Life As An "Angel" - Chapter One

A loud crash down stairs – probably a glass or something, but it still made me flinch. I groaned as they started up again, and just when I was hoping to get a peaceful night at last. It’s never long before they start fighting about whatever crosses their mind. I don’t know how they even got married if they hated each other so much.

Another crash, but louder this time – I wonder if it’s that hideous porcelain vase she bought. For once, I actually wouldn’t mind if that broke. I hate it. Oop, the screaming’s getting louder…aw shit, they’re headed here, aren’t they? I got up and locked the door since I’m the only other one in the house. Trish is probably out partying again and Brian’s working late, as always. It’s like everyone always forgets about me.

I was leaning against the window, trying to decide whether to head out or just wait it out. The next crash was just down the hall, so out I go. There’s quite a convenient tree that grows just outside my window, like it knew I’d need a quick escape route sooner or later. I climbed out onto and branch and down the rest of the trunk, landing lightly in the grass.

The sky was so clear and filled with stars as I stared at it – I always feel so alone underneath the open sky. I left the yard and just walked down sidewalks, waiting for the fight to be over. Somehow it would start, things would break, mom stormed off somewhere, dad drank himself to sleep, and things were quiet for a day or so. Then it started all over again. I had no better place to be but home so I just wandered around until I thought it was safe to go home.

Off in the distance, I saw some kid pushed to the ground and he just laid there while the others laughed. They walked off and he just sat there on the curb, head in his arms. “You okay?” I asked when I got near him.

“Just peachy,” he replied, but in a defeated harsh kind of way.

I kneeled next to him. “Here, lemme see your face.”

“Get the hell away from me.”

I raised an eyebrow. “I’m trying to help.”

“I don’t need you pity.”

“This isn’t pity,” I said, rolling my eyes. “Just quit it and let me see your face.”

“What, you trying to play nurse?”

“No not really.”

“Then just run along home and forget you saw me.”

“Pssh.” Like I was heading home this early. “I’m only here to help.”

“Well, don’t. I can manage on my own.”

I crossed my arms. “I’m not leaving until I help you.”

“Then will you go away?”

I smiled to myself. “Maybe. So are you gonna show me your face or not?”

“…Fine.” He looked up, but his face didn’t seem too bad – just really cut. His eyes widened when he saw my face – I usually have a rough voice that throws people off. At least until they realize I’m a girl – I just find it hilarious. Yeah, I got twisted humor.

I examined his face, totally ignoring his features – you shouldn’t really fall for people you randomly meet on the street – unless you’re Trish. I dabbed a few of the larger cuts with a tissue I had in my pocket, just to clean him up a little.

“So what’s the diagnosis, doc?” he asked a bit softer than before.

I smiled slightly to myself. “Cold shower and lotsa ice afterwards – take an aspirin too.” I nodded at his body. “Where else did they get you?”

“Chest, stomach, and legs, but I’ll live.” He dropped his arms to the ground. “So you gonna leave now?” his voice had just a slight hint of disappointment.

“Nah, I change my mind.” I sat down next to him, looking at the bright moon.

We sat in silence for a bit. “So what brings you here?” he asked, breaking the ice.

“Y’know, I’m into this thing called walking–”

He chuckled slightly. “Seriously.”

I shrugged – yeah, like I’m gonna tell a random kid I just met. “Why not take a stroll so late at night?”

“Do you ever give straight answers?”

“Depends on the question.” I smiled to myself and he just chuckled again.

“Your arms – you a cutter?”

I looked down at my exposed arms – I was wearing a short sleeve hoodie so all the twisting, fading scars I had were exposed. “Tree climbing scars. What about you? Why are you out here?”

“Why not go for a stroll?”

I chuckled – at least this kid knew how to make a good joke…sorta. After a bit, I felt eyes on me so I turned to face the kid. He looked quickly down, blushing slightly. Okay, I’ll admit he wasn’t bad, but he’d look a lot better if I could see his face. I turned back to face the moon.

“Um,” he began awkwardly, “thanks for…y’kow…”

“Yeah, don’t mention it.” I leaned back and lay down in the grass behind me. “So, does that happen often?”

He lay in the grass next to me. “Enough. I mean, I’m kinda used to it though, so it doesn’t overly suck.”

I turned to face him with a slight smile. “Except for the fact that really sucks.”

He faced me with a slight smile. “Yeah, except for that.”

Our eyes locked for a moment – awkward, I know, but he looked gorgeous in the moonlight. He had longish dark hair that framed his beat up – but still very handsome – face and gorgeous sapphires for eyes. I looked back into the sky before I completely lost myself in his eyes. I seriously had to distract myself – what to do now?

“Well, home’s a crapshoot for awhile and I got nothing to do, so you wanna go do something?” I asked the open air.

He sounded a little weirded out. “What’s open this late?”

I didn’t care what he thought of me…not really. I just shrugged, getting up and looking around. Then I remembered. “There’s a park not too far from here.”

“Mmm, alright.” He took my outstretched hand and got up, grunting a bit.

“You sure you alright?”

“Yeah, I’m fine, just…slow down, alright?”

I smiled slightly “Sure.” Then we realized we were still holding hands and quickly let go. I mean, it meant nothing, so why did I regret it? Anyways– “C’mon, it’s this way.” I jerked my head to the left and walked slowly, trying not to get lost in my thoughts.