Fallen (Austin Mahone Short Story)

Chapter 12: Wings

- March 22nd -

My mom had left for work early today so the house was eerily quiet when I woke up, which was earlier than normal. Romo was laying beside me, digging his claws into my sheets and purring. I kicked off my covers, lazily stepping into my shower. The hot water beat down on my face, knocking me out of my daziness to focus on my shower.

I threw on a pair of dark jeans, sliding on a black shirt and a beanie to cover my mop of messy curls. My feet sped to the back door, sliding on my black Nike sandals and heading out for the woods. Within a few minutes I was sitting in front of the rock waiting for her like I usually did, hearing a the leaves crack under her feet as she jumped from behind the leaves. She shot a smile in my direction, immediately running over and sliding in next to me. Her smile was bright today, as bright as her eyes that always stole my attention. She was beaming, "Well you're cheery."

"I feel new!" She kicked up her leg and threw it over to me, "Look at this kick ass ankle bracelet my sister sent me for my birthday."

It flashed in front of me as the sunlight shone over it, bringing the accents of the charms out as clear as day, "That's cool, when was your birthday?"

"It's today, actually." She spoke, cuddling up to me, "It's so cold out here!"

"I wish you would've told me! I would've gotten you something!" She laughed at me, pushing herself into me to make herself comfortable.

"No, really, it's not even important! It's just an ordinarty day, I don't expect gifts!"

"You know you're important to me so shut up. I'm gonna get you something." I tickled her, chuckling under my breath when she curled over. My head in her cheek as she laughed, bringing her gaze up to me, sneaking in one of my "accidental" kisses. I held it there, feeling her breathe against me while our lips got acquainted with one another, pulling away slowly. I smiled and opened my eyes, "Oops."

In the time since our last kiss, we'd gotten closer than before, but nothing ever happened between us besides I would sneak in an "accidental" kiss here and there. There's been so many "accidents" in the past 2 weeks, I'm surprised she hasn't said anything. She took in her bottom lip, smirking at me, "Whatever, Mahone."

I stood, pulling her up with me. I examined her outfit, which was different from her usual longsleeved shirt and skinny jeans. Instead she was wearing a simple black tanktop and a pair of dark jean shorts, "We're matching today."

She studied me, kicking up from under her vans and smiled, "I can't leave the house without you copying me!"

Granted, it has happened a few times, but not because I knew what she was wearing, "You copied me! I'm here first!"

"Shut up, let's get outta here. There's nothing to do." She twisted, starting for the trail.

*.* *.* *.* *.* *.*

"Let's go in there!" Lex yanked my wrist to a quaint little thrift shop down the street from the where the woods ended, pulling me inside to look at merchandise.

The place gave off a feeling of southern charm, after all, it was in the south. Cowboy hats all over the walls, sand and peanut shells all over the floor. I grabbed one of the hats, my head feeling like the size of a Skittle under it, "Look at this!"

"Hmph, it looks cute."

"You didn't even look at it!" I peeked an eye from out under the hat, she was scowering her eyes among all the rings displayed on the front counter, her hands stopping at this silver angel wing ring. There was a small diamond on the side that would connect the wing to the band. She slipped it onto her left middle finger, admiring the way the flourescent light hit. A half smile crept on her lips, taking sheer joy in just looking at it on her hand. Her expression turned, a half hearted smile turning into a disappointed grin, setting the ring back its in place, "Why won't you get it?"

"I can't buy it..." She traced her fingers on the antique wooden counter, shuffling her feet to the side, "I don't have any money. It's really cute, I really like it, but I can't..." She turned her attention to the store clerk, "Excuse me, where's the bathroom?"

"Over by the shoe racks, turn right when you see the pig with the cowboy hat." The old man behind the counter, Mr. Walters, pointed over. I waited for Lex to speed away around the corner, Mr. Walters brought his head up off his fist, "I know you're gonna buy that girl her ring."

I laughed, he knew me and he's only been standing there for 10 minutes, "How much is it?"

"$19.25," The man hopped over to the rack, "You got it?"

I patted my shorts, flipping out my pockets in a rush, a few coins sprawling out to the floor. My wallet wasn't there so I dug into the next best spot, my sock. I fingered out a 20, tossing it on the counter and shoving the ring in my pocket, "Keep the change and don't say anything."

He saluted me, walking over to some dusty silverware, giving me a wink. Lex pushed her way past all the hand me down clothes on racks, pulling fur out of her mouth when she approached me, "You ready to go?"

I gave Mr. Walters another look, he made the lock-and-key gesture, giving me a wave, "Yeah, come on."

*.* *.* *.* *.* *.*

We ran to the corner of the parkinglot, chasing each other. The sun was beating down, it was the worst day to be wearing black. I was pouring sweat and I've only been in the sun at most 3 minutes. Lex pulled on my wrist, still laughing at how disoriented I was, "C'mon, Mahone!"

"Let's just take a minute, Lex! It's fucking hot." I pulled her back into me, spinning her around, her curly hair swishing in the cool breeze. I dug in my pocket for the ring, it was hot to the touch. I squeezed her hand, stroking it so she would extent her fingers. I just stared for a minute, I had no idea why, "Close your eyes."

She did as she was told, huffing and smiling at me, "What are you up to?"

"Nothing!" I played around with her fingers, running mine over them and stopping at the tips. She would giggle at the random moments I would pause. I quickly slid the ring on her middle finger, holding up to her face, "Happy birthday!"

It took her a moment to register and see what was in her face, immediately a look of awe stretching across her face. She jumped into me, "Thank you, Austin! Why would you do that?! Thank you!"

Her grip tightened around me, I gasped for air, suffocated in her hug, "It's nothing! But I need to breathe!"

She laughed, landing on the pavement with a thump. She jumped a few more times to get it out of her system, pushing her hands into me for "making her emotional." I smiled at her, this was the happiest I'd ever seen her, she couldn't stop grinning. That was until a voice in the distance caught us off guard.

"ALEXA!!!"

Deep, gruff, heavy footstep approaching. His intimidating voice belting throughout the entire parkinglot, which was near empty. Lex panicked, grabbing hold of my hand, hers were trembling.

The devil himself was walking towards us, his workboots pounding against the concrete.

Her father looking me dead in the flesh.

--------------------------------------------------------------A/N: Sorry it took so long for the part! Ah! I'm sorry if this wasn't the best I got really distracted while typing this and my ADHD didn't really help the situation. Either! I'm going to be updating really soon! Vote, Comment what you think, share! Enjoy!