Fallen Angel

14. But we can't be together

The next morning Aurora met with Olivia to go shopping together. It was a beautiful Saturday morning and she had decided she had to go out so she wouldn't think about what had happened with Ethan. But things didn't go as expected when her friend mentioned the boy.

"Well, I asked Ethan to go out with me, as I told you."

Aurora felt her heart stop. She continued the conversation as if the topic was indifferent to her.

"And what did he answer you?"

"He said he didn't feel the same way, but he was very kind and considerate. We are still friends."

"I would look for other friends if I were you" she said.

"What?"

"He's an idiot. Don't trust him."

A deep, beautiful voice behind her made her stop walking.

"Who do you say is an idiot who should not be trusted?"

Ethan was behind them because, coincidentally, he was going to the supermarket and they had to pass by the same way. "Fuck", thought Aurora.

"Okay, can someone explain to me what the hell is going on between you two?" Olivia stopped and crossed her arms. Her face showed confusion. 

"Ask her. She hasn't been taking my calls since yesterday. What's the matter, Aurora?" The tension could be cut with a knife.

Ethan stared at her. He fixed his blue eyes on hers, the colour of honey. She felt very vulnerable and answered defensively.

"Haven't you thought that if I don't take your calls, it's because I don't want to talk to an asshole like you?" She looked at him now. Her words were like daggers digging into Ethan's soul.

"Hey, hey, Aurora..." Olivia tried to bring peace, but Ethan answered first.

"No, I haven't thought about it. Maybe, if you had answered me, I would have understood it faster."

"I don't want to continue talking to you. You disgust me, Ethan."

Aurora spat out those words with all the rage in the world. She took Olivia's hand and they left together. Her friend didn't know what to say.

When they were already away from the boy, she couldn't help but ask.

"Can you explain me what's going on between you and Ethan?"

"Do not worry."

"Holy shit, Aurora, you just had the discussion of the century in front of me."

"It's not that serious. He will forget it."

"The question is: what about you, will you forget it? I see you very angry with him."

"Let's say he told me a big lie."

Olivia sighed.

"Ah, the first lovers' discussion."

Aurora turned around, outraged by her friend's response. Her heart was beating so fast, her face red.

"What do you mean, "lovers'"?!"

"Do you want me to tell you something? When I asked Ethan out yesterday, I did it more to let it go than to wait for something to happen. I've liked Ethan since the first day I saw him, but I also know that the first day he saw you, he fell in love with you so hard. And, deep down, I know that you also love him, and a lot, but you don't want to accept it, nor did you want to tell me because you didn't want to hurt me. And I have thanked you every day."

"Olivia, really, I don't know what you're talking about."

"I talk exactly about what you feel. Aurora, you are so much in love with him. I love you both and I will be happy if you are together, you don't have to worry. These last few weeks I have seen how you go to class together every day, do the work together. How you look at each other, and even how he looks at you when you're distracted and vice versa. Even... the day you left without saying anything, he was the only one who knew where he could find you. Because he's the only one you've opened up to, Aurora. He's the only person you've talked about your parents and Caleb. And I was glad to see that you found someone you felt comfortable and safe doing so with."

Olivia smiled tenderly at her. Aurora was speechless. It was as if she was looking into a mirror and seeing each and every one of her feelings exposed to the world. Seeing that he didn't say anything, Olivia continued.

"Look, I don't know what this big lie he told you is, but I'm sure there is a solution. You guys are getting along too well for a lie to fuck everything up now, don't you think?"

"But..."

"You feel good when you're with him, don't you?"

"I guess..."

"Haven't you noticed? Since the first day he always asks for you, at all time. When we leave the house: "where is Aurora? Hasn't she gotten up yet?" When he comes to the library: "has Aurora come?". Always Aurora this, Aurora that. He's obsessed with you."

"But we can't be together."

A treacherous tear fell from her eye. Her friend looked at her, concerned. Olivia tucked her black hair behind her ear and said:

"Of course, you can. You just have to talk. And, from now on, when you feel sad, you know I'm downstairs. You can come whenever you want." She hugged her.

"I love you so much, Olivia. Thanks." The perfume of her friend comforted her.

"Above all, you are my friend. I will always want the best for you."

***

When Aurora arrived at her apartment, she saw Cassius waiting for her leaning against the wall next to her door. The girl frowned.

"What are you doing here?"

"I want to talk to you."

"Where's Ethan?"

"It's not a matter I can talk about in a corridor where neighbours pass."

The girl looked around and sighed.

"Okay, come in."

Aurora opened the door for him and let him in. Cassius was amazed at the order of the apartment, very different from Ethan's disaster. The walls were decorated with pictures that she had painted herself; everything was clean and tidy and there was a scent of flowers coming from the vase on the living room table. The apartment showed the same beauty and neatness as its owner.

The girl left the keys on top of the chest of drawers in the entrance and leaned against it with her arms crossed.

"Well, what is it that is so important and secret?"

"Ethan's wing feathers have started to change colour."

Aurora swallowed. She tried to act as if what he had just said didn't affect her.

"And?"

"It's a bad sign. Aurora, Ethan can't fall in love with a human. In his case, it is synonymous with dying."

"He already told me." She started to tremble. "And... what can happen, if they change its colour?"

Cassius was relieved to see that she did indeed still care for the angel.

"They are turning grey. It means that Ethan is in love with a human and that his love and admiration is growing. Once all his feathers have changed colour, he will become a fallen angel. This means that he will wander in the limbo of the Realm of Angels and Demons eternally."

"Well, let him renounce his mission and distance himself from me forever, if that is what will save him." There was no fear or doubt in her tone of voice.

"He cannot. Renouncing his mission would have the same end."

"If you're telling me to stay away from him, I will. But you have to tell him, too, not to come near me. He should work from a distance."

"Do you hate him that much?"

Aurora looked at him with a very sad smile on her face and sighed.

"It's not that. It's just that I think I love him so much, that I'd rather give him up, if that's what's going to save him."

//

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