He's Behind You

Chapter 9: The Gentleman at the Bar

*A/N* I'm back, bitches.

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Billie sighed audibly as he fastened his tie over his shirt, pulling his dress jacket on.

Somehow, Adrienne had organised a night out with the Green Day families, and she had convinced Billie to go.

He dragged a brush through his hair, which he hadn't straightened for what seemed like months. His tight curls had taken over once again, and he took the time to blame genetics gained from his mother for this as he straightened them all out.

He used his favourite hair gel to get his hair crunchy and to ensure it wouldn't spring back into an afro if he got slightly hot tonight.

He pulled his creepers on and fastened them and looked in the mirror.

His eyes gave everything away.

God damn was he tired. For some reason, not hearing from the letter leaver for as long as this, made his anxiety worse than having a letter each day.

It had been months, Billie realised, as he fastened his dress jacket up. Months of silence.

He finally understood the phrase 'silence is deafening'.

Wringing his fingers out of panic, he slowly made his way downstairs, where Adrienne was combing Jakob's hair back with gel.

Billie brushed past to get to the kitchen, where Joey was standing watching the news. Billie ignored the news and grabbed his wallet and keys.

He picked his phone up and saw many texts from Mike confirming the date and time. Mike was anxiety ridden and liked to be sure of the specifics. Billie was normally understanding of this, but he hadn't felt like talking to Mike or Tré. He had ignored every message from Mike, the last one being 'I'll just ask 80 then'.

Guilt twisted it's way into Billie's stomach but he didn't have time for guilt. Mike could tell when something was wrong, easily. Remembering that his eyes had given away all of Billie's hard work to look presentable, he grabbed Adrienne's eyeliner and lined his eyes heavily, smudging it out.

Looking in the mirror, he decided this was a lot better.

Adrienne led Jakob into the kitchen and blinked at Billie's dramatic look. "That's new." Billie focused on the floor and Adrienne sighed.

Attempts to communicate with her husband these past months had seemed pointless. She could feel the relationship suffering.

After a few last touches and grabbed items, the Armstrong's made their way to the car and Billie drove them to the agreed restaurant. Given it wasn't as fancy as the Green Day wives had hoped, they had to keep the kids happy and pizza was the way to do that, so Pizza Hut it was.

The foursome climbed out of the car and went into the restaurant, the smell of cooking pizza smacking Billie across the face.

The woman seating everyone smiled at them. "Can I help?"

Adrienne waited patiently for Billie to speak, and when he didn't, she sighed and looked to the woman. "Yes, we have a table reserved under Pritchard."

The woman nodded and lead them to the rest of the group, who were already there.

Billie took his seat next to Mike, with Adrienne on his other side. The kids chatted amongst themselves.

Billie shifted in his seat, swallowing waves of nausea. He didn't feel good at all. He suddenly got the chills, even though the restaurant was so hot that the girls had already taken off their jackets, as had Mike and Tré.

Billie kept his on, but still the chill crept over his skin. He swallowed another wave of nausea, taking a silent deep breath. He really wanted a drink of water, but as he looked over the table he discovered they hadn't brought the water over yet.

He thought about going up to the bar and quickly ordering a drink, but he didn't want to move in case he threw up. So he just sat quietly, his eyes on the table cloth. The waitress came over and put a glass of water in front of Billie, quietly telling him that it was from the gentleman at the bar. Billie's heart leapt as he looked over, but no one was stood at the bar.

Mike didn't even hear what the waitress had said, but he saw the panicked look Billie had directed over to the bar. Mike shrugged it off as Billie sipped at the ice water gratefully.

"Okay let's get down to the nitty gritty." Tré spoke up. "Who wants pizza?" All of the kids cheered and he laughed, taking everyone's order.

When he got to Billie, Adrienne spoke up. "We all know he always gets pepperoni." She grinned, nudging Billie playfully.

Tré grinned. "That's true." He put the order in and the families chatted easily, Billie staying silent.

His head suddenly started thumping, and he pressed his fingers to his temples. It seemed his body just couldn't give him a break.

Just as the nausea had subsided, they brought the food over. Simply the smell of the pizza almost made Billie vomit.

He avoided looking at his food, swallowing hard and willing his stomach to settle. Was this just because he had left the house? He shivered quietly, feeling really unwell.

Mike looked up at Billie and frowned. "Hey Beej, you alright? You're looking really pale."

Billie swallowed once again as all of the adults looked at him, the kids being oblivious. Adrienne frowned, pressing the back of her hand against Billie's forehead. "Oh bless him, he's burning up," She said, rubbing Billie's arm. "Sweetie why didn't you say something?"

Billie shut his eyes as yet another wave of nausea hit him and he turned slightly green.

Mike recognised this face. Countless times he had sat with a hungover Billie the morning after. He knew this face well by now.

He stood up and took Billie's hand, leading him into the bathroom and rubbing his back as he threw up.

When Billie was done, Mike took him into his arms and rubbed his back. "You haven't said a word all night. Tell me what's up."

Billie sucked in a breath and then the tears started. "Mike I haven't had a letter in longer than a mouth. I- it's- ...I'm so fucking paranoid.. I feel like they're just getting ready to.." Billie sniffed, holding back a sob. "Ready to get me. Or the boys, or Adie. And I'm scared, Mike. I'm so fucking terrified.."

Mike frowned and hugged Billie close as he sobbed. He knew Billie did this sometimes. He would kept things in his head, building them up, and up, until they came out all at once like this. Mike wrapped both of his arms around Billie and just held him until he quietened down. He then carried him back out to the group, telling them Billie was sick and he was going to go and take him home.

When he did arrive at home with Billie, he set him in bed and stayed by his side until he fell into a much needed sleep.

Mike then went down into the basement, ready to investigate the letter leaver.