California Secrets (Billy Hargrove)

- 𝚜𝚒𝚡 -

- Katherine Witherfield -

Billy started coming by the house around the same time each night for the rest of the week. No incidents happened. In fact, Billy did what he was asked and actually worked on the project. I was a little shocked since he never does his work.

"It actually looks really good," I say, complimenting the poster.

"It does," Billy agrees, looking down at it from above me. He goes down to sit next to me, us leaning against my bed. "You did a really good job."

"Thank you," I smile. "You too."

"Thanks," he smiles back, looking down at his fingers and twisting the ring on his left middle finger. "It was actually kind of fun, you know, doing it with you."

I watch as he continuously spins the ring, and I try to figure out what to say. "It was," I decide to agree. Honestly, it actually was pretty fun to do this with Billy, even though there were times where I had to be snarky to him because he was being an asshole.

He keeps the smile on his face as he turns his head to look back at me. He licks his lips, staring at mine. I take a deep breath to try to keep my composure. He hears and heavily breathes out, looking back down to his rings that he goes back to spinning. We are quiet for a minute, and I watch as he repeatedly spins the ring, over and over.

"What are you thinking about?" I ask cautiously. His blue eyes slowly find my brown ones, and they hold a question for me, one that I don't know I want to answer.

"How fucking bad I want to kiss you right now," he whispers to me, his gaze traveling from my eyes to my lips and back again. I can't seem to breathe right now. I want to kiss him, I do. But I make smart choices now. I don't go around and get attached to guys anymore.

"Billy," I start and he looks at me expectantly. "I'm sorry but I don't feel that way about you anymore."

The emotion behind his eyes seem to fade away. "So you're saying you don't get flashbacks from those years ago," he says, and it hits me hard in the heart.

I swallow, collecting myself. "Nope."

He nods, spinning his ring once more before getting back up and heading towards the window. "Where are you going?" I ask.

"Well we finished the project," he says, the attitude returning to his voice. "I'm going to go home now. Bye, Katherine." He holds his stare on mine for a second, seemingly searching for something before giving up and opening the window. He steps out, leaving me sitting on the floor with the poster in front of me.

🌊🌊🌊

The next day, Billy completely ignored me, but I keep my head up, grateful that I can finally get myself back on track.

"You really should take him out more," my mother advises me from the kitchen counter that afternoon. I sit at the dining room table with James, encouraging him to eat his snack since Ma said he didn't eat lunch today.

"Right, and that always goes well," I reply sarcastically. Ma sighs and continues to chop the veggies.

"Look, I know its hard for you, but who cares what people say? Also, James needs some time outside. He gets very riled up having to sit in the living room all day."

I decide she is right. "Ready to go on an adventure?" I ask James and he nods enthusiastically. I help James finish up his Cheerios before getting him changed. We go out to the car, and I buckle him up in the car seat in the back of my car. We drive to a park nearby, one that I know James likes a lot. We get out and I place him in a toddler swing, pushing him. He giggles and it makes me so happy to hear him enjoying himself.

"Higher Mommy," he begs and so I push him higher. His little giggles fill the air, and they mix in with those of a group of girls walking by. I turn to look over at them. They are whispering to each other and looking at me from the sidewalk, and I pick up small sentences of their conversation.

"Poor girl, what a young age," she says.

"That hoe should have been more careful," another one adds.

"Shouldn't have gotten herself knocked up," one agrees.

I take a sharp breath, anger beginning to course through my veins. Tears threaten to spill out of my eyes, but I pull them back in and keep myself in check. I focus on my happy baby in front of me and I mind my own business.

I continue to push James on the swing before he gets bored and I take him out. For another hour I chase him around the park as he goes from the slide to the seesaw to the swings again, begging to be pushed high into outer space. I do as my boy wishes, giving him the time of his life for the night. We stay as late as we can until it starts to get dark and I decide it is time to head home.

"How was the park?" Ma asks as James and I walk in the front door.

"Great," I smile to her. I set James down on the ground. "Go to Mimi," I tell him. "I'll be over for dinner in a couple minutes." I watch his little booty travel over to my mom, and she scoops him up.

I close the bathroom door, one single tear sliding down my face. I wipe it off with the back of my hand. This afternoon was worth James having an amazing day.

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This is making me sad tbh :(

Also I did a little research about the ring out of curiosity. Dacre says he added the ring to Billy's costume to be another component of his mother's, along with the necklace. I just thought that was cute and I wanted to share :)

I hope you all are enjoying the story!! I have a lot of tea planned 😉

-Liz<3