Ray's POV

I couldn't believe what was happening. Right then and there, Violet was literally about to tell me whatever has been keeping her so distant from our group of friends. Now she's on the floor, groaning in pain.

All I can do is stand here in shock and look at her.

What the heck are you DOING?! I thought to myself, Just help her already!

I finally snapped out of whatever I was doing and knelt down to try to help her, but I didn't know how. She was squirming and rolling on the floor, saying--

"MAKE IT STOP!! AH GOD IT HURTS!!"

I honestly wasn't sure if she was acting and making a scene, or actually in pain. That's before she sat up and grabbed her back. Then she started screaming. I winced because I was so close and she was so loud. I stood up and watched her, trying to figure out how the heck I could help. I went around and checked to see what was wrong with her back.

What I saw was literally out of this world. Violet's back was contorting and had these huge lumps the size of my palm moving in and around her back. The only thing that made it creepier was that those lumps were on the inside of her skin. 

I ran back around to her front, terrified by what I had just seen. Violet was still curled up in a ball, screaming a blood-curdling scream. Then she got onto all fours, stopped screaming, and looked at me with wide eyes...

... As angel wings sprouted from her back.

*    *    *

We both sat there in silence, looking at each other with scared expressions on our faces, hoping that nothing else would happen.

I pointed to my back, not dropping my gaze. She nodded in response, knowing that whatever she felt was on her back, I could see it too.

I watched her as she went into a sitting position, making sure everything was still okay: her arms, her legs, everything... Including her... "wings". 

I honestly can't believe that what I'm seeing is for real. A few minutes ago, Violet was standing at her locker and watching me. Everything was normal. Now I don't know if there will ever be a 'normal' for any of the both of us again.

Violet's POV

I didn't want to speak. I didn't want to move. I didn't want to believe this was real. I finally broke eye contact with Ray and dropped my gaze to the floor.

There are wings... on my back... I thought. What do I do now? And what do I tell Ray? He's obviously speechless too!

Then I heard a familiar voice.

Well, I see you've found your transportation, Violet.

Professor H! My gosh, he came back for me!

Professor! I'm actually relieved to hear from you again! Where have you been? And... Wait. What do you mean by... 'transportation'? I thought.

Violet, I forgot to tell you something. Along with your new wings that you have grown, you also have a hidden power that no one else has had in this lifetime. The Professor stated. I found that out when we took a sample of your DNA.

I looked at Ray, who was still watching me. I could see he didn't believe any of this was real either. I dropped my gaze to the floor again, getting slightly annoyed with the Professor.

Now you tell me?? I thought.

I didn't want to worry you, if you can understand that. Don't get frazzled, or your friend in front of you there will think you're going to attack him. The Professor said. The only thing left for you to do, Violet, is for you to get up and embrace your new-found power!

I stood up, and looked at Ray, who was now confused.

Would you like me to erase his memory for you? Asked the Professor.

No. I thought. Somehow, I know that I can trust him.

*   *   *

"But you can't tell ANYONE, alright? I don't really want to get attacked by the government." I said, as Ray and I were walking home together.

I managed to tell him everything in the span of 10 minutes. Pretty darn good, if you ask me! And it seemed as though he understood everything that I was saying to him. I also learned that my wings are retractable, so I can take them out only when I want to.

You know, it's kinda nice that I got to know Ray, as weird as the encounter was. It made me find out a little bit more about him and his lifestyle. I realised that Ray and Josh were really the only two people who I haven't gotten to know super well yet, so it's good that I'm spending some quality time with Ray.

He laughed. "Alright. It'll be our little secret." He had a twinkle in his eye that told me that he wouldn't tell anyone, that I could trust him.

A peaceful silence grew over the both of us as we walked home. Finally, I had someone to talk to about all of this in person!

I just hope it doesn't get too weird between us! I kinda like having a guy friend for once. I mean, I've had them my whole life, but this seemed... Different. I don't really know how to explain it, but it's a really nice feeling.

Finally, Ray broke the silence.

"Incoming group of friends!" That made me look up.

Our group of friends that left like an hour ago stayed and waited when they knew they had lost one of their group members... Ray.

Ray looked over and he must've seen that I was starting to get worried, because he said;

"Hey, don't worry. Let me do all the talking. Just try to be how you were a day ago." He smiled at me.

I looked at him and nodded, then concentrated on looking sad and distant, like I was yesterday. When he was satisfied, he nodded a little nod and then looked at the group ahead. 

I just hope he's a good liar, because like I said, I don't really want to get attacked by the government. Who knows what could come next? Me being shipped away to some kind of medical agency where they perform surgery and take my DNA and cut my wings off? 

First off, no thanks. Second...

No thanks.

Sigh. What a day this has been!