Reckless

Part Three: Chapter Eight

        The night was dark and the moon almost new. He'd told her to keep her eyes closed once they were alone in her garden, and she did as he asked. Anxious and eager, she waited patiently for him to tell her it was okay for her to open her eyes. She heard a soft whoosh like noise, almost like the sound of wings, though much larger. She heard him step slightly, the sound of his boots scraping the ground, and then he sighed. She didn't know what he wanted to show her, this big secret he'd kept from her, but she knew no matter what it may be she'd love him all the same. Nothing would change that. He knew that as well, but still, his heart raced with that fear that this secret of his, would frighten her. "Okay. You may uncover your eyes now." He said softly, voice trailing.

        She did as he said, once again, and lowered her hands, her eyes fluttering open. Before her, he stood as regal as ever, though there seemed to be a sort of ambiance about him that radiated, and now, protruding from torn slits in his tunic, between his shoulder blades, was a rather large set of black feathered wings, folded close. Her eyes grew in awe as she stared at him. Clearly, he was nervous, but all she could do was stare. She slowly stepped forward and reached out to him, and he stretched one wing forward as his gaze followed her outstretched hand. Her fingers grazed the silky soft feathers which upon closer examination were lined with silver, like thin lines of light to highlight the midnight feathers. They were soft to the touch like fine silk, and the softness tingled her fingers, while her touch upon his angelic wings sent a coursing fire through his nerves, igniting a desire to once again pull her close, but he held his own. A smile began to grow across her soft lips as she continued to run her fingers along every individual feather. "They're beautiful." She said lightly, and he smiled at her words. "You're an angel."

        "Not quite. Angels have white and gold feathers." He replied with a strain in his voice, almost like disappointment.

        She looked at him with curiosity as her hand receded back to her side. "Then why are yours different?"

        "I'm only half angel. The other part of me, opposite of heavenly."

        He couldn't bring himself to say the word demon but to her, even if he had it wouldn't have made a difference. She took both of his hands in her own as she gazed up at him and smiled. "No matter the other part, you are my angel. That is all I care for, and I love you all the same."

        He smiled at her words and broke a hand free to place it on her cheek gently. They gazed at each other longingly as they always had, and then he pulled her close gently and dipped his head down and kissed her, his wings wrapped around them like a warm and protective barrier. Every moment shared couldn't be compared to anything, not even the heavens themselves could be as blissful as every shared moment they spent in each other's arms, and that was the truth.

        Little did they know, that this bliss was not to last. Every joyous moment together for them would soon turn to a torturous lonely night for him.

        The next few weeks passed and school went by as usual. Every day was the same for the most part, however, Rachel and Cameron clung to me more than usual, and even Lassie seemed to be a bit more invested in my daily routine which was a bit odd but I decided to ignore it. Other than that, school passed normally. Nothing particularly interesting happened, though Cameron and Derrick were never in the same room anymore. Derrick stopped coming to first hour and I wasn't entirely sure how he got away with it, but it wasn't my place to question it. However, I was curious to know why exactly they were now avoiding each other altogether. I understood they didn't like each other, but I couldn't understand why. There was always so much tension when they were in the same room together, and it was very unsettling. However, that didn't change things between me and them. Derrick seemed to avoid me a bit more, but still, there wasn't a moment I didn't feel him staring at me when we were in the same area. At this point, I'd grown used to the feeling, but it was still strange. Occasionally I would catch myself blushing, but only if we made eye contact.