Angel in Chains

Chapter 2 - Gabriel Wilde

For Gabriel Wilde, returning to high school was like stepping into a skin that no longer fit, no matter how much wished it could. Madison, one of the girls from his third period class, had attached herself to him, which might even have been helpful if he could keep himself from either giving himself away or leading her on. 

She'd already linked her arm through his as she led him down the hallway.

It was crowded. Though Gabe's wings were Sideways to this world, he drew them tightly to his back to avoid hitting the other students. Whenever he grazed them, his wings twitched like they'd been shocked.

"Are schools very different here than in Japan?" the red-head leaned closer to him. The neckline of her t-shirt plunged in a V, giving him a view of her ample tits.

He averted his gaze.

How hard could it be to find a girl named Uniq? Apparently, very. She wasn't listed in the school records, but if Isaiah thought she was here, Gabe had to give it his all before giving up and going home. Which meant interrogating the locals.

"Ken?"

"It's different," Gabe said. "Really different." How on earth had Isaiah thought Gabe would be able to convince anyone he was an exchange student from Japan?  His knowledge of Japanese culture could be summed up by sushi, Top Ramen, and maybe five episodes of Dragon Ball Z.

"Kameyameha," he muttered

"Wow! That was beautiful! What does it mean?"

Gabe shifted his backpack on his shoulders and asked, "It's lunch time right? Can I see your lunch room?"

"Yes! I'll show you! We have pizza and French fries. Do you eat those in Japan?"

"No. It's mostly sushi. And Teriyaki."

"See, I told Haqiyah! She said I was stereotyping."

Gabe made a note to keep as far away from Haqiyah as possible. The last thing his thin cover needed was to deal with someone who actually knew something about Japan. Gabe said, "I want to try some American food." And get a better look at the other students. Uniq was supposed to be a junior.

As they approached the cafeteria, something cold fluttered over his skin, like spider webs.

Mel, Gabe's Angel whispered.

His stomach turned to ice. Mel was here. Looking. If she found Uniq first...

He prayed his Angel would be able to spot the girl in this mass of students before it was too late.

"So do you know anyone named Uniq?" Gabe asked, looking over the other students.

His gaze locked on a girl: petite, with wide brown eyes behind thick-rimmed glasses and a cinnamon complexion glistening with sweat. It made sense she was baking. It was brutally hot, and she wore a long sleeved turtleneck, white gloves, khaki trousers and dingy white tennis shoes with socks.

Her entire demeanor said 'leave me alone,' and yet he couldn't tear his gaze away. He felt dizzy. His skin tingled as heat coursed through his veins. Her gaze riveted him to the spot, swallowing the noise around him until she filled all of his senses.

What was wrong with him?

"What's her name?" he asked Madison.

"Her? That's just Danai," Madison said, way too loudly. "Who's this Unique, anyway? Not your online girlfriend is she?"

"No," Gabe said. He couldn't let himself get distracted. He wasn't here for someone named Danai, and his sudden attraction to her made him weak and put her in danger. But...maybe she knew Uniq. That was a reason to talk to her.