Fly Away With Me

Bad (H)air Day

          Gabriel August Edwards, not exactly the best name but it's mine. I always wondered what my parents saw in the name Gabriel, but it's not like I can change it. Most people just call me Gabe because they know how much it bugs me when they call me by my real name. My name's actually kind of ironic because I was named after Gabriel the Ark Angel, and for being that I am one. No, I'm not using that as an adjective, I am literally an Angel. Don't mistake me for some heavenly divine creature who resides in heaven, because that's just what we're depicted as in books and movies. In reality, Angels are just ordinary people. Except for the fact that we have wings.

          Living in a world full of humans can be very difficult for Angels or any other non-human creature. It's mostly hard for people like me because I constantly have to wear a thick leather vest with straps and buckles underneath all of my clothes in order to hide my wings. Sometimes after school I'll just go somewhere I can't be seen, rip off my vest, and fly home. It's so exhausting keeping track off all this stuff just to look normal. But on days like this, I don't care who sees me or not. I just want to be free.

The school bell for last period finally rang and I couldn't have been happier. I made my way to the back of the school behind the trash cans and stripped off my top layers. I quickly unbuckled my vest and released my wings from their prison. I stood there and stretched my wings as far as they could possibly go. I remained in that position for a full ten seconds, enjoying the moment when I hear footsteps approaching accompanied with devilish giggles and laughter. Oh no. I think to myself. I struggle to retrieve my vest from my back pack when I hear the laughter getting closer. I shove my wings in the sling and tie them up as tightly as possible when I hear an unfortunately familiar voice shout out "Hey!" I throw my sweater on and realize who is coming in my direction. Tyler Tinoco.

          Tyler Tinoco was a bad boy wanna-be with the maturity of a ten year old. He wore the same leather jacket and greased hair he always had. Doesn't he ever wash that thing? I thought to myself. Tyler and I go way back. It all started in the first grade when he stole my favorite Care Bear plush toy. That bastard. Only now he's become a lot more than a plush toy thief. Nowadays he earns a detention monthly. He'll also occasionally sneak a cigarette in the back of the school near the trash cans too. Oh fuck, I'm such an idiot!
"Hey look, it's GAE boy!" said Tyler. Yes, my initials spell out GAE, and yes, it's a living nightmare. But also another ironic thing about me because I actually am gay.
I notice Tyler isn't alone. Two of his evil henchmen follow behind him like dogs follow their master. I start to speed walk away from this scene as fast as possible when Tyler grabs my shoulder with great force in his direction. I try to break free but his grip is too strong.
"What's the hurry? Why don't you stay and join us for a cig!" His friends grabbed my by the sweater and pinned me up against the brick wall behind me. Tyler walked up to me and pinned my head against the wall by my brown curly hair. "Such a pretty face." He said cockily. He reached in his jacket pocket and drew out a lighter and a cigarette. He lit the cigarette and brought it to his lips, inhaled and exhaled, blowing the smoke into my face. I coughed hysterically and suddenly felt a sharp burning sensation on my left cheek. Tyler backed away and gestured his friends to follow after him. As they walked away, I slowly slid down and buried my face in my palms. I brushed my hand against my face and felt the cigarette burn. Why me? I thought to myself.