My Nonsensical Desire (Billdip AU)

6|| Six

The smile on Bill's face is real and bright. The surreality of it all hits him and his heart beats rapidly.

"Congrats Bill." Vivian high fives him.

Bill smiles and exhales something of a laugh,"Thanks," he's almost breathless.

A loud thud sounds from the stage. Thus a shared reaction of every student in the auditorium - they look to see what made it.

Standing, staring at a piece of paper on the wall is Gideon. The backpack that previously sat on his shoulders on the ground. He fills the now silent room with laughter.

Bill, being uncomfortable with how incredibly forced it sounds, looks away - from the raw wry expression on Gideon's face - and to the ground.

"I'm gonna go see what's up with him," Vivian excuses herself from the conversation and walks through the tense air to Gideon.

Everyone goes back to talking and noise returns to the auditorium.

"Aye good job man." Grant approaches Bill.

Bill nods his head,"Ha thank you." He's slowly morphing back into a state of emotional neutrality. Only a tinge of giddiness left.

"Yeah." Grant shoves his hands in his pockets,"The Cheshire Cat, that's a big role, but like you deserve it, your audition was like, totally great, and yeah. Good job."

Bill laughs. Nobody was more socially awkward than Bill and Grant was the only exception.

"Thank you," Bill repeats genuinely. "Did you get the part you wanted?"

"Oh well, I tried out for the rabbit but Mr. Ramirez gave me the part of the doorknob."

"At least you got a part right?" Bill jokes lightly.

"Yeah it'd suck to be Gideon right now. Can't imagine how he feels being your understudy and all."

And Bill chokes on air.

"What?" He wheezes catching his breath. It's great news for him, but not so much for Gideon, and that scares him.

"Yeah, that's why he's over there all upset." Grant points to the stage were Vivian's trying to console an agitated Gideon.

"Wow," Bill exhales thinking to himself, Gideon Gleeful, is my understudy.

Vivian walks back toward Bill, leaving Gideon to pout cross legged on the stage. "Hey Bill, my friends and I are meeting at Starbucks after school if you wanna join, we could run our lines over." She offers.

"For sure." Bill doesn't hesitate. He strains himself to carry the conversation. Ask a question. "The same ones from the pizza place?"

"Yep," she smiles. "You can ride with Gideon and me if you don't mind."

"Sounds great," Bill smiles. Any objection could ruin chances of friendship. Ruined chances of friendship means being all alone. Being all alone - the loneliness has had its dominating era. Bill is tired of being alone.

"Oh yeah," Grant pipes up,"Congratulations on getting Alice, Vivian."

"Thank you Grant," Vivian says making his cheeks go pink.