Bruises// Billy Hargrove

5

I felt sick as I walked into school alone. Steve had stayed back to talk to Nancy. I quickly walked to where Mike and Dustin were standing.

"Hey Lil. You don't look to good." Dustin said and I laughed.

"Just tired." I said and they nodded. They talked about D&D for a while till the bell rang and I rushed off to class. I started to feel a bit dizzy as I sat down. Billy wandered in a few minutes later. He looked at me but I kept my focus on the page infront of me. I was harsh the other night, I didn't remember much of what I said but I knew it must have hit a point.

"Can I go to the bathroom?" I asked Mr Wells and he nodded. I made my way to the bathroom and steadied myself on the sink. I sighed and splashed my face with some water. I sighed and shivered.

"Listen Harrington." Billy said and shut the door behind him. "I did not use you. You were the one who took me to your house. I could have drove home that day at the quarry." He said and I laughed.

"Billy I didn't care about you. I was worried about myself, if you got in an accident or worse died it would have been my fault." I said and he gave me a evil smirk.

"So why did you climb in my car the next day?" He said and I looked at the floor.

"Because Billy, I thought somewhere deep inside of you there was a good person. Someone who wasn't like his dad." I said and I took a deep breathe, realising the words I had just spit at him. His face moved to sadness and anger and I sighed.

"You should have let me jump of the quarry." He said and I sighed.

"Billy I didn't mean it." I said taking a step forward, but as soon as I did I hit the floor. My vision went black and I was out for the count.

***

I awoke to the sound of people talking. I opened my eyes to see a dim light. My vision was a bit blurry but after blinking a few times it went away. I looked beside me to see Steve and Dustin. I let out a smile.

"Hey guys." I said my voice shaky and hoarse.

"Lilly thank god." Steve said jumping to my side.

"What happened?" I asked sitting up. Dustin smiled.

"You have a fever. But when you collapsed you're body was trying to tell you to tell you you were ill." Dustin said and I just nodded.

"How did I get here?" I asked and Steve looked at Dustin.

"Billy drove you here." Steve said and I looked at him with sad eyes.

"Is He here?" I asked and Dustin nodded.

"He stayed with you until We came. He's in he waiting room." He continued and I sighed.

"Can you guys let him in and then give us a couple of minutes?" Steve and Dustin nodded and I smiled. They left and then a minute or so later there was a light knock at the door and Billy came in. His hands were in his pockets and he didn't look at me. He just stood by the door.

"Billy." I said gently but he didn't move or say anything. "Billy." I said again and he looked up at me. He had a hurt and sad look on his face and I motioned towards the chair. He sat down and I sat up crossing my legs.

"I didn't mean what I said back there. You're not like you're dad Billy. I did worry about you that day at the quarry, I was glad I climbed in that car. Because if I wouldn't have maybe you would have found yourself at the quarry that night alone." I said and he looked at me.

"Im sorry about getting that girls number. I didn't think you would have cared." He said and I smiled.

"Don't apologies I was being stupid." I said and he nodded.

"Hey Lilly" he started but was cut off by the doctor.

"Ah Lilly glad to see you're awake." He said and I smiled and nodded.

"Thanks doc." I said and he nodded.

"Now you're free to leave whenever. Stay rested and keep yourself cool. No school for the rest of the week." He said and I nodded. He left and Billy helped me out of bed. I steadied myself and walked out to Steve and Dustin. They both were laughing about something.

"You're so noisy." I said and they both jumped up. I gave Steve a hug and ruffled Dustin's hair.

"Hey I'm gonna get a ride home with Hargrove." I said and Billy looked at me.

"Okay but be home as soon as possible. Mom and dad want you to call them." He said worried eyes and I nodded. We left just after they left and climbed into Billy's car. We drove for a while till Billy took a turn towards the quarry and I looked at him. He kept his eyes on the road. We stopped at the quarry and just sat. I could tell he was sad about everything. I took his hand and he tightened his grip without looking at me. We sat for a while longer till he removed his hand from mine and we drove home. Once he pulled infront of the house I looked at him. He still wasn't looking at me. I placed two fingers under his chin and made him look at me. Pain in his eyes I leaned forwards and pressed my lips against his. I pulled away and he let out a small smile.

"Come on Billy. I haven't ate all day." I said and  he nodded. He pulled his car into the drive and I turned to him. He was back to Billy in no time.

"What have we got in the fridge Harrington?" Billy asked loudly when we walked through the front door and I smiled.