DEAR BILLY [b.hargrove]

002

|ALLISON|

     The school grounds was filled with students ready to start the new term. The noise of the Camaro turned all heads towards the gate, Billy revving the engine until he pulled up to a stop. I rolled my eyes as he did this, he loved the attention. Me on the other hand, not so much.

"Show off." I mumbled.

"You love it." He smirked and I slapped his arm trying not to smile.

I hopped out of the car trying to avoid all eyes that were on me as I pulled the seat forward and let Max out. She quickly skated off in a huff after this mornings event. I shut the door and took in my surroundings, my anxiety growing as the students stopped to stare.

Soon enough all eyes left me and moved to Billy who got out the car. I could hear the whispers especially from the girls leaning on a car just behind her.

"Who is that?" One of the girls says.

"I have no idea but check out that ass." Replies the dark brunette girl.

I was staring to feel uncomfortable. I never felt like I'm enough for him, so when other girls start making comments like that I get anxious and start doubting myself. At the end of the day these girls are way prettier than me. Billy seems to take notice. He walks in front of the car calling me over to walk with him and flings his arm around my shoulders. He touch instantly relaxes me and I smile up at him to show him I'm okay.

***

Both Billy and I had registered with reception and we received our rota for the rest of the semester. We were currently both walking the now empty halls while I was comparing the two.

"Other than gym we don't have any classes together." I said feeling bummed that I wouldn't be with him all the time.

"That's what you get for being a smartass." Billy replied with a smirk.

"Hey!" I went to elbow him in the side but Billy spun me around pinning me to the lockers. I could feel his breath on my face, our noses practically touching.

"You know, we could just ditch for the day? Heard there's a great parking spot by the quarry nobody goes to." Billy teases me with a smirk his hands slowly running up the sides of my body. He knew exactly how to wind me up.

"And miss our first day?" I gasp sarcastically. I leans in to kiss him but quickly duck escaping his hold on me, teasing him back. "I don't think so."

Before things went south back home in California, I was always top of my class. Now being back in Hawkins I wanted to start again and be the best I could. Besides, if word got back to Neil that we skipped who knows what he would do.

I smirked at Billy again before looking down at his rota and looking at a door near where we were standing with Billy's room number.

"Looks like this is your stop." I said as I gave his rota back to him.

"Let me at least take you to your class." Billy pulled me in by my waist.

"I'm literally just over there down the hall. I'll meet you back here when the bell rings." I gave him a peck before pulling away and walking to my class. Not realising I noticed, he watched for a few seconds licking his lips as he studied my figure before walking inside.

I looked back to see Billy had already gone in and when I reached my class, I froze. I went to grab the handle but quickly snatched my hand back letting out a shaky breath, my anxiety getting the best of me again. I paced the hallway for a bit before gaining the courage to try again. Second time... failed.

"Well, as I live and breathe." A voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I looked round to see a tall curly haired boy wearing and leather and denim jacket smiling at her.

"Can I help you?" I asked. It came out ruder than expected.

"Oh come on, don't tell me you don't remember? Maybe it's the hair?" He said flicking his hair with his hands. Then it clicked.

"Oh my- Eddie Munson?!" I ran and jumped into the man's arms.

Eddie was my childhood best friend before I moved away. We were inseparable and spent all our time together, that changed when I was dragged out of this town. We tried staying in contact but eventually just grew apart. Being in his presence again just felt comforting and familiar.

"I can't believe you came back and didn't tell me!" He pulled away, the familiar goofy smile still stuck on his face. That slowly faded in seconds. "Sorry to hear about your mom."

"Thanks, Ed." I smiled sadly, the news still feeling fresh. "Anyway, how are you? How's Wayne?"

Wayne was like a second dad to me. He treated me like his own considering we spent a lot of time at the trailer.

"I'm good, still got my band going-"

"Corroded Coffin? Now way!"

"Yes Corroded Coffin, you remembered!" He snapped his fingers pointing out his excitement. "Wayne's good, he misses you. You should stop by sometime."

"Yeah I will, I will have to check with Billy but yeah."

"Billy?" Eddie asked not having heard that name before. "That a relative?"

"Oh no. Billy's my boyfriend, I live with him and his family." I could see Eddie's face drop slightly. He looked hurt for a second, his smile faltered but he hid it well. I was about to ask what was wrong before he was back to his usual self.

"You have a boyfriend?!" He playfully asked in disbelief. I playfully smacked his chest back. "The Allison Rae Ho-"

"Woods!" I quickly corrected before clearing my throat. I hated hearing that name, I never wanted to hear it again for as long as I lived. "I took my stepfather's name."

"Allison Rae Woods." Eddie nodded. He looked like he was about to tell me something but closed his mouth and started walking away. "Well I better get going before Ms O'Donnell gives me another detention."

"Still staying in trouble I see." I giggled. He was always a troublemaker. My real dad never really liked Eddie and always said he'd be behind bars when he was older. But then again he always said he loved me as well, yet here we our. Eddie not behind bars and my dad gone.

"Always." He smiled back. "Anyways, catch you later Ally. Make sure to stop by the trailer park sometime."

I took another deep breath as I went to grab the handle again. Third time lucky. Eddie saw I was hesitant and could tell I was nervous. He knew I always struggled with my anxiety as a kid.

"Hey Ally..." He pulled my attention away from the door as I looked up into his eyes. "Give 'em hell."

Give 'em hell.

Those three words Eddie always used to say to me whenever I was scared. It still worked like a charm. I smiled and thanked him before walking into that classroom.

|EDDIE|

     I smiled as she closed the door but as soon as I heard the click, my smile dropped. That feeling of her being around never went away even after all these years.

God, I missed her.

I pulled my necklace from underneath my shirt and fiddled with it. The necklace held my first ever guitar pick I got. Allison was with me when I got my first guitar all those years ago along with that pick. I thought it hurt when she moved away, but seeing her here hearing she's happy with someone else probably hurt me more.

The hell am I going to do about that?