Don't Call Me Baby (Billy Hargrove)

-Chapter seventeen-

Emilia

Billy and I sat on the swings, me on his lap while we just talked over things and laughed, it was such a warm and loving atmosphere around us, and I didn't want the moment to end. But eventually it got colder, and later into the night, so we had to leave. Billy's car was warm, and he made sure that the volume of his music was at a low level so that we could talk.

I couldn't keep the smile off of my face as he drove us home, his hand resting on my thigh as I talked, and occasionally he would squeeze it gently. Everything was just, good. By the time he pulled up into our street, neither of us wanted to get out of the car and leave. We just sat in his Camaro for what felt like ten minutes before I spoke up.

'It's a school night, and it's currently 9.30 so I think I should get going' I say, breaking the comfortable silence, but my statement causes Billy to groan loudly before he reaches over the middle of the car and pulls me into a kiss. His hand pressed lightly at the back of my neck, not forcefully like he usually did, but in a sense that he didn't want to let me go.

Everytime I'd pull away he'd just press his lips against mine, over and over again, obviously trying to stall me from leaving his car and going inside, but eventually I pulled away breathlessly.

'As much as I want to make out with you in your car, I'd better leave, thanks for the ride home Billy, I really appreciate it' I say with a genuine smile on my face, causing one to spread on his, and I quickly peck him on the lips before getting out.

And before I leave the car, his hand quickly grasps mine and he stops me momentarily.

'I never said it earlier, but I'm really sorry about the graffiti, and everything else I did wrong, it was shitty, and I was a shitty boyfriend' Billy apologizes and I nod in acceptance of his apology before flashing him a shy smile.

'Yeah it was really shitty, but we'll start new' I say in finalization before saying our last goodbyes before we part and I walk back up to my house with more than just a wide smile on my face, for once I felt like Billy and I were getting somewhere with our relationship.

From that day on, Billy made sure to see me every chance he could get. When both our parents were out, or when he felt like Max would be fine on her own at the arcade, even if he just snuck out of his house to come see me for five minutes. He just wanted to see my face at least once a day, and honestly I couldn't complain, because I loved seeing him.

It was a new and strange side to Billy, but it was a loving side, one that hadn't shown completely before and to be honest, I loved this side of Billy Hargrove.

__________________________

Today was the usual Saturday, the sun rays slipping through the curtains as I rolled under my blankets sleepily, while I tried to  block out any noise that could disturb me from my slumber, and of course that didn't happen because my telephone started to ring loudly.

'Hello?' I say into the phone, my voice croaking.

'Hey it's uh- me Steve' The familiar voice speaks through the phone.

'Oh hey Steve' I mumble tiredly as I sit up and yawn into my hand, causing him to chuckle on the other end.

'Sorry to wake you sleepy head, but I just wanted to ask if you could come with me to Nancy's house, you know when I apologize to her, just for moral support' Steve says and I can just imagine him constantly pushing his hair out of his face.

'Sure, I'll come along when are you going?' I question.

'Wednesday afternoon' Steve says and he explains the plan of driving to Nancy's, apologizing to her and giving her red roses, it was short and sweet and I'm sure she'd appreciate the gesture.

'Oh by the way, how did you get my number?' I say into the phone before we hang up.

'My mum said you called the other night while I was out, and I felt like shit for not being able to answer, so I asked Jonothan for your number, I hope that's alright' Steve says into the phone and I let out a little chuckle.

'It's fine, I'll see you on Wednesday' I say before hanging up and shoving my head back onto my pillow, I pulled the covers over my head and tried to shut my eyes, but then realized I was wide awake now and couldn't go back to sleep.

I groaned before rolling out from under my warm blankets and trudged over to the bathroom and decided to take a shower. The mixture of hot and warm water woke me up, and surprisingly I felt energized afterwards. Once I was finished, I jogged down stairs to see where my parents were, and of course my mother was busy in the kitchen, while my dad sat at the kitchen table finishing off his breakfast.

'Morning' I say as I kiss each of them on the cheek before taking a seat on one of the kitchen chairs.

'Hey kiddo, your Mother and I forgot to tell you, but we'll be gone for two nights visiting your Aunt Gemma, she's fallen sick and needs assistance. We're leaving at 6.30 tonight, and you're probably too old for visits, so you can just stay here until we get back right?' My dad says before my mother pipes in.

'I've already told the Hargrove's and they said since they'll be gone for most of the days, their son Billy can watch you' My mother says and I feel my heart swell at the thought of Billy, knowing him he'd jump at the opportunity to get me alone for two nights.

And I felt giddy at the thought of having him come over without my parents around. Of course Max would have to tag along too, but knowing Billy he'd probably just leave her at the arcade where she'd run off with Dustin, I knew their whole ordeal since Dustin and I are friends.

Shit, I hadn't called Dustin to check on his slug thing, I had totally forgotten to call him about it and he hasn't been around lately, so there has to be something wrong. I've just been so caught up with my own life that I forgot about other people's, and I felt like a real dick for not considering this before.

'That sounds good, I'll catch you up on it before you leave' I say quickly before running back upstairs and punching Dustin's phone number into the telephone.

It rang but he didn't pick up, I tried him over and over again but it just kept ringing and wasn't answered, I curse under my breath as I hung up the phone. I hoped Dustin was safe, but for now I occupied my mind with the fact that Billy was coming over, and for once it wasn't with his parents, or secretive.