Don't Get too Close: A Billie and Brandon Story

6

I woke up with a splitting headache in the nurses office.

"How are you feeling, Billie?" the nurse said. I looked over at her standing next to the principal over me.

"I'm fine, I just have a headache." I said sitting up resting my hand on my head.

"I'm glad to hear that." she said giving me an ice bag. I put the ice on my forehead where the big bruise was.

"May I ask what started the fight?" the principal asked.

"Josh was being an asshole so I slapped him in his shit." I say bluntly.

"So you're saying you hit him first?"

"Technically, yes, but he was being really rough with me and I didn't like it so I hit him."

"Billie, we don't condone violence on campus."

"Okay, tell that to him. I just defended myself."

"I'm calling your foster parents to come pick you up, you're being suspended for two days." he says.

"Seriously?" I scoffed. "Whatever." I rolled my eyes as I quickly rushed out of the bed. I felt myself falling and I got really dizzy and heard ringing in my ears. After trying to keep my balance I fell to the floor and put my head down trying to relax my brain. Until I felt everything stop.

***

I woke up in a hospital bed next to Maggie.

"Oh my God you're okay!" she said grabbing my hand.

"What the fuck?" I said sitting up.

"Wait, please relax sweetie. The doctors say you have a bad concussion, but you'll be fine soon but I need you to calm down." she said as I layed back down.

"Are you fucking kidding me? When can I go home?" I said annoyingly.

"We need to wait for them to do an extra check up on you while you're awake and then we'll be able to leave."

"And how long will that take?"

"Who knows? I'm gonna go get something to eat. You think they'll let me bring you anything?" she asked with a smile.

"You can try." I said grinning. She got up and left the room leaving me alone.

A few minutes later I see Josh walk in my room.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I say angrily.

"I wanted to apologize." he said putting flowers on the nightstand across the room from me. "I didn't mean to hit you I don't know what came over me." he said disappointingly.

"You dickhead. You think giving me flowers is gonna make me feel better? I got suspended from school and I got a concussion. What you got, a slap on the wrist?" I scoffed.

"I got suspended for a week."

"Oh big deal." I said sarcastically.

"Look, I'm really sorry. How can I make it up to you?" he said. He looked sorry and he sounded sincere, but that doesn't mean I was gonna forgive him just like that.

"You can kiss my ass on the way out." I said turning on my side to take a nap. After a few moments of silence I heard him step out of the room.

A fucking concussion. I got a fucking concussion. Un-fucking-believable.

***

I'm laying in my bed when I get a facetime call from Brandon.

"Yeoo." I say squinting my eyes and lowering the brightness.

"You good?" he asked concerned.

"I'm straight, just a little bruise."

"Billie, you were literally in the hospital. Why did he put his hands on you?"

"I don't even know. He got all bent out of shape about me talking to you. That guys an asshole."

"I hate to be the bearer of bad news but, I told you so." he chuckled.

"Haha very funny." I say sarcastically. "What did he do anyway?"

"Like I said , he's known hor hurting people. Well that's what the rumors say, but the reason I personally don't like him is because he was my best friend and he fucked my girlfriend in my bed while I was drunk." he said.

"Oh shit no way. Josh is cute and everything but she must've been stupid to do that."

"Eh, it be like that. But why did you slap him?"

"He was being fucking weird, bro. He was yanking me by my arm and gripping it tight and then asked to get a taste of me like everybody else. He was just being disrespectful and I didn't like it."

"Don't worry, I'll beat his ass next time I see him."

"Good luck with that, he got suspended for a week. Plus, I can handle him on my own, I'm a big girl."

"You're like 4 feet tall." he laughed.

"No I'm not you asshole." I rolled my eyes.

"No but seriously, I was thinking about what you said earlier today. Do you really like me?" he said changing the topic.

"Yeah I like you. You're a nice person." I said trying to steer away from an awkward situation.

"No, I mean do you actually like me, because I really like you."

I couldn't say anything. I wanted him, but I knew I couldn't let him get attached to me. I didn't want him to end up hurt. I didn't want to end up hurt.

"Don't." is all I could say.

"Billie please-"

"I'm a foster kid." I say cutting him off. I instantly regretted what just came out of my mouth. Now I have to explain my shit. "I ended up in the system right after my mother died and it's just been hell. I've been in 6 other homes in my life, some of them lasting less than a month. I'm about to be 16 and I've attended 10 different schools. You know how many friends and school crushes I've lost? I don't want to hurt you so please just get rid of any feelings you have towards me." I said as tears rolled down my cheeks.

"Billie, I can't imagine how hard it must've been, but I have a feeling we could work. Even if you end up leaving, it could still work."

"Que, I don't wanna take any chances." I said through tears putting my phone to face the roof so he couldn't see me crying.

"Just think about it."

"I have to go." I said hanging up abruptly.

I toss my phone to the other side of my bed before crying it out. I can't do this anymore. I'm just tired of leaving my friends and making new relationships everywhere I go. I hate having to unpack my bag in a new home not knowing how long I'm gonna stay there.

It's breaking me and I dont know if I can take it anymore.

My thoughts stop as I glance over at my desk where the small box full of Xanax lays.

The same shit that Daddy gave me.

The same shit that ruined my life.

i have no life so I'm updating everyday. dont @ me 😑