Celestial Worlds

Chapter Twelve

"Knock knock, princess."

    I wake up by the muffled voice behind the window. "Come in," I croaked out. The door opens and I see Nick with a pair of glasses I've never seen him wear before. I'm a bit ashamed of even thinking that Jonathan will show up. But, I'm sad to say that I'm disappointed. "Hey Nick," I greet him and I prop up on my elbows. I hope he doesn't mind how much of a disaster my hair feels. I'm sure it looks just as worse.

    "Hey," he says, sitting at the edge of my bed. "Can I take Jonathan out, you know, to play."

    I chuckle. "And by play, you mean...?"

   He rolls his eyes at me and smiles. "Not 'drink beer at a strip club' play. Just play as in play ball at Morgan's." He looks back at the door and shouts, "Stacy!"

    Stacy? There's someone else in this house?

    As if on cue, a girl, petite and small, emerged from my doorway, into my room. She cheerfully says, "Hi!" Then she sticks out her hand for a handshake which I kindly took. I gave her a warm smile. She turns to Nick, who is looking at her and smiling.

   "When will you guys be back?" She asks sweetly. Nick looks at his watch and says, "'Bout seven."

    "Be safe," she implies with a small smile. Nick stands up and holds her shoulder only to give her a kiss.

    "We will," He replies, striding toward the door. Before he completely disappears, he says, "Bye, Victoria!"

    "Bye!" I shout back. Then he leaves. I'm left alone with a girl I barely know. She stands there into the doorways, lips purse and looking around, I could tell she's nervous.

    I clear my throat and say, "So...I'm guessing you're Stacy."

    She relaxes and says, "And I'm guessing you're Victoria." We laugh together then after a moment I speak.

    "So....you and Nick huh?" She giggles and tucks a strand of hair behind her ear. She sways from side to side.

    She looks at me with mischievous glints in her eyes. "And...you and Jonathan...I suppose." I chuckle nervously. We didn't even make it official.

    "Uh, I don't-I'm not sure...that we're, uh..." I let my voice trail away and just shrug. Finally, I stand up and grab her hand and I bring her downstairs. "Let's watch television," I offer, handing her the remote which she gladly takes and switches to a cooking channel. I  sit there and question the God above, why does the chef have to make dessert? And it's Banana Split. Why? When I couldn't take it anymore, I stood up and went to the kitchen, hoping Stacy isn't like one of those girls who judge you for eating anything else rather than a salad. I grab a tub and head to the living room. I eat silently, being self-conscious all of a sudden. Then, she says the thing I least expected her to say.

    "Can I have some?" She says this nonchalantly, like she's known me for a year and we've been sharing ice creams since we were kids. I'm glad she's like this. Nick has some taste. I go up to go to the kitchen to get a new spoon. I hand it to her afterward and we eat, together with the chef who's making Banana Splits.

Me and Stacy talk about books and stuff, anything rather than make-up or dresses. I like her company; I even gave her her own tub of ice cream. When Nick and Jonathan arrive, Nick takes Stacy with him and says they're heading home. I tell Stacy she should come over sometime. She gladly accepted.

    So we're alone again. What do we do?

    "Hey, Victoria," he says calmly.

    "I -Is Debby going home tomorrow?" I stuttered.

    "Hmm? Oh, yeah. Yeah." I narrowed my eyes at him. He seems...off. Did he lose the game? He seems awfully distracted. I didn't bother him anymore; I didn't want to ask him anything that will hurt him. I wouldn't want to say anything wrong.

    "Um, I think I'll have a nap," I say. I go to the staircase and stopping mid-step to look at him. He's already opening the fridge and taking out a Tupperware case of lasagna. I sigh and march back upstairs. I open my bedroom door and flop down the bed. Why is he like this all of a sudden? And, most importantly, why can't I gather up the courage to ask him why? Maybe because he's not officially mine and we're not officially together. Maybe he just felt like kissing me. But...I do know there is at least something going on between us. I just have no idea what. What is he so worried about? Like, just this morning he was kissing me then now he's ignoring me and he's really distracted. Are Mortals this so irrational? I bury my head in the pillow, stomach down on the bed, and think of the possible things I could say tomorrow. The night's cool and it's my first time to sleep in here this weekend. Then, I find myself feeling his lips again, straining to remember his touch. The suddenly, I couldn't anymore. It suddenly felt like a year ago rather than yesterday. He seems so distant like he's in the north and I'm on the south. We're in other worlds. Then, I thought, we really are in different worlds. Besides, he's a Mortal and I'm an Angel.

    This can't work out.