Spades and Angels

Light Me Up!

(The song is for when Mads and Lo talk at the bonfire)

Lolita

The second I make it outside I'm instantly regretting not bringing a warmer jacket since my signature one might be stylish but does little to keep me warm. I can't see Mads anywhere but part of me is relieved, scheming a way, selfishly, to get out of taking the offered ride. That was until a car pulled up in front of me and I noticed he was driving. Maybe he's not that bad. I try to convince myself as I open the door and get in. thankful if nothing else for the warmth.

"Are you ok?" Again he's calm, and kind. A far step from the first time we met, though I know that person was still inside. Charming rogue Angel, I think. Re-reminded of why I was mad before. He frowns, noticing my change in expression. "Something I said?"

"More like something you didn't say," I mutter, angry that he's gotten me to speak already, despite my vow of silence I'd made with myself. Mads frowns and I sigh, angrily glaring out of the window as we keep moving. "Un ángel cardenal," I spit the words in anger and see him flinch out of the corner of my eye. "Were you ever going to tell me or keep it a secret forever?"

Mads sighs, hands gripping the wheel a little tighter than before. "Eventually sure, figured it would be the tattoo that gave it away though." As he says that he shakes his right hand a little and, under a passing streetlight, I notice it. Those two cardinal red angel wings curved down. "What did?"

"A friend recognised your name and clued me in as to your lie." One I don't appreciate, I thought darkly but refrained from speaking aloud since he wasn't worth my time. "Figured you were happy to keep lying so why bother telling the truth now?" I pull away toward the window and stare out of it. "Is it just because I figured you out? Or another reason?" He doesn't answer but that doesn't bother me. I shouldn't care, I know that, but it's hard when he's like this. Kind. caring. Not like we'd been taught the Angels were. Focus Lo, remember he's the enemy here.

Mads sighs, switching to look me in the eye, not at the road, and I freeze. The effect is instantaneous as soon as I lock eyes with those aquamarine orbs. A feeling of being trapped, held captive by a power that I can't shake out of. No matter how hard I try, I resign myself to hearing him out. No matter pre-existing feelings. "I was going to eventually tell you but I didn't know when or where to since school's out of the question and I don't see you enough at Aqua to ask you there. Not that it would be appropriate anyway." He sighs, looking away from me and back to the road, releasing me from whatever weird power his eyes already seem to have over me that I can't explain. "For the record, I'm sorry Lo, I just wanted to ask you if-"

I cut him off then, realising what he'd called me. Stopped short. "Did you just call me Lo?" He laughs a little then and I'd be worried he's crazy if not for knowing why he's doing it. To spite me. Obnoxious asshole. "That nickname is reserved for friends and family. Of which you're neither. So stop."

Another laugh, this one softer. "Ok, I'm sorry Lolita. I just...." he trails off and I hear a low sigh as if he's fighting to ask something before we get to school. "I wanted to ask if you were feeling ok?"

"Already did, the other night. And again tonight." I shoot back, feeling satisfied with my answer before he shakes his head. "What?"

"I wasn't meaning about the anxiety attack. I know you're okay where that's concerned, you made that clear." He pauses again, navigating to turn in silence for a second before continuing. "I wanted to ask you if you were still being followed." I suck in a breath then and shoot him an angry look. "I know what you said before, but I know what can happen when your being - someone - is being followed. How scary it can be. I just wanted to know if you're ok. Can't a concerned classmate ask that much?"