Still Time / Billy Hargrove

── 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐄

•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧.˚ *•̩̩͙ ✩. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧.˚ *•̩̩͙ ✩. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧

CHAPTER TWELVE

•̩̩͙*˚⁺‧. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧.˚ *•̩̩͙ ✩. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧.˚ *•̩̩͙ ✩. •̩̩͙*˚⁺‧

     THE NEXT DAY, ADDIE COULDN'T WAIT TO GET TO SCHOOL. She knew that she had to talk to Billy and apologize and say that she knows he didn't do anything wrong. But luck wasn't on Addie's side, because Billy wasn't at school on Wednesday. And he didn't come on Thursday or Friday either.

Friday after school, Addie and Will were heading to her car when they heard someone calling them. Max approached, out of breath from running to catch up with them.

"Hey Will," the 2 smiled at each other before Max turned to Addie.

"I know it's last minute but is there any way you can give me a ride home? I don't want to have to call home because Neil is off today and I—"

Addie nodded, immediately understanding. When they all got in the car, she had an idea. She wasn't sure if it would work, but she really wanted to try. After dropping Will off first, saying she was going to go study with Nancy, the 2 girls headed towards Max's house.

When they pulled up, arguing could be heard inside.

"We can sit and wait for a bit until it stops," Addie offered. Max nodded, grateful she didn't have to ask. After a few minutes the yelling stopped, and the girls sunk down in their seats as Neil stormed out of the front door, got in his car and sped off. He hadn't even noticed them.

The girls slowly approached the front door, and were greeted by Susan, who just like last time repeatedly thanked Addie for bringing her daughter home from school.

"Umm, can I—"

"He's in his room," Susan gave Addie a sad smile, knowing what she was about to ask.

Max went to her room, saying she was going to do homework. Before she shut her door, she whispered "good luck" to Addie.

Addie put her ear to the door, and only hearing the sound of music playing softly, she gently knocked. When she got no reply, she slowly opened the door. Billy had his record player on, and he was in bed, sound asleep.

Shutting the door behind her, she slipped her shoes off before slowly laying down next to Billy. Sensing the movement next to him, he opened his eyes, surprised to see Addie. But without a second thought, he pulled her close as she laid her head on his chest.

"Earlier at school—"

"I know," Addie interrupted, putting a hand on his cheek. "I'm sorry I got mad at you, I know the plan now was to set Steve up to make it look like he was in on it, then Tina came up and kissed you, making sure I saw."

"What are you doing here?" Billy asked as he played with Addie's hair. The past few days have felt like torture, not being able to see her, but he was so sleepy that part of him wondered if he was dreaming.

"I brought Max home, we got here right as your dad left."

He started to say something, but he was clearly still tired, stumbling over his words.