Pretty Wings (Paul Walker)

Ch. 13

Hanna flushed the toilet before she climbed back into her bunk. She was exhausted after tossing and turning last night. All she wanted was to be in Paul's arms with him playing in her hair and the two of them just being happy. That dream was soon shattered with the harsh truth as she jumped from the sound of her cell being opened.

"Walker, you have a visitor."

She eased herself down from the hard bunk and smiled when she saw her in laws, but they weren't alone, they had Paulie with them.

"Mommy," he said as she came into his view.

"Hi baby," she said scooping him up and smothering him in kisses.

He squealed and wrapped his arms around her neck as she kissed his forehead before she hugged P3 and Cheryl.

"How did you guys pull this off?"

"We filed an appeal and received a new judge," P3 stated proudly.

"Of course we have Vin to thank for bringing him home."

"Home," Paulie babbled as he put his fingers in his mouth.

"Mommy can't come home baby."

"Actually we're working on that too. We should have you out of her very soon. Right now we're just waiting on a judge to be announced. We're convinced that Vanessa had something to do with this mess."

Hanna didn't know what to say. She knew that she was innocent but now that other people were starting to notice strange things going on made her wonder if there was any connection between her mother and Kori.

***

"Where are you going looking so spiffy," Sal asked walking into Hanna's room.

Hanna looked down at her outfit. She had on one of her dad's shirts and a pair of yoga pants with no makeup and her hair was pulled back in a messy bun. There was nothing 'spiffy' about this getup.

"Just to get some coffee. College isn't a joke, especially my major."

Sal rolled his eyes playfully.

"Please you're an art major all the hard work that goes into that."

"Hey! Art is more advanced than people think it is."

Since she was a little girl she had loved to draw and when she realized that that dream could become a reality, she knew that she had to jump at the chance. How many people could say that they were living their dream?

"Well can you bring me back some tea please?"

"Or not," Hanna said making a face before tucking a strand of loose hair behind her ear.

Sal stuck his tongue out and Hanna laughed as she shut the door to their apartment before she started up her car and started the journey to Coffee Bean.

***

Paul threw his head back in agony. All he wanted was a small cup of coffee. Why it was taking what felt like four hours, he didn't know, but he was trying his hardest not to get rude today. He had got in late last night and Kori had sworn that he was cheating on her, when in all reality he was hanging out with Tyrese and simply lost track of time. Hanna had of course come up in the conversation and Paul didn't know how to answer any of the question that he was being asked. He hadn't talked to her since last week and he was starting to miss her, but he didn't want to drag her into whatever he was doing with Kori.

"Next."

Just as Paul was about to step up to the counter, a female moved in front of him.

"What the fuck, you are going to have to get behind me."

"I was here before you, sorry."

Paul froze. He would know that voice anywhere.

"Hanna," she slowly turned around and smiled at him.

"Hi Paul."

She walked over to get a hug and he found himself kissing her forehead.

"Can I help whose next," the cashier said with a slight attitude in her voice.

"Oops sorry can I get a hot tea please?"

"Will that be it?"

"Yes."

"No."

Paul and Hanna looked at each other.

"You didn't think that I would let you pay for your stuff did you? Can you add coffee with that please?"

"Cream and sugar?"

"Just cream," he said taking out his wallet and swiping his card.

"I can't believe that you paid for my stuff."

"Don't worry about it."

"Paul I have to pay you back somehow," she insisted.

"It was a dollar sweetheart."

"That's not the point sweetheart," she mocked him getting annoyed.

"Fine stay here with me."

"I wish that I could, but I have an art project to get done."

"Thought you wanted to pay me back," he said playfully.

"Fine, but you have to promise me something in return."

"And what's that?"

"One you won't pay for my stuff again unless I ask you too and you have to come to my art exhibit."

Paul handed her her cup before taking a sip of his own.

"Deal," he said pulling out a chair for Hanna to sit in.

"But first you have to live up to your end."

Hanna giggled and took a seat across from Paul.

"Why are you just staring at me like that?"

"Because you're beautiful."

Hanna blushed and took a sip of her tea.

"I'm not even wearing makeup."

"You don't need it," he responded.

Hanna bit her lip and eyed Paul as he looked at her. She couldn't deny what she was feeling for him and right now, she could care less that he had a girlfriend. In this moment all that mattered was they were together.

***

Kori ran her fingers through her hair for what felt like the millionth time that day. She couldn't stop thinking about how her actions had destroyed a family and the fact that she was involved with a crazy women didn't help her cause in the slightest. But even that wasn't what had her on edge. The reason for her current state of panic came from an available number, but she knew the voice all too well. The message you ask? Four simple words that had her ready to end it all now. I'm coming for you.

oS