"I'm so sorry about them, are you okay?" I asked, gazing at Billie's beaten face.

"Yeah I'm fine..." He sighed, "I guess I deserved it."

"No way. You weren't even doing anything..." A small cut on his forehead began to bleed. I tried wiping some of it off, but he pulled away.

"I'll be fine babe. Don't worry."

"You sure?"

"Yeah... you wanna get something to eat?"

"Yeah that'd be nice. I just... uhm... I don't really have a lot of money..."

"That's alright. I can pay."

"You don't have to do that."

"I'm not letting you starve."

"Okay, fine. I'm paying you back though."

"Babe you don't have to do that."

"Well I'm gonna. And you gotta stop calling me babe. I'm dating Mikey, remember?"

"Sorry, I call most girls that," I hummed, "Where do you wanna eat?"

"I don't really care..." We stopped walking as he gazed around for a moment.

"There's this really good Chinese place nearby I just..." He gazed back and forth, "I think it's over here..."

I followed him down the sidewalk until we made it to a small building. Billie held the door open for me as we walked inside. Almost instantly the smell of butter chicken and egg rolls wafted through the air. Cooks in the back were yelling in a language I couldn't understand. Waiters and waitresses rushed to each table. It wasn't even noon and the place was bustling like mad.

"Woah..."

"Yeah, I know. I swear they're amazing." A waiter led us to an empty table for two and handed us menus.

"I've never been here before..."

"Most people haven't. It's kinda hard to find."

"How'd you find this place?"

"I dunno..." He gazed at the menu for a moment, "If you don't mind imma just order a plate for us to share."

"Why?"

"You'll see. Chicken fried rice?" It's like he read my mind.

"I love fried rice. You're telling me a chicken fried this rice?"

"You're telling me a pineapple fried this rice?" We both laughed. The waiter came over and Billie ordered the food. I set my head in hand, gazing at the boy sat across from me.

"What're you staring at, babe?" He asked once the waiter left.

"I'm just... confused."

"About what?"

"You... you're so..." I struggled to find the words, "I dunno... you're just so different. It's weird."

"What? You want me to be mean?"

"No! It's a good weird!" I chuckled, "Of course I don't want you to be mean. I like you like this. It's uhm... it's nice..."

"No one else seems to think so."

"Yeah, I know... you're just gonna have to give them some time."

"I'm sorry, what's on your face?" I hummed, then sighed as I remembered.

"My mascara from last night..." I explained, "I cried so hard it stained my face."

"Oh man," His eyes filled with sorrow, "You gonna be okay?"

"I'm sure I will. Might kill Mikey though..."

"If I'm being completely honest, I had fun with you."

"Yeah, I had fun too." And just like that the food had arrived, and now I understood why we only got one order.

"Holy fucking shit that thing is huge! It's like a fucking mountain! Jesus Christ..." Billie just laughed. I took a small portion from the mountain in front of us. Billie did the same, "I should take the boys here. I think they'd go bananas."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah... I'm almost sad that Frank and Gerard didn't follow us here." I joked. He laughed.

"Please, I really don't wanna get beaten again."

Carefully I used my chopsticks to pick up a small lump of rice and chicken. I wasn't terrible with chopsticks but to say I was great would be an exaggeration. To pick most things up I had to concentrate very hard. So that is what I did. I felt Billie's stare as I successfully carried the food to my mouth.

"You got it?"

"Yeah... you were right this is really good." He smiled. I watched as he used his chopsticks almost perfectly. Again I held complete concentration as I carried the food up to my mouth.

"Do you do that every time?"

"What?" He made his face look incredibly focused, "Oh... yeah, I didn't realize I made a face..."

"No it's okay! It's cute..."

"Billie..."

"Sorry..." He began, "I don't mean it like that," I sent a doubtful gaze, "What!? You're my friend! I used to tell my friends they were cute all the time. I meant it too." I laughed.

"Okay fine..." By the time we were done eating we each held a box full of fried rice to take home. We walked out of the restaurant, side by side.

"This was nice..."

"Yeah, it was. I should probably head home though. You think Gerard and Frank left?"

"I have no idea. I can take you home if you'd like." I pulled out my phone.

"Gimme a second." There were multiple texts from Gerard across the screen. I ignored them and sent a text asking if he was still here.

"Hey can I get your number by any chance?" I gazed up at him and thought for a moment.

"Uhm... yeah... sure, we're friends now, right?"

"Yeah!" We exchanged numbers just as I got a message back from Gerard.

G: no u mf how cud u do tat

A mass of angry texts followed.

"He's not here." Billie gazed over my shoulder.

"Geez that guy hates me. I'll take you home."

"Okay thank you."

"Yeah of course." But as I got into his car I realized I really didn't want to be home. I gazed at the boy beside me, thinking.

"What?" He asked.

"I uhm... are you doing anything for the rest of the day?"

"Not really. I was gonna go home."

"Oh..."

"Do you wanna come with?"

"I mean... I don't wanna be any trouble. I just-"

"No, it's no big deal babe. I wanna hang out with you too." I smiled.

"You really shouldn't call me that."

"Sorry, it's kinda... bad habit..."

"It's alright. To be fair I like it better than 'princess.'"

"What can I say? I'm a changed man..." We both laughed. As Billie began driving, my phone rang.

"It's Gerard... if he's calling me it might be important. Gimme a sec."

"Yeah go ahead." I hit answer.

"Hello? Gerard? I-"

"What the fuck is wrong with you!?"

"What!?"

"No! I'm not gonna talk to her!"

"Mikey?" The voices stopped for a moment.

"Hey Y/n..." Mikey greeted. I sighed.

"Hi..." It went quiet for a moment.

"So uhm... what's-"

"Mikey you motherfucker! How could you leave me like that!? I can't believe you!"

"No I know! I know I fucked up. I'm sorry!"

"Look, I can't do this right now..." I gazed over at Billie who sent a supportive smile.

"I hear you're hanging out with Billie..."

"Yeah... I am... so what?"

"Why?"

"Because even Billie understands that you don't ditch your fucking girlfriend at the fucking homecoming dance! I'm done talking to you..."

"No! Wait! Please..." I sighed, "Can I see you? Wanna come over tonight? I wanna talk about this..."

"I dunno..." Billie had pulled up to his house but we still sat inside the vehicle.

"What's going on?" Billie asked.

"Mikey wants to meet tonight... I don't really want to... but I know I should..."

"Y/n, please... even if you just came by for a bit would be fine. I just wanna see you."

"Mikey I..." I sighed once more, "Okay... I'll be there... what time?"

"Uhm... whenever..."

"I'll uhm... I'll stop by when I'm done hanging out with Billie. See ya later..."

"Yeah... bye..." I hung up and sighed again.

"Oh so many sighs..." Billie spoke, "That couldn't have been good." I held my face in my hands.

"I just wanna hide."

"Well..." He got out of the car, I did as well, "You can hide at my house for a bit."

"Thanks..."

I gazed up at the old and broken down home. The lawn was unkept, the paint was peeling, and weeds sprouted through the cracks in the driveway. I followed Billie inside. It felt like I was in a completely different house.

The walls were lined with photos of Billie and his family. Children's toys littered the floor, yet we seemed to be the only ones there. It was clear that this house was loved and that the family living here was loved even more.

"Billie?" He stopped, "Is this you?" I pointed to a school photo of a boy with blonde curls.

"Yeah..."

"Are you natural blonde? And curls?"

"Unfortunately, yes..." I then gazed at the straight raven black hair that occupied Billie's head.

"Have you ever thought of growing it out? Wearing it naturally?"

"No way..." He chuckled, "Then I'd really get hit."

"I bet it'd look nice though..."

"Yeah, I dunno about that..." We sat together on his bed.

"Why wouldn't it?" I gazed around his bedroom. It looked so similar to mine. Band posters and photos littered the walls.

"It's not exactly 'cool.'"

"Who cares?" I gazed back at the boy, "Besides... I'd think it's cool... doesn't that count for something?"

"Possibly..." He held a gaze that I knew all too well. But up until this point I had only seen it on Mikey.

"You shouldn't look at me like that."

"Why not?"

"Because of Mikey and plus, you're so much older than me."

"Mikey!? He ditched you at the dance! You're not still..." I gazed at him, "But he-"

"It doesn't matter. You're a senior. I'm not gonna be one of those girls."

"Can I uhm... can I tell you something?"

"What?" He hesitated.

"I uhm..." He stopped himself. It looked as if he were having a mini debate in his head.

"Billie, what's going on?"

"Uhm... I dunno. I just... I haven't really told anyone and if something like this got out it could kill me."

"What are you talking about?"

"You can't tell anyone."

"Okay I won't."

"I uhm... I... I skipped third and fourth grade..."

"What!?"

"I'm only fifteen."

"But you-"

"Don't tell anyone!"

"This is just so you can get with me. Isn't it!?" I got up to leave.

"What!? No! Oh my god! Why would I do that!?"

"I dunno! Boys do stupid things!" I cried, "You're the same species as Mikey. I shouldn't be surprised."

"No! I'm not lying!" He got up and ran after me, "You want proof!?"

"Fake proof? Yeah okay, go ahead and humor me."

"No! It's not fake, god! I'm sorry I never shoulda... ugh, gimme a second."

I followed him back into his bedroom. He cursed under his breath as he shuffled through a box in his closet. From what I could see it was full of trophies and medals. Eventually he held a photo in his hands.

"How's that for proof!?" I took the photo. A second grade class stood in rows. Billie was one of them, "You can check the year and everything!"

"I know some of these people..." He gazed over, "Oh my god, that's Gerard..."

"Frank and Ray..." Billie pointed.

"Of course Frank is making that face." He chuckled, "What are all these?" I gazed at the box.

"Awards... I uhm... I'm smart kinda..."

"You're joking..."

"No! It's why I skipped!" He showed me one of the trophies. It had his name printed and everything.

"Middle school debate team, wow..."

"I know it's so impressive..." He joked, "I used to be such a nerd."

"It's kinda cool..."

"Really!?"

"Yeah... uhm, is there anyway you could help me with my math homework?"

"Of course!"

"Really?"

"Yeah, I don't mind at all."

"Good, I don't understand any of it."

"Who do you have?"

"Gordon..."

"Oh that guy can't do math for shit..." I smiled, "So uhm... I've just told you one of my deepest darkest secrets..."

"I won't tell. I promise."

"Thanks..."

"Are you legally allowed to drive then?"

"No," He chuckled, "I only have my permit."

"Dude!"

"Hey! Frank doesn't have his license and I don't see you complaining."

"I-..." I thought for a moment, "I didn't even realize." Billie and I sat back on his bed, talking. Eventually, I laid down on my back and he laid on his side, gazing at me.

"... being a freshman at twelve years old... I couldn't imagine..."

"It was awful..." He began, "Much worse than what I did to you guys..."

"You broke Mikey's arm..."

"That's nothing. My fellow freshmen hated me. I got swirlies daily. I couldn't even go to class without getting hit. But, I guess it comes in handy now that I'm more immune to it." I caressed his beaten and bruised face.

"I'm sorry..."

"No it's fine. Everyone sorta forgot during junior year... I started fighting back... and taking my anger out on you guys... I'm sorry..."

"On us?" He nodded, ashamed, "But that's so stupid."

"What!?"

"I mean why would you take revenge on us? We didn't do anything. Last years freshmen didn't do anything. Why not get revenge on the ones who actually hurt you? Y'know, your fellow seniors..."

"Huh... I never thought about it that way..." I yawned, tiredly. He yawned as well.

"I mean I know to heal you should forgive and blah blah blah. But I mean, if you're the one who suffers why is it your responsibility to heal? Like, those who fucked you might not even know what you're going through..." My eyelids began to get heavy as I gazed at him.

"I have no idea why it's like that," He gazed back at me, "You getting tired?" I nodded, "Me too..." He yawned again. It went quiet. Gazing over I thought he might've fallen asleep. But it looked as if he was barely hanging on. 

"Billie?" He hummed, "I hope things get better for you."

"Me too babe..." And with that the two of us had fallen asleep.

Mclovin-
Holy fucking bingle!!! New chapter yippee!! Hope to have the next one out soon. Maybe in a few days idk though. We'll see. Have a nice day, peace out cheesebags.