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

7

Being suspended definitely sucks. I mean it's only 2 days, but when you have a major concussion and looking at your phone gives you a splitting headache and everyone is at work so you're left alone by yourself all day definitely makes the days feel longer.

Plus, not only am I suspended, I can't even go to school for another two weeks because of my concussion.

It's about 7 pm and I go downstairs to get a glass of water passing Finneas's room, where I hear a piano playing.

I knock on the door waiting for a response. He opens the door and smiles, inviting me in.

"That was you playing the piano." I ask.

"It was a track I recorded a couple of days ago but yeah that's me." he said playing the track but turning it down a notch so my brain doesn't explode.

"It's beautiful." I say in awe. "Did you produce it?"

"Yeah, I actually wrote a song to it too." he said taking out a notebook.

"No way! Lemme see." I said in excitement.

He handed me the notebook and I read it silently but extra slow so I wouldn't get a headache.

"Finneas, you never told me you could write like this." I said not tearing my eyes away from the lyrics. "If you go somewhere with this you could make it big. Probably win a fucking Grammy. Can you sing too?"

"Nah, I'm not that good." (A/N I AM NOT THROWING SHADE I REPEAT I AM NOT THROWING SHADE. WE ALL KNOW FINNEAS CAN SING HIS ASS OFF IN REAL LIFE) "Don't call me weird for this, but I know you can sing, Billie. I hear you when I walk past your room all the time. Your voice is beautiful."

I looked up from the notebood and smiled brightly at him. "You think so?"

"Absolutely. You know what, why don't you sing this song for me? We can record it and just see how it sounds."

"I'm down. After my concussion is over of course." I laughed sarcastically. "What's the song called?"

"I don't know yet. I was thinking about calling it 'When the Party's Over'."

"That's dope. You know, I write too. Maybe I can show you some of my stuff one day."

"Yeah that'll be great."

I leave his room to get a glass of water and head to my room. I never thought about actually making music. I just wrote to let my feelings out, but maybe I could actually do something with my talent.

***

I wake up on a Saturday morning to the smell of breakfast cooking downstairs.

I get up and brush my teeth and quickly head downstairs to see Maggie cooking.

"Hey sweetie. Down for breakfast?"

"I would love some." I said as she hands me a plate.

I walk over to the dining table as she follows me. She sits down and slides me over a mug of coffee.

"So, how are you feeling?"

"I could be better." I say munching on food.

"Billie, I think it's time for a serious discussion."

Oh shit. What did I do?

"What's this?" she says holding up the box of Xanax that I stupidly left out in the open.

"Um...I don't know." I foolishly lie.

"Billie, you won't get anywhere lying. I found these just lying on your desk. Where did you get them?"

I froze remembering how I got the pills.

"I got them from this dealer at school." I lie again.

"Okay then." she said putting the box on the table. "What's going on? You don't think I know how you're always high? Is there something bugging you?" she said. I tried focusing on my food to avoid from crying.

"Um... I'm just scared I guess. I don't want to be transferred into another home again. I mean, right now it's looking okay but I never know." I admit.

"Is that all this is about or does it have something to do with that boy that hurt you?"

"Who Josh? Nah fuck Josh." I roll my eyes.

"I'm sorry Billie. I will do everything in my power to keep you here for as long as possible." she says reaching for my hands.

"Right." I scoffed. "That's what my last foster father said." I said bluntly.

"Do you miss him?"

"Not at all. I'm glad I left." I said wiping the tear, that I didn't even know formed, away.

"Billie, what happened in your last home." she asked without hesitation. I looked in her eyes seeing the sympathy in her eyes. As much as I wanted to keep my emotions bottled in, I just couldn't any longer.

"H-he would come into my room at nights." I started before crying.

"It's okay, sweetie." she said rubbing my shoulder before I continued.

"And um...he would keep me from school to um have sex with me." I said as I glanced up at her. All I saw was anger in her eyes.

"Where was the mother?" she asked calmly.

"She was there. And she knew. She knew but she didn't care. She never did anything to stop it."

Maggie got out of her seat and came around the table and kneeled down to my level to hug me.

"I overdosed on Xanax." I continued. "It was an accident, but sometimes I wish it would've just killed me. I went to rehab after that to help with my addiction, but quitting drugs never helped the pain, it just made others feel better about leaving me by myself. But all I think about is him and what he did to me."

Maggie just sat there silently staring at me looking for something to say.

"Listen, that man isn't going to hurt you anymore, okay? The sound of his voice, his scent, the feeling of him touching you, it will all go away. And you're not going anywhere, you're staying with me." she said.

She leaned in to give me another hug before releasing and smiling. She wiped the tears off my face and kissed me on my forehead. "I love you, okay. I need you to trust me."

I just sat there speechless. I couldn't say anything, I didn't know what to say. No one has ever told me they loved me before today. I mean, Daddy said it to me before, but I don't believe anything he says.

To hear it come out of someone who does just wasn't believable.

"How about we go out to the mall today? I know the doctors said to keep you inside but I think it's timw you get out. Besides, someone's Sweet 16 is coming up." she chuckled while standing up.

I just nod in agreement and continue my breakfast.

this kinda made me sad. and i just realized this isnt really a billiexbrandon story but more of billie going through shit. sorry, ill do better 😭