A lousy name, but please read it., chapter 1
I swore to myself I would never go back. I'd rather live on the streets than go home again. Dad had hit me for the last time. I made a quick decision to leave when he gave me a slap in the face. I left everything... All my stuff were still in my room and here I was, in the streets of the richer part of Oakland, California. I nervously looked around for my dads' car, though something told me that he couldn't care less if I started living on the streets.
Ever since my mum died six years ago, I had been taking care of the household, while he was out working or getting drunk at bars. But then, three months ago, he had met a woman who moved in with us. At first I hoped, and actually thought, that dad would come to his senses... Get a proper job and then maybe we could all live like a happy family. Well, at least as a family. But it didn't take long before she (I honestly don't know her name) started bossing around. She hated me from day one. She called me all those horrible things and said I wasn't worth anything. I was a pain in the ass for my father. And "Oh, you don't know what he really thinks of you!" I talked to my dad about it. He went furious. I guess he felt that I was trying to ruin their relationship.
All the booze made him violent when he got home at night. Whenever I stood in his way, he would slap me. His girlfriend just watched or went away. This day I was arguing with her and that obviously trigged him to hit me in the face. I got nose bleed and a slight headache. That made me run away. That was the reason I sat on the street outside a shop, begging for money.
It was pretty hot and I was thinking of moving to a cooler place, when he came. I thought I was just imagining it. Maybe I was dizzy after the headache. Or was I dreaming? I started pinching myself, but I did not wake up from any dream. Billie Joe Armstrong was actually walking down the street, in my direction! He had these sunglasses, but the closer he got the more certain I became, that it really was the lead singer of my favourite band Green Day. And I just sat there, nervous as hell, while he walked passed me into the store.
I was really feeling dizzy by this time. Should I jump all over him, asking for an autograph when he came out? It felt like ages. Each time I heard the door open I turned my head, just to see someone else but Billie. Then, he finally came back outside. I was about to say something, but found myself speechless. He stood there, on the pavement, just for a couple of seconds. He actually gave me a look. I felt like I was staring like a maniac back at him until he turned around and slowly started to walk down the street again where he came from.
Billie's point of view
At first I didn't really notice her. I mean, I saw her but didn't really think about it. Then, when I was walking back to my car, something made me turn back and go to her. At the same time I was asking myself what I was doing. I could just let someone else take care of it. She probably had a family somewhere nearby and sat and waited for them. She looked to clean to be living in the streets. But no one seemed to care about this girl. And I felt that I had to find out what was wrong.
She looked nervous when I approached in front of her. She obviously knew who I was. For a split second I thought that this could be a trick just to make me talk to her. Maybe she was one of these obsessed girls who would stalk you and never leave you alone. Or maybe she was just wanted an autograph?
"Hey," I said, bending down to her level but quickly stood up again, not to seem intrusive.
"Hi," she said timidly.
"What's up?" I asked.
Though it sounded pretty stupid, I realized that. We had eye-contact for about a second but then she looked away, answering "Nothing."
I thought about walking away and forget about the whole weird thing, but I knew that it would only seem even more weird. She sat there, with her arms around herself and I couldn't help noticing the fear in her eyes.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes."
"Sure about that?" That she didn't answer. It was not until now I saw the bruises on her body and some dry blood under her nose. "It's not really any of my business, but... What happened to you?"
A couple of tears were running down her cheeks. I was scared she would start crying loudly and cause a big scene. It was early in the morning, but soon the street would be crowded. But she just wiped the tears with the back of her hand.
"Do you have a home to go to?" I asked and felt that I had to do something.
She was quite for a bit, as if she was thinking of an answer.
Then she said, with a bitterness in her voice "No. Not any more."
It took a while before I figured out that her father had abused her. Just hearing that made me angry. But I also had a hard time knowing what to do in this situation. Take her with me home? What if she was lying? I struggled with my conscience.
"Tell you what; I'll take you home and then we'll sort it out. Ok?" I said as I took off my sunglasses.
I thought she would be thrilled and then maybe I would have changed my mind. But she seemed to think carefully before she finally nodded. I helped her up and we walked towards my car.
"What's your name?"
"Anna."
"Mine's Billie Joe."
"I know," she said with a beginning to a smile.
Anna's POV
I sat down in the front seat. Billie started the car and whistled a little bit. I felt stupid. I was a pathetic loser. He actually felt sorry for me. I kept staring through the window, didn't have the courage to look at him. This was just too good to be true, even though I couldn't help myself feeling bad. He couldn't have time for me! Why did he even care?
"So... Anna... How old are you?"
"16," I answered and thought about the song he once wrote with that name.
Suddenly he started singing "Every night I dream the same dream... "
I laughed. And I liked hearing him sing just like this, no guitar, no bass, nor Trés drumming. He looked at me with a smile.
"Why do you laugh? Don't you like my music?"
"That's just the thing, I do. I love it... "
I didn't want to be like a normal fan. It sounded too normal to say that. But Billie seemed glad to hear it.
I was a bit shy and didn't say much. He kept singing different songs and putted his sunglasses back on.
As soon as we came to his house, he seemed thoughtful and I knew he was wondering what he was going to do with me. I followed him towards the door. But when he started fumbling with his keys I said "Mr. Armstrong... There's no need to... Maybe I should just... "
"Na," he said. "Don't worry." I entered the big house and he laid his hand on my shoulder. "By the way, forget about the formalities. Call me Billie."
We heard footsteps down the stairs, and two curious boys were glancing me. I immediately recognized them as Billies sons. The little one ran to his dad and gave him a hug. "Hi there Jacob. Where's your mum?" Billie asked and hugged back.
But before the little boy had a chance to answer his dad, the other boy, Joey, said
"She's in the kitchen." He kept staring at me and I felt pretty unwanted by him. I think he saw me as a threat to their family or something.
"Ok, thanks Joey."
Billie headed towards the kitchen but then Joey asked "Dad, who's that?"
"Oh. Well this is Anna. We are going to take her home soon."
He disappeared and I just stood there, alone with his boys. I really didn't know what to do or say, so it got quite for a very long time. I felt observed by Joey.
"Hey, do you wanna see my room?" Jacob asked eagerly.
"Yeah, sure," I said, smiling.
Billie's {OV
Adrienne was cleaning up after breakfast in the kitchen. "Good morning sunshine." I said and gave her a kiss.
"Hey hun. Where have you been?"
"Just driving around for a bit."
I saw her raising an eyebrow as she put the juice in the fridge. "Driving around?"
"Yeah... "
She walked towards me and gave me a loving hug. I didn't know how to tell her about the girl. Adie is a great mother and a caring person, that's for sure. But Anna was a complete stranger, I admitted to myself. I started to feel bad about bringing her into our house. I guess my silence made my wife understand that something was wrong. "What's the matter?" she asked softly.
I released myself from her and sat down on a chair. And so did Adrienne. She looked at me with a worried face. I sighed and felt more and more stupid. "Now tell me. Please baby."
"Alright," I began. "I was coming out from this shop earlier... And then I saw this teenage girl."
"Yes..?" Adie said impatiently.
"Well... She seemed really sad. And she was hurt." Adrienne stared at me, waiting for more. "Actually she told me that it was her dad who... who... erm... "
I didn't really know what I was saying. Adrienne and I were quite for a long time. She probably waited for me to continue. But I was busy thinking about how to take care of the whole thing.
"So... What happened?"
"Let me just say that she's upstairs with the boys... "
"Billie!"
"I didn't know what to do! I mean... What would you have done?"
Adie was quite, thinking. Then she took my hand, saying "We could just call the police or something. Maybe we'll have to take her back... to her dad's."
I stood up, to get some milk from the fridge. Adrienne leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms. She was sceptical, I could tell. But I was getting tired, had been up really early this morning. "Billie please say something! It's your responsibility now."
"Her dad hits her, Adie!" I said, more angry then I meant to.
"Oh yeah. And you believe it, just like that?"
"I don't know. I'm sorry."
Adrienne looked at me with her beautiful eyes. For some reason she had a hard time being mad at me. She gave me another kiss, as if she forgave me.
"C'mon," she said and took my hand. "Let me meet the girl."
Ever since my mum died six years ago, I had been taking care of the household, while he was out working or getting drunk at bars. But then, three months ago, he had met a woman who moved in with us. At first I hoped, and actually thought, that dad would come to his senses... Get a proper job and then maybe we could all live like a happy family. Well, at least as a family. But it didn't take long before she (I honestly don't know her name) started bossing around. She hated me from day one. She called me all those horrible things and said I wasn't worth anything. I was a pain in the ass for my father. And "Oh, you don't know what he really thinks of you!" I talked to my dad about it. He went furious. I guess he felt that I was trying to ruin their relationship.
All the booze made him violent when he got home at night. Whenever I stood in his way, he would slap me. His girlfriend just watched or went away. This day I was arguing with her and that obviously trigged him to hit me in the face. I got nose bleed and a slight headache. That made me run away. That was the reason I sat on the street outside a shop, begging for money.
It was pretty hot and I was thinking of moving to a cooler place, when he came. I thought I was just imagining it. Maybe I was dizzy after the headache. Or was I dreaming? I started pinching myself, but I did not wake up from any dream. Billie Joe Armstrong was actually walking down the street, in my direction! He had these sunglasses, but the closer he got the more certain I became, that it really was the lead singer of my favourite band Green Day. And I just sat there, nervous as hell, while he walked passed me into the store.
I was really feeling dizzy by this time. Should I jump all over him, asking for an autograph when he came out? It felt like ages. Each time I heard the door open I turned my head, just to see someone else but Billie. Then, he finally came back outside. I was about to say something, but found myself speechless. He stood there, on the pavement, just for a couple of seconds. He actually gave me a look. I felt like I was staring like a maniac back at him until he turned around and slowly started to walk down the street again where he came from.
Billie's point of view
At first I didn't really notice her. I mean, I saw her but didn't really think about it. Then, when I was walking back to my car, something made me turn back and go to her. At the same time I was asking myself what I was doing. I could just let someone else take care of it. She probably had a family somewhere nearby and sat and waited for them. She looked to clean to be living in the streets. But no one seemed to care about this girl. And I felt that I had to find out what was wrong.
She looked nervous when I approached in front of her. She obviously knew who I was. For a split second I thought that this could be a trick just to make me talk to her. Maybe she was one of these obsessed girls who would stalk you and never leave you alone. Or maybe she was just wanted an autograph?
"Hey," I said, bending down to her level but quickly stood up again, not to seem intrusive.
"Hi," she said timidly.
"What's up?" I asked.
Though it sounded pretty stupid, I realized that. We had eye-contact for about a second but then she looked away, answering "Nothing."
I thought about walking away and forget about the whole weird thing, but I knew that it would only seem even more weird. She sat there, with her arms around herself and I couldn't help noticing the fear in her eyes.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes."
"Sure about that?" That she didn't answer. It was not until now I saw the bruises on her body and some dry blood under her nose. "It's not really any of my business, but... What happened to you?"
A couple of tears were running down her cheeks. I was scared she would start crying loudly and cause a big scene. It was early in the morning, but soon the street would be crowded. But she just wiped the tears with the back of her hand.
"Do you have a home to go to?" I asked and felt that I had to do something.
She was quite for a bit, as if she was thinking of an answer.
Then she said, with a bitterness in her voice "No. Not any more."
It took a while before I figured out that her father had abused her. Just hearing that made me angry. But I also had a hard time knowing what to do in this situation. Take her with me home? What if she was lying? I struggled with my conscience.
"Tell you what; I'll take you home and then we'll sort it out. Ok?" I said as I took off my sunglasses.
I thought she would be thrilled and then maybe I would have changed my mind. But she seemed to think carefully before she finally nodded. I helped her up and we walked towards my car.
"What's your name?"
"Anna."
"Mine's Billie Joe."
"I know," she said with a beginning to a smile.
Anna's POV
I sat down in the front seat. Billie started the car and whistled a little bit. I felt stupid. I was a pathetic loser. He actually felt sorry for me. I kept staring through the window, didn't have the courage to look at him. This was just too good to be true, even though I couldn't help myself feeling bad. He couldn't have time for me! Why did he even care?
"So... Anna... How old are you?"
"16," I answered and thought about the song he once wrote with that name.
Suddenly he started singing "Every night I dream the same dream... "
I laughed. And I liked hearing him sing just like this, no guitar, no bass, nor Trés drumming. He looked at me with a smile.
"Why do you laugh? Don't you like my music?"
"That's just the thing, I do. I love it... "
I didn't want to be like a normal fan. It sounded too normal to say that. But Billie seemed glad to hear it.
I was a bit shy and didn't say much. He kept singing different songs and putted his sunglasses back on.
As soon as we came to his house, he seemed thoughtful and I knew he was wondering what he was going to do with me. I followed him towards the door. But when he started fumbling with his keys I said "Mr. Armstrong... There's no need to... Maybe I should just... "
"Na," he said. "Don't worry." I entered the big house and he laid his hand on my shoulder. "By the way, forget about the formalities. Call me Billie."
We heard footsteps down the stairs, and two curious boys were glancing me. I immediately recognized them as Billies sons. The little one ran to his dad and gave him a hug. "Hi there Jacob. Where's your mum?" Billie asked and hugged back.
But before the little boy had a chance to answer his dad, the other boy, Joey, said
"She's in the kitchen." He kept staring at me and I felt pretty unwanted by him. I think he saw me as a threat to their family or something.
"Ok, thanks Joey."
Billie headed towards the kitchen but then Joey asked "Dad, who's that?"
"Oh. Well this is Anna. We are going to take her home soon."
He disappeared and I just stood there, alone with his boys. I really didn't know what to do or say, so it got quite for a very long time. I felt observed by Joey.
"Hey, do you wanna see my room?" Jacob asked eagerly.
"Yeah, sure," I said, smiling.
Billie's {OV
Adrienne was cleaning up after breakfast in the kitchen. "Good morning sunshine." I said and gave her a kiss.
"Hey hun. Where have you been?"
"Just driving around for a bit."
I saw her raising an eyebrow as she put the juice in the fridge. "Driving around?"
"Yeah... "
She walked towards me and gave me a loving hug. I didn't know how to tell her about the girl. Adie is a great mother and a caring person, that's for sure. But Anna was a complete stranger, I admitted to myself. I started to feel bad about bringing her into our house. I guess my silence made my wife understand that something was wrong. "What's the matter?" she asked softly.
I released myself from her and sat down on a chair. And so did Adrienne. She looked at me with a worried face. I sighed and felt more and more stupid. "Now tell me. Please baby."
"Alright," I began. "I was coming out from this shop earlier... And then I saw this teenage girl."
"Yes..?" Adie said impatiently.
"Well... She seemed really sad. And she was hurt." Adrienne stared at me, waiting for more. "Actually she told me that it was her dad who... who... erm... "
I didn't really know what I was saying. Adrienne and I were quite for a long time. She probably waited for me to continue. But I was busy thinking about how to take care of the whole thing.
"So... What happened?"
"Let me just say that she's upstairs with the boys... "
"Billie!"
"I didn't know what to do! I mean... What would you have done?"
Adie was quite, thinking. Then she took my hand, saying "We could just call the police or something. Maybe we'll have to take her back... to her dad's."
I stood up, to get some milk from the fridge. Adrienne leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms. She was sceptical, I could tell. But I was getting tired, had been up really early this morning. "Billie please say something! It's your responsibility now."
"Her dad hits her, Adie!" I said, more angry then I meant to.
"Oh yeah. And you believe it, just like that?"
"I don't know. I'm sorry."
Adrienne looked at me with her beautiful eyes. For some reason she had a hard time being mad at me. She gave me another kiss, as if she forgave me.
"C'mon," she said and took my hand. "Let me meet the girl."
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