Emma seemed firmly planted in her belief that I was being too hard on Gabriel. That I was putting him up on some pedestal just so I could bitch when he didn't live up to the hype. In a way she’s right. I suppose in calling him the night before I did hope he would screw up because then it would justify what I already believed.
“Holy shit! You're in this class too?”
Looking up, my eyes instantly lock on the clearest set of eyes I've ever seen. The same one’s I’d almost gotten lost in the day before.
“Looks like it. I guess I know what you're going to need to be caught up in.”
He smiled and I watch as it makes its way up to his eyes. They seem brighter in comparison to the way they appeared a minute before, making him even more perfect. Can he really be as flawless as he seems?
“Uggh.”
“That's a promising sound, considering the class hasn't even started yet.”
He laughs and again the light seems to glow in his eyes, making my insides turn to mush.
“I was going to ask you something, but no matter how I say it, it's gonna sound like a line.”
I’m not sure how, but I knew what he was going to ask. Considering our current conversation there is only one thing that could be asked that could sound like a pickup line.
“Hey sexy, what's your major?” I ask with a wink, laughing at the cheesiness of it all. I have no idea what’s gotten into me but whatever it is, I like it. It’s the first time in forever that I’m having a normal conversation like a regular girl. It’s exhilarating.
“Yeah that's the one. You nailed it. Though if I said it, it would have been a little different.”
He had my attention now. “How so?”
Leaning in as close as he could, his lips a mere breath away from mine, he began to speak.
“So beautiful, what do you want to be when you grow up?”
From his breath on my face, heating me from the outside in, to the deep baritone of his voice, I was done. Completely and utterly done. I realize I’m inexperienced with all things guy, but just from those few words my body was prepared to attach itself to his and not let go.
Before I had a chance to respond he moved back and was comfortably back in his seat. I knew it belonged to a classmate of mine, but the minute he took the seat I hoped he wouldn't be asked to move. I was like a woman possessed. I wanted to keep him near me and I had no idea where it was coming from. This isn't like me at all.
“Well, isn’t he a delicious morsel of a man! The things I would let him do to me!”
Oh shit! This could not be happening right now. Not when things had been going so well and I felt normal for the first time in years. Silently I pleaded for the spirit to screw off and leave me alone before I ended up making a fool of myself.
“You could just eat off that chest! Whatever that smell is coming off of him, it's heavenly.”
“Go away!” I seethed, my irritation clearly evident.
“What’s that?” Ryan asks, his voice like a beacon, calling my attention straight to it and away from the problematic spirits I found myself saddled with.
He heard me. Shit, now I had to do damage control.
“Huh?”
“You said something. I thought maybe you said it to me.”
Smiling weakly, I kept up with my plan. “I didn't say anything, maybe you just wanted me to.”
“Touché.” he responded with a smile. “You just might be right about that.”
He winked, causing my breath to catch. If I hadn't gotten the hint before now, there is no longer any doubt. He’s definitely flirting with me.
The minute he looked away, I allowed myself the chance to exhale. The professor chose that moment to walk into the classroom and as I prepared myself to focus on the lesson, Ryan leaned over to me, his lips so close I could feel his breath on my ear.
“It's okay,” he whispers. “I hear them too.”
Gabriel
As I wait for Grahams answer, I began to feel it. The pull within me. I am being summoned back home. Father knew what I was up to and is pulling me home to lecture me. My wings began receding back in, causing me a sharp measure of pain as they did. I had a minute, two at best before I vanished from the room completely and away from the one human that could help me.
“What's happening to you man? You're fading in and out.”
I know what he is seeing. It is reminiscent of what a television viewer sees when their channel begins freezing. I am cutting in and out. He had to know that my time was drawing to an end. Which meant that I now had a timetable for his answer. I couldn't sit around and talk him through it anymore. He has to decide here and now, before I vanished because I had no idea if I would be able to return.
“Will you do it? Will you help Serenity?”
He seemed to think it over, his eyes facing the table and his mouth frozen in a straight thin line. The lines in his forehead were creased, giving the matter his utmost attention.
“I'm afraid I don't have much time, Graham. So before I vanish, will you be my vessel to help Serenity?”
As the lower portion of my body began to transport away, he looked up from the table, his face giving away nothing and he spoke, giving me the answer I so desperately needed.
“Yes.”
The pull overwhelmed me and before I knew it, I felt myself in flight. Before I had the time to adjust to Graham’s answer and how I was going to explain it to Father, I landed rather harshly on the ground. I was officially home.