Aubrey, the Star

03: nebula

Aubrey 

★

nebula - "a cloud of dust or gas found between stars."

The slap was as loud as a clap. It was open-handed and would probably leave a red welt behind. He staggered backwards, clutching his cheek out of obvious pain. I couldn't tell if his eyes were watering since the rain hadn't bothered to ease up, but I was sure I had done myself justice.

That served him right. Did I look like I needed a knight in shining armor? What happens next? I fall in love with him? Yeah fucking right.

"What the hell did you slap me for," he exclaimed. His hand never stopped rubbing small, soothing circles on his cheek. "You're the one that was falling over a fucking bridge to her death!"

I rushed up to him, shoving my hands into his chest. Much to my dismay, he barely moved. That only made me push at him again because my anger was taking over my entire being. Little did I know, I had been angry for days and I've just had no one to take it out on. No plans were ever made to have things go my way, but if I had a chance to plan, then life wouldn't have been like this.

My mind raged at the death of my mom. I was angry over how I had to meet Charles and Beth. I hated how I was now a world away from my sad, little apartment. I hated how the one thing that I committed to doing was pulled back over the damn bridge. The unexpected fucking sucked.

And so did this loser of a hero guy.

My mom always said I could pack a temper. She said once the sparks started to sizzle then she only had little time to diffuse the situation before it was time to duck and cover. I knew that I just needed to stay quiet and wait for the storm to pass, but he was the only one here, and I couldn't help myself. He had to be my punching bag.

He struggled grabbing at my frantic hands. "Listen, I don't know what you're going through." His head dodged my incoming fist and he took a long step back that made me stumble forward. "Hey," he said, calmly, "I have no idea who you are or what your problem is, but I'm here for you if you need someone to talk to."

It was obvious that attentiveness was a part of his character. Along with kindness since it was a concern so quick, that for him, it came off natural. He saw the shock of his words register on my face before I could hide it. A smile came to his lips. He seemed like the type that received constant smiles. It wasn't just what he said that had butterflies flying around in my stomach, it was how he said it. His voice had a sweet richness to the soft baritone. It was warm like his arms. Am I a poet now?

"Did you walk here," I asked before I could think about what I was really asking. His head cocked to the side, his eyes shifting from down the street then back to me. "I was just wondering if I could get a ride back home?"

My heart was barely beating at his intense stare and I found my mouth going dry. All I could manage was a 'if you don't mind' before my heart stopped completely. This had to have been self-consciousness. Maybe even anxiety because what the fuck?

"My car is right down the road." He pointed left. "If you don't mind walking a bit more, then I'd be happy to give you a ride back." He'd be happy to give me a ride back. I almost choked on my ragged heartbeat. His voice, still deep, was soft-spoken and mellow, sending a warmth through my body that helped to relax me. My temper had dissipated.

I was evening back out.

"Thank you," I said. Before getting up to follow alongside him in the rain that had just begun to ease up.