Wings

I Won't Let This Happen

School the last few days had been... interesting. Especially when I had revealed my new voice to my fellow students. Suddenly, I had a few people that were talking to me that I thought would be good friends for me. And suddenly I wasn't afraid to be myself anymore.

I frowned as I opened the microwave and pulled my Ramen Noodles out. I stirred the noodles and poured in the Chicken flavoring in. Carefully, I carried the bowl into the living room and sat on the couch. I grabbed the remote and flipped the TV on. Immediately, I was greeted by Emily's favorite channel, MTV. I rolled my eyes and switched the channel. I found Nickelodeon and I sat there, watching the regular problems of a group of improv students at a talent school. I ate my Ramen noodles carefully as I watched, being careful not to burn my mouth on the scalding noodles.

I glanced out the window as I set the bowl aside. Huge flakes of snow were floating down from the sky, and everything was barely visible. I yearned to see Chase and Chris, but I felt kind of weird just texting them to come over. And every time they were anywhere near each other with me around, it got really tense and awkward. I grabbed my phone from the cushion beside me and opened my texts. I stared at both of their names. I wanted to at least see one of them today. Mom and Dad were supposed to come back in two days, and I was really nervous.

"Just text one of them already! Jeez!" Emily exclaimed. I hadn't even noticed her walking through the living room. She collapsed into the chair beside the couch and she looked at me. I scowled.

"It's not that easy." I snapped. Emily raised her eyebrows.

"Let me give you a tip, little sis. You may think that you 'love' them both or something, but you love one of them more. That's a fact. You should probably try to figure that out, because neither of those boys would care if you broke their heart. Just so long as you're happy, they're happy. As if that wasn't obvious." She replied solemnly. I stared at her openly. She shrugged. "What?"

I couldn't find words for a moment. Emily and I hadn't truly been close after what had happened three years ago.

"How am I supposed to decide?" I muttered before I could think about it. Emily sighed.

"I don't have all the answers to the universe, Isabelle." She replied forlornly, as if she wished she did have the answers to the universe. She glanced at the TV. "Why in God's name are you watching this crap?" She asked in surprise. Suddenly, the elevator doors dinged open and Chase walked in with Chris close behind him.

"She can watch what she likes, Em." He answered for me before flopping down on the couch beside me. I smiled as he leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

"Well, hello. Did Bob let you in?" I asked curiously. Chase grinned.

"He seems to like me, and he saw me with you every day of the last week, so I think he trusts me." He told me, smiling. I laughed softly. I glanced at Chris as he sat down on the other chair. He looked relaxed, and his blonde hair was unruly.

"Yeah, Chris was laying in bed all day, groaning about his face, and we debated over whether or not to come for a visit. He didn't want to come because he felt embarrassed. I practically dragged him out of the house to come here." Chase explained. Chris glanced at us. Emily was sitting in her chair, pretending to be watching the "crap" that she had so recently criticized, but I knew she was paying attention. I took a deep breath. There was no way that I could figure this out. I needed time. I forced a smile.

"I was just about to text you guys." I told them. Chris ignored me and Chase smiled. I looked into his eyes and I realized that he was looking very strained.

"Can I talk to you? In private?" He breathed gently. I nodded. He got up and helped me up.

"Anyone else want snacks?" I asked quickly. Emily shook her head and Chris did the same.

"I gotta stay off the junk food if I want to compete in that beauty show next month." Emily explained before I led Chase into the kitchen. I paused behind the counter island and turned to look at him. He was standing behind me and he looked like he was very stressed out.

"Chase, what's-?" I began. Chase suddenly slammed his lips against mine. I stood still for a moment, but then I melted into his arms. He backed me up against the counter and I felt him pick me up and put me on top of the surface. I ran my hands through his dark hair and his hands caressed my hips. Chase deepened the kiss and slid his hands under my shirt. I gasped as an image flickered in my vision. It was the same man that Chris had shown me. Except now he was speaking.

"You have exactly 48 hours to say your goodbyes before I'll return you to Zarth. You will be put on trial, and most likely executed." He snarled.

I gasped again as the clip disappeared as quickly as it had come. I pushed Chase off of me. He looked at me with wide, fearful eyes.

"Chase, what's going on?" I demanded in a whisper. Chase's face became very distressed and he clenched his fists.

"I... Chris told me about my Dad. And then... And then my Dad came to me and accused me of a crime that I didn't even commit, and then... You saw already. I only have two days before I'm probably going to die." He answered, tears filling his eyes. I felt my lip quivering as I reached out put my hands on the back of his neck. I looked him in the eye for a moment before pulling his head to my chest. He wrapped his arms around my waist and I heard him give a little, tiny sob. Never had I imagined that Chase would ever be the one who needed comforting. I had always thought that it would be me who needed to cry all the time.

After a few minutes of holding him close, Chase lifted his head and he looked at me with red-rimmed eyes.

"I'm sorry." He whispered. I shook my head.

"I won't let this happen. We... We'll leave the country. Go on the run. I won't let anyone hurt you, Chase, okay? I swear it." I told him. Chase smiled through his tears and looked down at me. He cupped my face in his large hands and touched his forehead to mine.

"I can't run. All I can do is face it." He mumbled. I shook my head.

"No! You... Can't. I can't lose you, Chase." I gasped. Chase shook his head.

"I know, baby girl. I know." He breathed, his breath tickling my lips.

Agony washed over me as I stared into his eyes. Tears slipped from my eyelashes and made trails down my cheeks. Chase was my everything. Why? Why did the universe have to destroy everything beautiful I found in the world? I heaved a sob and buried my head against Chase's chest. I couldn't give this up.

Suddenly, a realization hit me:

I loved him.