Changed
"Wait," Esther called just before Mac closed the door. "What about breakfast?"
"I don't have time." Mac lied.
"Well at least take a muffin with you." she insisted. Mac accepted it then smiled
"Thanks." Esther waved and then walked back to the kitchen. Mac glanced at her watch and then noticed if she didn't hurry she would be late. There's never enough time she frowned as she walked down the steps. The driver opened the limousine door for her and she climbed in. She settled into the leather seat and then sighed as the limo began to move. Mac watched the scenery through the tinted windows and her mind wandered. 'How did my life get so unhappy?' she wondered. 'How did I end up so alone?' She did have Raul and Rianna but they had each other, they would be fine without her. And she still talked to Billy, but he had Brittany, so he didn't need her either. So she really was alone! 'Where did things go wrong?' she wondered. 'Who was she kidding?' She knew exactly where things went wrong. She could explain it in one word. Prom! That had been the night her life had it taken another path. At times she was happy with that path, but at other times she wondered where that other path would have taken her. Would have she been happier? But all she could do was wonder, for she couldn't change the past! She didn't regret loving Billy, her only regret was she couldn't stop loving him. Even now, even after he'd hurt her, she wanted him more than ever. He meant everything to her, but he always seemed just out of her reach, somehow he always had, even when they were together. Tears slid down her cheeks as she remembered those summer afternoons in their place. They seemed like forever ago, all just a dream. But she knew in her heart they'd last forever, she'd keep them locked away for only her to see. Suddenly the limo stopped and her mind snapped back to the present. 'Time to put on the smile,' she thought. 'Another day, another act!' The driver opened the door and Mac stepped out. She smiled at him and then hurried through the falling rain into the school where in her heart she hoped she'd see him even if it was only for a second, that was always enough for her.
That same morning Billy rolled over in bed and groaned at the sound of his alarm. He looked at the clock and groaned again, six o'clock time to rise and shine. He slid out of his sheets and then walked over to his dresser. He pulled out a pair of boxers and an undershirt and then walked across the room to his bathroom. As he turned on his shower he sighed thinking of what his day would bring. As he thought of someone, he shook his head trying to erase the image from his brain. He quickly undressed and climbed into the shower, allowing the hot water to run down his firm body. He breathed in the warm steam and tried to relax as he washed his hair and body, but it was no use. He quickly turned off the stream of water and dried himself with a towel. When he stepped out of the shower he slipped into his boxers and undershirt and then stared at his reflection in the mirror. 'Why do I do this to myself?' he wondered as the imaged passed before his eyes again. He shook his head once more and then ran his fingers through his hair. He added some gel and quickly shaved. Then he walked back into his room walking over to his closet trying to find something to wear. Finally he found a pair of khaki pants and a black sweater. 'That'll do,' he thought bleakly. He dressed quickly and slipped on a pair of black leather boots. As he glanced in the mirror above his dresser again he strapped on his silver watch and then grabbed his coat and bag before heading down the hall. When he reached the bottom of the stairs, Mamie was waiting for him with a banana and a bagle.
"What would I do without you?" he asked with a slight grin.
"Starve most likely," she replied as she hugged him. "Have a good day at school Billy!"
"I will!" he called as he grabbed his keys and then headed out to his jeep. As he pulled out of the driveway he let his mind wander and his thoughts traveled back to a time when he was actually happy. A time when he'd loved someone more than he really knew was possible. 'Why am I thinking about this?' he wondered. 'That part of my life is over.' No matter how hard he tried to deny it, Billy knew he was kidding himself, he'd always love Mac! He always would! No matter what anyone said, he would always hold her in his heart forever! 'Why can't I just be happy with Britany? She cares about me. She and I have alot in common! So why can't I be happy with her?' he asked himself. He knew exactly why, he still loved Mac! He always would! "D***!" he hissed. "It's over, she don't want anything to do with you." 'Was it really over?' he had to wonder because when he looked her in the eye, he saw the old flame burning in her soul. 'I can't give up,' he thought. 'There's always hope!' He knew little by little he and Mac were regaining their closeness, but he also knew he couldn't push her. He had to be careful or he could lose her all over again. Suddenly the school came into view and Billy's attention snapped back to his driving. He parked his jeep in front of the school and as he climbed out he saw Mrs. C's limousine pull up in front of the school. He held his breath as Mac stepped out and stared up at the school. 'She's beautiful,' he thought with a smile as he watched her climb the steps and disappear inside. 'We'll be together again beautiful,' he thought as he locked and closed his door. He hurried across the parking lot hoping to catch another glimpse of her before class.
Mac walked through the double front doors and sighed heavily to herself. 'Another day,' she thought. As she pushed her way through the crowded hallway, she smiled at several people she knew. Finally she reached her locker and touched the dial. '18....32...16,' she thought as she spun the dial. The locker clicked open and Mac quickly shoved her leather bag inside. Then she grabbed her History book and binder before shutting the door. As she spun around she collided with something solid and her books slipped from her hands, slipping across the dirty floor. As she stumbled backwards, strong arms caught her around the waist to catch her. She glanced up into a surprised, but gentle face.
"Billy!" she gasped inwardly. He didn't remove his arms from around her wait and his deep blue eyes spoke volumes, more than he really knew or intended. He smiled down at her and suddenly she realized what position they were in. She stepped away and bent down to pick up her books.
"Here, let me help you." he offered as he crouched down next to her. They both reached for her textbook and electricity shot through them as their hands touched. Mac snapped back and Billy struggled to hold her gaze. "Here," he finally said as he stood back up handing her the book. "Sorry about that, I thought you knew I was behind you!"
"My mind was somewhere else." she replied with a slight smile.
"I could see that." he teased. Mac blushed and then pushed a lock of hair nevously behind her ear. "So..." he started to say. Mac looked at him waiting for him to continue but he didn't. They just stared at one another. "Look Mac," he finally began. "I've been meaning to talk to you."
Mac looked at him with a question in her eyes and asked, "About what?"
"Hey you two!" Raul called from down the hall. He walked up to them wearing jeans, a black sweater, and black boots. He smiled at Mac and then said, "Am I interrupting something?"
"Ah no," Billy lied. "I was just heading off to find Brittany."
"You sure?" Raul asked.
"Yeah, I'll catch you guys later." Billy replied. Mac watched sadly as Billy walked off down the hall without a glance back. 'I wonder what he wants to talk about?' she asked herself. 'It sounds important.'
"I was interrupting something wasn't I?" Raul asked breaking through her thoughts..
"No we were just talking." she insisted.
"Still..." Raul's voice trailed off. "I get the feeling he wanted to say something ."
"I don't think so," Mac lied as she walked into the study lab. "He was just saying hi."
"Well anyway he better just watch what he does." Raul stated as he followed her.
"Why would you say that?" Mac asked curiously.
"If Brittany saw the two of you talking alone, she'd flip her lid!" he warned.
"She knows Billy and I are just friends, besides we were just talking."
"If you say so, but watch out. You know how she can get and you don't need anyone else on your back!" Raul replied.
"You're right about that." Mag agreed seriously.
"Has Jill been harassing you again?" he asked with a worried expression.
"No," Mac replied thankfully. "We've been keeping our distance! But anything could set that woman off!"
"Well just be careful," Raul answered as he sat down at a computer. "She's capable of doing anything!"
"Don't you think I know that?" Mac snapped.
"I just worry about you." Raul replied quietly.
"I know but I hate everything about that woman!" Mac glared. "She gives me a headache!" Raul smiled and stood up.
"I have to go get to class." he replied.
"Yeah me too," Mac agreed. "But I'll see you in Chemistry." Raul waved and Mac watched him disappear down the hall. Mac flopped down in one of the chairs and let her thoughts wonder. Jill hadn't given her any trouble for several weeks, in fact she couldn't remember the last time they'd spoken. Not that she was complaining, the less she spoke to Jill the better, but Jill was capible of anything and the slightest thing could set her off! 'Just avoid her,' Mac told herself. Mac's thoughts drifted back to Billy just as the bell rang, so she pushed him out of her mind and headed slowly down the hall to class.
Billy walked slowly away from Mac and Raul silently cursing himself. 'You should have told him you were talking about something private,' Billy told himself. 'Then what would he have thought?' Billy reached his locker and twisted the dial, '12...32...27' it clicked open and Billy unzipped his bag and pulled out his Algebra and History books, placing them on the shelf. 'Who cares what he would have thought?' he argued with himself. 'He has no claims on Mac!' Suddenly he felt arms encircle his waist and he frowned slightly before turning around with a bright smile.
"Morning sweetie," Brittany purred. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah like a log," he laughed. "You?"
"Ah okay I guess," she replied. "I had really weird dreams though."
"About?" he asked.
"Us," she replied. "Like something was going to happen to us."
"Really?" he asked with interest.
"Yeah but I am sure it meant nothing," Brittany explained. "Anyway I saw Mac and Raul in a heated conversation in the study lab, I wonder what it was about?"
"Who knows." he lied.
"Yeah with those two it could be anything." Brittany agreed. Billy turned back to his locker and pulled out his Chemistry book.
"You ready for class?" he asked.
"I have to stop by my locker first," she replied with a smile. "Walk with me?"
"Sure." he answered. Brittany looped her arm through his and they walked off down the hall. 'Why does she insist on acting as if I am her property?' he wondered. 'It's like she's guarding her territory.'
"Are you okay?" she asked when they reached her locker.
"Yeah I was just thinking." he replied still not paying full attention.
"Billy is there something you want to talk about?" she questioned. "I feel like you're keeping your distance this morning."
"It's nothing," he lied. "I am just thinking about a test in History today."
"Are you sure?" she asked as she exchanged some books.
"Positive!" he snapped. Brittany looked startled but Billy said nothing more. 'Way to go Abbott,' he snarled to himself. 'Blow everything!' Brittany pasted on a fake smile and then closed her locker.
"Ready?" she asked.
"Yeah come on." he replied. This time she didn't touch him, just walked along beside him toward their class. They walked in and found their seats, which just happen to be across the room from each other. Billy sat down by the window just as the bell rang and then pulled out his binder.
"Today class ....." was the last thing he heard because when he glanced out the window, he saw Mac across the courtyard in another classroom sitting by the window. 'Why did I never notice her before?' he wondered. He watched her carefully and he knew she was deep in thought, obviously not thinking of class. 'I wonder what she's thinking about?' he thought. 'Me?' Billy shook his head, that was a long stretch. 'She's probably thinking about her argument with Raul that Brit saw,' he told himself.
"Mr. Abbott?" the teacher asked.
"Here!" he called out.
"That wasn't the answer I was looking for." the teacher frowned.
"Sorry Mr. Paine," Billy blushed. "What was the question?"
"What is the answer to number seven of last night's homework?"
"Ah, oxygen?" Billy answered.
"Correct," Mr. Paine replied. "Now maybe we can hold your attention for the rest of the class period?" Billy smiled and nodded his head. "Wonderful. Now Mellissa what's......" Mr. Paine began. Billy looked out the window and locked his eyes with Mac's across the courtyard. They both smiled then looked away. 'Wow!' he thought. 'She is so beautiful!' He glanced back at her and thought, 'Maybe she was thinking of me!'
"Mr. Abbott are you still with us?" the teacher asked. Billy snapped his head to look at the teacher and nodded. "Good." Mr. Paine replied. Billy sat up and looked across the room at Brittany who was staring dreamily at him. She smiled and he looked back at the front of the room. 'This is going to be a long day,' he thought.
Mac walked into her History class and noticed there was a new seating chart sitting on the front desk. She scanned it for her name and found she would be sitting next to the window. 'Great,' she thought with a smile. 'A change of scenery.' She sat down in her seat and then waited for the bell to ring while she pulled out her notebook. She flipped it open and pulled out a pencil. As the tardy bell rang she began to doddle and found that she had drawn a heart. She smiled and then drew the initials B.A. inside of it. Suddenly she frowned and drew a line through the heart. 'Stop it,' she told herself. 'It's never going to happen.' As class began her mind wandered back to her conversation with Billy. 'What was he going to tell me?' she wondered. 'Was it about us? No it couldn't have been or could it?' she sighed and tried to concentrate. Suddenly she felt eyes on her and she turned and looked out the window. Across the courtyard to her surprise, sat Billy in another classroom looking directly at her! She smiled and quickly looked away, not wanting to hold eye contact with him for too long. 'He was looking at me!' she grinned. 'At me! Is it possible?.....'
"Mackenzie?" the teacher asked. "Is there something you'd like to share with the class?" Mac snapped her attention back to the class and shook her head no. "Then please pay attention!" the teacher scolded.
"Yes, Ms. Lynnwood." Mac replied softly. Ms. Lynnwood began to talk again and Mac glanced back over at Billy. 'I have to talk to him today,' she thought. 'I have too!'
The bell that ended the first period rang and Billy hurriedly shoved his books into his bag, wanting to find Mac before their next class. But as he walked out of the room he felt a small soft hand grab his and he knew it was Brittany.
"Were you going to leave me behind?" she asked curiously.
"Sorry I've got alot on my mind." he replied.
"It's okay, just don't let it happen again." she teased. Billy smiled down at her with a half-hearted smile and then continued to walk down the hall. "Are you going to walk me to class?" she asked as they reached his locker.
"Actually I can't," he explained as he turned the dial to his combination. "I have to go talk to my teacher before class, but I'll see you at lunch okay?"
"Sure." she smiled. She reached up and brought his head down and his lips touched hers. Then she waved and walked down the hall to her locker. 'I can't take this anymore,' he thought. 'It isn't fair to her or me! I have to end things......but how?' The warning bell rang breaking into his thoughts so he grabbed his Language book and headed off to class. 'So much for talking to Mac before class,' he thought as he walked into his Language class. He looked around the room slowly and spotted Mac sitting in her normal seat, right next to his! She glanced up and smiled at him before finishing whatever it was she was writing.
"Hi." she greeted him as he sat down.
"Hey," he smiled. "Did you finish the assignment?"
"Just a second ago," she replied. "I had so much other homework last night I forgot about this!" As he unzipped his bag he felt Mac's questioning eyes on him. He didn't know what to say or do. 'She probably wants to know what I was going to say earlier,' he told himself. 'But I can't tell her now!' Just then the bell rang and they both tried to focus their attention on the teacher. 'But when can I tell her?' he wondered. 'Lunch? No! After school....she has to work. The coffeehouse...Perfect!' He sat and thought carefully for a moment and then took out a piece of paper and wrote:
Mac,
I really still need to talk to you, but I am not sure when we'll have another chance to talk privately until after school. Could we talk before you work at the coffeehouse?
Billy
Billy slowly folded the note and then cleared his throat, getting Mac's attention. She smiled at him and reached across the aisle for the note. When their hands touched the normal electricity shot through them and they both yanked their hands back in shock. He watched her silently as she opened the note and read it herself with a sweet smile. She pulled out her pen and scrawled her own message before passing it back to him.
Billy,
Before work sounds great! I am very curious to hear what you have to say. I'm so sorry Raul interrupted us earlier, but that won't happen again!
Mac
Billy looked over at her when he finished reading and winked at her. She smiled and then turned back towards the teacher. 'Today is the day Mac,' he thought. 'The day you learn how I really feel!'
Two class periods later Mac walked down the hall toward her locker. She stopped in front of it and turned the dial to the combination. 'Can this day go by any faster?' she wondered with a soft sigh. 'The suspense is driving me crazy! I have to talk to Billy!' She stuffed her textbooks into her bag and grabbed her binder for Computer class. 'I wonder what he wants to talk about?' she thought. 'Us.....Brittany......Raul? It could be anything, but I know it's something important! I just hope I haven't done anything wrong.' Suddenly there was a soft gentle tap on her left shoulder. Mac spun around and gasped softly when she saw Billy standing behind her awkwardly.
"Hey." she greeted him after she had regained her voice.
"Hi," he smiled nervously. "I just wanted to check and see if we were still on later?"
"Yeah, I am going to meet you at the coffeehouse around three." she replied.
"Great." he said with a grin. Mac turned back to her locker, expecting him to walk away but she felt his intense blue eyes staring at her back. She looked over her sholder at him and stared at him curiously.
"Was there something else you wanted?" she asked.
He stared at her and then said, "No I'll talk to you later."
"Talk to you about what?" Brittany asked from behind them. She walked up next to Billy and looped her arm through his possessively.
"Nothing." Billy lied.
"Oh it has to be something," Brittany pushed. "You two look very serious."
"Really Brit, it isn't important!" Billy insisted.
"If you say so," she smirked. "Anyway, will you walk me to class?" she asked. Billy frowned slightly then nodded. "See you later Mac!" Brittany smirked. As they walked down the hall Mac stared at Billy and smiled when he looked back at her. 'You little...' Mac thought as she closed her locker. 'You ruined everything Brittany Hodges, but not anymore!' Mac looked down the hallway once more and then headed off in the opposite direction.
"Billy?" Raul finally called. Billy rolled his eyes and turned to face him.
"What's up?" he asked.
"I was just about to ask you the same thing," Raul replied. "You feeling okay?"
"Yeah, I just have alot on my mind."
"Brittany?" Raul pushed as he played with the pencil in his hand.
"Not really." Billy sighed.
"Your mom?" Raul questioned. "Is she harassing you about things?"
"No, actually she's been kind of scarce lately. She's been spending alot of time with Phillip, but I'm not complaining!"
"I wouldn't if I were you." Raul smiled.
"So how are things with Rianna?" Billy asked.
"Great," Raul beamed. "Couldn't be better!"
"I am glad, you deserve some happiness." Billy nodded. Just then the bell rang and they both turned to the front of the class. 'That was weird,' Billy thought. 'He didn't even mention Mac! I wonder why?' Billy often wondered where things had gone wrong with him and Raul. He knew where. But her wondered what things would be like if he'd handled things differently. Would he and Raul still be friends if he'd been straight with him in the beginning? Would he still be with Mac? So many questions, with so few answers! It seemed like to him all his trouble started when he agreed to go with Brittany to the winter dance. 'Where would my life be today?' he wondered. 'Could have all the pain from the past been avoided? So many questions....' Billy glanced over at Raul who was staring at the teacher and smiled faintly. 'After I talk to Mac I'll work on mending things with Raul,' he thought. 'I miss him.' The last bell rang and Billy hurried to his locker hoping to avoid Brittany. But he noticed that it hadn't worked as he glanced down the hall and saw her coming his way. 'Great,' he thought. 'Now what?'
"Hey," she greeted him. "Where are you off to, in such a hurry?"
"Ah..." he stammered. "I have to ah...meet Jack at Jabot."
"Oh well, do you want me to come with you?" she offered.
"No that's okay, I need to get some brotherly advice from him." he lied as he grabbed his coat and bag.
"Well if you're sure..." she said curiously.
"Yeah I am sure," he smiled. "You go on home and I'll call you when I'm done!"
"Okay I'll be waiting." she smirked and then kissed him lightly on the cheek. Billy watched her walk down the hall and around the corner, then dashed out to the parking lot. 'I hope I am not late!' he worried. 'I don't want to screw this up!' He climbed into his jeep and squealed out of the parking lot in a cloud of fumes. It didn't take him long to reach the coffeehouse and he barely put the jeep in park before he jumped out and hurried inside. He glanced around and saw Mac coming out of the back room. She tied her apron around her waist and then glanced up with a smile. Billy walked over to a booth and sat down, waiting for her to follow. She slid in across from him and stared at him, her eyes filled with questions.
"So Billy," she finally said. "What is it that you've been wanting to tell me all day?"
"Well..." Billy started. "What I am about to say could possibly change both our lives forever as well as the lives of those around us!" Mac smiled nervously at him and waited for him to continue, hoping that he was going to tell her what she yearned to hear. "Mac...I am sorry." he said softly.
"For what?" she asked gently.
"For everything," he replied with true honesty. He reached across the table and lovingly took her hand in his. "You have no idea how much it has hurt me to see you in such pain that I know I have caused. I hope that one day we can get past the pain and heartache and be together forever!"
"What are you saying Billy?" Mac asked in shock.
"I'm saying that I want another chance, another chance to make you the happpiest girl in the entire world!" he said with a smile. "You mean everything to me Mac, you always have and if you're willing to try again, I know we can make it work this time!"
"Billy..." she sighed. "I don't know what to say, I am in shock!"
"I love you!" he blurted out. Mac gasped and tears filled her eyes. She unknowingly tightened her grip on his hand and that was all he needed. He stood up and came across to her side of the table. "Please Mac, please give me another chance to prove my love to you!" he begged. "I promise I won't let you down this time, I swear I won't!" Tears ran down his cheeks and Mac knew he was telling the truth. After all he'd said how could she tell him no? She loved him more than she really knew possible and if he was willing to try again she knew they could make things work. Mac looked at Billy's tear filled, questioning eyes and wrapped her arms around his neck. Billy let out a sigh of relief and pulled her close.
"I love you too Billy!" she smiled. Billy pulled back and brought his lips to hers. It was unlike any kiss either of them had ever experienced, but they knew it was the type of kiss they knew they'd experience many more times to come with each other. They both knew they'd never forget this moment as long as they lived.
"We'll never let anything or anyone come between us ever again!" he promised her. Mac smiled at him then kissed him again. "Come on," he urged. "Let's go somewhere more quiet, some place we can be alone!"
"Wait Billy!" Mac laughed. "I have to work!"
"Oh yeah I forgot."
"Besides does Brittany know about us?" Mac questioned.
"No I haven't told her yet." he replied.
"Go talk to her and come back, maybe by then I can get off work early." she smiled. Billy nodded and then kissed her softly.
"That's just a sample of what's to come later!" he called to here as she walked behind the counter.
"I hope so!" she called back as he walked out the door.
Billy walked up to Brittany's front door and rang the bell. Brittany hurried to answer it and smiled when she saw him.
"I thought you was going to call me," she said with a smile. "But this is better!" She tried to kiss him, but he stopped her. "What's wrong?" she asked nervously.
"We have to talk." he said seriously.
"About?" she asked as they walked into the living room.
"Us." he replied.
"You say that like it's a bad thing," she frowned. "Why are you acting like this?"
"Because it's over."
"What?" she gasped. "Why? I don't understand, today you seemed fine!"
"I wasn't fine Brit," he replied. "Things haven't been fine for awhile!"
"And I know why!" Brittany cried. "Mac! She ruins everything!"
"Look Brittany..." he started to say. "I'm sorry, but I still love Mac and she loves me!"
"How could you do this to me again?" she cried. "Again!"
"I should have been honest from the beginning about my feelings." he explained.
"Get out!" she screamed. "Just get out of my life, I never want to see you again!" Billy stared at her for a moment, not sure what to do! "Just get out!" she cried. "Now!" Billy looked at her and then walked to the front door.
"I'm sorry!" he said again.
"Get out!" she screamed. Billy closed the door and then hurried to his jeep and headed back to the coffeehouse.
He walked in and as he approached the counter and felt arms encircle his waist from behind.
"Hey!" he smiled.
"Ready to go?" she asked softly.
"You're getting off early?" he asked as he turned around.
"Yeah, Cody gave me the go ahead." she smiled.
"Great!" he grinned before he kissed her. "Come on!" Mac grabbed her bag and then they walked out the door hand in hand, ready to make up for the time they had lost before!
~The End~