Chapter 13: A Nightmare On Cherry Lane

SHADOWS hovered in every corner of the place. Black strangling veins snaked across the floor, looking for life to drain.

Darkness was seeping into Billy's skin, crawling down his throat. A looming figure took him whole, drowning him in a sea of black and muffling his screams.

A violent jolt woke Jean suddenly, and her eyes saw nothing but darkness this time. The window told her that the night was already rising, since the moonlight shone subtly through El's draped window.

Jean sat on the bed, feeling dizzy up to her head and knew at the moment that she could sleep no more that night. The dream had dissipated from her head and nerves wrapped around her. She took with her right hand the blanket that covered her body and quietly turned herself, careful not to wake Eleven. And then stood up before going to the door and opening it slowly, trying not to make too much noise.

The faint light that the lambs irradiated managed to blind her for a few moments, promoting her to squint.

The nervous Jean Grey looked both ways down the living room, and when she didn't see Hopper, she closed the door behind her and walked straight ahead, planning to go outside so she could finally breathe fresh air.

When Jean decided to call the Hargrove-Mayfield residence the next morning, she was reluctant at first. But she couldn't shake off the dreary feeling she had concerning the boy who ditched her the night before. She was worried that he wasn't okay.

At first, she had wanted nothing to do with Billy after he decided to stand her up with no phone nor an apology, but the nightmare she had concerning him felt so real that she felt physically anxious for him.

So she dialed the number and called.

Max had answered, and was surprised to find that Jean asked for Billy instead. The fourteen year old, despite being shocked at the request, told her that Billy left for his job at the pool.

Max's answer left Jean with the conclusion that Billy Hargrove was indeed okay. So he really just ditched her for no good reason.

She felt foolish for placing such high hopes on the damaged blonde.

All Jean's self berating got even worse when Max said that he was out late the night before, probably on a 'hot date with some girl'.

Max had speculated it was a date because she'd seen how well groomed Billy's appearance was when he left, and he had a smile that literally freaked her out from how wide and genuine it was.

She had no clue it was Jean he was going to pick up.

So, Jean naturally assumed that Billy stood her up for someone else. Perhaps a girl who was willing to do..things that Jean in no way had any intention of doing on a first date. She knew it, he knew it, so he just dropped her, probably.

So all her concern for him dissipated, and was replaced with distaste for the seductive lifeguard.

Currently, Jean Grey was at the mall with Erica.

The green eyed girl had to force her self to act happy and cheerful, even though being stood up by Billy Hargrove had soured her mood tremendously. Sleep hadn't cured her acidic mood either, seeing as nightmares didn't cease infiltrating her sleep cycle.

"I want the peanut butter chocolate swirl next." Erica sassily demanded of Robin Buckley who looked like she was on her way to write a suicide note.

Jean breathed harshly through her nose, slowly growing irritated at Erica's persistence. She was literally abusing the Scoops Ahoy company policy. "For godsakes, order an ice cream. I'll pay for it." The babysitter offered, wanting to end hers and Robin's misery.

Erica snapped her head in Grey's direction, pursing her lips. "It's not about the money, it's about my rights as a customer." She argued, sounding like an adult as she did most of the time. She really was a precocious kid.

"Okay." Jean muttered in disbelief, rolling her eyes at the younger girl.

Seeing the slightest change in Jean's attitude, Erica narrowed her eyes at Jean. "What's up with you?"

"Nothing." Jean said under her breath. "Sorry, Robin." She apologized to the blonde who gave her a slight smile.

"Not your fault." Robin reassured as best as she could. She pitied Jean, having to deal with the pushy Erica Sinclair. With her lack of patience, Robin knew she couldn't last a day with a job like that.

"Where's Steve by the way?"

"He's cramped up inside rekindling an old flame."

Jean Grey didn't know what to make of that answer. "What?"

After reluctantly handing Erica another free sample, the girl-in-band shrugged. "Some kid named Dustin came this morning and they've been inseparable ever since, whispering into each other's ears like a couple of brainless teenage girls."

Jean smiled. Finally, Steve's other half had come home from camp. She had to stop the laughter that rumbled on the inside as she tried to picture their reunion scene.

Deciding that seeing the sweet young boy would lift her spirit, Jean headed straight to the backroom, leaving an aggravated Robin with the provocative Erica.

The redhead walked in to see Steve and Dustin seated, fumbling with a book. There was a slight look of panic on their faces when they heard the door swinging open, but they visibly relaxed upon seeing who it was.

"Hey, Dustin." Jean greeted the fourteen year old, who in turn ran to her and gave her a quick hug.

"Jean!"

With a wide smile matching his, Jean brought her hand up to ruffle Dustin's lovely curls. "Welcome home. El told me they were planning a party for you yesterday, I'm sorry I couldn't make it."

The Henderson's smile fell. "Yeah, they planned it then ditched me, talking about a 'curfew'." Dustin scrunched his face in sullen defeat, imitating quotation marks with his hands as he uttered the word 'curfew' with disbelief.

Jean frowned, the poor boy being ditched by his friends tugged at her heartstrings. She kinda knew how he felt at the moment. "Yeah, they've been inseparable all summer. To be honest, a part of me wished I had a summer love like that."

"You do?" Steve uttered, his eyes hopeful. Him and Dustin exchanged glances, it was brief, but it made Jean wondrous at their non-verbal communication, especially when she saw the smirk on Dustin's face.

Could she have been touched by Harrington's love letter? Both Steve and Dustin wondered, but they didn't know that Jean still haven't found it yet. The piece of paper shoved into the bottom of her messy bag.

When they both then turned to her expectantly, Jean realized that it was her turn to talk. "Just a little bit." She smiled, gesturing with her hand. It was safe to say she'd be sleeping on the idea of dates after what Billy pulled on her.

"Well, I'm sorry it can't be me. I've found someone else." Dustin sighed defeatedly. His words made Jean look at him in confusion. "Huh?"

Turns out, Jean was stupid enough to not realize the crush the younger boy had developed on her, ever since they first met.

Steve ran his hand across his face up to his hair as he slicked it backwards all while Dustin spoke. "I just couldn't wait around forever, Suzie is the one who owns my heart now."

"Suzie?"

"His camp girlfriend." Steve clarified, disbelief in his tone.

A wide grin worked its way up to Jean's face, promoting the same expression on Dustin's. "Aww, I'm happy for you." Jean said, feeling her bottom lip begin to turn yet up, she let out the most obnoxious yet genuine 'aw' sound. And Dustin felt his cheeks beginning to burn as he remembered his perfect girlfriend.

"So what have guys been up to?" The telepathic redhead questioned, her curiosity resurfacing and seeping back into her after seeing a recorder placed on the center of the metal table.

"Oh, we're-" Steve went to answer truthfully but was quickly intercepted by Dustin, who sent him a sharp glare. "-Nothing." The curly haired boy replied in a rush, his lax smile morphing into a nervous one. "Just catching up."

Jean was about to express her disbelief at their words but she was quickly silenced by the sound of the customer bell ringing outside.

"I'll see you guys later." Jean mumbled before making her way outside.

Saved by the bell, Dustin thought, sighing in relief.

"Can I try the peppermint stick?"

"Haven't you already tried the peppermint stick?"

"Yes, and I'd like to try it again."

Both Jean and Robin let out a deep, frustrated breath.

The soles of Jean's shoes slapped against the pavement as she rounded the community pool, eyes scanning the crowd.

The Grey girl just couldn't let go of Billy's wrongdoing. It would have been a whole different thing if she was the one who asked him out, but he was the one who chased after her, insisting that they go out. And after she finally gave in and prepared herself physically and mentally for their date, he was a no show.

So she intended to give him a piece of her mind once and for all.

Screams, splashes and music echoed across the place, and Jean spotted Billy making his way through the crowd of people, bumping his way back into the storage facility.

Jean exhaled sharply, her fury propelling her forward as she marched towards him. She was now at the side of the building, both of them isolated from the rest of the pool dwellers.

"Hey, asshole!" Jean shouted out, her voice booming. She found Billy fumbling with a couple of bottles on the shelf, his back to her.

"Why didn't you show up last night?" She demanded, eyes narrowed as she glared at the boy.

Seeing that Billy refused to face in her direction or at least acknowledge her presence, Jean was aggravated even further. Her patience snapped, arms crossed over her chest. "Fine, you don't want to talk me? Is it one of those 'the hunt is better than the kill' scenarios because if that's what it is then-"

He turned reluctantly and seemed surprised to see Jean there, almost like he didn't recognize her. "Jean?" He blinked, his brain rattled. He muttered her name, barely standing on his legs like he had no control over them.

She noticed that he was sweaty and his hair was a bit disheveled. While he'd used to be so overconfident and downright blunt, something had changed about his demeanor and Jean just couldn't put her finger on it. He just looked different, his voice sounded different.

"Are you okay?" She asked, her previous harsh glare losing its bite, face fell along with her anger.

Take me to him, let him use me.

"W-what?" He mumbled, trying to steady himself as the place began to spin for him.

"Billy, Billy, are you sick? Do you need me to take you to the infirmary?" Jean gently queried, her forehead wrinkling with concern, and guilt overtook her for having been upset with him.

She stepped forward, reaching out to brush his damp curl off his forehead so she could check his temperature.

A violent scene played in his mind, one that disturbed him greatly; he attacked Jean, slamming her body and head against the wall, his hands clawing at her neck as she gasped for air and lost consciousness.

He tried to shake his head, to rid himself of those violent thoughts that he knew didn't belong to him. That was his father, not him. He didn't want to do that to Jean. But the violence was contaminating him, like an ache he couldn't soothe.

"Don't touch me." He suddenly latched onto Jean's forearm, giving her a stun, his large fingers digging into her skin.

She noticed how Billy's muscles were tensed and coiled as if he was trying not to strike her. She gritted her teeth, her jaw locking and she angled her chin a little higher; she wasn't scared of him.

The telepathic girl tried to read his mind, to understand what the hell was going on. But as she attempted to prod through his head, an immense stabbing pain ensued in hers, like a force was pulsating and keeping her out.

His mind was as furious as a storm.

Jean whimpered, trying to escape his tough grasp. Despite his forceful nature, Billy had never been rough with her and she didn't know why he was acting this way now.

She was trembling on the inside, not from fear, that was already established. But it was as if Billy's current presence was set to trigger something in Jean; something that lay dormant within her, she was anxious that it felt like she wouldn't control if it surged out.

"Stay away from me, Jean." He warned as he twisted her forearm slightly, making her tear up, her lips parting in an array of emotions.

"Don't you ever come near me again, do you understand?" Pained tears dotted Billy's pale blue eyes, he didn't want the same feeling that sucked the life out of him to affect the warm sweet Jean. He wasn't going to take her down with him.

She crumpled at the force of his hand as the headache in her mind surged through her. She had no energy to answer him.

"I said, do you understand?!" He hissed out darkly.

All she could do was meekly nod her head.

His threatening touch broke from her, and he shoved her away before departing, stumbling outside to the scorching sun.

Watching him leave, Jean's heart and mind were shuddering. She supported herself against the brick wall, massaging her aching arm as tears gathered at the corner of her eyes.

She didn't understand what just happened, and she didn't want to.

She was done with Billy Hargrove.

A/N:-Here we goI'm in such a rush because I'm excited to reach where Jean kicks the Mind Flayer's butt at the end XDThank you for the reviews! Please keep them coming :D