The forbidden fruit

Chapter 7

After a long day of shopping, Sebastian and Ariel were on their way back home. They had bought a ton of stuff, and to Sebastian relief he learned that Ariel was a bargain shopper. The first place she went in every store was the clearance racks. Sebastian had even gotten Ariel a phone, so they could stay in contact when he was away. Ariel couldn't figure out why she was so happy, she had never been a materialistic girl. Then she remembered, she met Peter today! She thought back on the way his chest felt when she ran into him, the way his pecs felt under her hand. Ariel shook her head at the thought, now was not the time to think about that, not while Sebastian was so close.
"Thanks again for everything Sebastian, you didn't have to do all this for me!" Sebastian smiled glancing at her before returning his eyes to the road "You're welcome, I'm glad you enjoyed it, and I expect you to pay for it by being diligent in all of your classes. Ariel rolled her eyes, she could ace those classes with her eyes closed. " Hopefully not all of my professors are too simplistic, I would like a challenge from at least one of them." She gave Sebastian a knowing smile and he snorted. "Do you think just because we're friends that I'll go easy on you?" Ariel laughed "Oh please Professor, do your worst!" They both laughed as the truck turned in to the driveway.
Suddenly Sebastian hit the brakes and cursed under his breath! Now alert Ariel looked at her surroundings and saw a small red sports car parked near Sebastian's house. She knew exactly who that vehicle belonged to and why it was here. "It's ok Sebastian, I'll talk to them." Sebastian looked at her his face was mixed with anger and concern "Are you sure? You don't have to." "Well I'm not going to tell them the whole story yet obviously, but I can let them know a little about me so they know they have nothing to worry about." With that Sebastian pulled the truck up into the carport and killed the engine.

As the got out Sebastian called out "If you want to talk the least you can do is help us unload, if you don't mind!" Both Nicolae and Peter stepped out of the car and approached the carport. Nicolae addressed Sebastian "We came to-" "We know why you're here Nicolae. You'll get you answers inside, now if you don't mind?" Ariel interrupted Nicolae and held to shopping bags out. Nicolae quickly snapped out of it and took the bags "Of course." The truck was unloaded in seconds, Ariel reached for the last bag at the same time Peter did bumping his hand. Peter smiled at her "Don't worry I've got it." "Thanks." Ariel whispered she could feel the heat flow into her cheeks.
As Sebastian and Ariel walked into the house  they heard Nicolae clear his throat. They looked towards the door to see both Nicolae and Peter standing on the other side of the threshold. Sebastian sighed "Right. Come on in you two!" At that the brothers entered into the house. Ariel lead them all into her room "Just place the bags on the bed, I'll go through them later!" As they all entered back into the living room the brothers took notice of the broken window and the disarrayed furniture. Looking around Nicolae spoke up "What happened here?" Without hesitating Ariel answered "My brother." At the same time Sebastian said "Her brother."
Nicolae and Peter looked at them in shock. Ariel sighed "How about I start from the beginning? Please have a seat." As they all sat down Ariel took a deep breath trying to figure out how to explain everything, she decided to make it quick and to the point. Ariel stood back up and positioned herself to where the brothers were looking at her back. She looked to Sebastian for encouragement and he gave her a nod, with that Ariel pulled the back of her shirt up to reveal her wing scars. Nicolae gasped and peter sat there frozen with his mouth hanging open. After she put her shirt back Ariel sat down on the couch next to Sebastian and looked at the brothers across from her. "As I'm sure you both know my name is Ariel, I'm an angel. I'm formerly a captain of heavens army and the guardian of Mystery Spell. Three days ago I had my wings removed and I was banished from heaven." Ariel paused there to gauge their reaction Sebastian sat there calmly, Peter was in awe, and Nicolae actually looked a little scared. "Nicolae calm down I'm not going to smite you." At that Nicolae seemed to find his voice. "Why are you here?" Ariel took a deep breath, she couldn't tell them the whole reason so she improvised "I'm simply here to start over, I knew Mystery Spell would be the one place where I could find help to do that." Peter decides to ask "Why were you banished from heaven?" Tears fill Ariel's eyes she wanted so bad to tell Peter the truth but she can't, not yet. " Angels live by a strict set of rules, I went against them so my brothers removed my wings and banished me." Both Nicolae and Peters face twisted in anger and Nicolae asked "Removed your wings how exactly?" Ariel couldn't take it anymore she felt like each time she recounted the story she was reliving it! Ariel jumped up and ran to her room in tears and slammed the door shut! She could hear Sebastian yelling but she didn't pay attention to what he was saying.
Suddenly there was a knock on the door behind her and Peters voice came through "Ariel, May I come in?" Ariel sniffed as she got up and let Peter in. "Sorry you have to see me like this. It's still hard to talk about, I mean it was only three days ago." Peter nodded "Ariel I have to know, what really happened? It's obvious you're keeping something from us." Ariel sighed "I cant tell you the whole thing, not yet. Just give me a little time please."
Peter could see the pain in Ariel's eyes he hated it and wanted to help, only he didn't know how. "Ok Ariel, but if you ever want to talk about it I'm here. Wait let me give you my number." Ariel was suddenly beaming as she handed Peter her phone and watched him input his contact information. Peter smiled as he gave her phone back. "Feel free to get in touch any time. I also put Nicolae's in there, just know you have friends here, we all know what it's like to have to start over."
With that Peter left back towards the living room. After a few minutes Ariel came out of her room to see the brothers had left. When Sebastian saw her he simply pulled her into a hug and Ariel wrapped her arms around his waist. "It will get better Ariel I promise." Ariel could only nod as her tears began to flow again.