Four Letter Word..

Chapter Thirty

Two weeks after the accident I was stood on the Byers doorstep with a bunch of flowers. My ribs were almost healed now but my heart wasn't. I hadn't heard anything from Billy even though I'd heard he'd been discharged from the hospital. I knocked on the Byers door and waited for Joyce to answer. But instead Johnathan did "Hey... Is your Mom home?" I questioned
"Err, no.." I smiled at his nervousness "She's at work for another half an hour I think" I pouted
"Oh, she works Saturday's?" I asked a little bit surprised
"Yeah, she works at the grocery store, so there open weekends. You're welcome to come in and wait if you want?"

"Would that be ok? Only I'd really like to give her these in person and thank her for everything she did during the accident you know?" he opened the door wider for me to step inside. The house brought back memories of when I'd been here before, when Billy and Steve were fighting which was nothing out of the ordinary and Max stabbed Billy in the neck with a syringe before stealing his Car. Simpler times.

I sat down on the couch and Johnathan just stood there, clearly not sure what to do with himself "Erm, would you like a drink? I can make some coffee?" I smiled at him as I put the flowers down on the coffee table "Yeah sure, Thank you" I watched him as he headed into the open plan Kitchen. He returned with a mug a few minutes later placing it on the table in front of me. He still looked nervous as he looked at his watch "Sit down?" I patted the seat next to mine on the couch and he did as I said "You know I'm not as scary as I make myself out to be" I told him smirking. He laughed at the statement "I mean I guess you can't really do much damage with broken ribs" I smiled

"No, but really. I'm not a mean person" I assured him
"You just like to scare everyone else at School right?" I looked across at him as I picked up the mug in front of me "Something like that yeah... I just, don't like people walking all over me you know?" he nodded like he understood but I knew Johnathan and the way he'd been letting Nancy walk all over him. "So anyway, my Mom said the accident was really bad and that you and Billy are lucky to be alive" I shrugged. The mention of Billy's name tore at my heart strings "Sorry, you probably don't want to think about it" I shook my head
"It's not that it's just... Well, it doesn't really matter. I won't bore you with it"
"I don't mind, I've been told I'm a pretty good listener" I looked across at him

"I imagine you are considering you don't really say much" I told him "But it's complicated" Johnathan nodded. "It's just... He broke it off with me a couple of days after the crash" he turned back to me "He did? Why?" I don't know why the hell I was telling Johnathan this but he was willing to listen and he probably wouldn't care that much, we were practically strangers, only knowing each other by name and maybe reputation on my part "His Dad's sending him to a military school out of the state so he decided it was best we went our separate ways now before things got too complicated" he gave me a sad smile
"I'm sorry Kat, that must be awful, especially with what you've both just been through. It's kind of like rubbing salt into a cut" The front door opened and Joyce and her youngest Son Will entered "Oh Hi you!" Joyce announced coming over to me as I stood up to greet her
"I bought you these, to say thank you for what you did for me" she gasped as I handed her the flowers "oh hunny you didn't have to do that, they are beautiful" she gave me a hug "Are you staying for Dinner?"
"I should probably get back home, Penny will be wondering where I got to" I replied
"I'll call Penny, let her know you're staying and I'll drop you off at home afterwards" I shrugged
"Ok sure, thanks" I turned to look at Johnathan
"Lucky you, it's movie night too" he told me and I smiled
"Yes and it's my choice of film tonight, I don't think I can stand another one of your horror films" Joyce butted in "I hope you like the wizards of oz" Will whispered to me and I smiled

"Who doesn't like the wizard of oz?"

"Me" Will answered before leaving the room. I looked to Johnathan who smiled at me. I smiled back.

Joyce made Spaghetti  and it was so good! Afterwards we all sat down and watched the original Wizard of Oz with Popcorn. Will fell asleep about three quarters of the way through but me and Johnathan managed to make it through the whole film by taking the piss out of it secretly to each other. When the credits started rolling I helped Joyce tidy up the empty popcorn bowls "Well, I should go" I told her once I'd placed the empty bowls on the Kitchen side

"Ok Sweetie.. Johnathan?" she called "Are you ok with driving Katrina home?" he came into the room "Sure"

"Thanks so much for having me" I told Joyce giving her a hug, she kissed me on the cheek

"Anytime, don't be a stranger!" she announced letting me go

"See you soon" I told her before following Johnathan out to the hallway where I put my shoes and coat on before opening the front door. Johnathan unlocked his Car and we both got inside.

Outside of my house I turned to Johnathan "Thanks for the ride"

"Sure, and if you need to talk to someone I'm around" I smiled at him

"Thanks, I'll see you at School?" I questioned him
"Yeah, probably" I smiled

"See you" I got out of the Car and headed up into the house.

()()()()()()

"You had dinner with Johnathan Byers and his weird Brother?" Stacey asked as she walked out of her bedroom as I was heading to mine "Yes.. And his Brother isn't weird" I told her as I walked by "What is all that even about?" I asked as I opened my bedroom door and headed into my room "He went missing for ages last year? Remember?" she answered as she followed me inside "Yeah. I remember"

"Well one minute he was dead and had a funeral and the next minute he's alive and well at School again" I rolled my eyes

"That doesn't make him weird"

"Erm yes it does, he came back to life!" I turned to her "So.. You haven't heard from Billy yet?" she asked me suddenly as I grabbed my pyjamas from my chest of drawers "No. I haven't" she sighed and closed my door "You should go over there" I shook my head

"Neil would get me arrested" I told her

"Don't be so dramatic... You love him right?" Stacey questioned me
"Of course I do.. I think I always will" she came over to me as I sat down on the edge of my bed

"Then go and see him.... Go later" I shook my head
"He's still healing right?" Stacey shrugged "I don't think I could get in without having Neil or Susan answer the door" She rolled her eyes. But I knew if she had seen or even knew the way Neil treats his Son then she'd be afraid of going around there as well "Well, I'm going to head to bed... Are you coming out with us all tomorrow?" she asked as she stood up
"Where to?"

"We were going to go out for lunch"

"Sure I'll come" she nodded
"Good, everyone will be glad to see you" she smiled "I'll see you tomorrow"

"Night Stace" she closed the bedroom door behind her and I got ready for bed.

The next morning Stacey wasn't up until late so she missed Breakfast. I headed up to her room and barged in. She was fast asleep still so I shook her awake, "Why are you sleeping in?" I asked as she opened her eyes and looked up at me "I was up late" she defended as she sat up and yawned "I went to Billy's last night" I widened my eyes at her

"You what?"
"I went to see him I wanted to know why he was doing this" I sighed "He really loves you Kat but I think you should let go and let him do this" I swallowed "He's leaving in two weeks but he said he was going to try and see you before he goes. He won't be back at Hawkins High"
"Two weeks?" I questioned
"Yeah. I know you thought he might change his mind once he came out of hospital but he was pretty adamant" I sat down on the bed once Stacey had gotten up and started getting ready "I'm sorry babe... I told him that Mom honestly wouldn't mind him staying with us but he didn't like that idea" she pulled on her clothes and sat down in front of her vanity table to do her hair "Jason and Jenn are picking us up at twelve and we're heading to the diner" I didn't really feel like socialising now I knew Billy wasn't changing his mind "Who's going?" I asked
"Everyone"

"Who's everyone?" I wanted specifics
"Jason, Josh, Jennifer, Steve and Nancy" I groaned
"I'm going to pass then" I really don't think I could handle being around Steve
"No, you have to come, everyone is looking forward to seeing you!" she turned to look at me from the chair "Just ignore Steve if you have to" I rolled my eyes but went and got ready anyway.