Pins and Needles

Chapter 19

The sun had already set by the time Simon and Jess got out a cooler and speaker. We were all now just drinking, dancing, and enjoying the night. Clark and Maeve had broken off from the group and were all over each other while Simon, Jess, and I danced in a small circle.

"It's great to see you getting active with us, Angel. I feel like you've been a myth the amount of times I've talked to you (that being not very much)," Simon told me.

Jess agreed, "Yeah, it's nice to see you come out of your shell after a year."

I nodded along, "Mhm, y'all are pretty cool too."

Jess chuckled and ran her arm around my shoulder.

"We should all hang out soon, after this, of course," Simon proposed.

"Sure," I stated.

Yeah right, not a chance.

I noticed Dean creeping up behind Simon, so I split off from the circle to make room for him.

"What's the topic of conversation over here, eh?" he questioned.

"Just how nice it is for Angel to be here on this glorious day," Simon joked.

Dean grinned and elbowed my side, "Oh? Why yes, she does bring light to every room she steps in after all."

"Oh hardy har har, you boys are soooo funny. Angel, don't listen to them." Jess intervened, picking up on their sarcasm and defending me.

I didn't much care for their heckling as it was partly true; I had a gloomy presence about me that I couldn't shake no matter how hard I tried. I wanted to shine as bright as Maeve, but that trait, sadly, isn't something you can steal...

Jess motioned for us all to scoot in closer and form an huddle, so we obliged.

"Hey, so I just happened to see Maeve and Clark and I think it's something I shouldn't be the only one to experience. Take a look," she flicked her head in their direction.

We all discretely glanced over to the pair and what we saw was quite revolting. Maeve's back was turned to him as she pushed her ass up against his hips over and over again. She would bend over, then straighten up to drag her claws across his cheek, evidently encouraging him to bite her somewhere on her body that has yet to be touched. I couldn't hold back the hum of displeasure that escaped my lips. Luckily, I wasn't the only one taken aback by the sight. Dean was obviously cringing and Simon looked close to throwing up.

"God, I can't stand that guy," Dean shivered.

Simon added, "Same! He's just so... creepy."

I perked up, "Huh? What? Why?"

Dean frowned, "Shouldn't it be obvious? One, he's always picking fights with you for no reason, two, he totally ignored all of us when he and Maeve started dating, and three, he so clearly just wants to pawn off Maeve it's honestly pitiful. She doesn't deserve a guy like that."

Simon interjected, "Yeah, and not only that, I heard he hospitalized some girl for breaking things off with him. He didn't get in trouble for 'lack of evidence', but if you ask me, he totally did it."

"No way, for real? Jesus, he's fucking crazy. What's wrong with him?" Dean pulled a face.

"Uh, it could just be a rumor? I mean, we don't know his background or anything about that girl," Jess tried to reason, but even she sounded unsure with her own words.

Simon snorted, "Jess, you're too nice, quit playing the arbitrator and just accept that the guy is a psycho."

"Look, all I'm saying is don't jump to conclusions when you don't even know the guy. That doesn't mean I don't think he's a little off his rocker, but I'm willing to give him a chance. Who knows, this could all be a big misunderstanding."