Fallen Angels

Chapter Seven

There's a moment in everybody's life when you're hopeless, just hopeless with hope and trust.

And then something happens, something too big to understand, and then everything changes

—Waiting For Forever—

     "Ashley," the sound of Dante's voice was so gentle and soothing, like the sound of an angel's voice. "You alright?"

     I sat up from what appeared to be grass and looked up at him in disbelief as I saw him perfectly unharmed, my body tensing at the memory that hits me like a quick punch in the face. "Th-The crash!" I stammered out. "You died—what happened—where are we—am I dead?!"

     "Crash? Wh–no, Ash, you're okay, calm down." He pulled me into his arms, stroking my hair back. "When I rolled off of the roof you hit your head."

     Hit my head? "No!" I shoved him away. "We were in a car crash! You were dead! Someone hi—"

     "Ashley, hon?" The sound of my mother's voice made me swivel around to face her. I just wanted to be held in her arms and be told that this was all a nightmare. I knew what I saw! I wasn't going insane. "What're you doing out here alone? It's almost one in the morning baby."

     "Alone? Dante's right he—" I had cut myself off when I realized the spot he had been in moments ago was empty. Was I suddenly just going crazy? No, he was making me look crazy.

     My mother walked over to me and helped me to my feet, "Come on," she whispered. "It's gonna be okay."

     As my mother ushered me in, I felt a sudden chill travel down my back as if somebody were watching me, and I knew exactly who it was. He was the one making me look crazy, but why had he just disappeared? All these questions were starting to give me a migraine.

In the morning I walked down the stairs to run into my mother. She was getting ready to leave with my father for their anniversary. Every year they went to Hawaii, where they first met.

     "Are you sure you will be okay?" She asked me, cupping my face and pressing a kiss to my forehead. "After last night I don't want to leave you here. Come with us?"

     "No," I brushed her off. "I'll be fine." The lie slipped so easily from my lips it made me wonder when I started to lie to my parents. I wasn't one to lie, but it had felt so natural.

     She gave me one last look before she caved in and nodded, "'Scuse me then." She said. "I have to bring the bags down here while your father is making his last calls."

     I nodded and moved aside, "See you in three days." I headed towards the door with hesitation. I'd have to see Dante in my Chem. class, but I didn't feel ready to face him.

     "Oh, Ash?" My mother said as she came back with bags. "Who's Dante? Last night you had said you were with a boy named Dante?"

     I tensed at his name knowing well I wasn't ready to face him and I feared I never would be. "He came yesterday when Seth was here." I told her with a 'duh' tone. "You let him in."

     My mother frowned, rubbing the back of her neck as if trying to remember. "No, I didn't let anyone in I—wait, never mind. My bad." She smiled and headed into the kitchen. "He seems like trouble hon. Try not to get too friendly with him, okay?"

     Now it was my turn to frown. Despite my mothers age she had a very good memory. She could tell you what she did a month ago in a flash, a summary at least. Maybe I was just overthinking things. I was going "crazy" after all.

     "I have to go." I called from where I stood then glanced upstairs where my father stood at the top step, talking into the phone with a frustrated look on his face. "I'm leaving." I told him, but he didn't seem to hear so I didn't bother repeating myself and just headed out, mentally preparing myself for what was to come.