Whispers on a Wing

Chapter Twenty One

I had just left Jake's house and I was feeling as light as a feather. I knew I was grinning like an idiot to myself but I just couldn't help it. This day had started out being one of the worst days; sleeping in, having an argument with Jake and getting detention were all clear reasons why I should want to go to bed and completely forget that today even happened.

But it had also been one of the best days. The very best.

I found myself sighing almost wistfully as I walked along the pavement as I left the cul-du-sac Jake and his mum lived on. I'd told him Alice was parked at the end of the road and I was going to meet her there so she wouldn't have to turn around.

Thankfully my head felt fine, all the fogginess and confusion I'd felt when I left detention had completely gone. Doesn't mean I wasn't going to set an alarm tonight. There was no way I was getting caught out like that again.

My wings were killing me, screaming at me to be released and I so couldn't wait to get these damned belts off and finally relax at home. I mat even go out hunting with Harper tonight and see if I can catch some protein.

I walked along the pavement, taking in the picket white fences and perfectly manicured lawns and I couldn't help the small snort that escaped my throat. Of course Jake would live in a picket fence community. I wouldn't be surprised if they were the type of neighbourhood that had block parties and formed some kind of neighbourhood watch that promised to look out for each other but were secretly judging your tulip choices behind your backs.

I gripped the straps of my bag tighter and continued to march on down the road, but when I spotted a car sitting just up the road from me, a person lounged out in the drivers seat I paused. I knew that car, I knew that silhouette.

I walked over to her with an eye roll and knocked on the closed window, causing her to jump and drop her phone into her lap.

"What are you doing here?"

"Well I wasn't going to abandon you without a ride home was I?" Alice defended after she'd opened the door so we could hear each other.

"You know I have other modes of transport right?" I asked, raising my eyebrows.

"I know that, but I didn't know how you were feeling. When I left you were still bleeding and grumpy and I wanted to make sure I was here incase you needed me."

My shoulders relaxed as I stared down at her. Had she been waiting here this whole time, waiting whilst I had dinner with Jake and his mum, but she was worried about leaving me? "You didn't need to do that."

"I know," she shrugged. "That's what makes me such a good friend," she grinned.

"Well I'm sorry you waited round for nothing, I'll let you get going so you can get something to eat," I said re-gripping the straps of my bag as I turned slightly to continue walking.

"Wait, you don't seriously believe I'm going to let you go home alone are you? You heard Jake's mom, you need to be with someone tonight to make sure you don't have a concussion."

I laughed but it slowly died as I watched the serious expression on her face. "Oh no you really don't have to do that, I heal quick and I've got no side effects from my fall. I'll be fine on my own for one night, promise."

She frowned as she looked up at me from the drivers seat, her hand gripping the wheel as she used it to turn to face me completely. "Nope, not risking it. Get it," she said, gesturing with her head to the passenger seat.

"Seriously Alice, I'll be fine," I tried to convince her, feeling a weird sense of panic start to rise within me at the thought of her coming home with me.