DONTMAKEMEFALLINLOVE || Billy Hargrove, Stranger Things

XII.

Cheerleaders can be seen on ladders putting up the Christmas Bash banners. They all pass me smiles, one of them losing their grip on the banner causing it to collapse to the floor.

Chuckling at their desperation, my feet continue to walk to my first period class with the beverage in my hand that almost made me late. Dustin said it smelled horrid, and he's 100% correct. But the sativa in this coffee is the only thing keeping my eyes open.

Entering my first period class, my tired eyes scan over to see California Boy in my seat again. But it's starting not to matter to me anymore. His built figure hides me when I sit in back of him anyway.

Passing him while he's too busy talking to Tommy, I drop my backpack and set my cup on the desk before sitting. Billy turns to me during mid-conversation with Tommy, his eyes wandering to the cup.

"What's this?" He asks, picking up the mug.

"Bottoms up," I reply, my hand pressed against my cheek, stabilizing my lazy head.

He brings it to his lips, not taking his eyes off me while doing so as he drinks. "It's too early for weed babe," He says after wiping his lips with his sleeve and setting the container down.

"Hey, it's the only thing keeping me awake," maybe even you.

"Hey Diana! You, Billy, me, and a few other people at Carol's place tonight. How's that sound?" Tommy buts in, catching my attention immediately.

"No." My mouth conjures up quickly, my brain starting to remember all the things that happen at Carol's house.

"Aww, why not?" Tommy presses on. Tommy never knows what happens at Carol's get-togethers because he's always fucked out of his mind after four shots.

"Because I know better now after four years."

"What happens at Carol's that makes you not want to go?" Billy asks, his warm hand now strangely closed on mine, though I don't think much of it.

"My parties may be the wildest and I'll always live up to that, but when there's get-togethers at Carol's with less people there than my parties...everything is just so much more unhidden. Fights are more brutal, threesomes happen on the couch on full display, assaults happen more, and there's no crowd to hide it all."

I know best not to show up there anymore.

"Oh come on! Please go Diana, the party will be known as nothing during and after if you don't show up," Tommy exclaims, wanting nothing more than to just get into someone's pants.

"One hour. I'll even be with you the whole time and if you want to leave, then we'll go," Billy turns to me, his hand squeezing mine after.

And he looked to be sincere. No remarks, sneers, anything. The way his eyes were fixed on me, looking as if he was going to stand by his words.

Sighing at my defeat I reply, "Fine. One hour."

And when he constantly turned back at me while the teacher was explaining jack, I swear I could go a week without sleep.

•

9:17 pm

"I can lead myself, thank you very much," I snap at Billy who's really just trying to be 'polite' by leading me up Carol's driveway with my hand in his, that is before I yank my hand out of his and speed past him.

I shouldn't be that rude to him though. It's just that I already feel something bad about to happen here like always.

Stepping inside, I see that the threesome moved locations this year–they're on the table. That's enough for me to turn back and walk out, but before I can even move an inch Carol runs up to me screeching, "Holy fuck Diana made it!!"