A seemingly fairytale romance between the two most powerful people in school was thought to be a match made in heaven because of their similarities.
Except that their similarities are the things that drive them apart.
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Billy lie on his stomach, suffocating himself by refusing to come up for air from the pillow he'd planted his face into. This was the only comfortable position to sleep in after his father showed little mercy on his body when he found out Max wasn't home. He was breathing in his tears at first, muffling the sobs and easing his pain by sinking into the cushion of his pillow. Now the heat from his exhale made every inhale feel like he was breathing in fire.
He turned his head to the side, allowing himself to breathe properly for the first time. His entire body screamed in agony from the simple movement and he shut his eyes as he absorbed the pain.
Billy squinted at the alarm clock on his nightstand, the obnoxious red numbers nearly blinding him after he'd isolated himself in his pillow for so long. It was 10:30 and if he was going to make it through the rest of the night, he needed a distraction. He tried to prop himself up by his elbows, ultimately failing because the pain was too great. Tears threatened to fall down his face again.
The last thing Billy wanted to do was cry himself to sleep. For once in his life, the distraction he craved didn't come in a stick of nicotine. He wanted someone. He wanted Danielle.
He kept her birthday invitation by the phone just in case he worked up the nerve to call her. He reached for the invitation and the phone receiver, straining his eyes and arm to dial the correct number. His muscles throbbed as the line rang.
Danielle worked moisturizer into her curls as she weaved her hair into two braids for the night, humming along to the daily Prince song stuck in her head. Her mother banned her from playing music after 9 o'clock so she had to sing. She wrapped a silk scarf around her head once she was finished, tying the loose ends into a bow. She turned back the comforter, climbed into bed, and turned out the light, closing her eyes for the day—until the phone rang.
"What the hell?" she grumbled, swiping the handset off the switch to silence the ringing. "It's really rude to call at this hour. Keep it short."
"You told me to call you, baby," Billy said, laughing at her attitude even though it hurt.
"Jesus, Billy, what are you doing up?" she asked, glancing at the clock through the darkness.
"Can't sleep when I'm thinkin' about you."
She rolled her eyes. "Very sweet."
"What are you doing up?"
"I was going to sleep before you interrupted me but I guess I can spare a few minutes," she concluded with a shrug. "What did you want?"
"To talk to you," he responded, his voice foggy and deep. "That's all."
"Hmm. Couldn't wait 'til tomorrow?"
"No."
"Wow, you're obsessed with me," she teased, biting her lip to hide her smile.
"Something like that."
"Since I have you on the line, we should talk about our next date. Wanna try Saturday again?"
"Sure. What'd you have in mind?"
"You didn't have any plans?" she asked, slightly surprised he hadn't planned out a date.
"No."
"Where's the romance, Hargrove?" she laughed. "You were begging me to go on a second date but didn't have a second date plan?"
"I don't even know where to take you. I haven't lived in this piece of shit town very long," Billy reasoned. He only knew about school, the arcade, and the movies, and two out of three of those options weren't sufficient for Danielle's taste.
"I guess you're right. There's nothing to do here except rot. Luckily, I planned something for us so you don't have to worry. Have you ever been to a lake?"
"I don't think so."
"Lake Arbor is the best. We'll go on a picnic and you'll love it."
"I will as long as you're there."
"Oh wow, save your pick up lines for the date," she said, letting out another laugh. "We'll go at sunset so it'll be romantic and your sweet nothings will have value."
"Are you gonna let me kiss you?" he asked, dreaming of a night under an orange sky with the most beautiful girl in the world.
"Only if I don't kiss you first," she teased, butterflies swirling in her stomach when she remembered the few times she and Billy were one step away from kissing.
"I'll hold you to that," Billy responded. Her kiss would be an immediate remedy to his pain.
A smile escaped passed her yawn. Billy didn't want to let her go for his sake, but robbing her of sleep so he didn't have to feel his pain would've been selfish.
"Go to sleep. The queen of the school can't look tired in the morning," Billy insisted.
"You're right. I'll see you tomorrow. Let me know if you come up with a better date." She doubted that he would but didn't expect her idea to be topped anyway.
"Sure. Get some rest, beautiful."
Danielle always thrived off of compliments but it was much different when they came from Billy. She hadn't smiled like that since she dated Steve.
"Goodnight, Billy."
"Night, baby."
Danielle hung up and slept perfectly with Billy's words dancing around her head. Billy hung up and slept better than he would've if it weren't for Danielle.
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I've waited my whole life to write these soft moments. More to come obv.
