Angel wings

Chapter eleven - It's time for the truth

Melanie's POV:

I think it's time for me to tell Jordan everything. I don't feel ready. I can't keep lying to him. He wants to know the truth. I need to think of a way to tell him. I can do it straight away, but I feel like it won't end well. It's better if it happens at night. I don't want anyone to see this. Of course, I have to keep hiding. No matter if I tell him, it doesn't mean I will show off. I'm not sure for how long I want to keep this. I have already been hiding for more than two years. Things can get worse. I am mostly worried about my mom. I know how she will react. This is how the hiding began. That's why the story is not long, but I'm not proud of it. Maybe he will be able to help me. I'm glad that he is showing off the way he is. I wish I could do that. Sadly, it won't work the same way for me. The other thing is that I need to make an excuse for my friends. They deserve to know the truth, but I can't speak now. It's not like I know when this will happen. I will think about this another day. Now, I need to focus on Jordan. I'm not sure how I am supposed to tell him. Probably, many things went through his head. Well, none of this will become true. Two days ago, I went to talk with Adriana. She told me to start from the beginning. The thing is that I promised myself I would never talk about this again. What happened is in the past. He doesn't need to know the whole story. That is something personal. Also, it's not his business. I hope that he will accept the news well.

Today is the day. I won't hide from him anymore. Jordan will have to listen to me. I'm not sure how this will go. Well, I can't keep this for myself anymore. I made him wait for this enough. The other thing is that we might get close. It's not like I expect that to happen. Being his friend is more than enough for me. There is a chance that he might not want it. We'll see how it goes. For now, I'm hoping for the best. I want things to go in the right direction.

Currently, I am at home. I came home an hour ago. Finally, I gave Jordan my social media. Yesterday, I texted him about tonight. He agreed to come. I'm sure he got excited. I started with my homework, but my head was somewhere else. I don't think I can do this. That's why I got up and went for a snack. We had some cupcakes. I took one and sat on the chair. Soon, I heard the doorbell. It was Natalie. I forgot that she was about to come. I let her, and we went to the living room.

- How are you today? - Natalie asked

- Bad.

- Why?

- I can't concentrate at all.

- Yeah, I have noticed that. Is there a problem?

- No.

- Then?

- Things are complicated.

- Does it have to do with your soulmate?

- What? - I asked and looked at her

- This means I am right. Won't you share it with me?

- I can't. I will tell you and the girls everything, but not now.

- I can wait. There is no problem with that.

- Thanks.

- How is the homework going?

- I made more mistakes in five minutes than I made in the last month. - I said, and she laughed

- The boy is lucky.

- It's not funny.

- I never said it was.

- It sounded like that.

- Won't you tell me something about him? Whatever it is.

- You know I don't believe in these things.

- But you are thinking about it.

- I know.

- Then?

- If that is true, he is older.

- Older? How much?

- Like five years.

- That's not much. What else?

- He has a job.

- No university?

- No.

- Something else?

- I can't. I need to figure out what is going on. I'm sorry, but I can't say anything else.

- It's ok. I won't pressure you. I have only one question.

- What?

- Do you like him?

- What? No, I don't.

- Are you sure? The fact that you are thinking about him says enough.

- I don't like him. I mean, not the way you think.

- If you say so.

- The thing is that I don't know what to do.

- Why? Did something happen?

- Today, I promised to tell him something I had hidden from him for some time.

- Do I know about it?

- No, no one knows yet.

- Then why are you worried?

- Because I don't know how he will react.

- I'm sure everything will be fine. To distract you from this, I will help you with the homework. What do you say?

- I would love it.

- Great. Let's see what you have done up to now.

- Nothing.

Natalie helped me finish my homework. It was a disaster. Then we continued with our lessons. I made her stay with me for dinner. Luckily, she agreed. Mom made pasta. I haven't eaten this for a long time. Sadly, I'm not in the mood for this. Everyone was eating while I was thinking. I can't get this out of my head.

- Honey, are you ok? You love pasta.

- I'm sorry. I'm not hungry.

- She is busy today. - Natalie said

- Can I know with what?

- Yes, but not today. I'm sorry, miss Robinson. It's girly stuff.

- I understand. Don't worry. I won't ask any questions. After all, I used to do the same.

- What do you mean? - I asked

- To hide things from my parents. Well, I always ended up telling them.

- Didn't they get mad that you haven't told them?

- Yes, but not much. They were glad to hear it from me and not from someone else.

- I see.

- Do you have to tell me something?

- No, nothing. - I said, and Natalie looked at me

- Ok, then. I want you to eat everything.

- Mom, this is too much.

- No, it's not. Look at your dad.

- What about me?

- He is eating everything.

- Because it's delicious.

I convinced Natalie to stay with me until I had to go out. I told my parents that we would go for a walk. I didn't know what else to say. Lying and hiding are not my favorite things. Right now, I can't say anything. We talked about some things. Later, we walked out. I sent her home. One walk will be good for me. I need to clear my head.

- Everything will be fine. He won't be disappointed.

- How do you know?

- Because you can't disappoint anyone.

- I won't be so sure.

- But I am. Trust me. Nothing will go wrong. It's all in your head.

- If you say so.

- Go now. We can talk later.

- Thanks. Bye. - I said and left

I walked to the park, where I told Jordan to meet me. It's now or never. When I arrived, he was already there. I hope he hasn't been waiting for me for a long time. I made him sit under a tree with me. The light from the street lamp was falling perfectly on us.

- I'm glad that you came.

- How couldn't I? My curiosity didn't leave me sleeping. - he said, and I laughed

- I'm sure about this.

- So?

- Before I tell or show you this, I want to tell you something.

- Go on.

- I hope what I will show you won't change how you see me. I ran away that day because I didn't know how to react. It was weird and unexplainable. I still don't know how this is possible. Also, what Adriana told me was impossible.

- You have mentioned her before. Who is she?

- She thinks that she can predict the future. All I will say is that she is good at guessing.

- How does she look? Maybe like a hippy. - he said, and I laughed

- Yes.

- Now I get it.

- What?

- One day, she came to the shop and left me a note.

- I think I know what it says.

- How?

- It's time for the truth. I have to show you something.

- What is it?

- Something that you have never expected.

- I'm getting curious and worried.

- It's not something terrible. I promise.

- I trust you.

- First, I need to sit from this side.

- Why?

- You will see.

I didn't say anything else. I made him show me his angel wing tattoo. Then I pulled my sleeve. During winter, I don't need to cover my tattoo with anything. It's visible only when I shower. I hide myself during the summer. I can't wear long sleeves. I told Jordan to stretch his arm. That's when I put mine next to his. This is a perfect match, without a doubt. The tattoos are identical. I looked at him to see an expression. He didn't say anything, but his eyes were focused on my hand.

- Well?

- I don't know what to say. How is that possible?

- I have no idea.

- They are identical. I mean, a perfect match.

- True.

- For how long have you known about it?

- Quite a while.

- Is this why you ran away?

- Yes. It was weird. I didn't know what to say or how to react. I'm sorry.

- It's ok. I understand.

- Are you mad?

- How can I be? It's impressive and scary at the same time.

- So now what? Will you leave me?

- What? Why would I do that?

- I don't know.

- Did you think this?

- Maybe.

- Silly girl. This won't change anything.

- If you say so.

- I'm serious. Nothing will happen. We can keep hanging out if you want.

- I would love that.

- Cool.

- Can I ask you something?

- Sure.

- When did you get yours, and where?

- Let me see. It was an art studio. The man who did mine was Andrew Colson. I was sixteen at the time.

- You have to be kidding me.

- I'm not. Why?

- I got mine from the same artist at the same age.

- Excuse me?

- It's true.

- That can't be a coincidence.

- Because it's not. Something is going on here.

- What are we going to do now?

- I don't know, but I need a favor.

- Anything.

- You can't tell anyone about this. It's my secret. Can I trust you?

- Hundred percent. I won't say anything until you let me.

- Thanks.

- Can I know why you are hiding?

- Mom won't like it. She hates people with tattoos. That's why I haven't told anyone. My friends are good, but they talk too much. I don't think they can keep their mouths shut.

- I understand. I won't say even a word about this.

- I appreciate it.

- What do you want us to do now? We can go somewhere for a drink. It's getting cold here.

- I won't deny one.

- Great. I know a place.

- You can take the lead.

- With pleasure.

Jordan and I went to a small bar. It doesn't look much like one. At least the atmosphere was good. I liked the design. He told me to go and sit while he ordered the drinks. After ten minutes, he came with two glasses of something. I have no idea what this is. I only hope that there isn't alcohol in it. Otherwise, I won't drink it.

- Quick question. Does it have alcohol?

- No.

- Thanks.

- Now it's my turn. For how long have you been hiding?

- Two and a half years.

- What? That's a long time. How did no one find out?

- In winter, I wear long sleeves all the time. During the summer, I use foundation or my fake sleeve.

- Fake sleeve?

- It's a skin-toned sleeve that I put on my arm. I will say that it's getting hot with it.

- I'm not surprised.

- How did your parents react to yours?

- They weren't happy but didn't say anything. It was my decision.

- So they are not mad?

- No. Mom still makes me go to see her at least once a week.

- That is sweet.

- I'm a grown-up man.

- Where is the man?

- Very funny.

- I want to stop hiding, but it will take me time.

- Find the right moment.

- I will try.

Jordan and I talked for some time. Later, we went for another walk before I went home. I'm glad that he took the news well. I thought that he might not like what he saw. Luckily, that didn't happen. He even asked to see me again. I don't know why he insisted, but I accepted the invitation. Honestly, I wanted to go out with him one more time. I keep saying the last time, but I don't think there will be one. There is something that makes me feel good about him. Of course, I won't tell him that. It's better if he doesn't know it. I might do it one day. I hope he will keep his promise and won't tell anyone about my secret.