AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is for my friend, brookieismyname. She's running a story contest where she gives us a trailer and we make a story to fit it. The trailer is to the side. Wish me luck!

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Brooke’s Story Contest #1 – Loosing Billy Kensington

It all started with one simple, stupid mistake: I fell in love.

At least, I thought I fell in love. She was my best friend and I couldn’t talk to her about it. Even if I had, it wouldn’t have made any difference. Girls don’t work like that. They take everything personally and if I told her I was falling for the girl whom she despises, I’d be betraying her.

Stephanie was beautiful with her long, chestnut hair that I loved running my fingers through. She saw the adventure in life, the metaphorical mountains she wanted to climb. She knew how to get to the places she wanted to be and so she did whatever it took to get there. Somehow in the midst of my infatuation, I forgot all about what it meant to be loyal. I was foolish in following what I thought my heart wanted and I paid the price.

Loosing Billy Kensington wasn’t worth it.

~

Billy’s father sits down and the preacher says a few words. I don’t even realize his part is over until my brother, Michael, nudges my side. I glance back up, remembering the crumpled piece of paper in my pocket. On it are the words I wrote down to say for Billy. The preacher continues and before long, it’s my turn. I stand where everyone can see me, taking long breaths before I begin.

“Billy, my best friend,” I start out. They all stare up but my eyes betray me by flicking over toward Billy’s mom. Her cheeks are damp from crying so much today. I swallow with a dry mouth and try to continue. “You may know her as Wilhelmina and most people call her Mina. From the first moment we met, she introduced herself as Billy. And in that instant, I became friends with Billy Kensington.”

~

“What is wrong with you,” Billy practically yelled at me. “Can’t you see she’s just using you to get—”

“She’s not using me,” I snapped. I buttoned my shirt and ran after my best friend. Her golden-haired ponytail whirled behind her as she stormed down the stairs and out my front door. When we reached her car, it was in such a mess from running her hands through it. She was hurt and confused but the fading sun of the day was shining through her hair and giving her an angelic glow. I stopped, caught off guard by how it made me feel. I was just with Stephanie and seen by Billy. Now wasn’t the time for silly things like that.

“She’s a bitch! She’s a mean, rude, selfish, self-centered, egotistical, conniving bitch!”

“Thank you,” the girl in question spoke up behind us. Stephanie leaned in the doorway with a half smile on her soft lips. “Because in all of that, I’ll still never be an ugly, unwanted nobody like you.”

Billy pushed against me, making an attempt to rip Stephanie’s hair out. I stopped her by using all of my strength to keep her at bay. That day was never supposed to be like that. Stephanie was never meant to show up at my house, I was supposed to meet Billy at the baseball game and then we would have played video games until the sun came up. It was all falling to pieces.

“Get off me,” she cried. I let go and watched as her shoulders heaved from the large gasps of breath she was taking. “Whatever then. Have your thing with her. Just remember when she dumps you, I was the one that was always there and you pushed me away.”

Billy unlocked her car as I pleaded with her to understand. I thought I loved Stephanie at the time. But I was very wrong. Billy started her car and rolled down the window with a hurricane of despair behind her eyes.

“Happy Birthday, Jonathon Melendez,” she told me spitefully. “I hope it’s worth it.”

Billy drove away and left me with a gaping hole in my chest. I didn’t know it, but that would be the longest I’d ever go without hearing Billy Kensington's voice.

~

When I finish, I see mixed reactions on those attending. A few people smile while some have eyes glistening with tears. I clear my throat and breathe in deeply, attempting to stop my own over flowing emotions.

“That was beautiful,” the preacher, Mr. Daniels, says. I nod my head. My knees feel like giving out and my heart is hammering inside my chest. I hate being in the spotlight but for Billy’s sake, I’d do anything.

I’ll always remember Billy Kensington.

~

I hung up my phone, ending the voicemail she had left. I couldn’t call her best friend anymore since we haven’t talked in months. But she said she felt so alone. My heart ached, knowing it was me who made her feel that way.

Billy was right all along; Stephanie was indeed using me. I was the boy she saw during the day, the one to introduce to her parents and show off at church, while she sneaked around with her older boyfriend from college. My pride told me not to return Billy’s phone call.

My stupid, selfish pride kept me from Billy Kensington.

~

I run my hand over some of the pictures people have brought. Billy’s smile was bright, laughing at the jokes her parents said. There are a few photos of us at the baseball games and a two from the eighth grade dance we attended as friends. Hiking trips, swimming in the creek, just sitting at a restaurant for her birthday; we were always together.

I can’t believe I lost Billy Kensington.

~

“Billy,” I cried with a faltering voice. “Billy, I’m so sorry!”

My screams were ignored as she was carted off to the ambulance. She was alone and I wasn’t there for her. So much blood… The floor of her bathroom was coated in a light pool of it. The video she posted of her being done had scared me. Her parents never saw it since they dislike social media sites. If I would have seen the video sooner, if I had ignored my pride, if I had actually listened to her all those months ago, she might still be okay.

“Dear God,” I muttered, falling to my knees. I didn’t care who saw me at that moment, I just needed her to be okay. “Dear God, don’t let her go. Not like this. I need her in my life. It was my fault but save her. I’d do anything for her.”

The rush of people left as the sirens turned down the corner and toward the hospital. I was there alone, praying to a god I only half believed was real. Tears flowed freely over my cheeks as I crumpled onto the grass wet with dew.

“Pl-please,” I stammered weakly. There was little hope now. If she died, my life would be over too. “I love her. Please, let her be okay.”

I didn’t want to lose Billy Kensington.

~

“A huge part of his life is gone,” Michael says solemnly into the microphone. “Billy was the person that made him who he is. She made him stronger, made him better. She’s the coolest girl I know and I wish them the best.”

The guests all clap at the conclusion of my brother’s speech. He raises his glass and bids everyone else to do the same. I genuinely smile for the first time today, happier and more relieved than I was when I found out that she was going to live. Even now, on this special occasion, I can’t help but to think of those horrible months in our friendship. The day she forgave me was the best I’ve felt but this tops it all. They’ve all come for us, to wish us luck in our lives to come. Her grip on my hand tightens as she raises her glass along with the rest of the room.

“To the newlyweds,” my best man shouts.

“To us,” Billy whispers.

“To us,” I repeat, memorizing every feature of hers from her golden hair to her steel blue eyes. There is no one I’d rather spend the rest of my life with. She makes me strong and she’s my weakness. I may have lost Billy Kensington today but I gained the woman always meant to be mine.

I will forever love Wilhelmina ‘Billy’ Melendez.