𝑩𝑳𝑼𝑬 - Billy Hargrove [1]

TWENTY SEVEN

TWENTY SEVEN|LOVE

Bernadette raced out the basement, trying to find where she dumped her bike. She could hear Nancy running after her, calling her name over and over again.

"I have to find Billy." She announced to the group, pulling her hair back into a low bun as she sat on her bike. "Don't worry, I don't plan on dying or joining his cult."

"It could be dangerous!" The girl tried to argue, her voice laced with concern.

"I know but I have to do this." The tears gathered in Birdie's eyes, a pleading look directed at Nancy as she saw the others starting to walk over curiously.

"Stay safe." Nancy sighed with understanding, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Meet us at the hospital later and don't die."

"I'll see you later." She nodded with determination, quickly riding her bike down the street to the Hargrove residence. She looked around, noticing only Billy's car parked on the street indicating his father wasn't home.

Bernadette slowly walked up to the front door, squeezing her hand around the door handle and carefully testing if the door was unlocked. She let out the breath she didn't realise she was holding, pushing the door open and stepping inside the silent house.

"Billy?" She called out, her voice gentle as she walked towards his room, noticing him sat on the edge of his bed staring blankly at the wall. "It's Birdie. I just want to talk. I want to help. I want to talk to my Billy."

"Birdie." Billy smirked, looking down at her as she kneeled between his legs. "If it isn't my favourite little song bird."

"Are you okay?" Birdie cupped his cheek, looking over at the healing wounds covering his face and shoulders. "Do you need me to care for your injuries?"

"I'm okay, Birdie." He chuckled, smiling at her concerned look. He reached down, tucking her hair behind her ears, his actions almost normal.

"No, you're not." She sighed, leaning into his touch. "But I want you to know that you aren't the bad guy. Everything you've done wasn't you. I know you. You might hurt people, threaten to kill them even, but you would never actually kill someone. You're my gentle giant with pent up rage."

"You're wrong about me, Bernadette." His eyes darkened, a chill brushing over her body as his hand stilled, pulling it away from her. "I'm so much stronger now."

"I thought we were safe." A tear fell down her cheek as she cupped his face, staring at the small cut on his face with concern. "I should of known that you didn't mean what you said, I should have known that wasn't you and maybe I could have helped you sooner."

"Join me, Birdie." Billy smirked, wiping the tears from her cheeks. His usual vibrant blue eyes were dull, all life pulled away as the person before her was an empty shell of the boy she knew.

"I would travel to the ends of the world with you, Billy." Birdie pulled his face closer, hesitant as saw the conflict in his eyes. "Because I love you." She pressed her lips on his, feeling his entire body still in shock.

Billy grabbed her arms violently and shoved her away from him before he gripped his hair. She watched his internal battle, her Billy trying to fight for his control.

Bernadette raised to her feet, approaching him hesitantly again. She reached out, resting her hand on his arm. "Fight it, Billy."

"Don't touch me." He pulled away from her touch, stepping closer to her as he grabbed both her arms once more. He threw her backwards, back hitting against the dresser behind her.

She fell to the ground, a fallen vase smashing under her weight, broken shards cutting into the uncovered skin on her thigh. Birdie cried out in pain, dragging her body away from his as he slowly walked towards her.

"Get out of here." He yelled at her, a pained look on his face as he met her frightened stare. "Please, Birdie."

Bernadette pulled herself off the ground, crying out in pain as she felt the blood trickling down her leg. She hobbled out his room, glancing over her shoulder at him one last time before leaving the house. Her hand grasped the wound on her thigh, trying to apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

She collapsed on the sidewalk, trying to catch her breath as she looked up to see Billy standing in the doorway, watching her with a blank stare and familiar smirk before turning away and slamming the door shut.

Her heart sank in her chest, throat tight as she tried to breathe. She raised a shaky hand to her cheek, trying to dry the tears that wouldn't stop falling.