The Bad Boys Angel

I'm Rather Thrilled About Tomorrow Night As Well

“Are you sure I’m doing this right?” I waver, turning my head over my shoulder to face Zanthus who was watching my distressed state.

I slowly bring my hands holding the whisk I’ve been raining down on the butter to a stop as I study his expression. He has a tight-lipped smile on his face, though it doesn’t seem to be one of force but rather as if he is trying to force himself not to laugh. He finally breaks out into laughter not able to hold his apparent facade, the sound reigning through my ears like the sweetest symphony.

His eyes are almost to a close, crinkled up by the sides in the most admirable way. I watch how his body shakes in tune with his laughs, and have to force myself not to cheese like a fool at his contagious state. Slowly he begins to sober up from his fit, but his smile stays planted wide as ever as he just looks at me.

“You’re taking the mickey, aren’t you?” I remark with a teasing glare, which just causes him to force back his amusement yet again.

Zanthus shakes his head, but his body betrays his lie. I’m aware that I’m quickly failing to keep the pointed look on my face, I can’t help it with the sight of Zanthus right now. His body language now is in such stark contrast to him just over an hour ago, and I truly hope my attempt to learn how to bake has been a fit distraction from whatever was going on inside his head.

“Well if you’re so blinding at baking, why don’t you come and show me yeah?” I raise my eyebrows a bit, hoping he does actually come over here because for someone gross reason I want to have his body closer to mine rather to across the counter.

His smile is a bit lighter now, more of one that shows the remains of a once large grin. I watch nervously as he seems to ponder my proposition, hoping he’ll submit to my request. I feel a bit of relief as he sends me a small nod, slowly starting to walk around the counter. My pounding heart becomes notedly apparent the closer he gets to me, and now I don’t know whether or not to be chuffed or lose my mind at the closing gap between Zanthus and me.

I barely even know him, why does he make me feel so flustered?

Zanthus stops on my right side, close enough to where our arms are touching in the lightest manner. My skin crawls as he lightly shuffles on his feet causing his arm to fully brush my own, and I scold myself to stop overreacting at the smallest things while I’m when it comes to him. I bring my eyes to align with his and realize that the smile on his lips is just ghosting a smile now, barely noticeable if you were to be across the room.

He c***s his head a bit, yet I haven't a clue what he’s trying to gesture in doing so. He appears to realize my bewilderment so he points to my hand which I look to recall is gripping the side of the glass bowl. I immediately release the item, and he reaches out to grab it before turning to his side and stretching out to place it in the microwave. The time is set for twenty seconds, which go by like hours as I observe the apparent muscle strained against his black shirt as he keeps his hand supported against the front of the microwave.

Good lord, he’s fit.

A light hum strings through the air, interrupted by a quiet ding indicating the time is up. I snap out of my trance as he opens up the small door to retrieve the now warmed bowl. He closes the microwave and places the bowl back down in front of me, grabbing the whisk covered in remnants of horribly mashed butter and the rest of the ingredients I’d sloshed in the bowl in following of the printed instructions he had handed me, him being the one to fetch them all for me.

I hear a small huff of laughter as he inspects the utensil with a slight shake of the head following to his amusement, though he keeps it on a reel this time. Zanthus puts his hand which isn’t holding the mess of a tool out in front of me, which I am a bit puzzled about.

I’m not the sharpest at picking up tells, dare I say.

He sighs and brings his hand down to grab mine before lifting it back in front of the whisk. I can barely comprehend what he’s doing as all I can focus on is his skin touching mine, and to my, aid Zanthus takes charge of the situation in full. I feel him move his hand so it’s cupping mine and he wraps my immobile fingers around the whisks handle, holding it firm there. Once his left hand is free of the tool he moves it back, and I almost faint as I feel him slowly place it on my lower back to keep me stable.

I almost don’t process that he’s begun to swiftly whisk the batter I was quite sure I had wrecked, the now soft butter combining smoothly with the rest of the mix. My lungs feel tighter as he shuffles a bit closer to me, so his body is just lightly pressing against mine. They should put some sort of label on him, I swear it.

Caution: Zanthus’s may cause loss of oxygen, rapid heart rate, faint or lightheadedness, absurdly red cheeks, and fluttering stomachs. Contact a doctor before coming within ten feet of one.

Yeah, that sounds about right.

“S-slower.” Zanthus soothes holding my hand a bit firmer in his to have more control of the pace, and I feel my skin set on fire beneath my shirt as his fingers slowly caress my back in the softest way as if trying to calm me.

Lord take me now.

“Sorry, I lost my head a bit,” I tell back, scolding myself to pay mind to Zanthus rather to my own head.

I think about how weirdly nice it feels to be standing like this with Zanthus when taking all other morals out of the equation. His touch is insanely soft, unlike I had imagined it to be in the past. I don’t know how I haven’t fainted with how close he’s gotten to me, honestly. I resist the urge to lean a bit more into him, no matter how much some unruly part of me desires to.

It’s quite odd how I’m being so intimate with a man I barely know, given I had barely spoken to anyone besides my teachers over the years when it came to social interaction outside the house. I mean, he barely talks to me but will practically wrap his arms around me? I note to tell him that we truly do need to talk and get in each other heads a bit more in order for this friendship to reach the odds of working in the slightest.

Though honestly, it feels quite astounding to have him so close.

The butterflies feel more like a stampede of giraffes prowling around inside my stomach, something that I have yet to feel until now. It’s almost as he places his hands are placed on my body each spot is burning up in the most desirable yet head pounding way.

“It’s do-done.” He informs me and to my disliking, puts a bit of space between us and slowly releases my hand from his grip.

“Thank you.” I murmur as I turn around on my heels so I’m facing Zanthus who’s touchable hair is draping across his face a bit due to him tilting his head downwards. “I told you I’m no good in the kitchen.” I chaff at him, smiling wider as he shakes his head at my comment.

“O-oven?” He points towards the now prepped bowl of cake batter he’d salvaged seated next to a rectangular glass carrier.

I nod my head and turn back and lift the bowl, ready to pour it into the dish. Zanthus places his hand on the side of it, keeping it steady as I watch the mix fall out swiftly and build up until it’s about halfway full evened out. I gather the dirty utensils I had used into the bowl pondering a bit over the whisk as I think of how we had been just seconds ago, while Zanthus moves to place the cake batter filled dish in the waiting oven. I head over to the sink and am about to place the bowl in it before I feel a rushed arm placed on my arm halting my actions.

“No!” Zanthus exclaims as he moves closer to grab the batter stricken bowl in his own hands, my eyebrows raising in wonder of his actions. “W-w-we eat it.” He rushes out, stumbling over his own words as he does so.

“Is that even safe?” I contend considering the raw ingredients we had put in but follow in step as he makes his way over to grab a pair of spoons and then towards the spotless glass table in the center of the kitchen.

Zanthus pulls out a chair which I assume is for his, but he steps to the side and turns back to me indicating me to sit down with a slight flick of his head. I feel my cheeks pink at his sweet gesture and drop my gaze to the floor letting a few strands of hair do best to cover my face. I step in the space in front of the chair, letting him push it in behind me before I sit down. He then makes his way over to the chair beside me, placing it close enough to me so we could both be well in reach of the bowl before sitting down.

“It’s sa-safe, I s-sw-s-” Zanthus squeezes his eyes painfully tight before continuing. “I pro-promise.” He discloses, though I still feel a bit on the fence about it.

“Are you positive? I may fancy baking with you though I must say I would not fancy catching salmonella or something of the sort.” I announce, which receives me another beautiful round of the beautiful dark-haired boy's laughter. “My bill will be in your box if that happens.” I add Zanthus only laughing harder at this statement.

“Okay.” He lets out as he begins to take the reins on himself again, calming down his melody.

I watch as he takes one of the spoons from his table, handing me own as well. He jumps right into action, taking a sizeable spoonful of the batter which hadn’t made it into the pan. He indicates me to do the same as he jumps his eyes from the spoon in my hand to the bowl. I hesitantly bring the spoon to catch a bit of the mix, stopping it when it’s just a bit away from my lips.

In contrast to me, he instantly sets the spoonful into his mouth, a more to pleased look on his face afterward. I watch as his eyes catch mine, silently instructing me to follow as he did. When the batter meets my mouth I am genuinely surprised that it tastes so good. Growing up I had never really done much baking or anything in the kitchen neither my family, so this is all new to me.

“I’ll have to give you this one.” I murmur once I’ve finished my bite, sheepishly reaching for another as Zanthus nods in approval.

The two of us drop into another bridge of silence, the only sound being the clashing of the spoons against the bowl placed between us every so often. Our eyes connect with each other’s bashfully in some moments, though I do my best to glance at him only when his eyes have darted elsewhere in the vicinity. I know I’m greatly tinted pink from the whole wordless interaction.

I suddenly hear the sound of footsteps parading down the stairs, and then slapping against the ground nearing us by the second.

“Jax!” Xander’s exasperated shout rings through the house, and before I have time to question what it’s over, a messy-haired Jax bursts into the kitchen eyes wide yet a wicked smile on his lips.

“Hey there, mates!” He exclaims brightly though I expect nothing less from his bubbly attitude I have experienced so far.

“I told you to let them be alone, you prick.” Xander spits as he enters as well, an irked glare on his face.

“The two of you are baking? Wicked!” Jax ignores the taller boy completely as he wanders around the room aimlessly, prodding at random items and decorations.

“Lord, I’m sorry about him Angel. I swear I tried to keep him on a leash.” He tells me which I just wave off, although I can’t deny I would like to be alone with Zanthus in some part of me.

“Stop being such a damper, Xander.” Jax sighs as he comes back to a halt in front of us.”The more the merrier, yeah?” He asks rhetorically while sending me a bright smile that I can’t help but send a small one back to.

My eyes widen as Xander brings his hand up to slap Jax on the back of the head, shaking his head at the boy.

“Belt up, won’t you?” He shoots at Jax, who just pouts dramatically as he rubs the back of his head to compensate for the hit.

“Do you see this, Angel? He's always abusing me and I just have to take it.” Jax whines while Xander just rolls his eyes at him.

“You deserve it.” Xander deadpans as he situates himself so he’s leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest.

“You know what? I’m tired of this, I’m going to find a new best mate.” Jax declares, pushing his chin up as he moves away from Xander whose eyebrows are now raised.

“Who on earth is that going to be?” He asks the blonde haired boy who placed his hand on his chin as if to show he was thinking.

“I’ve got it!” Jax practically shouts as he smiles at me, making his way towards the table. “Angel! You’re my new best mate, alright?” He tells as he pulls a chair from the end of the table to sit next to mine.

“Uhm-” I begin but am cut off as an arm is thrown around my shoulder, pulling me into the owner's side.

“I knew you’d be excited! See, look at that Xander. I’ve already got one.” Jax sticks his tongue out at the older boy who was just shaking his head at the scene.

“Leave the poor girl alone, won’t you?” Xander huffs but Jax only pulls me impossibly closer to him.

“No can do. We’re just perfect for each other. Don’t you agree, Angel?” Jax turns to me and smiles cheesily causing me to laugh a bit in response.

“Of course.” I finally speak up playing along with the odd boys game.

“One question first.” Jax shoots which I nod too, letting him know I’m listening. “Do you fancy One Direction?” He asks me with a quite serious look on his face, and I can’t swallow the small laugh that falls from my mouth.

“What the hell sort of question is that?” Xander inquires, bewildered by what Jax had just stated.

“An important one!” Jax fires back at him before focusing his attention on me again. “So do you? I’d hate for this relationship to be short-lived because you say no.” He queries, and I just nod my head in response.

“Odd determination method, but yes I fancy them.” I tell him which receives me a hug from the childish boy.

“I knew we would get along just fine. We were meant to be, I just know it” Jax sighs as he leans back in his chair, and I can’t help but laugh a bit at his juvenile behavior and remarks.

Suddenly I hear a screeching noise coming from beside me, and turn to see Zanthus standing from his chair in a harsh manner. His shoulders are stiff once he’s up, and I try to catch his eyes though he just keeps them planted to the ground. He throws his spoon in the bowl that we had been eating from where mine already lay, roughly grabbing it before making his way over to the sink.

I’m so caught up in following his every move I barely notice how Jax’s arm has been removed from my shoulder and the room has gone deathly silent. Zanthus stalks out of the room with heavy steps, going to a place unknown to me.

Did I do something out of line?

I stare at the archway he left through for a bit before turning back to the other lads in the room I had forgotten about. It looks like the two are communicating with their eyes are Xander stares down Jax in a pointed manner. Jax wears a somewhat guilty look on his face, which surprises me considering he was smiling widely just minutes ago.

“Do you know where he’s off to?” I pry as I face my attention to Xander, who turns in my direction at my speaking up. “Did I do something wrong? I mean, I really didn't mean to. I thought we were getting along just fine, especially earlier. He even came over and helped me while we were baking, and he was standing really close to me and touched which has to be a good sign. Well, I think it is, at least. I don’t-” Jax brings his hand up to bop my mouth which brings me to a halt and my cheeks to a flame as I realize my rambling.

“Hush up there, Angel. You aren’t at fault here so you can save your pretty little head from all that worrying.” Jax smiles softly at me, though I can’t stop the anxious feeling in my stomach or the thoughts swirling my head that I messed everything up.

“Jax is right, Angel, don’t cry over spilled milk. Especially when you’re not the one who's made the mess.” Xander reassures me, and I feel my nerves calm down a bit over the sincerity in his voice. “I’m sure he’s just gone out to have a fag.” Xander tells me, and I feel a frown form on my lips at Xander’s suggestion.

“A fag? Is he aware of how unhealthy that is?” I protest not being able to help the worry that washes floods over me at the thought of Zanthus’s physical health declining, and Xander nods in response to me. “Does he do this a lot?” I pry and see a frown overcome Xander’s features as well at this question.

“Yes, he does. Now I’m not putting him out on the plank alone, I’m no angel either. The lot of us are all guilty of it, just not to the same extent as Zanthus.” Jax pipes up quickly.

It’s quite for a bit, as I ponder over why Zanthus has left, rerunning every second in my head. I also think over the fact of Zanthus’s harmful habit, and how I could get him to stop. I doubt he would even listen to me, considering this is the first and possibly the last time we’ll get together.

“I reckon you’re worried about him?” Xander’s smiles a but wider my way and I’m too focused on Zanthus to even blush at the moment so just nod instead. “You should go on and check on him.” He tells me and I feel my eyebrows raise a bit at his suggestion.

“I doubt he’d like me as company at the moment.” I feel myself deflate a bit as I voice the thoughts I had already been running over in my head.

“Well, I believe different,” Xander remarks as he stands up a bit straighter. “Just give it a shot, yeah?” He persuades me, his eyes pleading me to say yes.

“Alright.” I sigh in agreement after a few moments of pondering whether or not I should go. “Wait, where has he gone to?” I turn to ask the two boys once I’m almost out of the room.

“Out front, I suppose. He normally does.” Jax informs me and I nod shooting him a quick thank you before making my way through the halls to the entrance of the premises.

I open the large double door on the right swiftly, shutting it as light as I can behind me as I step out onto the concrete. I scan the surroundings, and to my luck almost instantly spot Zanthus leaning against a large pillar to my right. I make my way quietly over to him, spotting the fag in his hand with the tip glowing that dusty orange

Now despite how wrong it is to smoke, I can’t deny how incredibly attractive Zanthus looks while doing so.

He brings the stick up to his mouth, lips closing around it softly as he takes in a long drag. I watch in awe as his head tilts back with his eyes closed, showcasing his sharply defined jaw as well as his undeniably attractive Adam's apple. His lips part swiftly after he’s inhaled as much as he’d fancy, the excess smoke gently releasing from his mouth as he blows it out into the air.

Snap out of it, Angel!

“You know that’s quite unhealthy, right?” I speak softly, taking a few hesitant steps towards the alluring boy, whose eyes widen a bit as he turns to take in my form. “Zanthus?” I probe again after he doesn’t respond for some time.

He simply nods in response, before breaking the eye contact to take another puff from his cig. He doesn’t drag in as much as before, but it’s still some and it’s still unhealthy.

“Zanthus,” I state as I make my way towards him until I’m standing so my head is facing his shoulder, almost touching. “You shouldn’t smoke so much. It’s not good for you.” I point out, and only receive a small glance in return.

I sigh defeatedly as I watch him blow out another small cloud of smoke. He moves to bring his hand up to his mouth again, but I move quickly this time to place my hand over his preventing him from doing so. He looks down at me with a slightly irked, yet mostly confused expression and I feel the frown on my face grow deeper.

“You really shouldn’t, Zanthus, it’s bad for your health.” I insist a final time, hoping it’s convincing enough to get him to give in.

“It he-helps.” He murmurs, his gaze sticking to where my hand was still set atop of his.

“Helps with what.” I question, my eyes trained deeply on the confusing boy standing in front of me.

“Stress. M-my p-problems. It’s a re-release.” Zanthus says a bit louder this time, his alluring eyes flickering to mine every once in a while.

I bite my lip anxiously as I try to think of something to say in response. It’s quiet for a bit before I begin to gain the courage to speak up, almost wanting to bury myself in the ground knowing there’s a possibility he’ll decline my offer right away.

“Well, I mean I know, I know we don’t know each other all too well, but like, you could, I-we could possibly talk? Like, instead of smoking, if you have things that are stressing you, you could talk to me. If you want to, of course, don’t feel pressured. I don’t know, I just-I thought maybe that would be better than this, and it’s always good to have someone to talk to.” I rush out, feeling my cheeks flame up as I let all the words slip out of my mouth.

I wait with a rapidly beating hard for Zanthus to respond and am shocked when I feel his hand relax undermine and look to see he’s let it drop to the ground. I watch as he brings his foot to step on it, successfully putting the cig out, and our hands fall lightly between us, mine still cupping his just slightly. I feel myself relax a bit at this, and when I bring my face up to meet his I’m a bit surprised to see a smile painted across his face.

“I-I’ll think a-about it.” He tells me which makes me smile a bit as well, and dart my eyes to the ground before I speak up.

“I-uh, maybe we could get to know each other a bit more if you’d like? I-I mean of course only if you’re really up for it, we could talk about things, well ourselves-well I mean, I don’t know. I maybe-I just thought we could start to talk more, anyways, even if you don’t stop, you know.” I stumble over my words, failing miserably to get out what I want to say under the beautiful boys gaze.

I push a loose strand of air behind my ear nervously, not sparing a glance in Zanthus’s way as I’m far too nervous to do so. I feel his gaze on me which makes me even more flustered, and almost lose my mind once I feel him flips his hand so his palm is against my own, and slowly lace his fingers between my own. My stomach does an unruly number of flips at this action, and I feel a fire burn through me as an uncontrollable grin makes its way to my lips.

“I-I’d like th-that.” Zanthus remarks, squeezing my hand a bit as he does so, my cheeks blazing red by this point.

We stand there in silence for some time as we watch the sunset, and uncoordinated yet perfect moment shared. Zanthus’s thumb slowly runs over the back of my hand like he had done on the bench earlier today, though it feels as if that was years ago. Once the darkness begins to settle in, I feel myself begin to shiver a bit and I believe Zanthus takes note of it as he turns my way, breaking the comfortable silence.

“Wo-would you l-like to go ou-out t-t-” He sighs cutting himself off, something I’ve realized he’s done on multiple occasions. “Tomorrow ni-night?” He stutters, a nervous twinkle in his eye as he gazes down at me.

“Do you mean like a date?” I blurt out an instantly regret my straightforward reply, wishing I could bury myself in the ground.

Zanthus just chuckles a bit at my response but shakes his head in affirmation of my outburst. I feel him squeeze my hand a bit tighter as he rocks on his heels slightly, a pink tint to his cheeks noticeable by the faint light of the fading sky.

“Yeah, l-like a da-date.” He speaks softly, and I feel the stampede of giraffe run its track back through my stomach.

“I’d love to.” I beam at him, resisting the urge to shout to the sky that I’ve just been asked on a date by an incredibly handsome boy, more importantly, I’d been asked on a date by Zanthus Black.

“Excellent.” He breathes as he takes a step closer to me, his breath fanning down onto my face as he does so.

“We’d better get back inside to take the dessert out, yeah?” I offer once I recall what had occurred before I came out here, and Zanthus nods in agreement at my words. We begin to make our way to the door, but I stop before we get all the way and turn to face him. “You know I’m really glad you invited me over today Zanthus. I know it hasn’t gone all too smoothly, but I‘ve rather enjoyed spending time with you. I’m looking forward to tomorrow already.” I tell him openly, ignoring the small smirk that settles along with his smile as I turn a deep shade of pink.

“I fa-fancy y-you’re co-company too.” Zanthus grins down at me, squeezing my hand a bit tighter as he does so, causing a whirlwind of butterflies to dart around inside my stomach.

We stand like this for a bit, smiling like fools at each other with no words needed to be spoken. I feel myself stomach flip and my skin aflame every time he runs his thumb over my hand in the softest manner. I never want this moment to come to an end might I say, but I don’t protest as I hear Zanthus’s incredibly attractive voice speak up.

“I-I’m rather th-thrilled about to-tomorrow night a-as well.”