Even Angels Fall

Chapter 1

~~~~~Mike~~~~~

"You think you could save a few for us poor saps?"

"What?" I asked, taking my usual lunchtime seat, across from my best friend, Jeremy. I glanced from his annoyed face down to the cookies on my lunch tray, confused. I knew Jeremy liked the cookies - he generally inhaled any form of junk food he could get his hands on. And I did grab the last few, ahead of him in line. I was only late joining the table because I got sidetracked by a few freshman girls.

I looked up at Jeremy about to tell him he could have them if it was that big of a deal.

"Not the cookies, Einstein, the girls."

"What?" I was more confused than before.

He glanced meaningfully over to where the girls I'd just been talking to, sat giggling and peeking back at us. They noticed me watching and one of them waved.

I smiled and they turned back to each other, giggling some more.

When I gave Jeremy my attention again, he seemed even more irritated.

"What? That?" I asked in disbelief. "That was nothing. They stopped me."

"Yeah. I know," he grumbled digging in to his macaroni and cheese. "Do you think you could brush them off for a change? Maybe be a jerk once in a while?"

I tried to hide my grin as I started on my own food. "You're mad because I'm nice to girls."

He gave me one of his looks.

"Okay, fine. Really nice," I amended with a shrug. "They were cute."

"Yeah? What are their names?"

I grinned. "I forget."

Jeremy rolled his eyes. "Doesn't matter. All it takes is for you to look at them and they start planning the wedding. Honestly, can't you just get another girlfriend already? Or at least ask one of them out so the rest will get the idea of you out of their heads?"

"It's not that bad."

"No?" He quirked an eyebrow before leaning over to the next table and tapping the brunette on the shoulder.

She looked back, curiously.

"Charity, could I borrow a few napkins?" he asked.

"Uh, sure," she said uninterestedly before grabbing a small stack from her tray and handing them to him. She started to turn back, but stopped when she noticed me watching.

"Hey, Mike." She smiled sweetly, twisting further in her seat to face me. "I missed you at Aaron's party last week." She pouted with wide eyes.

I tried not to laugh at the irritated look that had resurfaced across the table.

"Sorry, Charity, I was practically being held hostage that night."

"You're going to Jamie's on Friday, aren't you?" She bit her lip, looking hopeful.

"I might," I said vaguely.

"Oh, well... maybe I'll see you there?" Disappointment was clear on her face.

"Sure." I nodded.

She gave me one last smile before returning her attention to her table.

I looked back at Jeremy, who was still obviously miffed. "What's your point?"

"You know she's hoping you'll ask her." Jeremy lowered his voice, so Charity couldn't hear. "Why don't you?"

I shrugged. "I don't know."