When Angels Fall (Fallen Angels) (6 page)

“And you’re saying that why?” She watched him take his seat next to her.

“Because, you seem like a nice girl and I hate to see you just cave to what your friends want. I know I don’t know you that well, but it just seems to me that you’re better than that.” He was glad Sister George started class, so she couldn’t ask him anything else. He noticed Josh staring at her and wished for once, the guy would get the hint.

After school, he’d gone with Chloe and her friends to her house. Nick sat back and watched how these so-called friends just took over.

Tabitha had brought some guy with her, and after they’d gotten half naked on the couch, they ventured up the steps.

 
Dave was drunk after hitting the liquor cabinet and Gabbie was filling the half-empty bottles with water.

Tiffany, on the other hand, sat annoyed with everyone and texted on her phone.

The only good thing was that Josh had practice and couldn’t make it. Why that even was a concern for Nick he didn’t know, but he was glad that Chloe was not going to be bothered by Josh for an afternoon. As Nick looked around her house, he noticed there were no pictures of her. It was a crisp, clean place, resembling something from a magazine. He’d never been in a house like this before.

Most of his friends’ homes had been warm and inviting. Chloe’s was cold. It just added to her mystery.
How could a girl like that come from this place? Where was she?
The minute they got there, her friends took over and she suddenly disappeared.

He soon found her in the kitchen, sketching and seemingly oblivious to what had been going on in the other room.

 
She’d pulled up her hair and was twisting a single strand that had gotten free.

He stood in the doorway, just watching her, the way she got lost in what she was doing.

There was a noise in the other room that startled her and she looked up.

Their eyes met for a split second, and she closed the book quickly.

After everyone had gone, Nick decided to stay and help her clean up the mess they’d left.

Chloe quickly fluffed pillows and fixed blankets while he took cups out to the kitchen. “Thanks for helping me clean up,” Chloe said. “I really hate dealing with my stepmother, Shelly when this place is a mess. She freaks when she knows I’ve had people here.” She dropped into one of the chairs and looked around the room as if to insure that everything was cleaned up.

“Not a problem,” Nick replied. “Can you do me a favor? Can you let Gabbie know I’m really not interested in dating?” He wasn’t sure if he mentioned that more for Gabbie to leave him alone or to remind himself of the rule he had made, a rule that he‘d thought about breaking for Chloe.

“Sure, she just thinks everyone should have someone.” Chloe giggled.” So, she just wants to set you up.”

“I’m glad you think it’s funny. I can see that, with how she is pushing you. I guess Josh couldn’t make it because of practice. Big games coming up,” he mentioned.

“Yeah, it’s the big deal around here. Are you going to the game?” She had folded her legs under her and she looked so relaxed.

“Yeah. I’m not really into football that much. I’m more into hockey and baseball. But my dad is making us go to show our support. Mark and Kevin are more into it than me. What about you, are you trying for homecoming court?” He knew she had to be. All her friends were.

“Ah, nope, it really isn’t my thing. I don’t have the looks for it.” She was acting really shy suddenly.

The mystery about her was back.

“But you’re going, right? The whole school is going to be there, cheering on your boyfriend,” he teased her.

“Don’t say that. He isn’t my boyfriend. Ugh, I just wish they would see that.”

He clearly needed to change the subject. “You should really just tell them that. I’m going to head out. And since we are kind of like friends now, can I have your number?” Why was he doing this? He didn’t want her number; it would make things harder.

Chloe threw one of the pillows at him. “We’re starting to become friends, and no, not yet.”

 
He liked it her teasing. “Wow, shot down twice now. There’s going to come a day when I’m not going to ask and you’re going to want me to have it.” He played along with her now.

“Really? I’ll take my chances.” She laughed and showed him to the door.

Chapter Two

The next week at the game, Nick noticed her sitting by herself at the top of the stands. Again, she had the sketchpad and seemed not to really be paying attention to what was going on.

“Wow, do you ever stop drawling?” he asked her as he sat down next to her.

“Drawling?” She tilted her head while smiling at the word he used. “It passes the time.” She closed her book.

This time, he grabbed it and opened it to what she’d been working on. It was a picture of the benches with a pompom sitting by it.

“Wow, not what I expected. I thought you were making horns on Tiffany or Josh being pummeled by the other team.” He was impressed at the detail of her work.

Chloe quickly grabbed it from him and put it next to her. “Those are in my demon book. Oh, it’s starting,” she groaned and watched as Mr. Dobbs and Father Gabe approached the mike.

When they started introducing the contestants for homecoming, Nick decided to have a little fun with it. The first couple was Dave and Gabbie. “Wow, who knew Dave could pull off a tux like that? Do you think it was his dad’s?” Dave was dressed in some kind of bad white tux from the 80’s.

“Ah, yeah, that’s where he got it. Gabbie wanted to kill him, but what could she do? She looks pretty, though. I like that color peach on her,” Chloe said.

Next, was Tabitha and some guy who Nick later found out was Tommy Alverez. “Do you think she’s slept with most of the guys on the team?” he joked.

“No.’ Oh, look at me, I’m Tabitha Michaels, and I have slept with almost all the guys here, except you and you, and you. Oh wait, and you’.” Chloe pointed to Nick.

He laughed at that. “God, help me. I heard she wants to get her hooks into me. And there’s Josh. ‘Hi, yes, I know I have the body of a Greek god. Women worship me, and guys want to be me. If only they knew how arrogant I really am. That, and that my dick is the size of a small pickle.’ ” Sorry, that was out of line.” He felt bad for saying dick in front of her.

She couldn’t seem to stop laughing. “You’re so bad!”

Tiffany made her grand appearance and Nick nudged Chloe.

 
She was already rolling her eyes. “‘Yes, adore me, for I am Tiffany Rogers, the gift to all of you peons. Bask in my beauty and know that I’m only going to win this tonight because my daddy paid for it’,” Chloe mocked dramatically.

“That’s her—dead on. It would be so cool if there was a sudden upset and they named Gabbie homecoming queen. She would kill Gab. But come on, it would be worth it to see the look on her face.” He laughed.

“No, it would never happen. And if it did, Tiffany would not mess up her perfect French manicure or the white silk dress to kill Gabbie. She would have her daddy find someone to do it.” She giggled.

To no one’s surprise, Tiffany did win.

They both stood and cheered sarcastically. It was then that Mr. Dobb started thanking the alumni while mentioning a very generous gift that the athletic department was given by one of the schools most prominent alumni, Thomas Gardner.

Nick looked at Chloe and asked, “Any relation?”

“Yeah—my father.” She got quiet.

From the sound of things, it was as if her father had been one the saviors of the school. Like as if, with his help, the athletic department had been able to do so much and continued to thrive. But by the look on Chloe’s face, it just seemed like another blow to her self-esteem in some way. She looked nervous as they talked so highly of him.

“So, your dad is a big deal around here. I guess when your parents split it was hard on you. I can see that by the look on your face.” He wanted to see if she would talk to him about it.

“Yeah, something like that. Since this is over and all that’s left is the game, I’m gonna head home. See you Monday.” Her voice had gotten softer and she stepped over the bench to start down the steps.

“Do you need a ride?” He felt bad for bringing up her parents.

She just shook her head. “I like to walk. I can think better and get ideas for my sketches. Have fun.”

He watched her go down the bleachers and saw that Josh stopped her. After making small talk with him, she started walked through the crowd again.

Nick fought with himself about whether he should follow her or not. The way he was raised got the better of him and he decided to walk her home.

When he finally caught up to her, she laughed.

“Oh my God, Allen, why are you attaching yourself to me?” she asked.

“Because, I was raised that you walk your friends home if they’re girls. And I thought that’s what we are, friends.” He said this in a way that showed he wasn’t really sure if she thought of him that way.

Chloe laughed. “Yeah, we're friends. You’re not like them, though. You’re easier to talk to.”

“Look, I am really sorry I brought up your parents. By the way you blew me off, I know it must be a hard subject.” He didn’t like the way she was acting now. She was quiet, and from what he’d seen of her, it wasn’t like her.

She stopped and looked at him. “What have you heard about me? I know people talk.
 
I know you’ve heard something about me by now.”

“Nothing really, just that you’re quiet, and because of who you hang out with, you’re a little stuck up. Why? Is there something I should know?”

“What you think you know about me and what you see is just an illusion. If we’re going to be friends, you will need to know that. Who I am with them is not who I really am. That’s why I said others have tried and left when they found out a little bit. Don’t worry. I won’t hold it against you. It’s normal in my life,” she said and turned away.

“You don’t know me that well either, yet! I don’t give up so easy!” he called to her.

“You will. Go back to the game, Nick. I’ll be fine.”

“Okay, but give me your number, so I can make sure you made it home okay.”

“Nice try. I’ll see you Monday.” She didn’t give him a second glance and just walked off into the night.

“That’s three. I’m not going to ask you anymore!” he called, but knew he would. She was going to be a really good friend; he could tell that just by the way they joked together and how he liked her honesty.

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The next week brought the first youth group meeting and Chloe was really interested in who the new lead was. She’d heard that Sister George was going to take over and prayed every night that that rumor was wrong. Looking around the room, she realized she was the only upperclassmen in the group now. There were so many new faces. The odds that this was going to be a good year were slim.

There was a commotion at the door and she shook her head as Nick’s familiar form entered the room, followed by his older brother Kevin. “If you’re following me just to get my number, it won’t work,” she warned him as Nick took the seat next to her.

 
Nick looked annoyed that he had to be there at all, especially with Kevin in tow. “Don’t flatter yourself. I was forced.”