Billy recovers real quick-- winks at her but she just rolls her eyes, snaps her gum. Billy can't seem to get his footing with Carol. Can't quite work out where he stands.

Nancy Wheeler comes up to their table and Steve wipes the chocolate off. Turns his back to them.

Billy nudges the leftover pudding over to Tommy.

~

Steve pushes Nancy Wheeler up against the lockers. Cups her face, kisses like they're in a movie and everyone else is a nameless extra.

"Bitch."

A locker slams shut behind him. Billy turns to see Carol glaring at the King and the Princess. He wonders what that makes her. Asks--

“What’s your deal with Wheeler?”

Carol looks up at Billy, then. Like she's seeing him for the first time.

“He’s too good for her," she says, simply.

Billy doesn't say anything. Looks back to the now empty spot where the happy couple were. Seems, from where Billy's standing, like Steve's forgiven Wheeler for whatever went down. Seems like everyone has, apart from Carol.

Billy asks Tommy about it and he just shrugs.

"She's always been kinda--" Tommy scratches the back of his head, searches for the word. "She's protective over what's hers, right? And Steve's, like, her best friend. Nancy stomped all over his heart, man. You should've seen it."

So Carol's just-- loyal like that, apparently.

Billy wonders how it feels. To have someone care that much.

~

Billy's jaw is blooming purple and it hurts to talk. He ignores everyone most of the day.

Skips practice 'cause he knows Coach will bench him anyway.

Knows Steve will ask questions, eyes big and teeth digging into that bottom lip Billy dreams about.

Billy lights a cigarette. Warms himself up from the inside and watches the parking lot turn white. Turns out, snow glitters in the sun. Billy watches it until his eyes go blurry. Lets them slide shut.

Gets a few, blissful minutes of nothing before--

The door opens. Shuts. Billy cracks an eye open to see Carol sat in the passenger seat like she owns it.

"Need somethin', Queenie?"

The nickname makes her screw her nose up, which is, like, the whole reason Billy does it. Likes to get a rise out of her. Started calling her that when he decided that if Steve's the king and Wheeler the princess, then-- Carol's the snubbed queen.

Tommy’s the court jester. Obviously.

They sit in silence, let it stretch until it starts to wear thin. When it threatens to snap, Carol says--

“My cousin was, like. A dyke.”

Says it like. That’s a thing people say. Like that’s a-- conversation starter in small town Indiana. Says it like it’s supposed to mean something to Billy, too.

Billy shuts his eyes. His jaw throbs.

Carol's voice fills the car.

“I never-- it was weird, but. I never really cared. Not like they did.” She spits venom on the last four words. Doesn’t seem to notice Billy crawling out of his skin in the drivers seat.

“Steve's a good guy. Dumb, sometimes. Can't see what's in front of him until someone spells it out."

Carol's talking about Wheeler. Has to be. Billy needs her to be.

“I think.” Carol takes a breath. Looks out at where the snow is starting to settle thick. “I think if you were gonna-- he’s not a bad, y'know--" Billy's eyes are shut but he can see her waving around. Carol uses her hands like words. "He likes you. You make him happy."

Billy should be baring his teeth. Should be getting the chick in his car wet enough to beg to suck his dick. Should be driving the two of them into the quarry. Billy's never been one for rules. His jaw aches.

"Not lookin' to die in this town, Red." Billy says, quiet enough that they could choose to ignore it. If they wanted. Let it get buried under the snow. "'s what happens."

To people like me.

"You don't know that.”

"You don't know that." Billy digs his heels in.

He flicks the lighter. On and off. And on again. Holds his palm over the flame. Closes it with a snap.

You don't know my dad.

"I know Steve." She says the words with such conviction Billy feels a little floored by it.

"Uh huh."

"You could be good for each other. I think."

Steve's got a Billy shaped scar on his forehead.

Carol hates Nancy Wheeler for-- whatever she did. To Steve.

Carol thinks that Billy would be good for Steve.

Everything is white outside. The world looks brand new and-- Carol's just shaken it all up like a snow globe. Billy's head spins.

"Just-- promise me something, will you, Bills?"

Billy screws his nose up at the name. It's payback time and she's got him good.

"What's that?"

"Please, god, don't make me wear something ugly to your wedding."

Billy doesn't laugh. Barely smiles, 'cause of his face. Doesn't tell her that people like Billy can't get married, anyway. Figures she already knows. Just says--

"Who says you're comin'?"

"Oh, baby." Carol's voice is overly sweet. Like a cotton-candy toothache. She smiles across at Billy. "You're never getting rid of me now."

Carol's loyal like that. Apparently.