The Bad Boys Angel

Friends

Song: Where We Land, Ed Sheeran

Angels' POV

I can’t help but frown a bit as I glance over the note which had been left on the workbench in the kitchen by William. Of course, things amongst him and I were still a bit rough, I’d calmed my displeasures regarding him a bit. I finally came to my senses through my tears at some point and realized it wasn’t all his doing, the riff that had risen between Zanthus and me.

Zanthus and I.

The banana I had picked off the bunch a few minutes ago seems less than appetizing when thinking over this. Where do we stand now? We had been well, in open waters and attempting to get to know each other, to go out on a date, yet now none of that applies. He rejected me, to put it simply, and my stomach is anything but settled at that.

I’m not sure if he’d still like to attempt at least a friendship, and salvage what little we had to begin with. Though at the same time it will be a bit upsetting to settle knowing were set to only be friends for the rest of it. Of course, I’m not obligated to or went in expecting, a relationship that would last forever, I was ready to possibly attempt at it and see where we could land if we would’ve taken the first steps.

A ring runs through my ears, and it takes a few seconds before I come to the realization that someone was at the front door. Of course, this is confusing, considering the only person I could think of being here is William, though he surely wouldn’t be one to ring the doorbell.

Regardless, I make my way to the entry and glance through the peephole to decipher who’s outside. Another wave of confusion hits when there doesn’t seem to be anyone waiting on the other side, though just to be safe I open the door to check more thoroughly.

I am absolutely caught on the hop when I spot Zanthus standing just out of the doors line of sight.

He’s more pacing than he is standing, either way, I haven’t got a clue how to react. I hadn’t prepared at all to see him at my house considering just yesterday he had rejected me, to my dismay. He catches my eyes a few seconds after I’ve sat there, almost open-mouthed at his form in front of me.

He clears his throat a bit and runs a nervous appearing hand through his untamed hair. “Hi.” His voice is soft, almost out of earshot for me.

“Erm, er, you,” My brain isn’t cooperating with me in the slightest right now. “Hi.” I settle on, doing my best to regain my fleeting collectedness.

It’s silent after this, expectantly, neither one of us seeming sure as to what the next step is. Zanthus shuffles a bit on his toes, stuffing one of his hands further into his pocket. I do my best to keep my eyes focused on him at a minimum, not wanting to undergo anymore embarrassment to what I already have in just seconds of seeing Zanthus.

“Would you, would you like to come in?” I offer up wanting nothing more than a break from this awkward stretch of quiet.

Zanthus nods quickly in response to my words, a small smile returned to me in what I assume is the replacement of a ‘yes, thank you.’ I move to the side, giving room for him to make his way into the foyer, space which he gladly takes advantage of.

I rock back on my heels once he’s inside, the door shutting softly behind him riding any sounds from the outdoors that we’re providing as a natural buffer. Zanthus keeps his gaze darted on the ground as he fumbles with a bottom on the bottom of his shirt, and soon enough I hear him intake a sharp breath.

It looks as if he’s about to say something, though his entire stature deflates and he closes his mouth before he can even begin to let anything out. He frowns at this, which causes me to as well because any mood of his is really contagious.

“I don’t mean to be rude when saying this, but…” I trail off, not exactly certain on how to present my concerns without seeming terribly rude. “Why, why are you here?” I blurt out immediately looking anywhere but the long boy in front of me.

Eventually, I bring myself to drag my eyes to his form, his now seemingly disheartened ones meeting my own. Now I can’t help but feel guilty about what I’ve said, considering it’s only deepened Zanthus’ frown and that’s not what I planned to do at all, it was a genuine question.

“I, erm, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean it in that way, I just, I wasn’t, I-” I can’t whip up a proper sentence at the moment, it seems.

“I’d li-like to d-drive you. If th-that’s a-alright.” Zanthus says softly, again, almost so quietly that I don’t even catch what he’s said.

I am even more taken back by this than Zanthus showing up at the house. His proposing to drive me is essentially him showcasing that he’d like to spend time with me, and by the way, he rejected me last night I thought he’d like to be doing anything but that.

“” Are you, you, what?” I can’t help but squeak out, absolutely baffled at the fact that Zanthus truly is here in front of me, asking to drive me to college

“To s-s-sixth form. I-I’d like to dr-drive you.” He murmurs again, this time a bit louder but his tone is much more hesitant to before.

“Erm, well, I-” I shake my head a bit and gather my thoughts as best as I can. “Alright. That’s alright. I’m sorry, I just hadn’t been expecting you to be here this morning. Or ever again really, I just-sorry I’m a mess.”

The dark-haired boy in front of me simply smiles at my partial rant, thankfully I was able to cut it short before I got to lost in it. I take his smile as a response, and therefore decide to speak up again.

“Well, I’m just about ready. I’ve only got to grab my rucksack from the kitchen and we can leave, if that’s alright with you.” He doesn’t seem opposed to my offer, to my pleasure, so I begin to make my way into the kitchen.

I make my way to the corner and grab my bag off the chair, a bit confused when I realize that Zanthus isn’t following behind me like I assumed he would. I make my way back out to the foyer and see Zanthus shifting from heel to heel with the most adorable expression resting on his face.

“All set then, yeah?” I ask, which he nods to with a soft smile before he goes to open the door in front of us.

He lets me through first, causing a small blush to paint my cheeks, which I do my best to hide by brushing a few strands of hair out from behind my ear and letting them fall in front of my face. When we arrive at his car, which is some sort of esteemed black model that screams money, he walks around and opens my door as well.

“Thank you.” I murmur in reverence to his actions, which he only widens his smile before he shuts my door and heads over to his side.

It’s quiet once hen settles, the loud sound of the car starting up a contrast to the quiet environment inside. I can’t help but feel a bit awkward as the silence continues its stretch on the way out of my neighborhood, and down the main road as well.

I assume Zanthus senses this because I catch him sending me a quick glance before he stops at a red light. He’s quick to grab his phone from his back pocket and click a button on the large screen in front of him.

To my surprise, the soft hum of The Beatles makes itself known within the car. I am not one to judge others, though I never would have pinned Zanthus to be one who listens to The Beatles in his spare time, forgive my past assumptions.

“You enjoy The Beatles?” I offer, hoping that this comment can help aid the tension between us, that even though softened by music, it is still apparent.

Zanthus simply croons an inaudible ‘yeah’ of sorts, stealing another glance in my direction before he looks back to the road of course.

“Is classic rock your favourite genre then?” I expand on the topic, hoping to get a bit more out of him.

“Yeah.” He all but whispers this, not attempting to say any more than that, to my dismay.

I decide it’s best to just give the conversation attempts a break while I’m still ahead. I feel it won’t get anywhere, and I surely feel as if I’m walking on eggshells at this point with Zanthus. I don’t want to exhaust him with my pointless banter round the clock.

A few more Beatles tunes play, as well as a couple Fleetwood Mac and Rolling Stones and soon enough we’re pulling into the school’s parking lot. Zanthus has remained quiet the entirety of the ride, the only interaction amongst him and me being his constant glances my way, which I don’t know how to feel about.

I’m about to grab ahold of my door handle and make my way out but I feel a hand latch onto my forearm and hold it in place. I turn and see Zanthus, of course, to be the culprit and pull my eyebrows up in confusion.

I watch him turn, releasing my arm, as he makes his way out of the vehicle. He makes his way around the front to my side, and I’m sure my blush is clear as day when he opens my door. The fact that he wants to treat me so properly gives me a feeling somewhere in my stomach I can’t quite distinguish.

I take his outstretched hand willingly as he helps me out of the car. I feel myself become more than flustered when I’m standing right in front of him, his form towering over mine as our toes are just about touching. He hasn’t let go of my hand yet, though he hasn’t made a move to hold it properly either.

“Zanthus! Always the gentlemen aren’t you?” I peer my head behind the tall lad to see Jax approaching the two of us with a smug smile on his face. “Morning there, Angel.” He says politely as he glances my direction, before becoming attentive to Zanthus again, who I now realize has come to let go of my hand.

“Good morning.” I shoot back at him trying to hide the slight disappoint coursing through me as my hand is no longer graced with the presence of Zanthus’.

“Jax! Give my f*****g keys here.” I hear the unappeased sound of Xanders’ voice, followed by an unappeased looking Xander.

“f**k isn’t a respectable word now, is it?” Jax drawls with a teasing narrow of his eyes as he makes his way away from Zanthus and right next to me now. “Don’t you agree with me, Angel?” He offers up, and I feel a grin begin to stretch its’ way across my face at his antics.

“Oh give her a break, you prick. I’m sure she got enough of you for a lifetime on Friday.” Xander bites, though it’s clearly not in a serious manner.

“How could you say such a thing? Angels’ my best friend. She’ll never get enough of me.” I feel an arm slung around my shoulder and pull me in close and look up to see Jax with a mile long smile plastered to his face.

Xander grumbles something under his breath while Zanthus just seems to be rather upset. Of course, Jax ignores both of their responses and only begins to ramble on about something, I’m not really quite sure what it even is. I feel his arm leave me when he goes to block himself from a punch Xander was sending his way, all with a good heart of course.

As the boy’s brawl, I feel a tug on my hand which turns out to be Zanthus’ doing. I’m about to ask him what he needs but my unasked question goes answered when he slips his fingers through my own. I have to will myself to remember breathing isn’t an optional activity at this, of course.

“Well, the two of you appear a bit cozy over here.” It’s not Jax who’s teasing this time, to my surprise it’s Xander. I blush at his words, unintentionally leaning a bit into Zanthus’ shoulder to hide from further embarrassment, though my tactics aren’t well thought through. The added closeness between him and I only emits another response from the boys.

“Right then. As long as you keep it child appropriate I’ll allow it.” Xander is surely taking the piss as much as he can at this point.

“f**k up.” Zanthus grumbles from beside me as he leans in closer to me, much to my surprise.

“Now that’s no way to address one of your best mates,” Xander states, faux-hurt resting in his tone as he grips a hand over his heart.

“L-let’s go th-then, A-Angel.” Zanthus tugs a bit on my hand, gaining my full attention as he keeps his eyes on me, nodding his head towards the entrance of the campus. I nod back mutely agreeing with his proposition, although our first lecture isn’t beginning for a decent amount of time.

Xander and Jax make some sort of comments to each other as we walk away I assume, with the constant laughter that rings through the air once we begin to make our way towards the front gates. Zanthus ignores them, as do I, keeping my attention solely on him at this point.

“Y-you look b-beau-beautiful.” Zanthus blurts once we’ve come to a stop by the more scenic part of the campus, just past the first buildings and off to the side.

“Me?” My comment is completely offhand, and I instantly wish it to be taken back, but Zanthus seems to pay no mind to it and simply nods.

“Y-you look b-beautiful.” He repeats back to me, a bit quieter to before yet still very audible to me, and just as shocking, if not more so than the first time.

“I-I-” My voice appears to be ten octaves higher to normal, and I assume my face is much redder to normal as well. “Thank you” I decide on hoping it’s a justifiable response to his comment.

“S-s-sorry if th-that was o-over s-stepping.” He retaliates, his grip on my hand loosening a bit which I am quick to tighten my own as I shake my head.

“No! No, it wasn’t, I-I just wasn’t expecting you to think that, or well say that. I’m not very good at saying the right things when I’m flustered. I tend to-well I’m just rambling now, sorry.” I’m rather sheepish at this point, knowing I’ve only embarrassed myself further.

“W-why wouldn’t I?” He queries, disregarding the rest of the words that fell out of my mouth a few seconds ago.

“I, erm, I just-I’m not quite sure,” I respond, quite taken back by one of his statements yet again.

“W-well you a-are.” His tone is firm, assertive in a lack of better word. “Bea-Beautiful, th-that is.” He merely whispers the last half of his short speech.

I smile bashfully at the reiteration of his compliment, my brain not willing me to do much more than this. He smiles back at me just as brightly, and I feel his previously slipping grip on my fingers tighten as it had before, surely reassuring to me.

It goes quiet again, both of us just taking in the early morning glory before us. Quiet. It always seems to be so quiet when I’m with Zanthus. Not that it’s something bad, but it seems to me as if I know nothing absolutely nothing about him.

It’s now I decide to ask Zanthus the burning question that’s been making its way around my head for days on end. Best I address it now, lest I’d drive myself absolutely mental badgering over it internally for the rest of eternity.

“May I ask you something?” I propose to him, which steals his gaze off of the flowers before him and brings it to match mine, a nod being his response. A nod, of course.

“I don’t, erm-I don’t mean to offend you by it…” I trail as I rock nervously on my heels, hoping to find some solace for my current perturbed state.

Zanthus just raises his eyebrows at me, edging me to go on without actually saying it aloud. He seems to be genuinely concerned, which I am sure is my fault by not being able to hide my awfully nervous state.

“Why don’t-” I begin to blurt out, but will myself to pause for breath so I don’t shout it bluntly and scare him away. “Why don’t you talk much?” Zanthus displays manifest shock at my question.

“I’m so sorry, you don’t have to answer that if you wouldn’t like to. That was tactless of me to ask.” I quickly rush out once in fear that I’ve truly upset him.

“I do-don’t like t-talking t-to people re-really.” Zanthus starts softly, his tone wavering but so little it’s almost gone unnoticed by me. I can’t help but frown at his statement, feeling as if that’s his way to indirectly tell me he doesn’t want to hang out around me any longer.

“B-but I l-like ta-talking to y-you.” I am sure my eyes are about ready to burst from their sockets. “I w-want to t-talk t-to you.” He pins on, his voice even softer to what it was before if that’s possible.

I’m sure I’m on the edge of bursting right now.

“Well-okay, yeah. You don’t have to if you wouldn’t like to. Of course, I just want you to be comfortable, and I’m sure we could work something out if talking is really an issue for you. Like we could text? Or maybe you could use a pen and paper? If you’re up for that of course. We could even learn sign language! That would be incredible, wouldn’t…” My words seem to fail when I feel Zanthus release my hand from his and envelopes his arms around my waist.

The quickness in his movements, along with the coming to terms with the fact that he’s truly here hugging me nearly knock the breath out of me. Thankfully, the firmness of his hold around me keeps me upright. I’m nothing short of endeared with how tightly he’s wrapped himself to me.

“Thank you.” I feel the waves from his voice travel from where they meet my neck as he’s buried his head in the crook of throughout my whole body.

“You don’t have to thank me,” I respond back softly, wrapping my arms tighter around his shoulders. He just shakes his head at this and holds me a bit tighter, not that I’m opposed to this.

He lingers this way a little longer, and I do the same. The position should be a bit awkward, al bait the height difference between us, but he doesn’t pay it mind and somehow it feels so natural that I don’t either. I feel him start to pull away, to my disliking, and he does so until his face is in line with mine.

“You alright?” I offer, once he continues to stare at me silently. He’s remarkably intimidating whether it’s on purpose or not. He just nods at me wordlessly, as I expected.

It’s quiet for a bit more. “I-’m s-s-sorry for re-rejecting you offer th-the o-other day.” His voice cuts the comfortably quiet environment amongst us.

“It’s alright.” I attach a smile to my words to assure him it is, even though I can’t help feeling a bit upset at the reminder of it. “Really, Zanthus. It’s not a big deal. Don’t work yourself up over it.” I let out when I realize he’s going to speak up again.

“S-sorry.” Is all he answers back, hanging his head a bit in an almost embarrassed manner, yet I just wave his apology away.

“No need for apologies here, yeah? You’re far past forgiven.” I don’t miss the smile he takes up at this, which causes my own to enlarge. “Let’s just have a fresh start, alright?” I propose, taking my arm that had still been resting on his shoulder to sit between us. “Friends?” I ignore the small kick to my gut that comes at this statement, and it’s not a happy one, mind you.

His expression falters a bit, or at least I think it does, but it’s too quick to determine as his smile sits back on his face like it never fell. He brings his hand that was still wrapped around my waist to greet my awaiting hand with his.

We shake on it, my laugh not failing to seep through at how absurdly proper were being with this. “Friends,” Zanthus confirms, though he appears just a little lost somewhere else in his head as he murmurs again, almost out of my hearing range.

“F-Friends.”