Catching the Fallen

Chapter 5

Friday morning, I walked the extra 10 blocks to school the next day, you know, fresh air. That fresh air then dropped to 55°. The tight, short, black skirt and red lace tank I had worn was obviously not sufficient. 

I walked into school shivering, but I knew it wasn’t because of the weather. Beth had said I would be fine, I was just going with Trenton to a movie. Not a make out session, a movie. It was harmless… right?

I remember Beth’s words last night as she did my hair, “Don’t feel the need to put up those big defenses you have,” Our eyes connected in the mirror and she gave me a look, continuing before I could interrupt, “And whatever you do, I beg you, do NOT use your powers! Oh, and don’t let him take advantage of you.” That was reasonable.

I went through school in a daze; I didn’t even try pick up Romeo and Juliet once. I had my own romance on my mind. Beth talked about whatever date she’d been on last night but I was too sucked into my head to notice. I made a subconscious note to ask her for a flowchart on the guys she’d dated. A nagging voice in the back of my mind also reminded me of Marcus’s words that I shouldn’t be with him. But, you only live once, right?

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I had promised to meet Trenton at our regular spot in the library. I found him sitting in the black couch, with his nose buried in a book.

I crept up behind him, masking his eyes with my fingers. “Finally reading something other than football scores?” I giggled when he turned around and caught my hands in his, grinning widely.

“Well, I thought, since you read Shakespeare so much, I might as well see what makes it so great” He tossed Romeo and Juliet onto the couch, “Wow Verona, you look…beautiful.” His eyes raked across my body appraisingly.

“You clean up well, too. And just so you know, I’m picking the movie.” I took his hand trying to distract him from my outfit. I told Beth this was too showy.

He walked me to the parking lot, and I realized I’d had not idea what to talk about or how to act I started to panic, but was silenced when Trenton stopped in front of a black Mustang GT. I had a hard time picking my jaw up off the floor. I mean I knew Trenton’s family had money but I didn’t expect them to be as rich as to give their seventeen year old son a car as perfect as this. I touched the side of the sleek black car; slightly scared I would smudge the paint job. It was beautiful.

“Would you rather go out with me or my car…?” He stared at me, a smile playing on his lips.

I blushed, taking my hand off the car. “I just love muscle cars, specifically this one, it’s 2012 Mustang Boss® 302, V-8 engine, 444 horsepower, and 380 pounds per foot of torque, this is my dream car.” I exhaled in elation.

“Wow, not only do are you pretty much fluent in Spanish, but you also speak car?”

“Well, there is a lot you don’t know about me, Mr. Caphrey.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll find out all your dirty little secret.” I his voice was teasing but I still moved my eyes away from his.

“Maybe.” I tried to laugh it off. If he found out about my home and my powers, I would have to move, again, and I don’t think changing cities was going to make a difference this time.

Trenton furrowed his brows together, in curiosity at my sudden shift in mood. Quick to cover up my blunder, “Let’s go!” I jumped into the passengers seat and clicked the door shut.

Trenton reluctantly got in and started the car. The purr of the engine sent my heart pounding. I had only heard about this car, it wasn’t even out to the public yet. Talk about connections! It was a masterpiece; I was scared to get dirt on the floor.