The Dark Hour

--------Lalna--------

It was hot. My mom had the air conditioner running but she had the fans with Astrid so she would stay cool. I was really hot, so I took off my shirt and I kinda forgot that I had wings. So now I was just laying in my bed on my stomach with my head laying on my arms, and my wings were just laying lazily behind me. They touched the floor and I could feel how soft they were. I was just playing with the feathers when someone knocked on my door.

"Who is it?" I called out.

"Its Ryan."

"What do you need?" I asked. I didn't want to get up.

"Uh I just wanted to see if you knew where Allison was."

"I think she went to work. She works until twelve in the morning everyday except Sunday."

"Okay I didn't know I'll leave you alone." I sighed and closed my eyes. Everyone else was downstairs, either watching TV or checking up on Astrid. I just needed some time to relax a bit. School was almost over, and I still needed to pass my finals. I think they were next week. There was another knock on my door.

"Lalna, are you in there?" I sighed, it was just Ridge.

"Yeah," I called out.

"Can I come in?" He asked hesitantly.

"I guess, but shut the door behind you." The door quickly opened as Ridge slipped in and he quickly shut it. He looked at me then at my wings.

"Woah, I didn't know they were this big." I smiled and sighed.

"Astrid said they were bigger than hers. For being big they really aren't that heavy."

"Maybe cause they're hollow," Ridge said sitting by the head of my bed.

"Maybe, I rather not try and find out."

"So have you learned to fly yet?" He asked curiously. I shook my head.

"No, not yet. I kinda want Astrid to teach me, or maybe my dad." I sighed. "As if that'll happen."

"Hey you never know," Ridge smiled. He looked at my wing again then at me. "Um can I touch them?" I nodded slowly.

"Um sure." He slowly reached out and just gently petted it. It felt weird, but a good kind of weird. It felt really nice. I closed my eyes and I heard Ridge chuckle.

"You ok?"

"Mmmhmm," I hummed.

"Does this feel good?"

"Mmmhmm."

"Well your wings are really soft." He stopped petting them and I opened my eyes.

"I know, I can feel them."

"I figured you could. So why do you have them out?"

"It's hot and I took my shirt off and this happened." Ridge nodded.

"Ok. Well everyone else is watching this movie and I don't like it."

"What is it?" I asked curiously.

"Um I think it's called Mean Girls or something."

"Ok, do you know how Astrid is doing?" I asked slightly moving my wing.

"Yeah um I think she's getting better, but I'm not sure since Ryan won't let anyone in to see her."

"Oh speaking of Ryan, do you think him and Skyla are going to get together?"

"Maybe, she seems to like him and I know he likes her."

"Well how is that going to work?"

"I think he'll just stay here. He has his own place here."

"Oh right." We were quiet for a minute then Ridge got up.

"Ok, scoot over. I don't like sitting on the floor." I giggled then scooted over and lifted my wing up so Ridge could lay down. I turned and had one wing laying over Ridge and the other just laying out behind me.

"Oh my god this thing is like a super soft blanket," Ridge said petting my wing again. I smiled and curled up into his chest. I yawned and Ridge chuckled. "Tired?"

"A little bit," I said quietly.

"Ok, then take a nap. I'm not going anywhere."

"Better not," I mumbled. He wrapped his arms around my lower back and pulled me closer to him.

"I won't, I promise."