Underground Angels

Chapter Thirty-Two | I Escape Prom

Chapter Thirty-Two

I Escape Prom

 

                       An early morning mist blanketed the sleepy town of Aytonville, the sun hidden just beyond the horizon. In the fields behind Birch Drive an arrow whistled through the air, hitting its target perfectly – splitting another already shpt through the centre.

Noel Lewis stared at the arrow, tugging self-consciously at the short, springy curls around her face. She’d cut it months ago and still wasn’t used to it. Bella barked at her feet, wagging her furry tail.

“I know.” She mumbled, glancing back and forth from he target to the dog. “It’s not good enough.”

Bella whined.

“We’ll be leaving soon.” She promised. “As soon as they show up, we’re out of here.”

Collecting her bow and arrows, Noel tossed them into a duffel bag and began traipsing back across the field, Bella loyal at her side. The dog hated to see Noel leave, and the first month of school had been awful, locking her up when she left. The sun dipped into the clearing, covering everything in a golden glow. The beauty made Noel want to forget her life, forget the dreams she had every night – the one she’d had last night.

Each time Noel closed her eyes, relaxed – Gabriel was there. The Foster’s broken looks when she passed them were there. His screams were in her head, in her dreams. She had to live with it so he could come home, she knew that, but Noel was so tired of not being normal.

Bella ran ahead of her into the open kitchen door and Noel shucked her weapon bag on the deck, heading into the kitchen.

“Noel!”

Gasping, Noel clutched her heart and spun around. “Corrie!” she cried. “You’re early.”

“And you’re nowhere near ready.” Corrie reprimanded, hands on her hips. Her bushy hair was tugged into a low bun, and she’d shed her lumpy sweaters and plaid skirts for a pretty sundress. “Are you seriously going to go to graduation in that?”

Noel looked down at her Star Wars tank top and jean shorts, shrugging. “We’re wearing a robe anyway.”

“You’re all sweaty!”

“Deoderant, Corrie.” Passing her friend, she smiled. “I’ll shower, happy?”

“Yes.” Corrie said smugly. “I’ll go find that dress I know your Mum bought for you.”

Bella followed Noel up the stairs to her bathroom, lying on the floor as Noel stepped into the shower. Graduation was in two hours at the town hall, where everyone she knew would be – saying goodbye to highschool forever. Except Gabriel.

Noel knew that if she started crying in the shower she’d never get out, so she screwed her eyes shut, finished washing her hair and jumped out. Corrie, Ned and Bernie were all in her room.