𝑩𝑳𝑼𝑬 - Billy Hargrove [1]

TWENTY

TWENTY|THE BREAK-UP

Bernadette sighed with exhaustion as she wandered into the staff room, fully prepared to go home as Heather waved her off, allowing her to leave. Her breath caught in her throat as her gaze landed on a familiar figure stood still in the shower.

"Billy?" She called out, crossing her arms over her chest as she waited for him to speak to her. It had been two days since he last spoke to her and stood her up on their big date. "Where the fuck have you been? Why haven't you phoned me back? At least look at me."

"Not now, Birdie." He gritted out, keeping his back to her. Her patience grew thin as he went silent again. His words making her heart ache.

"Seriously?" Birdie grabbed his shoulder and spun him around, eyes daggers as she stared him down. "That's all you have to say? After everything. Billy, what's going on?"

"You need to leave." His voice was hostile as he pulled away from her touch, startling her as her face sank. "Run."

"Billy?" She tried to reach out for him again but he moved back, almost disgusted by her touch. "Talk to me."

"We're done." Billy yelled at her, his voice scaring her as she fell backwards. "I can't stand your whiny voice anymore. You're just a pathetic bitch who gets everything she ever wants because of daddy's money."

"Billy?" Her voice was a whisper, lips quivering as she fought back her tears. "Please, stop."

"Do me a favour and get the fuck out of my sight." He slowly approached her, grabbing her arm harshly and pulling her up. His face was level with hers, no emotions in his dull blue eyes. "You're a fake bitch, Bernadette Harrington."

"Fuck you, Billy." Birdie pulled back from his tight grasp, stumbling back into the lockers. "I fucking hate you."

"Funny. I was starting to think you loved me." He chuckled darkly, watching her as she tried to fight back her tears. "But I could never love someone like you."

"Fuck you." Bernadette ran out of the room, grabbing her bag and throwing her jumper over herself, the tears streaming down her cheeks as she raced past Heather. She spotted Steve's car, grateful he offered to pick her up after work.

"How was work?" Steve greeted her, turning to face her. His smile fell from his lips as he saw the state she was in. "Birdie, what the hell happened?"

"Billy." She cried, trying to calm down to talk to her brother. "He isn't right. He just broke everything off. We're officially done."

"That's it, I'm going to go speak to him." He tried to leave the car but Birdie grabbed his arm and held him back.

"Please don't." Birdie begged him, drying her tears with the jumper she had stolen from Billy months ago. "I just want to go home."

"How about we go home, get you cleaned up then go visit Robin at work?" He sighed, sinking back in his seat as he watched his sister's heart break before his eyes. "Ice cream always cheers you up, and Robin misses you."

"Why does this hurt so much?" Her glossy eyes stared at him lifelessly, her once cheery persona lost as she clung to the jumper like it was her only life line. "Why did he ever speak to me?"

"Love sucks." He said wisely, driving out of the parking lot. He noticed Billy stand by the fence, watching them leave. "I know. I've been heartbroken by my first love as well. But you have me. And I'm here for you and so is Robin."

"Thank you."

Bernadette changed out her work uniform, throwing on a plain outfit before pulling Billy's jumper on over her clothes. She met Steve outside, smiling gratefully to her as he drove to the StarCourt Mall.

She sat quietly in a booth, not paying attention to the conversation as she pushed the ice cream around with her spoon. She noticed Robin staring at her intently, waiting for her to speak.

"You can say it, Robin." Birdie reassured the girl, her voice cracking as she spoke for the first time. "I don't mind. I might be sad but I'm still here."

"How are you?" Robin asked with a gentle voice, not wanting to break the girl any further. "Do you want me to go puncture his tires? I can do it. I know how. Or are you needing me to cut his hair? Make him really ugly."

"He could have no hair and still be beautiful." She scoffed sadly, hating how hard it would be to forget him. "I can't believe I was so stupid. Of course he didn't love me. How could he? He is a player. He needs more than some cheerleader in his life."

"Birdie." Robin moved to sit beside the girl, throwing her arms around her and holding him close. "You have me, okay? We are going to get through this together with ice cream and cheesy rom coms."