Chapter 6

~Zayne Beckett~

Every time I tried to catch Aurora alone, she was always with someone. No doubt it was the most difficult task I have ever tried to do. She would always either be with her teachers or with classmates talking about homework and assignments.

And I mean always.

Before school even started, there were students all over her like she was popular or something. Sure, she was the prettiest girl I had ever seen, but I hadn't known for sure if that was the reason she had all those people walking behind her, beside her, even in front of her.

Once between classes, I saw her talking to Mason by her locker. He seemed to act awkwardly and shyly around her. He flashed nervous smiles and had uncomfortable hand placements when leaning on the lockers. Mason acting like that in front of a girl was already a rare sight.

Part of me wanted to intrude on their conversation, another part wanted to mock him, and another part wanted to leave them be. Instead, my curiosity (jealousy) took over, so I stayed and looked on, peeping in from around the corner.

While I was distracted by Aurora and Mason, other students noticed me stalking the two. I thought for sure they were already formulating rumours and getting ready to tell everyone in the school, but all I was focused on was the strange pair.

Though, it was puzzling to find out that Aurora was speaking to him with a smile after how he treated her. Was she really that naive to forgive and forget that easily? Did she ignore my warning about Mason? Did my words mean nothing to her?

When Mason said something to her, he flashed a confident smile at Aurora which made her giggle ineptly. She shook her head in a sort of response whilst keeping her uneasy grin on her face. He then attempted to put her arm around her shoulder, but she smiled and carefully removed his hand.

It was fairly obvious by now that he was entranced by her. It shocked me a little, but then I realized that, really, who wouldn't be? But one thing was for sure; Mason trying to flirt with Aurora was disgusting. I almost threw up right then and there just watching the two of them.

The bell suddenly rang and Aurora waved to Mason. She began to walk the other way and I saw my opportunity to talk with her, even for a couple of seconds. But when I stepped towards her, Aurora already met up with her astrology teacher.

I scrapped the idea of trying to talk to her so soon. What was I thinking trying to talk to her with only seconds to spare? Was I that desperate for answers? But she told me that she'd explain when the time is right. So, the question that remained for days was, when is the right time?

◇◇◇

One of Mason's buddies walked up to me with a worried look as I walked to the cafeteria. "Zayne, do you know where Carter is?" they asked.

I knew he was close with Mason, so I didn't answer directly. "Who's asking?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

The guy stared for a moment before answering. "Me. Now, where's Carter?"

"Why do you want to know?"

"Carter knows Aurora, right? The girl with the pink hair?" he questioned. "I have to warn him. Where is he?"

He mentioned Aurora. My arms crossed under my chest. "Why would you need to warn him?"

"Mason likes Aurora," he said, narrowly sending a numb feeling to my chest. "Dude got rejected and he's drinking again." He shot me a look. "You know what happens when he does that."

I took in a steady, deep breath, counting the seconds, and slowly exhaled. "I'll let him know."

The guy eyed me sceptically. "You sure?"

I kept my intimidating gaze on him.

"Alright, alright! I'm leaving." He turned and walked toward the cafeteria.

My fingers pinched my nose bridge, thinking about the crap Mason does. Every time a girl rejects him, he somehow gets his hands on alcohol and starts chugging as if his life depended on it. He was always so overdramatic.

When a flash of pink caught my eye, I turned and saw Aurora moving upstairs with Mason behind her. It was creepy enough that he liked her, did he really have to follow her wherever she went? I thought, if Mason was drunk already, I would've been able to talk him out of doing whatever he was going to do. I always have. Why would it not work now?

Aurora was so sweet. Mason was bad news. I didn't have to look out for her; I had to monitor him. It annoyed me sometimes that I was the only one he would listen to. For someone like him, it was too much of a responsibility to keep.

I followed them to the top of the stairs when I realized I had never been there in all my years of high school. I held onto the door handle but hesitated to turn it. My heart jumped once, then never again.

We're just gonna talk, I repeated to myself. I just didn't know which conversation I was assuring myself for.

I opened the door to see Mason cornering Aurora to a wall. No one noticed me. I waited patiently to see how far he would go, but I felt the small rising flame in my chest.

Aurora avoided eye contact with an annoyed look on her face. She wanted nothing to do with him. She probably wondered how she ended up here. Mason kept smiling at her, moving closer as she turned her head and rolled her eyes.

Mason grabbed her chin and turned it to make her look at him. He muttered something to her which made her kick up between his legs. I was almost proud and physically hurt from the sight of that, but he grabbed her leg before it hit.

"Hey, Mason," I called out, not having any more of it. "That's not how to be a gentleman."

"Move, Beckett," he announced, grinning at her sinisterly. "This doesn't involve you."

I snarled at him but kept calm. "I know, Finn."

"I can handle this," Aurora interrupted.

"Oh, oh!" Mason chuckled. "You can handle it? You really think so, princess?"

He smirked at her before lightly rubbing his thumb on her bottom lip. As his hand moved for her neck, I shoved him hard away from her. He stumbled out but didn't fall. "What are you really trying to do, Finn? Because this isn't how you confess."

Mason shot a look at me. "Did you just push me?"

"Dude, I'm sorry or whatever, but whatever you're trying to do isn't gonna work."

Without warning, he punched me square in the jaw. And it hurt like a bitch. I spun around and fell off my feet, landing almost face-first on the concrete. My heart raced more than it should when dealing with Mason. He found even more strength, which would be fine if he would listen to me, but he didn't.

I pushed myself up a little, breathing hard all of a sudden. My body trembled with fear, worrying about how powerful he had become. With the continuous shaking, I felt like I couldn't move at my own will. How could I get him to stop now? Once he started, he wouldn't stop.

Mason picked me up by my shirt and I tried to get out of his grasp by peeling his fingers away. I kicked him in the stomach which made him drop me. I got off the floor and stepped back, trying to think of ways to stop him.

Maybe I really should've told Carter.

"Mason, you're being unreasonable," I said, wiping the corner of my lips with the back of my hand. I tried hard not to look at the blood. I knew it was there, but I knew I would almost immediately pass out. That was the last thing I wanted to happen.

Staring down at Mason, he loosened his muscles and cracked his neck. "I'm just having fun," he chuckled again, moving toward me. He grabbed my shirt collar and me closer with a frightening glint in his eyes. "You don't deserve her."

Before I could respond, he tossed me aside like a ragdoll towards the edge of the rooftop. Aurora called my name as I landed on my wrist, clearly hearing the bone breaking. I cursed under my breath multiple times, trying not to move my hand. I pushed myself up and grumbled at the unbearable pain in my right wrist.

No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get off the ground. I felt physically weak already and I hadn't used my willpower at all. I could've felt my broken bone poking at my skin. Was it because I haven't been building my strength for a while? Or was it because Mason was using his full drunken potential to fight me?

"God damn it," I groaned in frustration, knowing I was helpless.

Worse yet, in front of Aurora.

Mason stalked over to me with a straight face. He stood in front of me with his hands in his pockets. "Pathetic," he said, gazing lazily down at me.

I looked up at him with a depressing look he knew all too well. His strict gaze turned soft when he realized what he did. But then he found out I was doing it on purpose. He reeled his fist back and aimed for my face.

Just when I thought he was going to finish me off, Aurora suddenly appeared in front of my eyes and hugged tightly around my neck. On instinct, I tried to push her waist away, but she wouldn't move. A sudden wink of white feathers flooded my view as I stared at a white curve behind her.

The ground vibrated under me. I tried blinking, but the white curved screen was still there. I tried to turn, but Aurora kept my head in one place. I thought her gentle touch would calm me down, but the sight I saw just wouldn't help at all.

The white screen soon dissipated in front of my very eyes, seeing Mason unconscious near the exit. Aurora quickly pulled away and got to her feet. The huge concave pair of wings fluttered out, letting small loose feathers fall into the wind.

Aurora took in a deep breath as the white attachments stretched in all directions. Her eyes never left mine. It was as if she tried to keep me in one place. All I could've looked at was the magnificent pair of wings.

I stood up shakily as the feathered limbs closed in on her. She looked worried. Not for the supernatural items attached to her, but for my reaction.

I had none. I couldn't process it.

"Do not be afraid," she said carefully with worry. "Are you okay?"

My voice got caught in my throat. I swallowed hard and took a step back. Only now did my chest begin pounding. I couldn't peel my eyes away from it. I didn't know to speak. I couldn't believe it. She had wings. Aurora had wings.

"Zayne?" she called, growing concerned for me.

I could not face her at the time. Her wings were very intimidating. She was something that shouldn't be real. But, she was, and she stood before me.

My legs walked on their own. They moved me toward the exit and down the stairs. My mind wasn't thinking straight. I just saw a human with wings. Those don't exist. They never did. Were my eyes playing tricks on me? Were the wings really real?

I soon physically bumped into Nadia as I reached the ground floor. I hadn't realised I reached there so soon.

"Hey-!" Nadia called, annoyed until she saw it was me. "Oh, Zayne. Where were you? Carter was getting anxious to tell you about-"

"I-I don't care," I splurted. "Where- where's the nurse's office again?" My eyes darted around, nervously glancing up at the stairs.

"Why? What's wrong?" she questioned with unease before noticing my holding my right arm. "Did you get hurt? How?"

I ignored her. "We have the same class now, right?" I glanced around frantically. I was worried that Aurora would've caught up to me, and I was no doubt afraid of her. "Just, um, tell the teacher I fell down the stairs."

Her eyes widened. "What? Are you okay?" Nadia moved to inspect my broken wrist.

I stepped back. "Yeah yeah, I'm fine, I just need ice," I lied before running off. "Thanks!"

Speed-walking through crowds of students, I navigated myself around the school in search of the school nurse as the bell rang. All I really wanted to do was drop. My knees were close to giving out. But I had to keep going. I had to get away from her. something kept telling me that she was right behind me. I didn't dare look back.

The hallways cleared out when students filed into their classes. I couldn't move faster than I already was moving. It was as if I was in a horror movie.

Just as my knees gave out, I leaned onto a door. I didn't care what door it was, as long as it didn't lead to a classroom. My breathing was hard and staggered. I tightened my eyes shut and tried to steady my breath. My left hand shook as it couldn't hold my weight any longer.

In an instant, I was pulled into a cluttered janitor's closet. The door shut behind me as a soft, delicate hand pushed against my lips, sticking me to the only exit. All I could've seen were striking violet eyes staring into my very soul.

My heart beated faster and pounded to escape its holding place. I tried to peel my gaze away to look at her wings, but with a glance to confirm, they weren't there. Aurora forced me to stare at her. She peered at my eyes with a hard look.

I swallowed hard. It was the only sound that was heard in the tiny closet. What was she going to do to me?

Even though the room was cramped, staring into her eyes made me feel like I had all the space in the world. They sparkled, but there wasn't any light. Not once did she blink, nor did I feel to. I felt as if I was flying in my own small universe. Just staring into her beautifully entrancing eyes.

I felt calm. Maybe it was her gradually easing gaze on me. Maybe it was her soft touch over my mouth. Maybe it was the unbearing silence in the room.

Her hand gently brushed against my broken wrist, sending the familiar wave of glitter internally through the bone. I tried to look down but her hand pushed slightly harder on my lips. My eyes found hers again and I emotionally melted.

My movement was limited, but I still resisted holding her hand in mine. She grazed lightly over it again and the sparkling tide flooded my body. Once more, by her means, I felt energized. My jaw felt better and my wrist was just fine. She did it again.

Aurora closed her eyes tightly and took in a deep breath. I blinked rapidly as she removed her hand from my mouth. As she breathed, I had to keep reminding myself that she wasn't human. I had to keep refraining from doing something I would've regretted later on.

Her eyes fluttered open and she set her blank gaze at me. "Ask any question you want. I will answer honestly."

Any question? I had a hundred.

I still blurted the first thing that came to mind. "What in the world are you?"

She smiled up at me so warmly. I waited patiently for the answer, knowing she will, for sure, give me an answer. Nothing could've stopped her now.

"I'm an Angel."