Restricted. B.E

Two

Billies pov

what the fuck just happened?

One second I'm driving across the bridge, blasting music, cussing out some guy who cut me off and the next I see this girl sitting on the damn ledge like she was about to fall off the face of the Earth. Legs dangling. Hair blowing. Like she was Frozen in time.

But of course I stopped I mean...No hesitation. I wasn't thinking i Just slammed the brakes, jumped out of the car, and ran to her like something inside me already knew.

I've seen some shit. I've done shit I'm not proud of. But I've never seen a human look that... hollow like there was nothing left.

She was beautiful in this weird, fragile, fucked-up kind of way. But it wasn't just that. It wasn't just about her face or her hair or how small she looked sitting there like a broken doll someone left behind.

It was the fact that no one else was stopping. Every other car blew through the street, without a single care. But I couldn't just let her fall. No fucking way.

Now she's here. In my car. Curled up like she's trying to disappear into the seat. Hoodie sleeves pulled down over her hands, eyes locked straight ahead, like if she doesn't blink, she won't cry.

She's trembling. Real deal actual fucking trembling.

I keep my eyes on the road, but I keep sneaking glances, making sure she's okay, like if I keep my eyes off her for too long she will disappear.

She looks like she hasn't slept in a week. Like she hasn't eaten in longer. Her face is pale, lips chapped, knuckles scraped like she's been gripping concrete. Her shoes don't even match. Her clothes are thin and dirty.

She looks about my age..she's just a kid.

"What's your name?" I ask, keeping my voice low, soft. I'm not good at soft, but I try my best.

She doesn't answer so i glance over at her once again and I see her mouth tighten, but she keeps her eyes forward.

"It's okay," I say quickly. "You don't have to tell me. Just figured I'd ask since im taking a stranger home"

I feel like an idiot.

She's not ready. I don't even think she can speak right now. She looks like a cornered animal... like if I reach for her, she'll bolt!

I grip the steering wheel a little tighter and keep driving. The silence is thick, but not necessarily awkward.

I want to say something but everything feels wrong. Like whatever I say will just make it worse.

And I know what that's like. When people try to talk too much and all you want is for them to shut the fuck up and leave you in your own fucked up silence, I get it.

So I don't talk. I just drive and shut the fucj up.

She's still shaking. Her arms are wrapped around her body like she's cold, but the heater's on. She's not cold. She's scared... again, I get it.

Ten minutes pass before we hit my street. I turn down the volume on the radio, it was already low, but now it's barely a whisper. I don't want to overwhelm her.

We pull up to my house, it isnt big. It's a one story house. It's my first house on my own. I park in the driveway and kill the engine.

I look over to her but she doesn't move... like she doesn't even blink.

I sit there with her for a second, heart pounding in my chest like I'm the one who just got pulled off a bridge.

"You okay?" I ask, and instantly regret it.

Of course she's not fucking okay. I smack my hand against my forehead.

She still doesn't speak. Just gives the tiniest shrug. Like she doesn't know how to say no out loud. Or maybe she's afraid to admit it.

I want to ask her a million things like...Where did she come from? How long has she been out there? What happened to her? Why did she want to jump? Why is she silent? Why didn't she know how to buckle up.

But I don't. Because I know that look. It's that "don't touch me, don't talk to me, just let me be" look.

"I'm not gonna ask questions. Not unless you want me to." I shrug.

Still nothing. But I think her shoulders relax a little. Not much. Just a lil fraction.

I huff and I step out of the car and walk around to her side. I open the door slowly, not too close, and step back a little, giving her space.

I can see she hesitates.

I than see her, like she's walking on glass, climb out. Doesn't make eye contact. Doesn't say thank you. She flinches a little when the door closes behind her.

I start walking up to my front door and she follows me up to the porch.

I unlock the door and hold it open for her. She steps inside like she's entering a haunted house. Eyes darting around, lips pressed together.

I want to say "Make yourself at home," but that feels stupid. This isn't her home. It's just shelter. Temporary.

I Just walk into the kitchen and flick the light on. "You want water? Food?"

She doesn't reply. She hovers in the hallway like a ghost.

I open the fridge and grab a bottle of water, holding it out to her like an offering.

She stares at it like I just handed her a bomb.

And then she slowly, silently, takes it.

Doesn't open it. Just holds it like she's scared it'll vanish.

My throat tightens a little at the sight. Poor girl.

"You can stay here tonight," I say quietly. "Spare room's clean. Sheets are fresh. You don't have to talk. You don't have to do anything."

Her eyes flick up to mine for half a second, barely long enough to register, but it hits me like a punch. Her eyes are blue.

Not just blue. Storm blue. Like the sky before lightning. Like she's full of thunder she's never been allowed to let out.

She nods. Just once, And that's enough.