Life Unimagined (Wattys)

May I Waste Your Time Too?

Everything was calm in the night until.

“Ahhhhhhhhh!” Bella’s scream stabbed sharply through the night as she kicked the top bunk and flung her arms.

“Wahh!” *Thump* Jessica fell off the top and hit the floor as soon as Bella’s foot hit the top. Everyone quickly jumped up. Bella was all sweaty and crying. She quickly ran to the bathroom. Billie quickly opened his door wide eyed, in his boxers with messy hair. He had a guitar held over his shoulder ready to swing.

“What’s happening?!” he yelled as he tried to focus. He saw the girls rushing to Bella in the bathroom who was vomiting. He quickly ran to the door and sat his guitar down off to the side. The girls had surrounded her holding her hair as she wiped her mouth.  Jessica moved as Billie sat beside Bella. “What happened?” He asked the others, pulling Bella to his chest. She was still crying.

“Anxiety.” Hedda  said putting on her glasses. They all looked back as the bus driver stepped in the door holding a plastic spoon like it was a knife.

“It’s ok Bill, Your spoon is useless here.” Billie said. The bus driver went to step away. “Real quick what kind of harm could you possibly do with a plastic spoon?” He stepped back in

“It’s a spork.” He pointed at the rough edges. “I could scoop some eyeballs out.” Jessica nodded impressed. He went to reside back in his seat that was laid back. “I’m getting to old for this shit.”

“Really? Your 36 man. I’m older than you.” Billie looked back to Bella who’s crying had slowed down by the random conversation. “You have a bad dream?” She nodded.

“Same as before?” Caitlin asked rubbing her arm.

“Uh huh.” She nodded. Tears flowing in a path down her face.

“This always happens when she gets really stressed out.” Hedda said looking at Billie.

“It’s just this whole running away you know, and the whole big gig and stuff, so much has changed in the past week.” She cried.

“I’m sorry” Billie said adjusting so that she was partially lying across his lap resting her head on his arm. He was cradling her.

“It’s ok. It’s for the best, it’s just happening so fast.”

“So what was this dream about?” She closed her eyes and turned her head toward his chest and cried a little.

“I’m five, and my mom’s an alcoholic but she say’s we must go to church so daddy will love us when we get to heaven, but her boyfriend constantly reminds us we’re going to hell. We go anyway and everything’s fine. Mom and her new boyfriend are whispering and giggling the whole time.” She sniffled. “We’ll get the car started give this money to the offering. Mom hands me a dollar. I skip to the offering plate but can’t quite reach it. The preacher helps me and talks to me. I go outside and don’t see mom’s car so I sat on the steps waiting, and waiting. Everyone leaves and I’m there alone. I start to walk to where I think home is and it starts getting dark. A man steps around from the corner and grabs me. Then I wake up.” She rubbed her nose.

“She always wakes up screaming.” Jessica added.

“I’m so sorry honey. Why would you have a dream like that?”

“Because…” she sniffled some more. “It really happened.” She turned hiding her face and cried some more. Billie gulped and stroked her hair. “When I was little I had pretty much gotten use to being left alone at different places, but only because I knew they would be back. After that man tried to kidnap me, a policeman drove by and thankfully saved me; but when he took me home.. my home was empty. No mom, no Carl, no car. My mom had skipped town. The social service had seen on record where they had been called to the home several times before. So they thought it was best for me to go to Northwood.” She cried more. Billie didn’t know really what to do or say so he just started rocking her, pulling her close.