𝐃𝐈𝐕𝐈𝐍𝐄 | 𝐓𝐈𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐒

One

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Water droplets slid down Gemma's body as she stared at herself in the mirror. Large, feathery wings drooping on her back, heavy from the water dripping through them. She lifted a hand, running her fingers through the white feathers, still in slight disbelief that she had wings, actual wings.

She'd never forget the searing pain that she woke up to only a few months earlier, the feeling of her skin splitting and bones breaking as wings broke through the skin between her shoulder blades. It was the worst thing Gemma had ever felt, aside from the pain she felt when she was told that both of her parents were dead and that she was an orphan in the care of a suspicious doctor.

A quick knock on the bathroom door shook Gemma out of her thoughts. "Hey, Gemma, uh, breakfast is ready. You better hurry before it gets cold," Garfield, better known as Gar, called through the door. Gemma quickly wipes her tears away, sniffling quietly.

"Okay, Gar. I'll be right out," she responded, attempting to sound cheerful. He hesitated for a moment, but finally walked off and down the stairs. Gemma dried her body off as quickly as possible, pulling on her pants before grabbing her shirt. She struggled to get her wings through the slits that been cut specifically for her to be able to wear, but after a few minutes she successfully did.

Heading toward the dining room, she sat in her usual spot next to Gar and Rita, giving the two small smiles as she did. The others greeted her with their usual happiness- even Rita, who, more often than not, was even more depressed than Gemma was, gave her a smile- which she tried to reciprocate as best as she could.

She loved the people in the mansion like they were her own family, it was just that she was having a hard morning. She'd had a nightmare, the same one she'd had multiple times in the past months, and woke up screaming and drenched in sweat. Gar had ran into her room before she'd even sat up, sleep and panic in his eyes as he burst through her door.

He nudged her, whispering,"You okay?"

Larry brought out their food not long after she sat down, the man placing french toast in front of her; her favorite, he'd learned. There was even raspberries and bananas (her favorite fruits) shaped in the form of a smiley face. She smiled up at him,"Thank you, Larry." She had to give the man credit, he was an amazing chef, and he always managed to cheer her up with a plate of peanut butter cookies when he saw that she was feeling a bit down.

Gemma wondered if Gar had told the others about her having a nightmare, and if that was why they were being so nice. Not that they weren't always nice, but Larry didn't always place her fruit in a smiley face.

The group talked about what they planned for the day, not that they could do much, abut Gemma stayed silent as she ate her syrup covered food. "When is Chief going to be back?" Gar questioned as he shoveled eggs into his mouth, Gemma grimacing slightly at both the sight and the thought of the doctor returning back to the mansion. Honestly, it was a dumb question. No one ever knew when the doctor was coming or going, only the man himself.

Speaking of the doctor, he, quite frankly, freaked her out. But, he did save her life, and kept a roof over her head, and took care of her. One of the only problems there was, was that she couldn't leave the mansion. Well, she could, if she snuck out like Gar tended to, or if she wanted everyone to see the wings protruding out of her back. She hadn't left the home, unless going outside and sitting on the roof was considered leaving. Speaking of, Gemma decided she was going to do that today. She'd take the book she was currently reading and try and escape the world for a little while.

Honestly, for the rest of breakfast, she tuned out most of what they were saying. Not purposefully, she just wasn't in the mood for talking to anyone at the moment. So, as soon as she finished her food, she stood from her chair and excused herself, ignoring the strange looks she got; mostly from Gar.

First, she went to her bedroom and grabbed the book she was currently reading, and a throw blanket. Second, she walked out to the balcony and stretched out her wings. She fluttered them, hard enough so that her feet lifted off of the ground. Gemma kept doing it until she could stand on the roof, carefully walking on the slanted roof to her usual spot against the chimney, draping the blanket around her as she sat down.

Gemma didn't know how long she was out there, but she knew it was for a while. Her stomach had begun to growl, and she assumed it was around lunch time. She grabbed her book and blanket, and flew down onto the balcony, walking inside the double doors and taking her things to her bedroom. As she walked out of her bedroom, she ran into a familiar green haired boy. He grinned at her, and Gemma couldn't help but smile back at him. His smile was just so contagious. 

"Hey Gem, what've you been doing? Reading on the roof?" He asked as they began walking down the stairs. She nodded, shrugging bashfully at him,"Yeah, how'd you know?"

"A magician never reveals his secrets," Gar winked playfully, before chuckling softly, causing her to shove him lightly. 

"Hey, after lunch I was planning on going to the arcade in town. I was thinking that it may be a good thing for you to get out of the house for a little while."

Gemma stopped walking, and Gar stopped on the stair below her, looking up at her with a hopeful gaze. He was worried about her, seeing as she hadn't been sleeping well, and he wanted to spend some time with her outside of the large home. Gemma looked down, her fingers wringing nervously together. "I don't know, Gar.." She muttered. He quickly shook his head, turning to continue walking down the stairs with an embarrassed blush on his cheeks. "Yeah, sorry. I shouldn't have asked, it's fine."

Gemma grabbed his arm, forcing him to look at her. "Gar, I'd really love to go with you. I just.. I haven't left this house since I got here, and my wings won't exactly go unnoticed. Plus, if the doctor finds out, he'll get angry. You know I don't like getting in trouble."

Gar thought for a moment, before realizing something. His face brightened as he smiled at her,"I saw a trench coat in the coat closet down stairs. If it covers your wings, will you please come with me? The Doc won't be home for a few days, he won't find out, I promise."

She went to refuse, but as she stared longer at the green haired boys excited and hopeful face, she couldn't bring herself to. Gemma let out a breath, knowing she was most likely going to regret what she was about to say.

"Yes, if it covers my wings, I'll go."

  

  

AUTHORS NOTE 

hi guys!! I hope you liked this first chapter. If you did, please leave a vote and a comment! I'd really appreciate it.