The wings attached. (Book one)

Some shit has tendency of stalking me. Rules don't apply.

     The streets were full of people and for me they seemed invisible. The energy I used to intake from the outside stopped feeding me. I was empty walking through the flow of pedestrians like zombie through the cemetery. I didn’t really care. I reached the corner of my street and ambled to the entrance of my building. Somebody honked and my head snapped up. In the passing car I recognized Jason on the front seat and Robert as the driver. The rest of the gang sat on the back, but I scarcely gave them any glance. I couldn’t pretend that I was happy to see them, even out of civility. I just had no pretenses left in me.

     “Angie!” Jason jumped out of the car and made his way towards me. But I just stood there unmoving with blank face. “What, are you still mad at me? Oh, come on.” He pulled me into his embraces and took a whiff of my neck. “You smell very good. Like a fresh wind.” The comparison made my lips tremble. I smelled like Billy. It was his smell that I have sponged in. And that were his waves I’ve been functioning on for the past day.

     Three pairs of eyes fixed their stares on me from the car. I imitated a welcoming smile and slightly waved to the group. They had nothing to do with my unbalanced relationships with Jason; I shouldn’t have let my frustration on them, even on Andrew. “You’ve done some shopping?” He noticed the bags.

     “Just a new shirt for work and a pair of shoes”

     “Good.” He caressed my cheekbone with his thumb. “All right, fellas!” He raised his arm turning to the car. “Andrew, see you tonight.” Robert honked once in farewell and I watched them drive away.

     “You don’t mind having a little dinner with Andrew and Cathy, right? Cathy insisted. She was happy to learn that we were getting married too.”

     “No, I don’t mind,” I murmured. I minded nothing at all at this second. I just didn’t care.

     “Don’t be like that.” He lifted me in his arms bridal style and stared carrying me to the doors. “I got you a present.”

     “I don’t want presents,” I muttered and wiggled out from his arms landing on my feet.

     “Angie,” he closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to my shoulder. “I’ve been a jerk. I’m very sorry. I was afraid to call you. Don’t be mad at me. I won’t do anything like that ever again. I swear.”

     “Respect me, Jason!” I touched his hair. “Please, respect me!”

     “I do respect you. I love you.”

     I answered nothing I couldn’t lie anymore to my own self. My affection for Jason existed, but in different form than love. It was pure addiction like to a drug and Billy was its antidote. As much poison Jason injected into me, as much poison Billy managed to scoop out of me and let me breath without feeling hurt.

     We got to the apartment, and I occupied myself right away with preparing a small snack before dinner with our ‘friends’. Jason dropped his travel bag on the couch and advanced to me. I felt his breath on my neck and he pressed his lips lightly to my skin. His warmth enveloped me and I sighed. I couldn’t stay forever angry with him.

     Jason said nothing. He only stretched his arm ahead and when opened his fist palm up, a little box appeared in his hand. He placed it on the cutting board in front of me, and I felt another trail of kisses that burned my flesh invisibly in the places where Jason left them.

     “Open it!” He said and I obeyed. Softly I picked the box up and looked inside. “Do you like them?” he asked. A pair of sparkling diamond earrings winked at me.