Feathers (9 page)

             
I never intended that one to be a lie.  In all honesty, a part of me really didn’t want to be around Sean ever again.  But even as I walked out to the car with Michael, I couldn’t help but look at the woods.  Was Sean watching now?  I highly doubted it.  Not with Michael around.  He acted like he feared Michael and Raphael.  Maybe that would keep him away for the time being.

             
After getting home, I excused myself and slipped back up to my room.  I had to admit, I was exhausted by then.  It had been a bit of a long day between seeing the destruction at the school and Raziel’s condition.  But as I walked past my desk, I glanced down at the cell phone I’d left sitting on it and saw that I had a missed call.  Sighing, I sat down in the chair and looked at the number.  It was Anna again.  What in the world could she want now?  I wondered.  Normally, she was burning up Raziel’s phone when something came up.

             
Still, I decided to just humor her.  Maybe with Raziel asleep, she couldn’t reach him and wanted to try whatever with me.  So I moved to my bed and called back.  After a couple of rings, she picked up.  “Mia!  Thank God!  I was thinking that everyone was ignoring me!” she complained.

             
I sighed.  Something was definitely up.  But I played along.  “Sorry.  I was visiting with Raziel and forgot my phone.  Is something going on?” I asked her.

             
“Okay.  I guess I can let you slide.  Is Raziel doing okay though?  He told me that he was sick, so I was trying not to call him too much.  But all that stuff was happening, and you weren’t in school today, so I had to find out if something was going on.” Anna admitted.

             
Of course Anna was putting two and two together.  Still, I tried to play a bit dumb.  “I just stayed home because my dad asked me to after what happened in the art room.  He thought it might be better for me if it all blew over first.” I said.  It wasn’t exactly a lie, but it wasn’t the whole truth either.  I didn’t think that would go over well at all, especially if I had to try and explain what we were and what Sean was.  She’d probably think I’d lost my mind.

             
“I guess.  But I heard some people talking today, and I got worried.” Anna said. 

             
Somehow, I didn’t feel like I liked where this was going.  “What do you mean talking?” I dared ask.

             
“Well…” Anna hesitated for a moment before forcing herself to continue.  “Sean wasn’t in school today either.  And when I was in gym, some of the guys were saying something about him maybe being in trouble about the art room now.  They said he did it.”

             
Okay, so this I had not heard about.  I knew I’d be talking to Michael again once I got off this phone.   But for the time being, I’d play the fool.  “Why in the world would Sean do something like that?” I said.

             
“Beats me.  But that’s what they’re saying.  I don’t know either, because like I said, he wasn’t there today.” Anna explained.

             
“Anna, I really don’t think he could’ve done that.  Besides, I didn’t even see his car when I left.  And I left before it happened.  I think everybody’s just looking for someone to blame.” I reasoned.  It did make sense when one really thought about it.  It’s easy to look for a scapegoat when you have nothing.

             
“You’re right.  And it could be because he’s so popular too.  Those guys are probably jealous enough to start a malicious rumor.  But I’m not gonna let that one spread without any evidence.  If his car wasn’t there, then it certainly wasn’t him.  I’ll make sure to have that facts set straight.” Anna declared.

             
Of course she could do that.  Anna was good at diffusing rumors from what I’d come to see.  Being with Raziel, she was rather popular herself now.  “Thanks Anna.  I really don’t want to see him get blamed when he wasn’t there.  I don’t like seeing anybody have that happen to them.” I said.

             
“By the way, how is Raziel feeling?  Is he gonna be back tomorrow?” Anna asked.

             
“I don’t know.  He was feeling pretty bad today, so it might be a few more days.” I replied.  I knew better then to say too much.  What was happening to him had to stay a secret.

             
“All right.  But you’ll be back, right?” Anna said hopefully.

             
Now I felt bad.  Michael wanted to keep me out until Monday, and it was only Wednesday now.  I decided that perhaps it might be better if I did go back and face it, if only for Anna’s sake.  She sounded pretty lonely.  And when it came down to it, Raziel and I were the ones she usually hung out with.  “I think so.  I’ll give you a call in the morning if I can’t.  Like I said, Dad is just being a little protective now.” I told her.

             
“Okay.” Anna sighed.  “Just let me know.  And tell Raziel to get better soon.”

             
“All right.  I’ll talk to you later.” I promised.

             
After hanging up with her, I headed back downstairs.  To my surprise, I found Michael in the kitchen, talking on the phone.  It sounded like it was a very quiet conversation.  But standing back, I could hear bits and pieces enough to realize that it was Sara Morrison on the other end of the line.  I wondered if perhaps she was talking about the same thing Anna was, considering some of what Michael was saying.  But he didn’t sound threatening about it at all.  In fact, he sounded sympathetic.  Quietly, I slipped into the other room and gently picked up the receiver to listen in.  I was good at this.  I’d done it many times when I lived with my mother.  If you were careful enough, no one ever knew that you were listening.

             
“Michael, I really don’t like this.  They’re already starting to blame Sean.  Even if they don’t know the truth about it, I don’t want to see him get into legal trouble over that one room.” Sara was saying.  She sounded thoroughly frightened.

             
“You know I’m not going to let that happen Sara.  Raphael and I have already done enough damage control as to where they’ll never be able to prove it was him.  And believe me, it’s been a bit of work, considering Sean took absolutely no precautions.  I’ll admit that I’m a little more then surprised about that part.” Michael said.

             
Sara sighed on the other end of the line.  “I still don’t understand it myself.  You know that this is completely out of character for him.  I won’t lie and say that Sean wasn’t capable of it, or that he didn’t have incidents before.  But he’d stopped after Sage died.  I swear he stopped.  Something else happened here.  And something happened when Mia got away.  Sean’s like a different person completely now.  And it’s actually been wonderful and sad at the same time.” She admitted.

             
“Really?  How has he been different?” Michael asked, sounding a bit curious.

             
“I’m not sure of how to explain it.  It’s like something inside of him is gone.  And it was the bad something.  I’m sure you remember me telling you when he first came here that it was very hard for Sean at times because his fox instincts tended to rule over his thinking.  Well, it’s like all the bad of the instincts has disappeared.  He’s become so gentle now.  Much more then he’s ever been before.  And he keeps apologizing about everything.  I’ve never seen him like this.  I’d say it’s nice, but I’m also a bit concerned about what happened.” Sara explained.

             
“I honestly couldn’t tell you.  Mia doesn’t have her wings yet, so I doubt she should have any real abilities at this time.  Although there could have been a slight break through with them.  It’s possible.  But please, don’t worry too much over the rumors either.  They’ll pass.  But speaking of Sean himself, has he been staying in now?” Michael said.

             
“Yes, somewhat.  He did go out roaming earlier, but he isn’t far.  I actually see him in the woods.  He’s been moping, to be honest with you.” Sara told him.

             
I quietly set the phone back down, sighing to myself.  As silly as it was, I felt sorry for Sean Morrison now.  I had no doubt that I’d done something to him.  Perhaps I’d even managed to completely change him with whatever this something was.  Still, I felt the little hints of fear too.  He’d tried to kill me.  I knew better then to forget that.  But it still didn’t change that longing inside of me either.  I wanted to see him again.  Even if that was the dumbest thing to ever want.

             
I eventually did end up crawling in bed and trying to get some sleep.  But my dreams were filled with strange things.  I found myself standing in the dark woods, with the sounds of animals all around me.  I wasn’t afraid though.  Instead, I was looking around as though I was waiting for something.  To my surprise, a white shape came out of the bushes nearby.  It was as big as a man, and when it looked at me, I realized that it was a fox.  In the moonlight filtering thru the trees, it practically glowed silver.  I stood still as it came over to me.  To my surprise, it gently nuzzled at my hand.  The message was instant for me.  It was very gentle.  I slowly reached down and petted his snout.  And before I woke up, I could hear his words.

             
“Please, forgive me.  I’ll never hurt you again.”

Seven

              I ended up going back to school on the following Monday anyways.  It wasn’t really that I was scared anymore though.  Instead, it was because of Raziel.  He ended up sprouting his wings that very night.  Like Michael’s, they were very beautiful.  They were tinted with blue, and incredibly soft.  I found him in a much better mood when I visited with him the follow day, though he admitted that his back was still a bit sore from them.  It would take him a few days to get used to them as well, so that meant at least another week of him being out of school.  Be as it may, he asked me to please appease Anna for that time.  He felt bad that he couldn’t tell her the truth or let her see him.  So I promised to do so once I got back.  I’ll admit that I felt a bit bad though when I did.  Anna was obviously a very unhappy girl that her boyfriend suddenly didn’t want her around for a while.

             
Sitting at the lunch table, I found myself looking around at the people as we talked.  It would be another week before Raziel returned, and I was starting to feel it too.  Maybe I was just too used to my cousin being around all the time now.  Beside me, Anna twirled her straw in her milk.  “I can’t believe it.  I’m telling you, if he keeps this up, I’m going to dump him.” She said.

             
“Come on Anna.  Raziel just doesn’t want to get you sick.  That’s all.” I said.  We’d been lying and saying that he had Mono.  Of course, I don’t think she was really buying it.

             
“But he could still talk to me more.  He used to talk to me all the time.  I don’t get it.” Anna complained, putting her head down again.

             
I sighed to myself.  She was depressed now.  And depression and Anna didn’t seem to mix well.  I wanted the funny girl I’d come to know back.  But before I could say anything to it, Anna suddenly looked up.  I followed her gaze, and was surprised to see Sean coming over to us.  I hadn’t seen him since what had happened, and I’ll admit that this boldness surprised me.  He wasn’t supposed to be near me.  Michael had told me that much.  But he came over and sat down anyways.  “Hey.” He said casually.

             
“Hey Sean.  What’s up?” Anna said, sounding pretty surprised herself.

             
“I was wondering if I could sit with you two.  You don’t mind, do you?” Sean asked, glancing at me.

             
“No, that’s fine.  Guess it’s easier with Raziel not around, huh?” Anna joked.

             
Sean just gave her a soft smile.  “I suppose so.” He replied.  He seemed happy enough, but I couldn’t help but notice that his eyes looked a little sad.

             
“So, what’s been up with you?  You haven’t been in school lately either.  Is everyone catching a bug or something?” Anna asked, glancing over at me.

             
Sean shrugged.  “No.  I just ended up having to help my mother with a few things, so I took a few days off.  I noticed that Raziel has been out too though.  Is he sick?” he asked.

             
“Yes.  He’ll be out for at least two weeks.” Anna sighed.

             
“Really?  What’s he got?” Sean asked, looking over at me.

             
“I was told it‘s Mono, but I‘m not completely sure.” I admitted.  “I’m going to ask Michael if he’s heard when I get home.”

             
The truth was, I really didn’t know what Raziel was supposed to be sick with.  Mono was the easiest to use for Anna.  A part of me wondered if Sean suspected what it was though.  Obviously, he knew somewhat about us.  Maybe he knew that we changed eventually.

             
“So why the sudden visit with us Sean?  I didn’t think you were that interested in talking to us before.” Anna said, eyeing him suspiciously.

             
“It’s nothing really.  I just hadn’t gotten the chance to talk to Mia before, so I thought I’d take it while Raziel was gone, beings he objects to my very presence.” Sean answered.

             
He speaks so eloquently, I couldn’t help but think.  The familiarity was almost comforting for me, considering Michael often spoke like that.  But in the back of my mind, I kept having flashes of the week before.  I felt myself move away a little unconsciously.  “Uh Sean, I don’t think Raziel will take it well if he finds out about this.” I said.  I was really trying to use a roundabout way to say that Michael wouldn’t like this.

             
“I know.  But it doesn’t bother me.” Sean said.

             
Thankfully, the bell was ringing by then.  Anna and I said our goodbyes, and quickly headed back inside to class.  “That was weird.” Anna whispered as we got away.

             
“I know.” I admitted softly.

             
“You know what?  I think he might actually like you.” Anna said.

             
I cringed in spite of myself.  “Maybe.” I managed to say.  But thankfully, I was coming to my classroom.  So I quickly excused myself and went inside to my desk.

             
In all honesty, I couldn’t believe the audacity Sean Morrison had at lunch.  All thru the class, I kept thinking about it.  And when I got to English next, I found myself thinking about it some more.  I even began jotting down notes in my notebook on my thoughts. 

             
Fox attacks me.

             
Fox likes me.

             
Fox attacked me.

             
Now Fox likes me.

             
I shook my head as if I was going to shake those thoughts out.  But Anna’s words seemed to be burned in there.  Sean Morrison might actually like me.  The thought itself was kind of scary.  But also, it was kind of thrilling.  If he actually did like me…

             
I shook my head again, putting it down on the desk. I must have been losing my mind.  That was it.  I was just having some sort of stupid nightmare.  I’d have to wake up soon.

             
Finally, the bell rang.  I quietly gathered up my books and the assignment to take to Raziel, then headed out to my locker.  Maybe I should go visit him, I thought as I put my things away and grabbed my bag.  But as I closed it, I was surprised to hear a voice near me. 

             
“Mia.”

             
I cringed a little to myself again.  I knew who would be standing there when I turned around.  But I forced myself to anyways.  “What do you want Sean?” I asked, trying to keep my cool.  I was a Renaldi for crying out loud.  I shouldn’t fear the likes of him now.

             
Sean just smiled slightly, though it wasn’t mean at all.  Instead, it looking almost understanding.  “I was wondering if we could talk for a bit.” He said.

             
I sighed.  “You know my dad said for you to stay away from me.”

             
“I know.” Sean said, sighing himself.  “But I just needed to speak to you.  I promise, I’m not trying anything here.  And we can do it in a public place if you like.”

             
I looked around at the other students heading out.  “All right.  Come on.  We can talk in my car.” I said.

             
Looking back, I’m sure I must have been insane.  But somehow, I felt like I could trust him.  Besides, if I had him in my car where people were crowding the parking lot, he couldn’t really attempt anything.  So the two of us quietly walked out there.

             
“Did you pick your own car?” Sean said as we got in.

             
“Yes, I did.  Why?” I asked.

             
Sean just smiled.  “It’s nice.  Though I really don‘t think I would‘ve pegged you for the sports car type.” He answered.

             
I took a deep breath, looking back down at the stirring wheel so that he wouldn’t see my slight blush.  “So what did you want to talk about?  You know I don’t have a lot of time.” I said.

             
“I understand.” Sean said.  He sighed before he continued.  “Actually, I wanted a chance to apologize.”

             
“Apologize?” I repeated, feeling a bit more then surprised.

             
“Yes.  I’ve been thinking about what happened ever since that day.  And I know you probably don’t believe me, but I wanted to apologize to you myself.  The truth is, I can’t really explain myself for all of that.  The best I can say is that the fox within me just got the better of me.  It did from time to time.  But… it won’t anymore.” Sean explained softly.

             
“But how do you know that?  Isn’t it part of your nature?” I asked.  Needless to say, I really didn’t believe him.

             
Sean just looked back over at me.  “Mia, I’m sure you don’t believe me, but I’m not really a mean person at heart.  But, I’m really not a person who gets along well with others either.  This double nature has always been so hard.  And that afternoon, I lost myself again.  But then… I don’t know how to explain it.  It was like that part of me just shattered all at once.  And when I realized what I’d almost done… I was horrified.”

             
I studied him for a moment.  He looked so sincere.  But I still knew the warnings I’d been given.  And Michael himself had told me how tricky foxes could be.  We’d had nice long talk about them before I came back to school, just to give me a little more understanding about what had happened with Sean before.  “I guess.  But that still doesn’t change what happened you know.” I said.

             
“I know.  And I won’t ask you to forgive me for it.  All I really want right now is to apologize and hope that maybe someday you will.  I won’t lie to you about what I am or what I’ve done before.  I’m anything but a good person.  But I want to be able to be around you.  You’re not like anyone I’ve ever known before.  And I want to know you very badly.” Sean confessed.

             
I couldn’t help but sigh.  The truth was, I wanted to know him too.  But I just couldn’t trust him yet.  “Sean, I’m glad to know that you won’t hurt me, but it’s going to take me some time.” I said.

             
“I’m aware of that.” Sean said.  He glanced at the clock in my car.  “It’s getting late now.  I should probably go.  But please, consider my words.  And if you need someone to talk to, I’ll listen.  I hope we can be friends someday.”

             
“Sure.” I said quietly as he handed me a folded small piece of paper.  I kept my head down as he got out.  That was incredibly hard.  But in a way, it was freeing too.  Sean Morrison wasn’t an enemy anymore.  I think in my heart I knew that for certain. But I wasn’t about to trust him yet either.  Maybe I’d call him in a few months and try to talk more of it out.

             
Pulling out of the parking lot, I debated on where to go.  I could head home.  But I really didn’t want to.  I was far too worked up to be alone right then.  So I decided to drop by and visit Raziel.  He could probably use the company.

             
But as I parked at the house, I found myself debating on whether I should tell Raziel about the conversation I’d just had.  If I didn’t, he’d probably never know.  I knew of course that Anna may call him and tell him about lunch time, but that was really nothing when it came down to it.  Sean had approached me with her and other people around.  The one on one talk was a whole other story.  I decided it was probably better if I didn’t mention it, so I hid the paper in the console of my car before I got out.

             
Raziel was up and about in his room when I came in there.  In fact, he was standing in front of his long mirror and playing with his wings when I came in.  “Enjoying your new accessories?” I teased.

             
“Very funny.” Raziel teased back.  “I guess you had a decent day.”

             
“It’s was okay.  A little boring though.  All the teachers are doing right now is reviewing for tests.” I said, sitting on the side of the bed.

             
“Did Morrison show back up today?” Raziel asked, still flexing his wings.

             
I sighed.  I knew he was going to ask.  He‘d been asking for the last few days.  “Yes.  But he left me alone.” I said.

             
“Guess he finally felt like he could show his face now.  Wish I’d been there to see it.  I would’ve knocked his lights out.” Raziel said.

             
“Raziel, just let it go.  It’s over now, and he’s not bothering me.” I begged.

             
Raziel shrugged.  “I guess.” he muttered.

             
“Please Raziel.  No trouble, right?” I continued.  I wanted a promise from him now.

             
“Okay, okay.  By the way, how was Anna today?” Raziel asked.

             
“She was okay, though I think she misses you already.  I didn’t know what to tell her that you had though, so I just said Mono.” I admitted.