𝑩𝑳𝑼𝑬 - Billy Hargrove [1]

NINETEEN

NINETEEN|BILLY HARGROVE

Bernadette hummed along to the song blasting through the speaker, filling her room with joy as she ran a brush through her hair for the hundredth time. Her lips smacked together as she checked her lipstick, wanting to make sure she looked perfect. She was curious as to why Billy seemed so nervous to ask her out for dinner, something the pair had done regularly. Her eyes glanced between the two dresses laid out on her bed, debating which one suited the occasion more.

"The green one compliments your eyes." Steve stated, his voice loud as he spoke above the music. He leaned his shoulder against the doorframe, smiling as he spotted how nervous she was. "You look beautiful, Birdie."

"Are you sure?" Birdie chewed on her lip nervously. "I need to look perfect. Tonight is going to be perfect. Is asking the girl you have something going on with a date? Is this a date?"

"Is he taking you to Donna's?" The boy questioned, walking further into the room and sitting on the edge of the bed, carefully avoiding creasing a dress.

"Yeah." She looked at him surprised, wondering how he knew.

"Yeah, it's definitely a date." Steve chuckled to himself as she ran over to her mirror to check her makeup. "And if it's Donna's then it wouldn't surprise me if he asks for you two to become official."

"Seriously?" Birdie grabbed the green dress off her bed, running into the walk in closet as she saw the time. "Don't expect me home tonight, I'm going to stay over at Billy's."

"I figured." He pulled a disgusted face, freezing as she stepped out the closet, dusting off the dress. "You look breathtaking, Birdie. Billy is lucky to have you. We might have sucky parents but they definitely blessed us with good genes."

"Yes, Steve." She laughed, twirling around to show off the full dress. "We are gorgeous siblings."

"The famous Harrington siblings." He joked, grabbing her necklace off her dresser and standing up to help her put it on. "A paper ring?"

"Billy made it." She placed a hand over the ring, showing him it held a special place in her heart.

"As much as I hate the guy, I'm happy he makes you happy." Steve carefully wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in for a quick sincere hug.

"Thank you, big brother." Bernadette watched him leave her room, slowly pacing around as she waited for the sound of Billy's car to alert her of his presence.

Her hazel eyes looked out at the driveway, listening to the clock tick as an hour passed since he was supposed to pick her up. After another hour she slowly walked down the stairs, slipping out the front door and sitting on the doorstep.

She had no idea how long she had been waiting when Steve came outside and sat beside her, silently wrapping an arm over her shoulders. A tear slipped down her cheek as the realisation had set in. He had either forgotten about her or changed his mind and left her.

"Something might have happened." Steve suggested, pulling her in close as she leaned her head on his chest. "I'm sure he will show up later tonight to sneak in your window with a perfectly good reason."

"Why wouldn't he just call?" Birdie sniffled as her glossy eyes looked up at him. "He always calls when something happens. Always."

"I'm sorry, Birdie." He sighed, not knowing what else to say to cheer her up. "How about we go inside and watch one of your cringy rom coma together? I can make popcorn?"

"I would like that." She let him help her stand up, keeping his arm wrapped around her as he led her to her room.

Bernadette grabbed the phone from her desk, dialing his number as she waited for him to answer.

"Hello?" Max answered the phone, sounding tired as the distant sound of arguing drained through the speaker.

"Max, it's Birdie." Birdie tried to keep her tone cheery, not wanting to alarm the girl anymore. "Is Billy there?"

"Billy? He left for your date hours ago." Her statement shocked Birdie, not understanding where Billy could possibly be. Her heart broke as she knew the only other possibility.

"Oh, okay." Her breath hitched in her throat, trying to swallow down her emotions as she put a brave face on. "I'll talk to you later Max."

She gently put the phone down, her hand covering her mouth as she choked on her sob. Her breathing quickened, chest becoming tight as she stumbled back to sit on the edge of her bed.

"Shit." Steve dumped the bowl of popcorn on her desk as he fell to his knees before her. He cupped her cheeks gently, forcing her to look at him. "Hey, hey, hey. It's okay. Breathe, Birdie. I need you to focus on your breathing."

"Max said he left hours ago. He isn't at home." She mumbled through her cries, trying to slow her breathing as the pain built up. "I should have known. We aren't official. It's not like I never told him he couldn't see anyone else."

"Billy would never do that." He tried to reassure her, his thumb swiping across her cheek to wipe away the tears. "He might be a dickhead but if you could see the way he looks at you when you're talking to Max or talking about something you love like cheerleading. He loves you and he would never intentionally break your heart."

"Then where is he?"