Feathers (11 page)

             
I started to say something to it, but was interrupted by the bell ringing.  By me, Sean shook his head.  “I guess we should be getting to class now.  I don’t think getting a write up would be good for either of us.” He said, smiling a little at me.  The mood suddenly felt a bit lighter.

             
“Sure.” I said, getting up.  I watched as he quietly gathered his books and stood up beside me.  Honestly, I felt so unsure now.  I couldn’t deny that I really wanted to know him now, but I also felt like I was going to be using him at this point if I tried.

             
Sean looked around for a moment, then back at me.  “Would you mind if I walked you to class?” he asked.

             
I couldn’t help but smile then.  I betted he’d been making sure that Raziel wasn’t there.  “Sure.  Let’s go.” I agreed.  This couldn’t hurt anything to allow him that much, right?

             
I knew people were looking as the two of us walked down that hallway from the library, but somehow, I couldn’t make myself care all at once.  Instead, I kept myself close to him while I could.  It was odd really.  Somehow, it just felt like home now being there with him.  But as we reached my classroom, Sean stopped at the door.  “I guess I’ll see you around Mia.  Thank you for speaking to me again.” He said quietly, though I could see the small smile playing on his face.  He seemed genuinely happy.

             
I felt myself smile back.  “Sure.  Maybe we can talk again soon.” I said.  I turned to go into the classroom, but suddenly, something else came into my mind.  “Hey Sean?” I said, turning back around to face him again.

             
“Yes?” Sean answered.

             
“Do you… think I’d use you?” I couldn’t help but ask softly.

             
But he only smiled softly at me.  And what he told me would haunt me for the rest of the day.

             
“It wouldn’t matter.”

Nine

              I came home that afternoon with a lot on my mind.  A part of me had been debating throughout the entire drive on stopping in on Michael at his office to talk, but in the end, I just found that I couldn’t do it.  Parking the car in the driveway, I sat there for a moment to collect myself.  I felt so confused now.  After that conversation with Sean, I couldn’t help it.  Just what did it mean to break someone’s mind?  Was I really going to end up using him now?  In a way, it thoroughly bothered me.  I didn’t want to use anybody or make them like me.  And now, I couldn’t help but wonder if that was how things would be for the rest of my life with others.

             
I was so lost in thought that I didn’t even notice the other car in the driveway at first.  But when I finally got myself out, I realized that I had parked right by it.  I couldn’t help but sigh.  It was the Lexus.  Raziel was obviously there.  Gathering myself, I grabbed my things and headed inside.

             
Raziel himself was laid out on the couch in the den, playing a video game.  I stood there for a moment before walking over and bending over the back of the couch to face him.  “What do you think you’re doing?” I asked him.

             
“What does it look like?  I was playing a game.” Raziel said, pausing it to face me.

             
“So you just let yourself into Michael’s house to play a game that you could’ve just taken to your house?” I said, walking over to set my bag by the arm chair.

             
Raziel just smiled.  “No.  I was actually bored waiting for you all this time.  Why’d you decided to take a whole day anyways?  You could’ve skipped too.” He said, sitting up.

             
“I’m not skipping school Raziel.  Besides, I happen to like it, thank you very much.” I said, crossing my arms as I sat beside him.

             
Raziel shrugged.  “I guess.  I just thought it would be boring on the first day back from break.” He said, laying back again.

             
“So have you heard anything from Anna yet?  I was wondering if she was feeling better.” I said.

             
“Not yet.  But she usually calls me when her parents aren’t around.” Raziel answered, resuming his game.

             
“Why?” I asked. 

             
“Well, her dad kind of doesn’t like me.” Raziel admitted.

             
Now this I did not know.  Neither had mentioned it before.  “What’d you do?  You must have done something.” I guessed.

             
“No.” Raziel answered.  “That guy’s just a jack ass.  He’s never even met me and he hates me, just because I happen to be Raphael Renaldi’s son.”

             
I felt myself blink with that one.  “Just because your Raphael’s son?”

             
“Yep.  Calvin Smith hates my dad for whatever reason.  I think it was because he drove his business down or something.  I can’t remember exactly.  Anyways, he didn’t want Anna to have anything to do with me after we first met, but it’s not like she had to listen.  We can always meet in school and in private.  The old man will just have to get over it eventually.” Raziel explained.

             
Well, this was indeed something that I’d had no idea of.  But then again, maybe I should have expected something like that somewhere down the lines.  After all, people with a lot of money often had people who didn’t like them for really any reason at all.  And given the shrewd business man Raphael was, it was possible that he’d caused trouble for someone else’s business if he found it unethical or impractical.

             
My evening ended up passing with Raziel as a guest.  The two of us hung out for most of it just doing whatever.  When Michael returned home, Raphael also came with him.  I supposed he must have known that Raziel was there.  I was lucky enough then to hear his thoughts to Raziel about him skipping school that day as well.  It was funny how Raphael never had to raise his voice to get his point across.  He simply told him how irresponsible such actions were, and that he wasn’t bailing him out if he let his grades slip.  Raziel actually seemed a bit remorseful after that one, though he’d never have admitted it out loud.  When it really came down to it, Raziel carried a deep respect for his father.  Him and Raphael were really very close.

             
After my shower that night, I settled myself into my room and decided to just relax with a book.  But I found that I couldn’t really concentrate on the pages.  Instead, my mind was wandering back to earlier that day.  While Raziel had been there, I really hadn’t had time to think about all of it.  But now that I was alone, all the thoughts were there.  All the what ifs that had been swimming thru my mind.  I really didn’t know if I had reason to truly worry, but I did anyways.  Guess old habits do die hard after all.  I was a born worrier in the end.

             
I eventually did make myself lay down and try to sleep, and I did manage to drift off.  I heard my door open a few hours later in my haze of being half asleep, but a part of me knew that it was only Michael.  I heard him walk over, and felt him gently stroke my hair back.  “Goodnight Mia.” I heard him whisper.  Then he gently kissed my forehead and left.  I couldn’t help but sigh and turn over after the door was closed again.  Now I felt comforted again.

             
It was nearly one in the morning though when I suddenly found myself waking up again.  I had the distinct feeling that something was looking at me from the window over my bed.  Sitting myself up, I rubbed my eyes and looked.  To my surprise, I saw a very large animal sitting on the sill outside.  It was flowing silver in the moonlight, and I was immediately reminded of the dream I’d had weeks before.  But looking at the golden eyes, I sighed in realizing that this was Sean.  So this was what Michael meant by a giant fox.  He really was being literal.  Though he had startled me, I didn’t feel threatened at all now.  Instead, I slowly moved up and opened the window.  As long as it was opened from the inside, the alarm wouldn’t go off.  The fox quickly hopped down onto the bed with me.  “I guess you wanted to visit now, huh?” I said, sitting back against the headboard and watching him.

             
Sean transformed back and pulled the blanket over his waist to keep himself covered.  “I didn’t think you’d mind, and you did let me in.” he said, smiling at me.

             
“And give me one good reason why I shouldn’t start screaming now.” I challenged.

             
“You can if you want, but I’ll just run away.  Besides, it’s not like I really care much what Michael does to me now.  I rather enjoy pushing my luck as it is.” Sean replied.

             
I couldn’t help but sigh.  “Fine.  But seriously Sean, couldn’t you have brought some clothes with you?  This feels very weird.” I said.  I couldn’t believe I was being so calm about all of this.  Maybe I just wasn’t letting myself because I actually feared my father killing him for this one.

             
Sean shrugged.  “Normally I would have, but I was in a hurry tonight.  And to be completely honest, I needed a place to crash for a few hours as well.  A dog’s been running around out there, and I’m not one to take it on.” He admitted.

             
“A dog?” I said flatly.  Surely he wasn’t scared of someone’s dog.

             
But Sean easily seemed to catch my drift.  “I don’t mean an ordinary dog.  I mean a demon dog.  They come around the human realm from time to time, and it’s best to avoid them when they do.  Besides, dogs and foxes aren’t exactly the types to get along.  I’m sure you’d realize that.” He explained.

             
I just sighed.  “Okay.  Seriously, I’m not even going to ask anymore.  I never knew there was this much weird stuff in the world, and I think I would’ve preferred not to know half of it now.” I told him.

             
“I’ll take it you had no idea of your heritage after all.  How strange though.  I never would’ve thought Michael would be one to keep his own daughter in the dark.” Sean said.

             
“He just wanted to protect me.  It’s not like I came from the best place you know.” I said.

             
“Yes.  I understand.” Sean agreed.  “Don’t get me wrong.  I respect your father very much.  After all, if it wasn’t for him, my mother certainly wouldn’t have the normal life she does now.  Honestly, if it wasn’t for me, she’d probably be much better off.”

             
At that, I had to look at him.  He actually looked pretty remorseful as he sat there with his chin on his hand.  “Sean, you know that’s not true.” I said softly.

             
“No.  I’m sure it is.  I was born an abomination.  The ones like me always are.  That’s why we’re so rare anyways.  We’re ostracized from both worlds in the end.” Sean admitted.

             
“But that doesn’t change that you’re still loved and cared for.  If you weren’t, I don’t think your mom would’ve been so desperate to save you after what happened with me.” I reasoned.  I could recall Sara very well from that day.  She’d been so scared.  I could see it in her eyes.  She wanted to save her son, but she wasn’t even sure of how.  So she’d begged and pleaded for him to be forgiven.

             
Sean still didn’t look at me though.  “You really think so?” he asked.

             
“Of course I do.  Trust me, I know about real love when it comes to a parent.  I see it whenever I see my dad.  Especially where I came from.” I admitted.   Couldn’t help but look down as I said it though.  I knew how much Michael loved me.  He’d been so good to me through all of this.  My mother and grandmother may not have cared much, but he did.  He loved me so much.

             
I could feel Sean looking at me now.  Somehow, I had this distinct feeling that he was puzzled now.  “If you don’t mind me asking, why exactly did you move up here so quickly with him?  I had heard through the grape vine before that you only spent summers here before, yet you came here on Christmas Eve.  There must have been a reason for you to do such so suddenly.” He finally said.

             
I couldn’t help but sigh on that one.  “My mom and grandmother.  I… lived with them in Florida up until then.  But my grandmother kicked me out that afternoon.  She met me at the door and gave me a ticket to come up here and live with Michael.” I explained quietly.

             
“I see now.” Sean said softly.  To my surprise, I felt him reach over and brush some of my hair back.  “So you are damaged as well.”

             
“Very funny.” I muttered, pushing his hand away.

             
It didn’t seem like it bothered him though.  “I wouldn’t joke about such a thing.  After all, I can understand what it feels like to not belong anywhere.  Besides, I didn’t come here to argue either.  I simply came because I wanted to be close, as I’ve done for a while now.  And also, I wanted to keep the promise I will be making.” He said.

             
“Promise?” I said, making myself look back up.

             
Sean just smiled, moving closer and laying his forehead on mine.  I had no idea why I didn’t push him away.  Guess I was just memorized by the closeness.  “I know you don’t believe me, but I do care about you.  I will never let any harm come to you.  And I will do anything in this world and all the others to protect you and keep you happy with me.” He whispered.

             
I felt myself blush a little, but I couldn’t pull myself away.  “Sean?” I whispered.

             
But he just smiled as he pulled back and faced me.  “I promise that I will remain with you for as long as I can.  I know my truth now, and why I’ve been so drawn to you ever since the night I first saw you.  I’m in love with you Mia Renaldi. And I will do anything to prove that to you.” He promised.

             
Now one would’ve thought this would completely freak me out, or that I’d doubt him.  But I found that I was more then relieved.  For whatever reason, I believed him.  I knew he wasn’t lying.  I smiled back, closing my eyes and leaning against him a little more.  “Will you stay by me then?” I asked softly.

             
Sean just chuckled, finally pulling back again to face me after a few moments.  “Of course.” He replied.  “But we’ll have to be careful about all of this too for now.  I may have to leave quickly tonight as well.”

             
“That’s okay.  You can stay in fox form if you want.  It doesn’t bother me.” I agreed.

             
With that, he quickly transformed back.  As he laid himself down beside me, I curled up against him.  His fur was actually really soft, and the quiet movement of his breathing eventually lulled me into a comfortable sleep.  I’d end up sleeping against him for the rest of the night.

             
It was one of the most comfortable sleeps I’d ever had.