Dreams of Tomorrow

“No way!” she said, slowly backing off.

“Come on Athalya! It’s easy, you’ll just have to keep your hand on the wheel.” Said Brian.

“No!” she said, glaring at him. “You will not teach me how to drive today. Just drop me at home, please.” She said, walking back towards the car, and grabbing the handle.

Brian sighed and opened his car, getting on the driver seat as Athalya sat on the passenger sit, glaring at him.

“I was just joking!” he said, starting the engine.

“No you weren’t, you were dead serious. You’re my best friend, you’re supposed to be my own personal driver, I thought we had agreed on that…” she said, buckling her seatbelt and crossing her arms over her chest.

“And you own personal jukebox, I recall.” He said, taking something from the gloves box and throwing it on her lap.

“How did you…?” she started asking, but Brian cut her off.

“Stole it from Brent, my brother…” he explained as Athalya put the CD in the player.

‘Burnout’ came blasting and Athalya skipped the songs until she reached ‘When I come Around.’

“Your brother listens to Green Day?” she asked.

“Maybe? I don’t know, he has loads of CDs his friends give him…” explained Brian, keeping his eyes on the road.

“Don’t bother dropping me at my house, just go to yours and I’ll jump over the fence, no need to make a detour.” She said.

Brian glanced at her but quickly looked back at the road.

“Do you think Jimmy will be fine?” she asked, sucking on her bottom lip. “And Johnny?” she asked quickly after. “Oh my God! I hope Justin or Zacky didn’t beat him to much, oh my… what if they threw him into the lake?” she asked, worriedly, and looking at Brian.

“Relax Athalya, I’m sure Jimmy is fine… He’ll probably just have a killing hangover tomorrow morning… And as for Johnny, I’ll kick their asses for you if anything happened to Shortsh… to him…” said Brian, rubbing his neck nervously as he almost called Johnny ‘Shortshit’, he knew Athalya’s dislike for that nickname.

“Okay…” she said, slowly as Brian parked the car in his driveway, behind his father’s.

“I’m gonna go pick up Jimmy and Johnny…” he said, as they were both standing outside of the car, looking at each other weirdly.

“Where will Jimmy…”

Brian answered her question straight away.
“At mine… Don’t worry.” He replied, smiling reassuringly.

“Alright… I better head back now, I need to tell my grandparents that I ditch school today.” She said.

“And don’t forget to make that phone call Athalya…” said Brian.

Athalya bit her lip,
“Sure, I’ll call him and apologize for snapping at him.”

“Yes, because whoever he is, I’m sure he doesn’t deserve this… He was probably only trying to help you.” Said Brian, with a short nod.

“Alright Brian. Thank you for driving me home, and for staying with me today at school. That was fun.” She said, starting to walk towards the fence.

“No problem Athalya! See ya at school for lunch tomorrow!” he said.

“And say Hi to Jimmy and Johnny for me!” she said, waving at him just as she reached the fence.

“Will do!” he shouted just as she waved and jumped over the fence, jogging around her house, to the front door.

There was no car in the driveway, but she figured her grandfather had put it in the garage. She unlocked the door, kicked off her shoes and hung her hoodie on the pattern and dropped her bag at the bottom of the stairs.

“I’m back!” she called, as she entered the kitchen and frowned when she saw the piece of paper on the counter.

‘We went out for a walk along the beach and for dinner, we will be back later tonight. Love you!
x x x’

Athalya folded the piece of paper and pocketed it before skipping to the fridge and taking a can of coke, then she headed to the living room, quietly humming ‘Basket Case’ but her heart just about stopped in her chest at the sight.

She dropped her can of coke, it came crashing on the floor with a bang, barely missing her toes in the process.

“What are you… How… Why… I’m so sorry!” she stammered, her eyes wide.

Because here sat her hero. Billie Joe.

He was sitting on the couch, patiently waiting for her, a small smile on his lips, making Athalya knows that she was forgiven. She quickly picked up her can that was laying at her feet.

“I’m so sorry for what happened in your car. I should have never snapped at you the way I did.” She apologized, her cheeks flushing red in embarrassment.

“It’s alright…” he said, pushing himself of the couch, and following her to the kitchen, where she was heading to open her can in the sink so she wouldn’t spill any liquid on the floor.

“Do you want anything to drink?” she asked, once she had opened her can and some coke had sprayed everywhere.

“Nah, I’m aright…” he said, taking a seat at the counter, and waiting for her to say something.

She grabbed a glass from the cupboard, poured the coke in the glass and then put it on the counter, before heading towards the fridge, but stop mid-tracks when Billie Joe called her. She turned and bit her lip, realizing that he wanted to talk to her.

How silly of her to think he wouldn’t want to talk about it, it was unlikely that he’d just drop it.

She reluctantly sat down opposite him, not meeting his gaze.

“So…” he started slowly, making her look up.

“So?” she asked.

“So, tell me what exactly you meant when you say you did not wanted an other ‘wanna be parental authority’…” he said, making air quotes. She bit her lip and her hands tightened around her glass.

“I… I don’t want any one to treat me as a kid. I’m done with it. I was still a kid when my mother was still here, she’s dead now, I have no parents left. That doesn’t make me an adult, but I’m just done being a kid. I don’t want anyone to tell me what I should or shouldn’t do, no one has the legal right to do it, except for my grandparents. That’s what I meant.” She said, spoke slowly, proceeding every words that were leaving her mouth.

“You know what? I think you told me that because you’re afraid I want to be part of your life as more than just your dead mother’s friend.” He said, crossing his arms on the table, showing off his tattoos. “And guess what?” he asked, his eyes not leaving her face.

“What?” she asked slowly, almost afraid of what would be his next sentence.

“You’re damn right.” He said, with a short nod. “I’m gonna be more than just your mother’s old friend.” He added. “I’m gonna be way more than that, first of, you’ll be spending every holidays with me, Adie and the kids in San Francisco. Second, I’ll be paying for your studies, wherever in the world you decide to go. Third, I’ll be buying you a car and will pay for your driving licence. That’s about everything I discussed with Adie and your grandparents.”

“I… you… you can’t do that! Why?” she rambled, her eyes wide as Billie Joe just smiled at her.

“I owe so much to your mother, I can’t even explain how much, so it’s only fair I’m taking care of you now that she’s gone. And plus, truth be told, I’ve always wanted a daughter.” He said, winking.

Athalya’s mouth fell open.

“So, what do you say? Are you in? Or maybe you don’t want to see my face ever again…” said Billie Joe, when she didn’t react.

She opened her mouth and closed it a few times, trying to think of something to say, trying to find the right thing to say.

Two options popped in her mind.
- Jumped on him from over the table and trap him in a death grip/bear hug.
- Burst in tears.
Yeah, none of those were appropriate, so she focus a little bit more, and finally, she had an idea, she was going to avoid answering to his questions right away.

“But what about my grandparents?” she asked.

“They agree on everything I told you. Of course, they’ll be here for the important Holidays, like Christmas and Thanksgiving, but other than that, it’ll be just you and my little family.

Athalya froze when Billie Joe added.

“By the way, I’m picking you up on Friday at lunch time, we’re going to San Francisco.” He said.

“I got school!” she tried to defend herself.

“And you already ditched today…” he replied, and when he saw Athalya’s face loosing colours, he added: “School called. Your grand mother said you weren’t feeling well, apparently your other friends were missing as well…”

“I swear I wasn’t with them!” she said. “I was at school, but not in class…” she said.

Billie Joe chuckled.
“If you only knew how many times I ditched school… I’m not going to blame you for skipping a day, especially not after a gig. An awesome one may I add…” he said jokingly. Athalya nodded.

“Oh yeah, it was awesome! Just whoa!” she added, a big smile, a real one, stretching across her face, but making her wince because of her black eye.

“This was your first show, right?” Billie Joe, leaning on his seat.

“Yes, yes it was…” she said, “Well… I don’t know if that counts but Mom went to see you guys when she was pregnant with me…” she added.

“No, it doesn’t count…” said Billie Joe, shaking his head. Athalya shrugged.

“Well, then yeah, first show ever.” She said, sipping her coke.

“And I got a feeling it won’t be the last one…” he said, rubbing his neck. “Pizza?” he asked, completely changing the subject.

“Excuse me?” she asked, confusion written all over her face.

“Sorry, I meant to say: I’m hungry, are you hungry? How about some pizza?” he asked.

“Pizza sounds good, want me to order something?” she asked, holding out her hand to grab the phone.

“Nah, we’re going out.” He said. “I’m taking you out to eat some pizza, or maybe you’d rather eat at Mc Donald’s?” he asked before looking at the clock on the wall. “Hold on, it’s a bit early for dinner…” he added. “Wanna go to the beach?”

Athalya blinked and nodded, smiling faintly.
“I feel like eating Mc Donald’s, and the beach sounds good. But where’s your car?” she asked.

“I parked it down the road, I didn’t wanted to scare you.” He said with a small smile before getting up.

“Let’s go?” he asked.

“Sure… give me a minute.” She said, sipping the last drop of coke and rinsing the glass in the sink. Then she rushed upstairs to the bathroom. She used the toilets, flushed it, washed her hands and looked at her reflection. She shrugged and then ran back downstairs.

Billie Joe was holding the front door open as Athalya quickly pulled on her shoes and grabbed her hoodie. Billie Joe closed the door and locked it before throwing the key to her, but Athalya was caught by surprised and let the key slipped from her hands. She blushed and bent down to grab it and pocketed it.

They walked side by side to his car, Billie Joe unlocked it and went over to her side of the car and opened the door for her. He chuckled at her surprised expression and then went to his side, sitting on the driver seat and starting the engine.

Athalya rested her head against the window and tried to steady her heartbeat a little.
She remembered what Brian told her, to talk to someone who had lived the same thing and who could help her dealing with the loss of her mother. Billie Joe was one of them. He lost his father when he was ten.

She bit her lip and shifted on her seat, wondering whether or not to mention the subject. Maybe it was too early.

She nodded to herself, she’d talk to him about that one day, but not now.

He was wearing a casual grey T-shirt, some dark jeans and some black Chucks. His hair was dyed black, but you could see he was in need of a new hair dye. His eyeliner was almost inexistent, but yet smudged under his eyes.

She let out a quiet sigh and looked outside of the window and to the road.

Billie Joe, driving her to the beach.

She wished she could share this with someone but for some unknown reason, she couldn’t see herself telling Jimmy or Brian about this. It was too important, not as important as her mother, but it was something. Something she felt like keeping to herself, it was just too big of a deal to share it with anyone. Her hero, the man that helped her deal with things…she was sitting next to him in the same car. She’d never realize it, it was too good to be true…

She was afraid she was going to wake up at any time, and realize it was just a dream, and that would break her heart.
Because as much as she hated to admit it, she was getting attached to him. Way more than she should.

If it ever had to end now, that’d probably send her over the edge.

She wrapped her arms around herself and her mind drifted to that special day in New York, when he had been kind enough to drive her to the airport, without even knowing her, and the moment he handed her the picture telling her who he was.

Could someone be so nice for real?

She couldn’t help but think that something would go wrong, and then, he would show his true side.

Maybe, just maybe, he was an asshole like everyone else. Only pretending to be nice for some unknown reasons, only to stab her in the back afterwards…

She winced slightly at the thought.

She wouldn’t be able to deal with it, not now. Not from Billie Joe… If it was anyone else, she’d try to deal with it, but if it was coming from the man sitting next to her right now, she’d most likely find the nearest cliff or bridge and jumped off, without an other thought.

She was probably being overdramatic, but she didn’t care at the moment.

Billie Joe parked the car and rushed to her side to open the door for her, making her blush once again.

Athalya took off her shoes and socks and put them in the car. Billie Joe chuckled and did the same, putting his shoes next to hers and then locking the car.

They walked side by side to the beach. Athalya stopped as soon as her feet touched the sand and she looked at the ocean. She remembered the usual Sunday afternoon’s walks on the beach with her mother and her step father, David. They’d walk together, hands in hands as Athalya would walk bare feet, next to the water, her earphones on, drifting away into her own world, trying to imagine what America was like, what Billie Joe was like in reality…

Funny how everything came true really fast.

She looked away and started walking, following Billie Joe and nearly bumping into him when he stopped to roll up his jeans.

“They’re new, Adie would kill me…” he said with a small smile. Athalya couldn’t help but smile when she imagined Adrienne scolding at him.

“So…” started Billie Joe, after a few seconds of silence, listening to the sound of the waves crashing down. “What’s your favourite colour?” he asked, rubbing his neck nervously.

Athalya looked at him, surprised. It took her half a second to realize that she knew nothing about Billie Joe, and that it probably was the same for him.
Well, she did know him in a way, but only through his music…
So why not start with the basic?

“I like purple, green and black.” She said. “And you?”

“Hum… I like black, and red… and white too…” he replied, looking lost in thoughts.

“You do know that black is a shade, not a colour, right?” she asked, shoving her hands in her pockets. He rolled his eyes.

“Do you have any idea how many times your mother told me that?” he asked. Athalya shook her head.

“It can’t have been worst than me, she used to tell me that almost once a day…” she said, with a small sad smile.

Without a word, Billie Joe moved closer to her and wrapped his arm around her shoulder. Athalya focussed on the sand and her feet, trying to forget the fact that Billie Joe had his arm around her.

“Next question, what are your favourite songs?” he asked.

“Wow… be ready for a long list…” she said, biting her lip.

“I have all the time in the world…” he replied, smiling down at her.