dollhouse // billy hargrove

seventeen

billy's pov

i wake up to the sun beaming in my eyes and birds chirping, almost seeming like a fairytale. my arm was wrapped around heather, apparently showing we got closer throughout the night, instead of me trying to stay away as far as possible. but, it didn't seem awkward anymore, it felt as if she was meant to be in between my arms and i wanted that.

although, having to get up, i remove my arm from curling around her and in response she groans, pulling my arm back around her. i wasn't sure if she knew what she was doing or if she was still sleeping.

"heather, we have to check out." i shake her, trying to get her up.

she didn't budge, but managed to mumble out, "give me five more minutes." typical for a teenager.

"okay, i'll give you five minutes, but five minutes only!" i attempted to make my voice strict with her, but it didn't work as she just dozed off again.

i remove my arm again to get ready to leave, but she stops me, "stay here with me." maybe she did mean it the first time she did it.

"only a few more minutes." i whisper. she grips onto my arm, hugging it closer to her, curling up in a ball against me.

the clock kept counting up and even though we had to leave, i didn't want to. i wanted to stay here with her by my side forever. she made me feel something again, something other than anger. maybe i didn't really ever hate her. maybe it was a jealousy thing. i wanted to be like her. i wanted the life she was living. i wanted the good grades. i wanted good friends.

i wanted her.

she always caught my eye in the hallway or in classes, if we even had one together. something about her positive outlook on everything always blew me away. and now as i'm spending more time with her, i'm realizing why she always wanted to surround herself with positivity. but looking back at it, why did she even help me in the first place if she knew how negative i was? she hated me and there was no doubt about it.

i thought i hid what happens in my own life pretty well, but i guess i didn't. i wonder if she knew i was a broken soul like she was and wanted to somehow reach out because she couldn't hold it all in anymore.

but that's in the past and now i feel like we work so well together. if anyone would've told my sophomore year self that i would get along with the preppiest and smartest girl in school, i would've laughed and probably beat them up.

"okay, heather, times up." i attempt to get up for the third time and succeed, getting a new change of clothes on.

she's finally up by the time i'm out of the bathroom, "look at who's looking fancy with a white crewneck and levi jeans. who's the lucky girl you're going on a date with?"

"haven't found her yet." her face changed from bubbly to a little sad. little did she know i was lying and that the lucky girl was right in front of me. "now go change, jess is probably worried sick."

"worried sick?" she scoffs, "she probably hasn't even noticed i'm still gone." she says clicking the bathroom door locked.

she comes out in a flannel over a black t-shirt also with levi jeans that took perfect shape to her body. she looked good and wasn't a stranger to fashion. "who's the lucky guy?"

"haven't found him yet." she mimics.

"are you ready to go?" i ask shoving what she said to the side.

"ready as i'll ever be." she sighs.

"make sure you have everything." i say slipping her drawings into my jacket pocket.

she takes her bag and opens the door. she says a precious goodbye to the room for the last time before the door clicks shut.

we head down to the lobby, still taking the stairs. i proceed to check out and get the bills, looking at the final price i realized how many packs of cigarettes i could've bought with it.

"i'll pay you back, i promise." she says to me as we walk out.

"don't worry about it. it's all paid for and done." i reassure her. i wasn't just going to let her pay for a hotel room that we both stayed in.

"okay, well i'll pay you back somehow, whether it's money or not." i winked at her with a cheeky smile, "billy!" of course, her knowing me, she got where my mind went, even though it was a joke.

"what? i didn't even say anything!" i laugh as she playfully punches my chest as i twirl my keys on my finger.

"is that your only talent?" she points out, laughing back.

"you better shut your mouth before i leave you here." i say running to the car, her footsteps patter behind me.

"you wouldn't dare." i get into the car and rev the engine at her, even though i know i wouldn't leave her and deep down she knew that, too.

she gets in and starts singing along to the music, which ironically fit our situation, "lean on me, when you're not strong. sing with me, billy."

"no, no i don't sing."

"don't make me say it again. let loose. i'll help you carry on!" she laughs through her singing, aware that she's not the greatest singer. she looks at me, "see, i'm not good either. we can be bad together."

i give in, only for her, "until i'm going to need somebody to"

"lean on!" we sing simultaneously.

after the song ends and the commercials come on, i turn down the radio, "so let's talk."

"the billy hargrove wants to talk to me? am i dreaming? pinch me." she puts her hand on her forehead acting as if she's fainting.

"no seriously, let's get to know each other or just things you've always wanted to know, like twenty questions i guess? and answer truthfully, i don't care who's feelings it hurts, even if it's mine."

"okay, twenty questions, but you go first. i'll let you set the bar for how you want this whole conversation to go."

"why did you hate me? or still do? i mean you might." her eyes brighten up and she sits up in the seat. this was definitely not what she was expecting.