Celestial: Fallen

Chapter 41-The Walk to Unease

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for the evening ahead. Josh and Leroy had opted to stay behind, Josh claiming he couldn't resist my mom's cooking. I chuckled, knowing how much he adored her meals. "Alright, but don't eat everything," I teased, asking them to wait for me while I headed out.

To my surprise, Michael volunteered to walk with us to the diner just a few blocks from our place. I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions as we set off. Walking between these beautiful creatures made me feel slightly out of place. Rhyian, with her tall, slender frame and ethereal grace, looked like a supermodel—reminiscent of a young Natalia Vodianova, with her striking features and effortless elegance. Beside her, Brigit was equally stunning. With her black hair framing her delicate face, she resembled Sabrina Carpenter, but with an edge, her beauty sharp and magnetic. And then there was Michael, towering over us—well, towering over me, at least—looking like he had stepped out of a dream. His angelic features reminded me of Luke Eisner, his blond hair catching the light and his chiseled face radiating a quiet strength.

As we walked, I could feel a tightness building in my chest. My heart beat faster with each step, not because of the company, but because I knew what awaited me at the diner. Diarmid. The name alone sent a flurry of emotions through me. It had been days since I last saw him, and I wasn't sure if I was ready to face him again. My hands began to sweat as the diner came into view, its warm lights glowing against the cool evening air.

I glanced at Brigit, suddenly overcome with the urge to turn back. I wanted to make an excuse, to retreat into the safety of home. These past days without Diarmid had been strange—my heart had found a steady rhythm, a calmness that I hadn't felt in a long time. And yet, despite the peace, he had never truly left my thoughts. I feared what seeing him again would stir within me. The way he looked at me, the feelings he ignited—it was overwhelming.

Sensing my unease, I suddenly felt a firm but gentle hand on my back. I turned to find Michael looking at me with concern. His eyes softened, and his brow furrowed slightly, as if silently asking, Are you okay?

I swallowed hard and tried to force a smile. It probably came out more as a grimace, but I appreciated Michael's silent support. His presence had always been calming, like a protective barrier against the world. "I'm fine," I murmured, though the tremor in my voice betrayed me.

He didn't press further, just kept walking alongside me, his hand lightly resting on my back, guiding me forward. I drew strength from him, knowing that whatever happened tonight, I wasn't alone. With one last deep breath, I focused on the path ahead, trying to steady my nerves as we approached the diner's entrance.

As soon as we stepped into the diner, I felt a shift in the air. It wasn't something I could easily explain, but the atmosphere was different—warm, but not suffocating. There was a subtle tension, a quiet buzz that set my nerves on edge, though I couldn't put my finger on why.

Michael's hand tightened slightly on my arm, and I could feel the shift in his energy. It wasn't threatening, but it was unmistakably protective, like he was bracing for something. I glanced up at him, trying to read his expression, but he was focused elsewhere, his jaw set and his gaze fixed ahead.

Brigit walked ahead of us, her pace quickening as she made her way toward the back of the diner, where there was a small balcony with a few scattered tables. I noticed how she moved with purpose, as if something—or someone—was drawing her forward.

As I followed, a soft buzzing sound caught my attention. I turned to Michael to see if he had noticed it too. His jaw was clenched tightly now, the muscles in his face tensing as if he were preparing for something. My stomach tightened. Oh no, what's wrong?