I scowled down at my phone. Sending another text to Esme trying to explain myself. How I didn't keep her updated on what happened with my mom, how my moms kicked me out and I never said a word to Esme telling her, how I rang Billie instead, how I didn't show up to grad to join her. And if you can imagine, it wasn't going well.

After sending a whole paragraph explaining how overwhelming everything has been and I'd forgot, I sighed dropping the phone.

Billie was downstairs- doing... whatever. I didn't care.

After his phone call yesterday, I acted normal towards him of course. We were normal for the rest of the night. But this morning? For some reason it all hit me harder. I guess you could say I still kinda felt sour about what I heard on his phone call this morning remembering. I'd been out of his way all day.

Sat on his bed crossed legged, I looked up at the bedroom door as it creaked open. Billies head peeking in.

"What's going on?" He gave a wonky smile.

I forgot to wipe away my scowl, looking up at him with knitted eyebrows. He scrunched his up back.

"What?"

"Nothing Billie,"

The bedroom door shut as he walked over, the mattress sinking slightly as he sat beside me. "You've been up here an awful lot today huh?" He asked, poking my rib cage.

I swatted his hand away automatically. No comment.

"Awww c'mon, what's with the mood?"

"I told you! Nothing,"

"C'mon! What's up with you?" He laughed, attempting to poke me again.

Once again, I swatted his hand away. Or- tried to. Until he'd poked under my ribs with his other hand. I couldn't help but smile slightly trying to grab his hand and push it away.

Until he continued, both hands poking me annoying me more and more. But I was really becoming less annoyed. Laughing at this point. "Billie stop!"

"Tell me what's up with you!"

"Fine!" I giggled. Until he stopped.

"Well... what is it Mal?"

"I'm just- I didn't sleep a lot last night,"

He smiled childishly. "Well I mean- both of us didn't do much sleeping last night,"

Resisting the urge to laugh at Billies teasing, I continued to try and lie. "Well, after that I couldn't sleep well. So I guess I'm just tired,"

"Tired?"

"Uhuh,"

He squinted for a long moment looking over at me. "Bullshit,"

"What?"

"C'mon, don't lie. What's really bothering you huh?"

I breathed out, putting on what I hoped was a convincing smile. Leaning over as I kissed him quickly on his cheek, before repeating myself again. "Nothing Billie Joe, I really am just tired,"

Of course I felt bad having to lie. But if I said what I was really thinking all the time, I doubt I'd even be alive.

Sometimes people really are right when they tell you you need to learn when to keep your mouth shut. Sure I hadn't understood that completely. But I knew it applied now.

Even though lies were dripping from my mouth, Billie smiled back pulling me back in. I could tell he knew I was lying. His smile was even telling it me. It was a like a playful eye roll on his lips saying 'I know you won't tell me the truth,'

So instead, he kissed me.

~

"Esme's pretty angry at me y'know," I mumbled looking up at Billie from his lap.

He looked back down at me away from the tv in front. "Why's that?"

"Because Ive not been keeping her updated apparently," I mumbled, looking back over at the TV.

Billie didn't reply, so I could only assume he'd looked back at the televisions too. One thing about Billie was sure, he wasn't too good conversations when watching something.

"I was texting her earlier on," I continued, looking back up at him. Only able to see the under his chin as the screen infronf still had his attention.

"Uhuh,"

"She didn't sound too happy. So we texted back and forth, then she stopped replying,"

"Yeah,"

"I think she's pissed off at me. I guess maybe it was wrong to make her worry- she seemed worried when she came over when I was locked inside,"

"Yeah,"

"I'll probably go and see her soon and-"

"-Uhuh,"

I huffed. Trying so hard not to break a laugh. "Billie Joe you're not even listening to me,"

"What-" he looked down at me offended. "Huh? Yeah I am! Listening to your every word,"

"What was I saying?"

He froze, eyes flickering up to the TV for a second like it would help him with an answer. "Esme?" He guessed.

"What about Esme,"

"Alright fine- I wasn't." He admitted. Small guilty smile before leaning down, leaving a kiss on my forehead. Before keeping his face close to mine with the same grin. "You got me,"

I rolled my eyes finally cracking a grin. "Well whatever,"

"No- c'mon what were you saying?"

"Doesn't matter now,"

"C'mon Mal, I'm listening now. I'm all ears- tell me,"

I shook my head, looking back over at the TV as I heard him huff. Then as if the timing couldn't of been more perfectly there was a knock on the door. Making him huff again, louder.

Lifting my head up off Billies lap, he shoved himself up making his way to the front door to see who ever the hell it was. I looked back over at the television, honestly forgetting the door had even knocked until a few minutes later Billie and his two friends walked back in.

"Look whose back," Billie smiled fakely, making his way back over to where he was sat originally.

I turned my head looking over at Tre and Mike. Smiling over at them. "Hi guys,"

"Nice to see you again Mallory," Mike grinned. Tre nodded before adding.

"Has Billie told you?"

I looked over at Billie Joe who'd just sat down a moment ago. He sighed picking up the tv remote as he replied. "Just sat down Tre,"

"Told me what?"

"The albums finished," he told me turning the tv off. Not seeming that static. Was he upset it was finished?

"That's good." I smiled. But his tone threw me off. "Right?" I looked over at Mike and Tre more for support, not understanding the problem.

Mike threw me over an awkward shrug. "It's suppose to be. But you wouldn't believe with Billies lack of enthusiasm,"

"What do you want me to do Mike? Jump around?"

Sometimes I did think Billie himself had changed. From knowing him as my teacher, being a cocky, sarcastic asshole to now the way he was now. But then I'm reminded, he'll always be a cocky, sarcastic asshole. Just not always to me.

"Oh c'mon Billie," Tre joined in, smile only over his face to annoy Billie more. "Lighten up a little. I don't wanna tour around with a-"

"-That's enough. Tre," Billie cut him off quickly.

"You're touring?" I questioned, speaking back up in the conversation.

The room went dead silent. Billie only looked at me, a little surprised like that was suppose to fly over my head. No clue I'd act already heard him speak about it on the phone. I guess it was the perfect opportunity to speak up.

"Dude- you didn't even tell her?" Mike whispered judgingly.

"Shut up mike!" He sighed, looking away from mike and at me. His eyes immediately changing from agitated to calm. "I was gonna bring this up sometime soon, but I guess I'll say it now,"

"You're touring? Like... around states?"

He nodded. Kinda awkwardly. Like he was admitting he did something wrong. "Pretty soon,"

"How soon?"

"A few weeks,"

My mouth opened up to say something. But what was there I could've said? I wanted to ask what about me:

But for once in this whole scenario Billie and I have gone through. This wasn't about me. This was finally about Billie, who deserved it. Who worked for it and finally deserved it.

How could I possibly ask about myself?

"What?" He asked, looking nervous. "What is it?"

"N... nothing Billie Joe," I smiled over at him.

He looked at me for a few seconds. I forced a smile. He was really going to tour? And I guess I'd be left behind.
But I should've seen it coming. I said from the start this wouldn't be a forever thing.
Me and Billie, I was stupid to ever think we could. This was always just a temporary thing.

Then Billie popped a grin. I scrunched my eyebrows over at him confused. Almost feeling a little tainted at how wide and enjoyed his smile was.

"What?" I asked.

"Oh come on," He gave me a push. What seemed like a playful one? "You woukdnt think I'd leave you behind would you?"

"I don't..." I looked over at Tre and Mike. Who smiled watching, then back at Billie. "I don't understand?"

"Mallory," He breathed out. Shiftibg positions to face towards me. "We're moving around. We've got a tour coming up... but that's not until a few months away- that's not what I'm asking you,"

"So what are you-"

"-We're releasing the album. Soon enough anyway. We're moving up further into California,"

"You-"

"-And I wanna know if you'd come with,"

I paused. He wanted to take me?

Did I mean that much to him?

My face engulfed in a smile. I laughed slightly, feeling a little giddy. "Of course I will you idiot,"