Wreck

Smile

Billie had hardly spoken to me since the 'incident' and I was beginning to get fed up with him. I sat on the end of his bed and sighed.
"So are you planning on ever speaking to me again? Or am I gonna have to find a replacement friend?"
He turned away slightly. And I sighed again.
"Okay, I'll see you later then." I got off the bed and made my way to the door.

"Tré!" He started, a hint of desperation in his voice.
I turned to look at him again.
"I'm sorry I just... it's just that... I hate this so much. I'm fed up with having to get people to do everything for me and I... well, I'm miserable."

"Yeah I can tell." I smiled sympathetically at him and he raised his eyebrows.

"That! Right there! That fucking 'I'm sorry you can't do anything for yourself', that 'I dont't know how else to react' expression! That's what I hate!"

"Sorry, Billie. I didn't mean it, I'm just trying not to upset you."

He leaned his head back against the pillow and moaned. "I'm bored."

"Well I could help you downstairs and we could watch a film?"

"I don't think I can sit up on the sofa... it hurts my ribs enough laying flat!"

"Well then I'll bring the TV to you."

"You don't have to-"

"-too late, I'm going." I went to get the television. It was heavier than I anticipated but I managed to haul it upstairs and into his room.
I set it up and put in a film that Billie liked. I jumped onto the bed with the remote and almost crashed into my friend as I bounced on the mattress. He flinched and scowled at me, probably wondering what the hell I was doing, and I grinned at him.
"Come on, I know you're a cripple now but give me some bed space!"
He almost looked offended, then his face seemed to brighten and he laughed. Although I could see it was paining him, it was a proper laugh, something I had missed hearing, and his eyes sparkled again.
"See? It's better to be happy, isn't it?"

He finished laughing and smiled warmly at me. "Thank you."

"That's okay" I grinned back and settled down to watch the film.

Half an hour into the movie Billie fell asleep, his head lolled to the side and was soon resting on my shoulder. I smiled into space and briefly tilted my head to lean against his scruffy hair. I closed my eyes and imagined this being a regular thing... imagined that Billie loved me like I loved him and we were together...
He stirred and I moved my head back, careful not to wake him.

This was just too perfect to end so soon.