Hold Me Tight, Don't Let Go, chapter 8
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The summer came and passed and by the middle of August Andy as in a hospital bed permanently set up to tubes, oxygen machines, IV's, and a heart rate moniter. He didn't want the younger children to see his worsening condition, but they knew what was coming. They had seen the strong man start to wither and waste away into what would soon be nothing. Nevertheless Annie and Al did their best to keep Billie and Sin as preoccupied as they could with other things besides Andrew's decreasing health. But it never worked, if one forgot the other would bring it up and then neither of them would shut up about it until they were on the hospital bed talking to Andrew. Even though as much as he loved seeing and talking to them Billie's dad didn't want the kids being exposed to the things they were seeing at such a young age.
Everyone was relieved for September to come around because the distraction of school kept their minds off of something other then the hospital and Andrew's impending doom.
But this year was different.
Sinteria had been shot up a grade due to her high test scores, outstanding grades and how simple she grasped everything taught to her. She no longer went tothe same school as Billie Joe anymore and she had made friends quite simply on her first day of school unlike Billie.
He never felt so alone.
He started walking alone that year Annie had started high school this year and left earlier now, and Sin needed to get a ride to her new school so he never saw her that much. The only person who seemed to really give Billie the time of day was a blonde haired blue eyed loud, funny, hyperactive troublemaker who had enough detentions to get him through January in about 2, 3 days.
His name was Michael Ryan Pritchard. Or Mike as he advised Billie to call him.
"Hey." Mike said taking the empty seat next to Billie.
"Hey." Billie mumbled, he had other things on his mind besides keeping the only friend he made that year. He visited his dad the night before and his condition was worse then ever, Billie's father couldn't talk for long and was weezing and gasping for air far to much. The sight of it alone made him teary eyes and remembering the nights events seem to be having hte same effect as last night. Mike noticed but being the tough guy he was and seeing as he barely met the guy he decided to ignore the tear that managaed to escape Billie. Billie Joe did his best and forced back all the rest of his tears, showing his most sincere smle toward the boy.
"You do the homework?" Mike asked resuming the conversation as if he was completely oblivian to the tears and emotion running through Billie.
"Nah I had better and more important things to do."
"Bummer I needed to copy it I guess I could ask Robert, the dude had got to be the biggest dork I've ever seen." Billie laughed and shook his head opening a book he had grabbed from the plastic bin that was in the middle of the table.
He didn't notice Allan at the door talking to his teacher.
"... Billie..." Al said so softly Billie had barely heard his brother calling, he turned his head to see if he had even heard his brother at all, but there he was standing at the door blocking the morning sun.
"Get your stuff your coming with me." Allan's face was expressionless, his eyes blank. Mike walked back over to Billie to see what was happening.
"Who's that guy?" He whispered.
"My brother." Billie knew this was all adding up to one thing but he desperatly hoped he was wrong slowly he grabbed his backpack getting up from the chair.
"I'll see you tommorow then BJ." Mike waved.
"Yeah later Mike." He didn't bother looking back, he couldn't his eyes were focused on his older borther trying to convince himself that it was just a ditch day to get his mind off of his dad.
His dad wasn't dying it wasn't true.
They walked out of the school building got into Al's car and started driving in the opposite direction of the hospital. Billie let out a small sigh of relief, then looked at his older brother confused if they weren't going to hospital then where? Were they really gonna have a ditch day? And if so then why did Al not seem more happy about it?
"Uhh where we goin' Al?" He didn't look at Billie his dulled eyes staring only at the road in front of him.
"We need to go pick up Angel." With that he flipped on the radio and didn't way another word. Billie just looked out the window *At least I'll get to see Sin's new school* He thought staring at the world outsde which was becoming a quick blur.
Carquinez Middle School was relatively bigger then Hillview and Sin loved it! There were parts of the school she hadn't been to yet people she didn't know and teachers she'd never met and probably might never meet. It was something she liked, she had made a few new friends and even had Eric in her afternoon classes, Matt's younger brother. Matt was in the same school as her they had moved in with thier dad in August and were gonna stay with him until they graduated high school because their mom was going through some personal issues. Her and Eric both hung aroung the same circle of people except Eric would leave at times to hang with his brother who would be found in te playground behind the monkey bars with the few FEW punks their were. Matt didn't know that Sinteria was in the same school as them let alone that his younger brother was in the same class as her so he never assumed he'd see her besides when they were out playing. That morning they were on reccess and Eric had pulled Sin away from a spirited game of wall-ball.
"Hey wanna go hang out with my brother?" He asked. Sin felt the blood rush to her face, she had a slight crush on Matt and that day a few months ago when they were all playing soccer she could have sworn he liked her too but she was starting to doubt it because the last few times they were playing he barely paid her any due.
"HELLOO ANG yay or nay?" She shook her head and looked at him.
"Huh?"
"DOO YOUU WAaaNT TOOoo GOoo SEee Myy BROotherr." He said extra slow for her, his tone pissed her off and she hit his stomach.
"ANGEL!" Her teacher screamed.
"SORRY!" She said. "Fine I'll go."
"Watch where you hit next time."
"What makes you think I wasn't aiming for where I hit?"
"Bitch." She made sure the teacher wasn't looking and hit him again.
"OW!" Eric howled.
"Don't EVER call me that." She hissed into his ear.
"Fiine queen. Lets go." He said leading the way to across the playground to the farthest monkey bar set where his brother would usually be found smoking a joint. When they found him he saw Eric first then when Eric moved he saw Angel with her hair down the wind blowing it gently. He choked onthe smoke and started coughing.
"Are you okay?" She said worried but with a small smile on her face, he looked up and his eyes met hers.
"Uhmm... Yeah I'm cool." He coughed a little bit more before finally talking again.
"So what are you doing here your only in fifth."
"No I'm in 6th." He cocked his head to the side. " I got sent up a grade because of I don't know my mom didn't tell me but yeah I'm in 6th now." She said proudly. Matt hit his younger brother's stomach and he kneeled over in pain again.
"Doofus why didn't you tell me Angel face was in your class."
"I forgot." Had Matt just called her Angel face? No she needed to get her ears checked out for sure.
"Well now that we know we're in the same school these are some of my buddies. This is Rex, Tim and Jonny." He pointed to the three guys who were leanning back against the fence they just put their chin up to acknowledge her. Matt brung her into a hug and she completely melted he smelled but that offensive odor was ignored due to the fact that he made her stomach do a summersault and her heart jump to her throat right now.
"You shoulda told me you were gonna come to this school."
"I know but we haven't seen each other much because I been at the hospital with Billie cuz of... His dad." She fought back the tears, the visit yesterday had her in tears all throguh the night and she knew that by how he looked he only had a few weeks left. Matt saw her hurt and hugged her tighter then before rubbing her back to console her she rested her head against his shoulder and could feel her heart against his which was beating about as quick as hers but why?
"OK yeah Matty we're going this is to much fucking love for us see you in class." Rex the roughest looking of them all with his blue hair and nose ring said pointing toward teh direction oftheir class before leaving.
"Yeah man this shit is to brady for me I'm about to gag." Jonny said following.
"Later bud." Tim shot out before running after Jonny and Rex who had already been halfway down the field.
"SIIIINNN!" Everyone shot their head in the direction at which all the kids had just left.
"BILLIE?!" She said running to him.
"Damn kid." Matt mumbled.
"Bill boy!" Eric shouted from the top of the pole he was hanging on to. Sin hugged Billie tight and he pulled her back.
"You smell funny."
"Oh that's Matt what are you doing here?" Billie looked down kicking the dirt at his feet.
"Al went to pick me up and then we came to pick you up." Her heart fell to her stomach and her stomach fell to her knees, they almost buckled on her.
It wasn't happening no it wasn't not yet... Not ever.
Before she could open her mouth Billie continued.
"And when we came to pick you up it was reccess time and you weren't in fornt so Al sent me to look for you." He grabbed Sin's hand she squeezed it, they walked back to the front so they could get her stuff and leave never looking back or saying good-bye to the siblings.
The jealousy and anger that coursed thru Matt's veins was unexplainable. Angel wasn't his girl she didn't know he liked her she should have known by now but maybe she was a bit dense or maybe she needed glasses but she didn't get the clue that he liked her.
Yet at least.
Matt was going to make her his one way or another and the only person that was going to touch her would be him... He would make damn sure of that. He hit the pole where his brother was hanigng on to making it vibrate tickling him making him let go and fall down to the floor.
"OWW! FUCK STOP HITTING ME FUCKING BASTARDS!" He shouted.
"Hi Al!" Sin said as happily as she could force herself tobe as she hugged him he hugged her back but his usual cheery self wasn't into this, before he wouldsay Angel girl and scoop her up into his arms even if she was ten she was still able to get picked up by almost everyone Billie was even able to spin her around.
"Got your stuff Angel girl?" Al asked his eyes still dull but now glassy.
"Emm yeah so where we going?"
"Hospital to visit dad for a little them home." He grabbed her backpack ad they walked to the car Sin holdin Billie's hand tighter then ever but lacing thier fingers together. Billie felt his face warm up and he quickly looked away not realizing he was making their arms swing to and fro. Sin smiled not able to clear the smile from her face she could never stop smiling even if the worst news in the world was smack dab in front ofher face she would smile.
If Billie was there through it with her for whatever it was.
Even the death of her daddy Andy.
The drive to the hospital was silent Billie was in the back seat with Angel never letting go of each other's hand but neverlooking each other in the eyes justout thier own window. Then the grim picture came into view the hospital the place that brung in so many lives.
And was taking one of the greatest.
They found a parking and started walking to the building.
It wasn't happening it wasn't.
Everyone was relieved for September to come around because the distraction of school kept their minds off of something other then the hospital and Andrew's impending doom.
But this year was different.
Sinteria had been shot up a grade due to her high test scores, outstanding grades and how simple she grasped everything taught to her. She no longer went tothe same school as Billie Joe anymore and she had made friends quite simply on her first day of school unlike Billie.
He never felt so alone.
He started walking alone that year Annie had started high school this year and left earlier now, and Sin needed to get a ride to her new school so he never saw her that much. The only person who seemed to really give Billie the time of day was a blonde haired blue eyed loud, funny, hyperactive troublemaker who had enough detentions to get him through January in about 2, 3 days.
His name was Michael Ryan Pritchard. Or Mike as he advised Billie to call him.
"Hey." Mike said taking the empty seat next to Billie.
"Hey." Billie mumbled, he had other things on his mind besides keeping the only friend he made that year. He visited his dad the night before and his condition was worse then ever, Billie's father couldn't talk for long and was weezing and gasping for air far to much. The sight of it alone made him teary eyes and remembering the nights events seem to be having hte same effect as last night. Mike noticed but being the tough guy he was and seeing as he barely met the guy he decided to ignore the tear that managaed to escape Billie. Billie Joe did his best and forced back all the rest of his tears, showing his most sincere smle toward the boy.
"You do the homework?" Mike asked resuming the conversation as if he was completely oblivian to the tears and emotion running through Billie.
"Nah I had better and more important things to do."
"Bummer I needed to copy it I guess I could ask Robert, the dude had got to be the biggest dork I've ever seen." Billie laughed and shook his head opening a book he had grabbed from the plastic bin that was in the middle of the table.
He didn't notice Allan at the door talking to his teacher.
"... Billie..." Al said so softly Billie had barely heard his brother calling, he turned his head to see if he had even heard his brother at all, but there he was standing at the door blocking the morning sun.
"Get your stuff your coming with me." Allan's face was expressionless, his eyes blank. Mike walked back over to Billie to see what was happening.
"Who's that guy?" He whispered.
"My brother." Billie knew this was all adding up to one thing but he desperatly hoped he was wrong slowly he grabbed his backpack getting up from the chair.
"I'll see you tommorow then BJ." Mike waved.
"Yeah later Mike." He didn't bother looking back, he couldn't his eyes were focused on his older borther trying to convince himself that it was just a ditch day to get his mind off of his dad.
His dad wasn't dying it wasn't true.
They walked out of the school building got into Al's car and started driving in the opposite direction of the hospital. Billie let out a small sigh of relief, then looked at his older brother confused if they weren't going to hospital then where? Were they really gonna have a ditch day? And if so then why did Al not seem more happy about it?
"Uhh where we goin' Al?" He didn't look at Billie his dulled eyes staring only at the road in front of him.
"We need to go pick up Angel." With that he flipped on the radio and didn't way another word. Billie just looked out the window *At least I'll get to see Sin's new school* He thought staring at the world outsde which was becoming a quick blur.
Carquinez Middle School was relatively bigger then Hillview and Sin loved it! There were parts of the school she hadn't been to yet people she didn't know and teachers she'd never met and probably might never meet. It was something she liked, she had made a few new friends and even had Eric in her afternoon classes, Matt's younger brother. Matt was in the same school as her they had moved in with thier dad in August and were gonna stay with him until they graduated high school because their mom was going through some personal issues. Her and Eric both hung aroung the same circle of people except Eric would leave at times to hang with his brother who would be found in te playground behind the monkey bars with the few FEW punks their were. Matt didn't know that Sinteria was in the same school as them let alone that his younger brother was in the same class as her so he never assumed he'd see her besides when they were out playing. That morning they were on reccess and Eric had pulled Sin away from a spirited game of wall-ball.
"Hey wanna go hang out with my brother?" He asked. Sin felt the blood rush to her face, she had a slight crush on Matt and that day a few months ago when they were all playing soccer she could have sworn he liked her too but she was starting to doubt it because the last few times they were playing he barely paid her any due.
"HELLOO ANG yay or nay?" She shook her head and looked at him.
"Huh?"
"DOO YOUU WAaaNT TOOoo GOoo SEee Myy BROotherr." He said extra slow for her, his tone pissed her off and she hit his stomach.
"ANGEL!" Her teacher screamed.
"SORRY!" She said. "Fine I'll go."
"Watch where you hit next time."
"What makes you think I wasn't aiming for where I hit?"
"Bitch." She made sure the teacher wasn't looking and hit him again.
"OW!" Eric howled.
"Don't EVER call me that." She hissed into his ear.
"Fiine queen. Lets go." He said leading the way to across the playground to the farthest monkey bar set where his brother would usually be found smoking a joint. When they found him he saw Eric first then when Eric moved he saw Angel with her hair down the wind blowing it gently. He choked onthe smoke and started coughing.
"Are you okay?" She said worried but with a small smile on her face, he looked up and his eyes met hers.
"Uhmm... Yeah I'm cool." He coughed a little bit more before finally talking again.
"So what are you doing here your only in fifth."
"No I'm in 6th." He cocked his head to the side. " I got sent up a grade because of I don't know my mom didn't tell me but yeah I'm in 6th now." She said proudly. Matt hit his younger brother's stomach and he kneeled over in pain again.
"Doofus why didn't you tell me Angel face was in your class."
"I forgot." Had Matt just called her Angel face? No she needed to get her ears checked out for sure.
"Well now that we know we're in the same school these are some of my buddies. This is Rex, Tim and Jonny." He pointed to the three guys who were leanning back against the fence they just put their chin up to acknowledge her. Matt brung her into a hug and she completely melted he smelled but that offensive odor was ignored due to the fact that he made her stomach do a summersault and her heart jump to her throat right now.
"You shoulda told me you were gonna come to this school."
"I know but we haven't seen each other much because I been at the hospital with Billie cuz of... His dad." She fought back the tears, the visit yesterday had her in tears all throguh the night and she knew that by how he looked he only had a few weeks left. Matt saw her hurt and hugged her tighter then before rubbing her back to console her she rested her head against his shoulder and could feel her heart against his which was beating about as quick as hers but why?
"OK yeah Matty we're going this is to much fucking love for us see you in class." Rex the roughest looking of them all with his blue hair and nose ring said pointing toward teh direction oftheir class before leaving.
"Yeah man this shit is to brady for me I'm about to gag." Jonny said following.
"Later bud." Tim shot out before running after Jonny and Rex who had already been halfway down the field.
"SIIIINNN!" Everyone shot their head in the direction at which all the kids had just left.
"BILLIE?!" She said running to him.
"Damn kid." Matt mumbled.
"Bill boy!" Eric shouted from the top of the pole he was hanging on to. Sin hugged Billie tight and he pulled her back.
"You smell funny."
"Oh that's Matt what are you doing here?" Billie looked down kicking the dirt at his feet.
"Al went to pick me up and then we came to pick you up." Her heart fell to her stomach and her stomach fell to her knees, they almost buckled on her.
It wasn't happening no it wasn't not yet... Not ever.
Before she could open her mouth Billie continued.
"And when we came to pick you up it was reccess time and you weren't in fornt so Al sent me to look for you." He grabbed Sin's hand she squeezed it, they walked back to the front so they could get her stuff and leave never looking back or saying good-bye to the siblings.
The jealousy and anger that coursed thru Matt's veins was unexplainable. Angel wasn't his girl she didn't know he liked her she should have known by now but maybe she was a bit dense or maybe she needed glasses but she didn't get the clue that he liked her.
Yet at least.
Matt was going to make her his one way or another and the only person that was going to touch her would be him... He would make damn sure of that. He hit the pole where his brother was hanigng on to making it vibrate tickling him making him let go and fall down to the floor.
"OWW! FUCK STOP HITTING ME FUCKING BASTARDS!" He shouted.
"Hi Al!" Sin said as happily as she could force herself tobe as she hugged him he hugged her back but his usual cheery self wasn't into this, before he wouldsay Angel girl and scoop her up into his arms even if she was ten she was still able to get picked up by almost everyone Billie was even able to spin her around.
"Got your stuff Angel girl?" Al asked his eyes still dull but now glassy.
"Emm yeah so where we going?"
"Hospital to visit dad for a little them home." He grabbed her backpack ad they walked to the car Sin holdin Billie's hand tighter then ever but lacing thier fingers together. Billie felt his face warm up and he quickly looked away not realizing he was making their arms swing to and fro. Sin smiled not able to clear the smile from her face she could never stop smiling even if the worst news in the world was smack dab in front ofher face she would smile.
If Billie was there through it with her for whatever it was.
Even the death of her daddy Andy.
The drive to the hospital was silent Billie was in the back seat with Angel never letting go of each other's hand but neverlooking each other in the eyes justout thier own window. Then the grim picture came into view the hospital the place that brung in so many lives.
And was taking one of the greatest.
They found a parking and started walking to the building.
It wasn't happening it wasn't.
