Just a friend (Billy Hargrove)

Chapter Eighteen

Aleah johnson

"You're so annoying!" I laugh as Dallas digs his hand into my bag to grab out some packed food I threw in as I was leaving home this morning.

"You like me anyway so.." He hums as he starts opening up the packets of food and eating them. I roll my eyes at him before I nudge him with my elbow and continue watching Leigh who's practicing infront of us.

"Guys you're not even paying attention!" She exclaims, obviously frustrated that she's been practicing for majority of our lunch break.

"We are— I'm just hungry" Dallas' says, his words muffled from his chewing. I tell Leigh to start again and promise to watch her properly this time. I'm too occupied with her and partially Dallas who keeps trying to annoy me to notice the group of boys who walk into the gym.

"Basketball practice— girls you gotta get out" One of the guys say as they start dumping their stuff by the bleachers. I groan as I reach for my bag, putting my books away and closing it up. We reluctantly make our way out of the gym, Leigh openly voicing her complaints about how they always steal the it.

Before we make it outside, I hear someone call my name from behind me. I already know who it is, I could recognise his voice from a mile away. When I turn around I'm greeted by Billy who's jogging up to me, a small grin on his face as he approaches me.

"Hey... stranger—haven't seen you around in a while" Billy hums, pulling me into a warm hug which is out of character for him. I return the favour nonetheless and wrap my arms around him briefly.

A while meant another two weeks of barely talking to him and it didn't bother me either. I was genuinely preoccupied with school work and mainly Dallas. I had been staying over at his house more than often since my mum works late nights and he didn't want me to be alone. The day I went to his to work on our biology project I got to meet his family— which turned out to just be his mum and Uncle who gave him the bike. His dad left when he was a kid too and we talked about how similar our lives were when we were listening to some CDs in his room.

Ever since that night we've been practically inseparable— I could talk and make eye contact with him without going red in the face. But I must admit, as goofy as he may be— he is very cute.

"So I was thinking maybe you could come over tonight— my parents are gonna be gone and I'm not doing anything so we can just chill" He suggests, causing me to pull a sheepish facial expression as I turn to look back at Dallas who's patiently waiting for me with my bag on his shoulder.

"Or if that sounds lame we can do something else? Go watch that new scary movie or get something to eat?" Billy suggests, and I feel a hint of guilt inside of me at how hopeful he looks waiting for my answer.

"Oh uh— sorry I got plans for tonight. Me, Dallas and Steve are gonna watch that new movie actually" I say sheepishly and I cringe at the slightly awkward silence that follows.

"Oh yeah that's cool— hope it's good" He hums, turning his head to look at the boys who are starting to set up for their game.

"Do you wanna come with us? I know horror movies aren't really your thing but I'm sure you'll like it" I offer him, hoping that breaks the awkwardness of this situation.

"It's okay— Harrington's gonna be there and I'd rather not sit in a room with him for a whole hour" He scoffs, causing me to roll my eyes at the sour attitude he has towards Steve.