Come Away.

Christmas Night.

Everyone went to bed at Marlowe's place. Expect for Marlowe, Marlowe was wrapping up Billy's Christmas gift. Knowing that he might not appreciate it, but it's the thought that counts. The last time she did this, Marlowe that she had a friend. But this stabbed her in the back. Made fun of Marlowe for having a gay family member and that she'll turn gay, because Marlowe used to dress like a guy. It broke Marlowe's heart. About a month later Marlowe had gotten over it, by telling everyone that this "friend" was the one that was gay. In reality, the person wasn't. Marlowe had snuck into the girl locker and put all woman's nudes in the locker.

Yeah the person had to move to Canada because her family was disappointed in her reaction with Marlowe and that she was a lesbian.

Marlowe never told anyone about what she had done. Not even in her books that Marlowe would write in. So what is so different about Billy cause he could do the same with Marlowe.

After having those thoughts, Marlowe had finished up wrapping the gift. Having the covers over Marlowe's head, about to fall asleep. There was a soft knock on downstairs door. Main door. Sitting up, the clock said three am. Wiching hour, who and what, why are you up? Ploping herself back on her bed, thinking it's someone tricking her or her mind is playing tricks.

Then small pebbles were being thrown at her window. Tossing her covers off of her. Not wanting to face her fears, did it anyways. "I love Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger, Jason." Repeating to herself while she tiptoe to the window. "If a killer or something bad is out there. Granny will give them hell. Like I will." Up at the window. Glancing down. Marlowe sees a guy who has no coat just jeans, jean jacket, no hat no gloves. Sneakers that isn't made for the snow. Peaking his head cause he was going back and forth. Marlowe sees Billy's face.

Rubbing her eyes, lifting up the window. "California!" She whispered loudly. Billy peaks again at the window. Black eye. "I'll be right down." Then shutting the window.

Tiptoeing as quickly as she could, not wanting to leave him in the cold. Opening the door a big gust of wind blows in as Billy came in. Billy moans as he shuts the door as fast as he could. Marlowe helped the best way she could. Sliding down as Billy held his knees up to his chest. "I had no where else to go."

Squatting down, Marlowe's warm hand touched Billy's cold, very cold cheek, stroking it. With a warm smile. Marlowe whispered. "You came to the right place." Standin up, putting a hand out for Billy. "Are you hungry? We have plenty left."

Catching his breath as Billy is trying to warm up. Feeling Marlowe's warm hand on his face, like his mother use to do, after a big fight or from surfing all day. "I am." He wants to fight the scared little boy and tell him to stop being scared. Taking her hand as he stood up.

Marlowe lead them to the kitchen. "You don't need to tell me what happened. I'm sorry that this happened."

Pulling out a chair quietly so Billy wouldn't get kicked out. "Don't be sorry." With the snow melting from his head, a drip off form his hair made him jump a little.

Marlowe watched the whole thing. Scooping out some mash potatoes, corn, green casserole, and some ham. And a corn bread on the side. All together on a plate, placing it in a microwave. Going by the fridge. "I have root beer and grape juice. Sorry."

"Please stop saying sorry." Snapping at her. Crossing his arms to his chest. Shivering. "Wait. I'm sorry."

Handing him root beer even though he didn't pick. "Its okay, this was dumb of me." Shaking her head.

Billy gave Marlowe a confused look. Thinking it was about letting him in. "What?"

"You need a warm shower and then you can eat." This enlightened Billy a little bit. "Come on. I have clothing that uncle Buster left behind that you can wear." Leading Billy back into the living room.

Thankfully Marlowe had her own shower instead of sharing cause that would wake up everyone. Billy warmed up in the shower there was more bruising on his back. He won't dare to tell a soul. Buster had a Kiss T-shirt that he left behind.

Coming out with wet hair as he dried himself off, putting back on clean pair of underwear and warm clothing. Feeling better but guilty that he had to let someone help him. Billy doesn't let people in whatsoever. The smell of food came from Marlowe's room. Opening the door as the steam rolls out. Seeing Marlowe placing the try down with the food. Putting on the table, Marlowe turns, Billy was right in front of her.

"I warmed it back up in case granny or anyone came down. They'll think that I had a snack."

"I thought I was welcomed?"

"You are. But your not allowed in my room. Believe me waking up granny at three am isn't good." Sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Oh." Billy sat on the chair that was in front of her desk. "Thank you."

"You're welcome. And if you do want more. Let me know." Marlowe got up again and heads to the door.

"Where are you going?" Picking up the fork.

"I'm going to get a sleeping bag and few blankets for the floor." Touching the door knob. "You're save here Billy. Relax, enjoy." Opening the door. Now Marlowe felt like she was such a her grandmother.

Billy couldn't relax if he wanted too. Always feeling the pressure of his dad all around. Normally Billy isn't scared of his dad, he would just let his dad do what Neil had to do. Billy watched his mother doing the same thing. Cutting up his food still shaking, seeing a sweater that was on the edge of Marlow's bed. Reaching for the sweater, putting it on, Billy continue to eat.

Marlowe came back into her room, opening the door slowly. Seeing Billy with her sweater on, Marlowe chuckle softly. Billy started to yawn as he couldn't finish the food.

Billy place the fork down, turning his head. Facing Marlowe who had her back towards him, shutting the door behind her quietly. "I'm done."

Even though Marlowe knows that Billy is there, she totally forgot that his voice is deep and a little booming. Billy did whisper. It still made her jump a smidge. "Okay let me make up your bed. I brought up the heater, the floor does get cold so I brought even more blankets." Dumping all the things on her bed.

Billy nods as he put his hands on his hips. "I can do that if you want to take the plates down." Wanting to be helpful in his own way.

Marlowe wasn't going to fight with that. "Alright Billy." They both traded places. "When you get yourself situated, leave the lamp on for me so I won't trip over you."

Billy started to place some of the blankets on the floor. "Okay."

Marlowe left once more, Billy put three blankets on the floor and then plugged in the heater. As he was getting situated, he sees under Marlowes bed that there is a gift. And it has his name on it.

"Why in God's name would she get me a gift?" Thoughts kept coming into his head. 'Does she like me? When Marlowe told me that she didn't like me like that.' 'Is this to make me feel bad?' 'What,Why?'

Marlowe came back in as Billy hurried up to be in the sleeping bag. One his arms was under his head as Billy was looking up at the ceiling. "Alright I'm back." Shutting the door for the last time. Turning off the light, Marlowe does has some lights up in her room so her room wasn't in total dark.

Billy like that. Not sleeping in the dark. At least what happen to him tonight.

"Night California."

"Night Mars." He mutters as Billy was slowly drifting off to sleep.