A Different Perspective, chapter 11
When I awoke the next morning, it wasn't because of the sun was shining directly one me, it wasn't because some neighborhood dog was barking obnoxiously - it wasn't even that Billie had accidentally kicked me. It was simply that I awoke, peacefully, to the sound of the soft pitter-patter of raindrops on the window pane and the quiet growl of the wind and I felt refreshed, something that had occurred since the death of my parents. As I lay there, listening to the sound of rain drop, I heard the door creak and I turned to see Billie walking in with a appeared to be a tray. I raised my eyebrow as he set the tray down on the nightstand next to me.
"I got up a little early and made breakfast. Just thought I'd take you some," He said, nodding to the tray. I smiled at his effort.
"Thanks, Billie," I said, and picked up the glass of orange juice, taking a sip. Billie climbed back into bed with me and that's how we spent our morning - talking, laughing and eating breakfast together.
"How's your back feeling?" He asked me as I took a bit out of my pancake. I didn't really like pancakes, but he'd put so much thought into me, I ate them with a smile anyway.
"It's feeling better, but I think the pain pills might have something to do with that.." I said, laughing a bit. Billie smiled a little.
"Fucking druggie," he teased and I poked him.
"That's not very nice," I said, curling up to him. He ran his hand through my hair and we were silent for a moment, the rain the only sound in the room.
"Hey, Hayleigh?" He asked, staring out the window.
"Yeah?" I asked, turning my head upwards so I could look at him.
"You know when.." He started, his voice trailing off.
"When what?"
"Nevermind.." I looked at him, confused and shook my head. I heard a muffled ringtone and raised my eyebrow, Billie sighing as he dug into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone. He looked down at the screen and his expression changed almost immediately to annoyance as he answered the phone, his voice bitchy.
"Hello?" I could make out bits and pieces of mumbles from the phone, but soon realized it was best not to worry about such things and I took another sip of orange juice. "What? Okay, no.. No. God dammit Adrienne, I know how to fucking take care of my kids. NO. It wasn't - Tre had -" Billie kept getting interrupted and it was frustrating him. "Yes. Okay. Yes. Bye." I looked at him, concerned and he mumbled, "Sorry."
"What's wrong?" I asked him, sitting up.
"Adrienne's having issues with something and I don't know. She needs me to watch Joey and Jakob for her.." He said, sighing and looked down at me. "Oh I completely.. I call her back and tell her I can't.."
"What? Why?" I asked, scrunching my eyebrows together.
"Because you're hurt.." He said, dialing the number. I took the phone out of his hand and hung up.
"I'm fine," I said and he made a sad attempt in getting the phone back.
"You're not supposed to-"
"Billie! Really, I'm fine, trust me. Besides, I like your kids.." Well, that was half true. I liked Jakob..
"Are you sure?" I nodded and started to get up. "What are you doing?" He asked, watching me.
"I'm going to go change into actual clothes, thanks.." I said, shaking my head as I walked out of the room.
- - -
It was only about five minutes later that I heard the doorbell ring and I scrambled to find a shirt. I found a plain tanktop laying on the floor and threw it on, brushing my hair with my fingers as I scrambled to get downstairs. I lugged down, when about half way I could see Joey and Jakob running inside and a few bickers bounced off the wall. I could tell it was Billie and Adrienne and I dragged my feet down the stairs to, hopefully, signal that I was coming down. By the time I had gotten down, Billie was just shutting the door and I sighed, relieved.
"Everything okay?" I asked and he looked up at me, silent, and slung his arm around my shoulders.
"Yeah, everything'll be fine," he muttered to himself and we walked like that until we reached the living room. Joey sort of stared at us, but Jakob bounced upwards and off of the couch, towards us.
"Hayleigh!" He said, excitedly hugging me. I was in some sort of shock - like I've said before, kids don't usually take to me.
"Hey Jakob," I said, smiling and I patted his head. Billie frowned.
"So you hug her first before your own father? What kind of shit is that?" He asked, cocking his head slightly to the right. Jakob stuck his tongue out at Billie, who merely stuck his tongue right back out.
"She's cooler than you," Jakob said, clinging onto me tighter. I laughed.
"See? It's not only me who thinks it," I said and Billie looked at me and, playfully, leaned over and hit my arm. "Don't push it, man. I don't want to kick your as - butt.. butt in front of your kids." He put his hands on his hips.
"That would be an interesting sight to see," he said and I looked at him, before I, what can only be described as, "glomped" him. I literally tackled-hugged him down onto the couch and we were all laughing so hard, that we didn't even really notice Joey sitting there, pouting as he scornfully eyed Billie and me. When I did take notice, however, I almost immediately stood up and crossed my arms, uncomfortable. "What's wrong?" Billie asked, eyebrow raised.
"Oh, my back is starting to hurt a little.." I lied.
"Sit down and I'll go get you your medicine.." He said, jumping up, concerned. I shook my head.
"I'll be fine.. I just need to walk it off, I think. Why don't we get out of here and do something today?" Jakob immediately started jumping up and down.
"Oh please, Dad? Please Dad? PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE?" He whined and Billie looked at me, skeptical.
"I don't know.." He started, but Jakob cut him off again, bouncing up and down.
"Please? Please?! Puh-lease?" Billie sighed.
"Okay, okay. Fine. We can go," Billie said, giving Jakob the most pathetic of looks. Jakob continued to bounce around, rushing Billie to get his jacket on, to get Joey off the couch and to get us all into Billie's tiny BMW. As we drove up into the parking lot of the nearest mall, Jakob would not shut up, which I guess he was only talking for both himself and Joey, who was dead silent. Joey didn't want to be there, especially with me and he only made it obvious by sulking. Billie pulled into a parking space, letting the engine run for a few seconds before sighing and turning the key. The car shut off as everyone bounded outside and into the building, Billie carefully putting on his cab hat and sunglasses, adjusting them in the reflection of the glass doors. I rolled my eyes.
"Stop fidgeting and let's go inside," I said and he shot me a glance, continuing to fix. "I swear, you're worse than the average female.." He finally stopped and we walked down the bustling halls, passing each shop with a mere glance, as Jakob dragged us into a store. It was wall to wall video games of every make and brand since the early 1980s and Jakob went nuts as he ran around, picking out a number of games he wanted. Joey sort of stood there, awkwardly next to me, so that I felt obligated to say something to him.
"So.." I started, looking around the store and then at Joey. "Aren't you going to get something?" He shot me a fiery glare before averting his eyes back in front of him and crossing his arms over his chest.
"I don't want anything," he snapped and I shrugged. I wasn't exactly in the mood to deal with a snotty ten-year-old or however the hell old he was. I walked off, walking towards Billie who seemed to be trying to convince Jakob to put the 28737483 video game back. I smiled as Jakob, grudgingly, dragged his feet along the ground and set it back on its stand.
"I'm swear to fucking God, they use me to buy things," he joked, whispering to me. I laughed a bit.
"I did the same thing with my parents; it's what kids do," I reminded him and he just sort of looked at me. I fiddled with my bracelet, the one Billie had bought me, thinking. I was never going to take this thing off and as I sat there, thinking about how different my life had become in the last two months, I started humming to myself the first verse of, "1000 Hours," without even realizing it.
"Starlit night/ the moon is shining bright/ you're the one that I need.." I softly sang to myself and Billie wiggled his nose up, disgusted.
"That was the fucking worse song I think I've ever fucking written," he said and I snapped my head, looking at him.
"What?" I asked, slightly confused.
"1000 Hours. I hate that song," he murmured and I simply shrugged.
"I like it."
"You like corny shit."
"You wrote it. You're putting down you're own work."
"Yeah.. So I am." I shook my head at him and watched as Jakob brought a total
of three games to Billie, in which I assumed he assumed Billie would buy. Billie studied all three and after a careful decision, told Jakob his verdict.
"This one's okay, the other two are too violent. Go put them back.." Jakob frowned, but trotted off with the games, setting them back on the shelf while Billie paid for the one game he was allowing. Joey was still pouting in the corner when we pulled Jakob out of the store and headed towards the exit, Joey lugging behind as we turned the corner.
- - -
We headed back to Billie's, expecting Tre and Mike to stumble on over later. I lay on the couch, my head resting on Billie's lap, flipping through channels until I stopped on some interview with Green Day. The Billie on TV sort of stood there, answering the questions and nodded occasionally at the interviewer.
"Why do you look so uncomfortable?" I asked, eyebrow raised as I nodded towards the TV. Billie looked up from playing with a few strands on my hair and at the TV
"I don't really like being interviewed. It's awkward to have these people ask you questions - and it gets annoying as hell to have the same questions asked over and over and over again," he muttered, shaking his head when he glanced up at the clock. "Did you take your medication yet?" I sighed.
"No.." I confessed and he nudged me.
"Go take it," he said, sternly.
"Yes, Father.." Sarcasm dripped from my voice as I rolled my eyes and pushed myself up and off the couch. I walked over to the counter, picked up my pill bottle and popped the top off, letting two slid into my palm. I capped it again and grabbed a water bottle, swallowing the pills and chasing them down with water. "Happy?" He nodded and patted for me to come sit back down. I, reluctantly, returned to my previous position and got myself settled again. I didn't hear Joey or Jakob, which kind of made me worry. "Where's the boys?" I asked, flipping through channels again.
"I think they're upstairs, playing Jakob's new game," Billie muttered, shaking his head. " I swear.." I smiled as I browsed what was on. Billie was quiet before he said, "Hayleigh?"
"Yes..?" I hummed, burying my head a bit into his leg.
"When you said.. When you said.." He began. I rolled my head and looked up at him.
"Yes?" I asked.
"When you said last night that.. That you came to tell me how you felt.." He was stammering a bit and I was quiet, figuring he would continue on his own. "What.. what did you mean?" I sort of stared at him, blankly.
"What do you mean what did I mean?" I was trying to avoid it..
"I mean.. Nevermind," Billie muttered. I raised my eyebrow at him. "Oh what the Hell." I heard him mutter, before he said, louder, "Hayleigh?"
"Yes," I answered. Okay, this was getting a little annoying.
"I.. I really like you," he started and my heart pounded against my chest.
"Well, I like you too, Billie..."
"No.. I mean.. Do you want to, um.. Date me?" Before I could answer, I heard a small gasp come from the hallway and as I looked up, I could see Joey there, his jaw dropped and eyes wide. He stumbled backwards before running up the stairs, shocked and pissed off all at once.
"I got up a little early and made breakfast. Just thought I'd take you some," He said, nodding to the tray. I smiled at his effort.
"Thanks, Billie," I said, and picked up the glass of orange juice, taking a sip. Billie climbed back into bed with me and that's how we spent our morning - talking, laughing and eating breakfast together.
"How's your back feeling?" He asked me as I took a bit out of my pancake. I didn't really like pancakes, but he'd put so much thought into me, I ate them with a smile anyway.
"It's feeling better, but I think the pain pills might have something to do with that.." I said, laughing a bit. Billie smiled a little.
"Fucking druggie," he teased and I poked him.
"That's not very nice," I said, curling up to him. He ran his hand through my hair and we were silent for a moment, the rain the only sound in the room.
"Hey, Hayleigh?" He asked, staring out the window.
"Yeah?" I asked, turning my head upwards so I could look at him.
"You know when.." He started, his voice trailing off.
"When what?"
"Nevermind.." I looked at him, confused and shook my head. I heard a muffled ringtone and raised my eyebrow, Billie sighing as he dug into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone. He looked down at the screen and his expression changed almost immediately to annoyance as he answered the phone, his voice bitchy.
"Hello?" I could make out bits and pieces of mumbles from the phone, but soon realized it was best not to worry about such things and I took another sip of orange juice. "What? Okay, no.. No. God dammit Adrienne, I know how to fucking take care of my kids. NO. It wasn't - Tre had -" Billie kept getting interrupted and it was frustrating him. "Yes. Okay. Yes. Bye." I looked at him, concerned and he mumbled, "Sorry."
"What's wrong?" I asked him, sitting up.
"Adrienne's having issues with something and I don't know. She needs me to watch Joey and Jakob for her.." He said, sighing and looked down at me. "Oh I completely.. I call her back and tell her I can't.."
"What? Why?" I asked, scrunching my eyebrows together.
"Because you're hurt.." He said, dialing the number. I took the phone out of his hand and hung up.
"I'm fine," I said and he made a sad attempt in getting the phone back.
"You're not supposed to-"
"Billie! Really, I'm fine, trust me. Besides, I like your kids.." Well, that was half true. I liked Jakob..
"Are you sure?" I nodded and started to get up. "What are you doing?" He asked, watching me.
"I'm going to go change into actual clothes, thanks.." I said, shaking my head as I walked out of the room.
- - -
It was only about five minutes later that I heard the doorbell ring and I scrambled to find a shirt. I found a plain tanktop laying on the floor and threw it on, brushing my hair with my fingers as I scrambled to get downstairs. I lugged down, when about half way I could see Joey and Jakob running inside and a few bickers bounced off the wall. I could tell it was Billie and Adrienne and I dragged my feet down the stairs to, hopefully, signal that I was coming down. By the time I had gotten down, Billie was just shutting the door and I sighed, relieved.
"Everything okay?" I asked and he looked up at me, silent, and slung his arm around my shoulders.
"Yeah, everything'll be fine," he muttered to himself and we walked like that until we reached the living room. Joey sort of stared at us, but Jakob bounced upwards and off of the couch, towards us.
"Hayleigh!" He said, excitedly hugging me. I was in some sort of shock - like I've said before, kids don't usually take to me.
"Hey Jakob," I said, smiling and I patted his head. Billie frowned.
"So you hug her first before your own father? What kind of shit is that?" He asked, cocking his head slightly to the right. Jakob stuck his tongue out at Billie, who merely stuck his tongue right back out.
"She's cooler than you," Jakob said, clinging onto me tighter. I laughed.
"See? It's not only me who thinks it," I said and Billie looked at me and, playfully, leaned over and hit my arm. "Don't push it, man. I don't want to kick your as - butt.. butt in front of your kids." He put his hands on his hips.
"That would be an interesting sight to see," he said and I looked at him, before I, what can only be described as, "glomped" him. I literally tackled-hugged him down onto the couch and we were all laughing so hard, that we didn't even really notice Joey sitting there, pouting as he scornfully eyed Billie and me. When I did take notice, however, I almost immediately stood up and crossed my arms, uncomfortable. "What's wrong?" Billie asked, eyebrow raised.
"Oh, my back is starting to hurt a little.." I lied.
"Sit down and I'll go get you your medicine.." He said, jumping up, concerned. I shook my head.
"I'll be fine.. I just need to walk it off, I think. Why don't we get out of here and do something today?" Jakob immediately started jumping up and down.
"Oh please, Dad? Please Dad? PLEEEEEEEEEEEASE?" He whined and Billie looked at me, skeptical.
"I don't know.." He started, but Jakob cut him off again, bouncing up and down.
"Please? Please?! Puh-lease?" Billie sighed.
"Okay, okay. Fine. We can go," Billie said, giving Jakob the most pathetic of looks. Jakob continued to bounce around, rushing Billie to get his jacket on, to get Joey off the couch and to get us all into Billie's tiny BMW. As we drove up into the parking lot of the nearest mall, Jakob would not shut up, which I guess he was only talking for both himself and Joey, who was dead silent. Joey didn't want to be there, especially with me and he only made it obvious by sulking. Billie pulled into a parking space, letting the engine run for a few seconds before sighing and turning the key. The car shut off as everyone bounded outside and into the building, Billie carefully putting on his cab hat and sunglasses, adjusting them in the reflection of the glass doors. I rolled my eyes.
"Stop fidgeting and let's go inside," I said and he shot me a glance, continuing to fix. "I swear, you're worse than the average female.." He finally stopped and we walked down the bustling halls, passing each shop with a mere glance, as Jakob dragged us into a store. It was wall to wall video games of every make and brand since the early 1980s and Jakob went nuts as he ran around, picking out a number of games he wanted. Joey sort of stood there, awkwardly next to me, so that I felt obligated to say something to him.
"So.." I started, looking around the store and then at Joey. "Aren't you going to get something?" He shot me a fiery glare before averting his eyes back in front of him and crossing his arms over his chest.
"I don't want anything," he snapped and I shrugged. I wasn't exactly in the mood to deal with a snotty ten-year-old or however the hell old he was. I walked off, walking towards Billie who seemed to be trying to convince Jakob to put the 28737483 video game back. I smiled as Jakob, grudgingly, dragged his feet along the ground and set it back on its stand.
"I'm swear to fucking God, they use me to buy things," he joked, whispering to me. I laughed a bit.
"I did the same thing with my parents; it's what kids do," I reminded him and he just sort of looked at me. I fiddled with my bracelet, the one Billie had bought me, thinking. I was never going to take this thing off and as I sat there, thinking about how different my life had become in the last two months, I started humming to myself the first verse of, "1000 Hours," without even realizing it.
"Starlit night/ the moon is shining bright/ you're the one that I need.." I softly sang to myself and Billie wiggled his nose up, disgusted.
"That was the fucking worse song I think I've ever fucking written," he said and I snapped my head, looking at him.
"What?" I asked, slightly confused.
"1000 Hours. I hate that song," he murmured and I simply shrugged.
"I like it."
"You like corny shit."
"You wrote it. You're putting down you're own work."
"Yeah.. So I am." I shook my head at him and watched as Jakob brought a total
of three games to Billie, in which I assumed he assumed Billie would buy. Billie studied all three and after a careful decision, told Jakob his verdict.
"This one's okay, the other two are too violent. Go put them back.." Jakob frowned, but trotted off with the games, setting them back on the shelf while Billie paid for the one game he was allowing. Joey was still pouting in the corner when we pulled Jakob out of the store and headed towards the exit, Joey lugging behind as we turned the corner.
- - -
We headed back to Billie's, expecting Tre and Mike to stumble on over later. I lay on the couch, my head resting on Billie's lap, flipping through channels until I stopped on some interview with Green Day. The Billie on TV sort of stood there, answering the questions and nodded occasionally at the interviewer.
"Why do you look so uncomfortable?" I asked, eyebrow raised as I nodded towards the TV. Billie looked up from playing with a few strands on my hair and at the TV
"I don't really like being interviewed. It's awkward to have these people ask you questions - and it gets annoying as hell to have the same questions asked over and over and over again," he muttered, shaking his head when he glanced up at the clock. "Did you take your medication yet?" I sighed.
"No.." I confessed and he nudged me.
"Go take it," he said, sternly.
"Yes, Father.." Sarcasm dripped from my voice as I rolled my eyes and pushed myself up and off the couch. I walked over to the counter, picked up my pill bottle and popped the top off, letting two slid into my palm. I capped it again and grabbed a water bottle, swallowing the pills and chasing them down with water. "Happy?" He nodded and patted for me to come sit back down. I, reluctantly, returned to my previous position and got myself settled again. I didn't hear Joey or Jakob, which kind of made me worry. "Where's the boys?" I asked, flipping through channels again.
"I think they're upstairs, playing Jakob's new game," Billie muttered, shaking his head. " I swear.." I smiled as I browsed what was on. Billie was quiet before he said, "Hayleigh?"
"Yes..?" I hummed, burying my head a bit into his leg.
"When you said.. When you said.." He began. I rolled my head and looked up at him.
"Yes?" I asked.
"When you said last night that.. That you came to tell me how you felt.." He was stammering a bit and I was quiet, figuring he would continue on his own. "What.. what did you mean?" I sort of stared at him, blankly.
"What do you mean what did I mean?" I was trying to avoid it..
"I mean.. Nevermind," Billie muttered. I raised my eyebrow at him. "Oh what the Hell." I heard him mutter, before he said, louder, "Hayleigh?"
"Yes," I answered. Okay, this was getting a little annoying.
"I.. I really like you," he started and my heart pounded against my chest.
"Well, I like you too, Billie..."
"No.. I mean.. Do you want to, um.. Date me?" Before I could answer, I heard a small gasp come from the hallway and as I looked up, I could see Joey there, his jaw dropped and eyes wide. He stumbled backwards before running up the stairs, shocked and pissed off all at once.
