Sweet Children Come Out and Play, chapter 2
Two days later, Delphine awoke to find Billie lying next to her in bed, staring at her but grinning. She smiled back. It felt so good to wake up next to him. She and Billie had met at the beginning of senior year. Until now, she had never had a true boyfriend and had been giving up hope she would ever find one in the mist of high school. She would be one of those girls who never had one until college. Probably the smart way to go, as he parents would tell her, but living in the meantime had become a chore in her junior year. Perhaps they were not panic attacks; just complete mental breakdowns every so often. You know very well how it is. You don't need another person but not having someone to hug kills you. It really does. She had just wanted someone to care. Billie Joe caught her eye the first day of school. She knew it would be a better year in that moment, and for once, it turned out to be true. Now, they were nearing the glorious end of senior year. The end of all high school as they knew it.
Billie had dropped out a few months ago. He did not see the point anymore. He had already decided to commit his life to music, and he was good. Delphine really believed he would be able to pull it off. Tre did the same. Mike would finish though and so would Richelle and Brites, her two closest friends. And now it was the end of the year. They were all just coasting through the last few weeks of school and spending most of their time on music and, well, other fun.
What a change this year had been. When Delphine met Billie, a weight was lifted from her shoulders. Suddenly, she was asked out on a date. Well, that was a first. Then he hugged her and kissed her and when he held her, she finally felt as if someone cared. Not a caring as her friends' give but a more personal one she could not describe. She knew the feeling but this time it was a good feeling. This time it made her laugh instead of cry. Now she was waking up in the house the guys shared next to Billie.
For the last few months, Delphine along with Brites and Richelle, had been practically living with the boys in their apartment house. It small but comfy and they almost never went home. Delphine had never had the best relationship with her father, though she was best friends with her mother, and this angered her dad. Finally though, Delphine's parents agreed to let her move in with Billie. She would have been moving out anyway in a few months to go to college anyway. College, ha. Delphine had applied but was turned down to the one she wanted most. Now she was not so sure. She understood her parents concern in following the band Sweet Children, Billie, Mike and Tre's band, that they were young, and she needed to be careful in tying herself to Billie Joe but Delphine could not imagine leaving him now to live in another penitentiary of a school. All that school had prepped her for was the ability to make the most money in the smallest amount of time. What good was that going to do if she did not have love. She and Billie Joe would make it some how.
For now, she had the moment with Billie.
"Hey honey, it's your big day. Still up for that tattoo?"
"I sure am," she yawned. "What time is it?"
"We're supposed to go in an hour or so. We got time." He leaned over and kissed her.
"Oh, I better get up. I'll get more nervous sitting here."
When Delphine came back out of the bathroom, Billie had a camera in his hand, "So Delphine! It's the big day! How are you feeling?"
"Billie! I am half dressed. Stop that!"
"Oh, no one is going to see this. Answer the question."
Delphine sighed and started putting on some make-up. "Well, I'm feeling nervous but excited. I've wanted this for the past year and I think the tattoo is something I am going to love forever. Doesn't matter what happens later; it's always going to be a part of my life. I think it really sums up all that growing up and love and all is about, and you're guy's music for me. It's beautiful; it's sophisticated and classic but me all at the same time. I guess I don't know where it could go wrong. Actually, I don't know why I'm worried then." Delphine looked back to the camera, "The only thing left is that this guy you know does it well."
"Don't worry. He's an amazing artist."
"Well, I guess I trust him."
"Should we grab breakfast?"
"Neh, I'll get more nervous."
"You never eat breakfast anyway."
"You don't either. All right, turn that off. I need to put on clothes."
"Or you could just go like that."
Delphine rolled her eyes at Billie, "I don't think so."
An hour later, Billie was pulling in front on the tattoo parlor. He parked and turned off the engine. Then he quickly picked up the camera again and focused on Delphine as she sat in the car. "Ready?"
"I guess more than I will ever be." She took a deep breath and opened the door. Billie climbed out and followed her into the store like a paparazzi. As they walked through the archway at the entrance, a man waved from the back and ran up to them. Twenty minutes later, he was applying the ink outline to her left lower back. His name was Tom; nice guy and she hoped she would still think so after the tattoo was done.
"Ok, I am just going to do it in one little spot. You tell me how this feels," he said, the pen in hand and Billie sitting close by with the camera moving back and forth from right in her face to on her back. Mostly, he was smiling at her. "Ok?"
"Yeah."
"If you ever need a break or need to stop just tell me."
At very first, the pain was just pins and it was fine but as he went on it hurt a little more. Ten minutes later, Billie spoke up, "It's looking good! How you feeling?"
"Ok, it hurts but not too bad."
He could see she was a little uncomfortable and probably still nervous. This was her first time anyway. Billie took her hand in his and squeezed it. Delphine thought about it. She was already in the middle of it now. There was no turning back so she might as well be happy. Then she realized there was music playing on hidden speakers somewhere in the parlor because Grind by Alice in Chains came on. After that she relaxed a bit more and tried to think about how pretty the tattoo will be instead of the needles.
A couple hours later, Tom stood up. "You're done!" Billie had turned the camera back on. Delphine stood up.
"Not a lot of blood either," Billie said, "That's good and it looks great!"
"Here," Tom motioned, "Look in the mirror."
She did. It was more than she could have asked for. "That's perfect! Wow, it's beautiful. Oh my god I love it." She stood smiling at it in the reflection for a minute. So, there it was. It was finally done. Tom was looking pleased with the compliments and he went to get the clear bandage to wrap it up.
When they got back to Billie's house, Delphine plopped down on the couch on her stomach. Billie went into the kitchen, grabbed an icepack and two sodas. Then he sat with Delphine, his hand holding the ice to her back, wrapped in a blanket while they watched the old version of Dawn of the Dead. Not a very scary movie but fun and gross at the same time. It was Delphine's sort of thing; scary movies. Billie Joe was obviously enjoying it too and kept laughing when they were shooting down the zombies inside the shopping mall. It's a lot like Billie actually. Twisted but pretty.
*
"So you want to Bang her?" Eric taunted.
"No! That is not what he said!" Delphine shouted back, trying not to laugh. That would give her away and she would have no chance of telling them no.
"You want to BANG her?"
Sam laughed and they both just started repeating it, "You wanna BANG her!?" they practically yelled across the classroom in the most obnoxious tone possible.
You guys are complete assholes! You're just saying that because you want to do her." Samantha defended Delphine. She tried to change the subject, "Oh god I'm so hungry!" Everyone paused for a second and then started laughing hysterically. Samantha was looking extremely frustrated. "That is not what I meant!"
"Sure!" Eric laughed. "You want to bang her!"
"Oh shut-up," Samantha rolled her eyes. "And stop staring at me!"
Eric and Sam were two guys in Delphine's and Richelle's math class. Trig to be exact. They did this sort of thing in fun but once they had something on you, they could not let it go for months. Delphine had known them well from this year, along with Cayla and Samantha (also called Sam). Now she would be leaving them all. This was the end of senior year and she would not be able to see them again, besides Richelle, one of her closest friends. Only one week and two days left until summer vacation.
The bell rang a minute later and class was over. Delphine, and the rest of them, had gotten absolutely nothing done but it was fun. She walked out the door of the classroom and waved good bye to all of them, except for Eric who walked down the stairway with her to the bottom. Then he waved good bye and Delphine looked ahead of her down the hallway. There at the end, by her locker, was Billie Joe. He looked up, smiling and calling loudly to her, waving with both hands high in the air. She ran over. "Stop that," she pulled his arms down and he grabbed her and planted a big kiss on her lips. After that she stopped fighting.
Funny how time flies. No, really, it does. I mean it. Five months before, Delphine had lost a good friend of hers in a car accident. Marie. She had known Marie forever and she had been sitting with Delphine, Brites and Richelle, and their little group of about ten friends who met at lunch everyday in the front of the school. All of them where friends because they really did not fit into any other group. That just brought them closer. Marie was a shy girl. She did not say much and was skinny but extremely sweet. The teachers at school always say that every year, someone dies. It's sad but true. Somehow someone manages to die every year. This time, it was Delphine's group of friends to do the mourning. Last year it was Bryce, a senior when she was a junior. He was going around a bend in the road, speeding, not drunk or anything at all. Just speeding and flipped his car on a pothole. This year it was Marie.
That day, Billie and Delphine had been walking around the back of the school where not many people were during lunch, their arms around each other's backs. They had been together for only two months now and it felt to both as if it had always been this way. At that moment, they heard footsteps running up behind them. Billie turned around to see Joey running up to them. He was a good friend of both Billie and Delphine's. Joey was all out of breath and as soon as he reached them, he began blubbering something they could not understand. "Joey, slow down," Billie said putting a hand on his shoulder, "What's wrong?"
"Delphine - I'm sorry - it's Marie. She's gone."
Delphine looked confused, "What do you mean?"
"I'm so sorry. She died this morning."
Billie's mouth dropped and Delphine froze. Marie was her friend. They had known each other since elementary school and just like that she was gone. "Dead?" she choked.
"Yes, I'm so sorry. She was driving. Someone pushed her off a ledge... "
"What," Delphine could not believe what she was hearing.
"Her car rolled and - Delphine, are you ok?!"
"I have to sit-" She began but started to fall backwards and Billie dived to catch her under the arms and lowered her to the ground. She did not answer. She wanted to say 'sorry' or 'thank you for catching me' but it did not seem to matter. Marie was gone and her eyes just wondered off into space, unseeing. Then she felt Billie Joe wrap his arms around her and kiss her forehead. He rubbed her back and held her close. "It's all right," he said quietly, "I understand. It's going to be ok." Delphine buried her face in his chest. Silent tears fell down her face.
Billie had not known Marie well. He too was shocked she was gone, but all of that was eaten up seeing Delphine in distress. Secretly however, he was loving how she was clinging onto his so tight. It made him feel a little ashamed but he decided, 'No I'm 18, it's not my fault. Man I love this,' yet the nagging feeling of, 'I wish I could take her pain away.'
For awhile, all three just sat together. Joey and Billie tried to comfort Delphine but they knew nothing could help much in a time like this. Delphine was glad they were there. They would do all the explaining and talking.
"Delphine," Billie finally spoke quietly, "Do you want to go to my house for awhile?" She looked up lovingly but sadly and nodded. He helped her to her feet and they walked slowly back down the path.
"I better get back. I'm glad I found you guys before... you found out some other way," Joey said sadly. He hugged her and gave a look to Billie as if to say, 'Take care of her.' Then he left. Billie and Delphine walked slowly back to Billie's house.
A little later, Delphine walked through the front door. He lived at home then. "Come here, you can sit," he motioned to the bed, clearing away some clothes. Delphine plopped down on the bed on her back. "Can I get you anything? We have coffee or something."
"Coffee would be nice."
"Ok," he went of to make some in their makeshift kitchen and brought her back a cup five minutes later. He handed her the mug and sat beside her. Delphine took a sip and put one arm around him.
"Thank you." She tipped her head, resting it against his shoulder. "How could this happen?"
"I don't know. It was so sudden."
"How am I going to go back to the other guys?"
"You can stay here for as long as you want."
"Thanks," she smiled a little, feeling more relaxed now. How could she feel this way so soon just after her friend had died? Died. Not just gone away for a vacation. She could never see Marie again. The thought brought more tears to her ears but at the same time she felt content. Perhaps it was Billie. His arm around her and her head on his shoulder felt so peaceful, and right.
For awhile after, the two just sat together on the bed facing the window. Slowly the sun went down in front of their eyes and then as it reached the bottom of the horizon, darkness set in faster and faster until all the light was gone at once. "Do you want something to eat?" Billie asked shyly.
"Oh, I don't know. I guess I'm really not hungry."
"We have Oreos. Want any?"
She laughed a little, "Well, sure, Oreos sound good."
Billie got up from the bed and began rummaging through the cabinets in the other room. Apparently, they did not have the most organized of houses but it was clean nevertheless. Delphine scooted far back in the bed and lied down on her back. After a minute, Billie popped his head back around the corner shaking half a box of the cookies. "Found 'em," he smiled. He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed handing her the box. 'Damn she's hot,' he could not help thinking, 'and she's all stretched out on your bed... '
"Billie, do you think I could stay the night here?"
He almost choked, "Sure!" 'She's staying the night in your bed! Why am I so excited about that? It's not like we're going to do it. Still, she's in your bed... ' Billie crawled up next to Delphine and lied down. "Want to watch the tube?"
"Ok."
"We don't get many channels but... " and he started flipping through some. "When nothing's on, I can just sit and change the channels for an hour or two," he laughed. "Eh, nothing's on. I'm sick of all the same old shit. What do you want to watch?"
"Oh, I don't know. Wait, go back two channels... The Yellow Submarine, how about that?"
"Sure."
The two sat quietly in each other's arms without saying a word. It was nice for Delphine to focus on something else, and by focus, she meant Billie Joe. Neither was paying very much attention to the movie but the music was nice. Once in awhile, something weird would pop up on the screen, and Delphine would stare at it confused and laugh. Billie only heard her laughing. When the movie was finally over, Delphine was already half asleep in his arms.
He yawned, "Do you want something to sleep in? I have like, a shirt... unless you don't -"
"Sure, thanks. I usually sleep in one anyway."
Billie slipped away and grabbed one of his more oversized shirts. It was dusty blue. He handed it too her.
"Thanks." Delphine turned around, slipped her tight blood red shirt off, so he could see her whole back, except for the bra line across her middle. She dropped the shirt over her head, pulled out her long hair, twisted her hands behind her back under the shirt for just a second, put her hand up her sleeve and pulled her arm out of her bra strap, and then pulled the whole bra out the other sleeve.
'How the hell do they do that?' Billie sat puzzled. Delphine tossed her clothes behind the bed. 'And she's not wearing a bra... '
Delphine crawled under the covers of his bed. "You coming?"
Billie nodded and got in, "Don't worry; I'll leave my pants on."
She laughed but then said, "Well, ok, but if you're not comfortable..."
"Really?"
His pants stayed on, but they fell asleep in a cuddle in each others arms.
*
Billie awoke the next morning. The sunlight flooded through the window and across the bed at an angle that just missed Delphine's face so she slept undisturbed. She looked heavenly as she lay motionless on the grey sheets. Her hair fell around her face and down her back. Billie swished a piece away from across her lips. He wanted to touch them but was afraid she would wake up so he just watched her sleep silently.
When Delphine's eyes finally flickered open, it was nine thirty, and she found herself staring into Billie's speckled green eyes as he lay next to her. "Hey," he whispered.
"Billie," she touched his face with a soft hand as all that happened the day before flooded back. "Have you been up long?"
"No, it doesn't matter."
She could think of nothing better than waking up next to him.
"What do you want to do?"
"I don't know," she sighed, "I suppose I will have to go see my friends soon. I don't want them to worry."
"Yeah, ok."
"Can you come with me?"
"Sure. We could do something else later like... I don't know."
"I'd like that."
*
Delphine walked through the door home to find her two friends sitting around the table in their little French kitchen. As their faces turned to meet hers, a look of surprise came over both them.
"Delphine," Brites rose from her chair and ran to her with outstretched arms. "Where were you? We found out just this morning."
Billie walked into view behind Delphine. "I'm sorry," she said, "I spent the night at Billie's." Her friend's eyes rose at the same time to meet on Billie and Richelle gave a little smirk. Billie looked away, embarrassed.
"Well, I'm glad you were safe." Brites shot a glance to Billie, "At least he'll take good care of you." Delphine gave a smile. "Do you guys um want some tea?"
"Sure."
"I'll leave you girls alone for awhile. I should find Mike and Tre."
"Ok, I'll see you in a little bit," Delphine said hopefully.
"Yep, bye."
"Bye," she watched him slowly walk backwards down the front stairs until he turned a corner and was gone.
"Here," Richelle handed Delphine a fancy china tea cup. They brought them out a lot to play with. Pretending to be fancy. It was their more girly side that Delphine also shared with her two younger sisters and occasionally her brother, which, of course, you must never tell his friends about.
"Thanks."
Richelle stopped and put her arms around Delphine without another word. "I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"I know. But I am."
"Thanks."
"Here, sit down. When did you find out?"
Delphine sighed, "Joey told us. Billie was there with me. I remember just falling and Billie held me. I don't know. Then he asked if I wanted to come to him room for awhile before I went back and I asked to spend the night. I'm sorry I didn't find you guys or anyone. I was just too upset to think."
"Oh no, it's not that. We know. I'm glad you have someone like Billie."
"Me too," she smiled shortly. "He just hugged me and held me all night. I almost forgot everything else. I feel like I should be sadder."
"You really love him," Brites said with some satisfaction in her voice.
Delphine laughed, "Yeah, I guess I do." It was good to hear her laugh. Then she started laughing again and could not stop which turned into a sputter of crying; tears and joy, she could not decide. "Why did I have to find him at a time like this?"
"Brites," Richelle motioned and they both rushed to Delphine's side throwing their arms around her.
"He probably thinks I'm such a ditz now!"
"No he doesn't. He understands. I see the way he looks at you when you don't know it. He loves you."
"And you love him too. What could be better?"
*
Billie Joe and Delphine walked aimlessly through the mall looking for anything that might catch their attention. "Look at these," Delphine pointed to a pair of checkered slip-on Vans shoes.
"I'd wear those," Billie smiled.
"Aww, we could get matching pairs!"
"Umm... no."
"Are you suree... " She said sarcastically.
"I'm positive."
"Well, I might just have to get them then," Delphine said more seriously. "Let's keep looking and come back later."
"You mean you keep looking and I'll follow you until you're done."
"Hey, you said you would wear the shoes too," she poked him.
"Fine," Billie leaned over and kissed her lips. Delphine closed her eyes for just a second and smiled as they parted. He wrapped his arm around her back. "We can do whatever you want."
"Anything?"
"Sure."
"Let's go to Longs then."
"Um, ok."
Half an hour later, Billie pulled into a small space in the Longs Drugs parking lot. "So, I all for the 'let's do whatever you want' but why are we at the drug store?"
"Well, Billie, we have been together awhile now," she took his hand. A sort of confused scared look came into his eyes and he gave her a skeptical glance, "and I was thinking... well-" She sighed. Billie looked at her with interested eyes. "Billie, I love you."
"And I love you too."
She smiled, "I know you do, and I don't think I have ever been happier in my life." He nodded. Delphine leaned forward and kissed his lips. Billie's eyes closed for just a second. "Come here," she opened the door of the car and stepped out into the sunlight. Billie quickly fumbled with the handle and pushed his door open.
He followed Delphine to the isle in the back of the store, near the counter, where she stopped and turned around. She was standing in front of all the "forbidden" things. The things they had shown them as 8th years in the video where two teenagers go into Longs and buy condoms. It was really pretty stupid, but they did have a point. And here she was standing at the entrance of the isle of condoms. Billie bit his lip and gave her a funny happy smile. "So, what'cha thinking?"
"Well, the same thing you've been thinking."
Billie laughed, but sort of excitedly. "Are you sure?"
"I'm positive."
"Ok, just one thing. You buy them."
"Umm, ok."
*
Delphine walked nervously into the living room. Today was one of those days where she felt she could just jump the next hot guy she saw on the street; and at a time like this, she could always find someone. Now that she had Billie though, she actually had someone to jump and that confused her. Should she actually take the chance and do it? She wanted it more than anything sometimes, and apparently, guys are supposed to want it more than girls so when she wondered if Billie Joe wanted it too, there was always an answer but never a way to be sure. One thing she was such of, she loved him. She loved him with all her heart, so when she saw him sitting quietly on the couch, before he noticed her standing in the hall, her heart melted. When he turned around to meet her eyes, a smile stretched across his face. Softly, she tiptoed over to Billie's side and sat next to him, in his arms. Then she gave him a passionate kiss.
It surprised Billie for only a second. Perhaps she did not want to watch TV tonight. He kissed her back, tasting her in his mouth. She was so sweet and gorgeous. All of a sudden, he wanted her; to hug her and feel her all over and love her. Then Delphine's hands felt lower down his back and over his thighs. Billie smiled as they broke for a second and he felt his hand up her shirt. Cautiously, he pulled off Delphine's little shirt over her head.
Delphine felt his hands moving all over her. She loved it. Billie was so beautiful and wonderful. Now, perhaps this was going to be more than the making-out they had shared before. Then again, she would not mind. It was nerve racking but she wanted it.
*
And that is how it happened now it was seven months later. Finally, it was the very last minute of the last day of the last year of school Delphine would ever have to endure in high school. At thirty three seconds left, the entire class started counting down, "Five, four, three, TWO, ONE!" and applause thundered through the room as everyone ran out of the classroom. 'That was it!' Delphine screamed inside her head, rushing down the stairs, 'It's over!'
Billie had dropped out a few months ago. He did not see the point anymore. He had already decided to commit his life to music, and he was good. Delphine really believed he would be able to pull it off. Tre did the same. Mike would finish though and so would Richelle and Brites, her two closest friends. And now it was the end of the year. They were all just coasting through the last few weeks of school and spending most of their time on music and, well, other fun.
What a change this year had been. When Delphine met Billie, a weight was lifted from her shoulders. Suddenly, she was asked out on a date. Well, that was a first. Then he hugged her and kissed her and when he held her, she finally felt as if someone cared. Not a caring as her friends' give but a more personal one she could not describe. She knew the feeling but this time it was a good feeling. This time it made her laugh instead of cry. Now she was waking up in the house the guys shared next to Billie.
For the last few months, Delphine along with Brites and Richelle, had been practically living with the boys in their apartment house. It small but comfy and they almost never went home. Delphine had never had the best relationship with her father, though she was best friends with her mother, and this angered her dad. Finally though, Delphine's parents agreed to let her move in with Billie. She would have been moving out anyway in a few months to go to college anyway. College, ha. Delphine had applied but was turned down to the one she wanted most. Now she was not so sure. She understood her parents concern in following the band Sweet Children, Billie, Mike and Tre's band, that they were young, and she needed to be careful in tying herself to Billie Joe but Delphine could not imagine leaving him now to live in another penitentiary of a school. All that school had prepped her for was the ability to make the most money in the smallest amount of time. What good was that going to do if she did not have love. She and Billie Joe would make it some how.
For now, she had the moment with Billie.
"Hey honey, it's your big day. Still up for that tattoo?"
"I sure am," she yawned. "What time is it?"
"We're supposed to go in an hour or so. We got time." He leaned over and kissed her.
"Oh, I better get up. I'll get more nervous sitting here."
When Delphine came back out of the bathroom, Billie had a camera in his hand, "So Delphine! It's the big day! How are you feeling?"
"Billie! I am half dressed. Stop that!"
"Oh, no one is going to see this. Answer the question."
Delphine sighed and started putting on some make-up. "Well, I'm feeling nervous but excited. I've wanted this for the past year and I think the tattoo is something I am going to love forever. Doesn't matter what happens later; it's always going to be a part of my life. I think it really sums up all that growing up and love and all is about, and you're guy's music for me. It's beautiful; it's sophisticated and classic but me all at the same time. I guess I don't know where it could go wrong. Actually, I don't know why I'm worried then." Delphine looked back to the camera, "The only thing left is that this guy you know does it well."
"Don't worry. He's an amazing artist."
"Well, I guess I trust him."
"Should we grab breakfast?"
"Neh, I'll get more nervous."
"You never eat breakfast anyway."
"You don't either. All right, turn that off. I need to put on clothes."
"Or you could just go like that."
Delphine rolled her eyes at Billie, "I don't think so."
An hour later, Billie was pulling in front on the tattoo parlor. He parked and turned off the engine. Then he quickly picked up the camera again and focused on Delphine as she sat in the car. "Ready?"
"I guess more than I will ever be." She took a deep breath and opened the door. Billie climbed out and followed her into the store like a paparazzi. As they walked through the archway at the entrance, a man waved from the back and ran up to them. Twenty minutes later, he was applying the ink outline to her left lower back. His name was Tom; nice guy and she hoped she would still think so after the tattoo was done.
"Ok, I am just going to do it in one little spot. You tell me how this feels," he said, the pen in hand and Billie sitting close by with the camera moving back and forth from right in her face to on her back. Mostly, he was smiling at her. "Ok?"
"Yeah."
"If you ever need a break or need to stop just tell me."
At very first, the pain was just pins and it was fine but as he went on it hurt a little more. Ten minutes later, Billie spoke up, "It's looking good! How you feeling?"
"Ok, it hurts but not too bad."
He could see she was a little uncomfortable and probably still nervous. This was her first time anyway. Billie took her hand in his and squeezed it. Delphine thought about it. She was already in the middle of it now. There was no turning back so she might as well be happy. Then she realized there was music playing on hidden speakers somewhere in the parlor because Grind by Alice in Chains came on. After that she relaxed a bit more and tried to think about how pretty the tattoo will be instead of the needles.
A couple hours later, Tom stood up. "You're done!" Billie had turned the camera back on. Delphine stood up.
"Not a lot of blood either," Billie said, "That's good and it looks great!"
"Here," Tom motioned, "Look in the mirror."
She did. It was more than she could have asked for. "That's perfect! Wow, it's beautiful. Oh my god I love it." She stood smiling at it in the reflection for a minute. So, there it was. It was finally done. Tom was looking pleased with the compliments and he went to get the clear bandage to wrap it up.
When they got back to Billie's house, Delphine plopped down on the couch on her stomach. Billie went into the kitchen, grabbed an icepack and two sodas. Then he sat with Delphine, his hand holding the ice to her back, wrapped in a blanket while they watched the old version of Dawn of the Dead. Not a very scary movie but fun and gross at the same time. It was Delphine's sort of thing; scary movies. Billie Joe was obviously enjoying it too and kept laughing when they were shooting down the zombies inside the shopping mall. It's a lot like Billie actually. Twisted but pretty.
*
"So you want to Bang her?" Eric taunted.
"No! That is not what he said!" Delphine shouted back, trying not to laugh. That would give her away and she would have no chance of telling them no.
"You want to BANG her?"
Sam laughed and they both just started repeating it, "You wanna BANG her!?" they practically yelled across the classroom in the most obnoxious tone possible.
You guys are complete assholes! You're just saying that because you want to do her." Samantha defended Delphine. She tried to change the subject, "Oh god I'm so hungry!" Everyone paused for a second and then started laughing hysterically. Samantha was looking extremely frustrated. "That is not what I meant!"
"Sure!" Eric laughed. "You want to bang her!"
"Oh shut-up," Samantha rolled her eyes. "And stop staring at me!"
Eric and Sam were two guys in Delphine's and Richelle's math class. Trig to be exact. They did this sort of thing in fun but once they had something on you, they could not let it go for months. Delphine had known them well from this year, along with Cayla and Samantha (also called Sam). Now she would be leaving them all. This was the end of senior year and she would not be able to see them again, besides Richelle, one of her closest friends. Only one week and two days left until summer vacation.
The bell rang a minute later and class was over. Delphine, and the rest of them, had gotten absolutely nothing done but it was fun. She walked out the door of the classroom and waved good bye to all of them, except for Eric who walked down the stairway with her to the bottom. Then he waved good bye and Delphine looked ahead of her down the hallway. There at the end, by her locker, was Billie Joe. He looked up, smiling and calling loudly to her, waving with both hands high in the air. She ran over. "Stop that," she pulled his arms down and he grabbed her and planted a big kiss on her lips. After that she stopped fighting.
Funny how time flies. No, really, it does. I mean it. Five months before, Delphine had lost a good friend of hers in a car accident. Marie. She had known Marie forever and she had been sitting with Delphine, Brites and Richelle, and their little group of about ten friends who met at lunch everyday in the front of the school. All of them where friends because they really did not fit into any other group. That just brought them closer. Marie was a shy girl. She did not say much and was skinny but extremely sweet. The teachers at school always say that every year, someone dies. It's sad but true. Somehow someone manages to die every year. This time, it was Delphine's group of friends to do the mourning. Last year it was Bryce, a senior when she was a junior. He was going around a bend in the road, speeding, not drunk or anything at all. Just speeding and flipped his car on a pothole. This year it was Marie.
That day, Billie and Delphine had been walking around the back of the school where not many people were during lunch, their arms around each other's backs. They had been together for only two months now and it felt to both as if it had always been this way. At that moment, they heard footsteps running up behind them. Billie turned around to see Joey running up to them. He was a good friend of both Billie and Delphine's. Joey was all out of breath and as soon as he reached them, he began blubbering something they could not understand. "Joey, slow down," Billie said putting a hand on his shoulder, "What's wrong?"
"Delphine - I'm sorry - it's Marie. She's gone."
Delphine looked confused, "What do you mean?"
"I'm so sorry. She died this morning."
Billie's mouth dropped and Delphine froze. Marie was her friend. They had known each other since elementary school and just like that she was gone. "Dead?" she choked.
"Yes, I'm so sorry. She was driving. Someone pushed her off a ledge... "
"What," Delphine could not believe what she was hearing.
"Her car rolled and - Delphine, are you ok?!"
"I have to sit-" She began but started to fall backwards and Billie dived to catch her under the arms and lowered her to the ground. She did not answer. She wanted to say 'sorry' or 'thank you for catching me' but it did not seem to matter. Marie was gone and her eyes just wondered off into space, unseeing. Then she felt Billie Joe wrap his arms around her and kiss her forehead. He rubbed her back and held her close. "It's all right," he said quietly, "I understand. It's going to be ok." Delphine buried her face in his chest. Silent tears fell down her face.
Billie had not known Marie well. He too was shocked she was gone, but all of that was eaten up seeing Delphine in distress. Secretly however, he was loving how she was clinging onto his so tight. It made him feel a little ashamed but he decided, 'No I'm 18, it's not my fault. Man I love this,' yet the nagging feeling of, 'I wish I could take her pain away.'
For awhile, all three just sat together. Joey and Billie tried to comfort Delphine but they knew nothing could help much in a time like this. Delphine was glad they were there. They would do all the explaining and talking.
"Delphine," Billie finally spoke quietly, "Do you want to go to my house for awhile?" She looked up lovingly but sadly and nodded. He helped her to her feet and they walked slowly back down the path.
"I better get back. I'm glad I found you guys before... you found out some other way," Joey said sadly. He hugged her and gave a look to Billie as if to say, 'Take care of her.' Then he left. Billie and Delphine walked slowly back to Billie's house.
A little later, Delphine walked through the front door. He lived at home then. "Come here, you can sit," he motioned to the bed, clearing away some clothes. Delphine plopped down on the bed on her back. "Can I get you anything? We have coffee or something."
"Coffee would be nice."
"Ok," he went of to make some in their makeshift kitchen and brought her back a cup five minutes later. He handed her the mug and sat beside her. Delphine took a sip and put one arm around him.
"Thank you." She tipped her head, resting it against his shoulder. "How could this happen?"
"I don't know. It was so sudden."
"How am I going to go back to the other guys?"
"You can stay here for as long as you want."
"Thanks," she smiled a little, feeling more relaxed now. How could she feel this way so soon just after her friend had died? Died. Not just gone away for a vacation. She could never see Marie again. The thought brought more tears to her ears but at the same time she felt content. Perhaps it was Billie. His arm around her and her head on his shoulder felt so peaceful, and right.
For awhile after, the two just sat together on the bed facing the window. Slowly the sun went down in front of their eyes and then as it reached the bottom of the horizon, darkness set in faster and faster until all the light was gone at once. "Do you want something to eat?" Billie asked shyly.
"Oh, I don't know. I guess I'm really not hungry."
"We have Oreos. Want any?"
She laughed a little, "Well, sure, Oreos sound good."
Billie got up from the bed and began rummaging through the cabinets in the other room. Apparently, they did not have the most organized of houses but it was clean nevertheless. Delphine scooted far back in the bed and lied down on her back. After a minute, Billie popped his head back around the corner shaking half a box of the cookies. "Found 'em," he smiled. He walked over and sat on the edge of the bed handing her the box. 'Damn she's hot,' he could not help thinking, 'and she's all stretched out on your bed... '
"Billie, do you think I could stay the night here?"
He almost choked, "Sure!" 'She's staying the night in your bed! Why am I so excited about that? It's not like we're going to do it. Still, she's in your bed... ' Billie crawled up next to Delphine and lied down. "Want to watch the tube?"
"Ok."
"We don't get many channels but... " and he started flipping through some. "When nothing's on, I can just sit and change the channels for an hour or two," he laughed. "Eh, nothing's on. I'm sick of all the same old shit. What do you want to watch?"
"Oh, I don't know. Wait, go back two channels... The Yellow Submarine, how about that?"
"Sure."
The two sat quietly in each other's arms without saying a word. It was nice for Delphine to focus on something else, and by focus, she meant Billie Joe. Neither was paying very much attention to the movie but the music was nice. Once in awhile, something weird would pop up on the screen, and Delphine would stare at it confused and laugh. Billie only heard her laughing. When the movie was finally over, Delphine was already half asleep in his arms.
He yawned, "Do you want something to sleep in? I have like, a shirt... unless you don't -"
"Sure, thanks. I usually sleep in one anyway."
Billie slipped away and grabbed one of his more oversized shirts. It was dusty blue. He handed it too her.
"Thanks." Delphine turned around, slipped her tight blood red shirt off, so he could see her whole back, except for the bra line across her middle. She dropped the shirt over her head, pulled out her long hair, twisted her hands behind her back under the shirt for just a second, put her hand up her sleeve and pulled her arm out of her bra strap, and then pulled the whole bra out the other sleeve.
'How the hell do they do that?' Billie sat puzzled. Delphine tossed her clothes behind the bed. 'And she's not wearing a bra... '
Delphine crawled under the covers of his bed. "You coming?"
Billie nodded and got in, "Don't worry; I'll leave my pants on."
She laughed but then said, "Well, ok, but if you're not comfortable..."
"Really?"
His pants stayed on, but they fell asleep in a cuddle in each others arms.
*
Billie awoke the next morning. The sunlight flooded through the window and across the bed at an angle that just missed Delphine's face so she slept undisturbed. She looked heavenly as she lay motionless on the grey sheets. Her hair fell around her face and down her back. Billie swished a piece away from across her lips. He wanted to touch them but was afraid she would wake up so he just watched her sleep silently.
When Delphine's eyes finally flickered open, it was nine thirty, and she found herself staring into Billie's speckled green eyes as he lay next to her. "Hey," he whispered.
"Billie," she touched his face with a soft hand as all that happened the day before flooded back. "Have you been up long?"
"No, it doesn't matter."
She could think of nothing better than waking up next to him.
"What do you want to do?"
"I don't know," she sighed, "I suppose I will have to go see my friends soon. I don't want them to worry."
"Yeah, ok."
"Can you come with me?"
"Sure. We could do something else later like... I don't know."
"I'd like that."
*
Delphine walked through the door home to find her two friends sitting around the table in their little French kitchen. As their faces turned to meet hers, a look of surprise came over both them.
"Delphine," Brites rose from her chair and ran to her with outstretched arms. "Where were you? We found out just this morning."
Billie walked into view behind Delphine. "I'm sorry," she said, "I spent the night at Billie's." Her friend's eyes rose at the same time to meet on Billie and Richelle gave a little smirk. Billie looked away, embarrassed.
"Well, I'm glad you were safe." Brites shot a glance to Billie, "At least he'll take good care of you." Delphine gave a smile. "Do you guys um want some tea?"
"Sure."
"I'll leave you girls alone for awhile. I should find Mike and Tre."
"Ok, I'll see you in a little bit," Delphine said hopefully.
"Yep, bye."
"Bye," she watched him slowly walk backwards down the front stairs until he turned a corner and was gone.
"Here," Richelle handed Delphine a fancy china tea cup. They brought them out a lot to play with. Pretending to be fancy. It was their more girly side that Delphine also shared with her two younger sisters and occasionally her brother, which, of course, you must never tell his friends about.
"Thanks."
Richelle stopped and put her arms around Delphine without another word. "I'm so sorry."
"It's not your fault."
"I know. But I am."
"Thanks."
"Here, sit down. When did you find out?"
Delphine sighed, "Joey told us. Billie was there with me. I remember just falling and Billie held me. I don't know. Then he asked if I wanted to come to him room for awhile before I went back and I asked to spend the night. I'm sorry I didn't find you guys or anyone. I was just too upset to think."
"Oh no, it's not that. We know. I'm glad you have someone like Billie."
"Me too," she smiled shortly. "He just hugged me and held me all night. I almost forgot everything else. I feel like I should be sadder."
"You really love him," Brites said with some satisfaction in her voice.
Delphine laughed, "Yeah, I guess I do." It was good to hear her laugh. Then she started laughing again and could not stop which turned into a sputter of crying; tears and joy, she could not decide. "Why did I have to find him at a time like this?"
"Brites," Richelle motioned and they both rushed to Delphine's side throwing their arms around her.
"He probably thinks I'm such a ditz now!"
"No he doesn't. He understands. I see the way he looks at you when you don't know it. He loves you."
"And you love him too. What could be better?"
*
Billie Joe and Delphine walked aimlessly through the mall looking for anything that might catch their attention. "Look at these," Delphine pointed to a pair of checkered slip-on Vans shoes.
"I'd wear those," Billie smiled.
"Aww, we could get matching pairs!"
"Umm... no."
"Are you suree... " She said sarcastically.
"I'm positive."
"Well, I might just have to get them then," Delphine said more seriously. "Let's keep looking and come back later."
"You mean you keep looking and I'll follow you until you're done."
"Hey, you said you would wear the shoes too," she poked him.
"Fine," Billie leaned over and kissed her lips. Delphine closed her eyes for just a second and smiled as they parted. He wrapped his arm around her back. "We can do whatever you want."
"Anything?"
"Sure."
"Let's go to Longs then."
"Um, ok."
Half an hour later, Billie pulled into a small space in the Longs Drugs parking lot. "So, I all for the 'let's do whatever you want' but why are we at the drug store?"
"Well, Billie, we have been together awhile now," she took his hand. A sort of confused scared look came into his eyes and he gave her a skeptical glance, "and I was thinking... well-" She sighed. Billie looked at her with interested eyes. "Billie, I love you."
"And I love you too."
She smiled, "I know you do, and I don't think I have ever been happier in my life." He nodded. Delphine leaned forward and kissed his lips. Billie's eyes closed for just a second. "Come here," she opened the door of the car and stepped out into the sunlight. Billie quickly fumbled with the handle and pushed his door open.
He followed Delphine to the isle in the back of the store, near the counter, where she stopped and turned around. She was standing in front of all the "forbidden" things. The things they had shown them as 8th years in the video where two teenagers go into Longs and buy condoms. It was really pretty stupid, but they did have a point. And here she was standing at the entrance of the isle of condoms. Billie bit his lip and gave her a funny happy smile. "So, what'cha thinking?"
"Well, the same thing you've been thinking."
Billie laughed, but sort of excitedly. "Are you sure?"
"I'm positive."
"Ok, just one thing. You buy them."
"Umm, ok."
*
Delphine walked nervously into the living room. Today was one of those days where she felt she could just jump the next hot guy she saw on the street; and at a time like this, she could always find someone. Now that she had Billie though, she actually had someone to jump and that confused her. Should she actually take the chance and do it? She wanted it more than anything sometimes, and apparently, guys are supposed to want it more than girls so when she wondered if Billie Joe wanted it too, there was always an answer but never a way to be sure. One thing she was such of, she loved him. She loved him with all her heart, so when she saw him sitting quietly on the couch, before he noticed her standing in the hall, her heart melted. When he turned around to meet her eyes, a smile stretched across his face. Softly, she tiptoed over to Billie's side and sat next to him, in his arms. Then she gave him a passionate kiss.
It surprised Billie for only a second. Perhaps she did not want to watch TV tonight. He kissed her back, tasting her in his mouth. She was so sweet and gorgeous. All of a sudden, he wanted her; to hug her and feel her all over and love her. Then Delphine's hands felt lower down his back and over his thighs. Billie smiled as they broke for a second and he felt his hand up her shirt. Cautiously, he pulled off Delphine's little shirt over her head.
Delphine felt his hands moving all over her. She loved it. Billie was so beautiful and wonderful. Now, perhaps this was going to be more than the making-out they had shared before. Then again, she would not mind. It was nerve racking but she wanted it.
*
And that is how it happened now it was seven months later. Finally, it was the very last minute of the last day of the last year of school Delphine would ever have to endure in high school. At thirty three seconds left, the entire class started counting down, "Five, four, three, TWO, ONE!" and applause thundered through the room as everyone ran out of the classroom. 'That was it!' Delphine screamed inside her head, rushing down the stairs, 'It's over!'
