Wingless ~Book Two of Winged~

Realization

Dominic decides we should go eat and unhappily invites Etheriel. I run my fingers through my hair, looking in the mirror. Etheriel walks past the bathroom door and stops as he stares in at me. I stare back and I get a strange sensation as my heart rate starts to fluctuate. The longer I stare into his eyes the more I notice the sadness lurking within them and I look down at the sink.

"Ready to go?" Dominic walks into view and Etheriel looks away from me as Dominic enters the bathroom.

"Yeah." I say quietly and look up into his dark eyes through the mirror. He shows a small smile and turns, leaving and going toward the hotel room door. I follow Dominic to the elevator and Etheriel trails behind me. A couple in formal clothing steps off the elevator as we are getting on and they eye us up and down. I stand beside Dominic and Etheriel is against the wall behind me. As the elevator descends, I can't focus on anything, but how close Etheriel is behind me. I feel his eyes boring into the back of my head. The doors open with a ding and Dominic steps out, scanning the lobby as Etheriel and I exit too. Once we leave the hotel, I sit in the backseat and Dominic decides to drive. Etheriel gets into the passenger seat and he glances back at me for a second before settling in. We end up at a 24 hour diner and an older lady, with strands of grey hair sticking up from her bun, seats us near the back of the diner. I slide into a booth seat and Dominic slides in next to me, Etheriel across from me. The lady sets down three dark green menus and takes our drink requests. I flip through the few pages of the menu a couple times, scanning each page. Dominic opens the menu to a specific page, scans it, then shuts the menu, setting it down. Etheriel opens the menu and slowly looks at each page. I decide to get a Reuben with a side salad. The frail looking old lady comes back with our drinks.

"Are you ready to order?" She asks and smiles, pulling out a notepad.

"I would like a chicken Caesar salad." Etheriel smiles politely and I feel my heart flutter at the sight of his perfect smile and straight teeth. The lady nods as she jots it down.

"And you, sir?" She looks up at Dominic and Dominic smiles.

"Quarter Pound Cheeseburger with Mayo and onion rings." Dominic says and the lady stares into his eyes for a second, caught up in them before slowly nodding and writing down what he said.

"Ma'am?" She looks at me and smiles. I feel Etheriel look at me and my cheeks heat up slightly.

"A Reuben and a side salad." I smile and she nods, writing it down. She gathers the menus before scurrying off. Dominic's hand slides into mine and usually it would feel right except now it feels as if it doesn't belong there. Dominic doesn't seem to notice as he tightly squeezes my hand. I look up from our hands and see Etheriel staring slightly, his eyes with a faraway look. I slowly pull away from Dominic's hand and set my hand in my lap. I see him instantly look at me and his hand twitches as he pulls back. I feel his eyes on me and Etheriel's eyes on me. I grab a straw and rip the paper off it, sticking it into my icy drink. Without looking up, I pick up my drink and bring the straw to my lips, taking a few sips. The bell on the door to the restaurant dings and at the same time I get a tingling sensation all over my skin. I look up and toward the door and notice Etheriel and Dominic looking too. A girl with dyed grey hair, red lips, winged eyeliner, and penciled on eyebrows walks in and smiles at the young girl who approaches. The young girl leads her to a booth a ways away from ours. She sits down and tells the girl what she wants to drink. Etheriel and Dominic continue to stare at the girl and I am confused. Our old waitress comes over with plates balanced on her arm and one in her other hand. She sets down Etheriel's salad then sets down my Reuben and my side salad, finally setting down Dominic's order. They finally look away from the girl and down at their food.