Page 8 of The Angel's Kiss
I was already wearing my pajamas under my winter clothes, so technically, I was already ready for bed. “Do I have to go to school? It’s my birthday.”
“Oh, you’re going to school and you better not get into any more trouble,” my mom said.
“You’re lucky if we even give you a birthday party after all the trouble you’ve been in,” my dad said.
I frowned. “It wasn’t my fault. Those kids are always picking on me. Am I just supposed to let them?” I asked. Because it was true, I’d been suspended once this school year for fighting, and it wasn’t my first time either. I had four suspensions on my record and one expulsion in the past two years. I was known as a troublemaker, but I didn’t think it was fair to call me that when I wasn’t ever the one to start the fight. I just finished them.
“Use your words and not your fists,” my mom said.
“My fists work better,” I mumbled as I removed my hat and scarf.
“What was that?” my mom asked.
“Nothing,” I replied quickly.
“Go to bed, Rai,” my mom ordered.
I nodded, then went to my bedroom and took off my coat, gloves, and boots. I tossed everything into the chair, and then climbed into bed and turned off the light. On my ceiling was a set of glow-in-the-dark pieces that made up the galaxy. Something I’d found fascinating since I’d been born on the night of a special comet. My wall was also decorated with posters of my favorite martial artists, some I found to be attractive.
Thinking boys were cute was one of the reasons other boys at school picked on me. That, and I knew a lot were jealous that I was also smart. “Wise beyond my years,” my mom had once told me. “Brawn and brains,” my dad had added. I think he secretly liked the fact that I fought for myself, whereas my mom didn’t like violence.
Still, I would never back down from a fight. Although, I had been behaving myself so far. I really wanted to have my birthday party this weekend. I’d been looking forward to that.
***
I stood in a field covered in charred bodies still smoldering. As I looked around, I felt happiness and pride in all of the destruction I’d caused. Buildings burned, flames licking out of windows as more people ran screaming in terror. I felt empowered by their fear, by their deaths. I stepped over the bodies, making my way to a fountain, and leaned over to wash my hands of the blood that covered them. In the water, I saw my reflection, and it wasn’t my own face looking back at me, but one of a gorgeous man with long, black hair and glowing indigo eyes.
My eyes opened and I gasped as I sat up in my bed, my heart raced as my chest heaved. Quickly, I turned on the light and looked around to make sure I was in my bedroom and not some terrifying battlefield from the past. I was and I breathed a sigh of relief. Why had that dream felt so real, like I was there? And why did I dream of something so horrible? I gripped my chestand took another deep breath before I turned off the light and lay back down.
“What was that?” I asked myself because I was alone.
I didn’t like it. That dream was too vivid, and why did I dream that I was a man I’d never seen before? No, I didn’t like it... but I forced myself to go back to sleep.
***
I came home from school to a stranger sitting in my living room speaking to my parents.
“Rai, come here, sweetie,” my mom said and I walked over to her and sat down on the sofa where she patted the cushion.
I took off my book bag and placed it on the floor and then looked at the stranger. There was something oddly familiar about him, like I’d seen him before, but couldn’t remember where or when. Was it in one of my dreams? Ever since my birthday, I had those vivid dreams every night. For a month, I dreamed of demons and angels fighting. I had even told my parents about it, but they just thought I had an overactive imagination. But something didn’t feel right. And now, a man who looked familiar from one of those dreams was in my house.
I swallowed hard because I was nervous. If he was real, then what about everything else I’d dreamed about? Or was he just someone I saw and then my mind put him into some of those crazy dreams? I just didn’t know.
“Rai, this is Mr. Morris. He is the Headmaster of the Stellar Academy,” my mom said, introducing us. She had a huge smile on her face.
“Hi,” I said and took in the man’s appearance. He was so handsome. Brown skin like mine, hazel eyes, his hair cut in a neat fade. And he had a trimmed beard and mustache. His suit was very stylish. I especially liked the fancy chain on his vest and tie as well as the jewel that replaced the top button of his shirt.He looked regal, like a king. His presence reminded me of how I saw him in my dream, but he was a warrior then. Fighting with a glowing blue sword and gun and kicking ass.
“Hello Rai,” he said in a voice that was deep and assertive. It made me sit up straighter. He also had an accent I couldn’t place.
“He’s here because he would like to admit you into their Academy,” my mom said and by the tone of her voice, I knew this was an opportunity she wouldn’t want me to waste.
I’d never heard of the school before, I had questions. “Why?” was the first one I asked. I was smart, true, but hardly at the top of my class. I was on the Honor Roll, but there were fifteen kids ahead of me.
Mr. Morris smiled. “We see the potential in you, Rai, and want to foster it. It’s not always about grades when you have so much more to offer.”
It was as if he was reading my mind. How did he know that I was thinking about my GPA? “Like what?” I asked.
“Sweetie, this is a great opportunity. Let’s not look gift horses in their mouths,” my mom said.
