The Secrets We Keep, chapter 1
Prequel to Murder has Secrets
Chapter One
When we were young, it never would have occurred to us what we were to become. If you had told us back then that we were going to be a lead singer to a punk band and a criminal, we would have laughed in your face. We knew that we were always there for each other, but it didn't occur to us how far that bond would go. That one day, it might cost us our lives.
I stood eagerly at Gate 57 waiting for a familiar mass of curly black hair. It had been nearly two years since I had last seen Billie Joe, and this would mark the seventh time that he had visited me in Minnesota; instead of my more frequent trips down to Oakland.
Finally a short skinny 19-year old came through the passage into the waiting area. Forgetting my dignity, I ran for a hug and nearly knocked Billie over.
After crushing a few of his ribs, he managed to gasp, "Ok, I love you too Scarlett, but if I'm going to continue doing that, I need to be able to breath."
"But it's been so long! What with you going out and becoming a superstar and leaving me to rot in boring old Minnesota, I'm afraid I won't see you for another two years when you leave." I pouted, "Is your band really that much more fun than I am?"
"No one will ever compare to your level of fun-ness, Scarlett." He reached up to ruffle my hair and frowned. "Did you grow?"
"Nope. I think your shrinking." I patted the top of his head.
"Damn. Barley 5'5" and already I'm declining." He bowed his head.
I rolled my eyes, "Alright, enough height talk, let's get out of here." Billie remained pouting. "Oh come on Billie, don't be sad, you'll just slow us down. Adie made cookies. You don't want to keep [u]her[/u] waiting now do you?"
With the mention of Adrienne's nickname, Billie perked up. Trying to sound casual, he said, "Oh, Adrienne made cookies for me? She's so sweet."
I smiled and nodded, trying not to laugh. I hadn't said anything about Adie making the cookies for [u]him[/u]. Though I knew she had.
"So, I know you haven't been working, so what have you been doing for the past two years?" Asked Billie on the drive home.
"I've told you most of it."
"Most?" he questioned.
I sighed. "I've taken up a love for firearms." I said passionately. "I found my dad's old Smith & Wesson in a trunk a year ago and I've been taking it to a shooting range ever since. The guy who owns the place, Gerry, says I'm a natural. He said he's never seen anyone warm up to a gun so fast." I smile, "I can hit the same spot on my target three times in 30 seconds."
Billie shook his head. "Remind me never to steal the sprinkles off your ice cream again. I like all my body parts attached and working properly thank you very much."
Since Billie was staying for the whole summer, I left him alone with Adrienne that afternoon. The infatuation between my stepsister and best friend was almost unbearable.
When he had first visited me in Minnesota six years ago, we had only just moved. I hated the fact that my mom had decided to move when she remarried instead of her second husband Darrell coming down to Oakland to live with us. The reason being he wanted to be able to see his daughter from his first marriage on weekends. So naturally I blamed the uprooting from my sunny Californian home to go to damp and cold Minnesota completely on my new stepsister, Adrienne.
I had spent the first week of Billie's stay trying to avoid her and leave the house in the morning before she could suggest coming along. But despite my best efforts Billie thought she seemed nice (which unfortunately, she is. A little too nice if you ask me.) and invited her along. Since then, they've been nothing but lovey-dovey every time they see each other, much to my annoyance. But the minute I turn 20 I'll be down living in Oakland again, and Billie won't have an excuse to fly and see her. Oh, I am evil.
Summer ended much too soon for out liking. Adie had accompanied us on the trip to the airport, and it made me extremely uncomfortable that Billie was sitting in the back with her. I had a funny feeling they were holding hands, but I ignored it. I also ignored my sneaking suspicion that lips had locked while I was in the bathroom, as when I returned, Adie's usually perfect hair was mussed and Billie seemed to be wearing lipstick.
I gave Billie a bone-crushing hug. "I'll be down and unpacked in time for New Years. We're gonna have an awesome time as roomies."
Billie smiled and nodded. "I'll call you when I'm home ok?"
He waved at Adie and gave me another hug and walked into the hallway connecting to the plane and out of sight.
Chapter One
When we were young, it never would have occurred to us what we were to become. If you had told us back then that we were going to be a lead singer to a punk band and a criminal, we would have laughed in your face. We knew that we were always there for each other, but it didn't occur to us how far that bond would go. That one day, it might cost us our lives.
I stood eagerly at Gate 57 waiting for a familiar mass of curly black hair. It had been nearly two years since I had last seen Billie Joe, and this would mark the seventh time that he had visited me in Minnesota; instead of my more frequent trips down to Oakland.
Finally a short skinny 19-year old came through the passage into the waiting area. Forgetting my dignity, I ran for a hug and nearly knocked Billie over.
After crushing a few of his ribs, he managed to gasp, "Ok, I love you too Scarlett, but if I'm going to continue doing that, I need to be able to breath."
"But it's been so long! What with you going out and becoming a superstar and leaving me to rot in boring old Minnesota, I'm afraid I won't see you for another two years when you leave." I pouted, "Is your band really that much more fun than I am?"
"No one will ever compare to your level of fun-ness, Scarlett." He reached up to ruffle my hair and frowned. "Did you grow?"
"Nope. I think your shrinking." I patted the top of his head.
"Damn. Barley 5'5" and already I'm declining." He bowed his head.
I rolled my eyes, "Alright, enough height talk, let's get out of here." Billie remained pouting. "Oh come on Billie, don't be sad, you'll just slow us down. Adie made cookies. You don't want to keep [u]her[/u] waiting now do you?"
With the mention of Adrienne's nickname, Billie perked up. Trying to sound casual, he said, "Oh, Adrienne made cookies for me? She's so sweet."
I smiled and nodded, trying not to laugh. I hadn't said anything about Adie making the cookies for [u]him[/u]. Though I knew she had.
"So, I know you haven't been working, so what have you been doing for the past two years?" Asked Billie on the drive home.
"I've told you most of it."
"Most?" he questioned.
I sighed. "I've taken up a love for firearms." I said passionately. "I found my dad's old Smith & Wesson in a trunk a year ago and I've been taking it to a shooting range ever since. The guy who owns the place, Gerry, says I'm a natural. He said he's never seen anyone warm up to a gun so fast." I smile, "I can hit the same spot on my target three times in 30 seconds."
Billie shook his head. "Remind me never to steal the sprinkles off your ice cream again. I like all my body parts attached and working properly thank you very much."
Since Billie was staying for the whole summer, I left him alone with Adrienne that afternoon. The infatuation between my stepsister and best friend was almost unbearable.
When he had first visited me in Minnesota six years ago, we had only just moved. I hated the fact that my mom had decided to move when she remarried instead of her second husband Darrell coming down to Oakland to live with us. The reason being he wanted to be able to see his daughter from his first marriage on weekends. So naturally I blamed the uprooting from my sunny Californian home to go to damp and cold Minnesota completely on my new stepsister, Adrienne.
I had spent the first week of Billie's stay trying to avoid her and leave the house in the morning before she could suggest coming along. But despite my best efforts Billie thought she seemed nice (which unfortunately, she is. A little too nice if you ask me.) and invited her along. Since then, they've been nothing but lovey-dovey every time they see each other, much to my annoyance. But the minute I turn 20 I'll be down living in Oakland again, and Billie won't have an excuse to fly and see her. Oh, I am evil.
Summer ended much too soon for out liking. Adie had accompanied us on the trip to the airport, and it made me extremely uncomfortable that Billie was sitting in the back with her. I had a funny feeling they were holding hands, but I ignored it. I also ignored my sneaking suspicion that lips had locked while I was in the bathroom, as when I returned, Adie's usually perfect hair was mussed and Billie seemed to be wearing lipstick.
I gave Billie a bone-crushing hug. "I'll be down and unpacked in time for New Years. We're gonna have an awesome time as roomies."
Billie smiled and nodded. "I'll call you when I'm home ok?"
He waved at Adie and gave me another hug and walked into the hallway connecting to the plane and out of sight.
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