Sky is the limit / Billy Hargrove

Chapter Six - The Record Store (1)

The spell of last night's fun wore off as soon as Steven and I arrived at school. It was as if seeing the school reminded him of everything that happened last night. I squeezed his knee reassuringly before getting out of the car and heading inside. 

I can sense a presence come towards my locker door, and as I shut it close I hear Billy's voice, "You should be outlawed to wear those jeans, because it is a crime for how good you look in them."

 I turn to look at him and scoff choosing to walk to my next class instead of responding. Billy follows me, "What's wrong? Didn't like the pickup line? Knew I should have gone with a different one."

"You need to learn some manners Hargrove. That is no way to speak to a lady such as myself." I tell him, flipping my hair behind me.

He gives a light chuckle. "I didn't know you were a lady Sky. My apologies. Let me try again. How would you like to hang out after school?"

I stop walking and turn to look up at him. I raise my eyebrow at his question getting ready to ask my own in response "Why do you want to hang out with me?".

He shrugs his shoulders and looks around before making eye contact with me again. "Thought you could come with me to the record store. We could look around at the options in this shitty town."

This time I shrug my shoulders in response. "Sure, I don't see why not. Don't get your hopes up for anything good though. Now if you will excuse me, I have a class to attend." I wave a slight goodbye before continuing my walk to class.

********

By study hall Steve was a mixture of pissed and depressed. I look up from my textbook and raise my eyebrows at him. "What's wrong Steve?" he looks at me and sighs as he sits next to me.

"Gym period was rough. Billy is being all territorial with this whole King of the school thing. Then Nancy showed up and said she didn't remember anything from last night. When I refreshed her memory, she blamed it on her being drunk of course but then she couldn't even tell me that she loved me" Steve finally takes a deep breath. "Why is my life such a mess right now?" he exhales loudly.

"One, Billy is acting like an asshole let's just make that clear. It would probably be best to ignore him for as long as you can. Two, maybe you and Nancy just can't go back to how things were. Maybe you were both pretending that everything was okay when it wasn't. You both ignored the problems and now they are coming to the surface and you guys need to deal with them. Either you give up and separate, or you talk things through and work on them. You need to think long and hard about what you want Steve before you talk to Nancy." I squeeze his hand and lean back in my chair.

Steve lets out a long breath. "When did you become so wise?"

"I have always been this way, you just never listen to me. Now go contemplate your life while I finish my homework that's due next period."

"What if instead of doing that homework we ditched school? I am in the mood to smoke and forget this day has happened." Steve admits. I almost agree but then I remember I made plans with Billy.

"I can't, I have plans after school." I simply state, not wanting to give him too much information.

"Plans? Without me?" Steve asked pointing to himself with both fingers. I nod my head yes, and turn the page pretending I am working on my homework.

"I mean, no offense Sky. But you don't have any other friends besides me. Who could you possibly have plans with?" Steve asks, completely surprised by my words. 

I pretend to be hurt by his words but we both know he is right. "Damn Harrington. Words hurt too." I say placing my hands over my heart, attempting to avoid answering his question.

"I am just surprised, that's all." Steve attempts to defend himself, shrugging his shoulders. "So, you gonna tell me who it is? Or do I need to guess?" He asks, clearly he doesn't want to drop the subject.

"It's not anything special. I'm just going to the record store with someone. Don't know why you want to know so bad." I say, biting the end of my pencil trying to be nonchalant. 

Steve puts his hands up in defense, frowning a bit. "Alright, alright, alright. Fine. If you don't want to tell me, that's cool. I just thought as your best friend, we told each other everything but I guess not."

I laugh at his attempt to guilt me into telling him. "Steve, you can't guilt me into tell you."

"Okay fine, but I know for a fact I can annoy you until you tell me." He states, smiling cheekily at me. 

I narrow my eyes at him, knowing he is right. "You aren't going to like the answer." I warn him.

His face turns to confusion and then contemplation. I can tell he is trying to think of who it is. His face goes then turns to disbelief. "Don't tell me it's Billy Hargrove. Please Sky, let me be wrong."

I smile sheepishly at him and shrug my shoulders. "We have similar music tastes and he offered to take me to the record store." 

"Oh Sky, come on. You are smarter than that. He is bad news, I am telling you." Steve argues, clearly upset.

"I know how you feel about him, which is why I wasn't going to tell you. Let me make my own opinion about him. I know I wish the people around here would do that more often." I complain.

He huffs in response, still not happy. "Whatever, just know I've warned you. Twice now."

I roll my eyes. "Yes, Steve I appreciate your concern but I am a grown woman. I can make my own decisions." I calmly explain back, wanting to change the subject. 

"Fine, I'll back off for now. But Sky, I'm telling you, I don't trust him." Steve says making sure he remains eye contact with me the entire time. I nod my head, not really knowing how to respond. 

The bell rings and I send a silent thank you above for ending this conversation. However, I look down and realize I didn't finish my homework and I ruffle my hands through my hair upset. Guess I'll just have to turn it in late like I usually do.