𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪, skeet ulrich

1.03

𝐀𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐋, 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎

I did as told.

Bethany Thomas kept pulling my hair in math and every time I walked by her and her stupid friends, they laugh at me. But this time, I had the last longing laugh. But I've gotten suspended for four days and my mom had to convince Mr. and Mrs. Thomas not to press charges. I was grounded for the rest of the month.

Grounding me didn't stop me from seeing Billy on Sunday's. Honestly, it was the best thing ever. He looked so proud of me after I told him what happened. With his approval, everything suddenly became better.

One Sunday we were cleaning the church again. I was scrubbing the floor as he scrubbed the dishes. "Didn't you said she was bleeding?" Billy asked, referring to the fight.

"She bled a lot. My ring cut her face. The blood almost made me sick," I replied with a chuckle.

"Serves her right," he said with a smile. Billy turned back to the dishes. I suddenly got the urge to smoke a cigarette. At the time, it had been months since I've picked up a cigarette. I felt good about myself too. Plus, my mother's voice repeats in my head. "God is always watching."

"Lilian?" Reverend Grant comes in the kitchen. I whip my head up and notice him standing above me, towering like a skyscraper. "Come inside my office." Billy and I exchange confusing looks before I get up to follow Reverend Grant into his office.

𝐉𝐔𝐍𝐄, 𝟐𝟎𝟎𝟎
𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐘

"We need to skip town. Being here is already dangerous for us," Billy says, packing our bags. I sit down on the couch, not bothering to say a word.

I stayed in the bathroom last night. I didn't want to sleep with Billy. He apologized, but I couldn't shake the feeling of everything being my fault. If I didn't do what I did, we wouldn't be here. Grabbing the remote off the bed, I turn on the television to down whatever guilt I have in me. The news turn on and our faces are plastered all over.

"On today's news two teenagers, Lilian Fitzgerald and Billy Riley are the prime suspects for the murder of William Grant. A beloved reverend at a church that was beaten to death by a blunt instrument. Police say that these two may be dangerous and to not approach them—" the newscaster announces but is cut off by me turning off the television. I look back at Billy who is standing in a daze after hearing the news. Without saying a word, we hurry to pack up everything. It won't be long before the manager of the motel realizes he has the fugitives in his motel.

Billy runs towards the door with our bags in our hands, but before he opens the door, he holds out his hand. I hesitate, but I take it before he swings open the door and pulls me out of the room. He leads me to the car and opens the passenger door for me. Getting in, I close the door and buckle my seatbelt.

Billy pulls off, the seatbelt comforting me from his reckless driving. As we get farther on the road, Billy begins to talk. "See this is why I acted out last night. People cannot see us. Do you understand, Liddy?"

"Yes, I understand," I reply dryly.

Billy takes a quick glance at me then sighs. "I'm sorry for last night. I didn't mean what I said. He's a pig; he fucking deserved it. Nothing is your fault," he reassures.

"Yeah, he's a pig, but does it make what I did right?"

Billy stays silent, almost as if he's thinking of what to say after. "Look, don't let this beat you up. I know a guy that makes passports. The only thing is, he lives in Washington. We're gonna change our appearances and get passports. Then Canada here we come." He turns his head to me with a goofy smile. I can't help but to smile back.

If we go to Canada, we could finally be happy together. This could all be behind us. "Canada here we come!" I cheer.