the scientist // billy hargrove

F o u r

When Jade returned home, her mother was pleased.

"The principal called and decided to lower your detentions for just this Saturday. She told me that someone named Sally attacked you and just came clean about it."

"I get to keep my car?" Jade raised her eyebrows. Her mother nodded. Jade smiled on her way to Dustin's room and knocked.

"It's open!" Jade went inside and saw the boys playing Dungeons and Dragons. Beverly and Alex sat on the bed.

"Boys, it's time for me to take you home," the boys groaned and started packing up their stuff. Alex had his arm around Bev. "What are you guys doing here?"

"We figured we'd hear about your punishment from Princy," Bev grinned while Alex kissed her cheek. They'd been going out since middle school and now it's their second year in high school, but Jade never felt like the third wheel.

"I just have eight hour detention this Saturday."

"For beating up her kid? You threatened her, didn't you?" Jade smiled and tilted her head.

"Y'all need a ride too?"

After everyone decided to eat, they piled into the car. The boys in the back and Bev in Alex's lap. Jade didn't have music playing but focused on everyone's conversations. Bev was trying to convince Alex to take her to Steve's party and the boys were talking to Mike about him contacting Eleven. El was like a sister that Jade never had and she started wearing dark clothing after her disappearance.

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Jade sat on the hood of her Impala, reading her book and listening to the chatter of students until she heard the sound of a familiar engine parking next to her. The passenger door slammed shut and she heard the crunch of rocks coming near her.

"Nice red shirt, didn't know ya owned something other than black."

"I wore it special for you," Jade smirked up at Billy, closing her book. She moved over on the hood and patted next to herself. He took the invitation and sat next to her. She lit them both one of her stolen cigarettes. "I have colours other than black but they tend to be dark."

"I got you something."

"Oh?" Jade raised her eyebrows. Billy reached into his car and pulled out a jean jacket that had studs on it and a pair of sunglasses just like his. She laughed at him and put them both on.

"You look great."

"Don't I always?" She smirked. "Did you buy this for me?"

"That's my old jacket. I payed for it to get studded and for what's inside the pocket."  Billy nodded to the left pocket. Jade reached in and pulled out a pack of cigarettes and a black lighter. "That is your signature colour."

"It is," she smiled. "Thank you, Mr. Lighter."

"You're welcome, Ms. Murderer."

Today, Jade had to suffer through the entire school day opposed to where she got sent home the day before. She discovered she had most of her classes with Billy, Bev, and Alex. She will admit she somewhat stared when Billy took off his shirt during basketball. She sat at the table with Dustin while they worked on their homework. Mews happily purred from Dustin's petting.

"Where'd you get that?" Jade looked at the bandana on her wrist.

"Stole it."

"What about those sunglasses and your jacket? Steal those too?"

"Nah. Someone gave it to me."

"Who?"

"A friend of mine. Do you want to go to the arcade when we're finished? We can get milkshakes after."

"As long as you don't beat our high score again."

Jade picked up the boys and had to wait on Mike to finish his homework for ten minutes so she did it for him. She took the boys for milkshakes and then parked at their usual hangout. They all got out of the car and started walking to the doors of the arcade when she heard someone rev their engine and saw Billy.

"Guys, I forgot that I need to go buy a chain for Dustin's bike. Are y'all good here?" The boys nodded and went into the building. They went to the back and she went down the stairs to the teen's car.

"I swear you're following me."

"I swear you were staring at me when I was playing basketball."

"You wish, loverboy."

"You're wearing my jacket and sunglasses."

"Mine now," Jade smiled.

"Those your brothers?"

"I wish. Just the one in the hat."

"You look nothing alike."

"My point from last night. Beverly and Alexander are like family but I wouldn't say siblings because that'd be incest."

"You're dating one of them?"

"No! They're dating each other!" Jade laughed. "They've been together since middle school."

"It must suck playing third wheel."

"That's why I murder and perform witchcraft."

"Yeah, right."

"I eat kids and animals. The best part is I have a pet cat and I'm vegetarian."

"You're vegetarian?"

"That's the part that surprises you? I used to weigh a lot so I became vegetarian and started to workout."

"Congrats."

"Yeah, thanks."

"No problem, Jade."

"I've got to go buy a bicycle chain for my brother."

"I've got to pick up my step sister. See ya, murderer."

"Bye, stalker."

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This chapter kinda sucks but thank you for reading my story🖤