his angel

1. him

~ octavia ~ present

today was the twenty-fourth of september, in other words, four years ago today my dad died.

cancer is a bitch, i am sure anyone would agree with that. the most silent but deadly way to die, most don't know they have it until they're almost, well, dead.

i have never feared death, but i fear for the ones i love, fear that everyday may be their last.

i stand at the headstone of my fathers grave, decorated with a new patch of flowers, looking more alive than the last. the cool breeze of the light wind brushing through every lock of my hair, autumn leaves crackling against one another in a frenzy.

"octavia, come now it's getting dark!"

taking a moment, i smile down at the headstone, i love you dad. mum has never liked spending much time here, almost like she's scared to accept that he's gone, that he's never coming back. i don't blame her, i miss him too but her denial is what's holding her back. holding her back from being who she used to be.

"coming mum!"

the soft crunch of the dewey grass is the only thing heard between mum and i as we make our way out of the cemetery.

mum turns to me, "can you run down the road and get some rice to have with dinner? i need to get home and start on the meat, here's ten dollars, get whatever you like with the rest. catch the bus home before it gets to dark."

sighing i accept the money, "yeah, i'll see you after."

turning, i start making my way down the empty side street which leads to the grocery store. mum used to be like every other mum, she'd make me lunch for school, kiss me goodbye, she'd say i love you. she hasn't told me she loves me since dad died. i wish she'd come back.

as i struggle to untangle my headphones i run into a large, very nicely smelling, wall? not a wall, a boy. a boy with the most gorgeous green eyes i have ever seen.

swoon- no stop.

"oh my god i'm so sorry, i did not see you there!" i rush out, my cheeks blushing in embarrassment. he just stares at me.

no reply. weird.

"okay, um i'll see you round i guess, sorry for running into you." i say still attempting to untangle my earphones.

why does he smell so good?

shaking my head at my thoughts i walk past the strange boy, plugging my earphones in. i'm almost at the end of the side street when i feel a tingle in my back, he's watching me. i turn my head and he's...gone?

what the hell!

continuing down the street, the old lights flicker with the invasion of the bugs in their bulb. the occasional dog bark is all that can be heard. my thoughts carry me away back to that boy, he was strange, very strange. his ominously dark clothing, with those eyes, they were so green, so beautiful.

i swing the door of the small store open sounding the chimes of the bells, grabbing a basket i make my way towards the back of the store where the rice is. there were a lot of rices.

what kind of rice do i get?

white rice it is.

grabbing the bag of the shelf i get that feeling, the tingling in the back of my head. someone is watching me. i dart my eyes around the aisle but there's no one. at least no one i can see.

the rice was only six dollars, meaning i have four more to spend, i'm feeling chocolate. following the signs i reach the confectionary aisle, decisions, decisions, decisions. reaching down i grab a block of dark chocolate only to stand back up and smash my nose straight into a nice smelling wall, no boy, again.

"fucking hell!" i reach up and dab my fingers under my nose to reveal the crimson blood on my fingertips.

the boy just stares.

strange.

"uh, do you have a tissue by any chance?" he simply reaches down and grabs a block of chocolate off he floor, my block of chocolate.

"i'm pheonix, sorry for your, uh, nose." he says handing me the chocolate.

"it's alright, nice to meet you, i'm octavia!" you open you phone to display the time, 7.36pm, it's definitely dark out, "i'll see you round!"

he just stares, what a strange boy.

pacing out of the aisle you place your items on the counter, getting a strange look from the cashier when she sees your nose, you just smile.

"eight-fifty all up!"

grabbing the ten dollar note you hand her the money, "keep the change." you smile. handing you the receipt you look down the aisle you just saw boy in, only to find he's gone. in fact, the rest of the store is empty.

the bells didn't chime, he didn't leave.

"did you see the boy in here leave?" the cashier gives you a strange look.

"uh, it was just you in here ma'am, we're closing in three minutes, have a good night!"

the bells chime as you leave, stepping out onto the damp pavement, small sprinkles of rain coming from the now cloud covered night sky. sighing, you place your earphones in your ears and head towards the bus stop.

how did the cashier not see pheonix?

walking on the sidewalk, the street lights flicker with each step you take, the slight sound of the rain splashing in the puddles is the only thing you could hear over your music.

reaching the bus stop, you see the seat is wet from the rain, "i can't catch a break today" you sigh. looking at the time, 8.01pm, you're kidding.

i missed the fucking bus. what a great day.

calling your mum to come pick you up was also a disaster, there was no service.

the world is fucking me up the arse today.

no cars were in sight, nor did you have enough money to catch a cab, not that there were any in sight anyways. it was at least another half-hour walk home, and the rain was starting to get heavier, "you're fucking with me god!"

reaching for the hood on your jumper you pull it over your head, starting to walk through the heavy rain.

walking alone was somewhat peaceful, no one talking to you, only you and your thoughts. thoughts.

pheonix.

thinking about it, for such a small town i have never seen him before, strange. the fact the cashier didn't see him enter the store makes a shiver go down your spine. at least that's what you thought caused it. lost in thought you failed to see the strange boy walking behind you.

staring at you.

following you.

the heavy rain effectively covering the sound of his footsteps. footsteps that picked up in speed.

opening your phone, the time was now 8.35. god, i can't wait to shower.

reaching your driveway, you see that your mums car is in the driveway, the house keys rattling in your hand as your shivering body opened the front door.

then closing it.

not seeing the strange boy, pheonix, standing in your driveway, watching you.

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WC: 1211 words!
how are we feeling? are you excited?

but...who is pheonix? 🤨