Previously on Chapter 8

Once again, he surprised me with his gentle gesture. I did not expect any of this to come from a guy like him. But now I understand, I've seen it. His father must've abused him... to the point he develops this personality. I now know that deep down, Billy is a good person. Maybe I can trust him. But... can I truly?

-Your Voice-

Y/N P.O.V

Billy manage to find me a small house to stay in. He also paid the bill, despite my protest. Well... I can't protest much, because I can't even talk properly to him. All I can do is shake my head, which can easily be ignored.

I hear the sound of a car's honk. I grab my bag and walks out. Billy is leaning against his car as he waits for me. He smiles when he sees me.

"Come on, Y/N... let's get going now or we'll be late for school" he said. I just nod my head. He rush to the passenger seat and opens the car door for me. I get inside and he close it gently, as if making sure he won't startle me. He get inside the driver's seat and start to drive.

***

After a while, we finally reached school. Billy opens the car door for me. I just smile at him and get out of the car. I sling my bag on my shoulder and start to walk.

I can feel everyone's gaze on me as I walk down the school's hallway. 'Why is everyone staring at me?' I thought to myself. Then I realize I'm walking next to Billy, when normally... I don't hang around anyone. So, I don't really blame them for being shock after seeing me with someone. Well, not just anyone. I'm walking with Billy Hargrove. The school's popular bad-boy.

I just keep my head down, trying to ignore their gaze on me. I slowly make my way to my locker and opens it. I place my bag inside it and take out a smaller bag to bring around in school. After I grab what I need, I make my way to class.

Billy takes a seat next to me and smiles. I just smile back at him. I turn my attention to the teacher who just enters the class. I take out my notebook and a pen.

"Shit..." I hear Billy mutters under his breath. I turn to look at him in confusion. He turns to me and start to smile sheepishly. "Um... I forgot to bring pen with me" he said. I shake my head and give him my extra pen.

He takes it from me and smiles. "Thanks you..." he said, making me smile at him. I turn my head to the teacher and start taking notes every once in a while.

Billy P.O.V

Y/N lends me her extra pen. Just from the smallest gesture, it makes my heart flutter. She's the sweetest girl I've ever met. Other girls would come to me only for pleasure. But Y/N... she's different. It just makes me want to keep her in my pocket and protect her at all cause.

I glance at Y/N who's focus on the class. Her hand gracefully writes on her notebook. She's just truly breathtaking. Her eyes flicker slightly.

She turns to look at me, and caught me staring at her. But even after getting caught, I just can't bring myself to look away from her. She gives me a soft smile and turn to focus on writing notes again. God... she's adorable.

Time-skip

Y/N P.O.V

It's now lunch time. I pack my belongings. I turn my head. Billy is still sitting on his chair. I look at him in surprise. I didn't expect him to wait for me.

"Are you done?" He asked, noticing my stare. I just nod my head. He sling his bag across his shoulder and stand up. "Let's go to the cafeteria, yes? I'll sit with you during lunch time if you don't mind..." he said. I just stare at him, not knowing what to do. He crouch a little to match my height, and stare into my eyes.

"Why are you staring at me like that, hmm? Do you mind if I sit with you?" He asked. I move back a little and shake my head, letting him know that I don't mind. He smiles and nod his head. He gently grab my hand and pulls me along with him.

Again, everyone starts staring at me as I walk passed them. I just keep my head down. I don't want them to pay attention to me, but I don't want Billy to move his hand from mine either. So, I just hold his hand a little tighter out of nervousness.

"Are you okay?" He said. I turn my head to look at him and smile. I nod my head, to let him know I'm okay. He nods his head and keep walking with my hand still in his. It's quite comforting.

He gently guide me to an empty table and gestures me to take a seat. I just follow along and take a seat on the chair. He smiles at me and walks away. I just keep my head down when I notice everyone's eyes are focus on me.

I hear a sound and turn my head to see Billy sitting next to me. He push a tray in front of me. I nod at him as a 'thank you.' He smiles at me and starts to eat. I start to eat as well.

Someone sits on our table. I turn my head to see a boy, Tommy. He turns to me and smirk. "Hey, cutie. Hope you don't mind me and my friends joining" he said. As soon as he said that, two other people sits down. I turn my head to see a girl and a guy. But I don't know who they are.

"What did you do to the girl, hm? We've all been trying to get her to talk. You're new here, yet here you are, sitting with her. She seems comfortable with you" Tommy said. "None of your concern..." Billy said. "Ouch... don't be so mean, Hargrove..." another boy said.

"Yeah... we just wanna know what gets this goody two shoes to open up to you" the girl said. I start to feel uncomfortable at the way they're talking about me. I keep my head down.

"Don't call her that!" Billy said, angrily. "Oh what? Are you mad, bro? Come on... I'm sure we can share her" Tommy said, winking at me. I just look away from him. Billy notices the uneasiness on my face. He stands up and grabs Tommy by his collar. "You better watch your mouth or I'll tear it open" he said, glaring at him.

I gently place my hand on his shoulder. He turns to look at me. I shake my head, not wanting him to get in trouble. He sighs and grabs my hand. He keeps glaring at Tommy, who gulps nervously. I just look away from them and walks away as Billy gently pull me with him.

He guides me to a small garden. He gently make me sit down on the bench and sits next to me. He leans his body forward, with elbows on his knees. Both of his hands tightly entwined. I can see his body still tense after what happened earlier. I can also hear his hard breathing as he seem to try to control his anger.

"Billy..." I said, in a hushed voice. His head snaps at me with a shock expression on his face. "Y-Y/N. Did you just- was t-that... your voice. Did you really just said my name??" He said. I nod my head slowly. He starts to smile happily. He wraps his arms around me. I just hug him back.

"I can't believe I finally get to hear your voice, Y/N. You have no idea how happy I am right now..." he said, burying his face in my hair. I just close my eyes, leaning against his embrace.

For the first time, I can finally speak to someone who's not Julia or Joyce. Even if it's just one word. It's still a sign that I can recover. I hope over time, I can speak normally. Maybe Billy can help me achieve that.

*to be continued*