HEART FLAYER | b. hargrove

CHAPTER 023.

The Same Night

The next few hours passed smoothly Billy appeared to be more comfortable around everyone now (the drinks probably helped). He'd occasionally make a joke or a comment that the others would laugh at, which made Arwen's chest feel warm. It was nice to see him accepted into a group of people that didn't include Jason Carver or Tommy H. They'd all danced, played games, and sang along obnoxiously to songs until they ended up in the backyard for beer pong.

Gareth leaned on the pong table, becoming extremely close to Arwen as she stood there uncomfortably. He was a nice guy who she was typically fine around, but right now he was pretty drunk so she wasn't sure how exactly to deal with him.

"Come on," he pleaded with slurred words and a big sloppy smile. "Let me be your pong partner. I won't let you down, I'm fucking incredible at this game. We'll beat their asses!"

"Uh..." Arwen tried to smile in a polite way but it came off as more of a cringe as she leaned away from him and her eyes landed on Billy who was a few feet away and watching them. She gave him a look that said 'help' and he instantly started to approach. 

"She's actually already agreed to be mine," Billy said smoothly while clapping a hand on Gareth's shoulder. He had a cocky grin as he glanced between the two of them. "Sorry, buddy."

Gareth's shoulders slumped at that and he nodded before walking off to go find Jeff. Arwen watched as Billy glared daggers into the boy's back as he withdrew and she elbowed him in the side. He grunted slightly, but put on an innocent expression and put his hands up in surrender at the stern look she gave. 

"It's okay, I'm not gonna beat the snot out of him." He chuckled. 

"Good," She rolled her eyes as the corners of her lips twitched upwards. "Gareth's cool, he's just very drunk."

Billy just shrugged with his trademark cocky smile and they took their place at the end of the pong table opposite of Eddie and Robin. Arwen allowed her partner to go first, but immediately regretted her decision when he placed himself directly behind her. His chest was practically pressed up against her back with his free arm around her body to steady himself on the table. She stared wide-eyed at Robin across the way, who was about to combust with laughter at how red her friend's face was getting. Billy rested his chin on her shoulder and exhaled out of his nose as he focused before tossing his ball. It landed in one of Eddie and Robin's cups, causing them to groan loudly and Billy retracted away from Arwen while letting out a loud 'woo!'

Arwen cleared her throat and tried to recover from what just happened, but her shaky hands resulted in her missing her own shot. 

"That's alright, Ari." Billy assured while resting his arm over her shoulders.

He seemed so much more comfortable around her now that the whole party thing was more familiar and less intimidating. She enjoyed it, but holy shit did it make her nervous. For some reason.

They continued to play and Arwen slowly but surely got her confidence back. Eddie managed to get two of their cups, but Arwen and Billy still beat the other two by a landslide. When the winning shot was made, they screamed in triumph and Arwen climbed onto Billy's back. He ran a few laps around the pool, carrying her while they obnoxiously whooped to rub it in the losers' faces. Arwen's face was aching from how hard she was laughing as she clung onto him for dear life. 

A little while later, Arwen found herself laying in one of the deck lounge chairs and drifting off while the others played more beer pong. The drowsiness from drinking and the lack of sleep from nightmares recently had taken its toll on her and she ended up falling asleep. 

She gained consciousness slightly when she felt muscular, familiar arms pick her up bridal style and begin carrying her. She could hear whispering and then she was carried through the house and back outside again. Her body was shifted in his arms after a moment and she groaned while opening her eyes slightly. Billy was attempting to gently place her in the passenger seat of his car. 

"What's going on?" She mumbled while he put her seatbelt on for her.

"I'm taking you home, drunky." Billy replied with a light chuckle and he shut her door before getting into the driver's seat. 

She fell asleep again on the drive home, only waking when they'd arrived and Billy had reached over to nudge her gently. 

"Wakey wakey, sunshine." He said softly. "I'd carry you to your bed, but I think your dad might shoot me."

Arwen laughed sleepily and yawned. She reluctantly climbed out of the car and he walked her up to her front door just like he'd done all those months ago. She leaned against the door while smiling at him groggily, still feeling a bit drunk.

"I'm glad you came tonight. It was a lot of fun."

"I'm glad I did too." Billy said with a smile as he put his hands in his pockets.

"I missed you." Arwen admitted quietly. If she were sober, she probably would have never said it to him. But it was the truth... she'd missed having him around; when he wasn't pissed off, anyway. 

He reached forward to tuck her hair behind her ear. Her stomach did a flip.

"Well, don't worry, Firecracker. I'm not going anywhere again."

"Why did you before?" She asked. The curiosity had eaten away at her for three months. Sure, she'd told him to leave her alone... but why did he start a fight with Steve and push her away in the first place? When things were going so well?

A frown formed on his features and his gaze dropped towards the porch floor. His brows knitted together as if remembering it all was frustrating and saddening.

"It was my dad..." 

"Did he hurt you again?" Arwen asked immediately. It was as if a switch flicked on inside of her and she felt more awake... ready to go make that motherfucker's life absolute Hell if need be.

Billy half-heartedly chuckled at her, shaking his head. 

"No, no. Not physically, at least." He exhaled through his nose. "He said some shit and got in my head. Said that I wasn't... good enough for you. Which is saying something since he thinks you're an actual demon."

Arwen let out a short breath of laughter. "Looks like he managed to piece together that I was the one that threatened him. But don't listen to that mustached bitch ever again. Please. He's just miserable with his own life so he has to try to ruin yours too."

"Yeah. Just like what I did with Max. And Harrington. And you -"

She moved to shut him up by wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close. Billy seemed to melt into the physical affection, burying his face into her shoulder and holding her in a tight grip. 

"Shut the fuck up, pretty boy. You're a good person." She said in almost a whisper. "You're just a little damaged... and I know what that does to someone."

"I just..." Billy muttered, his voice muffled a bit by her shoulder. "I couldn't stay away anymore after I watched you almost die."

"Arwen?" 

Hopper's voice was heard from inside of the cabin and Arwen pulled herself away from Billy, glancing wide-eyed at the door. She started to wave the boy off.

"Oh shit. It's way past my curfew and he's gonna be pissed. Get out of here before he sees you're the one who brought me back late and never lets you come over again."

Billy smirked a bit as he began backing off the porch. "So... you're saying you want me to come over sometime?"

Arwen rolled her eyes with a grin as she shooed him away and gave him the middle finger when she sees him wink at her. He gets into his car and she can hear him pull away as she slips inside of the cabin. She was tired and tipsy, but tonight made her heart feel fuller than it ever has.