Bruises// Billy Hargrove

4

I wore Billy's jacket to school the next day and the next day and the next. A week I wore Billy's jacket to school. Until the day I sat in his car and watched him flirt with some other girl. I watched as he chewed his gum in an obnoxious way, then licked his lips, then I watched the way he whispered something in the girls ear. My heart dropped as she handed him a piece of paper and he gave her a wink and then walked towards the car. Max groaned.

"He's such a tool." She said and I nodded.

"Very true." I said just before he opened the door. Once he climbed in and pulled out of the car park.

"Hey Billy could you take me home?" I asked and he looked at me.

"You okay?" He asked and I nodded.

"Just tired is all." I said and he nodded. I looked at max in the wind mirror and she gave me a small smile, I returned it. Once we pulled up to my house I took Billy's jacket off and handed it to him.

"I'll see you tomorrow Hargrove." I climbed out of the car and slammed the door. I walked into the house. Steve watched as I pulled off my shoes and jacket. After a few seconds I heard Billy's car speed off. I looked up to see Dustin, Mike, Lucas and Will all sitting in the living room watching some shitty scary movie. They all looked at me and I smiled a sad smile and sat next to Dustin. I laid my head on the kids shoulder and everyone looked at him. Steve gave me a 'Are you okay? Who do I have to beat up?' Look and I smiled and nodded. In that moment I realised that Billy only wanted me in his life because I distracted him from his home. I gave him a place to stay. I sighed and closed my eyes.

***

I was awoken when Dustin had to move.

"Lilly are you okay?" Dustin asked and I smiled and nodded.

"Yeah I'm fine kid. Now go and enjoy playing dungeon and dragons." I said and he nodded and I smiled. Once they were all gone I jumped up and made my way upstairs to my room. I sighed and threw on an appealing outfit. Steve emerged from his room a few minutes after I did dressed up and ready to party.

"Ready to go?" I asked and he nodded. Steve drove us to the party and the minute I walked through the door I was handed a red cup with no knowledge of the contents. I didn't care. I started drinking the red cups, 2 became 7 and by the time it turned 11 I was dancing with Neil Walsh. A good looking guy who was in my maths. My body was grinding against his as our lips moved in sync. The only thought I had was what would Billy's lips feel like. Before long Neil was ripped away from me and Billy took my arm and dragged me into the bathroom. I was drunk and giggly.

"Hey Billy." I said poking his cheek as he shut the door.

"Lilly what are you doing?" He asked and I laughed.

"Having fun!" I exclaimed taking another drink of the mystery alcohol. Billy watched but snatched the cup away from me as soon as the liquid hit my lips. "Hey!" I yelled and he threw the cup in the sink.

"Who was that dude?" He asked referencing the guy I had just been making out with.

"Oh that's Neil. He's cool." I said and Billy's face changed to hurt and angry.

"I thought we were going to hang out." He said hurt and I laughed.

"Why don't you hang out with that girl who gave you her number?" I asked and he looked at me. "I mean I was just a way to take your mind off of things. We weren't actually friends." I said and his face shifted to confusion.

"Lilly what are you talking about?" He asked and I snapped.

"What am I to you Billy! A way to cope with things? I don't want that! I want to be yours. I want you to not be a tool!" I yelled and he looked taken a back. "Guess What Billy. I fell for you. But it was a one sided thing. So take denim jacket and you're stupid smile and go fuck that other girl." I said and threw open the door. Mixing back into the crowd of drunk people. An hour passed and Steve decided it was time to head . I nodded and we drove home. Once we got home I collapsed on the sofa.

"I seen Billy come in looking for you." Steve said collating next to me and I nodded looking at my hands. I let silent tears trial down my face but Steve caught on and pulled me into him.

"Guys are shit." He said and I laughed and laid my head against his shoulder.

"I thought this might be different." I said and he nodded. After a while of crying and being annoying I decided to go to bed. Once I walked into my room I changed into some comfy clothes and climbed into bed. I lay awake for a while, thoughts spiralling around my head as I reassessed what I said to Billy. I sighed and turned over, my eyes falling on the picture of Billy I had taken a few nights ago. He was in the pool giving me the middle finger while sticking out his tongue, like some kind of Metallica member. I sighed and turned it so it was facing down the way. I turned the light out and faced the other way. I hated this.