Listen To Your Heart ~ Book One.

Just Hold Me

"They're all nice names." The woman says.

(Billie flips me off. Hours later, the woman drops us both off at a bus stop. We both thank her, as she drives away.)

"I just want to hop on a bus with you and sleep until we're both in sunny L.A.!" Billie says.

"Whatever..." I mumble.

(Billie pouts) "You're still mad at me."

(Billie walks over to the ticket window.)

"One ticket to Los Angeles, please."

"That'll be a hundred and four dollars."

(I open my wallet...uh-oh...and there was a sign saying cash only...credit machine broken. I look around and don't see any ATM machine. Not good. Billie walks up to me smiling.)

"Got my ticket. Get yours. I want to get a seat in the back. Just the two of us."

"Umm...I've been doing some thinking. This may be my last chance to see rural America. So, I'm going to hitch."

"What? No... I'm not riding a bus back to L.A. by myself. Go get your ticket."

"I don't have the money, Billie. The sign says cash only."

(Billie crosses her arms.)"How much money do you have?"

"Enough."

"David! How much?"

"Eighteen dollars and seventy-seven cents."

(Billie rolls her eyes.)"How did you expect to get to L.A. with eighteen dollars and seventy-seven cents?"

"I'll survive."

"I got fifty...you can have twenty-five."

"I don't want your..."

"Just take it!"

"Thanks. I'm not going to forget this."

"Yea, you will...but I'll remind you."

(We hear them announce Billie's bus now boarding over the intercom.)

"Well...that's your bus. You better get aboard, if you want a good seat."

"Are you sure you're going to be, okay?"

"I'll be fine. Don't you worry."

(We give one another a hug, then Billie wraps her arms around my neck, and kisses me long and deep, then she whispers in my ear.)

"I love you...don't you ever forget that."

(She grabs her bags and goes out the door, towards the bus. I watch until the bus leaves, then I plop down on the bench seat and watch some television, while I decide what to do next.)

"Anything good on television?" Billie asks.

(I turn around, completely surprised.)

"Your bus just left."

"I know."

"How come you're not on it?"

"Cause I'm the kind of girl who likes to live on the edge."

(Hours later, we had walked to a hotel/ restaurant for the night.)

"I don't know about you, but I desperately need a shower."

"Go ahead. I can wait my turn."

"Why can't we shower together?"

"Don't want to risk being called Finneas again."

(Billie pouts.)"I am sorry..."

(Later...after Billie has showered, I'm taking a very hot shower myself. The shower curtain opens slowly behind me.)

"David?"

(I wash the shampoo out of my hair and open my eyes. Billie was standing totally nude outside the shower. She slowly steps into the shower with me.)

"Billie...don't do this."

"Look. I understand why you're mad at me, and I don't blame you. I'd be mad if during sex you called me someone else's name too. I'm just asking that you hold me. That's all. Please? Just hold me."

(Billie steps close, as we slowly put our arms around one another. We hold each other close, as the water flows over our bodies. She reaches up, and pulls my head closer to hers, as she kisses my neck and cheek, and I kiss hers.)