𝑩𝑳𝑼𝑬 - Billy Hargrove [1]

FINAL

FINAL|MOVING TO L.A.

Three months later

Bernadette glanced around her empty room, her lifeless eyes mirroring the atmosphere in a once joyful, memory filled room.

"I think that's everything." Valarie threw her arm around the girls shoulders, embracing her as they watched Lillian try to tape a box shut. "Remember, Birdie. This is for a good reason. You need this fresh start after everything that has happened."

"You're going to love L.A." Lillian grinned up at the brunette. "Think of all that sunshine and beaches. We won't recognise you when you come to visit."

"Thank you for helping me pack." Birdie smiled at the two girls, holding the final box tightly in her arms as they left the empty room and wandered out the house.

Val opened the passenger door to the newly repaired car, allowing Birdie to place the final box into the back seats. The two girls watched their friend carefully, worried about her driving the car so quickly after everything that had happened.

"He would be proud of me." She patted the bonnet of the blue Camaro, proud of the help the local garage had given her in repairing the car. "I promised to look after his baby."

"Are you sure you're ready?" Lily reached out and squeezed her hand, tears gathering in her eyes as she realised she had to say good bye to one of her closest friends. "I don't think I'm ready."

"I'll be back before you know it." Birdie reassured her, pulling her in for a long embrace. The two girls stood there for forever, Valerie eventually joining the hug as they said their final teary farewell.

"Are you really leaving without saying good bye?" Steve jumped out of his car, opening his arms for Birdie to run into his embrace. "Your own brother who has looked after you for seventeen years and you were going to leave."

"And people say I'm the drama queen." She chuckled, resting her head against his chest as she tightened her grip around him. "I don't want to leave you."

"We both know it's going to be hard but this is what's best for you." He sighed, stroking her hair as he leaned his chin on her head. "You deserve to get out of this place, enjoy the beach and spend time reminding yourself who you are. I'm going to miss you so much, Birdie, but I want you to heal. And if that means not seeing you till Spring Break then I can live with that."

"Thank you." She reluctantly stepped back, smiling up at her brother before getting in her car.

Bernadette pulled in beside the moving truck, spotting everyone helping the Byers load the vehicle. She slipped out of the car, grabbing her small box of cassettes from the passenger seat before walking up to the group.

"Ms. Byers." She greeted the older woman, happily accepting her motherly embrace. "It's so good to see you."

"How have you been, dear?" Joyce wrapped an arm around her waist, leading her into the empty house. "Would you like anything to drink?"

"I'm okay, thank you." Birdie declined politely, quickly spotting a familiar red head. "I'm just here to drop off something for Max and say good bye."

"For me?" Max asked confused, looking up from her spot on the floor. She scrambled to her feet, walking into Birdies open arms.

"My three favourite albums." She pulled the three cassettes out the bag, passing them to the girl. "These albums helped me a lot in High School. I hope they help you since I won't be there."

"Thank you." Max looked down at the three albums, reading the titles aloud. "Bella Donna, Hounds and Parallel Lines."

"Three powerful women." A small smile tugged at her lips. "You have my new address so don't forget to write to me. I'm always here for you."

"Thank you, Birdie." The pair quickly embraced one last time before Birdie sat back in her car, waving a final goodbye to the group.

Bernadette sped out of the driveway, the windows down as 'Edge of Seventeen' blasted through the speakers. She pulled her sunglasses over her eyes, the "thanks for visiting Hawkins" sign blurring past her as she stayed true to her promise and left the horrible town.

The sun gleamed against the silver band on her finger, a small reminder of her first love and the town that broke her soul over and over again.

A/N - the sequel to BLUE has been published!