Tragedy(Billie Joe Armstrong) (#Wattys2018)

Chapter 25: They're Figuring Things Out...

Bandit's POV

It's been two days since the dance. Not much has changed. I'm glad it hasn't.

Mike and I were walking home from school since Billie ditched. Asshole. "Before we head to Christie Road I need to grab a sweatshirt. It's getting chilly," I said.

"Okay, is your stepdad home?" He asked.

"I don't know..."

"We'll find out," he shrugged.

"Gilman this weekend?" I asked.

"Yeah, we're playing Saturday night," he said.

"Yes!" I smiled.

"Speaking of which I've got this bass line you need to hear," he told me.

"I can't wait to hear it," we approached my house. "And... he's home..."

"I'll go in the window?" He looked at me.

"Yeah, don't make a lot of noise though," I warned.

"Got it," he nodded before we parted ways.

I opened the door and saw John in the kitchen. "Hi," I said before going upstairs.

"Got homework?" He asked.

"Finished it in study hall," I replied.

"Good," he nodded then I ran upstairs.

Mike was sitting on my bed waiting for me. I smiled at him as I walked in. I set my bag down and went over to my closet. I heard footsteps. "Bathroom now," I told Mike. He knew and ran into the bathroom and shut the door.

"Where ya going?" My stepdad opened the door.

"Oakland," I replied zipping up the hoodie.

"I've never seen this sweater before," he commented.

"I borrowed it from a friend," I told him. More like stole it from Billie, but same difference.

"Oh, anyways..."

Mikes POV

I stood in the bathroom trying to be super quiet. The last thing we need is John flipping out. I wish her mom was home more instead of him. Her mom is always nice and let's me come in the front door.

I looked in the mirror fixed my hair. I looked down and saw a tooth brush, tooth paste, soap and a razor? What the hell?

I picked up the small blade and saw something on the edge. I could barely see in the dark. I held it up to the crack in the door and saw the red blotches. No, not Bandit.

"Come on," she opened the door. I put the razor in my pocket and walked out. "I'll meet you out front."

"Okay," I said then climbed down the ladder. I stood on the lawn and waited for her to come out of the house. She walked over to me. "This is gonna sound weird but can I see your arm?" I know I sound suspicious and creepy but I need to know if this is true.

"Uhh, yeah?" She rolled up her sleeve, nothing.

"No the other one," I said.

She was hesitant. She showed me an arm full of bracelets. I scooted the wad of bracelets up her arm and saw scars and open cuts. "Bandit... I um..." my voice trailed off.

"What you know now? Huh? I knew this was coming," she turned around.

"I found this in your bathroom," I held up the razor.

"Give it back," she tried to grab it.

"No," I backed away and put it in my pocket.

"Mike... you don't understand," her voice grew thick with sadness.

"I don't, help me understand. I wanna help you if I can," I told her.

"You'll never understand," she started tearing up.

"I can if you just tell me why," I turned her around. Just then the Wind Up Monkey honked his horn with Billie hanging out the window. Bandit quickly wiped away any trace of her tears. "Hey I'm actually not feeling so well. I'll catch you guys later," she said while breaking away from my grip.

"Leaving us to babysit Tré all by ourselves?" Billie questioned.

"You can do it. Remember to feed him and change his diapers," she sniffled but I'm pretty sure I was the only one who could hear it. "See you guys later," she yelled, "bye Mike."

"Bye Bandit..." I talked down to a whisper so only she could hear, "be careful."

"Yeah sure," she replied.

Bandit's POV

"Wait!" Tré screeched. He hopped from the car and sprinted towards me. "This is for leaving me with these people," he said then licked the side of my face, "and this is because I feel bad," he the pulled me in a tight hug and whispered in my ear "why do you taste salty? Was my Bandita sad?"

"No my baby chipmunk," I giggled and broke the hug I then brought my figure to my lips signaling him to keep quite about it. He nodded in a way that said 'okay I understand' before turning away. Billie then jumped from the car and ran towards me. He slowed to walk in front of me and quickly kissed my cheek.

"HOW COULD YOU I JUST BRANDED HER WITH MY TONGUE!" Tré yelped like a baby, "my heart Mikey catch me," he then fell backwards into Mike's arms. "Oh, Mikey I can always rely on you unlike other people!" He let out a little old lady cry.

"Let's go sweetie, well be in the car." Mike said while holding the weeping Tré in his arms and brought him to the car.

"Oh your so heroic," Tré said snuggling into Mike's arms as Mike rolled his eyes and let out a girlish giggle. They got in the car then Billie looked at me with worried eyes.

"You've been crying," he touched my cheek.

"It's nothing, really I'm fine," I looked into those eyes.

"I'll talk to you later," he said.

"There's nothing to talk about," I looked down.

"There is," he corrected.

"There's really not Beej, I'm sorry," I told him.

"I'm worried about you."

"There's nothing to worry about," I shrugged.

"Whatever, I'll stop by later," he then walked back over to the car. I waved them off and walked back into the house. Big mistake... I should've sucked it up and went with them. But no, now I have to deal with him.