Chapter 9: The Kiss

After Billy had left, I cleaned up the kitchen and sat in my bedroom. The entire apartment felt so lonely without him. Madeline Ariel! He isn't yours… yet anyways, I couldn't help but think.

I fell asleep to a night of nightmares. Adam turned to Billy and Billy made out with Cestria in front of me. I lost count of how many times I had woken in a cold sweat and reached for the phone to call one of my friends.

Tuesday morning came and I went about my normal class schedule. Music Appreciation was at 11:30 and a Voice Lesson at 1. When I returned to my apartment, I had three messages. Wow, I'm awfully popular lately…too bad it's all for the wrong reasons I thought resentfully. Adam called to apologize for his behavior the previous night; Kim called to check on the Billy situation and my mom, to incessantly question me about everything under the sun.

I sat down to do my homework. I liked only having a couple classes; it was a lot easier on my stress load, especially considering the current situation.

After completing my homework, I called Adam to apologize to him for my behavior.

"Hullo?"

"Hey Adam, it's me. How are you?"

"I'm okay. What can I help you with?" Adam sounded so abrupt. Oh he's mad at me I thought.

"I wanted to apologize. I was awful last night and I wanted to call you last night, but it was too late."

"You have no reason to apologize. I was the one who was short with you. Maddie, I just…I hate to tell you this, with everything that's going on with Billy but…" Adam paused. He seemed to be focusing his thoughts.

"Maddie, I think my feelings have changed for you. I don't know what to do about it. It's weird, ya know? I feel like… like I'm in love with my sister." I burst out laughing and quickly heard him follow suit. "I hope you aren't mad at me. After kissing you, I realized I think of you as my little sister and I don't want that to change."

I grinned. "Adam, I was so hoping you'd say that. I could kiss you right now, only on the cheek of course."

"Of course. Hey, do you want to get some ice cream tonight? We can hit up that new ice cream shop downtown."

"Thanks, but I think I'm going to stay in tonight. I might call Billy and try to talk things over. He was supposed to leave with Cestria today."

"So how are you going to call him, if he's on the way to Aquitar?"

"He wasn't going to go. He…Adam, it was a long night and I have a lot to tell you. Are you free tomorrow afternoon, my darling big brother?" I joked. It was good to be back on a good relationship with Adam. I hated it when it was so tense between us.

"Yes. I have class at 9:00, but I'll be around most of the afternoon. Give me a call tomorrow, okay?"

"Sure. See you then. Bye Adam." "Bye Maddie."

I hung up the receiver, only to pick it up again. Now was as good a time as any to call him.

"Hello?"

I gave a quick sigh of relief. "You didn't go?"

"Hey Maddie. No. I told you I wasn't going to. I can't leave you, not now that I've just gotten you back to talking to me." I could hear him smile on the other end and couldn't help smiling myself. "What did you want?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to come over. We still have some things to talk about. If you have other plans, I don't mind…it was just a spur of the moment thing." Yeah, spur of the moment, you've only been thinking about it all day.

"No, I'm not doing anything. I just have to stop by and see my father, but I'll be over after that, if that's okay."

"Yeah, that's fine. I'll see you then. Bye Billy."

"Bye Maddie." I couldn't help but notice that throughout the entire conversation, he hadn't called me "Mae." It actually upset me a little.

Not knowing how long it would be before he came over, I got out my yoga mat and changed. Doing my exercises always relaxed me. I did some routine exercises and stretches. Immediately, I began to fell very relaxed and calm. Just as I was getting into it, there was a knock on the door. I looked at the clock and realized it had been an hour.

I walked over and opened the door, letting my guest in.

"Here. Make yourself at home while I go take a shower. I'll be right out." Before I turned around, noticed Billy looking me up and down.

"I didn't know you still did yoga." He said, smiling and sitting down on my couch.

I picked up the mat and put it away. "Yeah. It helps me relax. I'll be right back." I smiled and walked down to the bathroom. The shower helped relax whatever tension was still in my muscles after my yoga practice. After I finished, I threw on some sweats and walked out to the living room.

"Do you want something to drink? Soda, coffee, or tea?" I asked when I walked out to the living room.

"No, thanks. I'm fine." I grabbed myself a bottle of water and sat on the couch next to Billy. "Can I ask you a question?" I asked shyly.

"You just did." He smirked. "But you may ask another one."

"How did she take it when you told her you weren't leaving?" I asked quietly.

Billy sighed. "Surprisingly better than I thought she would. She said she knew that when we came back, I wouldn't be coming back with her. She knew she couldn't have me forever."

"Are you sad?"

"No." Billy leaned in towards me. "Maddie, are you going to give me a second chance, or are you just stringing me along?"

"You finally stopped calling me Mae."

"I guess I did. It was a tough habit to break. I'm sorry for how much I said that over the past week."

I felt my heart drop. Maybe he didn't want me anymore? If he's broken that habit, it's going to be no time before he decides to break me as a habit too. I can't take that again! I thought wearily.

"You never answered my question." Billy leaned in closer, incredibly close to my face. I felt his warm breath on my lips. "Are you going to give me a second chance? Maddie?" I stared at him, unable to make a coherent sentence.

"Y…yes. I'll…I'll give you a second chance." My eyes filled up quickly and the hot tears began to fall on my sweat pants. I felt Billy wrap his arms around me pull me close.

"Oh Maddie Mae. I love you so much. I'm so sorry I hurt you. You are the best thing in my life and I almost lost you." I heard his voice break and I looked up.

"You did lose me. I wanted nothing to do with you. If I never saw you again it would have been wonderful."

"What changed your mind?" Billy kissed my forehead as I sat up.

"I don't know. I guess I just…I realized I couldn't stop loving you, no matter how hard I tried. I think actually spending time with you made me realize that. I remembered how much I missed you."

Billy leaned in towards me. Again, I felt myself lean in closer to him. He moved in and slowly pressed his lips against mine. I relaxed into the kiss, giving him my heart. It felt right. I felt home.

"I'm glad you changed your mind. I really am." Billy said when we separated.

I was too.

AN: Okay. So now it isn't the greatest story in the world. And it definitely wasn't the greatest ending but it's over and I feel happy. Please review and leave your suggestions. I may be revamping it again in the near future and I'd like your opinion. Thank you!

Your devoted author,

Muzical