Different

5

I got home to see my dads car wasn't in the driveway. I had a moment of relief before I got out of my car. I walked through the house to my room. As soon as I got to my room with blue walls I tossed my book bag to the chair in the corner of my room. I instantly started to pick what I would wear tonight. I finally settled on a pair of black high waisted jeans, an off the shoulder red shirt, a black choker, and my mother's golden cross ( which I already had on). I swapped my school sneakers for a pair of black boots. I took a quick look at myself in the mirror and decided this was good. I popped my head out my door to see if I was still alone. I was so I walked out of my room and wrote a note for my dad.
Dear dad,
I went to Nancy's for some extra homework help, like you said I could. I will be back. Xoxo
Love, Dani.
I signed the note and put it on the refrigerator. I didn't care about lying to my dad. For some people it was a big no no but for me I didn't give a shit. He put me through so much a few lies here and there won't hurt. I grabbed my keys and got into my car. I turned the radio up, very loud like I usually did, and made my way to Nancy's house. I turned onto her street and parked in front of her car. I walked to her door and knocked. Mrs. Wheeler opened the door with her usual friendly smile.
"Daniella, hello!" She said engulfing me into a hug.
"Hello Mrs. Wheeler." I said hugging back.
She informed me Nancy was in her room and I could go upstairs. As I made my way upstairs I met Mike in the hall.
"Hey Micheal!" I said ruffling his hair.
He smiled and pushed my hand away.
"Daniella, you look very nice." He said starting to blush. I giggled and winked at him as I arrived at Nancy's door. I knocked and waited for an answer.
"Come in." I heard Nancy say and I turned the knob to meet a room covered in clothes.
"Holy shit." I said closing the door looking around at all the clothes.
"Thank god your here! I don't know what to wear!" Nancy said in a distressed tone.
"I thought we agreed on the pink dress?" I said jumping over piles of clothes making my way to Nancy.
"I was going to but then I saw these cute jeans and couldn't find a top and then I was going back to the pink dress and I couldn't find it." She whined. I rubbed her back and hushed her trying to soothe her. She gave in and put her head in my lap, I stroked her hair.
"I'll help you pick an outfit,okay?" I said calmly. She slightly nodded.
I stood and picked up some clothes off the floor. What would Nancy like? I dug through the piles until I found a cute yellow turtleneck and jean skirt. I tossed them to her.
"You always look so pretty in spring colors." I smiled. She chuckled and sniffled. She got up and walked to her closet. I covered my eyes while she changed. When she told me to look she was looking at herself in the mirror and tilted her head.
"See, beautiful." I smiled walking towards her. I hugged her around the shoulders and she tightly hugged my arms back. I turned her around.
"Ready?" I said.
"Ready." She smiled.
We made our way downstairs and Nancy said she'd be back to her family. We left and got into my car. The whole time we drove we laughed and joked.
"Uh excuse? Where'd this come from?" Nancy said holding my Whitney Houston tape.
"My dad got it for me." I laughed, trying not to remember the day when my dad hit me so hard I couldn't hear and bought me a pity present.
"Wow I wish he was my dad." Nancy said putting the tape in the radio.
I laughed and thought about how lucky Nancy truly was.
We turned onto Kevin's street and saw the crowd of teenagers at his house. I parked down the street and we got out.
"I'm so excited!" Nancy said as she slightly squealed.
I smiled as we walked together to the door. When we got there we were greeted by loud music and dancing teens. I could smell the hormones. Me and Nancy walked over to the punch bowl. We talked and looked around at all the people. Jonathan walked in and Nancy waved frantically.
"Do you mind if I.." Nancy said.
"Go have fun you crazy kids." I said and waved her off.
I walked around the room casually and drank from a red cup. I was greeted by familiar faces but didn't stop to talk for too long.
"Dani!" A voice called to me. I felt butterflies in my stomach as I turned, hopeful to see a certain blonde mullet. Sadly I was let down but still was happy to see Steve. I waved to him as he made his way to me.
"Hey Dani greet party right?" He yelled over the music.
"Yeah. I love sweaty, horny teens." I joked and took another sip. He laughed and asked if I wanted to go outside. We found our way to the backyard and sat in the pool chairs.
"So I love your shirt." He said trying to make conversation. I chuckled.
"Ha you really know how to make a girl feel special huh Stevie." I said playfully pushing him. He rubbed the back of his neck.
"Hey I need a refill I'll be back okay?" I said standing. He nodded as I worked my way back inside. I got to the punch bowl and filled my cup. I wasn't worried about getting drunk because I know how to hold my alcohol. I tried to tell myself to not get too excited about Billy wanting to see me because I'm sure he tries to just have me be another notch on his bedpost. Just as I was on my way outside I heard what I was waiting for.
"Juliet!" He called to me. I was so excited but I told myself to play it cool. I slowly turned acting like I was confused. He came jogging over to me sport the same pair of beautiful jeans he wore that morning and a velvet shirt.
"Hey Juliet." He said when he got to me.
"Hey Hargrove what's up?" I question sipping my drink.
"You look real good." Billy said looking me up and down stop at my chest then darting back to my eyes.
"Hey! My eyes are up here." I said snapping.
"I know they're beautiful too." Billy said smirking.
I rolled my eyes and felt those butterflies again. Just then some drunk idiot smacked into me and I spilled my drink all down my shirt and was shoved into Billy.
"Goddamn it!" I turned around to face the drunk dumbass but he was gone.
"Wow are you okay?" Billy said holding my elbow.
"Yeah fine. Soaked but fine." I said tossing the cup. Billy seemed worried.
"Fucking asshole." He said turning to the crowd of people, his jaw locking. Before I knew it he disappeared into the crowd. I went on my tiptoes to look for him for 2 seconds before I heard the crack I was all too familiar with. Then there was people yelling and chanting. I made my way to the sounds and found Billy and the drunk idiot rolling around fighting. Billy sat on the guys chest and beat his face.
"Fucking...ass...made my...spill.." I heard Billy grunt in his rage. I made my way through and pushed past people.
"Billy!" I yelled. He looked at me and then to the drunken guy. He spat on him then got up.
He walked through the sea of people and grabbed my hand. He dragged me through the house and through the front door. I was pulled past Nancy and managed to tell her to take my car if I didn't come back. We kept walking until we got to his Camaro. He unlocked it and told me to get in. I did as I was told. He drove like a maniac down the streets until we go to a park. He stopped the car and turned it off. He put his head against the steering wheel.
"Billy?" I said quietly.
"I'm sorry. I can take you back if you'd like." He quietly spoke his head still against the wheel.
"No it's fine it's just, are you okay?" I questioned inching closer to him. He lifted his head and I saw the blood coming from his nose.
"Oh Billy." I said reaching over to touch his face. He moved away from my touch.
"Hey I'm not the one with a huge bruise from a door." he chuckled.
"Are you sure your okay?" I asked again.
"Don't worry Juliet, I've gotten in worse fights." He said.
"Why did you do that?" I asked.
"He made you spill your drink on yourself, anything to protect your honor." Billy smirked and winked to me.
I smiled at my hands. I looked back to him to find him looking at me.
"What?" I laughed.
"I'm just taking in the view. It's nice to have you in my car." He said.
"Well I hope you don't expect to see me in your bed too." I said raising an eyebrow.
"Mm thats what I like about you." He said chuckling, " you don't just throw yourself at me. It's different and I like it." He said.
I blushed to myself. He liked me. That's what he just said.
"Your such a flirt." I laughed.
"Maybe." He said.
He turned the car on and we started to drive.
"Where do you live I'll take you home." Billy said.
"I live on Sprout str." I told him.
He turned onto sprout street and slowly drove down.
"That's mine." I said pointing.
He pulled over in front of my house and I could see the light was on. I sighed.
"I'll see you tomorrow right ,Juliet?" Billy smiled.
"Yeah of course." I said opening the door. I climbed out a started to make my way to my house, slowly.
"Wait Juliet!" Billy called.I walked back to his car.
"Give me your number so I can call you." He instructed giving me a box of cigarettes and a pen.
"Why?" I asked taking the pen and box.
"So I can talk to you, duh." He said.
I rolled my eyes and wrote down my number.
"Thanks Juliet." He smiled at me.