𝓐𝓾𝓭𝓻𝓮𝔂 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓮𝓶𝓪𝓷 | 𝓑𝓲𝓵𝓵𝔂 𝓑𝓪𝓽𝓼𝓸𝓷

xvi.

chapter sixteen

AUDREY FREEMAN

"All hands on deck," Victor said as we put our hands in the center of the table, except Billy. Of course, he wouldn't do that thing. I just rolled my eyes and let out a small scoff. What an actual jerk. 

I was sitting next to Freddy and Billy was across me. I feel like he was staring at me but I ignore him, not after what he said to my brother earlier. I know it's very low of me, but I don't want my brother treated like that and I really don't know what I was thinking earlier. I guess I'm just occupied with the thing that Diana gave to me. 

"Thank you for this family. Thank you for this day. Thank you for this food. I'm sorry Billy's hand's on vacay," Victor said.

We all pulled our hands away and sat back down. We're all eating quietly as I looked to Billy, who was surprisingly still staring at me. I furrowed my eyebrow at him and he's just stared down on his food. I just rolled my eyes at this.

"Big news in Philly, got a costumed hero. He's doing good," Victor started, breaking the silence.

"Yeah, but is he though?" Eugene asked. I looked at Freddy who was looking at Billy as I looked at Billy who was looking at me. 

"Oooh, Controversy. Into it. Share with us your perspective, Eugene," Victor told the younger boy, Eugene. The boy continues, "Just saying, he's what? Charging people's phones? So what? I can charge a phone with a plug," Eugene said as held his hands up and pretends he's holding a plug.

"Preach," Victor said and I noticed Billy is frowning while looking down in his food. "Pedro, any thoughts?" Victor added.

"Costume's stupid," Pedro simply said and I let out a smirk as I holding back my laughs. 

The others let out a laugh which makes Billy just frowned more. "Big white cape like he's getting married or something," Pedro continued.

"What if he didn't get to pick his costume?" Billy interrupted as I look at him with my eyes widen, is he trying to reveal himself as that superhero? Luckily the others didn't notice my expression as I let out a blank expression, trying to hide my shocked expression earlier. "Ever think about that?"

"Freddy, Audrey, You two are the specialist. What do you think?" Rosa asked. "Yeah, Freddy, Audrey, let's manage to see the positive," Billy said.

I furrowed my eyebrows, we just got into an argument earlier about this thing and he was expecting us to defend his superhero form? What an actual asshat.

"Okay, well I think it looks like he doesn't have gratitude for what he's been given," Freddy said and I let out a sigh and a nod "Yeah, I think so too," I added.

"Very specific," Victor muttered. "Alright," He added.

"Maybe to the superhero, gratitude doesn't mean having to be clingy," Billy said as he glanced at Freddy before glancing on to me. Pertaining to talk about us.

I make a face at his statement, so untrue as I said "Clingy?"

"Wow, interesting take," Freddy sarcastically muttered. "You know, maybe sometimes a superhero just wants a little me time," Billy said.

"You know, 'me' time could also be construed as pushing away his family," Freddy answered back. "And as if that superhero doing the right thing that the superhero usually does," I said.

Billy ignored me, "Family? Is that what they are now?" He asked. I frowned more while looking back at my plate. Yeah, I'll admit. It hurts to know that the special person that you think as a family doesn't think back that you're his family. I feel my eyes tear up so I tried to hide it by looking down even more.

"It's a classic symptom of superhero syndrome coined by German physiologist Heinrich Von German-something where superpowers become an all-consuming narcotic," Freddy said.

Billy just looked at Freddy before putting his fork down and standing up from his seat. He started to walk away as I looked at him and just let out a small sigh. "Son, we're still eating dinner," Victor called after him.

"What he needs is a sidekick or maybe two," Freddy yelled after him. "Name one cool sidekick!" Billy yelled back.

I just looked down again, continuing to eat the food even I already lost my appetite.

"Darla, why are you so quiet over there, baby? You're never at a loss for words," Rosa told at Darla, who's her mouth is full of food. "I'm eating," she said between her bites.

I'm frozen in my seat right now and I don't know what to do. Run after Billy and fix this thing right or stay here.

_____

I'm currently going to Mary's room, I'm not ready to face Billy yet and I don't want to start an argument with him again. 

"Mary?" I knocked, she opened the door and I see her doing something on her laptop.

"Oh, did I disturb you? I'm sorry," I quickly said as I start to walk out of the room.

"No, Auds, You know, you're always welcome here, right?" she said as she smiled which made me smile too.

"Can I sleep here tonight?" I asked her and she nodded, "Of course."

"I'm sorry, I've been giving you all a silent treatment the other days, it's just... I have a lot in my mind lately, I'm really sorry," I said.

"It's alright, Auds. I think... that thing you're thinking about is very important, so I understand it," she said.

"You're really a good sister, Mary, what would I do without you? I'm really going to miss you when you go to college," I said.

"About that... I'm actually thinking... that maybe I don't want to go to a college in California and just stay here with you all," she said.

"Why? It's your dream, Mary. And besides, you can go back on vacations and during breaks."

She just let out a sigh as I hugged her. 

"Goodnight, Mary."

"Goodnight, Auds."