In the Water

"Max," I smile into the phone. "What's up?"

"Billy told me to call you and said if you aren't out in 10 minutes, he will leave you."

"Okay"

"But Gene,"

"Yeah?"

"He asked me to do that 15 minutes ago…"

My stomach dropped. "Shit, I will call you later."

"Could you actually come by tomorrow?" She suddenly asked. I just realized she had been crying, her voice carried that strain you only got after sobbing. "I don't know … who else to talk to,"

"Max," I leaned against the wall. "I will be there, how about around three?"

"Sounds great." She said. "Thanks,"

"Of course… I have to go."

"Yeah… sorry about that… I got lost in thought."

"I will see you soon, max. It's okay."

I hung up and grabbed Billy's jacket before running out the door. Sure enough, he was there waiting for me.

"Did Max not call you?" He asked while letting his cigarette drag on his lips.

"She did… my mom was just giving me crap about leaving late." I lied a walked up to him with a smile. "Hi," I said softly.

He stared down at me for a moment taking one last pull from his cigarette. I didn't know what was going through his head, but it felt like he was making a choice.

"Hi," Billy finally smiled before opening the door for me. I breathed out a sigh of relief as I got in. While he crossed to the driver's side, I leaned over and unlocked the door for him.

When Billy got in, he was silent, but I could see the thought nestled right between his eyebrows. "So," I decided to skip the semantics. "What happened between you and Steve?"

"Why don't you ask Harrington?" Billy's tone was tight.

"I did, but now I want your side."

He gave me a look. "I said whatever he told you. I said it."

"You say a lot of things you don't mean," I replied as I looked at him.

He was silent, I looked at him, waiting patiently.

"You wouldn't believe me if I told you."

"I don't know, try me." I pressed. "At the very least, give me a gist."

"I was trying to help," Billy stated.

I leaned back and stared at him. "Explain please,"

"I knew you wouldn't believe me." He muttered.

"I didn't say that. Explain more,"

"Look, Tommy was running his mouth, talking about how Nancy ran off with Byers." He shrugged. "So I said that there were other bit-woman" I gave him a look. "I don't need to quote myself here Curls, we know what I said." He wouldn't meet my eye. "Look, I wasn't good about it, and yeah, I shouldn't have said it. But I was … trying to not be a dick,"

I looked at him for a second and then out the windshield. "So. You were trying to be there for Steve… by telling him that there were other bitches… that I get... strangely enough, But why imply that you were going to be with a lot of them."

He shrugged. "If I acted like I didn't, wouldn't that be weird."

"I mean," We pulled into the quarry. "Steve knows how much we hang out together."

He looked at me. "What does that have to do with anything? It was just stupid talk. Harrington shouldn't have taken it so personally," Billy turned the car off and got out.

"He is in a bad way," I said as I followed behind Billy. "Also here is an idea, maybe don't say dick things,"

"Didn't you say you weren't going to judge?" Billy said as we walked to the water.

"I think I said I would believe you," I said. "And I do."

"So, you get to judge me?" He turned to me with a raised eyebrow.

"Just a little." We stared out into the water for a bit. "Alright, ready?"

"For?" He raised an eyebrow.

I grinned slightly and then began to strip.

"Gene, what the Hell?" Billy turned around faster than a space alien could.

"Calm down, Billy," I laughed as I threw my top at the back of his head. "I am wearing a swimsuit,"

He turned around very slowly and looked at me. Sure enough, I was wearing one of my simple swimsuits. It was a one-piece and pink with a diving back. Just low enough to make some of my assets shine.

"You could have told me we were going swimming." He said. "I don't have a swimsuit."

"But, you do have basketball shorts in your back seat," I said as I looked at him. "Come on… let's go for a swim."

"It's freezing." He scoffed. "I saw my breath this morning,"

"That just means it was cold then,"

"When the sun was out, notice how the sun is no longer out, Gene!" Billy exasperated.

It'ss not that bad once you are in." I climbed on one of the rocks and turned to Billy one last time. "When did you become such a wuss." I jumped in the water and let the cold rush every nerve in my body. When I bubbled up to the surface, Billy was watching me.

"What is it with you and jumping off things," He said as he walked to his car. I noticed he had my clothes in his hand. He threw them on to the hood of his car he went to the back seat to change while I tread water.

"I like the rush," I called back.

I began to swim to the center of the quarry when a splash sounded behind me. I turned around and saw nothing, not even a ripple and certainly not Billy.

"Billy?" I called.

No response; I knew I shouldn't worry, but my pulse quickened. Billy wouldn't leave me. No way.

"Billy?" I called again as I looked around the quarry.

What if he slipped. I turned in the water.

That's when something grabbed me, pushing into my sides, them gripping them. I screamed.

"Curls," Billy laughed after he pushed himself up from the water, making a choice not to remove his hands until he absolutely needed to. "I was just playing with you,"

"Billy, I yelled as I splashed him. "That was so uncalled for."

"I think you deserved after tricking into this ice bath." He grinned. He was as happy to be in the water as I was.

I laughed as he pulled my waist closer to me. "You weren't scared, were you?" He whispered.

"You didn't come up for a bit," I muttered. "I was worried,"

"Don't worry, Gene," Billy said as he pushed away. "Can't get rid of me that easily,"

We splashed around some more: swimming and playing like kids—the kids we used to be. "Come on," I said as I swam over to the edge. "There is a rock over there that we can sit on and still be in the water."

He followed me up the edge of the rock, and we sat shoulders rubbing against each other.

"Fingers pruned yet?" Billy asked.

I lifted my hand in the moonlight and presented to Billy, "Check it out,"

Billy reached for my hand and brought it to him, taking a moment to examine it before letting go. "You know you don't have to turn into a raisin to leave the water, right?"

"Where is the fun in that?"

"You... really haven't changed," He whispered as Billy traced my fingers with his.

"I am glad you came," I said.

"I thought it was a mistake." He said, keeping his eyes on the water.

"Why" I looked at him.

"Your Cousin is right." He said, "You shouldn't be around someone like me." Billy paused,

"If you believe that, then why did you come?" I said as I pushed myself in the water, so I was face to face with Billy. The moon hit his body, highlighting the curves of his muscles. He was beautiful. Everything about him was perfect.

"I came to tell you to stay away from me." He laughed to himself. "But I couldn't do that."

"Why" I swam closer to him that's when he reached for my arm. I glided effortlessly back to him.

"Gene… you see what I do, what I say. I should not be around you. Half the time, I have upset you, and the other half you're oblivious to what I am doing."

I frowned as I turned to face him. "I am not oblivious, Billy. I know you are a jerk." I paused, "You also lie,"

"Then why do you care if I leave." He looked down. "Why do you seem to give a shit?"

"If that was all you were, I wouldn't. But I also see the little things you do and also the fun we have together. At least for me. And despite your flaws… you at least seem to want me in your life…" I edged forward and put a hand on his shoulder. The warmth was welcomed. "So I don't want to let you go. And I am not the shiny perfect doll you sometimes treat me like. I know what I am getting into when I look at you,"

He turned towards me slowly so that we were face to face. "I… I don't want to let you go either,"

I smiled and leaned on his shoulder. "Then fuck what my cousin says." Or at least I tried to say that, because my teeth began to chatter.

"Jesus Gene," He muttered as he pushed out into the water. "We need to get you back into some clothes now."

"Go- o – od I- d- d-ea," I shivered as I followed him out of the water. As I was climbing out water when I slipped.

"Fuck" I muttered as I looked down at my hand I could see just enough to know I was bleeding.

"Gene?" He came over and looked at my hand. "Fuck, I knew this was a bad idea. Why is it always your hand?"

"I have only done this once before." I rolled my eyes. "It's not my fault you just were there both times,"

"Let me get you in the car." Billy threw me my clothes.

"Turn around for a second." I was gaining control of my shivering. When he turned around, I stripped the bathing suit off and threw on my other clothes. "Okay, let's get into the car."

Billy went to his trunk while I warmed up. When he returned to the driver's seat, Billy was holding a first aid kit.

"Give me your hand." He demanded.

"Billy, look at it." I held up my hand as proof. "Its barely bleeding" And that's when I realized I was still shaking. That my body still had goosebumps.

The fear had returned. "Let me at least wrap your hand."

I swallowed air and smiled, pushing the fear back down into my stomach. Whatever this was, I wouldn't let it overtake me.

Billy was quick with his work, and his hands were gentle. My skin tingled where he touched, sending pulses of warmth through me. I leaned closer to him, and eventually, my fear drifted away.

"Hey," He said as Billy tied the final knot of the bandage. "You are all put together again," Billy's fingers danced on my palm and gently rubbed my wrist.

"It would appear so," I said as I let my hand stay with his. Billy's thumb wandered to my wrist, wrapped around it gently, and then looked up at me. Anything I felt was suddenly magnified under the stare of his sea-blue eyes.

"You still cold?" He whispered, searching my face for any change or shiver.

"Hadn't thought of it, been a little distracted,"

"Right," Billy let out a shy laugh, "Cut in your hand takes precedence,"

My free hand drifted to Billy's thigh, causing him to take a shallow breath. "Sure... that's what we will say,"

Billy leaned forward for a moment, running a hand through my hair. His eyes flashed down to my lips then back to me. After a moment, he pushed away, leaving too much space between us. "Gene… I am taking you home." He breathed as he pushed himself away. I leaned back in the seat and stared at him.

"Okay," I shivered. The fear was seeping back.

"Are you still cold." He asked.

I nodded. "It's fine, though."

"No, that this" He threw his t-shirt at me.

"It's fine," I smiled.

"Gene,"

"Billy," I said. "To be honest, your shirt smells," I grimaced.

"Oh," Billy flashed his eyes back to me and snatched up the shirt. He sniffed it and then looked at me for a moment. I think for the first time ever, I saw Billy blush. He threw the shirt back and wrapped his arm around me. " Just stay tucked here." He muttered.

I wrapped myself around his torso while he rested his chin on my head. The fear was fading as we drove home, but I still couldn't help but feel scared.

We pulled up to the house, and I got out. The lights were on, which meant my father and mother knew I was out. Great, hopefully, they wouldn't have a speech for me.

"I am glad I came." He said as he walked me to my door.

I turned to him and smiled. "I knew you would."

"How?" He asked. "You didn't even worry."

"Because I trust you." I walked up to him. "No way you would let me walk home" Before I knew what I was doing, I kissed him on the cheek. I held myself there for a moment and pulled back slowly. I grinned at him before running up the Stairs. "Good night Mullet,"

"Curls," He said. "I want to see you tomorrow." I turned to see him grinning.

"You just might, Billy," I said as I opened my door. "Goodnight"

"Night," Billy waited until I closed my door before he left. I walked up the stairs quietly.

"Genie," My father's voice piped up from the family room. I flinched internally and walked back down the stairs.

"Hey, Pops," I said apologetically.

"Where were you?"

"Out in the quarry," I said.

"He looked up at me and sighed. "Your mother will have a fit if she finds out you were swimming so late in the year."

"It will probably be the last time this year."

"Probably" My father picked up on that word.

"Probably," I echoed.

"Who were you with?"

I took a breath and looked at my feet. "Billy Hargrove"

My father gave me a look. "And will I see more of Billy?"

"I am sure pa," I said.

"I want you to bring him for dinner if you keep seeing him. Tony will want to talk to him."

"Pa, I don't need to be babied" I rolled my eyes.

"Virgene Allegra Conte," My father said sternly. "You may not need to be babied, but I need peace of mind. Bring him over or Tony will."

"Yes, pops," I sighed. "I want to point out we aren't going steady or anything."

"But he has been here a lot in since he moved here. It would be good to get to know one of your friends… at the least."

"Yeah, Pa," I sighed. "I will bring him over."

He smiled and kissed the top of my head. "Now, take a hot bath before your mother sees you and has a fit."

I smiled and ran upstairs. As I went into the bath, I examined the bandage on my hand, Billy did excellent work, the dressing was tight and clean.

The last time I did one of these, I was with Barb.

My thumb pressed at the cut, to ground me. Remind me, I was here not there.

Pain snapped me back into reality, I looked around. Still in my bathroom and still safe.

I got out of the tub and dried the wound, but it didn't matter, the fear was back- Pumping through me.

Before going to bed, I checked every window; they were locked. I should be safe. The monster was dead after all.

I found sleep eventually, but the fear wasn't gone.

I dreamed of barb, I saw her just as El described. In a dark space lying on the ground. I went to her. Maybe she was alive; perhaps she was okay.

I could hear her whimpers, she was alive. Thank god she was okay.

"Barb," I called to her. "Barb, it's okay; we got you. You can come home."

She turned to face me, and I jumped from her instantly.

It was not Barb. It was me. Mangled and marred, covered in bites.

She then screamed, and I cried back at my own twisted reflection.

I woke up in a cold sweat. I pushed myself up immediately and ran to the vanity.

My face was still my own. I sighed as I looked at my reflection. The only evidence that I was alive. That all that I had experienced was a dream. I looked to my phone and pursed my lips. I wanted to talk to someone. But I doubt anyone would answer. I couldn't wake up their families either.

I sighed and went back to bed. I stared at the ceiling until light seeped into my room. I pushed myself and looked around. My room was still the same, and the fear was gone. But it didn't stop me from thinking about that horrible nightmare.

I went to take a look at myself once more in the mirror and sighed. The only thing that had changed was the dark circles under my eye from a bad nights sleep. The rest of the day, I tried to sleep, but nothing was working. I called Steve to talk, but he wasn't around.

When it came close to going to Max, I was almost relieved. As I biked up to their house, I recognized someone standing on their front porch.

"Lucas?" I said as I walked up to him. He turned to me in surprise just as the door opened. Max looked at us, then frantically back to the door.