Author's note: This chapter is a little longer than the first one so enjoy.
I do not own Friday Night Lights nor do I pretend to.
Chapter 2
Billy14, Tim 5
"He's your son, you go to his stupid parent teacher afternoon." Walt yelled through the house. "It's not like you do anything else around here!" Billy kept his eyes on his breakfast. He was used to this by now. But he couldn't do anything to keep Tim from having to see this, especially since they usually argued about his younger brother.
Tim stared in the direction of his parent's bedroom, his forgotten cereal getting soggy. He was only now beginning to understand what the arguments were all about. Billy nudged his elbow.
"Come on, time to get out of here." Billy swallowed another mouthful before bending over to pick up his brother, Tim's small arms instinctively wrapping around his brother's neck. With his free hand, Billy easily hoisted their school bags onto his other shoulder. He closed the front door behind him, finally getting some piece and quiet. "See, now that's better." He smiled up at his brother but Tim just stared blankly back at the house.
They were half way to school walking side by side before he finally spoke up. "Why are they always fighting?" Billy took a second before answering, electing to re-adjust their school bags on his shoulder.
He tightened his grip on the small hand in his. "They just do, I don't really know why." He easily lied.
"They don't like me." Billy looked down at his brother, the statement piercing through his heart as the hope that Tim hadn't notice came crashing down around him. The sad desperation etched in his voice. He stopped and knelt down forcing Tim to face him.
"They don't hate you, it's just a little hard for them right now." Billy pushed Tim's unruly hair from his face. "It'll get better alright. Besides, I'm the only who gets to hate you. That's what big brother's are for, right?" This got a smile out of his younger brother. He playfully shuffled Tim's hair before getting to his feet and continuing their walk.
It wasn't until they were in front of the school did Tim speak up again. "Is someone going to come to the parent teacher afternoon today? They'll laugh at me if I'm alone again." He looked up at Billy hopefully.
Billy knew fully well that neither one of their parents were going to attend the function, that was something he had learn the hard way. Billy smiled as an idea came to mind. "Absolutely kid. What time does it start again?"
Billy skipped all his afternoon classes that day to attend Tim's parent-teacher afternoon though he knew he had a test in 5th period. But seeing the smile on his younger brother's face made it all worth it. Billy was paraded around the classroom and introduced to everyone there. When it came to presenting your guest, Tim all but ran to the front of the class in excitement.
On many occasions, Billy caught some of the other parents staring at him and his brother. In a small town like this, word got around fast and it was no secret by now that his mother and father were far from fit parents. He was grateful, however, that the glances went unnoticed by his younger brother. Thank God for small favours.
