Hidden Wings

not my day

My alarm clock jolted me awake, and I slowly eased out of bed, taking in the ordinary sight of my room, the red substance now gone. I took a shower, went through my usual routine, then headed downstairs to eat the toast Isaac had made and drink two glasses of milk. Grabbing my bag, I called out to Isaac that I’d be walking today. He shouted back that he’d drive me, but I just walked out.

I arrived a few minutes earlier than usual, just as I’d planned, and made my way to the library to return my book and find a new one to take its place. As I wandered the aisles, an uneasy chill settled over me. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught glimpses of movement, until it stopped in a dark corner at the far back. Stepping closer, I was met with haunting blue eyes staring back at me, sending a shiver down my spine. I shook my head, and they were gone.

"I must be exhausted," I mumble to myself, sliding a book back onto the shelf and grabbing another at random, my nerves on edge as I head to check it out. Walking toward my locker, I turn the final corner and feel that familiar pull—Ashton must be nearby. I take a few deep breaths, mentally preparing for the strange warmth and magnetic energy that always radiates from him, then keep moving. Sure enough, there he is. Just one glance makes my heart squeeze, my hands go numb, and tingles race through me until I can barely feel the books I’m carrying. He’s wearing his usual bright smile, his plain clothes perfectly sculpting his muscles, somehow making a simple grey shirt look incredible. I sigh inwardly as I approach, spotting him leaning casually against the wall by my locker, arms crossed, surrounded by a group of girls. I realize I’ve stopped walking, staring without meaning to, and force myself to keep moving, trying to slip past unnoticed. I second-guess heading to my locker and considering going straight to class instead, but it’s no use—sure enough, I hear my name.

"Ivey!" My name had never sounded so beautiful before. I stopped and looked at Ashton as he walked toward me, completely ignoring the girls nearby. His eyes shone as they locked with mine, and I did my best to stay calm as I spoke softly, "Hi?" Well, I’d been spotted—might as well put some books away, I told myself, heading to my locker. I could feel the daggers of hatred from the girls he had just ignored. "Hi, I was waiting for you. You must not have seen me," he said, though we both knew we’d made eye contact when I stopped. I wasn’t sure if he felt it too, but I could sense the invisible rope tethering us together. He moved to my side as I opened my locker. I shrugged, put some things away, then shut it. When I turned back to him, he extended his hand. I shook it, making him laugh, then he adjusted our grip, so my fingers were intertwined with his. A loud gasp echoed around us.

"Um..." I couldn’t say anything; my mind was blank, and my body felt like it was on fire, the heat radiating from the hand he was holding.

"Let's go to class," he said as we started walking down the hall. "When did you get here?" he asked, glancing at me slightly while leading me toward the classroom.

"A little bit ago." Being this close, holding his hand, made it hard to speak or even comprehend what he was saying, his warmth clouding my thoughts and making it worse.

"Oh, what were you doing?" he asked as we walked into the room. I didn’t answer until we reached our seats—not because I didn’t want to, but because I couldn’t, not with so many people staring at us. All I wanted was to run and hide.

“In the library getting a new book.” He hums in response while pulling my chair out for me. “What book did you get?” I show him the cover. “In the Moments.” He reads the title. “What’s it about?” I shrug. “A romance novel about a boy and a girl.” It was an obvious answer, but an honest one. I’d been reading the back as I walked down the stairs. This wasn’t my usual style, but I figured I’d see how it goes. I hoped my answer would stop him from talking to me. Feeling a bit more normal, I sat in the garden outside and tried to speak; my voice came out with fewer issues, though the pit in my stomach still lingered, gnawing at me.

"So, you like romance books?" I shrug, reaching for my book now in his hand, fighting the urge to sigh at my rotten luck. My fingers brush his, and a spark runs through me, almost making me drop it.

"Good reflexes." He smiles. I shrug one shoulder this time just as Mr. Simón walks in to start class.

Ashton doesn’t seem to notice he should be paying attention, staring at me for a good ten minutes. Finally, unable to focus, I turned my head slightly and whispered,

“Um, it’s not polite to stare.” His eyes widen, as if he hadn’t realized he was doing it. “Oh… um, sorry.” He turns to face forward, and I notice his ears and cheeks are bright red. I can’t help but laugh—it’s cute. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye as I chuckled softly. “What?” I smiled and shook my head. “Nothing.” His eyes widened again.

"Your smile is beautiful!" I stopped laughing and turned away, my face flushing. It didn’t help when he placed his hand over mine, making the girls glare even more. My head snapped back toward him, and as our eyes locked, he leaned in. "Your embarrassed look is really cute too," he whispered in my ear.

‘Oh my god! He’s trying to kill me!’ My heart felt like it was about to leap out of my chest. For the rest of class, he kept his hand on mine, making me the target of every girl’s envy. I wanted to move it away but didn’t have the strength—it just felt right, warm, comforting. I couldn’t focus on the lesson, and neither could anyone else; they were too busy glaring at me or giving Ashton props. After class, he walked me to my next one, still holding my hand, and insisted on carrying my bag. I told him no, but he took it anyway, slinging it over his shoulder. When we reached my classroom, he asked for my schedule and the room numbers, and when I told him, he said he’d come get me every hour and walk me to my next class.

"You really didn't have to get me or walk me to my classes. What if you end up late to yours?" We're at lunch, and just like he said, he’s walked me to all my classes so far. I’m not usually the type to let my emotions get the better of me, but this guy was making it difficult. He just laughs. "I couldn’t even if I tried." My knit together in confusion, and seeing this, he smiles and answers the question I didn’t ask. "All my classes are next to yours." We head to my spot outside where it’s nice and quiet, away from everyone—or at least it was until people start showing up.

They came in groups until it was crowded, and right away they started talking to Ashton and me. All I wanted to do was run and hide. I’ve never been one for crowds—people’s stares were bad enough, but when they started speaking to me, asking strange questions and giving compliments that made me uncomfortable, it was worse. I learned long ago I wasn’t like these people; part of me felt they somehow knew I didn’t belong. Heather was a different story—she never hesitated to say she knew or to show she was better. Ashton, on the other hand, was just a normal boy, laughing and joking, while all I wanted was to slip away somewhere quiet. My skin crawled so much I couldn’t stand it, so I grabbed my bag, stood up, and pushed through the crowd, muttering “excuse me” as I weaved between people who gasped after I brushed past. “Look, the vampire is melting,” Olivia laughed as I passed through the busy courtyard. I groaned.

“For Christ’s sake, you guys, get your analogy right if you’re going to insult someone. Vampires don’t melt, and they don’t explode — they turn to dust. Shapeshifters melt, gargoyles explode. Your stupidity never ceases to amaze me,” I scoffed, nearly at the door when I heard Ashton call my name.

“Ivey, where are you going?” I stopped and turned to see him glaring at the group of angry blondes, though I stayed silent. When he reached me, he took my hand, sparking murmurs all around. “Why are you leaving?” I pulled my hand away from his, a shiver running through me.

"I don't like crowds," I said softly, turning to walk away again. I reached the door, but a hand got there first. Looking up, I saw Ashton smiling. "I'll come too," he said, opening the door. I shook my head and stepped inside, with him following close behind. "Why not? We're going to the same place after this anyway," he asked. In a low tone, I replied,

"Don't you want to hang out with those people?" His smile faded, confusion in his voice as he said,

"No, I don't. I want to be with you." I stopped walking. We were on the stairs, and I stood a step above him, so when I turned around, I looked down into his eyes, anger in my voice as I asked,

"Why? You don't even know me. Why don't you make more friends? You're a friendly person." I pushed my hair out of my face; I couldn't deal with this boy anymore—he was too much. I knew if he stayed near me, he’d get hurt, and that scared me. He stepped up to my stairs so we were at the same level, forcing me to look up. Placing his hands gently on my cheeks, he spoke softly,

"I don't know you, but I want to..."

"Why?" I breathe, feeling the warmth of his hands melting away my anger, yet doing nothing to ease my worry. "Because there's something about you that makes me want to be near you. I can't help but feel a pull toward you. I can tell when you're close, and all I want is to touch you, see your gorgeous smile, hear your beautiful voice, feel the warmth I get when we touch..." He sighs, his face inching closer with each word. He was feeling the same things, and the thought made my head spin—worrying I might never get him to leave me alone. If that happened—God, if that happened—he could end up dead! No, I stop the thought before it can take shape. He keeps speaking, moving closer, his heat consuming me until my mind willingly goes blank. "Tell me you feel it too, that it's not just me..." He stops as his lips meet mine, and my whole body relaxes into him. His arms wrap around my waist, pulling me closer, my hands resting on his solid chest. Then, out of nowhere, a pair of blue eyes flashes in my mind, and a sudden wave of wrongness washes over me. I pushed him away, not because he was dangerous, but from a sharp pain in my chest. Looking into his eyes, I see them shining, but with a trace of pain that makes my chest tighten even more.