Four Letter Word..

Chapter Twenty Two

The next day I was hanging around my locker with Stacey just after fourth period when Billy appeared beside me "I'm taking you out tonight"
"You are?" I questioned turning away from Stacey to face him 
"Yeah, there's this new action movie I wanna see" I rolled my eyes 
"I hate action films.. Can't we see The Breakfast Club?" I asked him
"Noooo!" Stacey whined beside me "I want to see The Breakfast Club and we could go together" I turned back to Billy "Fine I'll come with you to see your stupid action film" he smiled and then I spotted the head walking towards us "Billy I do hope you're not bothering Miss Carter?" she asked him sternly. He closed his eyes in annoyance before looking at her "Does it look like I am?" he questioned. She folded her arms across her chest "I'm already holding you back a year Mr Hargrove. If you're not careful I'll be following your Father's request and expelling you" I widened my eyes at the statement "I'm doing you a favour. Don't make me regret it" she walked away and I looked at Billy who was focused on the head as she walked off towards the office "You're being held back a year?" he turned to me, his jaw clenched
"I don't want to talk about it" he stated firmly. I didn't press it
"ok..." I turned back to my locker and opened it up to grab my English books for last period.

After school I got a lift home with Jennifer and Stacey because Billy had detention for losing his temper with a teacher and launching a book at him. He was picking me up at Eight for our date so I had dinner with everyone and then got ready "Where are you going Kat?"Penny asked me when I was about to walk out the front door "Erm, I'm going to see Mom" I lied
"Ok, I forgot to mention that your Dad called this afternoon wanting to speak to you"
"He did?" I was a little surprised because it was usually me who had to call him. "Did he say what he wanted?"
"No he didn't he just asked if you'd call him back" Stacey walked down the stairs 
"Thanks" I heard Billy's car approaching and I was suddenly torn between making him wait whilst I called my Dad or just wait till tomorrow to call him "Stace, could you erm stall-" she got the message before I even had to say Billy's name and headed out of the front door "I'll call him back now" I told Penny before heading into the living room to use the phone. "Hi Dad" I greeted when he picked up "Hey kid, how are you doing?"
"I'm doing good" I replied "Penny said you called?"
"Yeah..I was wondering what you had planned this weekend?"
"Erm, nothing I don't think"
"Well Carol and the two girls are out of town visiting her parents so I was thinking it would be a good weekend for me to come and visit"I smiled
"I'd love that!" I announced excitedly
"That's great, I'll be there on Saturday morning and I'll probably stay until Sunday"
"I'm sure Penny wouldn't mind you staying with us" I told him
"Don't worry about that" I shook my head
"I'll speak to her"
"Look. I'll see you Saturday morning, whats Penny's address" I reeled off the address and then said my goodbyes before heading out to meet Billy. Stacey was leaning into the Camaro window speaking to him when I approached "Have a good night you two" she informed us as I got into the passenger seat. 

"What's got into you? I've never seen you smile so much" Billy asked meas we drove into town
"My Dad's coming to visit me this weekend" I told him
"He is? That's cool, does that mean I get to meet him?" I smiled 
"I'd love you to meet him. We could go eat some place" I suggested

The film was as lame as I thought it would be but I pretended to enjoy it for Billy's sake. Afterwards as we walked back to the Car I took it as an opportunity to ask him about him being held back a year "So why are you being held back a year?" I asked him 
"Because I'm not getting the grades"
"The grades for what exactly?" I asked him and he shrugged 
"I've never really thought about it and I don't want to" I narrowed my eyes "I won't have the grades to graduate" he announced "It's not just about college, if that's what you're asking" he unlocked the Car "We've got to pick Max up at the Arcade on the way back, you alright with that?" he asked meas I sat into the passenger seat and sipped my soda
"Of course"Max wasn't out front when we got to the Arcade
"If that little shit isn't out here in five seconds she's walking home" I turned to Billy
"Do you have to talk about her like that?" I hated the way he spoke to Max and I wasn't going to sit back and let him do it any more. "You don't understand" I licked over my lips as Max opened up my door. I undid my seat belt and got out "Hey Max" I greeted her 
"Hi Kat" she went to get into the backseats but I placed my hand in front of her "You're riding shotgun" she gave me a look to say that she really didn't want to. When I made no attempt to move she rolled her eyes and I got into the back "What are you doing?" Billy asked as Max got into the passenger seat. He turned to me and I smiled at him in response. After we'd been driving for a couple of minutes I lent forward in between the seats "Ok, I'm starting an intervention. it's time you two sort out your differences" Max turned to look at me

"What the hell are you talking about Kat?" Billy questioned
"I'm talking about the way you treat your Sister it's not right-"
"It's nothing to do with you Katrina" I narrowed my eyes at my full name being used "Max knows she's a piece of shit" I shook my head
"She's a kid Billy!" I told him firmly

"Yeah. And she fucked everything up" He stated "Just stay out of stuff you don't understand" I swallowed hard as Billy sped up. Max looked at me and shook her head. I looked away out of the window. This intervention wasn't going to work the way I wanted it to.

Billy pulled up outside of Stacey's house and he got out to let me out of the backseats. Instead of getting back in he closed the door to the Camaro and stood in front of me "You've got to stay out of stuff you don't know anything about ok?" I looked up at him

"Alright" he wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me into him

"Want me to pick you up tomorrow?" I smiled weakly into the crook of his neck
"Ok, but... Please park a little up the street. I think Penny is going to be the hardest one to convince that you're actually good for me" I pulled out of Billy's grip "I'll see you tomorrow" I told him before looking around him to Max and waving goodbye to her. I walked away from Billy and up to the front door, opening it and walking inside.