Fell with you

Chapter Two

The rain pelted the windows, the only sound filling the room. The wallpapers were a dull brown that made her white furniture stand out. It was a small place. One that didn't expect any visitors. A large room that had a kitchen at the side, a small bathroom and a large white bed settled right in front of the biggest window in the room.

Armani stared at the glass, watching the raindrops fall while she twiddled with the little chain around her ankle. It was quiet. The smoke from the vanilla scented incense wafted from the bedside table, a small dance that drew her attention every now and then. Her reflection on the glass was blurred by the rain but she could still make out her features.

Her hair was packed into a large curly bun with strands falling at the side. She had refused to stretch her hair out when her foster mother had offered. "Feels better," she had said when the older woman asked. She wasn't lying. She loved the soft curls that caressed her neck. Her eyebrows were a very defining feature that everyone seemed to remember when they saw her because of how thick and dark it was. Her eyes were very dark and framed with long lashes and her nose was a small bell shaped freckled bump on her plump face.

She had soft cheeks that her foster father loved to pinch. He still did it to this day, no matter how much she told him to stop. Her lips were darker than her skin, a very deep brown shade that stood out against her golden brown skin.

Her only trace of rebellion as a teenager was her septum ring. Other than that, she lived as a very quiet and obedient child. Her foster parents loved her, rebellious or not so it didn't matter to them when she came home with a bleeding nose and a large needle sticking out. Her mother had cleaned it up and asked if she wanted it open. They got her a pretty nose ring and she had apologized over and over again for a week. It wasn't her fault but she felt it was.

Thunder claps jolted her back to reality, sending a yelp out of her lips. The rain had subsided and all was left now was small showers that called out to her.

She didn't resist.

On her way out, she grabbed an umbrella, agreed that her toe length grey cotton dress and oversized matching knitted sweater was fine and marched out into the wet, gloomy streets of the city.

The walk to the park was shared between her and the setting sun. By the time she saw the green grass at the entrance, the sun was gone, darkness had spread and the streetlights were on.

The park was as empty as it usually was with only a few couples walking around, an old lady feeding the birds and two guys skateboarding on the concrete around the edges.

Armani made her way to the swings and sat, her eyes setting on the view. One of the skating boys had fallen and his friend was laughing. The boy got up, laughing too and they skated away from the park, talking rapidly about something. Her eyes moved to one of the couples, a man with a very outdated haircut and a woman with far too much makeup walking out as well.

An hour had passed before the park was completely empty. She watched the sky, the stars glinting above. The moon wasn't out tonight but she didn't mind. The stars were bright. That was good enough.

Just as she was closing her eyes to the cool breeze, a short girly laughter reached her ears. Two people. Female. Armani looked back, curious to what was so funny. Their bodies were locked together in a tight hug, hands grabbing and caressing, lips tangled in an aggressive kiss. She turned away, heat rising to her face.

"Funny, right?" A familiar voice cooed from behind her, dangerously close to her ear. The hair at her neck stood. She could hear her smile "They could just go to their apartment but here they are, being exhibitionists for no one."

The person came forward, tall and slim muscled. It was the same girl from the hall a week ago. She had on a big hoodie and sweatpants, eyes burning into her, hair tied loosely behind her and a lip ring glinting under the streetlights beside them. She sat on the swing beside her, pushing it with the heels of her feet.

Armani stared at her, her heart racing. She had embarrassed herself in front of her before and did not want to make it worse. She opened her mouth to speak but stopped halfway, giving up on it. She'd rather stay quiet than make it worse.

"I'm surprised you're not running away right now," the girl said, tilting her head sideways. "From the way you were holding her pen last time we spoke, I'm pretty sure you don't wanna talk to me."

"No!" She yelled. Her hand flew to her mouth, sealing it. She hadn't meant to be loud.

"Well," she smiled. "I'm glad you want me around. I like being around you too. You're all… quiet," her eyes razed her body, "and gorgeous."

Armani felt her face heat up again.

"Blaze," she said. "My name's Blaze. Yes. My parents named me that. It's a real name." Her face scrunched up in slight distaste.

Armani giggled.

Blaze smiled again. She leaned forward, keeping only a bit of distance between her and Armani. "What's your name? Cutie doesn't count."

"Armani," she muttered, her breath stuck in her throat. Blaze stared at her, almost as if she was an alluring new art piece.

"That's a beautiful name," she said, moving closer. Armani could feel herself melting under her unnerving eyes. She was going to be devoured. She was sure.

"Blaze!" One of the girls called. "We're leaving."

Blaze got up, pulling her hoodie downward. She dug her hand into her pocket and pulled out a card. "Text me," she said, handing it to her.

Armani watched her leave with the two girls, her hands draped around their shoulders. This felt like the beginning of a rollercoaster ride.

She was scared of heights.