Where'd You Go? (Track Twelve, III), chapter 16

Billie Joe got to his feet with a pinched expression on his face. Wren scurried back to her room to fetch his blue tee. She tried not to touch it more than possible because it seemed to emanate bad memories, maybe not bad memories per say, but memories that caused bad feelings. Silently, Billie Joe accepted the shirt and followed her into the living room. It was removed of its beer bottles; Mike had probably done it. She was feeling like a soggy blanket hung off her shoulders, pulling her down with regret. Tré was free of his little duct tape prison and sitting on the couch. Wren sat down on the couch, as far away from Tré as possible.

With my luck, Mike would come back and think I'm making out with Tré.

Tré fiddled with his shoelaces as Wren wished everything would just go away. Now would be an excellent time to get absolutely sloshed. Considering what happened last time, maybe that was not the best idea. Plus, with this headache, she did not want another hangover ever again. Billie Joe crossed his arms and stared out the window. He looked as wretched as Wren felt.

"So, just to make things clear," Tré coughed, "last night, you guys were screwing like bunnies. Right?"

"NO!" Billie Joe and Wren shouted in unison. All three cringed at the excess noise. Obviously Tré's hangover must have been really bad, Wren supposed, since he went exceedingly pale.

"You did not screw like bunnies," he stated slowly. "At all?"

"What part of no is so hard to comprehend?" Wren growled. She was in no mood for him to play around.

Billie Joe slowly thumped his forehead against the window. "Wren," he spoke into the glass, his breath misting it over, "I am so sorry. I've got no self--If I'd had any idea..."

"It wasn't just your fault. I was part of it too. I feel just as shitty as you or worse, since I knew. I can't imagine what Mike's going through now."

Tré's eyes flicked back and forth between Billie Joe and Wren. He shifted on the couch. "Yeah, he's probably a bit pissed."

"You think?" Billie Joe turned away from the window. "Fuck," he said under his breath. "Tré, come with me. We're gonna go find him."

"I'm coming too." Wren jumped up, touching her temple as her head throbbed.

"No, I don't think we should both confront him at the same time. He'll think we're ganging up on him."

"Then what the heck am I supposed to do? Why can't I go and you stay here?"

"Wren, I've known him for longer than you."

"Well, I've known him longer than Tré!"

"She has a point there." Tré offered, "How about I stay here and not go?"

Billie Joe grabbed Tré's shoulder and hauled him upright fiercely.

"Our friend's in trouble. I put him there and now, like a man, I need you to be there in case he beats my ass. You seem to be the only innocent one in this disaster, so you can be the buffer."

Tré gulped and nodded. "Yeah, the innocent one. I'll be the buffer and...buff things." He smiled like his teeth hurt. "Or I could stand around and flex, all buff-like."

Billie Joe started half-dragging Tré out to the kitchen. Wren followed.

"Are you sure? I want to come, I need to," she felt like her tongue was too heavy, and it could not get out what she wanted to say.

I need to tell him that I still love him, only him.

"Stay here, he might come back in a bit. Then you can have a chance to talk to him. We won't be back until we find him. Call me if he shows."

Before Wren could protest further, they went out the door. She watched as they jumped into Billie Joe's car. Frustrated, Wren dug her fingers into the frame as the car reversed onto the street and tore off.

*Mike*

I got to get away. What a complete idiot I am! All this time I thought it was her, and it was me. Well, maybe if she hadn't....I wouldn't of--No. This is all my fault. I've fucked everything up. I should just get lost and let her be. There is no way she can take this after I blew up on them.

He was running as fast as he could, not caring who saw him. The overcast sky made everything pale and washed out.

Billie Joe would maybe lie to me, but not Wren, never Wren. As soon as I saw her, I knew he was being truthful. I cheated on her, not the other way around. And she's going ask who I did it with. This relationship is doomed. I can't take this, the look on her face is gonna kill me. I love her and when she says she never wants to see me again, I'm going to die. Because I'm a big coward, I'm not letting her have a chance to do it. I'm going to hide out somewhere.

He tripped on the edge of a sidewalk and went sprawling, the cement ripping open his chin. Not even a second later, Mike was back on his feet and still running.

The end result is the same, but at least I don't have to hear her say she doesn't love me, if she ever did at all. She'll probably go find Billie Joe and they'll---.

He swallowed hard and swiped at the tears that were obviously caused from falling down on the dusty sidewalk.

At least she'll be happy. That's all that matters now.