BILLIE-HALES & ZEALOUS

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

"Hey Star, what-cha doing there?" I ask my horse from across the way. She's a beauty, one my Grandparents gifted me on my birthday last year.
That's where I am right now, at their place. I couldn't be bothered to make the trip home after another night of partying, so I crashed here instead. There's that, and I ran out of money for taxi fare.

While watching her I smile when she "tuffs" and bounced her head up and down. It's like she's showing off, happy to see me while trotting around in my great-grandfather's field. I call him grand-pops mostly, but to all his friends, they know him as Wayne. I always see a twinkle in his eyes every time I say it. Bless him. He's in his nineties now, so it's left to us to look after this place, along with him. Of course, he doesn't like it. I think he's too proud to admit he's too old to take care of the place. Neena, his wife is a little younger than him and she struggles too, so we look after them. Speaking of Grandads, my Grandad Bill's still around, but he's not doing so well. Mum said he'll be fine, but I don't know. He's just not the same. Not since last year when my grandma Olivia passed away. I can see and feel how broken he is. He misses her so much, his heart is broken. He said there's no healing it, not at his age.
I don't understand it myself. Maybe because I've not experienced love yet. Not like theirs or my parents. Oh, I've had boyfriends, but none that's stuck around. I guess I'm still young and I have time to fall in love. I did at one point think I was in love. It was before I started college last year, but he turned out to be just like the rest. Yep, only out for one thing. Though little did he know, I'm wise thanks to my mum and dads. Mostly my Grandad Bill. He'd always tell me to never settle for anything less, especially if all they talk about is my virginity.
I've found nobody worthy enough to give that part of me. Not yet anyway. Some men just see me as an easy lay, like I'm a sure thing to get in the sack. Some girls even look at me like I'm a slut. Believe it or not, some even tried it on with me. You see. I'm a bit of a wild child. I like to party and drink. I'm known to party a little too hard. Not all the time, of course. I couldn't afford it since I'm now in college. My parents kinda put me on a budget because of all those reasons. They said I'm wasting my life, pissing it away with my crazy life. Yeah, I guess I could calm it down, but where's the fun in that? Hell, I'm in college now and you only live once, right? I intend to live my life to its fullest. That's my plan at least until I get my career underway.
What am I studying? Well, Granny Hales introduced me to a lady who goes by the name of Mars Vincente. Oh lord, she's so pretty. Crazy, but pretty. My family have known her for a long time. One day, I was in her tattoo studio where I saw works of photography. Oh boy, there were amazing ones of the sea with birds and people walking along the beach. They fascinated me so much that when Mars found me looking, I asked about the photographer. Shortly after that day, I was introduced to Mars' niece, Hope Headley.
Hope knew quite a few photographers and knows a lot about that world. So the first thing she did was help me find a camera, along with signing up for a college course. Oh yes, a college course in photography. She said it's where it all kicked off for her. She was always taking pictures before then, but college helped her the most.
Luckily, my college is only a short drive from my parents' home so I mostly walk there. When I cannot be bothered, I take my car. I've been driving for about three months now. I guess it's a decent car, but I'm more of a bike kinda-gal. Oh, let me tell you; if there's one thing I've inherited from my grandparents, it's their love for bikes. Preferably Harley's. I also have a thing for a good old Honda fire-blade. Baby, get me on one of those bad boys, you'd have a friend for life.

   The following day, when I made it home, I showered and dressed for another day at college...

After pulling up in my car, I take a good look around to make sure no dickheads were there to piss me off. Luckily, I make it to my class with nobody making any snide comments about me.
While I get settled at my desk, my tutor proceeded to inform us of today's activities. Yet, I'm too busy with my phone to even hear what he's saying. I received a text from my buddy, Zealous Junior Dalton. He's Hope's relation. I think it was his name that brought us together though, that and the fact he's half Italian too. He's hot, but it's mostly because he likes to party. He introduced himself when I arrived at Hope's place to see her work, and he was there with his mum, Jenna. Hope's cousin. Anyway, his name pulled me in before I even locked eyes with him. I like to call him Zealie, and he just calls me Billie. However, that's only because I threatened to kick his Ass. I warned him if he attempts anything else; aside from when he calls me Baby-B. I allow it because he's hot. Aha, but anything else, I'd kick his ass.
*Hey, baby-B, there's another great band on tonight if you're up for it.*
While grinning, I read his text again. Oh, he knows I will.
*I'm in!* was my response.
"Miss Lawrence... MISS LAWRENCE!"
My head snaps up, and my phone drops to the floor.
Shit!
"Y-yes, Mr Graham, what's up?"
He rolled his eyes and grinned after shaking his head.
"Could you maybe leave the texts alone? At least until I've finished."
As he asked this, I hear my phone chime again.
"Sure thing. Sorry about that. My friend wants to party, tonight. Well, you know me. I can't ignore a good invitation."
Again, he rolled his eyes. Then I heard a fake cough, calling out "slut" from across the room. As always, I ignore it. I know who it is and she's not worth my attention. I'm trying out this "just ignore her" response. Zealie thinks it'll work to get her off my back, but we'll see.
"Okay, as I was saying."
He moved on and told us about a field trip, one that will take place on Saturday.
"What? What do you mean? I can't do it this Saturday! It's my only chance to get my new Ink finished." I almost screeched, and he sighed in frustration.
"I'm afraid you'll have to rearrange your plans, Miss Lawrence. That's if you want to pass this exam?"
My eyes open wide, shocked there's an exam too. I ask about it, along with when this was discussed.
"Now if you weren't on your phone and partying, you would've known about it last Friday and Monday. Oh, and this morning. Miss Lawrence, you've got until tomorrow to rearrange your plans. We're invited to watch a game, so this week's exam will comprise taking a few shots of those players. Not forgetting, the grounds they play on. This is a great opportunity for everybody on this course, so I expect everybody to be there."
Fucker! I'm sure he likes to pull this shit on purpose. He looks far too pleased about it too. Oh, this staying calm shit isn't going very well. I'm about to kick off but bitchface Charlie sat forward to look at me which only pissed me off again. What she didn't expect was me, leaping across the table to knock her out.
"This should be right up your alley. Plenty of men for you to screw around with. We all know just how much you and your family love to share."