Chapter Two: Rather Be Anywhere else

I stared at Billy blankly, immediately regretting all the nerves I felt. I also felt like a fool. It was clear that the Billy I knew was not in the building, he wasn't even in the state. I expected this, so the pain wasn't as bad as it could have been.

But it was still there.

"Well, nice to see you anyway." He reached a hand forward and shook it, for maybe a second. Then walked over to the table. "Can I go out now?"

"Not until our guests leave." I could feel Neil was trying to appear contained, however his tone gave a lot away.

The was an awkward air in the room. Susan and my mother were chatting with my father while Neil asked me a few questions. Billy sat in the corner, staring at me from time to time, but only to make sure I knew he didn't want me there.

Not only that, but I was trying to wrap my head over the fact that the person I was looking forward to seeing was gone.

I needed a distraction I looked around the room and met Max's eyes; she wanted out of this as soon as I did. I found my ally.

"Maxine," I said.

"Can you call me, Max?" She asked.

"Sure." I smiled. "Is that your skateboard."

Her eyes lit up. "Yeah, do you skate?"

"Not you too," Neil sighed. "I am always worried she is going to hurt herself on that.

"Oh, I have never learned…" I smiled awkwardly. "But, I would love to watch you skate."

"I can show you now…" She looked at her mother, sweetly as if to ask permission.

"Go on… I can heat up dinner and talk to the Contes," Susan said with a smile.

We both grinned as we began to high tail it out of there.

"Billy, go with them." His father snapped.

"Dad I don't think-"

"Go. With. Them,"

I looked to Billy, who, seemed… scared. He then looked to me and scowled. "Fine," He pushed passed us both.

"He is always like that," Max said as we stepped out of earshot. "It's not just you… Billy even seemed… better when he heard you guys were coming."

I paused as I looked at her. "I doubt that," There was a pause between us, before I shifted the topic. "Now show me what you can do,"

"Okay" She seemed genuinely happy. "I like your sweater, by the way." She pointed to my red sweater, it left my shoulders slightly exposed. It was my favorite. Even if you could see my scar.

"Thanks… red is my favorite color." I smiled.

We talked for a while as she skated in circles. Billy was watching us but didn't seem to care.

"You're terrific, Max," I said. "I have no balance."

"It's not that hard," She blushed. "Here, let me show you." She put the board at my feet and smiled at me with encouragement.

I stood up and looked at the board with a raised eyebrow. "Okay… but if I fall, you can't laugh."

"I do not promise that." She said flatly.

I smiled as I stood on the board. "Wha-" I was not sure how to hand the unstable surface. Max reached out and grabbed my hands. "Okay, so you are going to lean forward… slowly."

I nodded as I leaned forward, the board slowly moved with me. "Oh, Oh, I am doing it," I said.

"Look at you," Max said I could tell she was actually impressed. "Now, apply weight to the side of the board." I nodded, and the board began to move with me. "Look at you go… I think I can let you go."

"Are you sure?" I said.

"Yeah, you are natural." She beamed right as she dropped me like a hot potato.

I began to skate for just a little faster, there was a slope, but it made things better. I forgot for a moment that I lost a friend, and for the first time at that stupid dinner, I was smiling. Really smiling.

I grinned and looked up to see Billy watching, not just watching but smiling. A gentle smile that made everything better. I was taken by it thoroughly, so much that I didn't balance myself.

And the board felly right out under my feet.

The fall wasn't bad. I managed to catch myself on my palms. The only pain I felt was the sharp sting from the pavement on my hands. My knees hurt as well, but honestly, it was better than my hands.

"GENE" I looked up to see Billy running over to me.

"Are you okay?" Max looked down at me.

"Only thing bruised is my ego... and well my hands," I winced as I showed her the damage, "But you should grab your board." I smiled.

Before Max could say anything, Billy was standing in front of us. "Get your fucking board before someone runs it over."

"Fuck you, Billy," She said as she looked at me one last time. I gave her a nod, and she sped off after her board.

"Fuck, you're bleeding." He held my hands gently and looked all over my body for anything else. I was surprised for a moment to see Billy so attentive.

"I am fine, Billy," I rolled my eyes. I looked down at my hands. It wasn't pretty… but I was the queen of that.

"There is blood all over your hands. At the very least is disgusting." I flinched at his words. Billy suddenly stopped yelling and watched my reaction. "Look… just come with me." He reached forward and helped me up. his hand was gentle as he lead me through the house into his father's room. "Put your hands under the sink."

"Thanks… for helping," I said with a slight smile.

"I just don't want blood all over the food." He said as he began to wash the pebbles out of my hands. I winced at the pressure. And then suddenly he was gentle again. "Sorry…"

"It's okay." His touch was warm and sent waves through me. I stared at him. He was beautiful, Even though I hated the mullet, his jaw had become sharp and large, I remembered his chubby cheeks and goofy smile. Billy really had changed, and my heart twitched at the thought. His eyes had gained a piercing stare that threw me off. I missed that light that used to dance in his eyes. I thought I saw it before I fell. But I had a feeling I imagined things. This was not my Billy.

"You need to be more careful," He suddenly said. "I… falling like that is just going to worry people."

"I didn't mean too…" I muttered. "I mean who means to fall-"

He looked up at me for a moment. His eyes held things that I couldn't read. Billy continued to stare while I just shifted under his gaze, completely trapped. "Just be more careful. Please."

I didn't know what to say to this, so I just stared at him.

"Why are you always staring at me." He said, almost jokingly.

"Why did you lie."

"When?"

"That day… you said you weren't the boy I knew…"

"I am not" He looked up at me. "I don't know who you are… I barely remember you…. And I don't know how you remembered me."

"But did you know who I was when you saw me in the summer?"

"Yes," Billy refused to meet my eye. There was something He wasn't telling me.

"So why didn't you introduce yourself," I sighed.

"Like I said," Billy pressed. "I don't know you," Every word was slowed to emphasize the point. "As far as I am concerned you are just some girl my dad talks about from time to time,"

That hurt the most, my eyes began to sting. "What about…" I looked down. "Did… did you get any letters?"

"No." He said without thinking. "Why did you get any?"

"No," I said. "Not once."

"Well then that should be answer enough. I don't know you." His words hit me like a brick wall. I could tell there was conviction behind each word.

My throat was tight, and my face felt hot. I pulled my hand from Billy's "Message loud and clear asshole," I muttered. "I got this."

He turned the sink off and grabbed my hands. "Just let me finish."

"I said I am fine." I snapped. "Leave me alone."

Billy's face twisted with hurt and then anger. "Fine, do it yourself. Like I care anyway,"

He began to leave, and then I realized I could not do this. I could not finish this whole Dinner and then drinks after. "Hey," I suddenly snapped.

"What now?"

"Where is your phone?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Not your business."

"It's my phone" He shot back.

"I need it to fix my hand- what do you think I need it for?"

He stared at me for a moment. "There is one on the nightstand in my Dad's room. And clean your fucking hands before you use it."

He slammed the door behind me. I looked down at my hands and bandaged the bad part pretty well. Then, I walked out to the bedroom. I grabbed the phone and began to dial.

"Hello?" Joyce's voice echoed through the phone.

"Hey Ms. Byers,"

"Genie?" I could hear the smile in her voice.

"Yeah… I was wondering if Jonathan was there?"

"Oh, yes, one second." It wasn't long before I heard Jonathan's voice.

"Genie?" He asked. "We still on for tonight?"

"Yes… but" I sighed. "Can you come pick me up from this address in like 30 minutes" I read off the address for Jonathan.

"Sure… is everything alright? I thought you had big plans tonight." His voice was teasing.

"I-" Heat flushed my face, threatening tears. But I would be damned if Billy caught me crying. "It's all a mess… I just… I will tell you more when we're together… I just need you right now.�� Jonathan and I were always friends, and if anyone was going to understand what I was feeling… it would be him.

"Hey, don't worry about it. I will see you soon."

I breathed out a sigh of relief. "Thank you so much." Was all I could say before I heard him hang up. "Sure gene" I was surprised when Jonathan was still on the line. Must have been a trick of the mind. I hung up and paced the room for a moment before Max poked her head in hesitantly.

"We are sitting down to eat…" She said as she pushed the door forward.

"Great!" I put on the best smile I could manage.

Max stared at me for a moment, struggling for the right words, "He… he isn't always like that."

"I know," I smiled. "I had fun hanging out with you, though… you will have to teach me how to skate for real."

Her eyes widened. "I would, but…"

"Hey, are you done playing nurse yet?" Billy walked in behind her. "Its time to eat, and the quicker we can finish this, the quicker I can leave."

"On that," I folded my arms. "We agree." I reached for Max's shoulder and walked her to the dining room.

"Hey, sweetheart," My mom said. "How is your hand?"

"All better," I smiled. "Billy helped me clean it up."

Billy straightened for a moment studying me.

"That was good of him." His father grunted. "Maybe you are finally learning manners,"

Dead silence. I looked over to my mother. "Oh, you know Jon is picking me up at 8, right?"

"Oh, I thought it was later" My mother was pretty forgetful with small details, so it was pretty easy for me to change plans without her noticing. "I like Jonathan though, he is a good boy. You two have fun."

"Thanks," I smiled.

We got through Dinner pretty fast, I did my best to keep the conversation off of Billy. I couldn't bear to think of him right now.

The doorbell rang, and I bolted. "It was so nice seeing you guys again. Max, let me know if you need to get settled or a tour of the school. I left my number by your skateboard," I walked to the door and found that Billy was following me.

"What if I need help" I could hear the malice in his voice.

I flipped him off. "I think I showed you everything you need to know," I said as I swung the door open. Thank god, Jonathan was here. He flashed me a dopey smile and then looked over my shoulder. I didn't have to look at Billy do know he was trying to stare Jon down.

"Ready," He said with a raised eyebrow.

"Yes," I said, my voice for of exhaust.

As I got into his car, I looked to the house one last time to see Billy watching the whole time I left.

"You okay?" Was all Jonathan had to say before I started crying. He pulled over and reached a hand over awkward to rub my back. Jonathan was a good friend, but I knew this made him uncomfortable. However, I needed to cry a little longer.

"No," I muttered. "Billy was so cruel... like I didn't matter at all to him, and I know its been years... but he didn't even acknowledge me," I thought about it. "Like I was nothing,"

"Gene..." Jonathan wrapped and arm around me while I cried a little longer. "You are someone, Billy is just stupid. And he is going to see that sooner than you think,"

I laughed at the idea of Billy regretting something. "God it was my fault, I put too much on tonight,"

"Why?"

I pushed away to think about it, Jonathan asked a fair enough question; Why? "I guess... I just wanted to believe a stupid fairytale I wrote myself as a kid,"

"Gene..." I could feel Jonathan wanting to be there for me, but there was nothing he could give that would help change the fact I was wrong about Billy.

"I will be fine… but can we get milkshakes," I said as I wiped the tears from my face. "I deserve some chocolate.

Jonathan smiled. He was a close friend for a while, even before all of that. When people gave me shit or broke up with boyfriends, he was always my first call. Mainly because I didn't want them to be beaten up, but then after a while I found that Jonathan and I connected on a lot of levels.

The main being we knew what it felt like to get left behind.

As we pulled into the shake place, he put a hand on my shoulder. "I'll grab them"

"Wait… do you want to take a walk?" I said. "We can just walk down the main street from here, and can still make the movie.

"Yeah… let's do that" He then gave me a smile. "You want fries?"

My eyes brightened. "Yes… but popcorn"

He nodded. "What will it be, Genie?" He teased. "Hard decisions."

I got out of the car and smiled. "Popcorn"

"Chocolate milkshake?"

I nodded. Jonathan walked into the diner while I looked around. A typical sleepy night. Then I heard it.

"Hey, if it isn't shark bite," I groaned and turned to see Ricky staring at me.

Ignore. Don't engage. Maybe I think it enough I might follow my advice.

"Oh, don��t give me the scarred shoulder" There was a pause. "Get it?"

I kept my back turned. "Come on, shark bite," The voice was getting closer. "Where is the fun if you don't play along?"

I balled my fists. "Shaaaaaarkkkk biteeeeeee," He pressed. "Come on, you used to love that nickname."

"It lost its charm when we broke up," I said. Scolding myself. Why did I talk?

"She speaks. Will she turn around?" I almost laughed at that. But I did turn around. I needed a little attention tonight. I turned to see Ricky across the street, grinning at me. "Oo is today, my lucky day."

"Maybe I just have the time to deal with your nonsense," I said. "What do you want?"

"You," He slurred.

"Creep."

"No, I mean… Genie… I just us to talk."

I sighed. "I am with somebody… some other time."

"Who are you with?" I turned away and looked for Jonathan. Where was he? I usually had no issue handling Ricky, but I hated it when he drank. It was one of the reasons we broke up, so I wouldn't have to deal with his bad choices. But I found myself in a parking lot, face to face with him, despite my efforts. Small towns, I guess.

"No one you would care about, now just leave me alone." I shot back. "And even if I was with someone for you to worry about- I am single. Get over it.

"Genie, can we please talk-" He began to step forward across the street.

"No-"

Suddenly an engine revved. It was dark, so I could only see the square headlights and a thin outline of a car, but it began to drive right between us. It cut Ricky off, almost hitting him in the process, and keeping the space between us.

"Fucking asshole," Ricky yelled. He then looked back at me.

"Ricky," His friend slurred his words as he caught Ricky's shoulder. "Let's go."

He looked at me one last time and then walked off.

"Hey," I turned to see Jonathan holding out a shake. "Everything okay?"

I smiled. Sneaking one last look at the car that saved me. It was waiting at the end of the street, as if to make sure Ricky would not return. I was reading into things. Time to take a step back. "Yeah, just a little cold."

"Oh, here." He took off his jacket and put it on my shoulders. Jonathan was a gentleman, not many people saw it because of how quiet he was. I think that's why my father liked him so much that he knew nothing would ever happen between us.

The car then sped away, and I walked in the opposite direction.