Wingless {Clifford A.U}

Chapter Two

Astrid could here the continuous chatter coming from her classmates as she slept soundlessly with her head on the desk. She was only woken up when the final bell rang. She rubbed her eyes and wiped the drool off her cheek with the sleeve of her hoodie. She was about to get out of her seat when her teacher, Mrs. Henderson, called her.

"Astrid, do you mind staying after class?" She asked and Astrid sighed, sitting back down in her seat. "This is the third time falling asleep in my class. Is everything alright at home?" she asked and Astrid plastered on a fake smile and nodded.

"Yes ma'am, I'm just trying get used the new setting." She said.

That was partly true, both her and her brother, Luke, were just moved to a new foster home a few weeks ago, and it was difficult adjusting, not only that, but they both had to adjust to having a foster mother who cares more about receiving money from the agency that's supposed to be used for taking care of the children than actually taking care of the children.

"Oh, how about your brother, how's Luke holding up?" she asked and Astrid shrugged.

"He's doing about as well as I am." She said though the truth was, he was much better, but Mrs. Henderson nodded.

"Oh, okay. I understand that it must be hard." She said.

No, you don't understand at all. You have no idea. Astrid thought but only nodded.

"Yeah, it is, but I'll make it." Maybe. She added silently.

"Alright, you can talk to me any time. Would you like a ride home?" she asked but Astrid shook her head.

"I don't plan on heading home just yet; I'm going to stop at Lauren's probably before I go home." She said and Mrs. Henderson nodded.

"Okay, have a good weekend. I'll see you on Monday." She said as Astrid walked out of the classroom.

The halls were now deserted, with the exception of a few track girls rushing to practice, thankfully not paying any attention to her. She didn't bother stopping at her locker, there was nothing that she needed in there anyway. She walked out of the main doors and started down the steps before tripping on the last step and dropping all of her things. Loose papers scattered the pavement and she heard snickers from the jocks that were hanging out at the front of the school. She rolled her eyes at them and muttered under her breath while picking the papers up and shoving them in her back pack.

She pulled it up over her shoulder when her brother caught up to her.

"Hey Astrid, where are you going?" he asked and she smiled as best as she could.

"I'm probably just going to go to Lauren's if she's home but I don't know." She said and he nodded.

"Oh, okay, just don't stay out too late. I don't want you to get in trouble again with Naomi." He said and she nodded.

"Will do, I'll see you later." She said as they headed in opposite directions.

She continued walking down several blocks until she was passing through different neighborhoods. It was cloudy and a light breeze blew around her. She was in no hurry to get to her so called 'home'. Her foster mother, Naomi, is probably one of the most neglectful, rude, and meanest people you will ever meet. She only cares about the checks she receives in the mail for having Luke, her other foster daughter Maddie, and then Astrid. She doesn't care about Luke or Astrid at all, in fact she only tolerates Luke and Maddie, but for some reason she can't stand Astrid, but they're stuck with her until Luke turns eighteen. That's only about six months until then, but it will feel like an eternity.

Her phone buzzed in her pocket and she stopped, unlocking it. She had a text from Lauren.

Lauren: Heyy wyd?

Astrid: Walking

Lauren: Oh, do you wanna come over and hang out?

Astrid: Who's all there?

Lauren: It's just me and Ash

She thought about it for a moment. She didn't want to go home, but she also didn't want to put up with Lauren's boy friend Ashton.

Astrid: Sorry, I have somewhere I need to be...

Lauren: Oh :/ ok then. Maybe another time.

Astrid: Yeah maybe.

Lauren: Bye then Xx

Astrid: See ya Xx

Astrid did want to see Lauren, don't get her wrong, she was like a sister, considering that she was Astrid's only friend...her boyfriend Ashton on the other hand, not so much. They've been together on and off for over a year and it sickens Astrid. She hates him, but the feeling is mutual. The fight like cats and dogs, spitting insult after insult at each other yet somehow he always seems to win their little 'battles' they have, and today she really didn't feel like being patronized by Ashton.

Not much sooner than her conversation with Lauren, it started raining and she groaned. She loved the rain, but she hated getting wet. She pulled her hood over her head and began jogging to the middle of town where most of the small community shops were. The rain was starting to fall harder as she entered a small family owned coffee shop called Coco's.

The blonde waitress who was wondering the shop smiled sympathetically at her as Astrid sat down in one of the booths.

"Hi, welcome to Coco's, how can I help you?" the waitress who's name tag said Cassie. She was a fairly pretty girl who seemed to enjoy her job, but this is the first time Astrid had seen Cassie working here.

"Oh, I'll just have a small hot chocolate, it's freezing outside and I'm soaked from the rain." She said and Cassie nodded.

"I understand, I'll have your order out in a few minutes." Cassie said with a smile which Astrid returned as she walked away.

The shop was fairly empty, besides a few people on their laptops drinking coffee. She was going to stay there until the rain lightened up a bit. She got her notebook out and turned the pages that were filled with stories and sketches. She turned to one of an angel with his hair in his face and started filling in details. Cassie came back a few minutes later and handed Astrid her drink.

"That's a nice drawing," she said. "What's it for?"

"I don't know, I've always liked the idea of angels so this is how I envision them, sad yet beautiful." She said and Cassie smiled.

"Maybe it's your guardian angel..." she said and Astrid smiled.

"Maybe." She said. Cassie leaned over the table.

"What's your name again? She asked.

"It's Astrid."

"Oh, cool name. I'm going to give you my number, because you seem really cool and we should talk some time." She said writing her number on a napkin and handing it to Astrid. That's a first. 

"Thank you." She said and Cassie smiled.

"Any ti-" she started but was cut off by the owner before she could finish.

"Cassie, get back to work and leave the customers alone." He said and Cassie rolled her eyes.

"Call me whenever." She said before walking back behind the counter.

Astrid looked out the window to see if the rain had lightened up, but it hadn't so she continued sketching. At the bottom she put the phrase 'my guardian angel' and signed her name. She placed the notebook back in her bag and sighed before closing her eyes. What she planned on doing was just resting her eyes, but before she could stop herself, exhaustion took over her.

A/N: Hey guys sorry for the long wait, I'm trying to get on an updating schedule so my updates will be faster so lets see how that goes. I hope that you enjoyed this update and please vote or comment. Thanks

- Xx E.J