So mortal's everyday lives are like this? Not bad at all...

Weeks passed as I continued living with Ashley. She taught me a lot of things about her world; the machines in the house, the 'gadgets' as she calls them and many other things I did not know. I even learnt how to use the World Wide Web.

With my memories slowly coming back, it was easier to grasp everything because sometimes I was just filling in some blanks from what I had learnt in the past before my fall. Ashley was given permission to study me at home other than having to commute to the Research Centre every day as long as she reported everything back to them. With so many changes happening and promises to move us to a better apartment for more space, I knew there were changes I would also have to make in my life if I was to continue living with Ashley.

Then, one day as I was sitting in my room, looking through a magazine, Ashley called me by my full name. At that moment, I knew something was wrong. She had never used my full name before. I got to the living room and she told me to sit down which I did. "So," she said "the director said it is time for you to interact with other people" "Perfect!" I said excited. "And you will do that by going to school" she finished with a 'This is a bad idea' tone.

At the sound of 'school', my brain froze and replayed back everything that I knew about school; I knew it was not a good place for soft people like me, I knew about bullies who do unspeakable things to weak students. I knew that the teachers did nothing to punish the bullies and judging by the fact that I was in the human world, I knew that the possibility of me knowing everything they learn about was high. Mind you, these are just speculations because I have never been to school. I was home schooled back where I came from because my father did not want anything to happen to me. He considered me his most prized possession. All my speculations were based on all the movies I had watched with Ashley. I would have to find a way to fit in and go unnoticed at school which would not be possible. I am the kind of person that stands out in every crowd no matter how small or big. I was not good at fitting in, especially because I had lost my wings in an attempt to fit in with my brothers. "Great," I replied completely disappointed.

"You're disappointed" she said matter of factly. "Do I get to say yes?" I asked without looking at her.

"Maybe"

"Well, if you must know, yes I'm disappointed because I was hoping for something better"

"Like what?"

"How about a job, mean you work, why can't I?"

"Maybe because you're not qualified for anything in this world"

"But I'm the oldest person in your world, I know everything there is to know-"

"And no one knows that" she cut in "except for me, what do you mean you're the oldest person in the world?"

"Nothing,"

Seeing that I wouldn't budge, she tried to explain to make me feel better but it didn't work. Instead I just smiled and asked her when I would be expected at school. "On Thursday, tomorrow we are going shopping"

I had heard women in my world talking about shopping and clothing whenever I flew above our city, but I never really understood the purpose, why would I when I just had everything I needed. I knew I would have to entertain the idea if I was going to fool Ashley.

The next day Ashley woke me up at 7:30 am. I was already awake by then, with my bad dreams, visions and flash backs of my past, I barely got some sleep. I got ready to go shopping and was done by 8:30 am. I sat in the living room waiting for Ashley who was taking forever to get ready. Why do women take forever to get ready when going out? I don't see what wastes time because they take hours only to come out wearing a simple dress with a zipper at the back and then you ask yourself what took so long because they end up asking you to zip up the zipper, I mean that's just a shocker!

However, I have to say when Ashley came out of her bedroom she looked exquisite! She was wearing a cobalt blue dress with a matching blue bandana tying her hair and blue heels on her feet. I have never seen a goddess before, but based on my imagination she was the closest resemblance after my mother. I wanted to pay her a compliment but I didn't see why I should. "Took you long enough" I said standing up. "Stop whining and give me a hand" she said turning around to reveal her back. I expected to find a zipper but all I found were holes and strings. Before I could ask, "Sew a net through the holes with the strings and then pull them to tighten the dress." She said. I did as I was instructed, "just so you know, if I pull a little too hard and ruin the dress or suffocate you, I apologize in advance."

"Just do what you have to but don't hurt me, not that I'm a fragile woman"

"I was not going to say you're fragile"

"Well, most people do"

"Then it's a good thing I'm not most people" and she smiled at me. When I was done she applied some lip balm and checked herself on the mirror one last time. I rolled my eyes clearly impatient. "You must learn to be patient where women are involved." She said grabbing her keys on the table. For the first time since arriving in her house, I walked out the door and inhaled the fresh air of the outside world. I walked down the steps and got in the car. She got in the driver's seat and started the engine. As she was driving I took in the view of the skyscrapers around me, the bill boards and the items in the shops we passed on our way to wherever she was driving to.

She drove into a parking lot and we stepped out of the vehicle and headed into a hotel. In the lobby, there were a lot of people; the place was just busy and I did not feel comfortable being there. There were thoughts flooding into my mind. Ashley must have noticed because she said "We didn't come here to have you read people's minds you know."

"But the people aren't closing their minds-" "because they don't even know that you're there" and she turned her attention to the person she was talking to before and I returned to my mind reading. Just as I was starting to enjoy it, I heard a voice say "I see you brother, preying on the weak... father would be very disappointed in his cupid." I felt fear creeping into me. I looked around for the source but I couldn't find it. I kept turning hoping to see the familiar face that is Romeo's. I could sense his presence but I couldn't see him. When she finally turned to me, she took my hand and I felt her warmth seep into me, then it hit me; maybe he was here for her and if that was so, I wouldn't let him get to her. "We need to leave this place" I said shaking. "Why, what's wrong?"

I think someone dangerous may be after us"

"Someone dangerous like who?"

"Maybe someone from my world, people from Krodelia are not friendly"

"Kyle,"

I'm serious"

So am I" she said squeezing my hand "if someone was here for us, why would they announce their presence instead of taking us off guard?"

That kind of made sense. Romeo would want to see me in anguish, he wouldn't be trying mind games because he doesn't have a mind.

"Close your mind, trust me it's going to feel better." Without arguing, I pulled back my mental links and all the voices quieted down. All I could hear were the shuffling of people's feet and murmuring's all around me. She held my hand and looked into my eyes. I could feel her warmth seeping into me and in that moment, I felt like nothing would ever go wrong. "Come on" she said pulling me towards an elevator. I had never been in one so when it took us up I almost vomited when we got to the top. The doors opened and we walked out. I could swear I saw the hall way spinning. We arrived at a door with the number 303 on it. Before she could knock, a woman opened it and walked out.

This was not just any woman; ever heard of the elves from The Hobbit? Well I was looking at one only this one did not have the elf ears. "Wow, you know when you said you were coming to get me I figured you were just bluffing" she said without looking at us. After locking her door, she turned and I took in her beauty; long brown hair, brown eyes, a long neck and really nice and soft looking shoulders. Her waist was like that of a wasp and then followed by exquisite curves moderate thighs and tiny feet. She was wearing a red tight dress which showed her irresistible body features. Looking at her, I could understand why men would opt for pleasures of the flesh, mean who could resist that, except for me of course.

The whole time she was looking at me with the look that people give to a very mouthwatering meal. I let out an awkward cough which made her snap out of whatever trance she was in. "This is Kyle," said Ashley to the woman "The kid I told you about." "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance" she said reaching out her hand for a hand shake. I wanted to shake her hand but with my hand having an odd texture I didn't know if I should. As if she could tell I was having an inner conflict, "it's okay, you can shake her hand." Reluctantly, I did and she gasped. "His hands are really soft." was her comment. "and that's why I came to get you," said Ashley who was not slightly taken aback by the woman's comment "you're good with shopping and he will be attending your school so I figured you would want to pride yourself with making him look as presentable as possible." I looked into her mind and got her name; Barbra. I did not say it out loud, mean that would have freaked her out and she was already looking at me with her freakish eyes.

"So shall we head out?" said Ashley heading for the elevator. When we were all in the doors closed and it moved down. We got to the shops in no time. I noticed that everyone in the shop was looking at me. I didn't dare open my thoughts, I was not ready for the terrors lying in wait. Just as if the attention was not enough, two female assistants in the shop came to us and asked if we would like some help with our shopping. "Ahh," said Ashley. Knowing their intentions, I was about to tell Ashley that we did not need any help when Barbara said "Sure thing, we would love some help" and they smiled. "So are you guys looking for some lady clothes?" one of them asked on purpose. "No," said Ashley absent mindedly, "We are here for my son's shopping." She said pointing at me. "He's your son?" they both asked surprised. Ignoring them she continued, "He likes leather clothing" she said turning towards me only to find that I was no longer there. I was looking through a shelf of some leather sneakers. I touched a white pair as the assistants caught up to me. "You fancy white?" asked the shorter one of the two.

"Not really, I'm more into black" I said picking up a pair of black leather sneakers labelled All Star. I felt the rough texture. "Try them on" said Barbara.

"I can do that?"

"Of course" she smiled encouragingly.

I tried them on and they fit me perfectly. I felt the comfort in them, their weight... they just felt right. "I like them" I said with a smile. "I will take a pair I said to one of the assistants. "Make that six please" corrected Ashley. I looked at her with one eyebrow up. I dropped it when she gave me the 'what?' look. Next we went to the clothes section. I went through some Gucci t-shirts and picked three black ones, then I scourged for some black and gold Versace t-shirts and others with dragon drawings on them. The theme color was black and I was liking it. By the time we moved to the section where I was to pick some trousers one trolley was full of shoes and t-shirts. I looked at Ashley but she encouraged me to continue. I picked out some leather pants and jackets to match. "You should take some gloves too" suggested Barbara "they will help cover up your soft leathery hands." I went on picking some gloves although I didn't think I would be wearing them. When we were done with the shopping we went for some lunch at one of Barbara's favorite coffee shop. "So my first time shopping was quite interesting" I said with a mouthful of tomato sauce coated fries. I was starting to enjoy the food that humans ate although I still didn't understand why I was allergic to garlic and all colored peppers. "Wait," said Barbara with a spoon of ice cream halfway to her mouth "that was your fist time?" and I nodded as I swallowed my fries. "Wow! We will have to take you shopping even more then, right Ash?" said a smiling Barbara. "Yeah" said Ashley with a distracted tone. Barbara looked up at her from her cup with a questioning look. Without looking away from my fries I asked "Is he home yet?" which made Ashley blush and for the first time since we had entered the coffee shop, she looked away from her phone. "Yes"

"We should go then; I can't wait to meet him"

"Bryce is back?" asked Barbara who had been left out of the conversation. I nodded and she smiled. "You guys can go; I will pay for lunch." She said.

By the time we got home the sun was setting and spreading its last rays towards the east. We found a car occupying Ashley's usual parking spot. I saw her smile as she parked ahead of the car. I could see that she was eager to get inside the house but she was containing her excitement. "Go," I said with an understanding smile "I will take the luggage in." by the time I said luggage she was half way up the steps to her apartment. "I marveled at the power of love... no matter how many times I saw people reacting to it, it never got old. It always made me smile. I took out all the bags and locked the car. I used my super speed to get to my bedroom with my luggage after making sure there was no one watching me. I then got out and went to the kitchen.

I paused when I heard soft voices and giggles. I knew what was going on in there. I made my presence known by padding my shoes loudly on the floor, and when I got to the door they both looked at me. When I set my eyes on the tall man standing next to Ashley I felt a weird sensation, as if I had been around him. His presence felt unusually familiar. I studied his physique; tall, obviously, he looked a little Indian with curly black hair, nutty brown eyes, a slightly round but sharp nose and unusually pink lips as if he had applied Barbara's lip gloss. His man hands were huge with finely filled nails. He looked like someone who worked out with broad shoulders and thick arms. I could completely understand why Ashley was captivated. I even felt threatened which is unusual for a god of Love. There was a long awkward silence which he then decided to break with an uncomfortable fake cough and I snapped out of it too. "Kyle, this is-" "Bryce Ritcher" he finished, "and you must be Kyle" he said stretching out his hand to me. Luckily I was wearing the gloves that Ashley had insisted I wear immediately after buying them. I shook his hand and gripped it a little tighter. He tried in vain with his human strength to match mine. I saw his expression change as I crushed his hand. When I finally let go he quickly pulled back his hand and rubbed it. "That's a firm handshake you got the son"

"Thanks" I said with a little satisfaction, "You too." I took a glass from the sink and poured myself a glass of milk. I was about to head out of the kitchen when I heard Bryce say "He is very defensive, too bad she's my girl." I turned and I saw a challenging look on his face. I wanted to respond but then realized those were his thoughts. I was disturbed by a knock on the door. It disturbed me that I had not heard the person approach for the second time. When Ashley answered it was a delivery man. I caught the scent of chicken and mushroom pizza before she came back inside with it. It was weird reading her intentions in front of her boyfriend, mean it was like invading their privacy, but then hey, that did not bother me at all.

Why would it when I was used to reading her mind all the time. "If dinner is at seven then I will be here at five minutes to seven to get settled in, and no I do not think that he can take you away from me because you're my mother. Don't forget that" and I left the kitchen without another word. When I was at my bedroom door heard Bryce say "So you're his mother now, I didn't know we had a teenage son. Have I really been gone that long? Cause I can see myself in him." It felt weird to actually detect his sarcasm and smile to it. Although I knew that this worried Ashley, I was more worried about what Bryce would say at the careless use of my abilities.

I disappeared to my bedroom with Ashley expressing her worries to him about me and how I did not like to be challenged. I threw myself on my bed and checked the time, it was 6:15 PM, the perfect time for me to go about doing my divine duties. I closed my eyes on my bed and spread out my mental links. It felt good to connect with other people and access their emotions and even though I knew my range was not as good as it used to be when I had wings, a bow and arrows it still felt comforting to cover the range that I could cover. I started chanting the cupid's song famously known as the song of the Sirens. And my glow spread out and distributed its self among the people I was connected to. When I was done soothing them I started scanning for one person I always had a connection with; Manda Laetious. Five years had passed since I had seen her but I never forgot her face. Now scrying for someone's location was not easy, it took a lot of energy and precise concentration. I found her in the same place I always found her, her bedroom. She had a towel wrapped around her body with wet dripping hair. This time however I saw something I had never noticed before; she had a tattoo. I couldn't make out the drawing properly with all her movement. As if she knew I was watching, she turned towards me and kept staring with fascination which made me retract my mental links and come back to my body.

I was in time to find Ashley entering the room. I sat up and looked at her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to budge in."

"It's okay." I replied with a questioning look on my face.

"Oh, ah, food is ready" she said pointing towards the door.

"I'll be down in a jiffy" I said gesturing her to leave.

Reluctantly she did. I tried to re-establish my connection to Manda but I couldn't. realizing that if I didn't show up sooner she would come back again, I left my room and headed for the kitchen. I walked in to find Ashley sitting on Bryce's lap and kissing him. "Eww!" and they turned towards me. "What is it?" asked Ashley. "That, what you were doing just now is nasty. In fact, that whole scenario that you've got going on right there is... nasty" I said pointing at the both of them. They looked at each other and then giggled. "I take it you've never kissed a girl before, Kyle?" asked Bryce. "No... not really." I said with pride. "well," he said looking into Ashley's eyes, "When you fall in love one day, you'll know the purpose of a kiss okay?"

"Ahuh" I said uninterested anymore. Although at the back of my head I kept wondering what the fuss about kissing was among humans.

Ashley served pizza and Some drink that I didn't know. Not wanting to be rude or anything I told her I would stick with my usual milk. the dinner was awkward at first but as time went on everyone relaxed and we enjoyed the meal. As soon as I finished my meal I left the kitchen and went back to my room. a moment after my departure I heard them giggling again and I decided to shut out my senses before I heard unspeakable things. I opened my window and looked outside to find a full moon. it looked magnificent but small. Then I remembered that earth was not like home and it only had one moon unlike Krodelia where there were countless moons, and then I started thinking about home; I missed everything about my home planet. I was thinking about Cara when I heard footsteps approaching.

I knew they did not belong to Ashley, hers formed a rhythmical pattern yet the ones approaching my door were random. "Come in" I said before he could knock. He walked in slowly.

I could sense that he was hesitant. "Mind if I sit" he asked. When I didn't respond he slowly made himself comfortable on the other side of my bed. "I heard you are going to school tomorrow." He said. I nodded and turned towards him. "So are you excited?" he asked me. "No, not really. I've been to school before, I know everything there is to know and I don't like other people especially ones that I do not know." I said with a tone that clearly voiced out my detestment of the whole situation. "So... the bottom line is you were home schooled?" he stated matter of factly. "Exactly!" I exclaimed. "Oh come on kid, going to school gives you more experience about handling yourself in the outside world."

"Experience like what?"

"Look, life is not just about being with your mom and her friend like you've been doing" he said

"My life has been all about my duties and family. If I'm not with family I'm taking care of my duties."

"But now you're supposed to be a teenager, a boy who is handsome and can have any girl he wants. Mean, I get it... you grew up too fast, but now you have the chance to relive those years of youth that you missed. Take advantage of that." He said looking into my eyes. Without realizing it I figured he was right. I hadn't lived my life and it was time to do so.

"You're right I should do that" I said with a look of certainty

"Good," He said with a sigh. "now to the main issue... at school you will have to choose some kind of sport, usually its compulsory to do some physical sport to keep you fit."

"What is a sport exactly?"

"You don't know the meaning?" he exclaimed.

"No" I said flatly

"I'm sure you've watched football on the television"

"Oh, you mean that thing where you humans kick a ball into the net?" I asked hoping we were talking about the same thing.

"Yes, that... that is a sport. Now you're gonna have to do one of those things at your school. So which one do you know?"

Me?" I asked surprised, "I don't know any of those things. I wasn't much of an outside person back in my days." I replied.

"Well, you're gonna have to choose a sport, now I heard Ashley say you have quick reflexes so maybe you should pick tennis... it might be a good one for you since you have the body of an athlete." When he said that I knew he was lying. Everyone could tell that I was thin. Even the clothes I had been wearing lately did no attempt of trying to hide that, but I decided to let him get away with that one just this once.

There was an awkward silence that was broken by a knock on my door. Before I could give permission the door swung open and Ashley walked in. She tried really hard to hide her smile but I saw through it. At that moment Bryce got up and stood by her side. "I'm gonna have to wake you up a little early than usual tomorrow so that you can get ready for school." She said. "Sure thing" I said making it clear that they should leave. When they were gone I started pondering everything that Bryce had said to me. Most of his words were sticking to me. I knew that I had never lived a life outside my duties as a Cupid and I didn't even know how to start doing that. I had never had friends, the only person I could call my friend was my sister Cara and maybe Arc and Archien, my weapons that were one hundred percent conscious. As I fell asleep that night, my thoughts were questions that I did not have any answers to. My sleep was disturbed by a presence that I did not expect in my room so late at night.

"Are you really that worried about me?" I asked while tapping the side of my bed. After sitting up and wiping the sleep from my eyes. I turned on my bed side lamp and looked at her. For the first time I registered the worry on her face. I held her chin as she sat down and made her look at me. "When they told me you would be coming home with me, I never thought I would have to share you with the outside world" she said with a sad look.

"Hey," I said with a warm smile "I'm not gonna give them even a tiny piece of myself okay, I only belong to you"

"You're only saying that to make me feel better" she smiled while tears rolled down her eyes.

"I'm saying it because I mean it."

"I'm still not satisfied though," she said with the worried tone again "What if you glow in front of people, or start hearing voices in your head or... or get weighed down by the emotions of the people around you, who is gonna take care of you?"

I pulled her close and wrapped her in a hug. Weird! That I was doing for the first time. Has there been a little prudence that I did not know about inside me all along?

Yet in my head another part of it was completely understanding why she was worried... I could be a time bomb at times and I was unpredictable. Not to mention my constant fears which made me glow. I really did understand why she was worried although I didn't know if deceiving her was the right thing to do.

"I will be fine" I said with one of my reassuring smiles. With a satisfactory look on her face she stood up, kissed me on the fore head and then left my room.

Since I was tired, sleep overcame me as soon as she left and I was engulfed by my nightmares. At first I was haunted by my brothers which was what I had gotten used to. The next dream I had was quite disturbing; I was walking down a hall way when I saw Manda coming towards me. She hugged me and then got close to kiss me but then turned into Ashley. I pushed her away and she turned into Cara "What are you doing here?" I asked her. "I came to find you numb nuts" she said poking me on the fore head, "Where the heck are you?" "This must be one of their tricks" I said to myself. I shouted "You're not real!" and shielded my mind. I tried to wake up and heard a voice call out to me. I woke up with a start and jumped out of my bed, my body glowing and the walls and everything around me was crumbling away as if being corroded by acid. I looked up and saw two shadows on the walls one of the shadows was carrying a dagger. He threw it at me and I covered my face. Just when I felt it piercing my skin, Ashley's voice brought me back to consciousness. The whole room was glowing blue and Ashley and Bryce were carrying me to the tub. I quickly jumped out of their arms and kept my distance. Their hands were smoking; I knew I had done that. I quickly got control over my glow and turned it off. I was about to bump my head on the ground when she caught me and let me gently lie down. Before I lost consciousness I heard her say "It's okay Kyle, you're safe now."