girls clutched their partners wide-eyed.
but you? you never looked away from billie. even if her eyes were bloodshot because of the tears.
your voice dropped softer, meant just for her now.
โshe deserves to stay. she deserves someone who actually sees her. and I donโt care if it breaks the format Iโm choosing her.โ
the host was stunned not knowing if she was even allowed to make her own decisions over this or if she needed a producers permission. production buzzed somewhere behind the scenes.
but in the middle of it all, billie stepped forward.
she walked straight to you, and before anyone could process what was happening before the host could recover, before the producers could whisper โcutโ
billie kissed you. hard and certain. like it was the only decision that made sense.
the villa couldn't be more louder than this. most people were screaming and clapping their hands whilst jesse and jason looked like somebody knocked the wind out of their lungs.
you felt her hands on your face and your waist. the desperate need in the way she pulled you in like sheโd been holding this in for days. you didnโt pull away not even close. your hands found her hips, your mouth moved with hers, and for a moment, nothing else existed but the two of you.
not the lights. not the rules. not the camera's and definitely not the people watching.
