Pro Guardian - (B.M.)

Chapter 06

Keeping Distance

The next morning, Billy was up earlier than the rest of the group. Because he couldn't stop thinking about Elianne the night before, he didn't get much sleep. Though he was unaware of the feelings that were coursing through his thoughts, he was certain of one thing: he wanted time to think. Keeping a safe distance between him and the girl was perhaps the best way to do it. It would only benefit him.

So Billy decided to take the next best option, which was to walk to the main lobby and keep himself occupied in some way. Whether it was a good breakfast or rehearsing his upcoming monologue address, he did it all.

He wasn't going to let a girl (that he may have liked) take over his every thought, anymore. Not for now, at least.

After eating a nice breakfast complementary to the hotel, Billy was about to head back to his room when he noticed his teacher, Rachel, heading outside.

"Hey, Miss Stevens."

The blonde teacher saw him and smiled slightly. "I'm just going to get a tire. Be back in a bit."

Rachel looked around the room. "Where are Margot, Sam, and Elianne⸺"

"Rehearsal," Billy interrupted, shoving his hands into his jean pockets. "Can I come with you?"

"Don't you need to be in there?" She gestured towards the theatre room. 

"It's in the afternoon. They wanted more time, I guess, but I don't." He walked a little closer, not enough to make it seem inappropriate, but rather so he could tag along. "So, can I⸺"

"Morning, Miss Stevens." Billy let out a sigh when he heard a thin voice from behind them, knowing it was the one person he didn't want to see. He didn't even give her a sidelong glance.

"Good morning, Elianne. Sleep well?" Rachel asked with a wide smile and momentarily ignored the other boy. 

"I'm starting to feel a little sick, but I'm sure with some water, I'll be alright." Billy pricked up, a worried expression on his face; yet, as quickly as the emotion arrived, it vanished as he remembered his day's plans.

"Were you heading some⸺"

"Out," Billy stated, looking at the floor with a stern face. Elianne furrowed her brows, wondering why he was suddenly acting so distant. Maybe it was too early in the morning for him? She knew that she certainly tended to get moody sometimes, especially when she'd be forced to wake up at any time other than her usual. 

Rachel cleared her throat and then answered the question, "Billy and I were going to grab a spare tire." She looked between the two teenagers and seemed to sense the tension. "Do you maybe want to join us?"

Elianne nodded with a smile, earning a glare from Billy.

She stuck her tongue out at him as the three walked to the car, and she sat in the passenger seat. Billy sighed in exasperation before settling into the backseat, one hand supporting his head up under his chin.

A few minutes later while Rachel drove, Billy spoke up, "Margot's convinced you're a            lesbian. Just wanted to let you know."

"Excuse me?" Rachel looked taken aback, looking at Billy through the rear-view mirror with a judgemental gaze.

"Sorry. That wasn't appropriate," Elianne apologized for the boy, giving him a look.

"But you're . . . you're not, right?"

"Again, not appropriate," Rachel replied while rubbing her forehead with a free hand.

Billy had an intriguing way of expressing himself, even though Elianne wouldn't accept it. Just like that, he was asking such personal and (probably) obscene inquiries. It didn't seem to make sense to her, but as the drive progressed, she found herself eager to learn more about this boy she had just met a day before.

Now it was only up to Billy if he chose to tell her anything.