Angel (Book 4)

Chapter 11. Caveman

Angel came over and sat down on the couch beside me. He stared at his feet as he spoke. "I love you, Mia. I don't want you to leave. I want you to be happy and safe. If school means that much to you, I shouldn't stand in your way. I'm sorry. I just go crazy at the idea of something bad happening to you," he said.

I leaned over closer to him. He straightened up and looked at me. I wrapped my arms around his neck and curved myself into him. I pressed my cheek against his chest. I could feel his warmth and heartbeat.

"I'm sorry too. You were right; I shouldn't resort to leaving. I love you, and I don't want to leave. I came back because I want to be with you. It was hard to be without you for so long. It felt like a long drive that I just couldn't wait to get over with. Life didn't mean much without you. I do want to go back to school, though," I said.

He sighed and wrapped his arms around my waist. He pulled me onto his lap and cradled me.

We headed back out to the foyer, and everyone was gone. I turned back to look at Angel.

"Where is everyone?" I asked.

"They left," he said.

"I'm sorry, I ruined your get together," I said, feeling guilty.

He snorted. "They're used to fighting. That wasn't why they left. It's getting late."

"Oh," I said.

Angel took my hand in his, and we headed upstairs to our bedroom.

Hopefully, from this night forward, we would work harder to compromise and fight a little less. I didn't imagine we would ever stop fighting altogether, but what fun would that be? We fought because we cared. If we stopped fighting, it would be because we stopped caring. If we stopped caring, we would stop loving, and I loved that he loved me. I never wanted him to stop.

***

A couple of weeks rolled by, and school started up. I decided to go to school to become a registered nurse. School in Los Angeles was a lot different, but I was figuring it out.

Angel and I hadn't fought since the argument we had about school. I finished the training. Angel was sure that I knew just about everything he did or pretty close. Angel started training to become what he is at the age of twelve. I was sure that because of his experience, he still could do all of it better than me.

I met several new people at school. Everyone seemed descent. After my last course, I stuffed my things in my bookbag and headed out of class with the other students.

Angel dropped me off and would be picking me up. I strolled across the schoolyard toward the road.

"Watch out!" A voice called.

I spun around in time to see a football headed straight for my face. Instinctively, I threw my hands up and caught the ball right before it could hit me in the mouth. I lowered the ball and looked to see who it belonged to.

A guy with black hair and brown eyes came running toward me. He was built like a football player.

"I'm so sorry," he said breathlessly as he closed the distance between us. "Damn, that was a good catch, though. Maybe you should try out for the team."

I chuckled. "It's okay, um here," I said and handed him the ball. I fixed the strap of my bag.

"You're Mia, right? New here?" He asked. He wasn't familiar to me.

"Yes, you are?" I asked.

"Xavier," he said. "I play football, but I've seen you around."

"Oh," I said and smiled.