An Old Friend

Chapter 3

When I stood up from my desk, my legs were shaking. They felt like jelly. I made my way to the classroom door as fast as I could. There were butterflies in my stomach. I was the first one to exit. I didn't know that I had been walking that fast.

I thought that I had got rid of "him." But not only did I have first period with Billie Joe, I also had second, third, sixth, and seventh. We practically had the same schedule!
Damnit! That means I'm gonna have eventually talk to him...

The day was over and there was no escaping anymore of his madness. I was waiting by my usual tree after school. (That's where I wait until everyone leaves so I can walk home alone.)

I was so overwhelmed.
"Lizzie!" someone called. It sounded like...
"Lizzie!" the same voice. Sure enough, I turn around and it's Billie.
How the fuck did he find me?

"Lizzie, I've been meaning to talk to you all day! But... it felt like you've been avoiding me so-"

"Billie I don't even know what to say," I interrupted him.

"Why?"

"Because," I thought for a minute, "All those years ago I thought I knew you so well. But then you just go and leave me like that? With no warning at all? You can't just do that to someone, especially not me! I'm sensitive and your the only friend I've ever had! I haven' t been the same since then. And you have NO idea how hard this is for me to say to you right now 'cause I'm so shy and insecure and-"

"LIZZIE!" Billie screamed. Just then I had realized that I was yelling at him. Oh god, I felt so bad. He was probably just trying to make friendly conversation since it's been so long since we saw each other, but then I have to come and ruin everything.

"Lizzie," he started, "m-my dad died. That's why we left. I never wanted to tell you that he had cancer. It was such a shock for me and I wasn't sure if you'd understand." It looked like he was starting to cry. I had never felt sympathy for anyone besides myself before, this felt weird. Weird, but good.

"Billie," I put a hand in his shoulder, "I wish you had just told me that beacause my mom died too." Now I was starting to cry. "We got into a car accident and she didn't make it. The freakin wheel went throught her chest." Now was talking through my tears. "I was too depressed to come out of the house for the next few days. And when I finally went over to your house to tell you, you weren't there. I was worried sick, Billie Joe."

He wiped some tears from his face. "Well one thing's for sure then, we're both down to one parent, y'know."

We both giggled, but then it turned to silence.
Oh damnit it's almost 3:30!
My dad wants me home by 4:00 so he doesn't think I'm missing. And ut takes me at least a half and hour to get home.

"Um, Billie, tell me one more thing."

"Yeah?"

"Do think things could ever be the same as when we were little?"

"Well I dunno, Liz, I guess we'll just have to find out."

And with that we flashed each other a quick smile and walked away. Was this really how it was going to be between us? I just wanted to start over with him. And maybe this time the friendship would last...