Born an Angel

Chapter 28 - A Year Later

~ 1 YEAR LATER ~
"And you have nearly completed your essay?"
"Yes, and I'll be able to submit it tomorrow morning."
"Great! Based on those drafts you showed me, you should be expecting an A-plus, as always."
"Thank you, miss."
She hung up, and I closed my laptop, sighing as I was so ready to crawl into bed and fall asleep, but I wasn't done yet. The rain was still pelting on the window, and the cold outside mingling with the heat inside on the glass, condesation fogging it up. This weather always made me smile. Gravity felt heavy as I lifted myself up off the chair for the first time in hours, reaching for my lamp and turning it off. My room was overcome with darkness, the only light seeping in from behind the door, or the occasional flash of lightning that caught my attention.
If I go for a shower now, I thought. Then I should be awake for another hour at least.
I grabbed some underwear and my pyjamas; a cute onesie decorated in an ice cream pattern. As I trudged down the hall, I heard my mum call my name.
"Crystal? I need to talk to you."
I turned on my heel, tired and aggravated. But it was with a smile that I replied "sure. What's up?"
"Well, I've been thinking..." She was taking slow steps towards me as if she was cautious, stopping a few metres away, her posture serious and concerning. It started to worry me. "School."
"What about it?"
"Well... I know you like to be alone... but it gave me so much joy to see you finally open up to friendships. It scared me too, but I thought I had no reason to worry. Then, with that girl's house, I freaked out and overreacted. I don't regret it too much, because your grades are better than ever. But I've been thinking..." She paused, swallowed, and continued. "How would you feel about going back? To Indling Grammar?"
A million thoughts were running through my head, but I was thinking so clearly, I knew what I wanted to say.
"No."
"What?"
"No. I don't want to go back."
I thought back to the lunch breaks laughing and smiling with Abby, the notes going back and forth in class, the sweet kisses and cuddling with... him. I also thought back to the party.. and Kara... and how furious I was.
How furious I could become.
"But... why?"
"When... when I was with them I... I like... felt things.. felt these strange feelings that I hadn't before. Like anger. I had never been that angry mum... never so angry that I wanted to break into someone's house and-"
I could see the look in her eyes, like that of worry and sympathy, but also sadness, but I wasn't sure why.
"I don't want to go back. I like it here. I like the online school. I want to stay."
She was looking at her slippers, fidgeting with the ground, arms crossed. "Well, I was really hoping you'd say yes."
"Why?"
"Because you're already enrolled. You're going back next term."
"What?"
"You're going back to Indling Grammar School."
That was the first time in years Id sworn.

~ FIRST DAY OF TERM, TUESDAY ~

"Lunch?"
"Check."
"Books?"
"Check. Mum, I've got everything."
"Are you sure?"
"Yup! Everything except my sanity."
We were standing out on the lawn, and thank goodness Abby moved out because I want to avoid her as much as possible. I can not let my life go down that path again.
"Well, some of Van Goghs best work came from when he was in an asylum."
"True."
"So... be careful, no alcohol, no drugs, nothing dangerous. Just... focus. Maybe try and find some decent friends. Okay?"
"Obviously. Love you."
"I love you too."

Her smile was sad, as if I had just chosen to leave her for eternity. But I dont want to leave. I want to stay at home. Forever.
I started to walk, just down the street to the bus stop. I had considered flying, but I hadnt flown much over the past year, and even though my wings were itching for a stretch, I didnt want to just yet. My earphones were in and drowned out all the other noise. On my year off, I started to indulge in French culture, listening to music, watching their movies. One of my favourites was a cute kids cartoon: un monster a Paris! The first song to play was from that movie. The melody was upbeat and smooth, in a classic jazz style. Her voice was enchanting, and my body swayed lightly to the music; a tree in the wind.