First Kiss, chapter 7
"Mmmm..."
I started to gently open my eyes. The room was bright. It was daytime. Sun shone through my window, causing it to momentarily blind me. Blinking a few times to re-adjust my eyes, I felt myself slip down against something.
Billie Joe.
I can't believe he stayed the whole night. Then again, I was asleep on top of him, so I guess he wouldn't be able to move even if he wanted to. I tried to shuffle around, moving away from him, but his arms didn't budge from around my waist. His deep and heavy breathing seemed to keep me calm as it trickled down the side of my neck, wanting me to stay here longer. This moment, to last forever. I knew though that it wouldn't. In a few minutes after Billie had woken up, it would be over. Our lives would return to normal, well whatever normal was, and what had happened would be forgotten.
"Steph..."
"Mmmm?"
"You okay?"
"Better than I was before."
"Good to know."
"Thanks for staying the night."
"My pleasure."
We smiled sweetly at each other before a gentle kiss brought us together again momentarily. I didn't expect it to happen. I felt all warm and golden inside. I guess we had just figured out what was right. This was right.
Being together like this was right.
Being in love was right.
Being content for the first time in months was right.
"You should get ready for school."
School. Great, just another thing to bring me down even more. I cuddled up to him a little more, trying to subtly show that I didn't want to go.
"Come on, we have to."
"I don't want to. Not after what happened last night."
"Why not, sweetie?"
"What if he's there?"
"If he is and he tries anything, he's gonna get a beating."
"Okay, I'll go get ready."
"Mmmkay, sweetie."
Another kiss took us apart to go get ready for school.
I hate school.
As you can probably tell from what I've said before.
It's evil.
But a necessary evil at that.
So many times it's gone though my head to drop out. Maybe I should. I mean, my life isn't exactly taking me anywhere. I guess my job could hold up and support me for a few more years until I needed something more. I mean come on, working for Lookout! Records was awesome. I've met so many amazing people and been through so many experiences. I didn't see why Livermore would object to me working a little more than usual.
Fixing my hair and applying my eyeliner, I thought about the opportunity more. I know it was a kind of spur of the moment thought, but it was awesome. I mean, a little girl from Berkeley working for Lookout! The thoughts were too good to be true. I kept the thoughts to myself though, even when I was asked by Billie Joe on the way to school why I seemed a little more content than usual.
"Nothing, it's just... you know... I've got you around now," I told him, smiling. We held hands as the walk continued. Funnily enough, it didn't rain.
Well there I go again. Opening my big mouth again. It started pouring. I felt a pull as quickly I was brought under the shade of a few fence trees before I was held close by arms wrapping around me gently.
"We'll just stay here until it calms down."
"Billie, it's fine, we can survive walking in the rain."
"I just don't want you to get wet and this is pretty bad."
I looked around. The water had already risen a few millimeters. It was coming down pretty fast and hard and the street drains weren't working as well as the people who put them there would like to think they would.
"Billie Joe, we can survive walking in the rain, okay? We'll go up a little and if it's too bad, then we'll just get cover under those store rooves for a little, alright?"
He nodded in approval and took my hand again as we started to walk though the rain to the stores a few meters away from where we started. Both dripping and soaking wet, we found that by huddling closer, body heat kept us warm.
"You look like a drowned rat."
"Thanks, princess."
We giggled, causing us to move closer. Becoming more intimate. I guess it was just right that everything seemed to work out right. As more rain crashed around us, followed by thunder going off, we seemed to find ourselves even closer than imagined. I ran my fingers through his wet hair, getting out knots he hadn't managed to from this morning. He dropped his head, letting me reach them easier.
"I propose..."
"Yes..."
"That we skip school today and go back to my place and get dry, I'm feeling a little weird."
"Okay, if it means not going to school at all, I'm all for it."
"Come on, I'll walk you there."
Gently, he took my hand again, leading me down the street into a back street before getting to his place.
"Mom's still here," he explained, walking along the side of the house.
"Will she mind?"
"No, it's just that means Brad's still here and he doesn't like me bringing girls home and well, I don't like bringing them while he's there."
"Is there a reason?" I asked, resting my head on his shoulder as we looked through the kitchen window.
"Just awkwardness I guess," Billie explained. I knew it was more though, but I didn't plan on pushing the subject anymore than it had to.
"We going inside, babe?"
"Babe?"
"Yeah..."
I smiled shyly. I hated how I talked quicker than I thought. My heart started beating faster and I saw his eyes become a little brighter. He smiled and we continued to walk around to the back door before we snuck in and up the stairs of the house to his bedroom.
"Wow, I haven't been here in ages," I let out, walking around his room.
"I know, it hass been ages. You wanna get into something a little more dry?"
"That would be nice," I said diffidently, walking over to him standing by his dresser.
"Got a colour you prefer?"
"I don't care, I just wanna get out of this wet uniform."
"Here."
He gave me a black shirt. Being Billie, he started to get changed in front of me.
I guess this was a good and bad thing at the same time. I mean, at least he wasn't shy around me, but you know...
"Billie Joe!"
"What, babe?"
"Not in front of me."
"But Steph..."
"Yes?"
A gentle kiss causing us to meet again was the start of a teenage makeout session. I guess it came at the right time, too. I mean, Billie Joe did have his shirt off and the bed wasn't made.
OH MY GOD! No. Eww. Erase that thought.
ERASE IT!
ERASE IT!!
Okay now, back a little to my un-dirty mind telling you this story.
I guess it came at the right time too, I mean Billie Joe did have his shirt off and we were acting more like a couple. I didn't know whether you'd call us a couple or if we were just kinda makeout buddies. Then again, we hadn't 'made out' properly yet. Quickly, the kisses continued to become deeper and more personal. My world was red again and I wanted to keep it this way. In love and safe. Soon enough, without any notice, the dry shirt I was holding was on the ground, being stood on, along with my wet shirt that had been un-buttoned and dropped to the floor. Our hands travelled around each other, getting a feel for one another. A few quick minutes later, a young, sexy teenage Billie Joe stood in front of me in only dark navy blue boxers. Slowly and un-noticeably, his fingers played around with my side skirt buckles and it dropped onto the ground, leaving us both standing near the unmade bed in only undergarments.
The kissing continued.
Passionate.
Adoring.
Loving.
Tender.
Affectionate.
Soon enough, we found ourselves against each other on the bed. Hands gently caressed over one another. Lips sealed in secrets we could have been talking about. Hearts filled up with love.
In-between breathing and kisses becoming gentler, a few words were said.
"Steph?"
"Mmmhm?"
"Love you."
"Mmmhm, you too, Billie Joe."
Soon after these words were exchanged, Billie broke any affection still being continued before he just lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. In a way, I'm quite happy that it didn't go any further, not forgetting what had happened yesterday. He gently pulled the covers up on us, keeping us warm. I looked out the window. It was raining. The world seemed black and white with shades of grey, but to me for once on a gloomy day, it wasn't.
It was red.
It was pink.
It was orange.
It was blue.
It was green.
It was purple.
It was violet.
It was cherry.
It was yellow.
It was aqua.
It was brown.
It was indigo.
IT WAS TECHICOLOURED and I loved it.
"Billie...?"
"Yeah?"
"So does this mean that we're..."
A gentle kiss gave me all the answers I needed. He was everything I needed and more. We snuggled up together to keep warm, getting closer than our actions had let us do so before. That was until his bedroom door opened.
"Get under the covers."
"WHAT?"
"Get under."
I crept under, hoping our secret wouldn't be found out.
"Billie Joe! What are you doing home so early?"
"I didn't feel well, mom."
"Come here and let me take your temperature."
"I don't want to get out of bed."
Mrs. Armstrong walked over and sat down on the side of the bed, taking her sons' temperature like all mothers did when their child was ill.
"You seem a little warm, you might be having a fever coming on. Why didn't you rug up this morning like to told you to?"
"'Cause I didn't want to."
"You don't listen to your mother and look at what happens."
"I know, momma, it won't happen again."
"Well listen, Billie, I'm off to the city with Brad, so if you need anything, call. David will be home though, so get him if you need anything."
"Okay mom, have fun," he managed to get out with his best acting skills. She had fallen for it. Well at least we thought she had.
As soon as we heard her and Brad walk out of the house, I came up, out of under the covers.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"You alright?"
"Yeah, I quite liked it down there."
We giggled, looking into each others eyes. We heard the bedroom door open again and instantly I went back under the covers.
"Hey, little dude."
"Hi, David."
"Okay, tell me why you're home and not at school".
"Sick, didn't mom tell you?"
"Yeah right you're sick. Tell me the truth."
"I'm sick, okay."
A sneeze came from under the covers. David looked over Billie to where the noise had come from.
"Okay, who are you hiding?"
"No one."
Ahhh-choooo
"Billie..." David reached over to pull at the doona cover, but I managed to pop out quicker, needing a tissue.
"Here," Billie said, giving me some he pulled out of the box beside his bed.
"Oh my God. Billie Joe brought a new girl home."
"I'm not new, David, you just haven't seen me in a while."
"Steph?"
"Yeah..."
"Damn girl, someone's grown up and filled out."
"DAVID."
"Calm down, Billie Joe, it's a compliment."
"Okay, now get out."
"Why, did I interrupt you two?"
"No."
I let out another giggle. I loved seeing these two fight, it was like a sketch being re-acted over and over.
"Okay, okay, I'm leaving," David told us, walking out, whistling as he did. Billie shook his head and laid back down. I rubbed his chest gently, making him smile.
"You're fingers are cold still."
"And..."
"Nothing. I like it, babe."
"Um, you don't think I could use your phone for a minute, could I?"
"Anything for you."
"Thanks."
I got out of his bed and put a shirt on, trying to find my skirt. Mrs. Armstrong must have put it away when she walked in. I picked up and started dialling the numbers for work.
"Hey, could I please talk to Mr. Livermore?"
"Thank you."
"Hi, Lawrence."
"Yeah, not too bad yourself."
"Good to hear, I'm just ringing in regards to more working hours."
"Yes, the conversation we had before."
"Sure I could."
"Okay, I'll come in later to pick that up."
"Thank you."
"Okay, bye."
I placed the phone on the receiver and got back into bed, slipping my arms around Billie, starting to gently kiss his neck. He let out a few gentle and quiet moans before the 21 questions game started.
"What was that about?"
"Nothing, Billie. Don't be so curious."
"It can't be nothing. Why are you asking for more hours?"
"Because."
"But you can't afford more hours, you're a student."
"Okay, Billie Joe."
"Oh my God, you're dropping out?"
"No."
"Then why are you calling for more hours at Lookout!?"
"Because, Billie Joe. I wanna start a career for myself instead of being stuck in school for the next eight years of my life, including college."
"Stephanie..."
"Billie Joe..."
"Why are you throwing your life away?"
"I'm not okay."
"You are".
"Billie, I'm not. It's a stable job; I'm taking my GED at the end of the month, so I'll have something to fall back onto. Please don't be angry."
"I'm not angry, it's just..."
"Just what?"
"I wanted to graduate together and you know... be together more often and you know..."
He seemed to be cautious with the words he used.
"Billie, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, babe, just happy to be here with you."
"You're so sweet."
A kiss managed to get the words:
"No, you're sweeter."
A few kisses later, the shirt I was wearing was off again and we were becoming more intimate again. More passionate. More loving. More secure. More in control of our feelings.
I won't go into detail since I don't want this to be cheap porn, but I'll end this part of the story on a high note of telling you all that we were both happy that no adults were in the house.
****
A few hours later, we started to get ready to head downtown to Lookout! I wondered why Billie seemed to be so uneasy. I wondered what he thought about what I had told him. I know the impact was probably hard on him. I mean, if I had been in his situation, there is no way in hell I would have stayed calm over news like that. My curiosity seemed to get the better of me and my mind started filling up with ideas. Questions. There were things I wanted answers for and my guess was that Billie was the person to give them to me.
"Billie..."
"Yeah?"
"We leaving?"
He didn't bother replying back to me.
"Billie, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, babe. Come on, let's head out."
****
"So you mean full time work?"
"Of course."
Billie Joe sat outside Livermore's office at Lookout!, trying to listen in on the conversation that was happening. It was no use. The walls were too thick, and even then, the whole place was soundproof. Beginning to become bored, he started to walk around, making himself known to where his girlfriend was soon to be working full time. I mean, he was curious, as I'm sure you've already figured out.
"Is there a problem, young man?"
Billie Joe turned to see a woman no older than 25 to be standing behind him. Great.
Excuse, excuse, he thought to himself.
"No, not a problem at all, ma'am. I'm just waiting for my girlfriend to come out of a meeting she's in," he told her, smiling. The older woman looked him up and down before she too started smiling. Billie Joe wondered whether he had given her the wrong idea.
"You must be Billie Joe, then?" she said, offering out her hand. He shook it, smiling.
"Yes I am, and you are...?" he asked with a charm.
"Kaylee. I work with Steph in the offices when she's in there."
"Nice to meet you," he told her, looking at her again. She looked familiar. A little too familiar.
"Ah, you don't mind if I have a muck around on one of the guitars in there, do you? I mean, I'm kinda dying of boredom."
Kaylee smiled, shaking her head.
"Sure, go ahead. Just be out before Livermore sees you." He nodded and walked in, playing for a good twenty minutes before he heard a tap at the glass. He turned around to see Steph smiling at him, with Livermore watching.
"How long has he been playing for?"
"Since he was ten-ish. Why do you ask?"
"Does he have a band?"
"Kind of, I mean, it's not a complete line up since the drummer dropped out."
"Bring them in sometime next week, I have an idea."
****
"Billie Joe, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you're going to let it slip away?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I don't want a record deal with a company, I don't want to sell-out like those people I bag for selling out."
"Billie, come on, he saw you and he wants to see Mike as well, this is a good thing. It's an independent company too. Billie Joe, please."
He looked down. Inside, he wanted so badly just to say yes, but in another way he wanted to keep his music to himself like it was some sort of secret. I took his hands and held them gently, rubbing the back of them in small circles. Leaning in gently, I nuzzled the base of his neck before gently kissing up, making my way to his jawline.
"Please, Billie Joe."
"Mmmm... Okay, okay, but only if Mike agrees."
I started to gently open my eyes. The room was bright. It was daytime. Sun shone through my window, causing it to momentarily blind me. Blinking a few times to re-adjust my eyes, I felt myself slip down against something.
Billie Joe.
I can't believe he stayed the whole night. Then again, I was asleep on top of him, so I guess he wouldn't be able to move even if he wanted to. I tried to shuffle around, moving away from him, but his arms didn't budge from around my waist. His deep and heavy breathing seemed to keep me calm as it trickled down the side of my neck, wanting me to stay here longer. This moment, to last forever. I knew though that it wouldn't. In a few minutes after Billie had woken up, it would be over. Our lives would return to normal, well whatever normal was, and what had happened would be forgotten.
"Steph..."
"Mmmm?"
"You okay?"
"Better than I was before."
"Good to know."
"Thanks for staying the night."
"My pleasure."
We smiled sweetly at each other before a gentle kiss brought us together again momentarily. I didn't expect it to happen. I felt all warm and golden inside. I guess we had just figured out what was right. This was right.
Being together like this was right.
Being in love was right.
Being content for the first time in months was right.
"You should get ready for school."
School. Great, just another thing to bring me down even more. I cuddled up to him a little more, trying to subtly show that I didn't want to go.
"Come on, we have to."
"I don't want to. Not after what happened last night."
"Why not, sweetie?"
"What if he's there?"
"If he is and he tries anything, he's gonna get a beating."
"Okay, I'll go get ready."
"Mmmkay, sweetie."
Another kiss took us apart to go get ready for school.
I hate school.
As you can probably tell from what I've said before.
It's evil.
But a necessary evil at that.
So many times it's gone though my head to drop out. Maybe I should. I mean, my life isn't exactly taking me anywhere. I guess my job could hold up and support me for a few more years until I needed something more. I mean come on, working for Lookout! Records was awesome. I've met so many amazing people and been through so many experiences. I didn't see why Livermore would object to me working a little more than usual.
Fixing my hair and applying my eyeliner, I thought about the opportunity more. I know it was a kind of spur of the moment thought, but it was awesome. I mean, a little girl from Berkeley working for Lookout! The thoughts were too good to be true. I kept the thoughts to myself though, even when I was asked by Billie Joe on the way to school why I seemed a little more content than usual.
"Nothing, it's just... you know... I've got you around now," I told him, smiling. We held hands as the walk continued. Funnily enough, it didn't rain.
Well there I go again. Opening my big mouth again. It started pouring. I felt a pull as quickly I was brought under the shade of a few fence trees before I was held close by arms wrapping around me gently.
"We'll just stay here until it calms down."
"Billie, it's fine, we can survive walking in the rain."
"I just don't want you to get wet and this is pretty bad."
I looked around. The water had already risen a few millimeters. It was coming down pretty fast and hard and the street drains weren't working as well as the people who put them there would like to think they would.
"Billie Joe, we can survive walking in the rain, okay? We'll go up a little and if it's too bad, then we'll just get cover under those store rooves for a little, alright?"
He nodded in approval and took my hand again as we started to walk though the rain to the stores a few meters away from where we started. Both dripping and soaking wet, we found that by huddling closer, body heat kept us warm.
"You look like a drowned rat."
"Thanks, princess."
We giggled, causing us to move closer. Becoming more intimate. I guess it was just right that everything seemed to work out right. As more rain crashed around us, followed by thunder going off, we seemed to find ourselves even closer than imagined. I ran my fingers through his wet hair, getting out knots he hadn't managed to from this morning. He dropped his head, letting me reach them easier.
"I propose..."
"Yes..."
"That we skip school today and go back to my place and get dry, I'm feeling a little weird."
"Okay, if it means not going to school at all, I'm all for it."
"Come on, I'll walk you there."
Gently, he took my hand again, leading me down the street into a back street before getting to his place.
"Mom's still here," he explained, walking along the side of the house.
"Will she mind?"
"No, it's just that means Brad's still here and he doesn't like me bringing girls home and well, I don't like bringing them while he's there."
"Is there a reason?" I asked, resting my head on his shoulder as we looked through the kitchen window.
"Just awkwardness I guess," Billie explained. I knew it was more though, but I didn't plan on pushing the subject anymore than it had to.
"We going inside, babe?"
"Babe?"
"Yeah..."
I smiled shyly. I hated how I talked quicker than I thought. My heart started beating faster and I saw his eyes become a little brighter. He smiled and we continued to walk around to the back door before we snuck in and up the stairs of the house to his bedroom.
"Wow, I haven't been here in ages," I let out, walking around his room.
"I know, it hass been ages. You wanna get into something a little more dry?"
"That would be nice," I said diffidently, walking over to him standing by his dresser.
"Got a colour you prefer?"
"I don't care, I just wanna get out of this wet uniform."
"Here."
He gave me a black shirt. Being Billie, he started to get changed in front of me.
I guess this was a good and bad thing at the same time. I mean, at least he wasn't shy around me, but you know...
"Billie Joe!"
"What, babe?"
"Not in front of me."
"But Steph..."
"Yes?"
A gentle kiss causing us to meet again was the start of a teenage makeout session. I guess it came at the right time, too. I mean, Billie Joe did have his shirt off and the bed wasn't made.
OH MY GOD! No. Eww. Erase that thought.
ERASE IT!
ERASE IT!!
Okay now, back a little to my un-dirty mind telling you this story.
I guess it came at the right time too, I mean Billie Joe did have his shirt off and we were acting more like a couple. I didn't know whether you'd call us a couple or if we were just kinda makeout buddies. Then again, we hadn't 'made out' properly yet. Quickly, the kisses continued to become deeper and more personal. My world was red again and I wanted to keep it this way. In love and safe. Soon enough, without any notice, the dry shirt I was holding was on the ground, being stood on, along with my wet shirt that had been un-buttoned and dropped to the floor. Our hands travelled around each other, getting a feel for one another. A few quick minutes later, a young, sexy teenage Billie Joe stood in front of me in only dark navy blue boxers. Slowly and un-noticeably, his fingers played around with my side skirt buckles and it dropped onto the ground, leaving us both standing near the unmade bed in only undergarments.
The kissing continued.
Passionate.
Adoring.
Loving.
Tender.
Affectionate.
Soon enough, we found ourselves against each other on the bed. Hands gently caressed over one another. Lips sealed in secrets we could have been talking about. Hearts filled up with love.
In-between breathing and kisses becoming gentler, a few words were said.
"Steph?"
"Mmmhm?"
"Love you."
"Mmmhm, you too, Billie Joe."
Soon after these words were exchanged, Billie broke any affection still being continued before he just lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. In a way, I'm quite happy that it didn't go any further, not forgetting what had happened yesterday. He gently pulled the covers up on us, keeping us warm. I looked out the window. It was raining. The world seemed black and white with shades of grey, but to me for once on a gloomy day, it wasn't.
It was red.
It was pink.
It was orange.
It was blue.
It was green.
It was purple.
It was violet.
It was cherry.
It was yellow.
It was aqua.
It was brown.
It was indigo.
IT WAS TECHICOLOURED and I loved it.
"Billie...?"
"Yeah?"
"So does this mean that we're..."
A gentle kiss gave me all the answers I needed. He was everything I needed and more. We snuggled up together to keep warm, getting closer than our actions had let us do so before. That was until his bedroom door opened.
"Get under the covers."
"WHAT?"
"Get under."
I crept under, hoping our secret wouldn't be found out.
"Billie Joe! What are you doing home so early?"
"I didn't feel well, mom."
"Come here and let me take your temperature."
"I don't want to get out of bed."
Mrs. Armstrong walked over and sat down on the side of the bed, taking her sons' temperature like all mothers did when their child was ill.
"You seem a little warm, you might be having a fever coming on. Why didn't you rug up this morning like to told you to?"
"'Cause I didn't want to."
"You don't listen to your mother and look at what happens."
"I know, momma, it won't happen again."
"Well listen, Billie, I'm off to the city with Brad, so if you need anything, call. David will be home though, so get him if you need anything."
"Okay mom, have fun," he managed to get out with his best acting skills. She had fallen for it. Well at least we thought she had.
As soon as we heard her and Brad walk out of the house, I came up, out of under the covers.
"Hey."
"Hi."
"You alright?"
"Yeah, I quite liked it down there."
We giggled, looking into each others eyes. We heard the bedroom door open again and instantly I went back under the covers.
"Hey, little dude."
"Hi, David."
"Okay, tell me why you're home and not at school".
"Sick, didn't mom tell you?"
"Yeah right you're sick. Tell me the truth."
"I'm sick, okay."
A sneeze came from under the covers. David looked over Billie to where the noise had come from.
"Okay, who are you hiding?"
"No one."
Ahhh-choooo
"Billie..." David reached over to pull at the doona cover, but I managed to pop out quicker, needing a tissue.
"Here," Billie said, giving me some he pulled out of the box beside his bed.
"Oh my God. Billie Joe brought a new girl home."
"I'm not new, David, you just haven't seen me in a while."
"Steph?"
"Yeah..."
"Damn girl, someone's grown up and filled out."
"DAVID."
"Calm down, Billie Joe, it's a compliment."
"Okay, now get out."
"Why, did I interrupt you two?"
"No."
I let out another giggle. I loved seeing these two fight, it was like a sketch being re-acted over and over.
"Okay, okay, I'm leaving," David told us, walking out, whistling as he did. Billie shook his head and laid back down. I rubbed his chest gently, making him smile.
"You're fingers are cold still."
"And..."
"Nothing. I like it, babe."
"Um, you don't think I could use your phone for a minute, could I?"
"Anything for you."
"Thanks."
I got out of his bed and put a shirt on, trying to find my skirt. Mrs. Armstrong must have put it away when she walked in. I picked up and started dialling the numbers for work.
"Hey, could I please talk to Mr. Livermore?"
"Thank you."
"Hi, Lawrence."
"Yeah, not too bad yourself."
"Good to hear, I'm just ringing in regards to more working hours."
"Yes, the conversation we had before."
"Sure I could."
"Okay, I'll come in later to pick that up."
"Thank you."
"Okay, bye."
I placed the phone on the receiver and got back into bed, slipping my arms around Billie, starting to gently kiss his neck. He let out a few gentle and quiet moans before the 21 questions game started.
"What was that about?"
"Nothing, Billie. Don't be so curious."
"It can't be nothing. Why are you asking for more hours?"
"Because."
"But you can't afford more hours, you're a student."
"Okay, Billie Joe."
"Oh my God, you're dropping out?"
"No."
"Then why are you calling for more hours at Lookout!?"
"Because, Billie Joe. I wanna start a career for myself instead of being stuck in school for the next eight years of my life, including college."
"Stephanie..."
"Billie Joe..."
"Why are you throwing your life away?"
"I'm not okay."
"You are".
"Billie, I'm not. It's a stable job; I'm taking my GED at the end of the month, so I'll have something to fall back onto. Please don't be angry."
"I'm not angry, it's just..."
"Just what?"
"I wanted to graduate together and you know... be together more often and you know..."
He seemed to be cautious with the words he used.
"Billie, what's wrong?"
"Nothing, babe, just happy to be here with you."
"You're so sweet."
A kiss managed to get the words:
"No, you're sweeter."
A few kisses later, the shirt I was wearing was off again and we were becoming more intimate again. More passionate. More loving. More secure. More in control of our feelings.
I won't go into detail since I don't want this to be cheap porn, but I'll end this part of the story on a high note of telling you all that we were both happy that no adults were in the house.
****
A few hours later, we started to get ready to head downtown to Lookout! I wondered why Billie seemed to be so uneasy. I wondered what he thought about what I had told him. I know the impact was probably hard on him. I mean, if I had been in his situation, there is no way in hell I would have stayed calm over news like that. My curiosity seemed to get the better of me and my mind started filling up with ideas. Questions. There were things I wanted answers for and my guess was that Billie was the person to give them to me.
"Billie..."
"Yeah?"
"We leaving?"
He didn't bother replying back to me.
"Billie, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, babe. Come on, let's head out."
****
"So you mean full time work?"
"Of course."
Billie Joe sat outside Livermore's office at Lookout!, trying to listen in on the conversation that was happening. It was no use. The walls were too thick, and even then, the whole place was soundproof. Beginning to become bored, he started to walk around, making himself known to where his girlfriend was soon to be working full time. I mean, he was curious, as I'm sure you've already figured out.
"Is there a problem, young man?"
Billie Joe turned to see a woman no older than 25 to be standing behind him. Great.
Excuse, excuse, he thought to himself.
"No, not a problem at all, ma'am. I'm just waiting for my girlfriend to come out of a meeting she's in," he told her, smiling. The older woman looked him up and down before she too started smiling. Billie Joe wondered whether he had given her the wrong idea.
"You must be Billie Joe, then?" she said, offering out her hand. He shook it, smiling.
"Yes I am, and you are...?" he asked with a charm.
"Kaylee. I work with Steph in the offices when she's in there."
"Nice to meet you," he told her, looking at her again. She looked familiar. A little too familiar.
"Ah, you don't mind if I have a muck around on one of the guitars in there, do you? I mean, I'm kinda dying of boredom."
Kaylee smiled, shaking her head.
"Sure, go ahead. Just be out before Livermore sees you." He nodded and walked in, playing for a good twenty minutes before he heard a tap at the glass. He turned around to see Steph smiling at him, with Livermore watching.
"How long has he been playing for?"
"Since he was ten-ish. Why do you ask?"
"Does he have a band?"
"Kind of, I mean, it's not a complete line up since the drummer dropped out."
"Bring them in sometime next week, I have an idea."
****
"Billie Joe, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and you're going to let it slip away?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"I don't want a record deal with a company, I don't want to sell-out like those people I bag for selling out."
"Billie, come on, he saw you and he wants to see Mike as well, this is a good thing. It's an independent company too. Billie Joe, please."
He looked down. Inside, he wanted so badly just to say yes, but in another way he wanted to keep his music to himself like it was some sort of secret. I took his hands and held them gently, rubbing the back of them in small circles. Leaning in gently, I nuzzled the base of his neck before gently kissing up, making my way to his jawline.
"Please, Billie Joe."
"Mmmm... Okay, okay, but only if Mike agrees."
