͏b͏r͏o͏k͏e͏n || ͏b͏i͏l͏l͏y ͏h͏a͏r͏g͏r͏o͏v͏e

S I X

𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐒𝐈𝐀 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐓𝐎𝐍

"What is your problem, Harrington?" Billy whispers, his voice low, eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that makes my heart skip.

"I-I... uh. Nothing. What are you talking about?" I stammer, refusing to meet his gaze. Of course, he's talking about something. When isn't he?

Suddenly, he grabs my face, forcing me to look at him. His grip is firm but not painful, just enough to make it clear he's not letting this go.

"I'm talking about the fact that you've been acting like a deranged psychopath all day." His tone is serious, but that smirk on his lips makes me scoff.

"How have I been a deranged psychopath?" I snap, crossing my arms defiantly over my chest. His smirk widens as if he was waiting for that reaction. Of course, he was.

Without warning, Billy grabs me by the waist and backs me up against the wall. The cold bricks press into my back, but all I can feel is his body close to mine, way too close.

"Let's go down the list, shall we?" he says, his face just inches from mine. "First, you stole my cigarettes. Then you came to the basketball game and didn't even cheer me on. And to top it off, you stormed off so you could hang out with the eighth graders."

His voice lowers even more as his smirk deepens. "Now, to me, that screams deranged psychopath." He leans in, his breath hot against my skin, sending a wave of heat straight to my face. I'm sure I'm blushing, and I hate it.

"I've just had an off day..." I mutter, trying to play it cool.

"Ana, you always act like this," he laughs, shaking his head. His laugh makes my stomach flip in a way that's both annoying and... not.

"Look, I gotta get to my brother," I say quickly, desperate to get out of this situation. "He's my ride."

"Hate to break it to ya, toots, but Steve already left." Billy grins, leaning back just enough to give me space to breathe again.

"You liar, he did not." I scoff, refusing to believe him.

"You want proof? Go look outside," he says, nodding toward the front doors. I hesitate, trying to think of a comeback, but all I can do is glare at him.

"Can you please get out of my face first?" I say, smiling cheekily. I'm trying to keep my cool, but my heart's racing faster than I'd like.

He drops the smirk, stepping back with a small shrug. I take the opportunity to walk outside, half-expecting to see Steve leaning against the wall. But when I scan the parking lot, his car is gone. Where the heck did he go?

"See, what'd I tell ya," Billy says, sauntering up behind me, his voice full of smug satisfaction.

"Well, I guess I'm skating home then," I huff, already walking away from him.

"You're not doing that." His hand grabs my arm, stopping me in my tracks.

"Excuse you?" I whirl around, glaring at him.

"You heard me." His blue eyes hold mine, not backing down. It's infuriating, but at the same time... God, why is he so hot when he's like this?

I try to think of something—anything—to get out of this. "What about your sister? Maxine?" I blurt out, knowing that he always picks her up after school.

"Screw it. She's ten minutes late. That little shit can skate home." He opens the passenger door of his car, motioning for me to get in. "Get in."

"You're crazy, Hargrove." I roll my eyes, crossing my arms tighter. "I'm not getting in that thing."