Falling (The Falling Angels Saga) (9 page)

Despite wanting to spend the day with him, it was a school morning, and I had a big day ahead of me. Guy must have sensed that I had to leave because when I came out of the bathroom, he was gone. I was disappointed he hadn’t waited around, at least to say good bye, but at the same time, I was relieved. It would have been hard telling him I had to go.

I showered and dressed, singing the entire time. I can’t remember when’s the last time I’d burst into song, but that morning I did. When I got downstairs, sure enough, Chief Obi was still in our entryway. Thoughts of Tony and my mother arguing over him brought a smile to my face. They were a lot like Guy and me. A fun couple. I couldn’t wait to tell Suze that Guy was back. I was anxious for Guy to meet Tony. I knew they’d hit it off.

The last time I thought Guy had returned I chose not to tell Suze. But for some reason, I didn’t have the same fear as last time. I wasn’t afraid that Guy would up and leave.

When I got outside, Guy’s Mustang was sitting at the curb in front of the house. Guy was behind the wheel wearing a pair of sexy Ray Bans and a clean white tee.

“Taxi,” he called as I started up the walk.

Images of Orthon pushed their way into my thoughts. When I believed he was Guy, I had wondered why he’d chosen to ride a motorcycle instead of driving his own car. It was another signal that should have tipped me that he was an imposter.

I grinned at Guy and got in the car. “I hope you’ll accept a bus pass for my fare, ‘cause that’s all I got.”

“A bus pass isn’t quite enough for a taxi of this caliber,” Guy said, once again smiling his smile. “You’ll need to throw in something a little extra.”

“Like a school book?” I asked, making my voice sound very naive. I fastened my seatbelt.

“No. You’ll need your books for school. We’ll figure something out. Don’t worry about it,” he said, winking at me as he put the car in gear.

Our drive to school was the perfect time to catch him up on much of what had happened in my life during his absence. I’d forgotten what a great listener Guy could be. By the time we pulled into the school parking lot, I was certain I had bored him to death with talk of my actions over the last few months—but he needed to get caught up. I looked out the window at my fellow classmates entering the building, and my mood instantly darkened as thoughts of what I had to do came to light.

“What’s wrong?” Guy asked, sensing the change in me, his dreamy eyes softening.

I sighed. “I’m dreading telling Ashley that I’ve decided to run against her in the school election.”

“If you’re dreading it, maybe you shouldn’t run. You can still change your mind, can’t you?”

“Yes,” I said smiling. Guy always asked the right questions. “I’ve thought about it, and it feels right. Someone needs to give voice to the mathletes and others like them…. Like me.”

Guy lifted my chin. He was smiling into my eyes. “You can’t get everyone to like you, Megan. I know that’s what you want, but it doesn’t work that way in the mortal world.”

“Why not?” I said in a whiny voice. I rested my head on his shoulder. “That would make things so much easier.”

“It would,” he replied. “But actions have consequences. That’s how it is. If you do the right thing, you’re going to make enemies.” Still holding my chin, he kissed me gently on the lips. I went all gushy inside. “You’ll do just fine. Have a wonderful day.”

His words made me smile, and when I got out of the car, I was practically floating. I knew that despite the difficult conversations to come, with Guy’s kiss fresh on my lips, I was going to have a good day.

As I approached the locker area, I saw that Maudrina had already arrived. That brought me back to earth—
fast!
She was changing out books and hadn’t seen me approaching. At the sight of her, I wanted to turn around, go back outside and tell Guy to drive me away. Instead, I continued to my locker.

You’re going to have a good day… you’re going to have a good day… you’re going to have a good day…

She looked up when my locker banged open. “You’re here,” she said. Her face was filled with concern.

“I’m here.”
Although I wish I weren’t.

“I was so worried about you. I called you all night.”

I realized my battery must have died, and I’d forgotten to put my phone on the charger. “I didn’t know.” I took a breath. Time to apologize. “I’m fine. And I’m so, so sorry. I’d never knowingly do anything to hurt Aunt Jaz.” A knot formed in my chest.

“I know that. And so does Aunt Jaz. We don’t blame you. And if it makes you feel any better, she was up and about an hour after you left. She’s definitely going home today.” A sweet smile crossed her lips. “I knew she was better the moment she started complaining to the nurse about the food.”

We both laughed. The knot in my chest loosened. “She did?” I asked.

Maudrina nodded. “She asked the nurse if they made the food taste so bad so that people would want to go home sooner. She said if that was their plan, it definitely worked on her.”

“That’s our Aunt Jaz,” I said, picturing her laughing her boisterous laugh.

Maudrina’s eyes turned serious. “It’s because of you she’s better, Megan. It’s because of you we found the gris gris.”

“No, it isn’t.”

“Yes, it is! I thought badly about Erin just as you did. But I was so embarrassed that I suspected her, I would never have voiced it.”

“And I did,” I said darkly. “Seems I was wrong.”

“True. But that’s what led us to the gris gris.”

“And the gris gris led us to me.”

The first bell rang.

“No, finding the gris gris led us to saving Aunt Jaz. Don’t beat yourself up, Megan. We don’t blame you,” she repeated. “Stop blaming yourself.”

I took a deep, cleansing breath. She was right. Aunt Jaz was better, and they forgave me. No sense beating myself up over it. Besides, I had good news. With Guy watching over me I knew I’d never do anything like that again. “Let’s pick this up at lunch. I have something to tell you,” I said.

“Oh?” Maudrina said, concern spreading across her face.

“No, no. It’s a good thing. Very good,” I said with a big grin.

“Ooh, a surprise. I can’t wait.”

“Me, either.”

When we parted, I noticed there weren’t any knots in my shoulders, no lumps in my throat. I was smiling. So far, the day was turning out to be as good as I had hoped—of course, I hadn’t run into Ashley Scott or any of the Poplarati yet. But still.

I got to stat class early for a change. Tran and Jenny were both in their seats, but neither seemed to notice me.
The silent treatment.
This passive aggressive behavior was usually a girl-on-girl thing. I felt if Tran were participating in the silent treatment, Jenny had put him up to it.

When class ended, Tran and Jenny hurriedly packed their things to make a quick escape. Not once during class had Tran glanced back in my direction. Weeds of anger sprouted within me.
Why are they treating me the way they don’t want anyone to treat them?
I started taking deep breaths. Anger was a sure-fire way to bring out my dark side. I needed to keep it under wraps. I blew out my anger in a breathy sigh.

I wanted to tell them I’d changed my mind about running, but by the time I’d gathered my things, they were gone. As I looked up and down the corridor hoping to spot them, I again felt the anger weeds trying to dig in.
Maybe I shouldn’t run for office. It’d serve them right.

“No,” I said softly. I shouldn’t follow their lead.

As I approached my French classroom, I could see Ashley, Heather, and several other girls gathered outside the classroom door. Heather spotted me coming their way and pointed. Ashley looked up and narrowed her eyes. My moment of truth was at hand.

Today’s going to be a good day
, I again told myself and smiled as I walked up to them.

“Okay, Megan. I’m beginning to feel you’ve been lying to me.” Ashley’s arms were folded across her chest. Her eyes, like lasers, burned into me. I could feel the heat.

No sense going for the dumb act—
Lying? Lying about what?

All that would do was delay the inevitable. Time to fess up.

“I haven’t been lying to you, Ashley.” The girls with Ashley were all well dressed, all staring at me with looks that could kill.

“You still haven’t withdrawn!” she shrieked, talking with her hands. She took a menacing step toward me.

“I know. I’ve… I’ve changed my mind.” I nearly swallowed the last word, but now that it was out, it actually felt good.

Ashley’s expression went from one of anger to total befuddlement. “WHAT?”

“Told you,” Heather limned.

Ashley moved in closer, invading all my personal space. The other girls closed in around me. If it was meant to intimidate, it worked. Forget what I thought about feeling good. They were frightening me, and it did not feel good!

“I figured what’s the harm in a little friendly competition. Right?” I was smiling, even though I was trembling on the inside. “I mean—” She held up a hand, silencing me.

“First off, there’s no such thing as
friendly
competition. Whoever told you that is a bigger idiot than you are. Secondly, there is no competition when it comes to you and me. Do you really think you can compete with
me
?” She laughed. It was a derisive laugh that put nasty smiles on the other girls’ faces. Heather was nodding, as if it were about time Ashley had finally put me in my place.

The anger rose inside me like Old Faithful about to blow. I didn’t want to blow, but as usual, the anger came up out of nowhere, and my ears literally began to burn as I struggled to hold it in. I stroked my earlobes with my thumbs and forefingers to release the heat. Yet I knew restraining myself was a losing battle. The ugly words were gathering in my mind like a swarm of killer bees about to spew forth from my lips in an all-out verbal assault.

“Hey Megan, what’s up?”

The familiar voice from behind froze my thoughts. It was as if my mind had gone into suspended animation.

“Hope I’m not interrupting anything important.” Guy walked up and wrapped his arms around me from behind. He rested his chin atop my head, looking at Ashley and the others with what I’m sure was his patented smile.

“Guy Matson,” said Ashley. Her voice was flat and emotionless. But no girl can resist Guy’s charms for long. “When did you get back in town?” She was smiling now. They all were. Ashley’s was a saccharine smile, as if there were still a bad taste in her mouth.

The anger within me retreated as quickly as it had arrived.
Thank you, Guy.

“You’re looking good,” Heather said, looking him up and down as she turned up her flirt. “You must be workin’ out.”

“Uh-oh. I think my head just swelled up and exploded,” replied Guy. With their claws safely put away, the girls burst into airy laughter.

The first bell rang.

“We can finish this after class,” said Ashley, flashing me a meaningful gaze.

“Actually, Megan and I have a little catching up to do. She might miss class today,” Guy said with what I’m sure was his bad boy smirk. The girls all shot him conspiratorial smiles.

“No problem,” said Ashley, still eyeing me. “We’ll pick it up another time.”

“Absolutely,” I replied.

*

“You came right on time. I believe I was about to unleash hurricane Megan on her.” We were standing in our kissing stairwell. We weren’t there for kissing this time.

Guy had rescued me just as my dark side was about to put in an appearance. “I know,” he said.

I suddenly got the strangest feeling. “Were you following me?”

“Of course not.” He seemed outraged.

“Then how did you just happen to show up right on time?”

“I didn’t just happen to show up.” He ran a hand through his hair. Instead of smoothing it down he mussed it up, which looked incredibly sexy. “Although I’m not your Guardian anymore, it appears I’m still tuned in to you. I sensed something bad was about to happen and… here I am.” He stroked the side of my face with the back of his hand.

Guy’s being tuned in to me was either incredibly creepy or incredibly sexy. I found it to be a turn-on. “Thank you,” I said. I moved closer to him. “My hero.”

It was the perfect time for him to kiss me, but instead, he pulled back just a little. “Megan, I can keep Satan out of your dreams, but I can’t keep you from using your abilities. That’s up to you.”

“I know,” I said, realizing how close I’d come to doing something horrible. “It came up out of nowhere.”

“You must control it!” The words rushed from his lips, filled with anguish. I knew it was because he feared losing me. I found that to be incredibly sexy as well.

“I will.” I wanted to put his mind at ease, but the truth was I didn’t know if I could control the anger. It always seemed to spring up out of nowhere, like a summer rain shower, coming on without warning.

“When he came last night, he made no effort to get past me,” Guy said, his voice dropping.

A chill came over me at the mention of Satan showing up in my bedroom.

“He will try to get to you in other ways now. I wish I could tell you it was over, but it isn’t, not yet.”

I was overcome with a feeling of despair. I buried myself in his arms, and he held me close. “Will it ever be?” I moaned.

“Yes, of course. But he’s got a lot invested in you. He’s not going to give up without a fight. But we will defeat him.”

I rested my head on his chest. He kissed the top of my head, allowing his lips to linger in my hair. I had wanted to believe that when Satan didn’t enter my dreams, the worst was behind me. I wanted to believe that since Guy was back, all that was wrong in my world had been made right. Now I had to fight the despair that threatened to sink me. I needed to cling to the belief that our love would win out.

“It’s going to be a good day,” I said softly into his chest.

“It’s already a good day. Any day you’re in my arms is the best day ever,” Guy replied.

I couldn’t deny that. “The best day ever,” I repeated.

*

I ditched the rest of the day and hung out with Guy. I hadn’t ditched class since bad boy Guy had enticed me to. That seemed so long ago, now. Ditching today was the smart move. Ashley wasn’t finished with me. If I ran into her again during the day, there was no telling what I might do.