Chapter: A Last-Minute Camping Trip
The atmosphere in the house was tense the evening Billie’s parents announced their last-minute decision to go on a camping trip. Billie was sitting on the couch, fiddling with her weighted blanket, when her mom gently said, “We’re going camping tomorrow, Billie. It’ll be fun!”
Her hands immediately froze, and her face scrunched in confusion. She signed frantically, Tomorrow? Why didn’t you tell me earlier?
Her dad responded apologetically, “We just decided today. We thought it’d be a nice surprise.”
Billie’s body stiffened, and her movements became jerky. Her family could tell she was overwhelmed. “Billie, it’s okay—” her mom started, but it was too late.
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The Meltdown
Billie screamed silently, her hands slapping her thighs and her head shaking violently. Her vocal tics erupted, “No! No! Stop! Can’t do it!” She began hitting herself on the chest and face, her movements frantic and uncontrolled.
Finneas rushed to her side, trying to guide her hands away from her face. “Billie, it’s okay! I’m here!” he said gently. But when he got too close, she lashed out, hitting his arm and then kicking out at her dad when he tried to step in.
“Call Odessa,” Finneas mouthed to their mom.
Billie’s mom quickly dialed Odessa, who answered almost immediately. Odessa’s calming presence on the phone helped a little, but it still took over three hours before Billie’s flailing subsided into exhausted sobbing. She signed weakly, I don’t want to go. Can Odessa come?
Her mom hesitated. “Odessa has plans tomorrow, sweetie. She can’t come.”
This news sent Billie spiraling into another wave of distress. Her tics worsened: her head jolted backward repeatedly, and her hands flapped uncontrollably. She began hitting the nearest objects—pillows, the couch, and occasionally herself. “Go away! Don’t touch me!” her vocal tics screamed, though her family stayed nearby to ensure her safety.
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Finding the Courage to Pack
It wasn’t until Odessa suggested over FaceTime, Why don’t you pack together with Finneas? that Billie started to calm down. Finneas sat beside her and handed her items one by one.
“See? You’re doing great,” he said softly as Billie placed a sweater into her bag.
She signed, Still don’t want to go.
“I know,” Finneas said, “but maybe it’ll be nice once we get there. And I’ll be with you the whole time.”
With Finneas’s constant encouragement and praise, Billie managed to pack her bag, though the process was slow and full of nervous tics.
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The Car Ride
The next morning, Billie shuffled to the car, her ear defenders already on. Finneas helped her climb in, and she curled up in the backseat with her blanket and a few fidget toys. Her parents loaded up the car with camping gear while Billie signed to Finneas, I don’t like this. Too sudden.
“I know,” he said. “But we’ve got snacks, music, and me to keep you company.”
The car ride started smoothly, with soft music playing in the background. Billie rocked slightly in her seat, fiddling with her favorite fidget cube. Occasionally, her vocal tics piped up with random words: “Stop! Green! Banana!”
Her mom glanced in the rearview mirror. “You doing okay back there, Billie?”
She gave a small thumbs-up but signed, When do we get there?
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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.
