Feathers (14 page)

             
“I guess.  But I think you’d better ask Michael first.  You’re still not one of his favorite guys, and he’s pretty protective.” I said.

             
“Of course.  But I’m not too concerned about it.” Sean assured me.

             
It was shortly after that when he took me back home.  But as we pulled up, I cringed a little.  Raziel was there as well.  Apparently, he’d decided to just let himself in again.  This was really nothing unusual for him now, but I worried about what was coming when he realized who I’d been out with.  Still, I decided that it was better just to break the news to him then.  He was going to find out that Sean was taking me to the Prom eventually.  And if I really thought about it, he believed it already.  I never had told him the truth about those rumors.

             
“Hey, do you want to come in for a minute?” I asked as Sean parked the Jeep.

             
“If you don’t think there will be too much trouble.” Sean said, glancing at Raziel’s car.

             
“Don’t worry about it.  I can handle him.” I assured him.

             
If I was completely honest about it all, I wasn’t that sure about handling Raziel.  But I was determined to try.  Walking in, I could hear the TV playing in the den.  Going in there, I saw Raziel laid out on the couch.  “Hey.” I said.

             
“I was going to ask if you were out taking a walk or something, but I can feel that fox with you over there.” Raziel said, not bothering to move to look at us.

             
“Hello to you too Raziel.  I’ll take it you enjoy lounging at your uncle’s home.” Sean commented, crossing his arms.

             
“Mi casa es tu casa.  That’s what he’s always said.” Raziel replied.  He finally sat up and looked over at him.  “You know I don’t like it.  What the hell makes you think you can take Mia to the Prom?”

             
“I asked, and she accepted my invitation.  I don’t see where it’s hurting anything.” Sean said.

             
“You’re not like us.  You’re a fox.” Raziel told him.

             
“Actually, the correct term would be half breed fox.” Sean replied.

             
“Still a fox.” Raziel countered.

             
I sighed, moving to make sure I was between the two.  By then, Raziel had gotten himself up and walked over there to face him.  “Come on guys.  That’s enough.  Raziel, I invited Sean here as a guest.  Please don’t start trouble already.” I said.

             
Raziel crossed his arms, looking away.  “Still a damn fox.” He muttered.

             
I sighed, looking back at Sean.  But he didn’t seem too bothered by all of it.  “Sean, I’m sorry.” I apologized anyways.

             
“Don’t worry about it.  Perhaps it would be better if I got back now.  I wouldn’t want to start too much trouble, and I don’t want to leave my mother too long yet.” Sean said, giving me a gentle smile.

             
“All right.  I’ll show you out.” I said softly.  I felt defeated at that point.  I had the feeling that Raziel wasn’t ready to budge on this one.

             
And I would be right.  As soon as I walked back in, Raziel was on me.  “Okay, I’ll admit that I didn’t believe it before.  But seriously Mia, you really said yes to that guy?” he asked.

             
“Michael said I could go with who I want Raziel.  Besides, I don’t think Sean’s going to cause anymore trouble.  He’s been very nice to me.” I told him.

             
“You just don’t know about things like him, that’s all.” Raziel countered.

             
I couldn’t help but sigh.  “Raziel, listen to me.  You and Anna will be there.  There will be a lot of other kids.  Not to mention both our dads will be watching the whole thing like hawks.  Do you really think Sean would try something that stupid?” I asked him.

             
Raziel seemed to think it over for a moment.  He was probably considering my words now.  And when I really thought about it too, there really was nothing to worry about.  There would be many, many eyes on all of us in this.  “I guess you’re right.  But seriously, does Michael know about this?” he finally asked.

             
“Not yet.  I guess I’ll have to tell him tonight.  But I can’t see where he wasn’t expecting it anyways.  He sure did act like it the other day.” I said.  I recalled that conversation very well.  Michael had even commented on how Sean hadn’t been in school and what a pity it was.  And knowing my dad, that held many meanings.  Michael wasn’t really one to care much for someone being absent like that if it didn’t affect us.

             
“He’s probably planning something with this.  Maybe he’s making Sean repay a debt or something.” Raziel mused.

             
I honestly didn’t want to think that one, though Raziel might have been right.  Even that night as I took a shower, I couldn’t help but think about it.  I hadn’t had the courage to ask Michael about it though.  Even though I’d told him that Sean had asked me, I didn’t ask him whether some of it may have been forced.  Michael hadn’t said too much to it really.  He’d been pleasant enough, yet I detected something under it all.  A part of me wondered if maybe I’d been wrong about the choosing whomever I wanted.  Maybe he didn’t trust Sean so much after all.

             
Stepping out, I dried my hair and stood in front of the mirror for a moment, studying my reflection.  I honestly couldn’t see why people said I was so pretty.  I didn’t think so at all.  But as I stood there, I couldn’t help but reflect on everything that had happened since I’d come back there.  I turned around and looked at my shoulders.  They looked the same though.  I couldn’t help but wonder when my time would come.  Everyone else in this family had their wings now.  Raziel had gotten his. But I showed no signs of it.  I couldn’t help but wonder why.

             
I ended up barely sleeping that night for the thoughts clouding my mind.  But even as the sun dawned the next morning, I couldn’t help but have a foreboding feeling.  Something was coming.  I was sure of it.

Twelve

              The month passed quickly, and before I knew it, the weekend of the Prom had arrived.  If I said I wasn’t nervous over all of it, I would’ve been lying.  In fact, I ended up spending half that Saturday morning in bed hiding.  It took my aunt Gabrielle to pull me out when she got to the house at eleven.  I guess my dad didn’t have the heart to do it himself.  But Gabrielle knew me too well.  I’d hide in there all day if I had the chance.  And she’d already made the plans for me to get ready.  I heard her tell Michael the week before that she wanted to do this.  Gabrielle couldn’t have children, so she had always delighted in spoiling and Raziel.  My Prom would be like her own daughter’s as far as she was seeing it.

             
Anyone who says Prom for a girl isn’t work though is a liar.  I could definitely say that one after spending all that time getting ready.  Thankfully, I’d gotten my dress two weeks before.  That was probably the easiest part, just slipping that on.  I thought it was kind of cute myself.  It was pink with black ties.  The best part of this dress was that I had designed it.  I’d always liked doing dress designs, and Michael offered to let me have one made for this.  It turned out just as I pictured, and I couldn’t help but smile as I stood in front of the mirror.  I was finally getting used to the contacts too, which felt like a plus in my favor as well.

             
Near me, Gabrielle sat on my desk chair and watched me.  “Looks like it turned out to be a perfect fit.” She commented.

             
“I’m glad.  I was worried I might gain weight or something before this.” I admitted.

             
“I doubt you’d gain that much weight in two weeks dear.” Gabrielle laughed.

             
I couldn’t help but laugh myself.  I actually felt like I was in a pretty good mood by then.  I was even forgetting who I was going with at the time.  “So, you think I look okay then?” I asked, studying myself one more time in the mirror.

             
“You look perfect.” Gabrielle assured me.  She got up and walked over behind me, pulling my hair back.  “Though I still think you should’ve had them pull your hair back.”

             
“I don’t like it pulled back.  I look weird.” I complained.

             
“You’re your father’s daughter.  You both are far too stubborn.” Gabrielle said.

             
Well, she had a point there.  Michael and I were both as stubborn as mules most of the time when it came to the things we wanted with ourselves.  But I had always preferred my hair down and long.  It really didn’t look bad either.  They’d put some flowers in it, and braided the sides with pink and black ribbon to match my dress.  Honestly, I couldn’t complain much about my appearance then.  In fact, I felt more beautiful then I had my entire life.

             
Still, it felt a little embarrassing for me to make my grand appearance.  I couldn’t say things were unpleasant, but I was still a very shy person at heart.  And, as always with the Prom stuff, all eyes were on the girls.  Raziel and Anna had also stopped by there, so the two of us were the ones everyone looked at.  Anna looked absolutely beautiful.  Really, I’d always thought she was pretty before.  But in her red dress and with her hair and make up done up professionally, she was practically radiant.  Of course, her personality also added to that.  I had to wonder though if her father had even seen her.  Raziel had said that he was angry over her going to the Prom with him.  It made me a little sad to think that the man would shun his own daughter on such a special night.  Especially given that my own father was very, very proud of me for this night.  But I tried to push it to the back of my mind.  Like I said, this was a special night.  It wasn’t a time to worry over all the little things.

             
It was kind of funny really, but when I came down those stairs, I could’ve sworn I saw Sean’s eyes get a little bigger for a split second.  It was a look I’d never seen him have before then.  But it was so quick that I couldn’t really take it in.  Sean had a very calm nature to him when it came down to it.  I’d learned that easily in that last month since we’d really gotten to know each other.  Sean had used the Prom thing as an excuse to be close to me whenever he wanted during the day.  And beings Raziel couldn’t really argue it, the excuse worked.  Sean had slowly integrated himself into our lives.  It was amazing to me how easily I was able to get along with him now as well.  In a way, it was like coming home to someone.  And though he was supposed to be so different from me, I found that he really wasn’t in the end.

             
The Prom itself was a big deal in our small town.  I guess things like that typically are when you aren’t living in tourist meccas.  Most of the kids went all out, and there were a lot of limos.  Our Prom was held at the small inlet.  There was a main building that was used for the dance itself, though people tended to spill out into various places.  I can’t say how many comments I ended up getting on my dress.  I don’t think there was a soul there who didn’t notice it.  Guess that’s what one gets when they want to be unique.

             
After staying inside for a while, Sean and I slipped out to the nearby deck.  Thankfully, there wasn’t anyone else there, though we could hear the music pretty clear still.  “This turned out to be a nice night after all.” Sean commented as we sat down on the side bench.

             
“Yeah.  It’s nice out here though, away from all those people.” I admitted.  I smoothed out my dress a little.  As much as it pained me to admit it, I actually felt pretty now.

             
“And to think, I wasn’t even planning on this six months ago.  I honestly thought I’d just be running around the woods or something on this night.” Sean said.

             
I watched him as he sat back and looked up at the hanging lights.  He actually looked pretty peaceful now.  “So Sean, I was wondering about something.” I said, deciding to take my chance.

             
“Sure.  What is it?” Sean asked, looking back over at me.

             
“I know this is probably a terrible thing to ask, but I have to know.  Did you ask me to this just because you wanted to, or were you kind of forced?” I asked him.

             
Sean shrugged.  “I kind of expected that one.  In all honesty, it was kind of half and half.” He answered.

             
“Half and half?” I repeated.

             
“Well, I had wanted to ask you before.  I’d wanted an excuse to do something with you, and the Prom seemed like a good enough one.  But considering what had happened before, I feared pressing my luck too much.  I didn’t really care much about what happened to me per say, but I did worry about my mother and what it would put her through.  Not to mention I worried about giving you any guilt over my selfish actions.” Sean explained.

             
“So Michael did end up forcing you into it.” I guessed.

             
“No.” Sean replied.  “I actually approached him with it the week before, right after my mother had gotten sick.  I’d decided to go ahead and see what he’d say if I came clean about it.  I don’t think my mother was too happy over me doing it, but at that point, I felt like I was only torturing myself with dwelling on the what ifs.  So I went to Michael’s office and we spoke in private.  But when I told him that I wanted to do this, he put a bit of a stipulation on me.  He told me if I wanted to do this and claimed to care so deeply for you, then I’d have to prove my worth in keeping my word on protecting you.  And if I let anything happen to you, he’d kill me himself.”

             
Okay, so that did sound like a threat Michael would make.  Especially given what I’d seen when Sean tried to attack me before.  I had the distinct feeling that if things hadn’t turned out like they had, he probably would have killed Sean.  “So I guess that’s why you started coming around more afterwards too, huh?” I said.

             
“That was part of it.  But also, I saw good chances there too.  And I think it’s been good for both of us.  We’ve gotten to know each other better.”  Sean told me.  I followed his gaze to the nearby building and watched some of the kids roaming around and talking by the doors.  By then, a slow song had started.  To my surprise, he stood up and held out a hand to me.  “You promised me a dance, right?” he said happily.

             
I couldn’t help but smile back at him as I took it and stood up.  “Yeah, I did.  But I’m not a great dancer.” I admitted.

             
“Don’t worry about it.  There’s really nothing to dancing to a slow song.” Sean assured me.

             
This was the first time I’d ever been so close to a boy outside of my own family.  To say I was feeling a little embarrassed would’ve been an understatement.  But for whatever reason, a part of me felt comforted too.  It was the same comfort I was feeling more and more with him.  But it was different from what I’d felt with others as well.  I was slowly beginning to realize that as we were out there.  Sean wasn’t like other guys.  And not just because of what he was.

             
“I’m a pretty foolish fox in the end.  I know I’m out of my league, yet I still try so hard.” Sean whispered as we moved together.
              I didn’t bother lifting my head from his shoulder to look at him for that one.  “Why would you be out of your league?  We’re both living creatures, right?” I whispered.

             
I heard him chuckle a little, along with the feeling of the slight movement from his chest.  “Yes.  You’re right.”

             
Even when the song ended, I was reluctant to let him go.  I knew by then that my comfort was with him now.  “Sean, you won’t stop talking to me after this, right?” I asked softly, forcing myself to pull away.

             
“Of course not.  I plan on staying around for however long you’ll let me.” Sean promised.

             
I was about to say something more, but was interrupted by the sound of someone calling us.  We both turned to see Raziel and Anna coming.  “So this is where you two went.  Looking for some alone time?” Anna said, hurrying up there to us.

             
“Very funny.” I muttered, feeling myself blush again.  Oh the images that one brought.

             
“They’re getting ready to kick us out of here soon.  You planning on going to the after prom?” Raziel asked.  I didn’t miss that he was eyeing Sean.

             
“That would be up to Mia.” Sean answered.

             
I shook my head.  “Not really.  I wasn’t that interested in it.” I told him.

             
“Yeah.  Neither are we.  So we’re just gonna change and take off for a while.” Raziel admitted.

             
“Actually, that sounds like a plan.  I’m not one to stay in this early anyways.” Sean said.

             
“This early?  It’s nearly midnight!” Anna said, staring at him in shock.

             
Sean just smiled at her, looking amused.  “It’s just in my nature.  Night time tends to be my element.”

             
I’ll bet, I thought.  By me, Raziel just shook his head.  “Whatever.  Just make sure Mia gets home before you start your nightly roaming.” He said sarcastically.

             
“Raziel, I’m not a kid you know.” I reminded him.

             
“I know.  But you don’t need to be hanging out all night with a fox either.” Raziel countered.

             
“Don’t worry about it.  I’ll make sure she makes it home safe.” Sean told him.  He didn’t seem too concerned with Raziel’s attitude towards him, but then again, he never really was.  Raziel and Sean tended to be like oil and water most of the time.  Although when one really looked at it, Raziel was the one usually starting all of the arguments.

             
Raziel gave him a hard look for a moment before taking Anna’s hand.  “You just remember Michael’s warnings.” He told him.

             
“Point taken.” Sean replied.

             
But as we walked back to the limo, I turned back to Sean and stopped.  “Hey, I’m not that tired right now.” I told him.

             
“Really?  Did you want to go to that party?” Sean asked, cocking an eyebrow at me.  I’d probably just stumped him big time.  It was almost funny.

             
“No.  I just don’t feel tired yet.  And you said you like roaming around places.  I want you to take me somewhere.” I replied.

             
Sean seemed to think it over for a moment.  “Take you somewhere huh?  Well, I’ll have to think about that one.  A lot of the places I go aren’t exactly what you’d be interested in.” he said.

             
“Like where?” I asked.

             
“Well, I usually just roam around the woods.  Though lately I’ll admit that I have been exploring an old trail with ruins of an old girl’s school.  But it’s not the best area either.  I’m kind of playing Russian roulette there most of the time.  It’s a bad habit I have.” Sean admitted.