An Old Friend

Chapter 11 - Christie Road

I felt like a big bitch. Mike had no idea what I was feeling, he probably took it the wrong way; like I was pushing him away. His friendship away. I had to apologize, he'd understand.

I was awakened by the sound of the car engine starting. I jumped out of my skin from the startling sound of the old engine rumbling.

"Wake up," Mike said in a stern tone.

"Yeah, thanks for warning me."

"Live without warning," he muttered under his breath.

"What?"

"Nothing," he rolled his eyes.

"Listen, I'm sorry about last night, I was just shocked and scared. I didn't mean to hurt you-"

"You didn't," he snapped, "I was just caught up in the moment ok? Just drop it." He kept his eyes on the road. "So where'd you say we had to turn?" I couldn't believe he was being so stubborn about this.

"Um the next right. But Mike, can we just talk about the kiss?"

"No."

Fuck him. Whatever. I would drop it, but this talk wasn't over. I guess he did listen to me and turned right at the next street. Almost there. I had almost forgot about Billie Joe for a second. But then once he was back into my mind, there was no getting him out. I realized that I admitted it to Mike, I loved Billie; when Billie didn't even know it yet.

Yet.

We pulled up to the tracks, no one in sight. Christie Road was deserted, no trains had been by in years but they left the tracks up all this time. Mike and I got out of the car.

"I don't see him Lizzie..." Mike said cautiously.

"No, no, Mike he has to be here there's no other place he ould possibly go. We have to keep looking."

"Well?"

"You go North, I go South. We'll meet back at the car in twenty minutes, if one of us isn't here, then go look for each other."

"Sounds good."

"Good luck," I said, and Mike only forced a grin back. Close enough. I started my short journey South, looking around at the little trees, old structures, anywhere that someone could hide. I approached a bush in the middle of the tracks about 100 feet away from me. With my nearsightedness, I couldn't exactly make out what it was. But I started walking faster. Walking turned into running. It was a person. A man.

"BILLIE!" I shouted. I approached him. He only looked up at me. But when he did he smiled. He looked different he had a nose ring and several earring. It suited him very well. He was dressed in some jeans and a black tshirt. He had a leather jacket in his crossed arms.

"Hey, Lizard."

"Hey, Beej." I pulled him in for a hug. I bent down and said into his hair, "I missed you."

"I was only gone a day."

"One day is too long! Especially when you didn't tell anyone you were leaving. You had me and Mike worried sick." I said with a concerned face.

"Mike?" He seemed surprised.

"Yeah, we ditched school yesterday to come and find you. And we've been on the road ever since."

"Lizzie-"

"Nope, I don't regret anything. All that matters is that you're safe and you're here." This time he pulled me into a hug. We were in that position for a couple minutes. It felt so good to be in his arms again.

"This is where I'm supposed to be. Right here," he said. I've never heard him say anything like that before. I pulled away to look at him. His eyes were such a beautiful shade of green. I never felt so connected to anyone before.

Billie started to lean in and I followed in suit when we heard, "Lizzie?"

We turned around, still wrapped in each other's arms. Mike was standing only a few feet away from us. Ouch.

"I see your okay, Billie?" Mike said with a pissed look on his face. He had his hands in his pockets, his fluffy blonde hair shagging in his eyes.

"Yeah, thanks, Mike. I'm sorry I caused you both a scare. But I just fucking needed to clear my head, man." He looked down at the pebbles below the tracks. I stood up and crossed my arms and took a place next to Mike.

"Just like when we were little huh?" I said to Billie.

"Yeah, I can't believe you remembered." He looked at me admiringly.

"How could I forget?" I smiled at him. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see Mike looking down at his feet awkwardly.

"We better get going if we wanna make it home by midnight..." Mike said.

"Actually, boys," I started, "I was thinking we stay away from it all a couple more days..."

"What? Are you crazy? Liz, I don't know..." Mike said.

"Yeah, Lizzie are you sure? Where would we go, we can't stay here." Billie replied.

"We could find a cheap hotel. I've got cash. We're already gonna get the wrath from our parents, why not stay away a little longer?" I suggested.

"I'm in," Billie said.

"I guess it's not such a bad idea when you put it that way..." Mike said. I smiled at him, that made him light up a little.

"Alright, I don't know about you two, but I'm starving." I told them with my eyebrows raised. And we all headed back to the car. I offered to drive. Mike and Billie weren't talking as much as usual. They were probably tired. But I couldn't help thinking, was the tension between them because of me?

We were on our way to nowhere. But I was just relieved that Billie was safely back in my life.

No cliffhanger this chapter, but there's plenty more to come! I just wanted to thank all of you who have been commenting, voting, and showing support. You guys really rock! I'll begin writing a new chapter tomorrow! Love you all!

-mygreendayobsession