Born an Angel

Chapter 10 - Trying to Heal

Crystalline's POV:
I was flying as fast as I could, eager to get to back to where I belong, as soon as possible. I belong at home with my mother, my books, my music and nothing else. I belong in isolation. I belong by myself. I belong with nobody else. I felt the rain trickle down my skin, along my wings, covering my body, feeling like soft, wet hands running down my body. I hear the crack of thunder, loud and clear as I spiraled through the storm. I saw flashes of light beam through the dark clouds. I was scared. I shouldn't be this high during a storm. I felt myself auto-pilot towards the ground, wanting safety as quick as possible. I put my wings against my skin as I was as determined as ever to land perfectly safe on the ground. I felt myself free fall through the clouds, air rushing past me as I fell to the ground. I was almost there when I heard a loud crack of thunder. Almost at the exact same time, I felt a searing pain shoot through my body, the source was my wing. I cried out a scream of painful agony as I felt my wings go limp and numb, absorbing into my skin. I closed my eyes, letting my body fall to the ground, covered in wounds and bruises. As my eyes closed, and I lost consciousness, I felt a large thud, as I hit the ground. Everything went black.
Jake's POV:
I sat on the pavement, head in my hands, tears running with the rain down my body. The thunder sounded like evil cackling, as if it was what told her about the bet. My mind ran through every name of every person who could've told her. Micheal? No, he would've already left for the bus. Zoey? She wouldn't spill. Tommaline? Why would she tell Crystalline? Carla? No... she would've been making out with Jesse somewhere. Naomi? Probably was with Ayato. Adrian? He doesn't like gossip. Nikki? She doesn't talk to Crystalline. My mind ran through everyone, all of them some way or another avoided my suspicions list. I eventually gave up. She found out, it's not like I can get her back now... I continued sitting there. Listening to rain pelting down on the ground around me, the water rushing though the gutter then into the sewer, the thunder cracking like a firework. All these things to distract me from the fact that I lost the girl I loved.
It was after a few minutes that I felt a hand on my should. A warm, tender feeling on my left shoulder, like the sun was shining directly on that piece of my shirt, and no where else. I turned my gaze towards my shoulder, my sight confirming it was indeed a hand. A soft, perfectly manicured hand with a ring on it pointer finger. My gaze followed up the arm to see Abby looking drenched. She had a somber look her face, as if she knew everything.
"Hey," she said, sitting down beside me. I didn't look at her; I looked towards the trees on the opposite side of the road. Abby did the same, looking over at the trees that were swaying in the light wind.
"What happened," she asked, her voice light like a feather. I contemplated whether or not to tell her, but I decided to go with it.
"She, uh... someone told her about the bet... she ran off."
I kept looking ahead, not wanting to see her reaction. I could hear it in her voice.
"Oh... did you start liking her, did you?" Her voice was wavering, which often happened when she felt sympathetic for someone or something.
"Yeah. She was perfect."
"I noticed. She really is a treasure to behold..."
We sat there in silence for a second until Abby started speaking again.
"You know, I was going to come out here to get you guys for class... but now... Jake, you need to go after her!"
I looked her as if she was crazy. She sounded insane. Why above all things should I go after her? She wants me to leave her alone.
"Jake, you ran to be with her that day you went to her house to study. You ran after her just now when Xander was assaulting her and she ran off, so you could comfort her! And those are only two I've seen! I bet you've gone after her many times... why aren't you going now when it matters most?"
Why aren't you going after her when it matters most? Why aren't you going after her? Why aren't you when it matters most? Why?
"You love her," Abby questioned. "Then if the guy who admires her most can't get her, no one can."
With that, Abby walked to class, her vans making noise as they stepped away. I couldn't get her back. She wouldn't let me. No matter how hard I tried. I didn't feel like going to class so I walked over to my blue Mazda 6, deciding to go home. I got up and walked over to the shiny blue vehicle, the rain still beating down heavily on my skin. I got my keys out of my pocket- which I always keep on me because I can't trust anyone to not steal my car- pointing them towards the car. I click the button with an unlocked lock symbol on it, causing the car to beep twice, telling me it was unlocked. I opened the door, quickly getting in the car, shutting it behind me. I turned on the engine, plugged my phone into the charger, got my music playing and left school.
~COMING INTO MANDELTON~
I felt my heart sinking the more and more I came into Mandelton. Crystalline would be in her room, tears running down her face, no one beside her, no one to comfort her, and I was going home instead of chasing after her. I continued down the road until I came to a road block, meaning I'd have to come into Mandelton through the back way. I sighed angrily as I turned left onto the skinny, gravel road, surrounded by country sights that Crystalline would look down upon everyday. To and from school.
As my car drove down the rough road, I looked over towards the side of the upcoming road, only just being able to see what looked like a dead animal or a large... something in the grass. I pulled over, through the heavy rain and screen wipers, making out either a sleeping or dead being. The rain that was beating down didn't help me figure out what it was until I got close enough. I felt my heart stop in my chest. Everything stood still as I realized what it was. My eyes widened until they couldn't go any further. I felt a gut-wrenching pain in my stomach. Crystalline.
"CRYSTALLINE!"
I ran over, getting by her side. She was completely limp as I held her in my arms. She had bruises, blood and open wounds everywhere, not to mention, her clothes were ripped and stained. I grabbed her wrist, trying to feel for a pulse. As I tried to focus for a heart beat, but the fucking rain wasn't helping. I thought I'd lost hope until I felt a tiny pulse. A small beat. I picked her up and carried her to my car, laying her in the back seat. What happened next was a blur. I was speeding down the road, trying to get to the hospital as quick as I could. When I started coming into town, lucky for us, there was no traffic! I tried to go as fast as possible, but I couldn't risk getting caught. I was half way there when the police pulled me over.
"Sir, do you know how fast you were going," the officer said.
"Yes, I'm trying to get to the hospital, please, give me the fine, but I need to hurry!" He looked at the back and noticed Crystal.
"Our apologies. Here's the fine, but get her there with the speed limit. We'll call ahead to tell them you're coming."
"Thank you," I grabbed the fine and sped off, this time going the speed limit. Once I finally reached the hospital, I pulled into the emergency bay.
"Help! Please," I called out as I came in. Many looked my way, nurses and doctors rushing over to the limp Crystalline in my arms. A doctor called out for a trolley as she was taken from my arms. I began begging them to help her and keep her safe. One of the nurses asked me what happened.
"I-I don't-... I don't know! I... I-I saw her on the road! She-... Will she be okay?!"
"She'll be fine, sir. Please, take a seat. What's your name?""Jake; just please, take care of her!"
"Jake, do you know her? If so, what's her name?"
"Yes, I do. H-Her name is Crystalline. Sh-She goes to my school."
"Thank you, Jake. I'm one-hundred percent positive that she'll be alright."
With a calm and gentle smile, she walked over to the reception, leaving me with tears running down my face that blended with the drops of rain. I put my head in my hands, just wanting this to be over. I realize that I'm the only one who knows about this, so I quickly pulled out my phone and dialed Abby's number.
"Hey! Jake! How'd it go?"
"Terribly. Abby, I... do you know where Crystalline's house is?"
"Yeah, why?"
"I found her unconscious on the side of the road. I... I think I know what happened but I'm not sure!"
"Wha-... Sure. I'm heading there now!"
"Tell her mum she's in hospital. Please, hurry!"
"I will! Mandelton hospital?"
"Yes! Go!"
"Ok. I'll be there soon!"
With that she hung up, leaving me alone with my thoughts. God, what have I done?
Abby's POV:
I pulled into the Crystalline's driveway, running through the rain to the front door. I slipped on a patch of mud, falling over into a puddle. I got up quickly, and ran to the door. I knocked on the beautiful wooden door, waiting a few seconds.
"Hello?! Mrs Delbry! I need help!"
Mrs Delbry answered the door, looking confused and shocked.
"Goodness dear! What happened?"
"No time to explain! You need to come with me to the hospital; now!"
"Wha- uh... Now?"
"Yes, now! I'll explain on the way, but please!"
"Okay, I'm coming."
As she came out I dashed to the car, and hopped into the driver's seat. I turned on the engine, and opened her door, yelling, "hurry!" She hopped in and close the door as I sped off, down the street.
"Woah, steady," Casey cried as she put on her seat belt, I slowed to the limit as we drove through the streets. I was completely focused on the road.
"Now, tell me... what's this all about Ms Oriental?"
I sighed before saying,"I'll tell you, but you won't like it... Now I don't know the full story, but all I know is that Jake- the boy Crystalline's been hanging out with- he found her on the side of the road unconscious. She was still alive, but badly hurt."
I didn't look over at Casey but I knew she was on the verge of tears. Any mother would be. I didn't speak for the rest of the trip until we got to the hospital. As soon as we parked we both dashed inside. I looked around for Jake, seeing him notice me then coming jogging over. Casey ran over to the reception in panic, whilst I stayed with Jake.
"What happened? Is she okay," I ask worried.
"I-I don't know... she should be," he replied. We both looked over at Casey who was eager to find her daughter.
"Ma'am, if you please take a seat, we will let you know when you can see your daughter," The receptionist announced.
"Okay, but please, tell us as soon as possible," Casey stammered. Casey turned to face us, looking worried. "Jake, please, tell me everything."
"Well... I was driving and I saw something, so I pulled over and it was Crystalline."
"Was she breathing?!"
"She had a pulse. I got her here as soon as possible."
Casey looked like she was going to cry again, so I pulled her into a hug as she began to sob. We walked over to the seats with Jake and sat down, waiting for Crystalline. I looked over at Jake to see he had his head in his hands and didn't bother to do anything else. I looked at his pocket where something caught my eye. A piece of paper. Using my stealthy hands, I took it out to see a speeding fine. $650.45?! With a speeding fine that big... He really does love her, doesn't he?