precarious ; jonathan byers [2]

chapter fifteen- because that's what best friends do

Riley

It's a known belief that if something goes wrong, time moves slowly. Well, I've come to discover that this expression is a load of bullshit.

It all happened so fast. From Billy assaulting me to almost knocking my best friend out cold, to me finding enough courage to aim a gun at the man I once thought I loved. Nothing felt real anymore.

And to think, two hours ago, I was ready to get down to business with this fool for probably the fifth time this week despite knowing deep down that he was bad news. Billy has shown his true colors since then and now the thought of his hands all over me sent a shiver up my spine and not in a good way anymore.

Billy needed to be stopped.

I had been so overcome with courage and adrenaline in that moment, that I almost didn't even feel the words beginning to leave my mouth.

"Lay another finger on my best friend and I'll blow your fucking brains out,"

The words still trembled with every syllable despite how dominant I was feeling and I noticed the gun was shaking in my grip. But they somehow still managed to make an impact on Billy because he slowly raised his hands in defeat again, having a gun aimed his way for the second time within a five-minute span.

I watched as Billy's jaw clenched, "The hits just keep coming with you, sweetheart," He attempted to tease me.

I used to love it when he called me that. Now, it disgusted me.

"You don't get to call me that anymore," I spat. "And Casey may not have the nerve to put a bullet through your temple but I sure as hell have all the reason to."

"Why?" Billy suddenly questioned, raising an eyebrow. "Because you thought we were something and now you feel betrayed? Let me give you a reality check, sweetheart...you have no right to feel betrayed. You made the decision to get involved with me. Your little bitch-ass friend even warned you about me...countless times. Yet, you still chose to fall for me. That's your fucking fault and it's always gonna be your fault."

It was as if a ball began to form inside my throat at his words and I pursed my lips together, taking in a slow breath to relax my heart rate. I wasn't dumb; I knew exactly what he was doing because I knew him, unfortunately. He was blaming the victim. He had done it a million times before, especially with Max.

"Riley...," A soft voice then warned, making me instantly turn. It had been Casey, slowly stepping out of Steve and Nancy's grip, eyeing me with fret. "You can't do this."

"Can't? Or shouldn't?" I challenged her. She was distressed, I could tell. But why? She knew as well as the rest of us that his nonsense had to stop- he was too dangerous to walk away at this point. He's hurt too many people.

"Both," She answered honestly, taking another step forward. "Riley, you need to listen to me for once. That bullet is gonna do more damage to us than it will to him." I didn't know what she had meant by that and she must have noticed the bewildered look that had grown on my face because she paused, shaking her head. "You remember Will? Yeah, he's being interrogated right now as we speak, in case you forgot. If you pull that trigger he's gonna hear it and he's gonna know that we're bullshitting. There's gonna be an army of demo-dogs knocking at our door in a matter of seconds. So, you either spare us while sparing him in the process-which I know he doesn't deserve. Or...you kill us all."