Both Broken

Chapter Four

They were all at the old shack. Everyone was there except Billie. School change did not do well for him. He was in trouble for 4 days and well, the school did start 4 exact days ago.

And because of that trouble, they assumed, their band practices were near to be over. Yeah, five of them friends and all but everyone was a bit selfish. So, they were really wanted to make it alright, for selfish reasons perhaps except Pete. Pete was friends with Billie since his birth. He was really worried about.

''How can this dickhead always find a reason to ditch our rehearsals?'' Jack murmured as he watched Pete taking out his guitar off the case.

"Why did we agree to have him in the band in the first place?" Remi took Jack's complains further.

James was standing a bit far from them, but he could hear what they were saying. "Guys! You know he's not doing great these days!"

''And what would change if he came, we would make our debut? We are just trying to make some music for fun, can't you just relax a little?'' said Pete, joined James in defending Billie.

"We are not having fun! Look! Where is fun?" Remi kicked the pedal before him, making drum make a sound. He was watching all boys checking on their instruments with angry eyes.

''So, his existence makes you cry with joy? His colourful personality makes you wanna dance? His positiveness gives you breathe of life? Is this not our same old Billie who can get make you melancholic just by being around?'' Pete questioned Remi's words.

And he was right. Billie was the edgy, melancholic one. Usually, he would suck everyone's souls like a black hole.

"You're missing the point, you ass-head," said Remi as he got up, trying to defend himself.

"No, he's not. You're finding things because you wanna find them. That's all." James looked up to Remi.

''For fuck's sake, if anyone else ditched us like this, you would kick him out of the band. But somehow you have an endless tolerance for this guy," Jack broke his silence.

"He is in fucking trouble! Can't you be a bit understanding!? If you were the one at stake, he'd do anything to help but look at yourselves!" James shouted. He did not want to make a scene but that seemed necessary.

''Naah he wouldn't,'' Jack said briefly.

He had enough of it. He gathered his things quickly and went toward the door. His acts were followed by Remi, drumsticks in his hand.

Billie had never felt so shitty in his life. He had no actual intentions of coming here today but it was better than being at home and waiting for mum. His eyes were still a little red. He lowered his head to hide his eyes. But he saw Jack and Remi anyways.

"Oh! Our lil' princess finally arrived!" shouted Remi as he approached Billie. He was not still aware that the state his friend was in was serious

Billie looked at him without understanding anything. Thinking it was a silly joke, he somehow missed, he did not answer. He just went in.

"Is everything fine?" said Pete as soon as he saw Billie at door. Also, James was watching Billie's movements.

"No. Actually, it can't be worse." He sat and looked at their faces

"What happened?" James sat in front of Billie.

James and Pete, both were worried about their friend. Things were not easy for any of them. This fact made them came close to each other even more.

"You know what happened. The principal called my mother and told her that I keyed a teacher's car because she was the reason I got detention. My mum didn't even know that I got detention! Now the principal has my father pocketknife, we have to pay a 300-dollar bill and I am the greatest disappointment my mother ever had in her life."