Things were different after that day. Tenshi didn't look at me quite the same, or maybe it was the other way around. I'd walked her home that night, after we spent the day on the roof. She left me with a longer than normal, tip-toed hug, and on her way down her I swear I felt her lips brush against my cheek. Not a kiss, but like she'd thought about it, but couldn't. I wouldn't have wanted it anyway. She'd shared with me the most intimate detail of her short time here, and as much as I enjoyed our new-found closeness, it was too soon. I think she felt that too.
A single tear fell from her hazel eye when we finally let go of each other, and she lifted her arm to wipe it away with the sleeve of her hoodie. "Thanks for today," she said. "I didn't want to spend another anniversary all alone." As I walked away, she held onto my hand lightly, until I was too far too far for her touch to remain. After I'd taken a dozen or so steps, I stopped and turned my head over my shoulder, and she was still where she had been before, facing away from me now, towards the building that she lived in. I quickly turned back and continued walking away. I wondered when I'd see her again. I thought about it the whole walk home. What would our next grand adventure be, and what would it mean?
I smiled when I had finally reached my room. Well, at least I've got her number now.
**
I woke up every morning for the next three days wondering if I should pick up my phone and call her or not. The temptation was very real. The night before the fourth morning was no different, but as I picked up my phone, her name flashed across the screen. Like she can read my mind, I thought. I let it ring for a second, answering too quick might seem weird. I picked it up, my voice still groggy and tired from sleep. "Hey you." my voice garbling through the microphone. "I was wondering when I'd have the pleasure of hearing your voice again", she said. No girl had ever talked to me like that before, as if there was something special enough about me to miss. "It's a good thing you called then, I was wondering the same of you." Damn, I can be so smooth sometimes. Just kidding, not really. "I was hoping you'd call me first but i just have to see you. What are you doing right now?" I take my ear away from the phone for a minute to check the time. Just after 2 am, so I place the phone up against my cheek and answer, "Sleeping, like a normal human being."
"My gosh! Whoever am I talking to then?" Cute, and a smartass. I could get used to this, I thought. "You're funny," I say, and it's like she could hear the smirk on my face on the other side of the line. "Put your jacket on, I'm at the plaza, by the big heart." What can I say, I have a weakness for cute girls, especially when they wear angel wings. "If I get caught, my parents will ground me for the rest of my life." I plead, but I'm already up and quietly slipping on some shoes and carefully placing my keys in my pocket, not making a sound. "I love a man who's dangerous" she said, and then hung up. Who was I to deny her such a request? Maybe I wanted to be a little dangerous too, for once.
It's freezing by the time I make it outside. I'm still wearing my video game pajamas, and i silently curse to myself. I like this girl. I want her to think I'm cool. This does not exude "cool". But I'm sure as shit not sneaking back into the apartment just to change and sneak back out. It's only a couple of blocks to the plaza, but i keep my shoulders up and my hands in my pockets the whole walk over.
She's sitting on a bench about a hundred feet away from the metallic heart that marks the corner of the plaza, sans-angel wings. The moon is low in the sky, and it's light reflected off the metal makes it easier to see her face. She's got a backpack shaped like a dinosaur laying down on her lap, and a shit-grinning smile sprawls across her face the minute she sees me. "No wings tonight?" I ask. She pats her bag. "There'll be plenty of time for that later. As for now, I've got a enough packed for us for say, four days? You ready?" she stands up and gives me a huge hug and a peck on the cheek.
"First off, what the shit? I have parents, school, college essays, basic human responsibilities? I don't just have four days to go off on an adventure! Where are we going? Why are we going? How did you pack clothes for me?" I'm freaking out, all the while she just stands there with that smile on her face. I can't be angry I don't even want to. "You ask a lot of questions. If it's answers you're looking for, all i can say is, we're going on an adventure. Well, I am. And I am humbly asking you to be my accompaniment, my companion, my comrade for what you may one day refer to as the best days of your life." I'm looking at the ground and shaking my head. I know I'm an adult and can make my own decisions, but up to this point, I hadn't made a habit of actually doing that.
"So, cowboy, you in or are you out?"
I want to say no. I want to be safe. But that look in her eyes, behind those magnificent glasses is so much. Those eyes have plans, and are full of excitement, and I just can't. Any question of saying no was thrown out the door the moment I looked into her eyes. "You better not get me killed", I tell her. "My parents are probably going to kill me anyway, but I think they'd prefer it if I was alive when I return."
And just like that, she had me. I was hers, and nothing could change that. She grabs me by the hand and whisks me away. First stop: the bus station. "Where are we going?" I ask.
"We're on the 6 AM bus to Las Vegas. Ready to get married?"
