When we got to the hospital, Max and I ran to the desk. "What room is Billy Hargrove in?" Max asked, looking at the nurse. "Honey he's been admitted, they found internal bleeding so he's in emergency surgery." The nurse looked up at the two of us. "Who are you in relation to him?" She asked, "I'm his sister," Max said without hesitation. "Oh well then you must be worried sick about your father too then huh?" The nurse said not really knowing what happened. "Neil isn't my father," Max said firmly, "He's only genetically Billy's" I said under my breath as I crossed my arms. The nurse sees my hand. "Your knuckles are bloody..." She said, taking notice, "I'm why Neil is here." I said firmly, the nurse was about to grab the phone. "Why?" She asked slightly afraid of me at this moment, "He's the reason Billy is here." I said looking into her eyes. The nurse nodded, soon looking behind Max and I and seeing Hopper who was on his way to formally arrest Neil. "Think the charges will stick?" Max asked, looking over to me. "I sure hope so," I sighed softly. Max followed Hopper and I followed her watching this bastard get what was coming to him.
"Neil Hargrove," Hopper said, getting Neil's attention. He groggily looked up at Hopper, Neil saw Max and I and glared intensely. Hopper noticed this and closed the door, so we weren't in danger. Max and I tried peeking through the window, but Hopper closed the curtain. The two of us huffed as we headed off to the waiting room to wait on Billy to be out of surgery. "So how are you liking Hawkins?" I asked opening my soda that I got at the vending machine and sit down in a chair. "It's very different from San Diego," Max sighed softly, "I miss my dad." She shrugged and I nodded looking at her. "Does he know you're here?" I asked, raising a brow. "Yeah..." Max sighed a bit looking down. "I tried to run away to live with him." She admits, "With a mom like Susan I don't blame you." I said before taking a drink of my drink. "She's not that bad..." Max said looking at me, I looked back at Max. "Max, a woman who chooses her husband over her children in the ways Susan has chosen Neil over Billy and even you, is inexcusable." I pointed out, "Billy isn't her son though." Max raised a brow, I rolled my eyes, "The second she said her I dos at the altar he became her responsibility." I shrugged, "But he was-" I cut Max off. "It doesn't matter, she knew Neil had a son, she married Neil. Meaning she is also supposed to accept and look out for Billy." I pointed out, "But Billy can look out for himself." Max said not getting it. "Max, how often does Neil say constantly that you guys are a family?" I asked, Max raised a brow before answering. "All the time..." She said starting to piece things together. "How often does Neil try to act like your father?" I asked, "All the time." Max answered, "Why is it that Neil can go around parading like he's your father, and yet Susan can't have an ounce of maternal instinct to give a damn about a 17-year-old boy who's being constantly abused and mistreated by her husband." I stated, Max went silent for a moment. "You mother chooses a man over her children, that's not a good mother. Sorry to be a bitch about it, but it's not." I leaned back in my chair. "You're right..." Max sighed leaning back in her chair. "About your mother or about being a bitch?" I asked, giving her a little grin, "Both," Max said, softly chuckling. "Maybe though, she'll do the right thing." Max said hopefully. "Maybe she will kiddo." I smiled playfully, nudging her.
By the time Billy woke up my parents had gotten there. My mom was arguing the entire time with Susan in the hall as I sat at Billy's beside. I sighed feeling like an idiot. "Stop that," Billy said, looking over to me. "Stop what?" I asked, playing dumb. "Stop feeling sorry for me, and stop feeling sorry for yourself." He said knowing me too well. "I just...things aren't going to be how they used to," I pointed out, "I mean your dad is going to prison." I added, "No love lost there." Billy said plainly. I nodded, "Fair, but still...your stepmother is trying to kick you out and that part is my fault." I sighed, "If you hadn't gotten there, I could've died so shut the fuck up." Billy said not hearing it. "I'm glad you're okay," I smiled standing up and sitting on the side of his hospital bed. Billy grabbed my hand and looked up at me. "If you ever pull some shit like that again though I'll personally kick your ass." He said firmly, "You just said-" He cuts me off, "To hell with me, you could've been hurt." Billy huffed, "You need to care about yourself sometimes Emma." "Look who's talking," I said, looking him dead in the eyes. He huffed, "You're a dumbass." He had a slight smile, I simply chuckled. "Get some rest idiot." I said before getting up, as I walked away I could feel Billy's eyes following me. "And stop checking out my ass." I said before leaving the room.
When Billy was released from the hospital we moved him into the guest house, Susan was standing by her choice to kick out Billy. So my parents decided to give him the guest house. When they did they also told Billy to redecorate however he liked. "Hmm I know you said you wanted blue paint but you have to pick a paint swatch," I said looking over at Billy who was unpacking, he's hardly said anything since getting here, he seemed to not be paying attention. "Billy," I said, trying to get his attention, nothing. I sighed and looked around for something soft to throw at him to get his attention, I saw nothing there so I took a deep breath, "Oh wow it's so hot in here I think I'll take all of my clothes off." I said, grabbing his attention, "Huh?" He looked up at me, and I rolled my eyes. "Are you okay?" I asked, going from slightly peeved to concerned. "Yeah it's just...weird," He looks around the place. "I'm in a place where there's so much freedom now, and I" He looked away. "You don't know how to feel about it." I sighed going over to him, "It's just, I'm not used to this...this kindness, this compassion, and it's all just strange." He admitted, I nodded, "Do you want a hug?" I offered. "What good will that do?" He chuckled a bit, "But what can it hurt?" I asked, looking into his eyes. Billy gives me a small nod, and I go over to him wrapping my arms lovingly around him. Billy froze for a minute before finally returning the embrace. He rested his chin on my head and took a deep breath holding me close to him. The way he held me in his arms I could tell he didn't want to let go. "I'm sorry..." He said softly, "For everything," He sighed. "I forgive you," I said, burying my face in his chest. "I can't promise you I'll be perfect, but I can promise that I'll be better..." Billy said clearly feeling an intense amount of guilt. "I don't expect perfection," I said simply, Billy moved his head so he could look at me. I looked up into his eyes, he was sincere. Before I knew it he was leaning in, was he about to kiss me? That question never got an answer, because there was a knock on the door. "Hey Billy, it's Becky, I brought the stuff you asked about." A female voice said on the other side of the door, it was his girlfriend. Billy quickly pulled back and went to the door, Becky smiled as she walked in carrying something in a box. I could care less, "Wait, is that? Oh it's Bitchy Beckett." Becky said, recognizing me, "Bitchy what now?" I asked, having never heard that nickname before. Becky chuckled, "Sorry it's just a nickname we gave you, since you're a twin and all. We call Evelyn Babe Beckett and well...you are Bitchy Beckett." Becky said, as if it was obvious. "Why am I bitchy?" I asked slightly offended, "You know, because you're well ya know." Becky gestured to me. "Bitchy?" I raised a brow, "Yeah!" Becky agreed, I looked at Billy, "It's not because you're ugly though," Becky said, "If you were we'd call you Ugly Beckett," She just couldn't shut up. "Becky, word of advice," I started, "What?" She asked, tilting her head to the side. "Stop talking." I said and she simply nodded. Becky didn't seem to be that bad, I honestly wish I could just call her a bitch and hate her. However, she just seemed to be a little bit ditzy. Becky didn't last long, even after moving into the guest house Billy still seemed to be getting a flavor of the week. I didn't judge him for it, whatever takes his mind off things. Part of me during this time wished I could hate the girls, but I didn't know why and hell I couldn't hate them. Well, I could hate one of them and her name was Katelyn.
YOU ARE READING
Riptide
FanfictionWhen Emma was a little girl, she met a boy at the beach. Together they built sandcastles, went surfing, and looked for seashells. They had spent most of their days side by side as best friends. They were there for each other through thick and thin...
