Entangled (Entangled Trilogy #1)

by Anika Rahman

  Angel,

  I know that I haven’t been able to contact you in any way for the past two days. It’s been killing me, not being able to see you or hold you. I hope you can meet me after-school today on the school roof. If I am not there and you are early, which you might be, then please, kindly wait on one of the benches. I can’t wait to see you. Today is going to be epic. Oh, yes, make sure that Maddie isn’t with you. I know how much you hate it when I call her blonde so from now on, I’ll call her Maddie, just for you, Rosemarie. Yes, I know how much you hate the name Rosemarie, but to be honest, I love the name. Not as much as I love you. Nobody loves you more than I do. Love you, Angel. See you soon. Xx.

  Love,

  James

  * * * * *

  Oh. My. God.

  That was the most amazing love letter I have ever gotten. It’s the only love letter I have ever gotten. I still can’t believe that James and I are still a couple. I can’t believe it. Was I going to meet him on the roof? Heck yeah I will. I definitely wouldn’t tell Maddie. Just to make him happy. Maddie didn’t need to meddle into my love life.

  * * * * *

  Turns out, I was early so I had to wait about five minutes before James showed up. I was admiring the beautiful roses on the roof and abruptly, someone from behind me had covered my eyes with their hands. It took me awhile to decipher who the person was, but I was able to guess it correctly.

  “James!” I exclaimed. He took his hands off my eyes and I turned around to face him. James grinned broadly at me as I reached up on my tiptoes to hug him. He was really tall, about 6’4. He wrapped his arms around my waist and held onto me for what felt like forever. At last, he let me pull away.

  “Angel, I’ve missed you so much. How have you been? Did you miss me?” James said, fake pouting as I laughed. Making me laugh was a challenge that James was easily able to overcome every time.

  “Of course I’ve missed you. How come you invited me up here? ” I asked, a bit curious. There were just a few teachers left in the building and no other students. If he was to try and do . . . something to me, no one will be able to hear me scream, so . . . I need to know his reasons. Now.

  “Oh come on, Angel, you still can’t trust me? I won’t hurt you or anything, I promise,” James said, chuckling a bit as relief flooded through me.

  I went over to him as he beckoned me and he led me over to the edge of the roof, a few feet away from the “edge” edge. Now, I had begun to shake. What if he threw me off the roof? I won’t be able to finish my book. As I frowned, James noticed that and snaked his arms around my waist to pull me closer to him.

  “Don’t worry, Angel. I would never hurt you, you know that. I love you too much to lose you,” James said as he surprised me even further. That’s when he did the unexpected.

  James leaned down, his lips centimeters away from mine, and hesitated. His eyes questioned me while I kept my expression very impassive.

  He took that as a yes and leaned down even further, terminating the space between us. At first, I was in way too much of a shock to respond, but then, I reacted quickly. He kissed me and I kissed him back. He pulled me even closer to him until I was completely pressed up against him with no possible escape. I put my arms around his neck and ran a hand through that silky blonde hair of his.

  James’ hair was so smooth and silky, I felt as if I had melted completely against him. His lips, slowly, parted mine as his tongue made its way into my mouth. His tongue traced the inside of my mouth and he playfully tugged on my lower lip.

  At last, he pulled away, leaving me breathless, literally. James looked intently into my eyes and grinned.

  “Now that’s what I call a first kiss,” James said, still grinning. I can’t believe it, our first kiss. I didn’t even know what to do.

  I realized that I was still pressed up against him, and as embarrassed as I was, I tried to move back, but James pushed me up against him further. If that was even possible.

  “Why are you so scared of me? Did you not enjoy the kiss or something? We can try again you know. Practice makes perfect,” James teased as he leaned down for more, but I had to physically push him back gently. Hurt quickly flashed across his face, but it was gone just as quickly as it had appeared.

  “I’m not scared of you, James. It’s just, you know . . .,” I said, stopping myself. He could figure out the rest on his own if he wanted to.

  “Oh! That’s what you were worried about?! Don’t worry, I adored it because it was with you,” James said, trying to control his laughter. “I love you.”

  James had said that to me more than a hundred times already since we had started dating.

  “You said ‘I love you’ to me so many times already and I haven’t even said it once. Doesn’t that upset you?” I asked, quite a bit curious now. He twirled a strand of hair around his finger and then let go of it.

  “It really doesn’t because I know that you’d say that to me whenever you are ready, Angel. I trust anything you would do, Angel. I. Love. You” James said, smiling down at me as he said those three magical words to me again. This time, I couldn’t stop myself.

  “I love you too, James,” I said, smiling up at him. It was so easy to be compelled into anything by James. He was just so . . . enthralling. There was no way you could resist the urge to do anything he told you to.

  “That’s better,” he said as he pulled me in for a hug. Throughout the whole embrace, he cradled my head close to his muscled chest as he murmured, “I love you” to me repeatedly.

  Once we pulled back, I noticed that his eyes were shining, not from tears, but from something else I couldn’t pinpoint.

  “Angel, has Maddie told you anything about me?” James asked as concern laced his voice.

  “Um . . . no,” I replied. What would she tell me? That James has blond hair? Or that he is an alien to both of us and neither of us knows much about him? I don’t think so. She doesn’t need to state the obvious. James’ eyes still sparkled with something and that’s when I realized what it was. He looked . . . miserable.

  “What’s wrong, James? You seem very . . . hesitant. You’re never hesitant,” I told him as he gave me a lazy smile although his smile looked as if he forced it onto his face.

  “Nothing. It’s just . . . nothing. Can I—can I kiss you again, Angel?” James asked. That was very polite of him, but I also despised it when guys did that. You don’t need to ask. He took my hesitancy as a yes and leaned down to kiss me again. This time, I hastily grant him access.

  Once he pulled away, he still had that sparkle in his eyes. What was it, really? I thought I knew it, but I guess I don’t.

  “James, why do you call me Angel and not something else? It’s not that I don’t like the nickname or anything. I really love the nickname. It’s just . . . I want to know why you call me that,” I asked.

  “I call you that because to me, you’re an angel. I’m pretty sure everyone else thinks of you as an angel as well. You’re a very special girl, you know. I love you for that. I’m pretty sure that Adrian feels the same way,” James answered as he gritted his teeth at the last sentence. So that sparkle was jealousy. James was jealous of Adrian. I can’t even believe it; James was jealous of someone, let alone Adrian. Why? Does he not know that Adrian means nothing to me?

  “James, it’s really not like that and you know it. I’m all yours, James. I lo—,” I started, but James silenced me with that sweet kiss of his, swallowing my last words. After all, practice does make everything perfect, doesn’t it? I don’t know what will happen to our relationship but I guess I’ll just have to wait and see. Meanwhile, I can still practice. Practice makes perfect

  chapter 7

  can you keep a secret?

  Blue or Green? Blue or Green? I couldn’t get it right. Those hurtfully beautiful eyes flashed across my mind a few seconds earlier and it stayed there five whole seconds longer. So much more improvement. I just couldn’t get the color of them right.

  As I walked int
o health class, I saw that there was a new student and on top of that, James and Adrian weren’t there. This was just great! Mr. Moore beckoned me towards him and I obeyed.

  “Ah, Mrs. Ross! As you can see, we have a new student, again. His name is Lucifer. What an unusual name, but who am I to judge? Anyways, you two will be sitting in the back of the room, alone, and you will fill him in on what we have been learning about so far,” Mr. Moore ordered. Okay, this was not weird at all. I tried to calm myself down but something kept prodding at the back of my mind.

  Lucifer was the angel that was cast out of heaven for his pride and he had a lot to begin with. No other normal person would be rational enough to name their child that. Then, who was he?

  I walked over to the back of the room to find him there, waiting for me patiently. I sat down and turned to face him and ceased. He was already staring at me, smirking.

  Lucifer was heart-stoppingly beautiful. Like very pretty; I didn’t even know if that term applied to guys. He had beautiful wavy amber hair that was about chin length and had crystal blue eyes that would bore into your soul. He had broad shoulders and was pretty muscular, but he’s more pretty than muscular. He was so gorgeous; I didn’t even think he was human.

  “Well, hello there, Rosie,” Lucifer smiled at me. Okay, people really needed to stop with the nicknames. “Long time, no see.”

  “Um . . . My name is Rose and this is the first time we’ve met. Ever,” I corrected him.

  “That’s what you think. Anyways, I know your name is Rosemarie, but I’ll be opting for Rosie. If that’s okay with you?” he questioned.

  “Actually, it’s—,”I started, but he cut me off.

  “Excellent. So you like the pet name Rosie. So what will we be talking about? By the way, you look really hot in that dress,” Lucifer remarked as my cheeks blazed scarlet. Who is this guy? He reminded me of James, a lot. Lucifer had the same blue eyes and even commented on my dress the same way as James had the first time he saw me in the dress. Lucifer inched closer to me and I inched back. I was not his pet. His attitude sickened me.

  The rest of the period went on in boredom. I filled him in on everything that had happened and all that stuff while he just stared at me and smirked. At last, I headed towards my locker, finally free from all that nonsense.

  “So, Rosie, maybe we should go out sometimes,” Lucifer stated coolly as vibes of confidence rolled off him. I just met him and I had a boyfriend.

  “I have a boyfriend,” I said, slightly smiling to myself.

  “Oh yeah? Who is he?” Lucifer asked he rolled up the sleeves off his shirt to his elbows. He looked like he was ready for a fight. I rolled my eyes at him and his smirk grew to the point where he could no longer smirk.

  “His name is James. Call me when you kill him,” I said, rolling my eyes. Out of the corner of my eyes, I thought I saw Adrian, but when I turned that way, he wasn’t there.

  * * * * *

  James had texted me and told me to meet him on the roof again. He had said that it was urgent. This was ridiculous. Lucifer hadn’t stopped following me around the whole day and it was getting very annoying. He was super-hot, but annoying. He was a hot pain in the neck.

  “What’s up, James?” I asked I stood next to him. He turned towards me and smothered me with a kiss, a long one, as he kept his hands on my hips. Ever since our first kiss, James had planned on kissing me at least three times each day and he promised me that I would like them each of the times.

  James abruptly pulled away and let me up for air. As I panted, he submerged his face in the place where my shoulder and neck met. I ran my hands through his hair and asked him what was wrong. He just shook his head and said nothing. Not even a single word. Something was not right.

  Once James had gathered himself, he told me that we needed to talk.

  “Okay! We’ll talk, but you seem so . . . upset. We need to talk about that first.”

  “No, we don’t, Angel. I’m fine. Did you meet Lucifer today? He’s the new guy everyone’s been talking about,” James asked as he protectively wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer and closer until there was no more space left between us.

  “Yeah, he kinda sorta indiscreetly asked me out,” I said.

  “WHAT?! That little—.”

  “Language, James. Relax; it’s not like I actually said yes to him.”

  “But still—.”

  “I love you, James, not Lucifer,” I said soothingly. I put my hands on his chest to reassure him.

  “Can you keep a secret?” James asked me nervously as he gnawed his bottom lip furiously.

  “Of course I can,” I said as I lightly touched his cheek.

  “I’m not entirely human and neither is Lucifer or Adrian. Please, listen to me, Angel. You have to believe me. You just have to,” James pleaded.

  “You told me that you weren’t human the day in the library,” I smiled. I remember that day as if it was yesterday. He just seemed like a freak to me, but it turns out, he’s not. He’s a really sweet guy and I love him.

  “I’m serious, Angel. You told me that I might be some sort of a God and guess what; I’m closely related to him. Actually, I’m closely related to Lucifer. He’s my Lord now,” James told me. What is he talking about? Does he have a fever?

  “What are you talking about James? Do you have a fever? Let’s get you to the nur—,” I started but he cut me off. I don’t like where this is going. I think he needs some psychological help. I know this really great psychologist named Mr. Ronald. He’s very good at what he does. Elliot can help me out with arranging an appointment with him.

  “I am not joking, Rosemarie. I am serious. I am not human and I am tired of keeping it away from you. I just am,” James said sadly. I reached up to hug him and to comfort him. I’ve never done this before so . . . I didn’t know what to do. James needs help . . . fast. I don’t know what’s gotten into him, but I want to be the one to fix him, if I can. But now, from the genuine look in his eyes, I know for sure he’s not lying nor does he need any psychological help. James is actually serious, for the first time ever.

  “James, I believe you and just a quick question, this is what you wanted me to keep a secret?” I asked.

  “Yes, it is,” James answered as he pulled me closer. He held onto me as if his life depended on it. There was no more space left between us and yet, here I am, breathing and loving him. This is the closest we’ve ever been.

  “Well, then, just one more question. Umm . . . what,” I started as James smothered me with another kiss. This time, it was more heated. He kissed me as if I was his oxygen and he couldn’t get enough off me. I kissed him back, clearly confused.

  “James!” Lucifer screamed as he burst in through the roof door. James pulled back and away from me and turned towards Lucifer. He put me behind him protectively as if Lucifer was going to hurt me. James eyes turned dark black, like, from that beautiful pale blue to jet black in an instant. This was not good. I don’t know what’s going on, but I know for sure that this isn’t good at all. His eyes just freakin’ turned black. From blue to black. That’s scientifically impossible as far as I’m concerned.

  Right now, my mind screamed at me to freak out, but my body betrayed my mind. I just saw my boyfriend’s eyes change color. Then, just like the James I know, he staggered me again. James grew wings. Wow. He was a bird? Nope. He was an angel. James, my James, was a beautiful angel. He just grew wings that were almost three time his size.

  His wings were beautiful. They were all black and a bit silver at the tips as the feathers came closer to his body. They looked so silky and velvety and cozy that I had to fight the urge not to run up to him and curl myself up in those wings. They were majestic. I couldn’t even take my eyes off them. They just seemed so inviting and I could just get lost in them. I tried to focus on what was ahead of me, not James’ wings.

  James lunged at Lucifer and knocked him off his feet with James landing on top off him. He repeatedly punched Lucif
er across the face, delivering blow after blow strongly.

  “You! Because of you, I am this stupid damned thing. I hate you. You promised her to me. You promised me that you would back off. You promised that you wouldn’t try to take her away from me. You broke your promise. You still interfered. You promised to keep him away from her. Look at what you’ve done. You fu—,” James said. Lucifer flipped him over so that he was on top of James.

  His hands curled around James’ throat and gripped it tightly, most likely breaking off his only connection to oxygen. For some peculiar reason, I could feel the pain on my throat. I felt as if I couldn’t breathe anymore. It was painful and for some reason, I knew that James felt that way right now. I screamed once, trying to get the pain away, but it increased with each scream.

  “Watch your tongue, James. Maybe you should watch your girlfriend, too. I would love to take her away from you, but then again, I don’t want to see my future wife suffer,” Lucifer said. I gasped, both because of what Lucifer had said and also because I was running out of oxygen.

  Who is he? I was definitely not going to be his future wife. What the hell? What are they talking about? Under normal circumstances, I would be thrilled of the idea of two guys fighting over me but now, it all felt surreal.

  “Get your hands off my throat. Rosemarie can’t breathe either,” James managed to tell Lucifer through gritted teeth.

  Lucifer got off James and strode towards me with confidence. James’ throat felt . . . open again and so did mine. I tried and tried to breathe quickly, trying to get more oxygen. I am not going to die like this.

  “Hello, Rosie. I just wanted to tell you that I am in love with you and I would appreciate it if you would consider going out with me and break up with him. If you do become mine, I won’t hurt anyone you love, but if you reject me . . .,” Lucifer smirked. The flower pots on either side of me shattered. It just went KABOOM! One minute it was a pot, the next; it was in pieces like my heart right now. Lucifer did that without touching. He just narrowed his eyes at it and it went KABOOM! He was giving me a blunt threat. Why? If he really loved me, why would he want to hurt me?