James walked me home again this afternoon. He said, he was afraid the same would happen to me and it got him worried.
"You can't just cross the street like that, Jade. You'll get yourself killed."
"I know, I know. But I don't know what happened. It felt like there was a string pulling me."
He sighed and looked at me intently. He was quiet for a second, thinking of thoughts private to him.
"I'm not crazy." I told him.
"I know you're not." He continued to look at me with concern. "You know I've known you since we were both in day care. We go way back."
What's he talking about? Why does he talk that way?
My lips pursed, finally realizing what's on his mind.
"No. I'm not suicidal, James! I will not throw myself into traffic like that. What're you talking about? Don't just assume things like that!"
"Assume what? I'm not assuming anything. I just thought you need a little looking after."
"I don't need looking after." I said, my speed picked up trying to leave him on my walk home. We were starting to attract attention and I don't want anyone mistaking us for a couple.
He was on me in just a few strides, his longer legs easily kept up and I felt frustrated having to deal with him, and my delusion of Augustine being an angel. "I'm just a little stress, there's a lot of things happening inside my head and I don't know what to make of them."
"Like what?" He asked.
I began to slow down, taking my time with each step as I recalled what happened that evening of the accident. "Remember that car crash in my neighborhood a few weeks ago?"
"Yes, I heard about it."
"W-well, I think I saw Augustine there."
I was careful not to say too much. Anything I say could be damaging. James might think I'm crazy.
"He probably lives around your neighborhood. No big deal."
"Yeah," I murmured agreeing. There's no point having this conversation with him. "I don't think he'd understand. So, I just let him walk me all the way to my house, making him think he's protecting me.
When I got back to my house, I was nearing exhaustion needing to lay down or take a nap. All that excitement at school today was enough to wear me out.
Rubbing my neck as I open the door to my bedroom when I felt the breeze from the window whipped by. I could've made sure my windows are shut and I never ever leave them open. Mom keeps the AC running all day. She'll yell at me for even doing this.
I ran inside and stopped dead on my tracks, my eyes widening. My bedroom had been broken into, but I didn't scream, because it was Augustine who sat on my window sill with one of his leg propped up. His dark beautiful wings hung loosely like it was another pair of limbs behind him. He was a magnificent sight.
I gasped breathless while he stared at me with shock. He yanked himself up abruptly, walking towards me so fast that I was prompted to step quick little steps back.
"You can see me?" He asked, his voice dropped with concern.
My eyes drifted to the span of his wings that dragged lightly to the floor. "Yes, I can see you clearly. You were at the accident collecting that man and you're the transfer student today at school."
"No, no, no….this is bad." He breathed, "you're not supposed to see me. Do you always see me?"
"Does it matter? I can keep a secret."
"I wish it was as easy like that. This is complicated, Jade."
Jade…
He said my name with a hint of guilt and desperation in his quiet voice.
"What's complicated? I swear to god, I'm not going to say anything."
"I know you won't but…" He sighed and before I know it, Augustine quickly gathered me with his wings and before I could take another breath, everything turned dark and I was out of it.