Cheating Death

Unexpected

Ava

I'm getting more and more nervous as we get closer to the bon fire. I can hear laughter and feel the warmth starting to creep up on us through the trees. Lily pauses and looks at me as if she knows what I'm feeling. She gives me a warm smile and pulls my hand to keep leading me on. I can't shake this feeling that something bad is going to happen and I want to throw up.

"Quit trying to escape Ava! It's not even going to be that bad, I promise!"

"What if I fall in the fire or a bear comes out and attacks me, dragging me into the woods?"

"Would you stop being overdramatic? The worst thing that could happen tonight is you leave without even so much as a first kiss."

I squinted my eyes at her and she knew she had hit a nerve. I didn't like talking about my personal life with her in that way, because she never understood why I was saving myself for someone I loved. She always said to just live a little and play the field so you can be experienced when you meet that person and not let them down behind closed doors. But I want my first everything to be special. She laughed and pulled my hand again to lead me on out into the open field where the fire was blazing.

Kids were everywhere. Some were making out, some were dancing, and some were just drinking and carrying on a conversation with each other. Lily led us to the drink table to pour us a cup of whatever it was they had. It looked like a big punch bowl but you could smell that it had been spiked with alcohol. I'm not much of a drinker and she knows that. She hands me a cup and I scrunch up my nose at the smell.

"Fine, I'll see if I can find you a bottle of water or something you prude." Lily laughed as she walked off to find me something that wasn't tainted with alcohol.

I moved closer to the fire to warm up a little. The night chill was a little much without my jacket. As I was rubbing my hands together trying to absorb the fire's warmth, I felt an arm snake around my waist. At first I thought it was Lily until I turned to see a junior football player right up to me. His touch seemed to burn my skin and I tried to pull away.

"Let me go!" I shouted, trying to wiggle out of his grip.

"Oh, I like it when they put up a fight." he laughed as he moved in to try to kiss me.

Tears were brimming my eyes as I tried with all my might to get away from him, but I wasn't strong enough to push him off me. Next thing I knew, he was jerked away from me and I covered my head with my arms trying to protect myself from him and this new threat that seemed to have made itself present. I heard a sickening crack and a thud. I peeked up through my arms to see none other than Azrail, who was shaking out his fist.

I stared at him in astonishment and then looked at my assailant who was knocked out cold on the ground. I started to move away from him not sure what he was going to do next, but he grabbed my hand softly and I felt a cooling sensation from his touch which calmed my nerves instantly.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah, I think I will be. You didn't have to come save me though, I could have handled it."

"Yeah, like you were just then." he rolled his eyes and there it was, the same asshole Azrail everyone knew.

"If you are just going to make fun of me, then I'm leaving." I scoffed as I turned around and started to walk off.

"No wait! I didn't mean it like that." he said as he caught my hand again and pulled me back to him.

I wanted to get away but at the same time I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be. I looked into his beautiful eyes and saw a swirling mixture of emotions as if he was playing through a lifetime in his head. I looked down and realized I was still holding his hand. I dropped it instantly and crossed my arms across my chest. I couldn't help but see the hurt look in his eyes when I let go of his hand.

"Would you like to maybe sit beside me and maybe have a conversation?" he asked with a sincere look on his face.

I was a little skeptical but I followed him to a log and sat next to the fire. He pulled his jacket off and put it around my shoulders to help keep me warm. We stared at the fire in silence for a few moments that felt like forever before he finally spoke.

"Look, I'm sorry for what my dad said about you the other day. I know you heard it. I don't know why he is like that, but I don't feel the same way he does. You are a good person and you always try to take care of everyone, even if it leaves you without. You are honestly amazing and f**k anyone who can't see that." he rushed out.

I turned and looked at him in astonishment. I have never had anyone say those types of things to me and it made me feel good to know that someone felt that way about me. My mom says this kind of stuff to me all the time, but she is my mother. It just feels different hearing it from someone else.

We stared at each other for a few moments. Our eyes bore into each others souls. It was almost like we were having a silent conversation with each other and there was no awkwardness in the insane amount of time we spent staring at each other. I felt my body move as if I had no control over it. I touched his cheek with my hand and he leaned into my touch. I licked my lips because they felt dry and he moved in to kiss me. I was so gentle yet passionate. It was almost like the world stopped while our lips were together.

He pulled away from the kiss and I felt breathless. I wanted more but I didn't know how to ask. He placed his hand on my cheek and rubbed his thumb across my lips. He looked behind me and sighed.

"I should probably let you go. Lily is looking for you, it seems."

I looked over my shoulder and saw Lily looking all around for me. I turned around to tell him she would be alright, but he was gone. I sat there looking into the tree line thinking how I was an i***t when Lily came running over to me.

"There you are! I've been looking all over for you!"

"Yeah I just needed to get some air." I lied.

"Wait, something is wrong. What is wrong, Ava?"

"It's nothing. I'm just tired and I would like to go home. I'm sorry I'm a party pooper tonight but I have a lot on my mind."

"Ava, please just stay and try to have some fun."

"Lily, I really need to go home and get to bed. I have to get up early tomorrow and go with mom to the store. Please stay and have fun. For me?" I asked, sticking out my lower lip and trying to pout.

"Alright, I guess I'll stay and have fun for the both of us, but don't think I like this." she smirked and I knew for a fact she liked the thought of doubling up.

"Goodnight Lily."

I gave her a hug and started back towards the house. I didn't live far and the cool night air was calming my hot skin. I kept touching my lips thinking of the kiss that Azrail and I shared just moments ago. It felt magical. I snuck into the house since mom was already asleep, it seemed, and tiptoed to the bathroom. I stripped off and got in the shower wanting to wash off the smell of the fire so maybe she wouldn't ask too many questions.

I got out of the shower and put a towel around me and carried my clothes to the laundry room, throwing them straight into the wash. I silently walked upstairs to my bedroom and shut my door. In my closet I found a flannel set of pjs that I put on and brushed my hair out so it wouldn't be so tangled in the morning. I laid down and tried to go to sleep but I seemed restless. After about an hour, I finally drifted off into a peaceful slumber. I found myself in the woods again in the clearing by the fire. This was strange, I thought, but what was even stranger was seeing Azrail sitting on the same log we sat on earlier. He was the only person here and I felt this odd sensation to go sit by him. I turned to walk back to the woods but he looked at me and his mouth fell open.