Angel Chapter 1

Levis, Quebec, Canada

"New text message from Angel!" My phone announced suddenly illuminating the room around me. Rolling out of bed to grab it I was still half asleep so it took my eyes a minute to adjust to the screen.

"Are you going to Kyle's party?" I stared at the text for a moment deciding whether it was something worth getting up for. I was really exhausted from practice today and I wasn't really the party type either.

Angel on the other hand was extremely popular at school. She was a regular party attendee so it didn't surprise me she was going and because I was her best friend she wanted me to come along.

Checking the time on my phone, it was already pretty late but against my better judgement I let out a long sigh and decided to go. Angel has a bad habit of getting into trouble at parties.

"On my way!" I text back as I grabbed my car keys and headed downstairs.

Just as I reached the front door I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to face a tall exhausted looking man with a five o'clock shadow, his hair tangled and messy with bags under his eyes, This man was my father.

"Where do you think you're going at this hour young lady?" His voice was deep and intimidating.

"I'm just going to Angel's house... I'll be back later." I replied as I turned back toward the door trying to leave. Dad let out a sigh as if he was too tired to argue with me.

"No later than midnight Claire that's two hours! I trust you won't disappoint me." He explained.

"Of course dad." I gave him a soft smile and headed out the door.

Levis, Quebec isn't a very large town so it didn't take me long to get to Angel's house. Angel was already standing on the porch waiting for me. As soon as I pulled up she marched to the car.

"Thanks for picking me up." She said as she got settled in the car.

"Of course anytime. It'll be an eternity before your parents ever let you get a car." I joked, Angel stayed silent.

"Hey are you okay?" I asked.

"Yeah it was just some stupid fight..." she suggested. "It's just ridiculous how fucking controlling they are of me!"

"Hey my parents can be controlling too, my dad is expecting me home by midnight so when I take off you need to stay out of trouble." I explained, Angel rolled her eyes.

"That's not even the same thing." She laughed. "And what's this stay out of trouble business? I'll be fine.... Always am."

With that said I didn't even argue I just started toward Kyle's house. Angel and I chatted about the events of today and the upcoming track meet. Track was just one of the many academic and club activities her parents made her do. They push her so hard and that's why I didn't mind taking her to these parties. She needs some time to just have fun and be herself.

Getting to Kyle's house, there were cars parked all along the curb and some more parked in his driveway. I parked around the corner a few houses down. It was a bit of a further walk but it would be easier to leave later. I studied Angels face while we walked. She seemed troubled like there was something on her mind but I didn't think now was a good time to ask her about it.

We got to the door and knocked a few times. No answer, Angel suddenly broke our silence.

"Do you still like Kyle?"

I was too shocked by the suddenness of the question to let out any response other than... "the fuck?!?" Just in that moment Kyle opened the door.

"Angel you made it! That's great, Daniel is in the kitchen."

"Thanks dude!" Angel said as she ran into the house; Kyle then turned his attention to me.

"Claire I wasn't expecting you, it's good to see you." He spoke softly, His eyes locked with mine.

"It's good to see you too... is it okay that I came?..." I looked away from his gaze trying to ease the tension I felt coursing throughout my body. My relationship with Kyle has been uneasy in recent years.

"Of course it is, you should know that." He grabbed my chin and brought my eyes to meet his again, my face flushed.

Again I pushed off of him and stepped inside.

"I can't stay long. I'm just here for Angel." I explained.

"You don't need to worry about her so much Claire. She will be okay and besides Daniel's here too so she'll be fine." He urged.

"I know I just can't help it I guess."

There was a brief pause but only for a moment until Kyle grabbed my hand suddenly.

"Come on I want to show you something." He said as he began leading me through the crowd of people; so many of them I didn't know. The expressions on their faces each told a different story. There was a girl talking to a guy, drink in hand, she was smiling but only to be polite. Her eyes told me she was uncomfortable but didn't know how to get out of the conversation.

There was another group of guys chugging beers and talking about girls they fucked like it was some conquest. Kyle took me upstairs next, there were fewer people up here which gave me some comfort. I really didn't like being around a lot of people at once. Two girls from the track team were up here talking about Angel.

She was the current team captain and an all around track star, just one of the many things she was so popular for. Sometimes I wondered why she even hung out with me since I'm really not anything special like her. We walked down the hall a bit further until we got the door at the end. He opened the door as he let go of my hand and headed inside. I followed close behind realizing quickly that this was his room.

"Go ahead and have a seat anywhere." He suggested as he went over to his desk and began digging around the many things piled on top.

"So what did you want to show me Kyle?" I asked hesitant of what he might say next.

"Found it!" He exclaimed excitedly. He grabbed a piece of paper, passing it to me as he sat down.

"Do you remember when you drew this for me? He laughed.

I examined the drawing, it was a very simplistic picture of a boy and girl holding hands.

  "Yes, I made that in like the 4th grade! I had a huge crush on you back then. I'm surprised you even still have it." I laughed shaking my head in disbelief.

"You have always been very talented Claire... and I'm sorry we have grown so distant over the years." He explained as he took my hand again.

"No it's fine..." I pulled my hand away from him. "We were just childhood friends who took different paths, We made our choices."

"Claire..." he started but was interrupted by a loud knock at the door. Kyle opened the door to see Daniel standing there, he looked extremely irritated by something.

"What's up?" Kyle asked.

"Just wanted to say I'm heading out. Angel is too much for me to handle right now. I don't know what's wrong with her today." Daniel explained.

"Alright well have a good night man."

My heart sank in my chest as I got up quickly and went past both of them without a word. I knew something was bothering her, I hated myself for not asking her about it. I headed back downstairs and into the kitchen but didn't see any sign of Angel. I began to grow even more worried. I asked one of the other guys who were in the kitchen if they'd seen her and they told me she had gone to the bathroom. So quickly I headed through the kitchen into the hall and knocked on the bathroom door. I could hear water running but got no response, my heart stopped.

"Angel! I'm coming in!" I called to her. The party began to grow quiet around me. I opened the door to the bathroom grateful that it wasn't locked but what I saw next instantly diminished that gratitude and broke my heart.

Angel was sitting in the tub with cuts all the way along her arms and legs. The tub was filling with water and her blood. Without even thinking I jumped into the tub and held her in my arms.

"No Angel! Sweetie please wake up! I thought you were done hurting yourself!" I cried barely able to speak clearly. Other people from the party began to gather outside the doorway looking inside and talking amongst each other.

"Someone call an ambulance!!" I screamed. I sat there in her blood for what felt like an eternity holding her in my arms. More people were gathering by the door some of them were on their phones, others were just watching.

Finally two men walked into the bathroom with Kyle close behind.

"I'm going to have to ask you to leave miss." One of the men said to me. I was in too much shock and crying too hard to respond to him. I got up slowly moving over to Kyle. He held me in his arms. Angels blood was stained onto my clothes. The men were examining her closely.

"She's alive! Let's get her to a hospital right away!" The second man said.

Finally a brief moment of relief but nothing could have prepared me for what happened next.