V
Angels Always Die
~~~

"Pathetic. I can't believe you want to waste your life away doing that. And you hang out with her! What's that bitch gonna do for you? Huh? Open your eyes, Kai!"

"For the hundredth time, Kai, you have to listen to me if this is going to work! How can we function if you're too incompetent to do the simple shit that I ask? And don't even give me that 'I don't want to' bull. This is all for you! So start acting like you actually care! Grow up!"

Tch. 'Grow up.' I grew up alright.

He strums his guitar and sings a chord before he starts, "White lips, pale face, breathing in snowflakes. Burnt lungs, sour taste." People's heads turn once he begins.

"Light's gone, day's end, struggling to pay rent. Long nights, strange men.

"And they say she's in the Class A Team, stuck in her daydream. Been this way since eighteen, but lately, her face seems, slowly sinking, wasting, crumbling like pastries. And they scream, 'the worst things in life come free to us' 'Cause we're just under the upper-hand I'm going mad for a couple of grams, and she don't want to go outside tonight. And in a pipe, she flies to the Motherland, or sells love to another man. It's too cold outside for angels to fly. Angels to fly.

"Ripped gloves, raincoat, tried to swim and stay afloat. Dry house, wet clothes.

"Loose change, bank notes, weary-eyed, dry throat. Call girl, no phone.

"And they say she's in the Class A Team, stuck in her daydream. Been this way since eighteen, but lately, her face seems, slowly sinking, wasting, crumbling like pastries. And they scream, 'the worst things in life come free to us' 'cause we're just under the upper-hand I'm going mad for a couple of grams, and she don't want to go outside tonight. And in a pipe, she flies to the Motherland, or sells love to another man. It's too cold outside for angels to fly.

"Now angel will die. Coveref in white, closed eye and hoping for a better life. This time, now we'll fade out tonight. Straight down the line.

"And they say she's in the Class A Team, stuck in her daydream. Been this way since eighteen, but lately, her face seems, slowly sinking, wasting, crumbling like pastries. And they scream, 'the worst things in life come free to us' 'cause we're just under the upper-hand I'm going mad for a couple of grams, and she don't want to go outside tonight. And in a pipe, she flies to the Motherland, or sells love to another man. It's too cold outside for angels to fly, fly. Angels to fly, to fly, to fly.

"Angels to die."

Applause builds up from the small crowd of ten or twelve in front of him.

While grinning widely (he's a little shocked that he drew a crowd at all) he thanked the people as they plopped money in his guitar case. Whether it's five dollars or one cent, he's happy.

It's been quite a while since he's sung that song. Especially in public. But broke highschoolers need money, so here he sits with his favorite redwood guitar in hand.

High fifty degree temperature, a few clouds dot the sky and others cover some spots in a thin film of white like a stretched out cotton balls. His favorite kind of day. Only way it could be better is if it were in the warmer upper sixty's.

The park itself has a lot of foot traffic, of which he really enjoys because he gets to people watch. One woman is rushing somewhere with her child in hand and a slightly older child right behind her in tow.

What time is it? Noon... Hmm. Wonder where she's hurrying off to...

He strums his guitar while he examines the immediate dispersing crowd and begins to write a small autobiography about everyone in his mind.

She's a druggie, he's having a midlife crisis, she's got at least two kids and looks like she just had another, and they look like they're people watching like I am. Who is that?

He squints at a blurry figure leaning up against a tree a ways away. He needs his glasses to see clear enough that far away. It's difficult to tell their gender because of the sweatshirt they've got on, but it's clear that they're examining people. Well, it's clear to Kai at least.

It's their slow movements. Their head slowly scanning back and forth periodically, matching up to when it would seem that certain people enter and exit her view.

He decides to disregard them. Nothing to be worried about. It's a public park after all.

After making sure everyone who wanted to put money in did, he counts his earnings.

"Fifty bucks? Not bad for a few hours." This is why he does this on Saturday afternoons. More people equals more potential money. Any other day he'd get ten dollars. Tops.

Kai puts the money in his bag and places his guitar in the plastic case, fitting it snug and cozy in the foam cutout lined with fluffy velvet to keep it safe.

"You're going into the savings jar when I get home." He scans around his feet and the bench he was sitting on, "I hope I didn't drop any of it." There is a light, reluctant tap on his shoulder. Almost light enough that he didn't feel it."Huh?" He turns, and there's a pale outstretched hand with a crisp ten-dollar bill in front of him.

He trails his eyes past the wrist and up the arm of this mysterious person. It leads to their shoulders, then their neck, and finally, their face. "Raven?"

So she was the one against the tree. It's the same gray sweatshirt.

She shakes her hand, urging him to take her money. "Uh– thanks!"

"No problem." She says faintly. She stuffs her hand back in her pocket.

"What're you doing out here?"

She shrugs, "I like being outside." Because being in the house is torture.

"It's pretty nice out here today isn't it? It's kinda warm for October though."

She nods.

Raven glances down at his guitar case, then back up at his downy eyes, "Nice song..." She compliments. "You sounded really good."

"Heh, thanks. Mh old girlfriend taught me that song a while back. Kinda funny that she did, now it's really fitting."

Raven tilts her head.

"Ah," he waves his hand, "Don't worry about it. It's a lot of extra explaining. Anyway, how're you doing? I haven't seen you all week. What happened?"

She shrugs, "Sick..." She lies.

"Oh no! Really?? With what?"

She shrugs again.

"You don't know?"

She shakes her head.

"Aww. Are you feeling better?"

She nods.

"You know, you should talk more. Your voice is beautiful."

Raven's eyes expand a bit and then cast down to the cobblestones beneath their shoes."Th-thanks..." Kai pulls down her hood. "H-hey!"

"Your hair is black?" He asks. Raven's hair has grown significantly since she and Kai met in September. The purple hair dye growing out along with it. Now that she has stopped dying her hair, her black hair is beginning to grow back out. The roots to about an inch down is black and the rest is purple.

"You thought it was naturally purple?" Raven asks matter-of-factly.

"No no! I just– I don't know I thought that– Well, I didn't think that it would be purple– er– black." He rambles and stutters nervously. "Like, I thought it was brown or something."

"Oh."

"I meant to say that I like it. You should grow it all the way out."

"Oh..." A light pink film starts to dust her cheeks as she continues to drop her eyes.

I was planning to grow out the purple anyway...but... She lifts her eyes back up to Kai's. Mmm...

A strong gust of wind blows around them, whipping their hair around. Raven turns her face into the wind and closes her eyes, standing serenely, letting the air envelope her face, combing though her hair and wrapping around her ears.

"Hey, Rave," She pops her eyes open and turns her head back to him. "What do you guys around here do for fun? Like, where's the best place to hang out?" He asks. "Ooh! What about a place to eat?"

The first place that comes to her mind is a place she really doesn't want to take him to. The bakery she took Gar to on the first day of Summer Vacation. The one with the amazingly delicious, golden pastry puffs that Gar had popped in his mouth so easily because of his greediness.

She sighs. I need to get over this. She turns her body away from Kai this time and flicks her head to tell him to follow her.

"Where are we going?" He asks when he catches up with her. She doesn't respond. "Raven?" Still nothing.

He decides to stay quiet.

On their way there both Kai and Raven people watch to keep their brains occupied. But not long after this, Raven gets locked onto the back of Kai's head. The fluffy-haired redhead looks quite enthralled in whatever he's looking at. His facial expression is static, but she can tell from the slight jerk his head gives when moving from person to person.

"Woah!" Kai's sudden spike in volume startles her. He grabs her hand without even thinking and drags her to a little hole in the ground right near a fence. A disoriented Raven glares at Kai once he lets go of her hand and bends down. "Look, Raven,"

"..."

"It's a rabbit hole."

In the middle of the city? I've never seen any rabbits around here.

"I used to have a rabbit back in Pennsylvania, but we had to leave him to my cousin because my mom didn't want him messing up the new house." He presses himself closer to the ground in trying to see down the small, dark tunnel. "You know, you're kinda like a rabbit."

"...?" Her perplexed eyes speaks volumes. What's that supposed to mean?

"You're pretty quiet, right? But I bet you see things and know things others don't really know. Rabbits are really quick and aware of their surroundings too." He explains. "I saw you against the tree earlier watching people." He turns to her. "You're very observant."

So are you apparently."But...a rabbit?" She gently questions.

Kai nods enthusiastically. "Have you ever tried to catch a rabbit?" Raven nods, has a moment of realization and then nods even more."Plus," he taps her on the nose and she flinches. "You're pretty cute like one too." He rises from his squat.

Gar used to do that...

"Hey," she looks up at Kai. His hand is outstretched once more to her, offering his help. "Where were you going to take me?"

Raven gets up on her own, leaving Kai's hand sitting in midair. She begins to walk away from him again.

Guess she doesn't like that. Noted...

He attempts to keep up with her but it seems like she continually walks slightly faster than him on purpose.

"Hey, Raven? You alright?"

"..."

"Sorry if I made you uncomfortable..." he apologizes sincerely.

"..."

"...Hey," He reaches forward to grab her shoulder, slowing down her walking speed in the process. "Just know that I meant it. 'Kay?"

She lightly pulls her shoulder out from Kai's grasp and turns her head slightly so he can hear her, "If you...want to be my friend... the first rule is that you don't ask if I'm okay..."

She spitefully turns back around and gives him the cold shoulder. Then she hugs herself as if her own cold shoulder is giving her chills.

Ugh... Of course. The longest sentence she's ever said to me and she's reprimanding me.

They continue on, walking in silence.

I really wish she'd talk more. I'd like to know where she taking me. For all, I know she could be trying to get rid of me.

Nah, she wouldn't do that. I mean...maybe? I don't really know all that much about her. And I can only glean so much from her body language and what the others tell me about her.

He watches as her head bobs up and down as she walks and the swift yet the irresolute movement of her hand as she carried her hair from settling on her back to settling on her left shoulder.

Normally, I don't bother with girls like her. They're too difficult to break through to. Plus, they never want me around anyway. But Raven...you're a special case.

I don't know what it is about you, but I just can't help but be drawn to you. I want to know you better. I bet you do too, but there's something holding you back.

Raven turns around to check if Kai is still behind her, then turns back. He can't help but grin.

Just who are you, Raven Roth?

After what felt like hours, they arrive at the large bakery. Kai is astonished by what he's seeing. Pink and creme pastel tiles lie under their feet while a chocolate ceiling soars some thirty feet overhead. Pastel blues in conjunction with pretty shelves, marvelous displays, and adorable wall stickers adorn the walls surrounding them. The tables are cupcakes and the seat of each chair is a different colored macaroon. This place is a sweets glutton's heaven.

"Holy crap, Raven..." Kai says in awe. "This place is amazing! And that smell!" It smells like a fresh batch of chocolate fudge brownies.

Raven points to the line telling Kai to go buy something.

"You should've told me. I would've brought more money."

Raven shakes her head and points to herself.

"Oh, you've got money? Sorry, but I don't want to use yours. That's not fair to you. I'll just use what I earned today."

She shakes her head again and then drags him into line. She jabs her pointer finger into her chest.

"Ok ok fine. Only since you're insisting."

Raven looks around the bakery and so many memories come back to her. Ones that she's repeatedly tried to block out.

They get to the front of the line and Raven tries to stay calm, but she can already feel herself getting emotional as Kai begins to order."Uh, I'll have..."

Kai's voice fades out of existence. All that is left for her are the mumbles of others' voices and the cash register ringing for the opposite line.

No no no...

All she sees are the memories of when she took Gar here in her free time. Her and Gar's illusionary voices prevail over everyone else's.

"Aw man, Rae, these taste amazing!!"
"Eww, Gar, you got chocolate all over the table!"
"Can we get more next time we come?"
"Hey, Rae?"
"Rae,"
"Raeee,"
"Rave?"
"Hey, Raven," Kai gets her attention, and her face tells it all. "Oh my God, what happened??"

"Hey, Rae," Gar's voice snatches her attention to a faded image of the two sitting at a table near the window. "I love you." Gar flashed that gentle smile. Back then that smile filled her with so much happiness.

Now it fills her with an unbearable sense of livid abhorrence and dread. Her eyes might as well be broken faucets.

"Holy crap..." He says breathlessly. Kai grabs Raven by the shoulders and faces her towards him. "What's wrong? What happened??" Raven clamps her eyes shut, pivots on her heels, and runs straight out of the bakery. "Raven!" Kai drops everything and immediately follows her.

Raven runs in a direction and commits to it. Her eyes sting from the anger and loathing and heartache pouring from them. She can't see a thing.

Her feet carry her to the far side of town, a place she is unfamiliar with. But that doesn't matter. Getting away from everything is what she wants.

"Raven, stop!" Where the hell is she going??

It doesn't take long for him to lose her around a corner (somehow...).

What the– Did she like disappear into thin air??

"Raven!" He calls.

I swear if I don't see her for another week after this I'll never forgive myself.

He looks around the area for a good five and a half minutes in any place he could imagine. He even thought of places he'd hide if he were in a blind panic like that. Yet still nothing.

Almost about to give up, he rounds a corner and hears quiet sobs. A somber light at the end of the tunnel. There she is. Leaning up against the plastic overhead canopy of a bus stop drowning in her own tears.

"Raven!" He calls out. "Thank God I found you!" He snaps her head towards him and backs away as he continues to move forward.

What the hell? What's she doing? "Relax, Raven, it's me." He keeps walking towards her and she moves back until she's stopped by the waist-high stone wall behind her.

He keeps taking daringly slow steps towards her in an attempt to be cautious. Knowing how volatile emotions like these can be, he tries to be gentle.

They stare at each other while he comes nearer, and Raven's tear-filled face transforms from angry and sad to...astonished?

Gar's face lightly masks Kai's. She can see a semblance of them both.

Then they both speak, "Raven, what's wrong?"

She blinks once and Gar's gone.

Again.

Raven takes a hearty inhale and straightens out her face upon exhaling. She wipes away her tears with her sleeve and she fixes her posture.

"What happened back there?" Kai asks. She shakes her head.

"Oh hell yeah it was something! You ran out of the bakery crying a river!"

She waves her hand to tell him not to worry about it.

"I'm the only person with you right now. Of course I have to worry about it! I'm not heartless! Clearly, something is wrong."

She shakes her head again.

"'No'? 'No' what, Raven?" He asks, his voice progressively gaining more annoyance.

Her eyes search for the words and the will to say them in his facial features, but she takes too long."Fine. I'll leave you alone. I can see that pestering you gets me nowhere."

Raven gasps slightly.

"What was I thinking?" He laughs at himself. "Like you'd tell me anything. You and I don't even know each other that well."

He shakes his head as if to shake something off it.

"I'll uh...see you later, Raven." He turns to go, and Raven's brain is thrown into a panic."No!"

Time virtually stops.

Both of Raven's hands are clasping Kai's right hand. Raven hadn't spoken that loud in months, and Kai has never heard her voice louder than a normal speaking voice. "Please don't leave..." Her voice's dial turns back down. "I-I..." She presses her eyelids together and ends up squeezing out more and more tears, inadvertently tightening her grip on Kai as well.

She opens her mouth to talk, but northing comes out. She tries again and still nothing. Come on! Say it! She forces herself.

"Please stay... I can't be alone..."

Kai turns back to face her squarely. That same soft smile is on his face. He gently pulls her off the wall to be side by side with her.

"C'mon then. I'll take you home."

Word Count: 3256