Dreams of Tomorrow

Don’t freak out, don’t freak out, don’t freak out…

Athalya was in Billie Joe’s car, his real one, on their way to his house. She could feel her heart trying to come out of her chest, that’s how hard and fast it was beating. She had stuck her hands under her tights and left them here while looking outside. A bridge came into view and she couldn’t help but smile as she recognized the Oakland Bay Bridge.

It was rather quiet in the car, Athalya was too busy trying not to freak out while Billie Joe was concentrating on his driving, hoping to relax a little. He was nervous as to Athalya’s reaction. He wanted her to feel welcome and at ease in his household, and he just hoped nothing would come mess it up. Especially not his band mates, because really, the last thing he needed was Tré Cool scaring off Athalya.

He stopped in front of huge iron gates, grabbed a small grey remote and pressed a button. There was a ‘glang’ sound and the doors opened.

Billie Joe cast a worried glance in Athalya’s direction as he saw her pale face, paler than usual and drove up the path that leaded to the house. The doors closed behind them in a ‘glang’ sound too. Billie Joe parked the car in front of the house. He killed the engine and turned to look at Athalya as her attention was focused on the house. She blinked a couple of times and let out a quiet gasp. She unbuckled her seatbelt in a daze. Billie Joe got out of the car and went to open Athalya’s door but she was already out, starring up at the house with eyes the size of plates, her mouth slightly agape, her hand still on car’s handle.

“Let’s go inside…” offered Billie Joe, rubbing his neck nervously.

He should have warned her, the house looked big from the outside. And it was even bigger in the inside. He pinched the bridge of his nose he blamed himself for putting that on her shoulder without warning. It was no surprise to anyone that he earned a good amount of money… but he still felt guilty for Athalya.

After a few seconds, she finally let go of the handle, blinked and closed her mouth before taking a step in direction of the small stairs that leaded up to the house. Billie Joe closed the door, locked the car and went to stand behind her.

“I’ll go grab your bag later on. Are you ready?” he asked. Athalya was startled to hear his voice so closed to her ear that she didn’t answer straight away.

“Sure…” she managed to choke out. Billie Joe shot her a nervous smile and walked ahead, up the stairs.

Athalya’s heart was more than ready to burst out of her chest.
Seeing Billie Joe was something, but going to stay at his house with his family was something different. Really different for Athalya.

She ran a nervous hand in her hair and wiped her sweaty hands on her jeans. As they reached the front door, Athalya was about to pass out. She took a deep breath as Billie Joe opened the door. He let her come in first and closed the door behind them.

“DADDY!”

The sound of an other voice startled Athalya a little and she saw a boy, about 5 years old, running in the hall. Billie Joe smiled and walked forward to the young. He picked him up in his arms and hugged him against his chest, kissing his hair.

“I missed you Daddy!” said the boy. Billie Joe smiled and hugged the little boy just a little bit tighter. “I missed you too Joey. Where’s your mother?” he asked, letting go of the boy and let him back on his feet.

“Upstairs with Jakob.” He said and then looked at Athalya weirdly.

“Joey, this is Athalya, I told you about her, remember?” said Billie Joe, knelling down next to his son and both were looking at a really uncomfortable looking Athalya.

Joey’s face broke into a smile and he ran to Athalya, wrapping his arms around her legs and beaming at her. Athalya was startled by the gesture but she composed herself quickly and smiled down at the young boy.

“Hey Joey!” she said, lightly touching his hair.

“Hey Lya!” he said, still beaming. She looked up from Joey to look at his father, a confused look on her face.

“I told him to call you Lya, Athalya is kinda too long… If you don’t mind, that is…” quickly said Billie Joe, rising back on his feet.

“S’alright…” she said, smiling back at Joey.

“Come on! I’m gonna show you my room!” he said, unwrapping his arms from her legs, taking her hand in his smaller one and dragging her into the house. She found herself in front of a huge staircase.

She could discern Billie Joe’s footsteps behind her as she was dragged up the stairs by Joey. Then it was just a blur for her at how she ended up in the young boy’s room.

“That’s my room!” he said proudly. And Athalya smiled at his enthusiast. He let himself fall down on the white fluffy carpet and patted the spot next to him. The wooden floor on the boy’s room was mostly covered by a huge fluffy carpet. His single bed was in one of the corner of the bedroom. It was bigger than Athalya’s bedroom back in HB, or even her bedroom back in France. The walls were a light blue color, perfectly matching the room. And of course, like any other kids’ room, there were toys covering a good half of the floor and also covering the small desk that was located next to one of the windows.

“It’s great.” Said Athalya, looking back to the young boy. He grinned just as there was a soft knock on the already open door where Joey’s name was hanging in wooden letters.

Athalya looked in direction of the door and saw Adrienne standing in the doorway. She walked inside and Athalya immediately rose to her feet as she saw Adrienne taking a step forward and opening her arms. Athalya smiled and hugged the woman.

“Hello Athalya, I’m glad you’re here. How was your flight?” she asked before letting go of Athalya.

“It was okay, thanks.” She replied, still a little nervous. Adrienne smiled warmly.

“I bet you’re thirsty, Billie Joe surely didn’t ask you if you wanted anything to drink…” she said shaking her head softly. “Come on, let’s see what I have in the kitchen.” She said, turning around and heading out of the room.

Athalya followed Adrienne down the stairs and felt something tugged at her hand, she looked down and saw Joey holding her hand. She smiled shyly at him and he just grinned back.

“You’re going to see my little brother. He sleeps a lot, but he is cool.” Informed Joey.

“Jakob, right?” asked Athalya, checking if she had gotten the name right.

“Yup!” affirmed Joey, leading Athalya to the kitchen. She had to stop herself from gasping. The kitchen walls were painted in a light shade of yellow, wooden floor, a large island with an eating counter in the middle of the open kitchen. On the left, there was the breakfast area which spilled down a couple of steps into the wooden-floored family room with a huge fireplace. That’s what Athalya could see from where she was standing.

Billie Joe was standing in the kitchen with a one year old toddler in his arms. The sight itself was enough to make anyone have an ‘Awww’ moment. Billie Joe looked so cute with a toddler in his arms.

Adrienne pecked her husband’s lips and opened the fridge as Joey tugged at Athalya’s hand and made her go the counter, pulling a chair and almost forcing her to sit down. Athalya chuckled and sat down, smiling at Joey as he just climbed on the nearest chair.

“Orange juice!” he said and when he received no reactions from his parents, he added, “Please.”

Adrienne gave her eldest son a glass of orange juice and offered a can of Coke and a glass to Athalya, who thanked her.

Billie Joe had made himself some coffee, even though it was barely 4pm. Athalya never drank coffee and couldn’t understand those who could drink coffee at any time of the day or night.

Billie Joe and Adrienne were happily chatting with Joey while Jakob was pulling at his father’s hair. The sight made Athalya’s eyes burn with unshed tears. At least Jakob was lucky enough to have a loving father as well as a loving mother and older brother.

She tried her best to push those dark thoughts aside and asked Adrienne if she could use the phone to call her grandparents.

Adrienne handed her the wireless phone and proposed to Athalya to make her phone call outside.

That’s how Athalya ended up outside, sitting on the floor instead of one of the deckchair, gazing at the beautiful view. She dialed her grandparents’ number and waited for any of them to pick up the phone.

“Reva’s household. Suzan’s speaking.”

Athalya’s mouth twitched in a smile.
“Hey mamie, it’s Athalya.”

“Oh, Athalya! How was your flight? Are you in the Bay Area yet?” Suzan asked.

“Yeap, I’m currently sitting outside of the Armstrong’s household. The view is great, and there’s a pool too. The house is huge from what I saw so far. Joey and Jakob are so cute…” she commented, trying her best to steady her voice. “I think I heard them talking about BBQ, I guess Tré and Mike will show up later today…” she added.

“Well, that’s great Honey! I hope you have fun this week end!” said Suzan, sounding really happy for Athalya.

“Yeap… Well, I guess I’ll go back inside. You and Papy enjoy your week end, alright? I’ll see you on Monday…” she said hurriedly, hearing someone coming.

“We will, and you try to enjoy yourself for once, okay? Bye Athalya. Love you.” said Suzan.

“Love you too, and tell Papy I love him. Bye.” And with that she hung up. Joey was standing a few feet away, with both his glass and Athalya’s.

He smiled when he saw her looking at him and hurried to her side, he sat down next to her and gave her her glass.

“Thanks buddy!” she said, smiling at him and taking a sip from her glass.

“Was it your mummy on the phone?” he asked.

“Nope, it was my grandmother…” she explained.

“Oh. Where’s your mummy?” he asked, looking at her with curious eyes.

“She’s in Heaven.” Said Athalya, looking at the young boy as his face fell, he dropped his head, looking at his now empty glass. He set it aside and turned to face her.

“And where’s your daddy?” he wondered, his eyes not leaving her face. She looked right back at him and took a sip of Coke before answering:

“I don’t have a daddy.” She said simply, adding a small shrug, trying to pretend it was no big deal.

Joey’s mouth made the perfect ‘o’ shape and when he closed his mouth, he frowned, deep in thoughts.

“You know…” he said after a few seconds of silence. “My daddy’s heart is this big,” he exclaimed, extending his arms, showing Athalya how big his father’s heart was, “and there’s enough space for me, mummy and Jake too… Maybe I can share my daddy with you?” he asked, looking at Athalya with an hopeful look.

Athalya smiled sadly at the young boy and looked up to the blue sky, blinking away the tears. She felt tiny arms wrapping themselves around her middle, and when she looked down, she realized it was Joey hugging her, looking worriedly at her.

“I’m fine, don’t worry…” she whispered, lightly stroking his hair.

She heard Joey sighed.
“I wish I had a sister…” he said. “Because Jake is too young to play football with me…” he added.

“Football you say?” she asked, looking at the view.

“Yeah, or baseball… Mummy can’t play with me often, and Daddy is away…” he explained.

“I can play with you if you want…” offered Athalya, looking at Joey. His face light up.

“Really?” he asked.

“Sure…” she said, nodding. Joey jumped on his feet, and pulled at her hand. She grabbed both glasses and the wireless phone and followed Joey back inside. She put the 2 glasses in the sink and the phone on the counter and followed Joey into the house. He ran upstairs, and Athalya tried to follow him. He stopped in his bedroom and started rummaging through his toys in a huge box before he pulled out a ball.

“Are you ready?” he asked, excited.

“Yeap, let’s go…” said Athalya and raced Joey to the garden.

There wasn’t much space to play, it was mostly trees everywhere.

“We have to be careful not to shoot Dad’s car…” explained Joey as he dropped the ball at his feet.

“I can do that…” said Athalya, “Come on, shoot…” she said, standing between two trees, playing the guardian.

Joey took a few steps back and ran towards the ball, hitting it the best he could. It went flying and Athalya had to jump up in order to catch it.

Joey was grinning proudly. Athalya shook her head chuckling and shoot. It went on like that for about half an hour. Joey was obviously having a great time making Athalya ran around trying to catch the ball.

“Aren’t you tired?” asked a voice. The game stopped and both Athalya and Joey looked around, trying to see where the voice was coming from. Turned out Adrienne was standing at the window on the top floor, looking down at them, smiling.

“A little…” admitted Athalya, wiping her forehead as Joey just grinned.

“Why don’t you go back inside, Billie Joe should be in the kitchen with cookies…” explained Adrienne. Both Athalya and Joey’s widened at the mentioning of cookies and they both ran in direction of the kitchen. Adrienne closed the window, chuckling.

“Hey Daddy!” said Joey, entering the kitchen and hoping on one of the chairs at the counter.

“Hey buddy, did you have fun?” he asked, putting the plate of cookies on the counter.

“Yes we did!” Joey replied, before munching happily on a cookie.

Then, Billie Joe looked at Athalya who was eating a cookie too.

“He made me run everywhere…” she said between two bits. “I can’t feel my legs.” She added.

Adrienne appeared in the kitchen, with Jake in her arms.

“The guys should be here soon, you might want to start the BBQ Billie, and Athalya, once you’re done eating, I’ll show you around the house since my beloved husband forgot about it…” she said with a playful smile.

Billie Joe smacked his forehead.
“I’ll go get your bag…” he said and disappeared in the house.

Adrienne let Jakob down and he started wandering in the room. He looked so cute, Athalya couldn’t help but smile at him. He lost his balance and fell on his butt. Athalya quickly made a move to get up and pick him up in case he’d start to cry but he just giggled and pushed himself back up.

“He always does that, don’t worry. Jakob doesn’t cry very often…” Adrienne explained, taking a cookie for herself.

“Really? That’s cool…” said Athalya, looking at the older woman.

“Yeah, that’s a relief really… Because Joey here was crying a lot at night, giving Billie insomnias.” She explained. Athalya nodded and a small smile made its way on her face.

“Insomniac” they both said at the same time, sending them in a fit of giggles.

“Alright ladies, I’m off to start that damn BBQ, Joey, you comin’?” asked Billie Joe, dropping both Athalya’s bags in the kitchen.

“Yup Daddy!” said the boy, jumping off his seat and running to his father, taking his hand.

Jakob made a move to follow them but Adrienne picked him up.
“Nope, not you…” she said to the toddler, before kissing his cheek.

“Daddy?” he asked, looking in the direction of where his father had left.

“He’ll come back soon, don’t worry…” said Adrienne, taking his hand. Jake started blabbering and Athalya couldn’t understand a thing. It sure sounded like English, but she wouldn’t understand it…

Adrienne made a rapid turn of the house, just so Athalya wouldn’t get lost. The main included the hall entrance, a huge living room with an massive fireplace and windows on four sides, a generously sized dining room that opens through French doors to the front porch and has sunset views, and a window wrapped office/library with two sets of French doors that open to a small terrace that overlooked the swimming pool.

A short hall with a guest bathroom leaded from the foyer to the back door and the home's more casual quarters like the kitchen, which opened on the breakfast area, as Athalya had noted earlier. And the family room next to it had a built in window, from where you could see all the way to San Francisco.

The curving staircase was leading to the second floor. There was a laundry room, two bedrooms that shared a bathroom. Joey’s room on the left side, Jakob’s on the right side. An other bedroom with a private bathroom, Athalya’s room. Billie and Adrienne’s bedroom was located a little afar from the other rooms. It was like a small suite. The room had a fireplace, a little balcony (with views of SF), a walk-in closet and a large bathroom.

Athalya dropped her bags in the bedroom she was staying in and followed Adrienne and Jakob back downstairs.

The lower level included BJ’s personal studio, and a small bedroom with a bathroom. The bathroom had its own design. The walls were covered of various stickers from various bands Billie Joe loathed. Interesting…

There was a three car attached garage, an heated swimming pool, and an adjacent cabana with a bathroom, fireplace and outdoor shower. And of course, various terraces and patios to enjoy the beautiful views.

“Can you watch after Jake for a couple of minutes? I need to go see Billie…” said Adrienne, as they were back in the kitchen.

“Sure, no problem!” said Athalya as she took Jake’s hand in hers and he looked up at her, and starting talking to her. She just gave him a confused look as she just couldn’t make out what he was saying. She picked him up and they went over to the family room, two steps down from the breakfast area.

Athalya already loved the house. It had a homey feeling to it. The wooden floors and cream/beige walls were nice. The house was very bright, there were windows in all rooms, except BJ’s studio in the basement. The huge living room even had windows on the 4 walls.
The room she’d sleep in was really nice, light grey walls, fluffy grey carpet, queen size bed, with black and white furniture to match the room’s decoration. Adrienne said that she could hang everything Athalya wanted on the walls. She’d probably just put up some pictures on the closet door. The room was a good size, with two armchairs on either side of the window.

Athalya sat down with Jake on the built in window seat. He kept on blabbering, playing with her hair as she just looked outside of the window, humming quietly to herself.

She realized how stupid it was of her to worry about going to BJ’s house and meet his sons. So far, Joey was awesome, and Jake was a cute toddler, still too young for Athalya to get to know him, but she had feeling she’d get on well with Joey. And Adrienne, as always, as such a sweetheart. Billie Joe was just being Billie Joe, and that was awesome.
Their house was nice, really nice, and she didn’t felt awkward at all. All of her fears were uncalled for, so she decided it was time for her to just relax and enjoy her week end.

She noticed that Jakob had stop talking/blabbering and was now looking at her as she kept on humming quietly. She brought him closer to her chest and kept on humming, lightly rocking from side to side, watching the beautiful view. She could sit there for hours just looking at the scenery.

“Did you bring your swimming suit?” asked Billie Joe, appearing next to her.

“Yes, you told me to.” She replied, looking at him.

He smiled and nodded.
“You can go change, I’ll watch Jake. Adrienne and Joey are getting changed to. You know where your room is, yeah?” he asked, picking up his son.

“Yeap yeap…” she said, getting up and heading to the staircase. She walked up to her room, closed the door behind her and zipped down her bag, rummaging through her clothes, taking her bathing suit and walking into the bathroom. Adrienne had put clean towels next to the sink. Athalya quickly got changed, folded her clothes and put them on one of the armchair before grabbing a towel and wrapping it around her body self-consciously. She put on her flip-flops and headed downstairs, outside.

Adrienne was already there, with Joey.

“I’m waiting for Lya.” He said, refusing to go into the water with his mother.

“S’okay, I’m right here!” she said smiling. Joey grinned.

“Look at me!” he said before taking a few steps back and running. He jumped and dived in the water with a ‘splash’ sound.

Athalya laughed and smiled at him when he reached the surface.

“I’m sure you can’t do better than me!” he challenged her, swimming toward the edge of the pool where Athalya was standing. Adrienne was sitting on one of the deckchair, with Jake on her lap.

“Oh yeah?” she asked, raising an eyebrow. “You think so?”
Joey nodded. Athalya looked over her shoulder and saw Adrienne smiling encouragingly at her. She dropped her towel and threw it on one of the deckchairs.

“Ready?” she asked Joey, who just couldn’t stop smiling.

“Yeah!” he cheered.

Athalya took a few steps back, she took a deep breath and started running. She jumped off the edge, brought her legs up to her chest and dived in.

“Impressive.” Concluded Billie Joe as Athalya reached the surface. He wiped his face with his hand. Athalya’s jump had splashed water everywhere.

“Sorry…” she quickly apologized, embarrassed.

Billie Joe just smirked.
“I can do better!” he said, threw the towel to Adrienne and jumped in too.

Athalya, Joey along with Billie Joe were swimming in the pool, Adrienne was watching them, Jake on her lap.

They fought, splashed each others, drown each others and games like that for about an hour or so.

The boys kept playing together in the water and Athalya got out of the pool. She twisted her hair, trying to get rid of the water and then walked over to Adrienne, to grab her towel. She was halfway there when she felt an arm wrapping around her waist, pulling her backwards. The arm was too big and strong to be Joey’s. Her eyes widened as Adrienne laughed. Athalya was pulled backwards, squirming, she felt herself being left in the air and then water surrounded her.

When she reached the surface again, she glared at Billie Joe, wiping her hair away from her eyes.

They stayed silent for a couple of seconds, looking at each others, Jakob and Adrienne were laughing in the background, along with Joey who was sitting on the steps in the pool.

“That’s it… You’re dead.” She said before launching herself at him, taking a hold of his shoulder and trying to drown him. They wrestled for a couple of minutes, Athalya held onto Billie Joe’s back, her legs wrapped around his waist, trying to pull him down with her. He was fighting to get her off him, both laughing and splashing water everywhere.

“That’s not nice Billie, trying to drown a guest…” said a new voice.

Billie Joe stopped moving, and Athalya was still on his back, everyone turned to look at the new person.

“What’s up Tré?” asked Billie Joe, smiling brightly at one of his best friends.

“I can’t believe that you started having fun without me…” he said, sitting next to Adrienne and kissing her cheek.

“Fun? I’m being attacked…” retorted Billie Joe, placing his hands on Athalya’s arms that were still wrapped around his shoulder, giving them a gentle squeeze. Athalya rested her head on his shoulder and smiled brightly at Tré.

“He started it.” She said simply, still holding on tightly to Billie Joe.

She looked at her surrounding, and saw Joey, shivering in the corner. She hopped off Billie Joe’s back and swam towards the young boy.

“You’re going to catch a cold, come on…” she said as Joey just nodded, rubbing his arms.

They both got out of the water. Athalya grabbed her towel and draped it over her shoulders before taking Joey’s towel, kneeling down and wrapping him in the towel. She rubbed his back and arms, trying to warm him up a little. His lips were a light shade of purple.

“You know, if you stay in the same place for a while, you’ll be cold really fast. You need to move and swam in the pool…” she commented. “Otherwise, you’ll catch a cold and sneeze and be sick.” Athalya explained.

She didn’t even notice the rest of them looking at her as she kept on talking to Joey and trying to warm him.

“Come on, let’s go get you in the shower and get you dress before you get so cold your feet will fall off.” She said, taking his hand and leading him into the house.

They walked upstairs, trying not to wet the floor and walked over to Joey’s room.
“You go take a shower, I’ll get you some clothes.” She explained, as Joey shivered and disappeared into the small bathroom.

Athalya wrapped the towel around her and started looking around for the closet. She opened it and choose some clothes before putting everything on his bed.

“Joey?” she asked, knocking on the door. She heard the shower stopping. “I’m going to my room, tell me when you’re done alright?”

“Okay!” he shouted through the door and Athalya left his room to go to hers. She jumped in the shower, got dressed and found Joey sitting on her bed.

“Ready to go back downstairs?” she asked. Joey smiled.

“Yeah, I’m not cold anymore. Thanks.” He said, taking her hand. She smiled down at him and they both walked back downstairs, hands in hands.

When they walked outside, Mike had arrived. To anyone else, Athalya and Joey would have looked like a sister taking care of her younger brother. But the reality was different. Athalya was just a guest in this household.

“Lya, this is Mike…” said Adrienne, standing up.

Athalya smiled at her new nickname and turned to face the man, waving at him. She did not shy away like when she first met Billie Joe or Tré or Adrienne. She smiled brightly and greeted him.

“Hey Mike, you’re my favourite bass player.” She said, Joey still holding her hand.

“Nice…” he replied, smiling.

“Aren’t you going to swim again?” asked Billie Joe, still in the pool, resting his arms on the edge so he could see everyone. Tré Cool was nowhere in sight. He probably went to change.

“Nope, she’s going to play basketball with me!” said Joey, grinning.

Athalya cocked an eyebrow,

“Am I?” she asked.

“Yeap!” he said with a nod, and then pulled her towards the garage, where the basket was hung.

Athalya chuckled and followed Joey obediently. Billie Joe watched in awe as they both disappeared.

“Well, she does look like Haushinka…” commented Mike, taking a swig from his beer.

Billie Joe nodded.

“In a way, she does.”

“Who’s talking about Haushinka?” asked Tré Cool, before running and jumping into the pool.

“We are. We were just saying that Athalya does look like Shania, aka Haushinka.” Said Adrienne, watching the three men.

A weird mood settled in the group of friends, and Billie Joe clapped his hands together.

“I’m gonna throw Athalya into the pool…” he said with a devilish grin.