Repentance // Book 1: Of Angels and Men

5: Coffee and Heartbreak Cookies

Hey guys! Just a slight warning, this is going to be a filler chapter (ugh) 'coz I have a MASSIVE writer's block... AND SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE UGH k bye my little pandas :3 (unhealthy obsession with pandas)

I groaned.  I had developed a splitting headache, but a sweet, melodic sound seemed to echo briefly in my mind, in the darkness beneath my closed eyelids.  I opened them and blinked, blinded by the sunlight slanting in through the window.  Tash was sleeping on my torso, constricting my torso.  I pushed her off and she gave a faint 'meow' of protest before falling asleep again.

Cats.

I sat up on bed and rubbed my eyes with the back of my hands.  My bruises ached, and my legs well shivery, but I stood up.  A piece of paper stuck on the mirror caught my eye, and I recognised Luna's curly script:  Gone home.  Don't forget dinner tonight... If you can't come, give me a call.  Love, Luna xxx

I groaned.  She'd told me about it during English, where she'd also slipped me her number before the teacher noticed and snapped at us crossly.  I remember her embarrassed flush creeping up her neck, and smiled at the memory.  I stretched, and blearily got up.  I made a split-second decision and grabbed my keys.  I ran down the stairs and shouted a farewell at Valerie.  Before she could protest, I was out of the door.

I had to clear my head, and a walk around town was the best way for it.  I breathed in the air and coughed as instead of clean air I inhaled exhaust fumes from a passing car.  I was too tired to shout at the driver, as I would've normally done.  I shrugged, and trudged on, mulling things over.

I'd always felt as if I was something more than I am.  Perhaps that was why I'd made all those mistakes in my life, trying to find who I really am.  I'd dyed my hair in an effort to bring out some hidden aspect of me, but it only made me look ridiculous.  I tried  alcohol only to make a fool of myself.    I also tried smoking, to 'release the tension'.  It didn't work, either. 

I stumbled quite suddenly, and fell in a bush.  Seriously.  And it was the thorniest, prickliest goddamned bush I'd ever had the misfortune to fall in, from my incredibly detailed experience of falling into bushes.  I cursed loudly, startling an elderly couple who hurried on, muttering about insolence and teenagers nowadays.  I put one hand on the gravel pavement and felt a chain beneath them.  I grasped hold of it and pulled inquisitively. 

In my hand was a pendant.

Immediately, I felt as if something I lost had been found again, some small hole I'd never noticed in my heart filled.  The pendant felt warm in my hand, and it ticked slightly.  I wasn't sure if it was my own pulse or a small heartbeat coming from the pendant.  I put it on, and suddenly, my mind opened.

Celestia.

The pair of wings on the pendant burst open, and my name flared in a ray of sunshine falling on the pendant.  I had no doubt now.  The pendant was ticking.

My heart beat inside it.

***

I returned to  Valerie dazed.  She was cooking her famous Heartbreak Cookies, something she said cured sadness and heartache.  I breathed in the comforting smell and smiled as she handed me a coffee mug.  She knew how I liked it.  Not too much milk, one teaspoon of sugar and just enough coffee.  I sipped it, feeling its warmth fill my shell-shocked body.

I was a beautiful angel.  My hair was gold, pure rays of sunshine falling in straight sheets down my back.  My wings were snow white, soft and downy.  My eyes were a dark, mysterious blue, and I was pale, making my eyes stand out more.

My sin was a big one.  It was only because of my previously unstained record that I received the Earth punishment.  I'd escaped Hell...

My mind snapped back to Luna.

Not for long.

I finally understood why Felicity had died.  It was Heaven's way of saying, You were warned.  Do it again, and down you go, quicker then you can utter, "Oh HELL no!"

I shook my head at my own bad pun, just as Valerie plonked down beside me, placing a plate of cookies beside me.  The enticing smell made my stomach growl, and I quickly snatched a cookie and bit into it, closing my eyes and allowing the taste to seep in.  Valerie laughed delightedly.  She loved people appreciating her cooking.  It was usually her cats, but while I was here, she was enjoying the extra attention.  

Tash came in and miawed annoyingly, and Valerie flew up and bustled around, searching for cat treats, while I told her about the dinner that evening.  She sounded slightly disappointed that I wouldn't be able to eat there, but then told me to enjoy it.  She sounded happy that I'd found a new friend.

A new, mortal best friend.

I was putting Luna in danger.  I had to control these irrepressible feelingd I'd started to feel for her...

But how?

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A/N: Hiya pandas! SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE plz don't kill me :3 And I know it's super short, but I was out of ideas, and I'm reaaaaalllyy busy, as I started my orals and it's all a little BLEEEH.  I hope you like it, and see you next week! 

You're now officially my pandas.

K bye

Claira xxxxx