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It was a peaceful start of an evening in the city, a real hot summer night.
It was a Friday, you and your friends starting your summer vacations. You were ecstatic, but a bit anxious as well.
Mandy Moore was your name. The best in your class. Smart, always an uptight girl. Your classmates always complained that you never had fun. Of course you had! You just weren’t like them, going and drinking until drop!
They mocked you by that. You didn’t care at all. You found it amusing, laughing. How silly people can be sometimes.
You were in your room, your mind drifting away... Your head was a bit distant, a bit unquiet, always thinking and wondering…
It was your last year in school.
It's okay, you didn’t have as many friends as you wanted, you weren’t popular. But… you were afraid of the real world. Of the adult world.
The pressure of your parents was constant, that’s a fact, and your own mind pressured yourself.
But… You tried to tranquilize yourself with some music and drawing. You were drawing a portrait of Paul McCartney... Oh, the charming Paul. You sighed just thinking how charming he was. The afternoon lights were falling in your curtains, creating pleasant lights and patterns.
Your record player was spinning, the music flying in the air, your glasses almost falling as you sketch peacefully. But… Something interrupted your peace. Some noises in your window?
The noises were stubborn, insisting.
Some taps, something was hitting against your windows. Just one person you knew would do such an irritating thing like that.
So, you sighed and went to your window, opening it. “James?” You shouted, laughing, looking at him with rocks on his hands, looking at you with a playful smile.
“Hi, Mandy!” Tony responded. Tony James. Maybe your only best friend. Maybe the only that supported your fixations on silly things and you trusted everything.
The person that made you forget all your silly problems that your own mind created. The person that helped you to get out of your ‘little world’.
Immediately, you walked down the stairs, laughing softly, opening the door for him. “You dumbass! Could’ve just rung the bloody doorbell!” You scolded him, him laughing.
He approached, hugging you and messing your hair. “It wouldn’t be that funny.”
You laughed, trying to escape his hold. “Let me go, your stupid!” You shouted.
He let you go, smiling ear to ear. “What’s with that smile?” You said, fixing your hair, getting him perfectly in place again, your golden curls falling on your shoulders.
“I need to get ya to a pub we’re gonna play. Please, Mandy, is tonight.” He almost pleaded, looking you with big eyes.
“James, you know my mum won’t lemme go.” You said, shrugging, with a guilty face.
“Please, Mandy…” He gets his hands together, pouting to you.
You sighed. Your mum wasn’t home tonight. She was at your grandmother’s and your dad was working in some car project, probably returning with a lot of grease in the end of the day. Oh, what a complicated hobby.
“Okay. But I need to return before 9 PM.” You give in, crossing your arms.
“PERFECT!” He shouted, jumping and holding your shoulders. “Let’s go, right now!”
“I just need to put on some clothes.” You said, going in direction of the stairs. “Wait here.” You pointed to the sofa, getting up by the stairs.
It’s crazy, going to a pub somewhere you don’t know, with a band where you only know the bassist, Tony, and probably, with the luck you had, punks fighting with skinheads.
You never went to a place like that, never wanted as well. But… Maybe would be nice? Who knows? You can’t deny, you had those butterflies in your tummy that were pleasant, but that made you a little nervous as well.
Well, you got in a button up shirt, a blackish pantyhose and a brown pleated mini skirt. Nothing too exaggerated. You put on your black go-go boots, and a scarf, the same colour as your skirt. As you passed some perfume, you ran downstairs and walked to Tony, picking up your pouch and smiling at him.
He smiled at you, almost tender. “You look great.” He said, excited. “Let’s go, I'll give you a ride.” Tony took your hand and ran to your door, waiting for you to open it and close it again. You put the keys in your bag and walked to his bike.
“Seriously? I can die here.” You said, ironically, looking at the bike with irritation, but inside? You were freaking out!
“Me too.” He said, giving you a helmet and putting his. “But I don’t care.” His voice was muffled by his helmet.
“I do!” You shouted, putting on the helmet and hugging him as he started the engine.
The ride started relaxing, but you were screaming inside! It was good, but exciting and frightening.
The strands of hair that weren’t inside of the helmet flew in the air, swaying beautifully, but you were only thinking about how your work of washing and making your perfect golden curls was in the trash.
.
The bike stopped in front of a narrow door. It was STUPIDLY NARROW! You couldn’t believe it. As you took off the helmet, one guy came in Tony’s direction. “Tony! Finally man, we need to test the sound equipment! Where the hell were you at?” His voice sounded as he passed the door, his eyes laying on you as his hair fell on his forehead. “Who’s the girl?” He turned to Tony again.
You observed their interaction, passing your fingers through your hair, making them behave again.
“Mandy. A friend of mine, that one I told you.” Tony responded, a bit shy, drifting his eyes away from the blond in his side.
The eyes of the guy lifted up with a smile, like if it was a secret code they have between them. Stupid lads.
“I’m Bob! Sorry for not presenting me earlier, miss.” He looked friendly, reaching a hand to greet you as you went down off the bike.
“No problem.” You responded, shrugging friendly, your coral glossy lips curving in a gentle smile.
Bob turned to Tony again, looking slightly anxious. “Let’s go in, Billy and Mark are waiting. Billy is still sober somehow.” He said, rushing a bit.
“Okay, okay.” Tony nodded, running with you in.
“Who is Mark and Billy?” You whispered, curious, feeling lost in the amount of names and information your disorganized brain was absorbing.
“Don’t worry, you will meet them.”
The hall was long, dark and a bit moldy. The smell… It was funny. Smelled like cheap hair gel, cheap perfume, cheap hairspray… plenty of cheap things, smoke and alcohol. Lots of it.
Your eyes were getting used of the dark as you see bright pink, purple and red lights, blinding you for a second. Tony held you by the shoulders, just to not lose you in that crowd of drunk and maybe high people.
You felt you were in a completely different dimension.
It seemed like you escaped your grey planet and looked around and were in an alien spaceship.
You were completely of hypnotized and scared.
The punks around you were amazing, you never saw people so cool before. The chains tingled, making a soft symphony around you, with heavy boots slamming on the ground.
You almost thought you weren’t in London no more.
It seemed like hours of you admiring the place, but you were just crossing the dark room to get in the stage. “Here he comes!” Bob said, the other guys looking at you and Tony.
“I thought you died, jackass.” Another blond appeared, this one with an almost platinum hair, reflecting the lights while the last member slammed the drums while testing.
“Mandy, this is Billy, and that one there is Mark.” You greeted them shyly as Tony presented them to you.
Billy... the guy that Tony always said was the same age as him. He looked so young. 20 years old? No, you couldn’t believe it.
He told Tony that he was supposed to be in a college, but he dropped it to continue with that punks… Life is made by stupid decisions they say.
You fear what your parents would do if you simply dreamed about doing the same.
“Hi, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” Your voice almost didn’t sound as the drum cymbals were hit.
“MARK!” Bob shouted, Mark stopping and noticing you.
“Oh, hi!” He greeted from afar, letting the drumsticks and running to greet you with a hand shake.
You giggled, softly, more comfortable now. “I like your hair.” You complimented Billy. He was the one that called your attention. He was the cutest guy there in the band. He didn’t seem punk at all.
His face was round, blushed, his lips full, almost glossy. His blue eyes were intense, even in the dark. His bangs fell on his forehead cutely. He was a bad boy stereotype, a dream.
“Thanks, darling.” He said charmingly, giving you a smirk, almost a provocative sneer as he looked down at you.
“Don’t start this shit.” Tony pushed Billy’s shoulder, rolling his eyes.
“I’m doing nothing at all.” He groaned, playfully. “Let’s start before they kick our asses out of here.”
Billy was really the showman, the leader. He had that energy that was felt from afar. It was a magnetic feeling he showed off.
“Good luck, Jimmy.” You said to Tony, smiling at him gently and hugging him.
“Thanks, Mandy.” He responded, squeezing you shoulder before letting you go and go to the stage. Now you were alone.
You really didn’t want to be next to some weird guys that you don’t know, so you go where some other girls where. You approached, silently. They noticed you, smiling gently and inviting you to sit.
You girls started to talk, and the conversation was pretty good! They were so stylish, you were feeling basic next to them.
Well, while the conversation still continued, a guitar screech was heard in the stage. Everyone looked at it. Here they were. They looked kinda of funny, you couldn’t lie. You giggled inside.
The howling of the mic echoed to the entire room. As you were shrinking, the public seemed to like, screaming and jumping excitedly.
“PUNKS OF ALL ENGLAND!” Billy announced, screaming with his pretty voice. Everything punk seemed kind of discrepant on him. “THAT IS GENERATION X!” He shouted, his voice rasp, but delicate somehow. He was so… contradictory.
“That’s ‘Kleenex’ fo’you, people.” He breathed in the mic, getting his air back, with a panting smile.
“Kleenex”? For you it was like a joke. You looked at them, in unbelief.
The guitar started, almost like a ‘wrong’ rockabilly. It was too fast, but entertaining. All the crowd started to bump their heads, jumping, vibrating that WHOLE room. It pulsated, you felt like you were in everyone’s heart at that moment.
The drums were wild, Billy’s voice even more. His accent didn’t get lost on the music, it seemed like added more. He had a lot heavier accent than you, you thought it was charming, mainly when he is singing.
His blonde hair swayed in the air beautifully. He jumped in the stage almost like he was getting electrified. Oh my Lord… It was so many conflicts. So many.
And, your mind was aching of how you wanted to pay attention in other things, and wanted to observe other things, but he kept on binding you in his chains, his charm.
You looked at him curious, but almost offended with what they called ‘music’. One side of you liked, wanted the human’s warmth between that people. The other, the conservative one, just was staying there because of Tony.
Your rebel side won…
You got up from that table, walking between the crowd, jumping with them, so close to the stage. Billy noticed… Oh, how he noticed. The place seemed to get small, just him and you.
He looked like he forgot the other part of the crowd, focusing on you with his blue eyes. Mesmerizing you would describe.
The sound got heavier as the music got to the middle. His snarls and ‘yeahs’ echoed through. The girls seemed to get wild, even some bras flying to the other side of the club, that you needed to get down.
Just you there looked like it was shocked with that. You laughed, without reaction, screaming along with that gals. You felt excited, free. It was a warmth that raised through your body.
He played with the mic stand, leaning down, getting next to the public, making charms to the women there. You found it funny, since the majority of the boyfriends were in the corner, looking and saying how he ‘wasn’t punk at all’ and just were liked ‘because of his pretty face’. You agreed with the last thing.
He pulled two fingers next to his lips, and you almost thought he would make something obscene to be honest, hearing from Tony all the unhinged things he said.
But no.
He turned to your side of the room, in the moment the guitar made their last notes, the drums kicked and played the cymbals, sending a kiss in your direction.
You blushed, but definitely you weren’t sure if it was yours.
“Thank you.” He panted in the mic, smiling mischievously, it was natural to him.
The band got out of the stage, the energy still flooding through their veins.
You practically jumped on Tony’s arms, hugging him proudly. “Oh, Lord! You were amazing!” You giggled, squeezing him.
“Thank you, Mandy.” He said, squeezing you back, tenderly.
You melted in his embrace, but you could feel intense eyes on you.
As the hug got broken, you noticed that maybe it passed 9 PM. “James, you know what time is it?” You asked, worried.
He looked on his watch, making a not pleasant face. “10 PM.” Your jaw went to the ground.
“GOOD HEAVENS!” You ‘cursed’, walking one side to another. “My mum is gonna assassinate me!” The heart in your chest bumped against your ribs, nervous. You never did that in your whole life.
“C’mon, isn’t that bad, innit?” Billy crossed his arms against his chest. He made you roll your eyes that moment.
“It IS bad.” You said, genuinely worried. “Oh, Lord, what I’m gonna do…” Your feet didn’t stop, tapping on the ground constantly.
“Where she lives, Tony?” He asked, raising an eyebrow. Tony lived almost on the other half of the city, very away from everything.
“Next to the town hall.” Tony retorted back, narrowing his eyes. “And don’t worry, Billy. I’m taking her home, thanks for the courtesy.” He said. It seemed a bit ironic… You weren't sure. Seems uncanny to him, probably you were wrong. “Let’s go, Mandy.”
Gloved hands interlaced with yours, pulling you to the exit, with a heavy sigh. You waved at the band, friendly, a last ‘bye’. They waved at you back, Billy blinking at you and mouthing something like: “See ya, darl’.” With that sneer was difficult to read his words, but you felt flustered.
The night breeze hit your face like a punch, making your blush more that you already was. Your face gained a beautiful coral color. Lips getting frozen, you needed to lick them before started talking. “You seemed kinda mean there.” You commented, casually.
“Mean?! He was shamelessly asking to take you home!” Tony seemed incredulous.
“I didn’t think it was all that.”
“I have already told you about Billy, of course it’s all that! I know him for years. He’s not that innocent.” He said, rolling his eyes, knowing the behavior of his.
“You said he’s like a brother to you!” You raised an eyebrow, looking at him.
“And he is. Doesn’t mean I’m blind.” He pulled his eyelid down, making an exaggerated grimace.
“Idiot.” You said, punching his arm and running to his bike, giggling.
“You little…” He murmured, running after you, chuckling.
.
The rest of the ride was pretty calm.
You arrived at your home, hugging him before going to the front door. “Good night, Jimmy.”
“Good night, Mandy.” He responded, squeezing you gently. “Sweet dreams.”
You chuckled. “I just hope tomorrow to be alive.” Your voice was ironic, but with a hint of true.
He smiled, waiting you to go inside, leaned on his bike. You entered, not before of waving to him a last time, closing the door.
The night passed calmly. Your mum just said how irresponsible you were of going out without her permission, but said it was the time of being a bit more independent after all.
You threw yourself in the bed, the echoes of the screams, the guitars, the drums giving you vibrations under your feet, the entire vibration of the crowd flooded in your body, like an energy that was built up inside.
You were in heaven, a different heaven you ever thought.
A distorted one, maybe?
Angels were different there, maybe saw by the outsiders like demons.
Maybe they were?
You weren’t sure. Everything so new! So alive! Your body was excited, warm inside, an excitation almost dangerous in your eyes, forbidden!
You just knew it was amazing.
You leaned your head in the pillow, resting peacefully. But… Your night wasn’t that pacific.
Your head gave spins, returning to the show. Your stomach flipped in thoughts of being there again… And in the back of your mind… Billy interested you.
He seemed like a liberty of your little safe world.
The dreams with him were intense. His voice echoed in your head. His eyes appeared in the back of your mind.
And that was your entire night… This boy wandering in your mind, like an intense curiosity…
So intense your body reacted to it…
All night...
.
You woke up in a jump, sweat, your clothes almost wet.
Your feet ran to the bathroom, taking a fast shower before going down to the breakfast.
You went down, after a cold comforting shower. “Oh, sweetie. You showering now? A miracle to you.”
“I woke up sweat, it’s so hot nowadays.” You responded, taking some milk with chocolate.
She rolled her eyes to you, smiling knowingly. “Whatever you say, luv.” Mum continued to clean the dishes, looking at the normal greyish skies of London. “How was last night? You barely told me. Where you went?” She asked, calmly. “Your dad was furious.”
She would kill you if you said you went to a punk pub. The first thing that came to mind was… “Jimmy took me to walk a bit. He said I needed to get out of my room.” Not exactly a lie… just overlooking some facts…
“This boy…” She murmured, chuckling to herself.
“I’m gotta go to the park today, refresh my mind.” You said, gently, with that charm that melted your mum and let you do everything.
“Oh, sure.” She said, turning to you. “With who?” Her eyebrows raised, crossing her arms.
“With Jimmy, of course.” You shrugged, gently, almost ironic.
“You’re dating with him, I swear.” Her eyes rolled, you putting your tongue out and imitating a barf.
“Ew, mum!”
You left, going to your room, getting ready! You put your sundress, pink and delicate, putting your hair in a pony tail. Your boots were on your feet as fast you could, taking your bag and leaving to the ‘park’.
You ran to Tony’s house, knocking on his door. You waited about a minute, him appearing with his messy hair (even more messy now) and eyebags. “Lord, you look like you didn’t sleep this night!” You pointed.
“I didn’t.” He murmured, sleepy. “What are you doing here in the morning?” A yawn escaped his mouth, opening big, showing his pointy teeth and rosy tongue.
“It’s 1 PM. Isn’t morning anymore.” You crossed your arms, looking at him with pretending irritation.
“Whatever.”
“Let’s go out! It’s summer.” You groaned, with exaggerated boredom.
“You wanting to go out?” Tony looked at you with surprise. “Okay, the world is ending.”
“Oh, spare me. Go get ready! Please.” Your eyes shined with that dangerous shine, that could shake everyone’s head.
“Fine. Gimme 15 minutes. Come in.” He muttered, closing the door as you two got in his room, better, the attic.
You sat in the bean bag, throwing yourself as he went to the bathroom in that same floor. You looked through his things, his bass carefully kept in the corner, the only thing that seemed careful in that whole room.
His telephone was there, with some numbers noted on a paper glued in the wall. You got up, looking at it. You got surprised as you saw Billy’s number there. You knew you shouldn’t… But you wanted…
In the same minute you were in this internal conflict, he got out, with a simple band tee, and some ripped jeans that he ripped himself. You remembered the day of it, he asked if he should, you said no, but he did anyway.
“Lotta numbers you have here.” You commented, calmly as you looked.
“You’re lookin’ too much for one.” He said, crossing his arms next to the mobile that was the telephone, turning his head to her.
You froze. “Oh, stop.” You complained, crossing your arms as well.
“Oh, no. Another victim of William Albert Michael Broad.” He buried his face in his hands.
“What do you mean!?” You raised an eyebrow, widening your eyes.
“You are all melt up for the blondie.” He teased, imitating a delicate girl.
“You’re out of your mind.” You retorted, tapping his forehead with the tip of your fingers.
“If I call him right now… You would be normal about it?” He asked, with a malicious grin.
“It’s your friend, of course I would, are you stupid?” You said, playing with the charms on your bag, they seemed awfully interesting right now.
“Sure.” Tony’s fingers slid in the telephone’s hook, dialing his number. Your heart bumped in your chest now! It was ridiculous!
The number started ringing… Your fingers started to get sweat. Your lungs looked like you needed more air than normal. You tapped your fingers in the wood of the little table that you were leaned on, tapping your feet on the ground.
That seemed unbearable, till you took the telephone of his hand and returned to the hook. He looked at you with a knowing face. “And it’s me that’s out of my mind.” He murmured.
And then the phone started ringing again, you got crazy. Tony just seemed confused. “Hello?” He took the phone out of the hook, taking to his ear.
“It was you that was calling me right now? You are crank calling now, you fucker?” Billy’s rasp voice sounded through the phone, his accent making your legs wobble.
“How you are presuming it was me?” Tony retorted, laughing through the line.
“You’re the only that calls in my mum’s room telephone.” He said, you could see the smirk in his face. “Spit it out, what d’you want?”
“No, just wanted to hear your voice.” He teased.
“Bullshit. If you got nothing to say, I’m hanging.”
“Wait! Want to go out today? With us.” Tony looked at you with a malicious smirk.
“Us?”
“Yeah, me and that friend. The one I took to the pub.” You were already shaking your head, mouthing ‘no’, shaking your indicator finger back and forth, everything to say no, even making an ‘X’ with your arms.
“Mandy, innit? Sure.” He said, unbothered. “You getting out of that pub last night, I thought you wanted to keep her all to yourself.” His words were teasing, and oh my God, it worked every syllable.
“I will spare’ya my words. See ya in that record store in downtown.” Tony said, smiling.
“Sure thing. See ya.” The telephone rung up.
You were to bothered to say anything. You took a deep breath, smiling calmly, looking at him with narrowed eyes. “HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY DO THIS?!” You shouted, taking him by his collar.
“I had to make a reason to call’im. He would kill me if I didn’t.”
Your entire body froze, just holding your bag with an idiot smile.
“Mandy, it’s not that bad.” Tony said, with a grin.
“OF COURSE IT’S THAT BAD!” You shouted to him, anxious, walking back and forth.
“Now let’s go, he hates when I get late.” He pulled you by your hand, going out of the attic.
“James, I don’t know how to do that. It’s been 3 years since I went on a ‘date’ with a guy, and he NOT EVEN APPEARED!” You were trying to invent all the runarounds to NOT go to that place.
It was MADNESS!
Everything seemed wrong now. Your dress seemed too short, your boots seemed dirty and your hair seemed messy! How could you explain that?!
“Oh, please, Moore. You can do that. And that Barry guy was a bastard, you know.” Tony answered.
You didn’t want to do that. You were sweating, trembling, shivering!
But there you were… Walking in the direction of the downtown, playing with the ring in your hand, biting your lip or playing with your earrings.
It was the end of the world for you there.
And there was the store, pretty. It was kind to you, comforting in a strange way. The musics played in the radio spread in the store, the records organized in sections.
You two entered, the little ring playing and announcing your entrance. Tony went to greet the seller, probably his friend. How he could make so many friends and you making one friend per year if you were very lucky?
You sighed, saying something like: “I will go see some records”, and leaving his side.
You went to the rockabilly section, leafing through the Elvis Presley vinyls. That calmed your mind and heart for a second.
You got lost there, just you in your mind, searching for the records you like… Everything was too calm…
You seemed out of that world for a second, just listening the musics playing in the background and Tony’s voice, laughing along another man there.
How he could be so sociable?
But, you heard the ring playing again. You didn’t care at first, looking through the aisles and aisles of records. Silent steps sounded, you didn’t even noticing, almost in purpose…
Then, you felt hands on your shoulder, poking it, making your whole body shiver, your feet making you get a little jump, looking back immediately, gasping sweetly, but almost insulted.
“James, you…” You looked and saw Billy, with that tricksy smile of his.
“I'll get offended with this, hon’.” He said, his smirk widening, he withdrew his hands from your shoulder, just to put in the pockets of his leather jacket.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t even hear you.” You explained, smiling shyly, and probably blushing… Why are you doing this?
Tony appeared in this exact mument, thank God. “Billy!” He punched Billy’s thin arms, he gave a crooked smile that made your heart skip a beat. You are an idiot, oh my Lord.
“I liked your dress.” Billy commented, looking to you, up and down. His eyes dancing in your thighs right above where your boots ended, right before returning to your eyes, with no modesty on his.
He tried at least to be discrete. It worked? Absolutely not.
“Thanks.” You said, clumsily.
It looked like all of you got a bit clumsily, a thing that you didn’t expect to see in Billy’s face. “Well… I know a place we can go…” He said, shrugging, with a frolic smirk.
“She can’t go home tripping over her feet, Bill.” Tony alarmed.
“Oh, please, I’m not that weak for drinking.” You said, darting him a warning glance, seeming pretty ‘rebel’ for you. Billy raised an eyebrow, didn’t expecting such response.
“Why you thought I would bring us to drink, hm?” His smirk was malicious, a challenge in his eyes. “I know a Bowling Alley, it’s fresh open.”
You and Tony’s eyes illuminated with the idea. You smiled, excited. “That seems fun.”
“It is.” He responded to you, with a grin. “Let’s go, it’s early, probably will just have us.”
You three ran out of the record store, like three savage teenagers, the bell announcing your exit.
You and Tony followed Billy, he looked like he walked all that city, up and down, left and right. You weren’t the street person… You’d choose stay home over everything. Well… maybe that’s why you don’t know the city you lived in for 18 years.
It was funny how the oldest person of the group, Tony, looked inexperienced next to Billy. For some reason, he looked so experienced and Tony seemed as lost as you.
Finally, still in the downtown, but more commercial than ever. Stores, pubs, diners, everything. A discrete, but thankfully not narrow door was visible and Billy pointed to it, shouting something like: “It’s right there!”
Everyone quickened the pace, reaching the door panting and laughing. Billy was flushed, his fluffy cheeks with a deep tone of red, his dimples visible as he smiled, almost closing his eyes, chuckling sweetly. How can he possibly have so many sides of the same coin?
“Why did you made we run like fools?!” You complained, playfully, laughing.
“What’s the fun in just walking?” He said, still all red.
“You’re stupid.” Tony said to Billy, him just responding with a poke with his elbow.
You took off one of your bead bracelets, tying your hair delicately, making a pretty cascade with your curls, some loosen on your face. “Shall we go inside?” You said, adjusting your bag again on your shoulder, looking at them with a smile.
“Of course.”
.
The place was big, blue lights illuminating the place and yellowish ones illuminating the alleys, with neon everywhere!
It was mesmerizing, music playing in the background, the atmosphere amazing! It seemed like every place in England smelled like hairspray and cheap cologne, so you were kinda used to.
The ticket girl was in the balcony, Billy leaning and calling her with the little bell on the board. “Hello, welcome. What you need?” She said. Her uniform was pretty, red with a little cap and white details. She seemed bored, clearly didn’t wanting to attend three brats, her narrowed eyelids colored with a bright and cute tone of orange.
She looked just some years older than you all, something like 25 years old.
“Three tickets for one hour of bowling. The drinks and food are included?” He asked, passing his fingers through his hair, unworried, like a tic, charming you would say.
The woman looked Billy up and down, her eyebrow curving in a perfect arc.
“No, they aren’t.” She said, almost didn’t looking in his eyes, noting something, probably the numbers of the tickets.
Her tone was cold, almost freezing, like she wanted to nip Billy’s act in the bud.
You wanted to giggle of that situation.
“Here.” She gave to him a ticket booklet, with three numbers. “And the chart.” She gave the chart in your hand with the pencil. Probably just because you seemed the only that wouldn’t cheat there.
You three thanked her, going to one of the alleys. You put the chart in the table, with the pencil. Behind, there was a mini manual of how to count the points. You read quickly, but then they called you again to the alley.
Billy was the first. His fingers sank in the bowling ball, lifting it easily, seemed like he did this many times. His eyes turned concentrated, throwing the ball with ability, making a strike! In the first shot!?
“Woah!” You said, impressed. He smugly smiled, looking at you with confidence.
“Wanna be the next?” He offered, you getting a bit embarrassed.
“I never played bowling.”
“No? Never?” He seemed surprised. “Sure thing. Tony, wanna ask about the snacks and drinks while I teach the girl how to play?”
Tony nodded, and Billy turned entirely to you. “Okay, take the ball.” He said, almost as if he wanted to see how much you did know. Well, you saw in the movies…
You took the ball, like you’ve always seen in every piece of media, looking at him. “Well, at least you know that.” He muttered, almost to himself, like a self note. “Focus on this three fingers…” He said, moving behind you, supporting the ball that was in your hand.
You tried to focus, you really did…
“Now, launch the ball, don’t throw it. You don’t want to break the floor, do you?” That made you giggle, plus, his breathing on your neck didn’t help much thing as well.
“Okay, release the ball.” He gave a little impulse with his hand, making you move forward with him, with his hand on your waist, launching the ball softly, making a strike.
You laughed, impressed, looking at him with a big smile. He looked impressively tender to you, with a wide smile. “You are a natural player.” He said, still with his hand on your waist.
You noticed the touch, smiling, blushing, but thankfully, he couldn’t see because of the illumination of the place. You two got too silent, you breaking the touch, clumsily. “I’m gonna note the strikes we’ve made.” You said, walking back, before walk to the table.
Tony returned with sodas, handing one to Billy, with a victorious smile. “Flirting ‘teaching it’? You were more creative back in time.” He said, teasing with a smirk.
“Oh, go to hell.” Billy retorted, opening the soda and drinking with in a soft swallow, his eyebrows frowned.
You listened discretely the conversation, while pretended to note the shots there. Your ears were attentive for any interesting information.
“It’s Jimmy’s turn now, isn’t it?” You returned, playing ‘dumb’, but very aware of the situation.
“Yeah, Tony, go play.” Billy handed a ball to him, putting in his arms, making him curl a bit.
Tony frowned, obviously, what made you giggle, him trying to balance the ball in his hand. You had the suspect Billy handed the heaviest ball to him. Poor Jimmy.
He threw the ball, it going directly to the gutter. “Oh, what a pity.” Billy teased.
“Go screw yourself, asshole.” Tony showed the middle finger to him, making him giggle, making his other shot, hitting one pin.
Not his lucky day.
“I don’t know who you guys still don’t beat on each other.” You said, observing the two idiots play.
Billy shrugged, making his second shot. Another perfect one! A strike again!
You got up, taking a ball and lancing delicately again, hitting 8 pins! Not bad.
Your other shot… You got concentrated. Your eyes narrowed, viewing the ‘victims’. You threw, now the ball going to the gutter again. “Shoot!”
“At least you made points.” Billy said, impressed with you.
“That’s beginner's luck.” Tony complained with you, pushing you softly with his shoulder. You pushed him as well, giggling, punching his arm gently.
.
The minutes passed, it was amazing. Many giggles, many stories, teasing, everything! It seemed like a movie!
In the end, Billy won, not a surprise. Tony got in the last position. He swore he was better on it!
You three stayed there, drinking some and eating. The boys were drinking cheap beer and you stayed with your cola. You must’ve stared too much to Billy’s drink, that he looked at you. “Want some?”
You widened your eyes, blushing and denying softly. “No, I don’t drink, thanks.”
“This shit barely has alcohol.” He said, drinking almost if it was water. That wandered in your head.
“Just… a sip.” You said, and before Tony could say anything, you took a slight sip of the drink in his hand, your hands brushing against each other. You shrank your face, the bitter taste invading your mouth, taking away the can and forced swallowing. “It’s horrible!” You said, taking your cola to dissolve the taste.
“No way you gave her this shit!” Tony said, incredulous.
Billy laughed, his eyes even closing. His smile was perfect, and up closer, you could see almost some fangs there. The delicate features contradicted with his dangerous ones. It was a perfect mixture.
“Stop laughing!” You said, laughing as well, you two leaning to each other like magnets. His eyes opened, still smiling, dark, but tender?
“Billy, gimme some bucks.” Tony said, extending his hand to Billy. Billy raised his eyebrow, looking at him with a soft sneer, different from the ones in the concert in the pub.
“You gonna tell me why or not?”
“The woman right there. She’s staring at me. Not a great feeling. You said you would pay.” Tony retorted, still with his hand extended to him.
“Urgh. Fine.” He groaned, rolling his eyes, taking his wallet out of his jacket, handing him, while observing Tony going to the balcony.
You were so lost observing Tony, that didn’t notice how close you two were. You just noticed when felt his arm fell out of the couch softly to lay on your shoulders.
“Your friend is a pain in the arse.” Billy whispered in your ear, not a derogatory tone, just a friendly banter. They look like brothers from afar.
You giggled, looking up just to see him smiling softly. “He’s not.” You murmured, with a large smile, your delicate laughs echoing between you two.
“Maybe just not with you.” He responded to you, brushing away a strand of your hair, his fingers brushing on your soft skin.
You blushed, smiling, almost silly.
“Our time is over.” Tony approached again, you two automatically getting distance. He gave the exit tickets to all of you, you getting your bag and putting on your shoulder, before getting up.
Billy got up in a stretch, yawning and lifting his arms above his head. He looked so tall like that…
You looked up to him, almost naturally, and in a mument that seemed like a trance, he smiled at you, calmly, not a single malice or irony…
You smiled back.
His arms fell lazily next to his body, but his left arm grabbed your shoulder, noticing you were shivering, it got a bit cold now.
The way out of the Bowling alley was silent, just your steps and the music cutting the peaceful silence. The neon seemed even more bright at night, the facade lights reflecting in the bright eyes of yours.
“Now we need to walk all the way back, Mandy.” Tony said, his house very close, but yours in case… Was practically the other part of the city.
“Don’t worry.” Billy interrupted. “I get her home.” He concluded, no space for inquiry. “You can walk home, Tony. I get her safe to home, whole if I can.” He smirked, with that irony facade returning just to tease him.
“I’ll be okay.” You said, smiling softly. “I can take care of myself.” Deep inside, you knew it was stupid. Going home with a guy you know yesterday? But something made you try that alternative.
“If you say.” Tony shrugged, leaning to hug you. You hugged him back, with a firm squeeze.
Tony looked at Billy, taking him by the shoulder, whispering something in his ear. You couldn’t hear, but you felt them both getting tense. Billy took a deep breath, nodding to Tony.
“Okay, I’m leaving.” Tony announced. “See you two later.”
“See ya.” Billy responded dryly, returning to your side, starting to walk.
The walk got silent again, full of tension. Your body shivered entirely, you didn’t know if it was because of the breeze or embarrassment you were feeling.
He observed you by the corner of his blue eyes, seeing you hugging yourself to warm it up. He took of his heavy jacket, laying carefully on your shoulders. It got big, but it was comfy… It was stuffed with wool inside, caressing your skin peacefully.
“Thanks, but you will get cold.” You said, looking at him worried, taking off to return him, but he insisted, holding your waist, holding the jacket against your body.
“I’m hot, darlin’. No need of worrying.” Billy smirked, with his cocky act, but now you giggled, feeling flustered. “You blushing is definitely a view.”
Your giggles stopped, looking up at him all red now. Your blush extended since your cheek until your ears and the back of your neck. You felt you skin was burning.
His hand got on your arm, rising through, letting just a warm way behind, going up and down. You shivered pathetically in his touch.
His smile curled, almost noticing the effect he had on you.
He brushed two fingers on your neck, you melting on him. You were drunk? Just with a sip of his beer?
His lips opened slightly, his eyes narrowing…
It was like this? You were going to kiss… for the first time? You should tell him?
You were more than nervous, gawky butterflies in your stomach… You didn’t know if you leaned or not, but you did, a bit… That was his cue.
He approached dangerously of your mouth, stopping just one strand of hair before, smiling. You felt his lips curl, right against yours… Right before of pressing delicately against.
This was kissing? His lips were so soft… You widened your eyes seeing his mouth connected to yours, but then melted, your pupils dilating and your eyes hooding, the lashes finally brushing your cheeks.
Shivers passing from his mouth to yours… The best definition of a kiss you could extract from that mument.
Your hands ascended from his chest to his shoulder, in a slow path, that you felt him shivering. You couldn’t believe… You were doing this.
He wasn’t hesitant in deepening the kiss, his tongue tracing the line of your lips.
Without breaking the touch, you two approached of an alley, him pressing you against the wall, carefully. His hands went down from your back to your waist.
Before the break of the kiss, he gave you a last soft press of his lips in yours, like a reward to let him explore your lips.
All the air your lungs could take they took, your chest going up and down… “Oh… God…” You were all blushed, vulnerable.
He looked you with dark eyes, but a sight of self control, that seemed like it could snap with a single touch.
You couldn’t resist, you wanted more of that sensation. You melted in another kiss, your body melting like wax against him, holding in his hair to support. That made him groan against your mouth… That seemed like his control was vanishing away.
His touches were getting more intense, more bold… You were so confused… It was every kiss like that?
You started to get very warm, almost you could feel your blood boiling in your skin.
Then, the last drop of water in your overflowing glass was feeling his hand on your thigh, raising your dress, that snapped you into reality again. You pushed him away, panting, walking away, adjusting your dress, all blushed and embarrassed.
Billy’s face contorted in frustration and confusion, running to reach her. “Babe, c’mon! What’s wrong?” He shouted, but you walked more, your pace increasing.
“C’mon, it wasn’t that bad, it was?” Billy said, that cocky tone irritating you in every syllable. “Mandy-” He tried to say, laying his hand on your waist, you turning and slapping him like a thud.
The slap echoed in the streets, his eyes widening like two big blackish buttons.
You frowned, panting and walking away, the tears threatening to fall. “Mandy… Wait!” He said, walking at her, with a destabilized face.
“If you walk one more step, I swear I hit you again.” You said, your words firm in a way neither you had idea. His lips tried to open to say something, but you interrupted. “Not a single word.”
You adjusted you pouch again, still with you chest going up and down. You snorted, rolling your eyes in pure anger. “Don’t come behind me, I can go home alone, thank you very much.” You said, your words with polite irritation, your accent flowing in every word. “I hope I never see your face again.”
Your steps pass next to him, but he doesn’t try to stop. He just kept rooted there, his hands floppy in the sides of his body.
.
Billy walked, lost, he didn’t even know where he was going. His head was misleading him.
It was a kind of a trance, his face burning with the slap, his body floppy and sad. He never felt like that. But when he realized he was walking in the streets like that, his pose came again.
He took a deep breath, putting his hands in his jeans’ pockets, walking with a deep frown in his face.
His pale skin reflected the moonlight, followed with the smoke of his cigarette that he barely lighted. His steps were decided to go in somewhere he almost didn’t know where, it was automatic.
After minutes of walking, he threw his cigarette away, stepping on it and knocking in the door. Voices were heard, murmuring, and then Tony appeared in the door. “What the hell you’re doing here?”
He didn’t say nothing, entering and throwing himself in his couch, putting his hands in his face, groaning, almost in real pain. “Mate, you’re worrying me.” Tony muttered.
Billy’s hands fell like they weighted a ton, revealing his face, his red hand mark on his cheek. Tony had to hold a large smile, getting speechless.
“Laugh, I know you want it.” Billy frowned, rolling his eyes with that sneer of his, trying to put his hands on his jacket…
Oh.
He forgot it with you. “Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no.” He looked behind the couch, looked around, looked in the direction of the door, rooting that was just his imagination playing with his head.
“Your jacket.” Tony muttered, raising his eyebrow to him. “Let me guess, tried to play the gentlemen and give her your jacket.”
“Oh, fuck off, jerk.” He said, irritated, squeezing his face in his hands again, almost violent.
“Jesus, what you did now, spill it out!”
“The “goody-two-shoes” of your friend slapped me in the face.” He shouted, more irritated than before.
“She doesn’t go slapping the others in the face. Never did.” Tony wasn’t buying his act, crossing his arms.
“Okay, maybe I got handsy while we kissed, happy?” He confessed, his frown deepening in every word that came out of his mouth.
Tony’s eyes widened, you could see the smoke out of his ears like cartoons. “You did WHAT?!” His tone wasn’t happy.
“Oh, please. As if you never did this with other girls.” Billy rolled his eyes, sinking in the couch.
“It was her first kiss, you bastard. You know that?” He looked like he was about to explode.
“Of course I kn- Wait a second… What?” Billy turned slowly to him, with confusion in every nerve of his face.
“It was her first kiss.” He repeated, with a sad sigh.
“Why didn’t you tell me?!” Billy got up in a shock. He could’ve avoided all of that.
“You didn’t ask!” Tony returned the frustration in a shout.
Billy fell in the couch again, covering his face once again with his hands, almost pulling his hair out.
Tony looked him up and down, closed his eyes and sighed. “Look… You need to fix things up, if you really care about her.” He said, with a tired tone. “And you will.” He added, in a warning tone.
Billy looked up at him, with tired eyes. “She doesn’t want to look in my face, jackass.”
“So make her want to. Do your magic.” Tony said, going to the kitchen, taking a glass of water. “Besides, she is a good girl… She doesn’t deserve this.”
His words made Billy sink in his couch even more, in embarrassment. “I didn’t mean to, hell.” He sighed deeply, tiredness colouring every single word there.
“So fix it.”
That three words kept echoing in his head, like voices telling stubbornly what he needed to do, while he was dismantling in the hard seat he was sat.
.
Your room was filled with sobs and cries. The melancholy of one more of your heart breaks… Oh, the youth…
Your mum was outside, hearing everything with her heart in one billion pieces. Who did that with her little girl? She knocked in your door, opening.
“Love… What happened?” She entered, drying her hand with a cloth, she probably was washing the dishes. Her steps are soft against the wood floor, approaching your bed, sitting in the corner of it. “Could you tell me?”
Your sobs got more tearful, every sound making her heart ache even more. “Love… Tell me…” You mum said, with her calm and sweet voice.
You sat beside her, hiding your face in her chest, her hands drawing patterns on your back. “I knew a new guy…”
“Oh! You did?” She got surprised, trying to comfort you like her baby. “That’s why you crying?”
“Mhm.” You nodded, your eyes full of non shed tears, about to fall.
“Oh, baby, what he did?” She brushed your tears away, kissing your forehead.
“Me and Tony went to a pub about two days ago, for me to see his band, Generation X, or whatever this band is called.” You said, with a pout on your face. “Then, I met this beautiful boy, called Billy. He looks a bit ridiculous at first, but he is so handsome and charming and, and… what’s the word… Anyways, today, I said I was going to the park with Tony, but Tony called Billy and we went to the Bowling alley, and then we kissed, but he started to do things I didn’t want and then I pushed him and slapped him in the face.” You broke down crying, falling into the warm embrace your mum was offering.
“Oh.” It was the only sound she could make, processing all the information, speechless as she tried to find the words to it. “At least you were a brave girl. Putting limits.” She said, smiling at you.
She was a bit scared inside, but she couldn’t make that show through.
“Don’t worry… Are you hurt?” Her voice was calm, not a judge, not making that whole scene a crime… Just a mum calming her daughter.
“No.”
“He insulted you?”
“No.”
“He touched your… Private parts?” She gestured, hesitant, looking at the sides before doing the move.
“NO! He didn’t!” You responded in a disgusted tone, she giggling of relief.
“Thank God. Thanks to your dad you are the little decided and brave thing you are.” She said with a big smile, her smile reflecting to your face, your lips curling delicately.
You fell into her arms again, her sways to calm you making you almost fall asleep. She felt you getting warmer of sleep, a thing she knew since you were born. She held you calmly, without rush, closing her own eyes. “Your dad will kill this boy if he knows it.” She muttered, inaudible, to herself, sighing deeply.
The mother placed you carefully in the bed, covering you with the blankets, making sure that you were warm before leaving your room silently.
She sighed, leaning in the counter of the kitchen, pinching her nose with her fingers. “What’s wrong, Margaret?” Your father asked, looking at her.
Her husband just arrived of the work, carrying it his briefcase, kissing her on the lips softly. “I’m fine, it’s just Mandy.” She said, with a soft smile in her lips.
“What happened?” His face frowned a bit, making a slight wrinkle between his two grizzly eyebrows.
“Nothing, just young problems, you know how it works when you are a teenager.” She sighed, looking at the wall, almost as if there that laid all the answers she wanted.
“Remembering your young times, Marge?” Your dad approached your mum, caressing her shoulders, delicately, while the radio played there, softly, just filling it the silence there.
“Maybe. Are you remembering too, Micheal?” She looked up at the man she married, him with a smile curling in his lips.
“Yes, maybe.”
Their arms intertwined in the bodies of each other, in a tender act… Mandy listened from afar, gently smiling, finally and peacefully falling asleep.
.
Later, next to 8 PM, the telephone rang.
Margaret ran to it, surprised that someone was calling this hour… She took the telephone off the hook, taking to the ear and supporting with her shoulder, taking a note pad, thinking it might be some bank calling her or someone important. “Moore’s residence, who I have the pleasure to talk to?”
“Oh, hi…” A boyish voice sounded in the other side of the line. He cleaned his throat before continuing. “It’s William Broad here. Mandy is home?”
Margaret noticed who it was… William… Billy! Of course. Good heavens… It’s the rascal who hurt Mandy! How could him!
“Oh, William…” She said, with a suspicious voice, biting her lip in jitters, forcing a smile he doesn’t even has to see. “She is not. She is with her grandmother.” She lied, but the conversation would not end there.
“Could I know what the topic you want to say to Mandy? I can pass the message on.” Marge asked, with a false sweetness, trying to mask her anger under her skin.
“Oh, I just wanted to chat with her. Nothing special.” Billy’s tone seemed a bit nervous, she could almost hear him gulping in the other side of the line.
“Oh, sure… How did you get her number?” She tried to extract more information…
“I’m in Tony’s house. He offered his… phone…” He seemed more and more nervous. “I’m sorry, I need to go. Thank you so much, Mrs.”
“Good night, William.” She dismissed, politely.
“G’night, Mrs. Sorry for the bother.” Billy said, before hanging the call.
When the call ended, Marge took a deep breath. “Oh, for God’s sake. This youth, resolving everything through this damn telephone.” She muttered, returning to the kitchen.
“Marge! Who was it?” Michael shouted from his armchair, reading his newspaper.
“Nobody! Just crank calling!” She shouted back from the kitchen, returning to make the dinner.
.
“…’’ The phone didn’t respond anymore. Billy’s eyes were widened, Tony looking from behind. “That was the mum you said that gave you cookies?” Billy practically spat his words, in unbelief.
“Well, I didn’t raise the dress of her daughter.” Tony said, sitting in his bed.
“Shut up.” Billy closed his eyes, mad enough for tonight. “It’s better if I give up.”
“No, you won’t. Tomorrow you’re going in her home, apologizing properly.” Tony said, in a scolding tone.
“Her mum’ll kick me outta her garden in the minute she sees it.” Billy sighed, passing his fingers in his hair, as an anxious act.
.
The day started normally. Margaret took care of her heartbroken child, treating you like her baby. She made your favorite for breakfast, her pancakes!
You ate with a big smile on your face, your cheeks regaining its colour, a pink that shined in the morning sun. Endearing. “Oh, you look so beautiful.” Marge said with a baby talk, pinching your cheeks, making your giggle.
“Mum!” You contorted, smiling with all your teeth. “That tickles!” Your body melted in her lovely touch, she kissing your cheeks a last time before letting them go.
“Oh, you know I can’t resist, Moo.”
“Don’t call me like that! I’m 18, you know.” You rolled your eyes, playfully, not really minding about how she called you when you were a baby.
“You’ll always be my babygirl, Mandy.” Marge said, dancing by the rhythm the radio played, Beatles, a classic. “Come on! Dance with me!”
You giggled, raising from your seat, and taking her hands, ‘smashing potatoes’ with the melody of ‘I’m so happy just to dance with you’.
“If somebody tries to take my place… Just pretend we just can’t see his face!” Marge (tries) to sing.
Oh, mum… You’re not the best singer in the world, but you are my favorite, specially after the idiot. What it was his name? I don’t even remember of Tony’s friend with platinum hair… And beautiful blue eyes.
Your mind wandered as the music faded out, your eyes fixing in the portrait of the marriage of your dad and mum. “Your dad was a rascal, did you know that?” Your mum started, you widening your eyes for her.
“What?! Mum!” You got surprised, her with a bright smile.
“I never told you our first kiss?” She smiled, her bright red lipstick lining her lips beautifully. “Well… It was in your uncle’s birthday. He was his friend, I met him because of that.”
“It was in the end of the party, your dad was leaving and I followed him to thank him for coming.” She continued, you with a mischievous smile.
“Uh huh. ‘Thank him’.” You joked, giggling.
“Oh, stop.” She rolled her eyes, smiling. “Then, we kissed! But he was dating! He wanted to date me. So I refused, because he was already committed. He swore he would end it all. I wasn’t believing a word. So, in the next day, he brought me flowers, saying it was all over. Then it started all.” She told, seeing your surprise face.
“How you didn’t told me that!?” You inquired.
“You never asked!” Her giggles spread the room, with a beautiful blush in her cheeks. She was shy to tell things like that.
“Oh, he was naughty.” You teased her, her looking at you with a surprised face.
“He was, love, he was. Men aren't worth anything, you make them worth.” She blinked to you, you giggling. “It’s true!”
“Oh, mum.” Your arms wrap her, smiling. “I’m going to my room, I’m draw a bit.”
“Have fun. Draw Paul McCartney for me.” She lifted from her seat, taking the dishes.
You looked at her playfully. “Margaret Smith Moore! Decency!” You joked, she sending you an air kiss, laughs wandering in the house tenderly.
.
Billy walked back and forth, noting in his hand with a black tint pen, the point scratching his hand softly, letting red marks with the paint, painting his pale skin.
He looked to a wall, starting to talk with himself. “Mandy, I know I was a dick. I’m so sorry for it… Can we start it all over?” His hands trembled in front of his chest, gesturing a lot, taking a deep breath, nipping his lip.
“That sounds like shit, oh lord.” He kicked a cardboard box by pure impulse of frustration, regretting right after, grabbing his almost bare feet, just a sock for protection and jumping of pain, holding his leg. “OW! Fuck!” He swore, shouting.
He forgot that was the box with his record player.
“I hate my BLOODY life! Fuck!” His curses wandered by the small room he called his “home”. His deep breath ends the ocean of insults, taking a cigarette with his lips, lighting with a match, taking a long puff.
“How can I be so stupid sometimes?” He muttered, sitting in the cold floor, clicking his tongue in disappointment about himself.
The dark room is just illuminated because the fillet of light that comes from his window, the warm sun trying to take him out of his messy mind.
His steps go to the parapet of his room, just opening his window to throw it away his cigarette butt. He looked at the 11 AM London, with intense eyes, not exactly tender was the word for it.
The radio of his neighbor played Beatles in maximum volume there… “You Really Got A Hold On Me” blasted to his room, making him frown more that he was.
“What the fuck is that, Beatles day?” He grumbled, blasting his window to close, closing in a thud. He wasn’t patient enough to listen to Paul and John talking about he was a fucking idiot.
“Nice one, Jerry, not today.” He mumbled, swearing his neighbor in his mind, with words I refuse to put on paper...
.
You started to hear ruffles of grass next to your window. Someone was approaching. You ignored, thinking it’s maybe the newspaper boy.
Your mum went to the market some minutes ago, letting you alone home.
Some muffled voice started to shout. You got scared, going to your window and raising it the glass to look to it. It was… a platinum hair boy…
‘Just idiots appeared in my house this week, AND BOTH DON’T KNOW HOW TO USE A DOORBELL!’ You thought inside, taking a deep breath.
“Mandy! Mandy, please!” Billy shouted from the top of his lungs, raising his arms like an idiot he was. “I was an idiot, I know that! Please, open the door!”
“I don’t think so.” You shouted back, frowning. “I told you! Go away!”
“No until we talk properly, or you prefer us seeming like two morons shouting?!” He shouted back, letting his arms fall next to his body, aching. “Where is my bloody jacket?!”
“Oh, here. It’s smells like ass!” You shouted, taking it and swaying in the window, showing him.
“I want it back, come down here!”
“Oh, with pleasure.” You said with mockery, throwing the jacket by the window, it falling in the grass, softly.
“It’s real leather, stop being a little devil!” He shouted, frowning.
“Oh, it’s me the devil?!” You retorted in disbelief. “And how you discovered where I live!?”
“Tony helped me! Curse him with your fancy ass words instead.” He responded in pure irony, rolling his eyes. “I’d take more care of who you’re calling friends.”
“Oh, of course, because you are a total saint.” The window that separated you two was doing the work of God, because if he was in your front, you would pull every strand of that blond idiotic hair! “You are ridiculous, William.”
“You and your mum are the same person, but you are immature on the other hand!” Billy answered, testing her patience.
You huffed, rolling your eyes, threatening to close the window again. “Mandy! Don’t you dare! I even brought flowers!” His tone seemed defeated, taking the bouquet out of his denim jacket, but… The flowers were all smashed.
You looked at the little pink dots in distance and presumed that were the flowers. Poor flowers in his hand.
“You are such a moron.” You muttered under you breath, rolling your eyes. “I’m sad for you.”
“Oh, great. Now I am an object of pity.” Billy threw the flowers in the ground, pinching his nose. “Come on, Mandy, let’s be adults here. Come down talk to me.”
You looked at him with indifferent eyes, almost cold colour on your gaze. “Not even in another LIFETIME!” You shouted. You knew you were being immature, but you didn’t find that bad.
Your figure got away of the window, and he thought he lost. He sighed, just going to the door again, just to take the flowers and let on the threshold.
Billy put his hands in the pockets of his recently threw by you jacket, getting away from your garden.
Your steps were insistent on the stairs, trying to get to the door before he could get too far. He was almost crossing the streets to the other sidewalk, while your flats clicked in the concrete, trying to reach him before he could get away. “Billy, wait!”
Your hand went in his arm, stopping him from going away. He turned away to you, his face so beautiful in the sun light, you couldn’t believe.
His eyebrows were frowned up, his lips slightly open, a blush of embarrassment and anxiety colouring his face, beautifully. “Mandy…”
Your arms embraced him, gently. “I forgive you, alright? I was scared…”
“I got it all wrong, it’s me who should be explaining.” He embraced you back, fondling your hair. “Shh… It’s okay…” His sways with you made you feel protected in his warmth.
“I’m so sorry…” He whispered in your ear, gently.
His words made you melt down, all your nerves calming. All the anxiety vanishing away. All being replaced by human warmth and tenderness, shivering in all your body.
“Try not to be an idiot next time.” You teased, with the little rest of playfulness in that moment, trying not to let the atmosphere so heavy.
“I’ll try.”
Your eyes met him, shining with a new emotion there… Your lips met him, you starting that kiss yourself. It was tender, chaste… Experimental.
Like two kids finding what is the start of love.
.
Two months later.
Billy was sat in the couch, his legs pressed against each other in a nervous act. You caressed his arm, gently, kissing his temple. “Calm down…”
He nodded, sweating in cold…
“So… William Broad…” Margaret started, looking him with the eyes squinted, her glasses resting in the end of her nose.
Her stepped next to him, what it looked like an eternity. “It’s great to officially have a family meeting with my daughter’s lover.” Her voice softened, smiling in a discrete smile.
His body relaxed, giving a deep breath. His rigid body softened inside of the uncomfortable suit, smiling with shyness you never saw him. “I feel the same, you can believe.”
“Mum, give him a break.” You said, playfully. “Let him rest a bit.” Your laugh made her soften her expression, going in the direction of the dinner room.
“Have some sense, the two of you.” She said, before leaving, in a light tone.
“He doesn’t seem that bad honestly.” Michael looked from the dinner room to you two, laughing gently to each other.
“Let’s see what the future brings us, Mickey.” Marge responded, sighing peacefully, satisfied.
“Don’t call me like that next to the kids, Marge.” He retorted, smirking.
Marge raised an eyebrow, with mischief in her eyes, playing in her lashes.
Billy finally could breath, sinking in the couch and looking up to you, as your mum left. “What you said to your mother when that happened? You cried that much to her?”
You smiled mischievously, your eyes shining with naughtiness. “Big girls don’t cry, Billy.”
“Uh huh.” He rolled his eyes, you kissing the tip of his nose, his entire face getting in a soft tone of blush.
Silly boy…