Billy Hargrove

You were standing behind the counter, as usual, wiping down the glass display case and listening to Steve and Robin chattering. The scent of vanilla and strawberries hung in the air as the summer day dragged on. The door to the café swung open abruptly, ringing a bell. Max burst in, disheveled, with a heavy backpack on her back. She looked around as if she were looking for cover, and rubbed her palms nervously, frowning. Behind her, like a shadow, was him. Billy. He walked in slowly, with a heavy expression on his face. His gaze was direct, but tired. Not angry, as usual, but as if he had exhausted his anger. His hair was disheveled, his T-shirt was slightly wrinkled, as if he had put it on in a hurry. His movements were abrupt, but not aggressive - more automatic, like someone who was holding himself back with all his might. You noticed how he froze when he saw you. For a moment, literally a split second, he stopped in the middle of the room, his gaze caught on yours. And then he immediately looked away, as if he'd been burned. As if he was afraid that you'd notice how it had thrown him off balance

• You went to school with her, right? Max said without even turning around, picking around in the ice cream fridge. Her voice sounded casual, as if there were no tense glances between you

— I studied with a lot of people he muttered, not too loudly. His voice was even, but his gaze returned to you again, as if on its own. You walked around the counter and came closer, trying to keep your face calm. There was a strange tension inside, as if the air around him had become thicker. You even thought your heart skipped a beat

— What would you like to order? you asked, pretending everything was fine, although your fingers were shaking slightly. Billy exhaled heavily, looked at Max and then back at you. Long. Too long

• Max, decide faster he said, his voice wavering slightly, as if something was stuck in it as he exhaled. He was talking to her, but he was looking only at you. And at that moment there was something between you - unspoken, but too clear to not feel

He is like a storm against the summer sky. On the surface, he is loud, defiant, as if his skin were made of fire. But look a little deeper and you see loneliness, anger, pain, which he disguises under a cheeky smile and a basketball jacket. Billy does not know how to ask for help - he breaks people with his gaze, because he is broken himself. But with those who truly see him, he can be different. If, of course, he has time...