Chapter: A Challenging Day at the Mall
The sun was shining as Billie, Odessa, and her family decided to spend the day at the mall. Billie wore her ear defenders, snugly fitted over her head, to help block out the overwhelming cacophony of noise. Despite her precautions, she felt nervous about the outing. Crowded places were never easy for her, but her family reassured her they’d all stick together and leave if it got to be too much.
Billie tried her best to enjoy the day, focusing on Odessa’s reassuring presence and Finneas’ jokes that kept her giggling softly. But as they wandered through the mall, she began to notice the stares.
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The Cruel Encounter
People pointed at her ear defenders and whispered. A few even snickered openly. Billie signed to Odessa, Why are they looking at me?
Odessa signed back, Ignore them. They don’t matter.
But Billie couldn’t ignore them. The scrutiny felt like a heavy weight pressing down on her chest. She clung tightly to her brother’s arm as they moved through the crowd.
Then, it happened.
A woman approached Billie and her family, her face twisted in disdain. “Are you serious?” the woman sneered. “This is all for attention. She’s not autistic. You’re just babying her.”
Before anyone could react, the woman yanked Billie’s ear defenders off her head.
The sudden burst of noise hit Billie like a freight train—shouts, laughter, and the clinking of dishes from a nearby food court overwhelmed her senses. Her breath quickened, and her hands flapped uncontrollably.
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The Meltdown
Billie dropped to the floor, her hands covering her ears as she began to rock back and forth. Her vocal stims became loud and repetitive: “No, no, no!” Tears streamed down her face as she started hitting her head with her fists.
“Get away from her!” Maggie shouted at the woman, snatching the ear defenders back.
Odessa knelt beside Billie, signing, Breathe with me, Billie. You’re safe. But Billie was too far gone to notice.
Finneas and Patrick worked together to gently lift Billie off the floor as she kicked and flailed. Her legs struck Patrick’s shins, and her hands slapped at Finneas’ arms, but they held her carefully, whispering reassurances as they carried her to the car.
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The Aftermath
When they got home, Billie bolted up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door. Her sobs echoed through the house as she curled up on her bed, clutching her weighted blanket tightly.
Odessa knocked softly on the door. “Billie? It’s me.”
There was no response. Inside the room, Billie was trapped in a storm of emotions. She signed to herself in the air, Why am I like this? Why can’t I be normal? The day’s events replayed in her mind, and she felt ashamed of her meltdown.
She refused to come out for dinner, ignoring Odessa’s and her family’s gentle pleas. Hunger gnawed at her stomach, but she didn’t care. She pushed away the water bottle Odessa had slipped into her room.
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The Family’s Concern
In the living room, Maggie and Patrick sat with Odessa and Finneas, discussing what to do.
“I’ve never seen her this upset,” Maggie said, her voice trembling. “She’s never questioned herself like this before.”
Odessa, her hands clasped tightly together, said, “I think we need to remind Billie that she’s loved exactly as she is. But right now, she needs space.”
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A Glimmer of Hope
Hours later, Odessa slipped a note under Billie’s door. I’m here when you’re ready. You’re perfect just the way you are. Don’t let them win.
Though Billie didn’t respond, the note brought a tiny flicker of comfort. She didn’t feel ready to face the world yet, but knowing Odessa and her family still believed in her gave her a sliver of hope to hold on to.
Chapter: A Tipping Point
The day after the mall incident, Billie’s mind swirled with dark thoughts. Every stare, every cruel word replayed in her head. She sat curled up on her bed, feeling as if the weight of her conditions was too much to bear. Her thoughts spiraled: Maybe they’re right. Maybe I’m faking it. Why am I like this?
Her body responded to the stress in the only way it knew—her tics began to erupt uncontrollably.
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The Tic Attack
It started with vocal tics: a high-pitched “Ah!” followed by sharp clicks of her tongue. Then came the physical tics—her head snapped to the side repeatedly, her arms flailed uncontrollably, and her legs kicked out hard against the bed frame.
“Finneas!” Maggie’s voice rang through the house as Billie’s tics grew more intense. Patrick rushed in to find Billie on the floor, hitting her chest and slamming her head against the carpeted floor. Her arm jerked violently against the edge of the bedframe, and a sickening crack filled the air.
Maggie held Billie’s head to protect her from further harm while Patrick called 911. Odessa, who had just arrived, knelt beside Billie, signing quickly, You’re safe. Breathe. I’m here.
But Billie was beyond reach. Her tics continued, each movement more forceful than the last. By the time the paramedics arrived, Billie was exhausted, her arm bent unnaturally, and her leg swollen from repeated kicks against the furniture.
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Overwhelmed in the Hospital
The bright lights and beeping monitors of the hospital were a sensory nightmare for Billie. Every noise seemed to amplify her distress. She flinched at the sound of nurses’ footsteps and pulled away when anyone touched her, her body tensing with every interaction.
Her family and Odessa stayed close, trying to comfort her as best they could. But when the doctor approached to examine her injuries, Billie erupted into an autistic meltdown.
Her arms flailed, hitting the side rails of the hospital bed. Her legs kicked out, narrowly missing the doctor. She screamed—a guttural, raw sound that echoed through the room.
Patrick held her legs to prevent her from further injuring herself while Maggie whispered soothing words. Odessa signed, It’s okay, Billie. I’m here. Focus on me.
Despite their efforts, Billie’s meltdown continued. She hit her head against the hospital bed, and her movements caused her injured arm to twist painfully. The staff had to administer a sedative to help calm her down, leaving her family watching helplessly as she finally went still.
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Recovery and Reflection
When Billie woke, the room was quieter, but her body felt heavy and sore. Her arm was in a cast, her leg immobilized in a brace. She blinked slowly, her face expressionless as Odessa sat by her side.
“You’re safe now,” Odessa signed, her eyes filled with concern.
Billie nodded weakly but didn’t respond. Her family stood in the corner of the room, giving her space but watching her with worry.
The doctor explained that Billie would need several weeks of rest and rehabilitation to recover fully. As the words sank in, Billie’s chest tightened. Her conditions had taken so much from her already, and now her body was breaking under the weight of it all.
Odessa reached for her hand, signing softly, One day at a time. You’re stronger than you think.
For the first time in days, Billie gave a small, tired nod. She wasn’t ready to face the world just yet, but with Odessa and her family by her side, she knew she wouldn’t have to do it alone.
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mute
Fanfictionbillie has severe autism and is mute. as she grows old she meets a friend. Billie is always bullied in school for being mute and having Tourette's.
