Dream Angel (Angel #1)

by Jane West

  “How well do you know him when you just moved to town yourself?”

  “Let’s just say it’s a guy's thing. You know, talk in the locker room sorta thing.” I could hear the acerbity in his voice. “When I think about the things he ” Bane stopped in midsentence and then finished, “It makes me want to kick his ass all over again.” His muscles tensed.

  “You don’t have to worry about Sam. I only liked him as a friend. Now after that stupid stunt, he pulled, I don’t even care to be his friend.” I traced his brow with my thumb and smiled.

  His stormy blues gleamed as if we were two crossed-eyed lovers. That was when I knew. I had fallen in love with Aidan Bane.

  A bitter thought crossed my mind. I knew Bane didn’t share those same feelings with me, and I hated myself for allowing myself to go there. He said himself that our relationship would end badly for me. I reckoned I was in for a crash landing.

  After a while, when my pulse settled, I began to melt into Bane's arms.

  It wasn't long before a gentle rise came from his chest, and a soft snore drifted to my ears. I stilled, listening to the sweet rhythm of his sounds. It wasn’t long before my eyes drifted closed and my thoughts meandered into a peaceful somber.

  Kicking Rocks

  Saturday, when my eyes opened, a shaft of light pierced the window as tiny specs of dust floated aimlessly. I stretched yawning. Then memories of Bane flooded my mind. My eyes darted to the empty spot in the bed. The only signs lift of Bane was a faint woodsy scent and a one long stem rose, red. I picked the flower off his pillow, careful not to prick my finger from its thorns and sniffed the delicate scent. “Hmm.” I smiled touching the rose petal to my nose. Roses always smelled like sweet pepper. A sense of giddiness licked through me as I released a heavy sigh. I wondered why he didn’t wake me.

  I thought I’d kick around some rocks today and venture out on my bike. This time, it would be by choice.

  I stopped by Ms. Noel’s first thing to see if she needed anything from the grocery store. She gave me a small list, milk, bread and butter. She added a few more coins for me in case I got hungry. Ms. Noel had a generous heart. Still, I hated taking her money. She earned only a few bucks selling her herb and living on a set income. No matter how much I protested, she insisted more. Reluctantly, I’d take her offer.

  I’d grown to love Ms. Noel. After my silly accident at school and no longer with a job, I’d been making deliveries to her clientele. I didn’t mind helping. It eased my guilty conscious and gave me something to do.

  Besides, Ms. Noel’s arthritis seemed to be flaring up more than usual these days. She never said one word of complaint, but I saw it in her eyes and the stiffness in her walk.

  I’d just stepped out of the Piggy Wiggly and mounted my bike when I nearly plowed into Sally. “Oh hey.”

  “Hi, there!” She broke into a broad smile. It occurred to me that I’d never seen Sally with genuine emotion. Her smile reminded me of a clown with a painted smile, crimson red, masking a frown. I think the real Sally stayed coiled in a dark corner, shivering from fear.

  “Where have you been the last few days?”

  Sally already had her nose to the ground, snooping like a hound dog. The girl had the schnoz for gossip. Everyone at Tangi High got the same treatment. There was no exception with Sally and her wayward tongue.

  “Yeah, I’d been under the weather.” I cuffed my hand over my eyes, blocking out the sun’s glare.

  “I heard you cracked your head wide open?” She smiled, though her eyes appeared insipid.

  “Yep! That's what I keep hearing.”

  Oddly, my mention of my accident felt rehearsed.

  “You don’t remember hitting your head?” Her thick brows slammed together.

  She should tweeze those bushes, I thought snidely.

  “Nope. Concussion.” I stared back at her.

  “Well, you’re lookin’ good.” Sally's thick Southern accent struck me as odd. I didn’t recall her having an accent.

  “Thanks. Gotta go!”

  I lifted my foot to the pedal and started to push off when Sally stepped in front of me and placed her hands on the handlebar, halting me.

  “Have you heard?” her voice spiked. “Sam and Gina broke up for good.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Sally, I ain't got time for this.” I jerked my bike back to free her death grip, but Sally didn’t ease up. She clung to the handlebars like Custer charging Gettysburg. Shit!

  “You wanna know who Gina’s dating?”

  I frowned. “Let me guess,” I tapped my finger on my chin as if I was mulling it over in my brain, “Oh, I don’t know, the whole football team all at the same time?” Okay, I’d cut below the belt. It wasn’t like she didn’t deserve it. The sting of her hateful words comparing my dad to roadkill still bothered me.

  Sally giggled, flipping her wrist as if she was some aristocrat with a fat pocketbook. “No, Texas!”

  My brow shot up. “My name is not Texas!”

  “Okay, sorry! Guess who Gina snagged?”

  Sally’s face hid behind the sun glare, but I picked up a peculiar spark in her tone.

  “Gina is dating the hottest guy at Tangi.” She bounced on her feet, clapping.

  “Dating your brother doesn’t count, Sal.” Forget the shade throwing. I decided to sling mud.

  Regardless of my twisted replies, they went sailing right over Sally’s head. It was like do or die, announcing this current event. “Gina is dating, drum roll Aidan Bane!”

  My mouth dropped, and my surroundings became tunneled. Sally kept babbling, but her words were background noise to me. My pulse raced against my ears, and my stomach roiled.

  All at once, Bane's words stampeded through my mind, "I’m not a one-woman man, and I never will be."

  I told myself that I didn't care. Apparently, I lied to myself. “Sally, I have to go!”

  When our eyes latched, I caught the smug glint in her eyes. I realized then that the bitch knew I had feelings for Bane.

  After a moment of basking over her triumph, Sally stepped back releasing her grip.

  I suddenly wasn’t in a rush as I was a minute ago. I asked, “How do you do it, Sal?”

  She drew in a sharp breath as if she was vacuous to her malicious intentions. “How do I do what?”

  I wrung my fingers tight around the handlebars. I hated the notion of giving Sal her first bloody nose. “Hurting me! It seems that’s your goal. What have I done to cause this ongoing strife between us?”

  “I don’t know why you’re attacking me.” She shook her head like she’d lost her way to the last donut shop. “Don’t kill the messenger.” She snapped.

  I rolled my eyes. “It's "Don't shoot the messenger.”” I glared at her. “Get the cliché right.”

  “Sorry to hurt your feelings.” She shrugged. “I didn’t know you like Aidan?”

  She was such a terrible liar.

  “Don't be coy. Why else would you tell me?”

  Sally looked away at a woman walking to her car, pushing a buggy full of groceries. She cut her eyes back to me. “I thought you might wanna know that your beau is messin’ around with Gina.”

  “Bullshit!” I bobbed my head in anger. “You never do anything unless it is to hurt someone.” I railed. “You’re pathetic!”

  “Gina told me not to trust you.” Envy ripped from Sally's mouth.

  Talk about calling the kettle black. “Bitch! Bye!”

  I swiftly pushed off on my bike, leaving Sally standing with her pursed lips. She and Gina deserved each other. They should start their own network, the BBB Association, Busy-Body-Bitches.

  By the time I reached Ms. Noel’s house, my anger had turned into wracking sobs. I couldn’t believe I’d nearly slept with him yesterday.

  I dropped my bike by the curve and snatched up the grocery sack of Ms. Noel’s. By the time I had my fist raised to knock, she’d opened the door. Her brows were dark with worry. “What’s wrong, babee? Are ya hurt?”
<
br />   I wiped my soaked cheeks with the back of my hand. “Not in the physical sense.” I burst into tears once more and shrugged.

  “Aw, babee, come ‘ere!” That was all she had to say for me to fall into her warm, consoling arms.

  Ms. Noel somehow managed to get me inside and settled me down on the couch. She’d fixed me a cup of hot chamomile tea. After my second cup, my pulse simmered down. “Thank you, Ms. Noel.” I smiled even though I didn't feel like it.

  “Babee, ya know I’m a good listener if ya wanna talk.” Ms. Noel sat in the rocker next to the couch. Quiet settled in the air for a minute as her worrisome eyes stayed fix on me.

  “I know.” My brows collided from another bout of tears. “I was talking to a girl from school, Sally. She’s not exactly a friend.” I inhaled a long sigh. “Anyway, she fed me some news that didn’t set well with my stomach.”

  “And this has you upset?”

  “Yep!” I tilted my head back against the couch, lifting my gaze to the ceiling. “My life has its fair amount of problems, but since I've met this boy, my troubles have escalated.”

  “How so, Catin?” Ms. Noel’s brows drew down into a triangle of confusion.

  “For starters, he's my landlord.” I shrugged dismissively. “Well, his parents are the owners.”

  “Oh mercy, that is complicated!”

  “That’s not the worst. I heard he’s dating another girl.” I huffed.

  “Catin, it sounds like you really like this young man.”

  “I wish it were that easy!” I spat out a bitter bite.

  “What do ya mean?”

  “I am inept when it comes to boys. I mean, I’ve never felt this way before over any boy before. I had a crush on a boy back home but we never dated.”

  “Aw, Catin! Ya supposed ta be inexperience at your young age."

  “Ms. Noel, most kids my age have at least kissed, among a few other things."

  “Chile, don't fret over this boy. If he can't see how special ya are then, he doesn't deserve ya.” Ms. Noel reached over and gently squeezed my hand reassuring me.

  My lips stretched into a barbed smile. “Bane admitted he doesn't like me. He also made it clear that he never settles down with one girl.” I threw my arms over my closed eyes. “It just bothers me when he's kissing me, and I find out that he's dating a girl I can't stand.”

  “Aw, baby! Maybe I should have a talk with this young man. He sounds like a low-down rascal!” Ms. Noel chimed heatedly.

  I smiled to myself, staring at my hands. With a ragged sigh, I lifted my eyes to Ms. Noel. “That’s why I don’t get why I like him. I’m not into bad boys.”

  “Babee, the heart is treacherous, and it can lead us astray. You’re not the first to have a heart broken over a boy. There’ll be better days!” Her faded blues gleamed. “Just don’t do anything foolish.”

  I smiled inwardly. Awkward, embarrassing, sweet and loving came to mind. “There’s something else that’s gnawing at me.”

  “What is it?” Ms. Noel stiffened.

  My face twisted with fear. “I haven’t been myself lately.” I quieted a moment to gather my thoughts. “My memories have holes, days missing that I cannot recall. It troubles me.” I sighed with a sharp nod. “When I slipped and fell on that baby oil, I reckon I must’ve hit my head harder than I thought. My brain keeps drawing a blank. I have patched memories.” I lifted my fingers to my temples and massaged a growing headache.

  Ms. Noel scratched her head. “That is strange. Let me see if any herbs might help ya.” She reached for my cup as she gathered to her feet. “Ya want some more tea, babee?”

  “I’m good. Thanks. I need to head home.” I gathered to my feet.

  “Okay, babee.” Her eyes orbed. “Oh, wait! I prepared ya some dinner.” Before I could reply, Ms. Noel had headed off to the kitchen, returning with a large brown sack, a tradition well known in the south. I smiled to myself.

  “You’re my guardian angel.” I reached in and kissed her lightly on the cheek, hugging her tight.

  “No, Chile. I'm family,” she smiled brightly, though her pearly dentures were missing today. I smiled back.

  ***

  A storm had rolled in bringing ominous clouds. Thunder rumbled with fury, shattering against the windowpane and lightning streaked across the bruised heavens. Sheets of rain pounded the house.

  I never liked thunderstorms, and this one was no exception.

  I finally gave up and closed my math book. I wanted to kick myself for slacking on my schoolwork. I was behind, and it kept growing. For some reason, I couldn’t remember some of the formulas to my math lessons. Holes more holes in my brain. I rubbed my temples as if that was going to make my memories return.

  I climbed out of bed and went downstairs. Coffee sounded good. I headed for the kitchen. I fixed a whole pot and poured myself a cup. I sat in solitude at the small table by the window watching the rain.

  Coffee was probably the worst thing to have before bedtime, but with the crazy weather tonight, I imagined I wouldn't be getting much sleep anyhow.

  I stared out the window, wondering if I should take stock in Sally's claim. It didn’t matter any longer. I decided to cut ties with Bane. Somehow, I'd find a way to pay rent myself than accept his charity. Then an idea struck Bane might be deducting the rent and utilities from Sara’s paycheck. Maybe Sara wasn't lying; maybe the Bane’s hired her.

  No point in worrying about it now, Sara was predictable to a fault. Meaning, when she tired of this place, we’d be shoving off to the next hellhole. I sighed, shaking my head. The only thing holding me up was leaving Ms. Noel and Jen.

  Apart from everything else, I had more daunting problems to fret about to last me a lifetime. My memories of the last few days seemed to have left me and in its place, fear resides. My mind drew a blank that day at school when I slipped and knocked myself unconscious. Bane found me by my locker, collapsed on the floor in a pool of blood. Yet it didn’t feel right. Why... I couldn’t say.

  I decided to crawl in bed with a good book, hoping that would relax me. Dressed in Bugs Bunny pajamas, I slipped in under the covers with one of my favorite books, To Kill a Mocking Bird! A classic by Harper Lee.

  I’d only read a few pages before I drifted off to sleep. It wasn’t a peaceful sleep, quite the opposite. The same haunting dream that had chased me since my dad died returned with a vengeance.

  I smiled at the cute boy, and he smiled back, taking my hand. Strange, I thought. I could only see his smile. The rest of his features blurred. I liked his smile. It touched me.

  When I glimpsed away, my breath caught. Deep male voices hummed in my ears. The words were unclear, but it sounded like chanting. Their voices rose and dropped in a congruous psalm. A constant drip echoed in the hollow. I assumed it was water.

  The boy turned to me, tugging at my arm. His lips moved like a silent movie. Void of sound. I strained to listen, still unable to make out his words.

  The boy lashed out, his fingers bit deeply into the flesh of my arm, forcing me to follow. I cried out in pain, yelling at him to let go. Ignoring my cries, he dragged me down a dark corridor. I’d angered him, I sensed. Fright touched my spine.

  In a blink, I found myself standing alone. The faceless boy had vanished. I turned around to seek an exit and froze. The same men in crimson robes with hands clasped standing in a circle of twelve. An unassailable wave of confusion came over me. “Where was the thirteenth member,” I murmured to myself.

  An unfamiliar nudge urged me forward into the light. I stepped from the shadows, and as my gaze dropped, I realized I was wearing a bright red robe.

  I gasped startled. Hurriedly, I shrugged off the cloak until one of the men touched my shoulder.

  I jolted from his cold, clammy palm.

  In my past dreams, the robed men never interacted with me. Like a ghost, I was invisible. As a dread washed over me, I realized now that the dreams had changed.

  Similar to the faceless boy, the robe's face wa
s a dark blur of movement. The robe waved for me to go first. I complied with trepidation. The blur-faced man gently placed his hand on the small of my back, urging me to join the circle. Another man in a robe stepped up extending his hand. I stepped up to the circle of twelve men. I made the circle complete, the thirteenth robe.

  The number thirteen seemed to be constant in the dreams. It must have some sort of symbolism.

  My eyes fell upon a huge gold throne sitting on a platform. It took me back to the medieval times, where kings sat on thrones. I spied symbols or drawings etched deep into the stone right above the altar. I recognized the pyramid with an eye centered on top. That very same eye, I’d seen on the dollar bill.

  The men began kneeling, bowing their heads. Confused about what to do, I shot a startled glance at the man who brought me to the circle, yet when my gaze lifted, the faceless boy stood in his place, wearing a crimson robe too.

  Though his face remained out of focus, my eyes drew to his dimpled smile. A reflection of something shimmered in the corner of my eye. My gaze dropped to his hand. Just as I’d expected, I spotted the same ring from all the other dreams, diamonds lining an eye.

  The faceless boy leaned over and whispered garbled words in my ear. I smiled to myself. A tingling of excitement raced through me as his fingers trailed sensuously down my arm. Slowly, he raised my hand to his lips. I instinctively flinched. His affections startled me.

  The faceless boy's brows drew together into a frown. He became incensed. Shouting words at me, though only, his lips moved.

  Snapping my upper arm roughly, he forced me to take his hand. I shivered under his heated glower and followed his wishes.

  The next handful of seconds, a blinding light flashed and my surroundings morphed into something unrecognizable.

  I saw an outline of an unusually tall man. I couldn’t see his face. Unlike the other blurred faces, he hid in the shallows.