sins of my youth. // Billy Hargrove x oc !plus size

023 ➶ Cough Syrup

A/N: With Fredrick's return we have some heavier chapters coming along with some mental chess between him and Evie. Lots of overlapping domestic story lines between her and Billy. A threat from the past further complicates things as the teens try to look out for each other. Thanks for tuning in and please share thoughts with me after! TW: Fredrick's manipulation and harassment. Misogyny. Abuse. Mention of assault.

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   Evie couldn't meet their eyes. Didn't touch her lunch.

"We could take a bat to him and his shitty car." Tommy chimed in. Helpful. Trying to be because no one else spoke. Carol stared, unusually silent.

"That...That's unreal." Heather rubbed her head. Evie clenched her fists under the table, seated between Steve and Billy. "It's heavy. It's not...he's not..."

"He is. They are. My mother's head over heels for him." Evie winced. Not crying. Blank. "I'm just telling you guys the situation."

"We'll help you, you can stay with any of us." Heather reached across the table and recoiled. "There's gotta be...something."

"Something's off about him now. Like he's ticking." Evie frowned, fingers knitting together out of nerves. "I can handle Fredrick. I have to."

"You don't have to do shit." Carol sparked. "You're just gonna...what? Play. No. That's not fair. It's not." She swept up from the table, sniffling to march off. Tommy opened his mouth, head shaking as the rest of them looked on in question.

"I got this. Her mom and stepdad are, uh...not gonna be back for awhile."

"No, I got it." Evie was already standing. "Don't interfere with Fredrick. Not too much." She hurried after Carol and followed her to the bathrooms. "Hey. Hey, Carol."

"It's not fair." She turned aside, arms crossing with a ruffle of orange hair.

"Few things are in high school," Evie decided, coming to her carefully. "It's going to be okay."

"You're such a liar, Fen." Red locks flicked again so she could display her watery eyes. Mascara not running because she'd done the smart thing and invested in waterproof. "I played this game too, you know."

"I know." Evie peered at her face in the mirror. No colors to be found. "My mom gave him a key. Can you believe that shit?"

"Yeah, I can. Does it open the lock to your room?"

"Just the front door, garage, and attic." Evie took a cool paper towel to her face and cleaned it.

"Start hiding snacks and water in your room. Have a bag packed with things you need." Carol turned Evie around and opened a little makeup bag she carried on her wrist. "Keep your bike in an accessible spot since you don't have a car."

Carol nonchalantly began to apply shadow to Evie's eyes as she spoke. Casual. Haunted. But, her hands didn't shake once.

"Tommy's gotta collection of pocket knives, he'll give you one."

"A knife?"

"Yeah, just nice to carry one or keep nearby. He can show you how to work and hold it." Carol switched to liner as Evie tried to be still. A hum followed. "You can't mope around the house when you're home either. You have to actually act normal. Do your hair and makeup routine every morning. Don't wear your hair up though, it's easier to pull. No pony tails. No braids. Keep running shoes around."

"Care..." Evie tapered off. Let Carol paint her lips a cherry red gloss.

"Wear tight jeans. With belts." Carol ignored her to continue, eyes on her lips. "Always look put together and pristine because Mona will notice if you're not. Make it harder for him to put his hands on you to mess you up. It's armor. Avoid dangly earrings. I know you'll have trouble with that one. Also easy to pull. And I know spring and summer are coming but...keep long sleeves and turtlenecks around. Just in case."