Hey!! Here's the next chapter for you to read1 I hope you like. Remember to review and tell me what you think! Billy and Percy's relationship goes further.

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Sunset Ave.

Chapter Three

The gorge

'Percy?' Irene called, watching as her son entered the front room. His fingers were dirty, as were his knees and she pursed her lips. Henry wasn't in; he'd been called to come into work for something urgent, which she guessed was to satisfy his secretary's needs.

Banishing this thought for the time being, she gave him a small smile and patted the sit beside her. 'I need to talk to you about something,' she said. Percy moved and sat down. 'Where've you been to get so dirty?' she asked, lightly. He didn't answer and she looked at him. They had the same eyes; slate blue that looked stormy gray when they were angry. Irene sighed. 'Your father told me you've been hangin around with that Wharton boy. Don, is it?'

'Billy,' Percy corrected her.

'Ah,' she said. 'Well, at least it isn't that Don boy.' She seemed to hesitate for a moment and Percy got the idea that she was debating whether to tell him or not.

'What is it, ma?' he asked with a slight frown.

'The Sheriff called earlier. Something about Lewis getting into a little trouble with you and Billy.' She looked at him with an almost desperate expression; the thing with Irene Wetmore was that she thought her boy could never do no wrong.

So, Percy would tell her what she wanted to hear.

'It wasn't as bad as it sounds,' Percy said, relaxing his expression to make it seem he was relieved that it was just that little matter. 'We was down in the woods; Lewis came jus' as Billy was jumpin out the tree. His elbow knocked Lewis in the mouth as he balanced himself and Lewis ran 'fore we could apologize.'

Irene exhaled and smiled. 'Well, the Billets' are known to exaggerate things. I knew nothin bad had happened. I'll put some dinner on.' She got to her feet, calling for Odessa before moving into the kitchen.

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Percy and Billy sat on the haystacks in the barn on Wharton's farm. The hay itched a little and flies buzzed around them in the musky, afternoon heat. Percy was scratching a mosquito bite on his calf. 'Your mom's nice,' he finally said. Wharton scoffed. Maggie had tried to re-comb Percy's hair, and then forced him to try some of her cornbread as it was the 'best stuff he'd ever eat'.

Now, they'd escaped the hectic household to lounge in the barn. Billy flicked a fly off his knee, before sitting up. 'It's my dad you've gotta watch out for,' he said, eyes narrowed against the blaring sun that peeked through the gaps in the old timber.

'Why?' Percy asked, glancing at him, but Billy didn't answer. Instead, he pushed Percy off the haystack. Seeing as they were sat right at the top, it was a long way down.

'Wooooooooeeeeeeee!' Wharton hollered, before rolling down himself. Percy hit the floor with a grunt, groaning.

'What the fuck…?' he growled, sitting up as he watched Billy hit the ground, still whooping. 'Wasn't there an easier way to get down?'

'I like the thrill,' laughed Billy.

'Lugoon,' Percy muttered, picking himself up and brushing himself down. Billy grinned, jumping to his feet.

'Let's go to the orchard.' Without waiting for an answer, he raced out the barn, jumping and skipping as he went. Percy paused for a moment, before taking chase. The two ran along the dirt drive, kicking stones as they went. Billy cut across the grass, clambered over the rotten wooden fence. It left green marks on their hands, but neither cared as they continued to trek along the muddy path and down to the orchard. The trees were filled with apples and Billy jumped to snag one.

'Here,' he smiled, tossing it to Percy. He caught it in two hands, watching as Billy took a bite, before doing the same. It was sweet and tangy, leaving his mouth tingling. 'Watch out for the bugs, though,' Wharton winked, causing Percy to spit it out.

'Bugs?' Billy nodded, before walking over the grass. A stream ran through the trees and the two stepped across the stepping stones to get to the other side.

'C'mon on,' Billy urged, running forward. There was a fence and the two skidded to a stop; it wasn't a long drop, but the gorge was deep enough. It was rare to find something like this, especially in the flat farmlands of Southern America. The two looked down at the road beneath them, before looking up.

'Billy? Billy?' came a yell and they watched as Ben and Rob came running over to them. Ben glanced at Percy shyly, before ducking to hide by his brother. He had white, blond hair; quite a contrast to Rob. 'Who's that?'

'Mind y'own business,' Billy replied, taking a bite of his apple and spitting it at them. Rob stuck up his fingers, before moving to the fence to look down at the road. A truck were hurtling towards them and with a grin, Rob produced a couple of apples from the pocket of his overalls. 'What ya doin'?' frowned Billy.

'Mind y'own business,' Rob muttered. Ben crawled under the fence to lean down and get a better view. The apples fell at just the right moment and as soon as they hit the windshield, Ben and Rob were gone, racing back towards the farm.

The truck squealed to the stop and Kenny stepped out, looking up to where Billy and Percy still stood. 'Yer little fucker!' he yelled up. 'Look at the fuckin' state of the truck, yer lousy bastid. Yer wait until yer get home, I swear to God.' He continued to swear loudly, waving a fist. 'Yer better run, Billy, before I get a hold of yer!'

Grabbing Percy's wrist, Billy yanked him away from the fence and the two were running through the orchard, splashing across the stream and hurrying back towards the fence. They could hear the truck near by, snarling as if it too, were angry.

Percy was shaking, heart pounding in his chest in an effort to keep up. 'C'mon,' urged Billy, almost leaping over the fence and racing off towards the farm. Percy followed and the two stumbled into the kitchen just as Kenny skidded to a stop outside.

'Boys!' scolded Maggie, but the two ignored her as they made for the stairs. Kenny came bursting in afterwards, managing to grab Billy's foot as he went to go up after Percy.

'My room,' he yelped as Kenny dragged him back down. Percy spun at the top of the stairs, looking back down as Kenny raised a fist and beat Billy around the head.

'You fuckin' idiot! You smashed the windshield.'

'It was Rob! Robbie did it,' he tried to say.

'Don't lie to me. I saw yer do it! I saw yer!' Billy met Percy's gaze and he mouthed 'go.' Percy nodded, backing off into the bedroom.

He sat on the bed, listening to the yells and smashes downstairs. It seemed an eternity before Billy finally dragged himself upstairs; it was going dark outside.

His face was bruised, blood dripping from his nose.

And Percy watched as Billy screamed; screamed in a hoarse voice, letting out all his anger and frustration. He knocked the old photographs off the walls, flung ornaments from shelves. He threw Rob's books all over the floor, kicking them out the way as he grabbed his shotgun that was mounted on the wall and for a moment Percy panicked.

But, Wharton merely flung it around, smashing up everything he could. It seemed like a lifetime before he finally collapsed on the floor with a small cry, sinking forward so his forehead was pressed against the wooden floor.

'I hate 'im,' he seethed, but his voice was thick. 'I hate 'im.' Percy slipped off the bed, kneeling down beside him. He reached out, placing his hand on his arm, but Billy jerked away. Percy left him and when Wharton finally gathered himself together, he sat back on his knees.

His eyes were red, cheeks damp, but he ignored this. Instead, Billy shifted to Percy, pressing him against the side of the bed.

And there, he placed a rough kiss on his lips.

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