There’s an image of the model with her white wings out on the back of the pack. The breath stalls in my lungs. It’s as if the chain grew to accommodate her wings, draping across the feathers in a delicate pattern that looks almost natural. But is that even possible?
I’m more than tempted to buy it, already picturing myself wearing it at a party or even the beach, where the chain would glitter beneath the light of the sun. Until I see the price tag. As much as I might want it, I’d have to fork over far more of my measly funds than I’m comfortable with.
Maybe some day.
I continue down the aisle until familiar footsteps approach from behind me. Dina has her arms full of accessories in an array of different colors.
“When are you planning to wear all those?” I ask, a chuckle escaping me as I try to count how many items she’s holding.
“Hey! No judging or I won’t share.” She kisses in my direction but can’t actually blow it to me because her hands are full. “Plus, I’ve been hearing rumors around campus that there will be far more parties coming up, and I intend for us to show up for at least a few.”
The easy grin falls from my face. “Parties, Dina. Really? I can hardly handle the amount of attention I get already. I’m not entirely sure I’ll be able to deal with drunken attention at a party that I’m sure no one actually wants me at.”
“Just think about it. Between me and those hunks of yours, it’ll be just like we’re hanging out but with drinks, and maybe a cooltheme. Now, speaking of your yummy boyfriends, I’m going to go pay for this, and then maybe you can spill all the juicy details from your date.”
I follow her to the cash register, taking stock of the items she’s placing on the counter. There’s nipple tape and pasties, wing clips and tips, and even a pallet of glitter in stunning rainbow colors. Then I see it. A familiar rose-gold chain. But there isn’t just one package, there’s two.
“Dina …” I begin, unsure how to word the rest of it.
Immediately she notices where my gaze is locked, taking an almost protective stance, like she’s afraid I’m going to take it from her pile. “It’s nothing. A gift for helping me escape life for just a little bit today. Besides, how else are we supposed to match? We can’t be twin baddies with only one chain, Hayles. It’s just not possible.”
I hesitate, so she continues. “It’s only a small gift. One that you deserve and I can easily afford. Please let me get it for you. I promise I won’t buy you a single thing more today or even for the rest of the month.”
“Make it two months and I’ll agree.”
“Deal.”
The woman working the cash witnessed our disagreement and was waiting patiently for me to agree before scanning the last two items. She rings them through, offering us each a smile. “These are going to look stunning on you! They can be confusing to get on, but just read the guide included with the instructions and you’ll be fine. If you’re still confused, call us, alright?”
We exit the store, each carrying a bag filled with Dina’s new purchases, and make our way toward the nearest coffee shop. The sun shines brightly from above, warming my flesh and making me forget all my troubles. Or it does until an odd sensation runs down my spine like thick molasses.
Across the street, someone stares at us. I can’t tell if they’re staring at me or Dina, though, so I try to shake it off. Another angel walks past us, their head swiveling around to watch us after they pass. What the hell?
Dina doesn’t seem to notice as she chatters on about something. A party? Fuck. I’m being a shitty friend. I take a deep breath and focus on her words, offering a soft sound of agreement so she knows I’m paying attention, but it’s not long before another sound breaks my concentration.
Shoes slap the pavement behind us. My heart rate picks up, urging me to run, to get as far as I can from whoever’s following us, but that’s ridiculous. We’re on a busy street lined with shops, so it’s not like we’re being stalked down an alley.
I peek over my shoulder, trying to catch sight of the pursuer without being obvious. Shit. I really wish I hadn’t braided my hair this morning. At least I could have hidden behind it.
“What’s gotten into you, Hayles?”
“What? Nothing. I’m listening. You’re talking about a party over break.”
She throws me a look that tells me she’s not buying my shit. I might have been listening enough to figure out what she was talking about, but anything else she’d said was lost to the void. After a second she says, “Yeah, yeah. Come on, we’re almost there.”
We round the corner and enter a small coffee shop. The nutty scent of freshly ground coffee beans and warm pastries fills my senses. I breathe in deep, wishing I could bottle the aroma and keep it with me. Dina laughs and pulls me forward, moving up the line toward the register. There’s another angel in front of us, so she scans the menu written along the wall behind the counter, and before I can do the same, I freeze. Sitting against the window is an angel who looks incredibly familiar. Wasn’t he the angelwatching us from across the street earlier? How did he get here so fast? Is he following us?
Jolting me out of my fear, Dina drags me to the counter and orders. She hasn’t noticed anything off with me yet and honestly, I’d like to keep it that way. I’m freaking out over nothing. Even if it is the same guy, he probably just wants a coffee.But then why was he staring at you?
Fuck. When did it get so hot in here? I peel the leather jacket off my overheated limbs and sigh when the cool air touches my damp skin.
“And for you?” the barista asks me.
I shake off my worries and order blindly as I struggle to get back to normal. Dina gives me an odd look, but I only shoot her a smile in return, trying to mask the panic rising inside of me.
Maybe everyone knows what you did during the attack.No. They can’t. I haven’t confirmed it to anyone outside of my friends, and they wouldn’t tell anyone.
Someone calls our names, letting us know our order is ready. I blink a few times and the scene around me changes. The angel sitting near the window is no longer a man but a woman, reading a book and sipping a hot drink. Angels stare, but only the students I recognize from campus. Crisis averted.
