Jessie with an i | Billy Andrews

Chapter eight

Fall went by slowly. Mainly because I couldn't wait for winter. It was my favorite season. Over the months of fall, me and Jane's relationship grew stronger. We where definitely best friends. We told each other everything. Billy teased me about something, if it was playful or in a bully way, she knew. If she had a crush on another boy in class, I knew. We would hang out at the tailor shop and imagine what it would be like to own all the dresses there. Some rainy days, we would each dress up in our favorite dresses and have a tea party or even pretend we are two of most beautiful princesses at a ball. Of course Anne and Diana would join us if we wished them to. Most of the time we would go to my house. But a few times the four of us would go to the Andrews' house. One Sunday afternoon, the three of us where dancing around a room with a piano in the Andrews' house that Diana was playing for us. Me,Jane and Anne where giggling as we danced around to the music. As we where I glanced at the doorway to see Billy hiding as he watches us. Not us, me. He had his eyes on me. I couldn't help but pick on him for it. I rush to him and grab his hand, pulling him into the room with us. He danced with me as Diana played. Jane and Anne even stopped to watch us. It was wonderful. I was blushing so much after he left the room that the girls teased me about it.

I knew winter was coming so every morning I would wake up with disappointment seeing no snow. Until one Saturday in late November. I woke up and rub my eyes. It was bright in my room and I didn't know why. I get out of bed slowly and walk to my window to let my eyes focus.
"SNOW" I yell as I see the beautiful white fluff in the ground.
I instantly go to grab my winter jacket with my winter hat. I grab my snow boots from deep in my wardrobe. Plus my pants over my skirt of my dress under my jacket. No way was I wearing a skirt outside. Especially now I have pants. I rush downstairs. "Please tell me you have my skates somewhere" I say to my mom.
"They should be with mine in my wardrobe" she replied.
I rush upstairs again and to my mothers room. They where in the wardrobe. I grab them and tie the laces together before I throw them over my shoulder. One skate in front and the other on my back. I rush downstairs and tell my mom that I was going skating with my friends. She says it's ok and I rush out the door after saying goodbye.
On my walk to the Andrew's place I couldn't help but just admire the beauty of the snow. I loved it so I was just so happy. Once I arrived I walk up the steps and to the door. I knock three times and wait. I could tell my nose and cheeks where red from the cold but I didn't mind. I had a hand on my lace of the skates that was across my shoulder. Once the door opened I look up and my eyes meet with the brown ones of Billy.
"Oh hi" I smile. My cheeks go from cold to hot. That's something else that grew stronger over time. My crush on Billy. But our relationship stayed the same. Snarky remarks to each other. That's it. And the occasional eye contact. He mostly talked to Josie. I could tell those two would be together soon.
"Hello Jess" He smiled leaning up against the doorframe. I could tell he was getting cold.
"May I come in?" I ask. He nodded and let's me inside. Once the door was shut he looks at me again.
"I was wondering if you and your sisters want to go skating with me. And maybe a few of the others that we can invite. I hear there is a nice pond we can stake on." I say.
He nodded. "Definitely. I'll be back. I'll go ask my sisters and my parents"
I nod as he leaves. I wait in the warmth as Billy goes to ask his parents and his sisters. Apparently it was a yes for the both of them cause they rush down the stairs dressed for skating and skates in their hands.
"Alright let's go" Jane said.
"What about Billy?" I ask.
"He's taking too long we can meet him there" prissy said.
"I can wait for him." I say. Jane nodded and grabs her sisters hand. They both leave, Jane winking at me before she shut the door. I chuckled. A few moments later, Billy rushes down the stairs. "Where's Prissy and Jane?" He asked.
"You where taking too long. I was about to leave myself" I say
"Well sorry" he said sarcastically.
"It's ok." I chuckled as I open the door. He puts on his scarf and coat before we both walk out. We walk in silence for a little but on our way to the pond. He knew where it was so I kinda let him take the lead. He would glance at me every so often and I would glance back at him. The silence was broken when his sisters find us. And they invited the whole school. I look around the group. No Josie.
I lean over to Jane. "No josie?" I asked whispering.
She shook her head. "I told her Billy was coming then I said you where too" she whispers back. "So she didn't want to come because of you. I think you won this round"
I high-five her. It made a thud since I had on no gloves and she had gloves on.
"So did you two do anything?" She asked still whispering.
"Nope... we just walked and looked at each other every so often" I sigh. "That's it"
"Some day" Jane said.
We arrive at the lake. "I thought it was a pond. I was told it was a pond. That's a lake" I chuckled and Jane laughs with me. Diana calls her over and I sit down to put on my skates. I slip them on and stand up I walk over to the lake and onto the ice. I get my bearings before I begin to skate smoothly.
"Incoming!"
I turn to see Billy skating at full speed to me. I yell and skate faster but I was no match for the blond. He grabs my waist and we both fall into a pile of snow at the side of the lake laughing.
"Billy Andrews!" I yell as I laugh. He kept laughing, his arms still around me. We both get up to our feet laughing as do. Jane came racing over on her skates.
"Jessie are you ok?!" She asked.
"Yeah yeah I'm great" I say calming down from laughing. "My stomach hurts" I put hand on my stomach. I look up at Billy who was chuckling still but smiling at me. I smile back. I watch as Jane skates away. I take a deep breath.
"Come on." Billy said and he skates away from me. I follow him and we skate side by side.
"You're the only girl I know who will wake up on the first day of snow and want to do something outside. And have others go with her" Billy said looking over at me.
"I've loved winter since I can remember. I would drag Samual out of bed when our lake froze over so we could play hockey" I say.
"You play hockey?" He asked.
"Sorta, we would have a competition on who could make the most shots into our net. Since it was only the two of us. I'm the better goalie soooo" I chuckled.
"We could put a game together today. You'll get some actual playing in" he smiled.
"Really?"
"Yeah, the boys would love to play. You can be goalie of course"
"Sweet! That would be really fun"
"Boys!" He calls out to them. "Let's play hockey!"
We stake to them. "We don't have many players" Gilbert said. "Four boys for each team."
"Actually Jessie plays goalie. Can she play?" Billy asked.
The guys agree. "But now it's uneven." Another boy said.
I get an idea. "I can ask my brother! We all need to grab sticks and nets anyway" I add.
They all agree and we all separate to get ready for the game.