The Fallen Angel

6.Daze

As I trudged into my home, burdened by the weight of exhaustion, my mother's warm greeting barely registered. Climbing the stairs with a heavy heart, I ignored her calls, seeking solace in the solitude of my room. Collapsing onto my bed, I couldn't help but notice the imposing frame hanging beside it. With a sigh, I found myself murmuring, "Why don't you like me Adrian?" My gaze fixed on his picture, hanging there as a silent reminder of unresolved emotions.

As I lay on my bed, my legs dangling, my mom's call echoed through the house, beckoning me downstairs. With each step, I felt the weight of exhaustion dragging me down, but the anticipation of seeing my parents pulled me forward. Their smiles greeted me as I descended the stairs, and the aroma of delicious food filled the air, teasing my senses. With a quick hand wash, I settled at the table, greeted by a spread of mouthwatering dishes. As I indulged in the flavors, I felt my mood shift, buoyed by the warmth of family and the comforting embrace of a satisfying meal.

As the silence enveloped us, my dad's gaze met my weary expression, prompting him to inquire about my day at school. With a mouthful of noodles, I shook my head in response, the sauce leaving a messy trail around my lips. My mom's gentle smile acknowledged my clumsiness as she continued serving food. Then, my dad's question about my boyfriend caught me off guard, causing me to look up with noodles still clinging to my mouth.

With frustration bubbling up inside me, I retorted, "Dad, he's not even my boyfriend yet." Pausing, I sighed heavily before continuing, "It just feels like he's not interested in me." My dad's expression shifted, exchanging a concerned glance with my mom, who looked worried. "Not interested in you? That's absurd!" my dad exclaimed, his tone laced with indignation. "Everyone would be lucky to have you. It's his loss," he added vehemently.

I couldn't help but giggle at my dad's earnestness, saying, "Oh, Dad, please, enough with the lucky talk." His protective instincts surfaced as he urged me not to worry and to focus on my studies, warning me against getting involved with the boy he didn't approve of. With a nod, I reassured him, "Got it." As he affectionately brushed my hair, he offered to dispose of the picture in my room, eliciting a shocked response from me, With a firm "No, never!" I watched as my dad left, disappointment evident in his retreat, while my mom chuckled softly at our interaction.Then she reminded me about my brother's upcoming visit, suggesting I plan some activities with him. My immediate reaction was a vehement "No!" accompanied by a deep sigh.

Strolling down the street with my cat Dizzie, she reveled in the simple joys of exploration, her playful meows echoing as she leisurely wandered. Children along the way waved at her, enchanted by her beauty—a vision of white fur dancing in the breeze, her blue eyes sparkling in the sunlight. With an air of confidence, she strutted down the street as if it were her kingdom, her occasional excited chirps at the sight of food bringing a smile to my face.

As Dizzie grew weary from our walk, I scooped her up into my arms, feeling her soft fur brush against my fingers as I gently petted her. Her contented purrs filled the air as we continued down the street. Sensing her hunger, I asked, "Would you like something to eat, Dizzie?" In response, she let out a long meow, prompting a chuckle from me. Entering the pet shop with Dizzie in tow, her cheerful demeanor filled the space with warmth and joy.

Feeling a sense of unease, I hurried towards the back door of the shop, where I caught a glimpse of a large figure disappearing with a golden stick in hand. As I reached the area, the stench of garbage overwhelmed me, and I found myself surrounded by stray dogs and cats scavenging for food amidst the refuse. Overcome with pity for the animals, I glanced around, but ultimately dismissed the strange sighting as my imagination running wild, and reluctantly left the scene behind.

Lost in thought on the walk back home, the images from the pet shop replayed in my mind, pulling me away from reality. It wasn't until I heard Dizzie's gentle meow that I snapped back to the present moment. Looking down at her, I couldn't bear to deny her food, but with a heavy heart, I said, "You can't have food right now, girl." Her eyes, filled with innocence and longing, pleaded with me, but I stubbornly continued walking, unable to face her sad gaze.

On my way home, I encountered the guy from school who had rudely kicked my desk earlier, prompting me to ignore him. Despite my attempts to avoid him, he aggressively called out my name and approached me. "Can we go out on a date?" he questioned. I furrowed my brows in annoyance and responded, "Don't you have anything better to do, Cavan? Why are you pestering me?" His reply was chilling as he closed in on me, repeating, "Am I bothering you?"

Feeling a surge of frustration and discomfort, I quickened my pace, hoping to escape the unwelcome attention. But Cavan's persistent footsteps grew louder, his presence looming closer. As he grabbed my arm, his breath heavy with the scent of alcohol and cigarettes, I recoiled, repulsed by his intoxicated state. Ignoring his advances, I attempted to walk away, but his grip tightened, his words slurred as he insisted on his affections.

Anger flaring within me, I pushed him away, my cat caught between us, a silent witness to the confrontation. "Stay away from me," I demanded, my voice trembling with anger and fear. Yet, despite my protests, he drew closer, his hand reaching for my shoulders, pulling me uncomfortably close. With a defiant shrug, I pushed him away once more, determined to assert my boundaries and escape his unwanted advances.

As I struggled to move away from Cavan, relief washed over me as someone intervened, stopping Cavan in his tracks. However, my relief turned to fear as the newcomer's imposing figure loomed over us. Before I could comprehend what was happening, he struck Cavan to the ground with a forceful blow. "You! Humans are so disgusting," he spat, his eyes locking onto mine with a chilling intensity. My cat, sensing the tension, panicked and leaped from my arms, fleeing in fear. I was torn between chasing after my cat and intervening in the escalating situation. With a trembling voice, I pleaded, "Leave him alone!" But the stranger's grip on Cavan remained firm as he lifted him by the collar, his strength overpowering. Despite Cavan's attempts to walk away, the stranger showed no signs of relenting.

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