It was his own fault for being content. She hated it when he was content. And while he was terrified (and hopeful) of what exactly would happen if he obeyed, he was more afraid of her yelling at him if he didn't. Saving the world was easy. Girls were the real challenge.
"Is it possible to be really nice and really mean at the same time? Because you're doing it." Billy crossed the room, slightly hunched over to avoid poking anyone's eye out, and sat on the opposite edge of her bed.