The House of Angels

Over my dead body.

Moon stood frozen in the middle of the room, her eyes lost in the void.

"Moon..." Josh said, cautiously, pondering her reaction. He knew too well it was counterproductive to get angry or demand explanations from her, she didn't have a clear mind and it was true that it was her life and she had been clear more than once that she didn't like interferences. But he cared about her and didn't intend to watch while she ruined her life just like he did in the past, so he wanted to talk to her.

"If you're gonna scold me, spare your time... and mine, Josh." She said, shaking her head.

She was fighting hardly not to let the tears flow freely down her cheeks. She didn't like that after all she went through, she still couldn't hold back the tears. She didn't like to be seen crying, it made her feel like she was weak, vulnerable, and it let the others know she could be hurt.

"I swear I don't want to scold you. I wanted to ask if you're ok...?" He said tentatively, approaching her like she was going to run if he made any sudden moves.

"He's just so infuriating!" She snapped, letting go all the tension and frustration she'd accumulated. "One moment he's like my best buddy, the next he gets angry, then he ignores me all week long. Now he acts like he's my guardian, getting angry because I did something he usually does, and assumes I'd sell myself just like a cheap bitch." She blurted out all in one breath, frustrated by Daniel's weird behaviour.

"Well..." Josh began, a little hesitantly. "I've known him for years now and he never acted this way before. But he's under a lot of pressure in this period... and I think his messy feelings for you make things worse." He said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders, in order to comfort her. He didn't know what was the matter with her, he'd simply felt the urge to cherish and protect herbsince the forst time he met her. He'd never been seriously interested in a girl before, he liked hanging out with his friends too much to find time for a girlfriend.

"What do you mean?" She asked, confused.

"I'm not trying to justify him or anything... but I think he likes you and since it's the first time he really likes someone, he's not able to understand what's happening in his head." Josh said, trying to make things right between them. Was he talking about Daniel or himself? He didn't know anymore.

"You don't know what you're talking about. I think he just hates me, 'cause he has to share you with me." She scoffed, sitting on the couch, soon followed by him.

Josh stiffened for a moment, his eyes widening slightly. Then he narrowed his eyes at her, showing an enigmatic smile.

"And I have to share you with him..." he said lowly, but clearly enough for her to hear.

"I think I should stop joining your parties. I get it that you like my company, but he clearly doesn't, and I don't want to ruin your nights together." She shrugged, tired of all the dramas taking place in her life. She just wanted some peace, yet life kept throwing her lemons.

"It's not like that... ok, let's say you hit a sore spot tonight." Josh said, not knowing how else he was supposed to solve anything. He felt cornered.

"What do you mean?" She asked, almost relieved. Truth was she really liked Daniel. And she was scared because she'd known only rejection for all her life. Yes, boys liked her, asked her out and, as captain of the soccer team, she was very popular and estimated in her previous school.

At home, it was a different story.

When her grandma died, she found herself dragged back in his father's life. He never showed sympathy, let out love. He did never lose any chance to remind her how her mother abandoned them because of her, 'cause she wasn't worth it. No wonder she'd fallen for Clay's avances. He was the first adult, not counting her grandma, who'd given her attentions and affection.

She felt comfortable around Josh, but Daniel was another story. She felt always under pressure when he was around and that was frustrating her.

"I'm not the one who should tell you... just know that there was a reason why he acted that way." He said. He didn't want to reveal too much, it was Daniel's past, and he was the only one who could choose to reveal it or not.

"Well, it doesn't matter anymore. We just told each other we're not going to be friends, so..." she shrugged, hiding her disappointment.

"Bullshit... he didn't mean it... he was just trying to protect himself, and you know it. It's what you do all the time." He said, looking at her sternly.

"Wow, you're awfully direct..." she sighed, knowing he was right. "So what should I do about that? I just want to be left alone." She was serious right now. She didn't care anymore, she didn't even want to go out that night, to begin with.

"I thought you liked him too..." Josh muttered, looking at the floor.

"He's hot, that doesn't mean I'm willing to let him walk all over me." She said curtly. But she did mean it. Seriously.

"And I respect you for that. Just... know he's not a bad guy." He said sighing. It was hard to persuade someone when you couldn't speak freely.

"I know he's not... but I'm not either." She said sadly.

It hurt to know he thought she was that kind of girl.

"And he knows that, I swear it. He just doesn't know how to control his reactions, but he has so much baggage to carry..."

"Let's go check on them. I hope they didn't kill each other." Moon said, eager to change the subject.

Josh simply nodded and the two of them ventured back in the house, reaching the swimming pool a little after.

Ant and Danny were there, talking ot each other like nothing ever happened.

"Hey, guys!" Ant greeted them, being the first to spot them approaching.

"Everything alright?" Josh asked, already knowing the answer. It wasn't the first time they fought, on the contrary, Daniel used to pick up fights with his friends everytime he was wasted, he'd accidentally hurt them and regret it the day after.

"It was just a misunderstanding..." Ant said, smiling dismissively.

"Yeah, I was being a dick..." Daniel said, blushing, his eyes on the floor.

"And I was being a drama queen..." Ant chuckled embarassed.

"I'm sorry, Moon." Daniel managed to say, despite his pride. "I know it's your life and you can do whatever you want. I'll respect it from now on..."

Then his phone rang and he looked at the screen briefly, before turning toward his friends.

"I'm going to go. See you tomorrow." He simply said, before leaving the villa under their confused gazes.

"Where's he going now?" Josh asked Ant.

"He called Vera..." Ant muttered, awkwardly, stroking the back of his neck.

Moon felt a little bummed. He just told her he was sorry but it didn't look like he felt sorry. He was leaving with his ex and, altough she knew she had no right, she felt a little jealous and that was wrong.

She swore to herself she'd never fall for his charm again.

'Over my dead body.' She thought.