Angel's Wings

Chapter Three: Conversations

"I pray for the wicked on the weekend." - Panic! At the Disco

My uncle was sitting in our front-room when I got home. For some reason he had a preference for having only one source of light when left alone: a small, circular lamp perched above his velvet chair. Tonight Uncle Lythe was flipping through a large, ancient-looking book, reading glasses perched on the tip of his nose. He glanced up as I closed the door.

"Out at the farm again?" He asked.

"Yeah," I said, flopping down on the couch across from him. "There's this new farmhand there: Joesephe." My mouth curled in disgust as I said it, thinking back to how much his existence had insulted mine within our short interactions. "The guy's from Scotland; do they even have farms there?"

Uncle Lythe snapped his book shut and sat up a little taller. "Scotland. Wonder why he would come here, of all places." I nodded. Our little town of Sunnysdayle wasn't known for attracting newcomers. Most people who lived there had ancestors in the town graveyard.

"I don't know. I wish he could go back though," I scoffed. "Dude is a total snot."

"I see." He pushed his reading glasses up the bridge of his nose. "And how was the rest of your day?"

"Long. After last year..."

"Don't dwell on the past, my dear," my uncle said, smiling wisely. "Only look to the future."

"Easier said than done," I muttered.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

Uncle Lythe chuckled and put his book on the table next to him. "Vaelyumme," He said kindly, "I know that since what happened to your parents, I haven't been the best guardian, but-"

"Uncle Lythe-"

"I'm here for you, regardless," he finished. I bit my lip and nodded. Uncle Lythe and I had never been that close, although it was moments like these that reminded me that he really did love me. He had, after all, taken full custody of two kids without knowing anything about raising a family. As far as I knew, he'd never been married, or even rarely left the house. The majority of my uncle's life remained a mystery, even though the parts that I did know made me respect him and nothing less.

For a moment we sat in awkward silence before it dawned on me. "Oh hey, is Spot back from the vet?"

"That he is," Uncle Lythe replied brightly. "That dog really hates getting shots."

I laugh. One of the few things I took from my life with my parents was my golden retriever, Spot. Well, technically it was Chadd's, but Spot had taken such a liking to me on sight that Chadd let me have him. Bringing two fingers to my mouth, I whistled, and seconds later the sound of paws scurrying across tile echoed throughout the house. Spot came running up to me, tongue out and slobbering. I couldn't help but squeal as he jumped onto my lap. "Hey, Spot!"

Spot licked my cheek and barked. I scratched the back of his neck, feeling his silky golden fur slide over my fingers. Nothing like a good reuniting with a dog to make you forget about Scottish idiots stealing your favorite horse. Uncle Lythe cleared his throat.

"Yes, well, if you're alright, Vaelyumme, I'm going to head to bed."

"Goodnight, Uncle Lythe."

I nestled my face against Spot as Uncle Lythe groaned, got up, and left. For a few minutes I had nothing but pure, unadulterated peace with my dog. But then the front door opened and Chadd poked his head through, followed by a high pitched giggling. Chadd glanced around, spotted me, and winked. "Hey, Vael, is Uncle Lythe here?" I floundered around in my head for a moment before I finally just shook my head. Chadd grinned.

"Thanks, sis. You're the best. Come on, Chelsea." I held back a gasp as the blonde wonder stepped through the doorway, clinging to my step-brother's arm. Chadd laughed and pulled her out of the room, shushing her. I took in a deep breath and tried to calm myself down. Okay, Vael, step-brother. Family. That's all he is. I gulped and ran to my room when I started to feel tears press up against my eyes.
Of course, this wasn't the first time Chadd had brought home girls. He was, after all, excessively popular.

Luckily I got a phone call from Tyrone before my thoughts could spiral further. I cleared my throat and wiped at my eyes.

"Hey, Tyrone."

"Sugarplum!" He greeted, shouting. "I have delectable news!"

"Oh yeah! What's that?"

"Are you aware..." Tyrone paused, and I could almost see the smile spreading across his entire face. "Of who Alfredo Despacito Jones is?"

"Um, no. Should I?"

Tyrone shrieked so loud that I had to hold the phone away from my face. "Oh my sweet little truffle," He sighed once he had calmed down. "How I have failed you. Alfredo Despacito Jones is the hottest, most up-and-coming, drool-worthy popstar of the century. I have every possible google-alert set on him. And guess what our seventeen-year-old heartthrob has decided to do?"

"You know I don't know," I said, rolling my eyes.

"He has decided...to return to his roots and come to school in Sunnysdayle!" Tyrone squealed and then was silent, presumably because he was waiting for me to react. Instead I just sat, dumbfounded. Was I missing out on something? So another guy is moving here. I guess that's kind of exciting? There was a smacking sound on the end of the receiver. "Vael, I am slapping my face right now. Envision that, will you, cinnamon? Literally slapping my face. It's Alfredo Despacito Jones! Coming to our school! Can you imagine?!"

"I imagine that everyone will be fawning over a guy with a good autotuned voice for about three months before they move on, yes."

"I can't believe that you don't care."

I sighed. "Look, Tyrone. Can we talk tomorrow? It's pretty late."

"Of course, puss. But this is not the end of our discussion."

"Good night, Tyrone."

"Sleep tight, sugarbug." The second I hung up was accompanied by another ding on my phone. Ugh, what now? But it was Delilah, so I opened my phone to see.

Delilah: Hey you know how you have no life? I laughed and laid down, positioning my phone above me so I could type easier.

Me: You never let me forget.

Delilah: Well, I have a proposition for you.

Me:Shoot.

Delilah: Well there's a party this weekend, and before you say no, just consider it. It's just one party.

I began to type my usual answer, no, when suddenly I heard a giggle from down the hall, followed by Chadd's deep chuckle. I bit my lip. My step-brother, as much as it hurt me, was living a life that made him undeniably happy. And I... was not. So, before I could talk myself out of it, before I could tell myself that I didn't know the first thing about having a social life, I replied.

Me: Okay.

Delilah's reply came quicker than lightning.

Delilah: Wait, seriously?

I groaned.

Me: Yeah. Try not to freak out, okay?

Delilah: This is the happiest day of my life!

Me: Actually, happiest night. I'm going to bed.

As I sunk even deeper into my pillows and set my phone beside me, I thought of how my life had sort of become like my dreams: crazy, confusing, and full of unknowns. 

Hi, guys! That marks the end of our releasing three chapters in three days!  We're going to go back to posting every Friday now, no surprises.  Thank you so much for reading and let us know if you have any feedback!