Social Suicide

"Speak to me," Billie said into the phone and threw a pillow across at Tre. They'd decided to hang out that afternoon at Tre's house, since they had a break in their recording schedule, to hang out with Ramona and Frankito. Billie went along partly because he knew that Claudia would cook them dinner that night.

The older boys had come over thinking they'd play a little basketball or watch a little television. The two younger "Cool's" had different plans. They'd decided that a long drawn out pillow fight was called for considering that Ramona said that they had started one a few weeks before and never got to crown a winner.

"Hey Billie," the voice said, "It's Doug O'Brian."

"Hey Doug, what's up in Reprise land?" Billie asked knowing that the Reprise representative was probably calling him from the office even though it was the weekend.

"Nothing much, other than I got a call today from a certain modeling agency that wanted to confirm the invitation that was sent to one of its charges." He could tell that Doug was smiling with this one.

After the whole fiasco and reaming that he got from Rob and everyone around the Reprise office had been trying to smooth things over with the press while trying not to break any of the band's fans' hearts.

"Really?" Billie said. He was kind of surprised at the quick reaction. He'd thought that she'd resist a little more, but it seemed as if his plan really was working out.

He ducked as Frankito, the youngest of Tre's children, came over to hit him on the head. He held the phone away from his ear for a moment and looked at the little boy sternly. "Go get your dad. I have to talk to this guy real quick."

"Ah Billie!" Frankito whined then turned and ran back over to Tre.

"Don't leave me for too long with these two!" He called out.

Billie looked over to see Tre who had his daughter in a headlock, tickling the kid into a fit of laughter.

"I won't," Billie said with confidence. He put his ear to the phone again. "So Big D, what's with the plans for this little shin-dig?"

Doug laughed into the phone. "Well first off, she's asked for your cell number, but I thought I'd clear it with you before I gave it out."

"Yeah you can give it to her," Billie said with a laugh. He could imagine her getting pissed off and posting it on a bathroom wall or on the Internet, but figured he'd take the chance. He could always get the number changed if he needed to.

"So what else is going on?"

"Well according to her booking agent she'll be free the weekend of the ceremonies in New York. She lives in town so she'll be meeting you at the hotel and spending the evening with you. She plans to attend the party--"

"Are you reading this from a press release or something?" Billie asked. Doug was starting to sound like one of those Tele-marketers that didn't speak for themselves, just read from a script.

"Her agent sent me an email that was almost four pages long when I printed it out. I forwarded it to you by the way so you should check it out."

"Great. Another stupid contract to look over," he said with a sigh.

"It's the price you pay," Doug said.

"Anyway she'll be free the day of the ceremonies and the day after so she'll be there with you and at all the after parties. She refuses to do any press before hand, other than walking the carpet with the band, and she says that you have to pay for her hair and make-up expenses."

"I can deal with that," Billie said. He knew this was going to be an expensive endeavor, but it was worth it, just to see the look on her face when she had to follow him around like a puppy for the evening.

"What about her dress?"

"She currently is shopping for one, but she thinks she can get that for free so you won't have to worry about that."

"Look, I'll read over the rest of the email later and if I have problems I'll give you a call and we can work this out."

"Billie, it's a date for God's sake. You don't need a contract to take the girl out."

"You'd be surprised, Doug. It takes a lot more than just dinner and a movie to impress someone these days. Willa's just trying to make this so complicated that I'll want to back out."

"Well so far she's doing a good job of it. I'd back out if it were me." He laughed. "So what should I tell her people?"

"Tell them that I'll agree to whatever until further notice."

"Fine," Doug said.

Billie saw Frankito watching him and knew it was time to get off the phone. "Look. I have a pillow fight to get back to."

"Tell Ramona and Frankito to be nice to their dad. If that guy sprains anything I think legally Reprise can sue the little Rug-Rats!"

"Don't let Tre hear you call those kids that or you'll be the one being sued."
Doug laughed until Billie heard the phone click to the off position and silence filled the line.

[ Back in New York ]

Willa pushed the door open to the office building that she'd called home her first two months in New York. She had long since gotten passed using the place as a security blanket, but she still marveled in how it was almost like coming home when she walked through the front doors.

The modeling agency logos beamed at her as she clutched her bag to her side and held her little paper bag with her other hand. She felt some sense of pride as she walked by the receptionist who told her that Elena was at her desk if she wanted to go and talk to her.

She wove her way through the cubicles and filing cabinets and found Elena on the phone yacking away like she was sitting in her own home instead of in a crazy office.

Willa always admired Elena for that. She had been a model when she was younger, but now in her early forties, she still had the model looks with her long straight blond hair and blue eyes, but had been burned out on the business. She was now helping a lot of people in the agency get the right contacts. Willa's callbacks had doubled since Elena had taken over her bookings and although Willa knew that she got monetarily compensated for her work, Elena would rather eat Willa's grandmother's cookies than get paychecks any day.

When Elena saw her, she smiled then spoke into the phone, "I'll have to call you back on that. The travel arrangements should be made by tonight and you'll get your itinerary in the morning when you stop by."

Willa smiled at the face Elena made as the person on the other end of the phone spoke to her. Elena was making fun of the chatty person on the other end of the line by mouthing the words 'blah, blah, blah.'

"I know that you're nervous sweetie, but really, it's okay. Just trust me on this one."

A moment later the phone was back in its cradle.

"Do I have any messages Oh High Priestess of the Phones?" Willa asked.

"Not unless you brought me those cookies," Elena said.

Willa plopped her paper grocery bag onto Elena's desk and brought out the batch of cookies she'd made the night before and held out a thermos.

"I brought you cookies and coffee from Jake's."

"Ah, a woman after my own heart," Elena said pulling off her phone headset she pushed her chair back from her desk. "Let me get you a chair and we'll chat."

Willa nodded and waited as Elena left her cubicle for a moment, returning only a second later with a chair for her.

"So did you find that number I asked for?" Willa said.

"Yes, I talked to Doug O'Brian over at Reprise this morning and he sent along the number." Elena grabbed out a mug for coffee then flipped her date book a few pages then handed Willa a little card that said Billie's name and number on it.

"Thank you," Willa said taking the card she slid it into her jeans pocket and poured the coffee.

"You know what Willa? You're already ten times as popular as you were last week."

"What are you talking about?" Willa asked taking a cookie. She looked around for a moment to see if any of the higher management agents were around then stuffed the cookie into her mouth.

"Well I've gotten calls from almost every entertainment magazine wanting to get interview time with you. MTV called and said that they wanted you to tape an episode of House of Style, and the E network wants you to do a special for their new behind the scenes documentary show."

Not knowing whether to be shocked or happy Willa just smiled. "Wow."

"Honey, this is great for your career. Of course it's wow."

After she thought about it for a moment she almost hated the fact that she was more popular because of this. It wasn't that she couldn't use the extra PR help, but it meant that Billie had been right all along and she knew that she didn't want him to come out on top on this one.

"Don't look so distraught honey," Elena said. She ate a cookie then almost coughed it up. "I almost forgot to tell you. Amy called and left you a message. She just got back into town from being in Australia and wanted you to call her. She moved over into the Columbia district... " Elena leafed through some papers and pulled out a phone message sheet and handed it to her.

"I know you two haven't seen each other in a few months but the girl sounded like she missed you."

"Good old Amy. She leaves the country for four months and doesn't leave a number for me," Willa smiled.

"I still can't believe that the two of you are so successful now. It's crazy to think that this time last year you both were huddled in that horrible apartment with the other girls just trying to make ends meat and now look at you both. Amy is successful in her acting and modeling and you are about to hit the big time with this whole 'Billie thing'."

"This whole 'Billie thing' isn't going to bring me much," she said, "I've worked hard and that's why I've gotten successful, not because I'm going to be linked to some superstar's arm for a few award shows."

"Whatever you say honey. Either way the two of you are more famous than I ever expected you to be."

"Thanks for the confidence vote, Elena."

"Oh you know what I mean," Elena said.

"Yeah, whatever."

"Well anyway honey, I'd love to stop and chat, but work is calling my name," Elena said as the phone rang. "You give your boy a call and make plans and if I don't see you before the VMA's have a good time and enjoy whatever comes with it."

"I'll try Elena, I'll try."

[ VMA's ]

The vehicle slowed to a stop and the ten occupants in the back of the limousine stared out the window.

"Wow!" Tre said looking out on the far side of the car.

Everyone was there. Green Day and their dates, her being one of them, Jason White, Freese and Ronny Blake. It was an experience in the ride over, with lots of boogers and spitting. Her and Billie had stayed mute to eachother throughout most of the drive.

Willa sat for a moment staring at the group of people across the street. It seemed to be the same kind of crowd that showed up at TRL the day she was there, except tonight everyone was dressed up. They were screaming loudly and as the door opened she prayed that she would be able to get through the night okay.

Everyone began piling out dressed to the nines. The women all had on fashionable dresses and skirts provided by some of the biggest names in fashion. The men wore a mix of casual and dressy clothes that left them looking like models, but kept them feeling comfortable.

As Willa slid across the seat towards the exit of the car a hand was offered to her. She looked up and saw Billie smiling at her nervously.

"You ready?" he asked as she stepped out.

She nodded and smoothed the short skirt down in the back as she got to her feet. The screams of the crowd got louder and camera flashes began to snap as the MTV cameras appeared before them and began filming. She groaned at the attention.

She loved being who she was, but she'd never dealt with the kind of attention that was focused on her at the moment. She still didn't understand how she'd gotten talked into agreeing to go with him to the MTV Music Video Awards, but somehow there they were and the world was definitely watching them.

Billie slid an arm around her and stood for a moment so that people could take pictures. They were on the far side of the car from most of the fans, but that didn't stop them from snapping away. He then reached for her hand and helped her up the set of steps that lead to a platform where everyone was supposed to stop and wave to the crowd.

There was a flash of activity around her as people ran back and forth and the MTV representative greeted them and tried to explain, over the sounds of the crowd, what the agenda for the evening would be. They first would pose for pictures then the reporters would ask questions then everyone would go inside and find their seats.

A moment later, as the group lead the way, Willa stepped up the step and everyone waved to the fans across the street and the guys clowned around for the cameras for a moment before they stepped down the far side of the platform.

Willa had no experience with this sort of thing and watched the other girls in the group and followed their example. They stood with their men, but didn't try to get any of the attention. It was a humbling experience to say the least.

They were guided onto the red carpet that was in a U shape going down the block and coming back so that all the reporters could get their pictures before the groups of people got to go into the building for the ceremony.

Billie had a hold of her hand and didn't really speak to her as they walked. She found it strange since the others all seemed to be enjoying themselves. When they stopped to talk to some reporters the guys left their sides and huddled around the reporter and camera. Willa clutched her purse and adjusted the weight on her feet from one foot to the other hoping that they wouldn't be on their feet for too long. Her shoes were fashionable, but not functional and she needed to sit down.

Billie soon returned and slid an arm around her waist as they proceeded down the carpet. She was enjoying the attention that she got standing by his side and feeling the warmth of his arm around her was more comforting that uncomfortable. Besides, he smelled nice and looked nice and she knew that she was causing over a million girls to be jealous, which she usually didn't pay attention to, but that night it made her feel special.

Billie's arm slid a little on her back and she found that his hand had found itself to a place it shouldn't have been.

"Get your hand off my ass," she said and stepped on his toe.

"Willa! Billie!" A group of reporters called as flashes went off.

"Damn Willa. This isn't supposed to be torture. Just smile and look at the cameras," he said through his smile. He moved his foot away from where she was digging into his toe.

"Remind me to wear steel toe boots next time."

"Billie! Willa!" Another reporter called out to them. "Tre! Mike! Sarah! Jason!" The yells got louder and louder the longer they stood there.

"Billie if you don't get your hand off my ass right now I'm going to throw a fit in front of all these reporters and smack you," Willa warned him leaning close so that the bystanders of the situation would think she was telling him something private.

He moved his hand and leaned and kissed her cheek then leaned and whispered, "Don't you dare throw a fit Willa." He looked over at Mike and Sarah who were staring at him. They must have noticed the tension between the two of them, not that it wasn't hard to see.

"Why not Billie? They've said everything else about me. Why shouldn't they talk about what a bitch I am? That's what you wanted."

Billie stared at her for a moment. "That's not what I wanted at all."

They moved down the red carpet and found where the MTV News people had their cameras set up. They'd been informed on the way over that they would do the red carpet thing then have a short interview with MTV News. The representative that had greeted them at the car steered them to a waiting area while Blink 182 finished their little interview.

When Dave Holmes ushered them up onto the platform the three members of Green Day detached themselves from their dates, leaving Willa in a group with the other girlfriends and the other three members.

"Willa, come on up here," Dave yelled.

Willa looked at the others and made her way up to the group. Dave was about to start the interview then asked, "Why don't you step over and stand with Billie?"

Willa shrugged and moved so that she was between him and Mike.

Billie stood next to Willa, but kept his arm from around her. He knew that the reporters had gotten what they wanted from the earlier shots and he didn't want to push his luck with her. After the whole hand thing a moment before he knew that he had to be on good behavior or everything would blow up in his face.
Crossing his arms over his chest he let his hand brush her arm from its hidden spot under his armpit. He leaned over.

"This should be over in a few minutes," he said.

"Really it's not a problem." She smiled.

As they came back from commercial Dave began the interview. "So this is a new year for all of you. Are we going to see some surprises this year from your performance?"

"You'll definitely be surprised," Tre said with a cocky smile.

"It's not anything you've seen before," Mike added.

Dave smiled then moved onto the next question. "The new video is up for seven awards tonight, with an extra for you guys. Willa, this being your first video, are you nervous about bringing home an award?"

"I'm not nervous at all," she said with a smile. "I mean I just did some acting. It's the director, Sam, and these guys' job to be nervous. I'm just along for the ride."

"And what a ride it's been... " Dave said, "So I take it that you and Billie are together again seeing that you showed up tonight."

Billie swallowed hard and prayed that Willa wouldn't mess up what they'd agreed on saying earlier in the day. They'd spoken over the phone four times in the last week trying to figure out how to present themselves to the press. They hadn't been seen together in almost four months and it was going to cause issues with a lot of people to see them in public again.

Willa glanced at Billie for a moment then said, "Yes. We've had a rough few months... " She looked at him and smiled. "It's been sort of that Ben Affleck-Gwenyth Paltrow-on again-off again sort of thing, but yeah we're back together now."

Billie held his breath as she spoke. She was flawless in her little speech and she even seemed relaxed. She was playing off the camera and Dave perfectly.

"Ah... troubled love," Dave said with a laugh and said, "Well good luck this evening guys. I hope that everything goes well for the evening and I'm sure we'll be seeing you all around the TRL set in a few months seeing that your new single just came out and I'm sure you'll be bringing by a new video."

"Definitely," Mike said.

"We're shooting the new video next month so you should be seeing it in about eight or ten weeks," Billie said.

As they pulled away to commercial everyone shook hands with Dave then stepped down again and reentered the long red carpet. They were half way through the line and would be finding their seats soon.

Billie saw Willa shiver as the wind picked up. "You cold?" he asked.

"No," she said stubbornly.

"Jesus Christ, Willa, you don't have to be that stubborn. I may be an asshole in your eyes, but I'm not going to let you freeze to death out here on the street."

"I didn't think it would be this windy. I look great but I'm like a Popsicle."

Billie slid out of his leather jacket and slid it over her shoulders. "Just don't steal it. My cell phone is in there."

"I won't," she said and stuck her arms through the sleeves then took his hand again.

"See I told you this would work out," he said and leaned and kissed her on the lips.

"We get along just fine."

[ Inside ]

When he heard someone's phone going off he thought to look for his, but remembered that it was in his pocket with Willa. The people around him were staring at him and finally a woman behind him leaned over the chair and said, "I think it's in her purse."

"Ah yeah," Billie said and grabbed the purse.

Everyone had been told to turn off their cell phones during the ceremony, but she must have forgotten to do it before she'd disappeared at the commercial break to use the restroom.

"Willa's phone," Billie answered the call.

"Willa?" the voice asked.

"Ah, no. Does it sound like it?" he said and laughed. He wondered if the person would know it was him. He was glad to hear that it was a girl. He might have picked up when Brennan called and he didn't want to even begin to imagine how that conversation might go.

"Where's Willa? Who is this?"

"Well who is this?" he asked.

"I asked you first." The woman's voice came out with attitude much like Willa's.

"This is Billie," he said with a laugh.

"Oh my God. Armstrong?"

"Ah, yeah that would be me," he said and flashed a smile to the woman who'd pointed out Willa's purse to him.

"Oh my God! She really is dating you! I'd heard from the papers that you two were together, but I didn't believe it. I thought I'd never see that day that--" the voice cut off suddenly. "Is she there?"

"She's in the ladies room at the moment, I think." Billie scratched his head. Was it appropriate for him to announce where she was? He hoped that it wasn't someone too important on the line. He'd already done enough damage with his first announcement and he didn't want to do the same thing with another one.

"Do you want to leave a message?" He asked.

"Tell her to call Amy as soon as she can." Billie could hear her giggling. "I have to tell her something important."

"Ok Amy, I'll tell her."

"Where are you guys right now?" the female voice asked.

Billie looked around. "In the middle of the Metro Opera House."

"Opera?"

He laughed. Whoever Amy was, she sure didn't live in New York. Everyone knew that the awards were on that night. It was on billboards and the sides of buses all over the city.

"We're at the VMA's."

"OH MY GOD!" the girl yelled into the phone. "You're at them right now?"

"Yes," he said, "Do you have any messages for anyone here?"

"Oh, no." More giggling filled the line. "Just tell Willa she'd better call me."

"I will." Billie hung up the phone without saying goodbye and stuffed the phone back into the bag that Willa had left in the chair when she'd gone out.

The show came back from commercial break and everyone settled into the chairs. Billie was about to sneak out and try to find Willa when she suddenly appeared and brushed past him to sit down into her seat.

"You okay?" he asked leaning over. He touched her hand and squeezed it.

"Yeah, the line was a bitch." She smiled and turned her head to the host who was about to introduce the next presenters.

"Your phone rang a while ago."

"Who called?" she asked.

"Someone named Amy," he said.

"Shh!" Tre said from next to them. He was looking at them like he was the responsible one in the group, which Billie knew for a fact was a joke.

"AND THE WINNER IS GREEN DAY!"

Billie glanced up from where they were leaned towards each other talking and was shocked to find the camera in his face.

"Well get up you idiots!" Willa said and pulled him up and hugged him as the rest of the group made their way to the stage. "Congratulations," Willa whispered and planted a kiss on him before he could pull away.

Billie left her side reluctantly. He held onto her hand until the last possible moment then let go of her fingers and walked up the isle and up the steps to join the others at the podium.

Mike was already making the speech. "No way! We'd like to thank Sam and everyone who worked on the video.."

"And Willa for looking so damn hot!" Tre yelled from the back.

Everyone laughed and Billie watched Willa scrunch down in her seat and cover her face as a Cameraman stuck a camera in her face. The shot of her was up on the big screen above the stage when he looked up. It was obvious that she wasn't happy with all the attention.

Before he could dwell on what Tre had said Mike broke out in a little song and did a dance, "We got a moon-man we got a moon-man."

Everyone laughed as they went off the stage and the next presenter came out across the stage. Billie glanced out into the crowd before he disappeared backstage and saw Willa had returned to sitting normally in her chair. He caught eye contact with her and smiled. She waved and was surprised to find her blowing him a kiss.

The guys would be heading to talk to the press. Billie liked to call it "The Line-Up" since it seemed like they were just thrown questions. They weren't as extreme as the whole 'where-were-you-on-the-night-of-so-and-so', but it was fairly rapid fire while they tried to get a sound-bite or a picture.

Billie didn't listen to the questions until he heard his name mentioned. The reporter shouted out something about him and Willa. "Let's just keep this focused on the video," he said, "That's what we're here for."

Another set of questions was thrown their way and then the guys were rushed into the backstage area. Billie found the clothes that had been sent over with the other wardrobe stuff. He was handed a black shirt and a red tie, wow. They had to perform "Blvd of Broken Dreams" for four minutes and as he sat down to untie his shoes and let his mind go over the routine in his head.

Billie threw his shoes in the tiny locker next to Tre's and slid out of his pants.
Pulling on his pants he did up his belt and then slid out of his shirt and pulled on the black shirt before looking for the infamous red tie.

Billie leaned over to grab the guitar that was being held out to him. Not his usual guitar, but It'll do. He had been working with it anyways.

Kelly, a worker backstage, had entered the room now that they boys were half dressed and was helping them hang up the clothes they'd first been in. When she got to Billie she looked him in the eye and with a slight smile said, "Breathe. It's only four minutes."

"I'm not nervous."

"Sure and the pope isn't Catholic," Kelly said.

"He's from the bible belt. I don't think he knows who the Pope is," Mike said with a laugh.

"Whatever," Billie responded.

"He's nervous because his GIRL-FRIEND is out there!" Tre said jumping up and down and pointing at Billie.

"I'm not the circus sideshow guys, Jesus!"

"You kiss your mother with that mouth?" Kelly asked then laughed as she left the boys alone in the room.

They went through their normal pre-show rituals. Billie looked around and grabbed Jason White's face and pulled him into a kiss and then stood and waited for the MTV representative to come and get them and bring them to the stage.

"Don't screw with your guitar, Billie, or you're going to fuck it up." Mike warned as the Billie kept messing with the tune.

"It's going to be fine," he said.

Billie kept his mouth shut, but was finding that his mouth was getting dry. He walked over to a cooler that had been left in the room and grabbed out a water. He was about to take a drink when the door burst open and the MTV representative came in yelling at them that they needed to get going. Billie slammed down a drink of water and had just enough time to put the cap back and to throw the bottle into the container again before Mike grabbed his arm and dragged him out into the hallway.

The next ten minutes of Billie's life went by in a flash. They were lead to their starting spots and about five minutes later they were back stage again. A standing ovation was rewarded at the end of the in-synched last note. The performance had gone great and everyone was telling them how good they'd done. Kelly was even excited as she went with them back to the dressing room.

"Okay guys we need to get you back out there. If you want to change then get to it," She said, "Meet me out in the hall in five minutes."

Billie got changed and was out in the hallway in enough time to go with the others back to their seats.

"Wow!" Willa greeted him when he sat back down.

"Thanks," he said. "Nice, huh?" He watched the stage for a moment then felt her arm curl through his.

"That was great," she said and leaned and kissed his cheek.

Billie stared at her for a moment. "What was that for?"

"Don't all your dates kiss you?" she asked and turned and watched the next presenter.

"Ah yeah," he said and turned his head to watch the stage.

"All my girlfriends are just like you." It was said with heavy sarcasm, but he didn't think she even heard him

When the final music played announcing the end of the show Willa was ready to go. She'd had just about enough of the whole music video scene. Everyone had been nice to her, but she felt out of place there because she kept thinking that people were making comments about her being there with Billie.

The row of people associated with Green Day stood up. Everyone stretched, like people do when they're getting up from a long movie and Billie looked down the line. "Where are we headed to guys?"

"Party, party, party." Tre started to do the cabbage patch, which made Willa laugh. Jason Freese did a little dance too, as if he was trying to compete with Tre.

Tre's girlfriend laughed at him then turned to Willa, and finally, after almost four hours of utter silence spoke to her. "Do you think we can change dates for the night?"

"Don't you dare Willa," Billie said and slipped an arm around her. "She's taken."

Laura, Tre's date, made a face at Billie and Willa curled into his hug. She didn't know if it was for show or not, but she was going to enjoy the attention while it lasted. She'd decided about half way through the show that she was going to have as much fun as she could at the after-parties, even if it meant playing along to whatever scheme he had planned for them.

The show had been great and the guys had won the awards that they'd come to win, including Viewer's Choice, which was a big accomplishment. Everyone was in a party mood, and although things between she and Billie seemed tense she hoped that the party atmosphere would ease tension. She knew that she could use a good stiff drink to take the edge of and hoped that after everyone got out of the stuff theater atmosphere that they would act like normal people.

Mike led the way a moment later and the others followed them out to where the limo was waiting. People were on the streets again cheering, but no one seemed to notice as they all piled back into the limo.

The limo took off without instructions and soon Willa found herself back at the Ritz. The car ride there had been filled jokes and kidding around. Willa sat for most of it with Billie's arm around her as everyone sang along to the songs on the radio.

She only moved away from Billie when Tre decided that he was going to stick his head out the sunroof, which landed her next to Mike for a moment, who sang a Backstreet Boys' song purposely off key in her ear.

She didn't understand why they'd returned to the hotel since everyone had been so excited about going out for the evening then Billie explained in the elevator.

"The guys and I are going to take showers then we'll head over to Planet Hollywood and go from there. There are huge parties tonight so I hope you're ready for a late one."

Willa nodded and noticed how he still had a hold of her hand even though he didn't need to be since it was just the group in the elevator. He'd taken it when they'd gotten out of the car at the curb and had never let go.

The group in the elevator soon unloaded and everyone went running for their rooms. Billie dragged Willa along and once inside the hotel room started to strip out of his clothes. "Hang out and watch TV while I take a shower then we'll go and celebrate."

Willa didn't know what else to do so instead of watching him undress she searched for the remote and flipped the television on, quickly finding a movie to watch while she listened to him bang around in the bathroom until she heard the shower go on.

It was hard to do, but Willa kept her eyes on the television even when she noticed that the door was cracked open a little. She could hear the sound of the water splashing down in the shower and soon she heard a sound. For a moment she thought that Billie was talking to himself for something, but she soon heard him singing.

Thinking quickly Willa went to the door and pushed it open. She couldn't see him behind the shower curtain, but she surely could hear him. She stifled a laugh as he started to sing the sappy love song that he'd chosen to listen to on the way over to the VMA's. She had liked the song that had been on the radio, but Billie was putting his own humorous twist on the song.

"Tell me that you live for love
That forever is never enough
That you wanted all your life to see
That you want so badly to believe
Tell me that it's not just me."

When he held the last word out for a few seconds she burst into laughter. She knew she was in trouble when he slid the shower curtain back so that his head could stick out and stare at her.

"What are you doing in here?" he asked.

"Enjoying my own private concert," she said, "I just have a question for you."
Billie wiped soap out of his face and wrapped the shower curtain around him a little.

"Now?" he asked.

"Yes now," she said.

He gave her an annoyed look. "What is it?"

"Who sings that song?" she asked trying to hold back a laugh. She'd waited to use this one on someone good and it was perfect for him.

"I have no idea," he said, "Why?"

"Leave it to whoever it is," she said and grabbed the towels closest to him and ran out of the room laughing.

"Damn it Willa bring me back those towels!" he yelled a moment later.

She was already out into the room and was trying to figure out how to hide the towels so that he couldn't get them. She didn't expect that he would come out of the shower, but when she heard a strange noise coming from the bathroom she turned towards the door.

Billie was standing there wrapped in the shower curtain. She backed away from him for a moment with the towels still in her hands then watched as he tried to corner her. She took a step the other way from him and got past him.

"Willa, just give me the damn towel or we're going to be late."

"So we'll take a taxi," she said and backed towards the door that led to the hallway. She watched him for a moment and said, "What? Is Mr. Green Day a little sensitive about his singing abilities?"

"Whatever Willa. Give me the towel back."

"No," she said with a smile. She backed up some more when Billie came towards her.

All of a sudden Willa seemed to notice something, not that she hadn't seen it before, but he was standing there half-naked in front of her. She'd seen him before without a shirt on, but now she was standing there in front of him, alone, with him half clothed and she found herself not wanting to look at him. Not that she was at all disgusted by him, but because she thought she'd start to blush if she did look him in the eyes.

"What?" he asked.

"Nothing," she said and stared at him for a moment longer.

"Then stop staring and give me the towel."

Her eyes strayed down his stomach and she found herself not able to look at any part of him that didn't make her blush.

"Stop drooling Willa and give me the damn towel."

Billie stepped forward and grabbed onto the towel in her right hand. He pulled her towards him and tried to get it out of her grasp. When she went to readjust her hold on the thing she caught part of the shower curtain in her grasp and although Billie was only fighting her with one hand while the other hand was on the edge of the shower curtain.

There was a knock on the door just then and Willa turned to step out of the way, but ended up pulling the towel, and the shower curtain with her leaving Billie standing naked and wet as the door flew open.

Willa was half behind the door and could hear a scream of laughter erupt in the hall. She looked through the crack and it seemed as if the whole group was standing there watching Billie as he slammed the door shut.

Willa immediately threw the towel to him. "I'm sorry," she said with a laugh. "I'm sorry."

He grabbed the towel up and wrapped it around himself and stomped into the room. Willa could still hear the laughter in the hallway and knew she was going to get it for this one, but somehow the situation was extremely funny and she couldn't help but to laugh along with the people outside the door.

That was until Billie grabbed up some clothes and stomped his way into the bathroom, slamming the door in her face when she tried to stop him so that she could apologize again.

[ Two days later ]

"What'd you do then?" Amy asked between laughs.

"What could I have done? I tried to apologize, but he wouldn't let me."

"So is that when he turned into the asshole?" Amy asked.

"Well he was always an asshole. This is when he grabbed me."

"Grabbed you?" Amy was just as shocked as Willa had been when it happened.
"Well it didn't come out of nowhere... "

[ Flash back ]

Billie returned to the hotel room from the bathroom with a scowl on his face. He'd gotten dressed and had his black hair a mess, like always.

Willa was sitting on the bed in front of the television, but turned to look at him when he came out. He avoided eye contact with her.

"I'm, I'm really sorry about that Billie," Willa stuttered out.

"Save it."

"But, I really didn't plan for that to happen. What happened to all those stories I've heard of you.." she said.

Billie took a breath. "This is different! Get your fucking purse and meet me in the hallway."

[ Present ]

"You let him talk to you like that?" Amy interrupted the telling of the story.

"No, I didn't let him. It came out of his mouth before I think he even realized he was saying it."

[ Flash back ]

She tensed up then pushed herself into a standing position. She didn't move, just looked at him with this disappointment in her eyes. Her whole body looked relaxed except for the strange hard look on her face.

"Now," he said through his teeth as he ground his jaw around angrily.
She continued to stare as she blindly grabbed for his jacket on the bed then for her purse that was next to it.

"Leave the fucking jacket." Billie stalked over to her, ripped the jacket out of her hands before she could put it down then grabbed out his cell phone from where it was in the pocket. He threw the jacket back on the bed.

"That--"

"Save it Willa," he spat out at her cutting her off before she could finish. He looked around the room then went and found the room key. He didn't make eye contact with her.

"I'm not in the mood to hear it."

He went to the closet and grabbed out his black leather jacket and threw the coat on before stuffing the phone into the pocket of the new jacket then caught Willa staring at him again he pointed to the door.

"Move it or lose it."

[ Present ]

"You should really take this story to the press Willa, he sounds awful," Amy said.

"I can't," Willa said.

"Why not?" Amy asked.

"I'll explain it later... just listen to the story for now.

"Fine."

[ Flash back ]

Willa's eyes were wide with fear, but she followed his orders. She made her way to the door and opened it for them. Billie walked up behind her, and for a moment their hands touched on the doorknob.

[ Present ]

"Please tell me you didn't kiss him."

"Of course not," Willa said, "Now are you going to let me finish?"

[ Flash back ]

In the hallway Billie turned and made sure the door was locked then grabbed Willa's hand to pull her along to where the group was watching them. She was stumbling behind him in her heels and almost fell once, but his grip on her wouldn't let her topple over.

"That was rude," she finally said and pulled her hand away from him. "I almost fell back there."

"Look," Billie said and grabbed her hand back. "This isn't how I'd love to spend my evening, but since you are here and everyone is expecting us to be there together you'd better act the part."

"Which part would that be?" she asked. "The girlfriend or the prisoner?"

"Give up the dramatics Willa," He said with a sigh.

"Dramatics?" she screamed at him. "You haven't seen anything yet!"

[ Present ]

"You go girl!" Amy yelled.
"Stop it Amy. I need to finish the story."