"And you're picking me up? Right?" I asked him, my hands on the window frame of the cars rolled down window. Looking up at Billie in the drivers seat as he smiled down at me.

"I'm not disappearing Mallory,"

"So you'll pick me up?"

"Yes. I've picked you up from school before, I think I've got it- okay? Now you go to school,"

I squeezed my eyes shut having reminded. Looking over my shoulder at the school building. People walking up the steps into it, I hated this place.

Billie didn't park right outside, seems as both of us were familiar with each and every teacher it wouldn't exactly be a smart idea. Although Billie isn't a teacher anymore, I still had to attend her for a little longer.

"Go on," He chuckled. "You'll be late,"

"What If you call in sick for me?"

"Mallory-"

"-We can spend the day together,"

"Mal I-"

"-C'mon it'll be a blast,"

"But you-"

"-We can re create last night all over again and-"

"-Mallory,"

"Uhuh?"

"School,"

I rolled my eyes, taking my hands off the window as I got off my tippy toes. "Yes Mr Armstrong,"

"That a girl,"

I scowled at him slightly, he only laughed. Tightening my hand on my bag strap, I walked away from his car and made my way step by step closer to hell on earth.

Making it inside, I met Esme at the lockers as she stressfully shoved her books in. Throwing them in at a panic, then trying to quickly shut the locker door before they'd all fall out. I watched her fight for a second with the locker door, before accepting it wouldn't shut as she stepped back. Four chunky text books falling out and on to the floor.

"You seem to of dropped something," I smiled at her walking over to my locker.

"What you smiling for," She frowned, bending down to pick up the books.

I shrugged opening my locker. "Good mood,"

I shoved my bag on the shelf of my locker, as Esme stood back up with the books in her hand.

"Didn't think you knew what a good mood was,"

"Ha ha-" I sarcastically replied, taking a book from her arms. "Very funny,"

"I'm serious," she chuckled, watching me put her book in the spare space of my locker. Passing me another book. "What's gotten you so happy?"

I put the last book in, shutting my locker door reframing a smile. "Billie's got a few days off If you had to know,"

She nodded. "Ah, so that's why you're so chirpy,"

"Could say,"

We began walking down the corridors together. "Well- don't get me wrong. I'm enjoying this happy Mallory and all, and of course not wanting to pop your bubble. But you're aware we've got another test today?"

"What subject?"

"Biology,"

"I hate biology,"

"You hate everything,"

"Correction: everything hates me,"

Esme rolled her eyes as I laughed, before we joined at the back of a mini crowd around the papers up on the wall. Directing the students what hall, seat number and row they'd be sat at.

I didn't have to look to know mine was the same teachers lounge the ones so far had been it, I was only coming with Esme to look.

After finally patiently waiting, we'd managed to just so squeeze our way past the other students and look closely at the paper. Looking for Esmes name.

"Row C, seat seven." she read out loud taking out her pen before jotting it down on the back of her hand.

"And I'm in..." slowly looking down for my name. "Ah- TD, what a surprise,"

~

I sat back in the teachers lounge chair, my pen laid on top of my biology test that was closed on the table.

The coffee machine being used behind me by one of my old history teachers, Miss Williams, made noises of buzzes and clicks. Sounding like it was ready to either fall straight apart or explode.

"Knock knock," Miss Davis, my current English teacher spoke leaning forward in the space of the open doorway.

"Come in," Miss Williams replied cheerfully.

I watched as she walked around me, over to the coffee machine too. Hearing their bad attempts at whisperers.

"A long day, in need of another Coffee break," Miss Davis chuckled at herself.

"I don't blame you," Miss Williams replied. "With the lack of teachers at this school, picking up more lessons than bargained for has been a drag,"

"You're telling me. Such a shame so many leave so fast,"

"Isn't it just,"

There was a moment of silence. I leaned forward picking my pen back up as I began to dismantle it for entertainment. Taking its spring out.

"Wonder how Billie Joe's doing," Miss Davis spoke up in a breathable voice after a moment of nothing.

I felt my skin twitch for a second. Ripping the sentence of 'he's doing great' out my mind of saying.

"I'd almost forgotten about him," The other teacher replied laughing.

"Gosh- how could you? He was a fine piece of-"

I coughed. Purposely of course. Miss paused.

Before I felt a peer over my shoulder.

I looked up over, to see Miss Davis looking at my test shut on the table. "Finished already Mallory?"

"Indeed I am," I grunted.

"What are you doing with your pen?"

"What does it look like,"

"Excuse me Mallory-" Miss Williams quickly spoke up, sitting down on the other end of the large table with her coffee. "Don't ruin it. You've been good so far,"

What am I a child? "Hmm,"

"Have you checked through it?" Miss Davis asked.

"Mhm,"

"How many times?"

"Once,"

"Maybe you could do with checking through it again, you've still got-" she paused, looking up over at the clock on the wall. "-Twenty minutes left,"

"I can read the time,"

"Well alright then Miss attitude," She laughed slightly, looking over at Miss Williams as they shared a little giggle at her unfunny comment. "Best get back to my class,"

She walked back, grabbing a cup of already dispensed coffee. Saying goodbye to Miss Williams as she began to walk off.

Before I just- "He's doing great by the way,"

Miss paused, looking over at me confused not understanding. "Huh?"

"Mr Armstrong," I smiled. "He's doing great,"

Misses eyes looked over at Miss Williams. Who really had nothing to say to the comment other than a shoulder shrug. No one said anything to that comment, which was how I liked it, and after that she'd finally left the room.

Miss Williams sighed as I put my now broken pen back down. "Oh Mallory,"

"What?"

"Why can't you just be silent for an hour and twenty minutes? That's all I ask of you,"

I smiled innocently. I wouldn't lie, I felt better after my little remark. "Mmm, not too sure myself Miss,"

~

"So then I told her you we're doing great," I smiled proudly, looking over admirably at Billie Joe who was driving.

"You get yourself into too much trouble,"

"It was funny!" I defended. "Highlight of my day,"

"Annoying teachers shouldn't be the highlight of your day Mal,"

"Somethings never change," I shrugged.

Billie parked the car outside the café. I undid my seat belt before leaning over between Billies chair and mine, managing to reach my apron which rested on the back seats of Billies car.

We got out, I sighed exhaustedly with the apron tucked under my arm as the both of us walked in.

The café right now was empty, I could hear the faint noise of the radio playing around the back of the building. Some old music I wasn't quite familiar with at all.

I let out another breath walking over to the counter. "I don't have the energy for school and work," I mumbled lifting the apron over my head.

Billie shook his head with a smile, taking the aprons straps habitually as he moved closer. Stretching his hands around me. He wrapped the strap around my body as they shortened in front of my stomach, where he began to tie the bow. "Part of life. Before y'know it school'll be over. Just gotta hang in there for a week left or two,"

After he'd finished tying my apron, I gave him a kiss on the head before walking behind the counter. "On the bright side. I've finished with all my Maths and science tests. And music- thank God for no more stupid music lessons,"

"I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear the last part." Billie mumbled, pulling a stool closer to the counter as he took a seat. Leaning his arms on the counter top before smiling at me. "What's the plan for after work huh?"

"Someone's seeming eager,"

"Hmm- let's think about that Mallory. What about this morning when you said- and I quote! 'We can re create last night all over ag-"

"-Shut up!" I panicked embarrassed, covering his mouth quickly with my hand as I leaned over the counter.

He muffled words under my hand as I laughed hysterically, before hearing a cough.

I looked over to realise an elderly women waiting for her order to be taken. After apologising embarrassedly with Billie chuckling, I walked back around to the counter and took her order.

"I'll have it to your table when ready," I smiled nicely dropping her change into her hand.

She took the change and thanked me somewhat bluntly, before walking away.

Leaving Billie I made my way around the back as I started the coffee machine up before going back over to him. "Have you spoken to your mom at all?" He asked.

"No- why?"

"Isn't she confused about where you were last night?"

"Probably," I shrugged, before walking back off back to the coffee machine.

Pouring a coffee, I made my way back around with the cup on a little plait, placing it in front of the women on her table. She nodded thanking me before Billie continued.

He looked at me confused. "Probably?"

I shrugged- "Well, the night wasn't necessarily planned,"

"She's gonna be angry with you- isn't she?"

I nodded. "Most likely,"

"So why don't you care?"

"She's always angry with me," I shrugged carelessly. "It makes no difference to me anymore,"

"Don't you get worried about crossing the line with your parents?"

I laughed. "I crossed the line a while ago, I think I'm fine,"

Billie looked at me unsure, but nothing else came out his mouth. Assuming he'd said his piece of the matter, I got on with the rest of the jobs on my shift. Such as pots, mopping and whatnot. Whilst Billie sat in the same spot, floating from call to call for his work.

The shift wasn't long considering it was after school, after cleaning up, taking orders, brewing endless amounts of Coffee for Billie Joe, the shift had closed around to an end for me.

"Where to now m'lady," Billie teased, taking the apron off from around my neck.

I moved back as he took the apron into his hands. "My shifts over. We can do what you wanna do," I shrugged.

Making our way out the Café and out the door over to where Billie Joe's parked car was. We both agreed to head back to his once again.

"And your sure you don't want to at least pop home for even a few minutes to let your parents know your alive?" Billie asked pulling his seat belt over his chest.

I shut the car door looking over at him with a laugh. "I'm not worried, neither should you be,"

"One of us has got to be worried for you,"

"It'll be fine," I waved my hand with another shrug. "Don't sweat it,"

Billie shook his head in a 'I give up with this' manner, before looking back in front and starting up the car.

I moved around in my seat uncomfortably whilst waiting for the car to start. Fidgeting around before we began to move.

"So to mine?" He asked for confirmation.

"To yours-" Before my phone began to ring in my back pocket. "-hold that thought,"

I pulled my phone out looking at the light up screen.

"Who is it?"

I grunted slumping back in the car seat, even more uncomfortable and now uneasy. "My mom,"

"Are you going to answer?"

"Not that I wanna,"

"Well can you?"

"Why?" I asked, looking over at him.

His eyes were squinting in pain as he looked at the road ahead. "'Cause your ring tones annoying,"

Rolling my eyes before the phone call cut off, I answered it pulling the phone to my ear. "Hello?"

"Mallory- where are you?"

"I've just finished my work shift mom,"

"Well I want you on your way home. Now,"

"What?" I looked over at Billie as he quickly looked back at me. "Why?"

"I know fully well what you've been doing- I want you home straight away,"

"Am I in trouble?"

"Yes! Home!"

"I am I am!" I cut the phone call of with the end button. Breathing out. "Jeez,"

"To your house?"

"Looks like it," I sighed.

"What she say?"

"That she knows what I've been doing? I don't know what that means? Probably another empty threat to scare me,"

Billie pursed his lips, turning the car around a corner as we circled back to go the opposite way back to my house. "Hmm," he mumbled. "Done anything wrong lately?"

"Surprisingly enough- no. Not as far as I can tell,"

It didn't take long to get back to my house. Billie and I had agreed that since- well I didn't know what it was my mom wanted me back for- that he'd come pick me back up when it was over.

My best guess was probably about where I was last night. But I mean- I disappear for nights with no notice before? It's not like I hadn't done this before, plenty of times? I use to do it all the time at Esme's. She just gave up in the end. So what's the deal now?

"Wish me luck." I sighed, unplugging the safety belt.

"You'll be fine," Billie assured. "Ring me when you're finished with whatever it is,"

"If I'm still alive,"

He chuckled, pulling me over with his arm as he kissed the side of my head. Before mumbling: "You'll be fine Mallory,"

"Maybe." I replied, before letting go. I opened the car door and jumped out. "But if you don't get my call by an hour, I can't assure I'm still living.

"Got it. I love you,"

"Yeah yeah- love you too." I smiled before shutting the car door.

Waving Billie off, before taking a deep breath in and turning around.

Y'know, it was almost frightening. There I could see, my mothers figure behind the glass of the front houses window. Just staring at me. Her arms crossed.

Had she saw me see off Billie? There's no way, he never even got out the car.

I waved sarcastically to her making my way down the gardens path, before walking casually through the front door.

"I'm back." I announced, kicking the door shut behind myself.

Walking into the living room where I knew my mom was, I found my parents.

My dad sat on the sofa, sat up with a look of sheer disapproval. My moms livid expression twitched on her face as she looked over at me. Her back now turned to the window, yet her arms still crossed as if they were glued that way for eternity. She stood up right, ready to loose her patience in a fit of rage she'd been holding in for me to walk through the door.

And here ladies and gentlemen. Is where I die.

"Whose car was that?" She asked, hardly opening her mouth properly as the words gritted through her teeth.

I gulped, my palms felt sweaty. The way she contained the anger made me nervous. "A friends," I lied.

"Who was that that picked you up yesterday?"

"A friend,"

"What's their name?"

I looked over at my dad, he looked away from me. Looking back at my mom, whose eyes never left, I gulped again. "Just Esme,"

"Really?" She asked bluntly.

I nodded.

My mom looked up at the ceiling trying even harder now to contain herself from screaming. "Mallory." She growled. "Go sit down where your farther is,"

I didn't say anything, my dad got up from the sofa as I basically swapped seats with him. Sitting down slowly as I carefully watched both parents. "What's this about?" I asked hesitantly.

"Esme." My mom repeatedly walked over. "Weird how she looks so much different,"

"Huh?"

"Who were you with Mallory,"

"I told you, it was-"

"-Mallory!"

I flinched hard. "What?"

She breathed in for a second. Before looking down at me from where she stood. Her facial expression twisting into a look of sheer disappointment. "Why an earth- why on this possible earth! Have you been getting in and out of your teachers car?"