Earth and Sky

Chapter 19

Araquiel

I stretch my arms wide as I sit up. I continue stretching until I hit some thing hard behind me.

"Ow."

I spin around and find myself face to face with Zeru.

"If your going to hit somebody, can it at least be those guys who have been trying to kill you?"

A blush spreads over my face. It was way to early for this.

"S- sorry!"

Zeru chuckles and ruffles my hair. "It's fine. And if you can hurt me by stretching, I wonder how it would feel if you actually attempted to punch someone."

I pop my knuckles, raise an eyebrow, and smirk. "Wanna find out?"

Zeru bursts out laughing and clutches his sides. "You're so adorable when you try to be bad." He stands up and clears his throat. "Well... I'm going to go prepare breakfast. Can you wake everybody else up?"

With that, he turns and leaves without even waiting for my response.

' You are so adorable when you try to be bad...'

I pull my cloak over my head to cover up my blush.

'Ugh, this guy...'

Finally, I push up off of the ground and start the horrendous task of waking my family.

Why is it that horrible? Well... I got slapped by Sloane and Simona. Laec didn't get up until I poured water on him, and Scarlet... You would think that she would be the easiest to wake up since she is usually so mature. Not today. She didn't even get up and I had to drag her to the table. Finally I had enough and I burnt her neck.

"Ow!"

"Seems like you're hurting everyone this morning." Zeru smirks

"What the heck Araquiel?"

I glare at both of them. "Can we switch jobs next time Zeru?"

He shrugs. "Maybe, maybe not. Well see based on the situation."

I raise my eyebrow. "Well, right now the situation is I live with a bunch of grumps who hate getting up in the morning."

He raises his hands in defense. "Hey! Its not my fault."

I slap the back of his head then walk around him to get my breakfast.

I grab the Earth plate I made earlier on and put a couple of fruits onto it. I strut over to the makeshift table and wait for everybody else to arrive. Zeru arrives first, still rubbing the back of his head.

"Hey, you know I was just joking about the punching stuff earlier, right?"

I stick my tongue out at him and begin eating.

"Wow, your not very social today."

"Well, I'm not really a morning person."

"I can see that. At this rate, I'll be lucky if I survive the day."

I throw an apple at Zeru and continue eating.

"Woah, I guess you woke up on the wrong side of the bed today."

I blow a raspberry at my annoying brother and eat a grape.

"Hm... I know what will cheer you up."

Before I can ask what Zeru means, he throws me over his shoulder and starts walking away from the table. I hit his back as hard as I can.

"Hey! Wait! This is so rude! Let me go, right now! Put me down!"

"I don't think so." Zeru says happily.

He throws me into the air and I start to scream. My hands automatically cover my eyes. I feel the wind around me change direction and I start to fall. But I don't hit the ground. Arms wrap around my waist and I start ascending again. I peek between my fingers and see my savior- Zeru. His huge white fluffy wings flap in a soothing rhythm, bringing us higher and higher.

'Like and Angel ascending into heaven.'

The girlish thought is flung from my mind as I remember what he just did.

"Hey!" I scream angrily.

Without thinking, I push him away. Bad choice. I start plummeting again, unable to draw my wings out. I land against someone and for the third time, rise into the air.

"Stop being so stupid! You could've died!"

"Sorry!" I squeak.

"Hey look down."

I stare at Zeru in shock. "Isn't that what you are not supposed to do when you are scared?!"

"Your scared of heights?"

"Yes!" I cry, nodding vigorously to get the point across.

"Look, I've got you. Most likely you won't fall."

"Most likely?! That's not very reassuring!"

Zeru laughs at me. "Come on. Just do it."

Gathering up my strength, I peer below me. I see a lot of trees, and the campsite I was previously at.

"They're so small!" I laugh.

I face Zeru. "What is your castle like? Up in the sky... Is everything like this?"

He nods. "Basically, but higher. We get our wings earlier then you guys do because we're Angels and... You know... Have to fly around to get places."

I nod. "I've flown before, but never this high. I have my own set of wings you know."

"Yeah, but they are like a butterfly's."

I stick my tongue out at him. "That just means they are prettier then yours."

"Sure they are..." His face suddenly lights up. "Hey, do you want to have some fun?"

"Uh... Sure."

"Then let's go!"

We start diving down again, flipping and twisting as we went. Even though I was scared out of my mind, a little part of me thought this was fun. So I let the little part of me take over. Soon I was laughing my head off, completely enjoying myself. Finally, Zeru set me down in our camp site. We were both out of breath, me from laughing, Zeru from flying.

"Hey, I want to do that!"

We turn to face the rest of our friends.

"Well, I did say I was going to cheer her up...."

I bend over to start laughing and everybody joins in. Well almost everybody. I finally stop laughing and gaze up. Right in front of me is an angry Scarlet.

"Scar?"

She turns around and stalks off, leaving me confused.