The Fallen Angel

57."Lost in Doubt"

"What are you doing?" Ero approached me, his eyes burning with fury, anger rising in him. I couldn't run; I had reached a dead end. "You need to stop this, Ero," I said, trying to reason with him, but he smirked, his appearance slowly transforming into that of a devil. Fear gripped me tightly. "You can't stay away from me," he grinned, his burnt wings spreading wide. "Do you think you can hide?"

His face changed, and my back slammed against the wall, the dark sky consuming my fear. His wings spread over my body, and he sniffed. "You smell so good," he growled, his huge thorns tearing into my skin. I didn't scream; my heart was pounding. His nails gripped my hand. "You," he snarled, the thorn on his wing stabbing into my back, driving it beneath my stomach. Blood poured from my mouth.

The scene was a nightmare come to life, a chilling, terrifying encounter that left me paralyzed with fear and pain, trapped in a reality I never thought possible.I woke up screaming, "Hey, hey, are you alright?" I bolted upright, sweat covering my forehead, breathing hard. Ero looked at me with concern. "You okay?" he asked, handing me a cup of water. I was scared to look, but I nodded. "I'm okay," I managed to say, my hands still shaking. Realizing it was just a dream relieved me, the terror of the nightmare slowly fading away.

The silence broke me. "I'm sorry," I said, guilt filling me and tears welling up in my eyes. "I think this won't—" Aria came running, "Hey babe," she said, hugging me with a beautiful smile. "I missed you," she added. I was confused; she had been disappointed just two days ago. "Missed you too," I whispered, still puzzled. Aiden joined us, "Hey, Frog head." I didn't smile as I looked at Ero. Aiden laughed, "Why are you covered in sweat, did you both—?" Aria interrupted him, throwing a hand at him, "Stop being so disgusting." I let out a laugh. "I heard you're dating my bestie," she smirked at Ero. He was just as confused as I was.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked as I was going through, my nightmare still running inside my mind."Well, look who it is! I heard you're flying over the moon," Aiden teased, his grin widening mischievously."Yeah, right, Aiden. Have you found a boy band to manage yet?" I quipped back, rolling my eyes.

Aiden chuckled. "Not yet, but I'm keeping an eye out for the next big thing. Maybe I'll even manage your love life!" and continued"Oh, sorry, you already found the love of your life, Aiden said dramatically, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he suddenly wrapped his arms around me, pretending to choke me. "How dare you, did you think we'd never find out about your plans?" I coughed, struggling to breathe. "It's hurting, you goofball," I said, punching his hand to release me.

"Leave her alone, Aiden," Aria laughed, prying his hands off my neck. "So, this is your boyfriend," Aiden remarked, slinging his arm over Aria's shoulder and flashing a grin at Ero. "The villain of our school," he added, glancing over at Ero. We all turned to look at Ero, but he took it seriously. "Haha, that's funny," I said, breaking the tension. I shrugged, "Ero, you must have already met Aiden and Aria, my best mates." They waved with smiles on their faces, but Ero just gave a blank nod.

"What do you think we're up to now?" Aiden asked, stretching his arms. "I've got classes," I tried to interject, but Aria's eyes lit up with excitement. "How 'bout a double date?" she suggested. Aiden nodded eagerly, "Great idea! It'll be the first time Isabelle's gonna have a partner on our date," he teased, shooting me a mischievous grin. I glanced at Ero and spoke on his behalf, "Nah, guys, let's try it another day".

"I'm gonna get you, you aren't going anywhere, stop being such a bore," Aria exclaimed, pulling me. Aiden attempted to approach Ero, but Ero's deadpan look stopped him. "Come on, they'll be fine," she said, pulling me away while I struggled. "I need to change, not with this dress!! It's so casual," I complained. Aria smiled, "You can't escape from me, let's go shopping."

"What about classes?" I questioned. Aria smirked, "Let's just bunk 'em.""Why are you worrying so much?" she said, trying to snatch the bag from my hand. "I don't know, I thought you were disappointed with me," I replied. We stashed the bag in the lockers and whipped out our phones.

"I was, but not anymore. If my bestie has found one, it'll always be the perfect match for her. But I'm keeping an eye on you. If he hurts you, I'm gonna hang him upside down," she said, rubbing her fist menacingly. "And then we'll see if he's still up for the double date!" she added with a mischievous grin.I laughed, "I don't think he's scared of you because you don't know him." Aria frowned, "Stop taking his side," she said, crossing her arms.

I chuckled, "Hey, you're the one threatening to hang people upside down. I think he's got reason to be a little nervous!" I teased, dodging a playful punch from Aria.She rolled her eyes, "Oh, please! He doesn't know what's coming for him if he messes with you!"Aiden, overhearing our conversation, chimed in, "You better watch out, Ero. Aria's got a mean left hook!".Aria shot him a glare, "You're not helping, Aiden."

"Hey, just trying to prepare the poor guy for what's to come," he replied with a grin."Everything alright?" I asked, silently communicating with Ero by shaking my lips, and he nodded. I smiled at him before I could speak up. "We need to talk, let's step out," he said, already making his way to the exit. "I'll meet you guys in the parking space," Aria nodded, and I followed behind Ero.

He stopped. "What's happening here? How does she know about our relationship?" he questioned, his expression a mixture of confusion and frustration.

I didn't want to let him know what had happened, but I couldn't dodge his question. "I told her, and I'll let them know that you don't want to join us," I replied, trying to downplay the situation.

He sighed in anger. "I never told you that I won't be joining you," he stated firmly, his tone stern and unwavering, brushing his hair off in frustration.

"I didn't think you'd want to," I said, defensively.

"That's not the point," he shot back. "You shouldn't have made that decision without consulting me."

"I didn't have much choice, Ero," I argued, my voice rising. "What was I supposed to say?"

"I don't care what you say, but this is not the right time to let everyone know about our relationship," he responded, his eyes blazing with anger. "What if Adrian overhears you? It would be a mess, and all the devils will hear it out, and it would be dangerous. Are you that much of an idiot? Don't you know what happened? How much I had to go through to save you from those demons?"

I sighed. "Adrian already knows about us, but—" he cut me off abruptly.

Ero's eyes flashed in anger, and he kicked his bike, making it fall down. He was furious. "You what? Are you crazy?" he yelled, gripping his hand in anger, punching the wall continuously and screaming, "I just got to know, I never told him anything, and we don't even talk—" He pointed at me, "Shut your mouth!", His hands were bleeding. "Let me explain. Please, they will hear you. Ero, chill out," I pleaded. "I shouldn't have told them, but they are my—" I heard Aria walking angrily towards us.

"You can't blame her, Ero," Aria interjected, stepping in between us. "We've all been a little on edge. It's not Isabelle's fault."

"Don't you dare, Aria!" Ero spat, his eyes still locked on me. "Stay out of this."

"Look, I didn't mean for it to happen," I tried to explain, but he was in no mood to listen.

"Save your explanations, Isabelle," he retorted, his tone harsh. "This is a mess, and you've made it worse."Aiden stepped closer, his expression serious. "Ero, cool down, she didn't mean any harm," he said, trying to diffuse the tension.

Ero turned to Aiden, his anger undiminished. "Stay out of this, Aiden. This is between me and Isabelle," he growled, his voice laced with frustration. "Fine, have it your way," Aiden replied, his palms raised in a gesture of surrender. "But I can't stand by and watch you make things worse."

The tension in the air was palpable, heavy like the weight of guilt in my chest. I could feel my heart sinking, realizing that I had only added fuel to the fire.

Aiden stepped forward, his voice calm yet determined. "Why keep your relationship a secret?" he asked, moving closer to Ero. Without hesitation, Ero seized Aiden's collar, his fury blazing in his eyes. "This is none of your concern. Keep your nose out of matters you know nothing about," he spat, his glare piercing.

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