An Old Friend

Chapter 7

November 2nd, 1988

Unlike I thought, things weren't awkward between Billie and I after the kiss, but nothing had came since then. No signs that he had feelings for me, I didn't know what I was doing wrong. Maybe he just didn't like me that way. Maybe the kiss was a one-time thing...

It was a Sunday and I had school tomorrow. I was excited to see him, but then again I was dreading seeing him. I felt guilty for just expecting him to automatically fall in love with me after one stupid kiss. But it wasn't stupid to me at all.

I was trying to practice my guitar when the phone rang, which it never did. I hustled downstairs to answer it since my dad wasn't home.

"Hey," it was Billie Joe.

What the hell?

"Umm..hi! Billie? How did you get my number?"

"Let's just say...people." We shared a laugh.

"Ok then. So..."

"So... I was wondering if you wanted come over? You could watch me play Blue or you could play him too. And my mom really wants to see you, you know how much she loves you, y'know?"

"I'd love to Beej! Just give me like 5 minutes and then I'll be on my way."

"Beej, huh? Haven't called me that since we were little." I could tell he was smiling by his voice.

"Well, a lot of things haven't been said since then."

"Yeah, I guess so ,Lizard." They may have sounded stupid, but I loved our pointless nicknames. It connected us is a special way.

"Yeah, ok see you soon Billie."

"Bye, Lizzie."

I hung up and went to go throw on something cute. My red and black flannel, black skinny jeans and my shiny black Dr. Marten's. I headed back down the stairs and left my dad a note:

"Be back soon, dad. Went to a friend's house. Love you, Lizzie."

I left it on the coffeemaker and started walking to Billie's house. I couldn't wait to see his mother. I loved her because she always welcomed me when I knew I wasn't the most "well'behaved" guest.

I walked up the walkway and rang the doorbell. I hadn't rang that thing in years. It felt so good to be, well... home.

"Hey! Right on time!" Billie welcomed me in witb a hug. A HUG!! It felt amazing to be in his arms again, even if it was only for a split second.

"You know me, I'm never late. It's just rude Beej." I grinned and then laughed. So did he.

"Is that my little Lizzie?" Billie's mom gasped.

"Ollie!! Hi!" We walked to each other and wrapped in a warm and genuine embrace."

"Oh my goodness, you were right Billie dear, she is a beautiful one." I looked back at Billie in surprise. Hus cheeks were bright with color and he was occasionally looking down at the ground and then back up at me.

"Um, well thanks. Both of you." I was never called beautiful or pretty by anyone else before. Except my parents, but that's just what parents do.

"Well, mom, we're gonna go up to my room so Lizzie can see me play, ok?" Billie said.

"Alright Billie boy, stay out of trouble." Ollie said with a wink.

Dirty thinkers.

We headed up to Billie Joe's room and it was a mess, but a beautiful mess. There was sheet music and lyrics everywhere. The room was thriving with inspiration.

"Woah, Billie this is fantastic."

"What? This? This sucks. But thanks." As he set up his amp to get the right sound for Blue, I sat down on his bed and saw a piece of paper sticking out of the blankets. It was a song entitled: "Going to Pasalaqua." Some of the lyrics caught my attention:

"Would it last forever? You and I together hand-in-hand we run away. Far away..."

"Billie, did you write this?"

"Uh, yeah every song. Mostly me and sometimes Mike."

"Mike?"

"Yeah, he's been over here a couple of times and we've been writing. We're thinkin' about starting a band."

"That's amazing Billie I had no idea!"

"Well, we kinda just thought about it last week, and I'm really passionate about it now. He plays bass, and I would sing and play guitar, we still need a drummer, but who cares? They'll come when it's time." He laughed a little.

"That's awesome Beej. And you sing?" I was shocked, he didn't seem like the type.

"Uh, yeah, enough to send our message out to the public." His eyes lit up when he was talking about his music. I could tell how much he cared. I admired him for that.

"Ca-can you play this song for me?" I wanted to hear him sing. So I handed him the lyrics for "Going to Pasalaqua" from the bed and he took it in his hands. He smiled.

"Yeah, sure, I've been practicung some chords to sing along to." He sighed, "Well here goes nothing."

He picked up Blue and started stumming away. This song sounded aggressive, but sweet. Angry, but nice. As Billie was singing in his gorgeous tone, the lyrics caught my attention again.

"And I toss and turn all night thinkin of your ways of affection, but to find that it's not different at all..."

I couldn't help but wonder...was this song for me?