Between Heaven And Hell

Chapter 1

Getting dressed was a new challenge for Sharlotte. While her wings were flexible, they were still there. And clothes were not made for them. She quickly altered everything to fit her wings. Mostly just ripping them open with a knife. Eventually, she would upgrade to a custom wardrobe but that wasn't today's problem. She had to get to class. With a heavy sigh, she grabbed her bag and left for school.

She got there with time to spare. Late was not in her vocabulary, but she dragged her feet as she made her way to the building. Everyone stared at her. It was just something she would have to get used to. She unconsciously pulled her wings in tighter against her body.

A small girl with cat ears and a tail came running up to her. "Well hey there batty!" She was small and spindly but her skin was covered with a soft velvet fur. She was orange with tabby stripes. Rare for a female Neko. But her eyes were bright golden. The cat-girl smiled as Sharlotte hugged her. "Hey, you doin' anything this weekend?" Her long tail flicked back and forth at the tip.

Sharlotte quickly said "No." as she raised an eyebrow at her friend.

The hyper little cat girl entwined their arms. "Mind if I come over? My parents are out and I figured that if two friends were alone...they could be lonely together." She looked up at Sharlotte with big pleading eyes.

Sharlotte smiled. "Of course, you can, Taylor." Taylor's tail twitched as her smile got bigger. "So I take it my place?" Taylor nodded. Sharlotte lost her family years ago and moved on quickly but time with her friends was precious to her. She had her own apartment and Taylor loved being 'on her own'. It was a getaway from her busy family.

A large brute of a guy walked by the girls. "Dykes!" Luckily Taylor was so short compared to Sharlotte. The demon quickly threw out her wing. The leather snapped over her best friend's head and clipped the passing boy on the side of his head. He grabbed his head in pain and Sharlotte and Taylor giggled all the way to first class.

Sharlotte was busy looking out the window when Miss Koy made an announcement. "This is Esme, she is new here so be nice to her." Sharlotte looked over just in time to see the girl walk into the classroom. Sharlotte's jaw hit the floor.

She was short, but her eyes were a deep green color. Her hair was dark yet her smile lit up the room. She sported a pair of goth-style TRIPP pants paired with a black shirt with a heart on it. She had on a spiked collar and matching bracelets. Sharlotte couldn't help but stare at her eyes. Then she noticed the black feathered wings. It might have seemed obvious but they blended into her overall aesthetic well.

"She's out of my league." Sharlotte thought to herself.

"Pick any seat you want dear." Miss Koy's soft voice carried. She was a kind professor, but she didn't take anyone's shit either. There were only a few open seats left. Esme looked around then slowly walked to a spot behind Sharlotte.

"Is this spot taken?" Esme's voice was soft and gentle. Almost softer than a whisper. The voice of an angel.

"Nope, it's free." Sharlotte said as she twisted around in her seat. She faced demons and the devil himself, and never lost her nerve. But this girl.... She did something to her. Sharlotte wasn't sure if she liked it or not. "I sure hope you can see over my wings. If not we can trade seats."

Esme smiled softly. "Alright, but for now I'm fine, thank you." She looked at Sharlotte. "Well, you know my name, what's yours?" Her voice was so sweet.

Sharlotte offered her hand. "Name's Sharlotte, Shar for short." As Esme took her hand Shar couldn't help but smile.

"You can call her Batty! I'm Taylor." Taylor piped in. Esme giggled softly at the interruption. Everything about this girl was angelic.

"I think I'll stick to Shar." Esme said. Taylor got bored and started playing with her tail. At that time Miss Koy was starting class.

English went by quickly and soon enough the bell rang. "Hey, Shar!" Sharlotte stopped and turned to look at Esme. "Do you mind if I sit with you at lunch?"

"Sure, no problem. I just hope you can handle us." Shar jerked a thumb at the neko that pounced on her back. Taylor loved getting a ride to her next class. "Where do you go next Esme?"

Esme handed Shar her class list. "Wow, we have almost everything together." Taylor clung a bit tighter to Shar, a bit jealous. "Oh stop that." Shar grumbled at Taylor through the chokehold. "Stick with us Esme and you'll be safe." Shar smiled at her.

"Crap." Taylor whimpered in Shar's ear. The guy from that morning was walking right towards them. He shoved a kid hard into the hallway wall as he approached Esme.

He placed one hand on the wall next to her and leaned on it. "Hey there cutie." His voice was as soft and sexy as he could make it. As if he wasn't just the biggest ass to anyone in his way. "Why hang with these dykes, come hang with me." He held out his hand flashing a smile some girls would die to see. He relied on that smile for all his 'favors'. The girls loved it, and he knew it. He noticed she was just looking at him, so he dropped his arm off the wall and placed it around her shoulder. Esme didn't say anything as she stepped sideways to pull away. His hand tightened around her arm. "Oh come on cutie, I can show you a good time. At least better than these freaks could." He smiled at her and tried to pull her closer. She resisted again without a word, and Shar noticed.

Before he could go any further Sharlotte grabbed his wrist and growled softly. "Let go. She doesn't seem interested in your offer." Her voice was low and calm. He did, but only slightly. Taylor still clinging to Shar's back, bit his hand making him wince and release his grip on Esme. "I said let go." Shar's voice was still calm.

He had just removed his grip on Esme when Shar's hand lashed to his neck, gripping him hard. She grinned and threw him across the hallway. He hit the wall and slid to the floor. Taylor looked at her friend. Wings weren't the only thing she must have gained from that deal. She shuttered at the thought. "Next time someone tells you no, they mean it, Mike." Taylor slid off and leaned into Shar. Without another word, and all eyes in the hallway on them, she led both Taylor and Esme to the next class.

"Thanks." Esme whispered as she clung to Shar's hand.

The rest of the day went by with ease. The girls went to classes and did very little. All and all, an easy day. Lunch break went by too quickly as always. When the final bell rang Shar and Taylor met in the hall.

"Hey, Batty!" Taylor said as she waved down her best friend. "You taking me home to get my stuff first?" Shar nodded quickly. "YAY!" Taylor spun, her tail wrapping around her with excitement.

Esme walked up from behind Shar. "Hey." Her voice was shy as she walked around to the lockers. She leaned against them letting herself relax slightly. She took a deep breath, "I'm worried about that Mike guy." Her voice trailed off. "I'm scared he will follow me of something."

Sharlotte reached out and took Esme's hand softly. The poor girl was shaking with fear. "Well, do you live with your parents or a friend?"

Esme blushed at Shar's touch. "Not this weekend, my parents are off with my sister somewhere. They won't be home until the middle of next week."

"Oh." Shar said as Taylor came springing back. Shar's voice dropped so Taylor would be the only one to hear. The two had almost a telepathic link at this point in their friendship. "Can she come? She's worried about Mike." Taylor nodded silently to Shar otherwise her excitement would explode out through her mouth. "Well, you could come stay with me this weekend. Taylor and I are just going to be hanging out. You're more than welcome."

Esme's eyes got bright. "If that's ok with everyone, I would hate to be a burden." She blushed slightly and fidgeted with her hands.

Taylor couldn't contain herself any longer. "No problem! GIRLS WEEKEND!" Taylor yelled as she flung herself onto Esme. When Esme didn't respond Taylor happily hopped off and danced about.

"You sure you can handle that?" Shar asked giggling. Esme smiled and nodded. Shar then turned around to go. Esme quickly slipped her hand around Shar's arm. Shar glanced and smiled but said nothing. "Let's go Taylor! I will leave your ass behind!" Taylor danced and fluttered around the girls as they walked down the hall. She always seemed to have energy to spare. She soon pounced on Shar's back for a ride. "You know how heavy you're getting?" Shar giggled as Taylor clung to her happily. The joke made Taylor purr, as she remembered their years of friendship.