The Bad Angel - Four

I walked along the corridor, looking for Room 47.

It was the last hour of the school day, and I was supposed to meet with the arithmetic team for the first time. I was eager for the school hours to end and get this done and over with because tomorrow would be a weekend.

I found the door and opened it. As soon as I did, I saw that the room was dark and I went in. The room was really quiet and cold, there probably wasn’t anyone in there. As I stumbled around to look for the light switch, I felt a cold hand touch my shoulder.

I screamed and bent down, covering my head, my eyes squeezed shut.

“DON’T KILL ME!! I’M TOO YOUNG TO DIE!”

The lights were switched on and a male British voice said, “Whoa. Chill, scaredy-cat, I’m no killer.”

Slowly, I opened my right eye and looked up; there stood a guy, with an amused look on his face, extending a hand towards me. He had spiky, messy dirty blonde hair that stuck up all over in tufts, his hair going a little past his collar, and a dark labyrinth of bluish-green eyes in which I almost got lost in for a moment. He wore the school uniform neatly- I consider it neat, because he had the school blazer on- and had a mature, serious air around him. I guess he was no killer. Cautiously, I accepted his hand and he pulled me onto my feet.

I was still a little shaken and took a seat at one of the desks in the room. I studied the guy. I grudgingly admit he’s hot, with a nice strong jaw, nicely proportioned cheekbones, a nice refined-sort of nose and a lean figure. Harmless-looking. Still, never judge a book by its cover.

“So, what’re you doing here?” the guy asked, he took a chair and sat in front of me, facing me. I dragged my chair backwards, trying to get as far as I could away from him.

“I should be asking you that. Isn’t this the room where the arithmetic team was supposed to meet?” I asked. “Please, keep your distance.”

“Yes. That’s right. So what are you doing here?” Apparently, he didn’t seem the least bit fazed that I was treating him like some kind of contagious disease.

I frowned at him. “I’m supposed to be on the team. Excuse me your Highness, if my presence is bothering you.”

I think I’m starting to learn that not all hot guys have an awesome personality at first glance.

He chuckled. “No, you’re wrong. I’m no Highness. My name’s McKnight. Skyler McKnight.” He continued in his soft British accent. “And maybe your unsettled aura is kind of disturbing the peaceful aura in here. Other than that, no, your presence isn’t really bothering me.”

He noticed my confused look.

“I’m British you know. I transferred here from England some years ago. I’m a junior now. You look too young to be one.”

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m a sophomore. Does that fact bother you as well? Sire?” I asked, sarcastically. I tried my best to give him a death glare.

“Hmm… you sure have one heck of an attitude. You don’t really give a toss about it huh?” he asked me. He had a thoughtful look on his face.

“Yes, I don’t give a damn. Do you have a freakin’ problem with it? I’m sorry I’m a sophomore, sorry that I’m on the team. When are you gonna say sorry for attempted murder?” I asked hotly.

“Looks like someone’s cranky,” he said with a chuckle. “And I did not attempt to murder you; I was sleeping in here when you came in and made a lot of noise.”

I flushed. I guess that part was true.

“So you’re the new addition huh? You don’t look like you study all the time,” he commented. “I was expecting someone a little more bookish looking.”

I glared at him. I may suck at arithmetic but I’m good in art and literature subjects. “Don’t judge a book by its cover, Einstein. ‘Sides, you don’t look like you hit the books much either.”

“Ooh, touché, you’re right. But that doesn’t mean I don’t get good grades,” he winked at me. Somehow, that wink reminded me of Ashton. I went a little red.

“Ahh, looks like someone’s a little embarrassed,” he laughed. So much for having a mature, serious air around him. Pfft, he’s probably a goodie-two-shoes in school and out of school, he’s probably an irresponsible party animal.

I shot him a dirty look and then a couple of other students came in. To be exact, two guys and a girl came in.

“Hey Sky, who’s this?” the girl asked. She had wild reddish orange hair that was swept up into a messy bun and really pretty green chartreuse-colored eyes which were hidden behind glasses. She reminded me of Jenny Parker. Minus the fact that she looked older, and was not as hostile-looking as Jenny.

“Hi. Let me introduce you to uh- what’s your name?” he asked me, a little note of embarrassment in his voice. Hah. Loser.

“Hera Wolfe,” I supplied helpfully. See? I can be nice sometimes right?

“Right. This is Hera Wolfe. Sophomore. Be careful, she’s a feisty little lady and she bites. Also, don’t attempt to surprise her, she’ll assume that you attempted to murder her,” Skyler announced, as if he knew me forever.

“Oh, don’t be mean, she’s cute. You can be really mean sometimes,” the red head scolded him. She turned to me and smiled at me broadly. “Hey, nice to meet you. Don’t worry about Skyler, he’s a jerk.”

I nodded at her. “I think they got his name wrong when they were drawing up his birth certificate.”

She laughed. “At least you have a good sense of humor. By the way, I’m Mikayla Parker. Call me Kayla. I’m a senior. Welcome to the team.”

Parker? She must be related to Jenny then. Although she seems way different from Jenny.

“Are you related to Jenny Parker?” I asked.

Kayla arched her eyebrows. “You know my younger sister?”

Oh well, that explains the resemblance.

“Kinda,” I answered.

“I’m Nicholas Hyde,” a dark-haired, very, very serious but cool looking guy in glasses introduced himself to me. “Senior.”

He promptly sat down and took out writing materials.

“Hi. Nice to meet you Nicholas.” Okay. Anti-social much?

“Rayne Lark,” the other guy politely introduced himself as well. He had mouse-brown fluffy hair and big sleepy walnut eyes. “Nice to meet you Hera. Nice name. I’m a senior as well.”

I smiled at him. “Thanks. Rayne’s also a cool name.”

Rayne smiled at me as well. “Thanks. You’re not so feisty.”

Well, I guess I was wrong. They didn’t look the least bit like geeky nerds who played too much computer games.

“All right. My cousin is also supposed to be here, but due to some unforeseen circumstances, he won’t be able to attend for a while,” Skyler told us as we all settled down.

I raised my hand.

“Yes? The little blonde girl who bites.”

“Your cousin?” I was tempted to say something offending back to him, but I decided not to.

“Yes, my cousin’s supposed to be here today, but he told me he wouldn’t be able to attend for a while. No idea why though,” he explained.

“Well, that’s too bad,” Rayne said. “So anyway, shall we test the new kid?

The others agreed. Promptly, Nicholas came up to me with a piece of paper and handed it to me.

“Answer the questions. I’ll grade it for you,” he told me curtly before going back to his seat.

“Thanks?” I squeaked. I took up a pen and started on the paper. Thirty minutes or so later, I finished the paper and gave it to Nicholas. He graded it quickly and returned it to me with a disapproving look on his face.

“You’re not much good at this subject are you?” he asked me, almost, I said, almost a little sympathetically.

I shook my head. “I’m hopeless.” I looked at my score. I had gotten a sixty-five percent. I sighed.

To my utter surprise, without a word, Nicholas dragged a chair opposite me and sat down. He took out a blank piece of paper and a pen of his own.

“What?” he asked, noticing me staring at him. He took my paper from my hands.

“Nothin’,” I answered.

He beckoned me to come closer, so I did.

“Be careful Nicholas!” Skyler yelled over to us. “She bites!”

Jerk.

Nicholas stuck up his left middle finger at Skyler, which took me completely by surprise. I might come to like the guy someday.

“Ooh, tough,” I heard Skyler say.

“Oh just shut up Sky,” I heard Rayne say.

“Here,” Nicholas started, “Ignore him. Here is how you solve this question….”

I paid rapt attention to Nicholas. He was a freakin’ good arithmetic tutor. Within minutes, I understood everything that I never understood before in class. Meanwhile, the others were timing each other, solving arithmetic problems. I think they have calculators in their brains or something.

Even if I didn’t miraculously discover hidden talent for arithmetic, at least I wasn’t semi-killed on my first try and even if Nicholas was a little anti-social, at least he doesn’t give me death glares like Jenny. Anyway, Nicholas was nice guy; he’s really interesting to talk to. And he told me to call him Nick. Kayla told me that I’m the only person he’s told to call him Nick. She said that the rest of them are still only allowed to call him Nicholas. I’m serious. And they’ve known each other since they were freshmen.

I stopped outside a cheerful-looking vintage café, I had just come from buying myself a couple of new suits for swimming. There were circular vintage iron wrought tables with glass table tops under umbrellas. The chairs surrounding each table were matching iron-wrought chairs with lacy cushions over the seats. The outer part of the café was really like an orchard, with sweet-smelling fruit trees and flower bushes and was enclosed with a white picket fence. There was a pebble pathway that snaked towards the entrance of the café. At this time of day, the café was usually empty.

I walked into the café, the bell tinkling, signaling my entrance. The inside of the café was beautifully decorated. I recognized several paintings and sculptures with tiny initials ‘H.W’ with pointed ears over the letters signed on them, being displayed. When the café first opened, Eleanor, who was old friends with the owner, offered him to get paintings and decorations for free to decorate his place. He had agreed. I had been the one who did the paintings and sculptures.

“Well, well, look who’s here! The budding Picasso and trouble-maker herself, Hera Wolfe!” I heard a loud booming voice say.

I noticed the owner of the voice and smiled. “Hey Martin, how’re ya doin’?” I greeted.

Martin Winters was the owner of the café. I met him when I was ten and he’s an old friend of Eleanor’s and mine. As a regular patron of the café, that was just the way Martin always greeted me.

“Afternoon Hera. I wasn’t expecting you till tomorrow,” he said to me, cheerfully. He was busy sorting powders into containers.

“Well, I’m actually here to meet someone,” I admitted.

“Well now, is it a boy? You’re dressed quite nicely this afternoon,” he said to me with a twinkle in his eyes.

I looked down at myself. I didn’t see what was so special about the way I was dressed today. I was wearing a plain white camisole with a black ribbon laced around my waist, plain black shorts and plain white ballet flats.

“I am? I don’t think there’s anything special about the way I’m dressed,” I said, taking a seat at one of the tables by the window.

He guffawed. “I’m just pullin’ your leg Herr.”

At that moment, Eleanor -who was dressed in a light green, long-sleeved flower-patterned cotton dress and plain black high-heeled shoes- came in. She’s a tall woman with silvery hair tied up in a messy bun and grayish-blue eyes. She has a heart-shaped face and high cheekbones, making her look lovable but serious at the same time.

“Good day, Martin, my dear,” she announced in a polite British accent.

“Good afternoon Eleanor,” Martin cheerfully greeted. “Hera’s already here.”

Eleanor noticed me and advanced towards me. I got up excitedly.

“HI ELEANOR!” I squealed happily like a little girl. I enveloped her into a bear hug as best as I could. Remember, I’m slightly on the shorter side and Eleanor’s a tall English lady.

“Hello darling, Hera. My, aren’t you a little ray of sunshine?” Eleanor smiled at me. “Come on darling, let’s sit down.”

I sat down with Eleanor and Martin ambled towards us, a notepad and pen in hand.

“What can I get for my two favorite ladies?” he asked. “It’s on the house.”

“Thank you Martin. Can I get an iced blueberry and strawberry tea? I’d also like some melon cream puffs,” Eleanor said.

“All right. How ‘bout the you little Herr?” Martin asked me.

I shook my head. “No, that’s all right. I’m actually meeting someone else after this. That someone lost a bet to me so I’m being treated.”

“I see. Well then, I’ll get a glass of water for you then,” Martin said, walking away.

“Thanks Martin!” I called.

“No problem!” he replied, before disappearing into the kitchen.

“So Hera, how have you been?” Eleanor asked me.

“I’m fine, I guess. What about you? How was your trip to Paris?” I asked.

Eleanor brightened, “Ahh, Paris; the City of Lights. The art galleries there were absolutely wonderful! You should’ve come with me Hera; we would have had a wonderful time together.”

I grinned. “Well, you know, I have school and stuff… anyway, did you manage to acquire any new pieces for your gallery?”

Eleanor nodded. “Well of course, that’s the main reason I went there! My dear, you should’ve seen the number of people at the auction! There was a lot of competition for the art pieces that were on auction.”

“Enough about Paris, let’s talk about your new project. It’s the good news,” Eleanor said.

Martin came over to our table with a tray. He set down two coasters and set Eleanor’s tea and my glass of water on them. He put a plate of melon cream puffs in front of Eleanor.

“Fresh from the oven,” he declared. “Now, please excuse me ladies. I’m keeping an eye on the clock to see that my staff don’t take a longer than necessary tea break.”

As soon as he disappeared into the kitchen, a couple of waiters and waitresses came into the café and headed for the kitchen as well.

“Anyway, what do you think about working with an interior designer?” Eleanor asked me.

“That sounds fun. I’ve never worked with any interior designers before. What am I supposed to do?” I asked, excited. Uncle Ash may have banned me access from any art rooms at school but I’m still allowed to do art out of school, just that I don’t have that much time for completing my art pieces anymore.

Eleanor took a dainty bite out of one of her cream puffs. “I told this particular interior designer all about you. She was extremely interested of the artwork you did in my gallery. I asked her if she would like you to work with her for free. She was absolutely delighted.”

“ She told me she might ask you to paint portraits of the family, make sculptures and she also might ask you to paint various designs on the walls and maybe the floors. Also, I told her about your knack for landscaping gardens. She wishes for you to help plan out the garden, if it’s not too much trouble.”

“That sounds pretty fun,” I commented.

“Indeed it does. It’s a long-term job by the way,” Eleanor told me. “You can go meet her tomorrow if you wish. She says, the sooner, the better. Is it too much trouble?”

I shook my head. I didn’t have any swimming or arithmetic club. “I’m really free tomorrow. Where am I supposed to meet her?”

Eleanor took out a small piece of paper. “Here you go, the good woman’s name is Naomi. Go to this address tomorrow morning at nine o’clock.”

I accepted the paper from Eleanor and as I studied it, Eleanor finished off her cream puffs and iced tea. She got up.

“Well, I have to go now darling. I’ll see you soon all right? Have a good day!” she kissed me on both cheeks and called out goodbye to Martin and left.

I collected the plate and glasses and brought them to Martin.

“Aww kid, you shouldn’t have. That’s the reason why I pay them workers,” Martin said, nodding his head towards his staff that were stationed around various parts of the café. He took the plate and glasses from me.

“That’s okay Martin. It’s the least I could do for you,” I assured him. I walked back to my original seat.

I heard the tinkling sound of the bell and the waitresses who were stationed at the door welcomed the new customer. I looked up and saw that the waitresses were semi-hyperventilating and I saw Ashton walking in, looking out of breath, his hair windswept. He flashed a smile at the waitresses, saying ‘thank you’ and he noticed me.

His eyes lit up and he waved enthusiastically at me, “Hey Herr! Did you wait long?”

I noticed Martin coughing unnaturally loudly. On purpose, no doubt.

Ashton walked quickly towards me and I saw the waitresses giggling like mad. My eyebrows and the corners of my mouth twitched. So Ashton had that kind of effect on older females as well huh?

He took a seat opposite me and grinned. “Hey Herr. Your executioner’s here.” He winked mischievously at me.

“Were you busy sharpening your axe?” I said back, smirking. “You look out of breath.”

“Now, now, I can’t give out my secrets about my methods you know,” Ash teased.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw several waitresses scrambling to come take our order. Martin, on the other hand, rolled his eyes and came up calmly towards us, beating the waitresses to our table

“Well now, don’t you two look perfect for each other? On your first date?” he questioned innocently.

Both Ash and I blushed. I gave Martin a dirty look. He just winked at me.

“Umm, actually, no. I’m just treating my friend. I lost against her in a bet,” Ash said hesitantly. “We’re just friends.”

I felt a bit sad. Then I remembered. Right. As soon as I had met Ash, I already knew that he was out of bounds for me. I tried to clear my head. We’re just friends.

“Just friends?” Martin said, he handed two menus to both of us. There was a note for me on the first page in Martin’s handwriting.

‘He’s a good looker Herr. Remember, what counts is what’s on the inside, not the outside!’

I gave Martin a small smile.

“Well, not really just friends I guess. We’re very good friends,” Ashton smiled broadly at me.

Oh well, at least he acknowledges me as a ‘very good friend’.

Ashton read the menu. “I would like a frozen Greek yogurt parfait. Extra golden kiwis and absolutely no mangoes please and thank you. “

I looked at him in surprise. I was going to order the same thing. Except I was going to ask for extra golden kiwis and Australian strawberries as well. And the mango would’ve suited me just fine.

Apparently, Martin was kind of surprised as well. “That’s funny you know, because usually He-“

I nudged his foot and discreetly shook my head. He mustn’t know me and I mustn’t know him.

“-Henry, my nephew, he usually orders that as well. It’s his favorite,” Martin finished.

Ashton looked up, “Really? That’s my favorite as well!”

I gave Martin my order and he disappeared into the kitchen, menus under his arm.

“I thought mangoes were your favorite,” I told Ash.

“I hate mangoes. Greek yogurt’s my favorite,” he admitted. “But Jen seems to think she knows all my favorite things.”

“Really. I think mangoes are okay, but I like Australian strawberries and golden kiwis the best. Greek yogurt’s my favorite actually,” I said, a bit embarrassed.

“I know,” I heard Ashton say softly.

My head shot up, “Excuse me?”

He coughed, “Nothing. So what business did you have before coming here?”

I thought about my answer for a while, “I went shopping for new swimsuits and then I went to meet an old friend. She just returned from Paris and I haven’t seen her in a couple of months.” I furrowed my eyebrows, if I heard it properly; Ash was saying he knew what kind of frozen yogurt was my favorite.

“Oh… so who were the chick and dude with you just now?” he asked, playing with the napkin in front of him.

I raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

“Lunch time?”

“I told you, Raychel Kidd and Shane Lancaster,” I said.

“What did you mean by ‘your other halves’?” Ash asked, arching an eyebrow.

“I meant they’re my absolute best friends. I’ve known Shane since pre-school and Ray since third-grade,” I explained.

“Ahh… that’s more understandable,” Ash nodded his head.

“So I never really got to know more about you. Becky and Faith stole you from me,” Ash said jokingly, I think my ears turned red or something. Cause they felt really hot. “Why do you hate swimming so much?”

“I had a horrible experience when I was learning how to swim when I was really young,” I told him. “There was once, I jumped into the deep, adults’ pool without thinking. I was supposed to stick with Shane and stay in the kiddie pool, but somehow, I got separated from him. Anyway, I didn’t know how to swim, I was going to drown.”

“Did you?”

I shook my head. “There was this kid there. Although he was just a little older than me, he was a really good swimmer. He saved me. But I don’t know, after that, I hated swimming. And my rescuer just tormented me for the rest of the course of swimming lessons I took. I have no idea why, before my near experience with death, we were really good friends.”

“Maybe he was trying to make you mad at him so that you would get over your fear and prove that you can swim?” Ash suggested quietly. “I don’t know, kids have unpredictable minds you know.”

“I guess, but I really hated him back then. He made me miserable. I wonder where he is now though,” I added thoughtfully. “Probably living in a house with a pool and swimming for university or something.”

Ash shrugged. “Perhaps.”

“My turn to ask you stalker questions,” I said, sticking my tongue out at him.

He laughed. “All right, go ahead.”

Martin came over with our orders and set them on the table, “All right. Enjoy!”

“So,” I said, after a spoonful of frozen yogurt, “Are you and Jenny together or something?”

Ash made a face, “No way. What makes you think so?”

“She’s really into you. In case you didn’t know.”

“I know.”

“Someone’s a little egoistic.”

It was his turn now to stick out his tongue at me, “I am not. I mean, Jen’s always hovering around me and trying to get me to bring her out alone. Truth to be told, you’re the first girl I’ve brought out. Ever.”

My spoon paused in mid air. I was surprised.

“You’re kidding.”

Ash shook his head. “I’m not. Really.” He looked at me earnestly.

“Well, that’s surprising. I’d figured you were the type of guy who changes girlfriends every week,” I said.

“I’m hurt.”

“I was kidding.”

“Really?”

“I swear.”

“All right. I believe you.”

“So, why haven’t you brought other girls out before?” I asked, curious.

Ashton seemed to hesitate for a while before he answered me, looking into his parfait. “I guess cause you’re different. You’re not like most girls. Well, I guess I could say that I feel comfortable around you.”

“Thank you, I feel so touched,” I said, dramatically, putting my right hand over my heart. Ash chuckled.

I laughed with him. “So what were you doing before you came here? You looked like you ran all the way here.”

“Actually, I hurried all the way here so you wouldn’t have to wait too long,” Ashton said. “I was busy helping my mom sort out stuff at home. She says she has important people coming over or something.”

“I see…”

“So what’s in your life?”Ashton asked.

“Me?”

“Yeah. Any guy in your life? Or are you too much of an angel to even have a relationship?” he asked humorously.

“Nope, there’s no guy in my life. Never was one. Unless you count Shane, my best guy friend,” I told him. I wasn’t gonna tell him that I was a bit attracted to him. Never.

“Are you sure? You don’t even have a thing for anyone?” Ash asked me, mildly surprised.

“There was a kid once, when I was little. I kinda thought he was cute and nice,” I admitted. The kid was actually the kid who tormented me during swimming lessons ten years ago. I know, weird world huh?

“But that was ten years ago.”

“Oh really? What was his name?” Ashton asked.

I shook my head. “Truth to be told, I never even got his name. It was kind of a blind crush.”

-WRTINGMON! over and out