You're Just As Troubled• Billy Hargrove

~Chapter Eighteen~

"So what did you want to show me?" Billy asked as he stepped in. He had only seen my house during the night briefly and began to look around. It was pretty empty for its size. My dad only brought the necessities, and wasn't much of a interior designer.

I rummaged through the closet grabbing a big box still sealed shut.

"This" I said picking it up. I ran upstairs to my room and placed it on my floor. Billy followed me.

"What's inside?" Billy asked not seeing the importance of an unopened box.

"You asked about my mom. This is the best way to show you. My dad hasn't opened it since we packed it up when she passed. I think nows a good time" I said grabbing the scissors off my desk and breaking the tape that sealed it shut.

Billy came and sat next to me on the floor. The first item I pulled out was a photo book. On the front was "Laura" written in silver cursive. The pages held photos of her throughout her lifetime.

"That's a photo of her in Hawkins High and that's my mom and dad on their first date. They went to Benny's" I said pointing to the pictures showing Billy.

"Wow Hawkins High in the 60's how interesting" Billy said. I continued to show him my mom and dad's wedding photo, my mom pregnant with me and my first day of high school picture with her.

"This is my baby blanket. She knitted it herself" I said rubbing the fabric between my fingers. Her scent still lingered on the blanket.

We continued to look through things for what seemed like hours on end. We were so involved in the box of my mom's items I hadn't heard my dad come home.

"Phoebe I'm home-" my dad said as he entered my room. Billy and I looked up from the photos we were looking at.

"What the hell is going on and who is this" my dad yelled. He quickly began to gather up the items, placing them back in the box.

"Dad I was just showing Billy mom's stuff" I said trying to get the box back. He quickly slapped me across the face.

"You know better than to touch the box" my dad yelled before running downstairs with it. I grabbed my face as it was still stinging from the slap.

"He's never done that. Never" I cried as I fell to the floor. Billy scooped me up into his lap and rocked me back and forth. We both heard the front door bang close and a car peel out of the driveway.

Billy rocked me until my sobs subsided. I wiped whatever tears had I left before standing up.

"Was I wrong for looking through it?" I asked

"No it's your mothers belongs, you have every right" Billy said.

"Can you stay tonight?" I mumbled. Billy walked over and kissed my forehead. I wrapped my arms around his body never wanting to let go.

"I got so many issues. Do you know that?"

"You're just as troubled as me" Billy whispered in my hair. In that moment I realized he and I were exactly alike. Mom issues and dad issues, no one could understand what we both go through except each other.

I grabbed Billy's T-shirt he gave me the other night and slipped it on for bed. He slipped out of his clothes just leaving his boxers on.

I climbed into bed with Billy next to me. He was stroking my hair.

"It's amazing how much hurt and loss two humans have suffered" I mumble. Billy just shh's me trying to steer my thoughts clear of bad things.

I eventually fall asleep. I begin to dream about my mom. The day we went shopping replaying in my mind. I could hear her laugh and see her contagious smile.

"Mom" I yelled running across the street to hug her but as a car passes she's gone. Gone like the wind.

I wake up in a panic looking around to see Billy completely passed out next to me. A light snore coming from his mouth. I fall back into my pillow, falling back to sleep.