7 Taking Flight

I didn’t know how to process the information Nana had told me; and simply embraced her in a tight hug before heading out to go back home. I needed time to figure out if she was bonkers and amazing at photo editing. Or if fairies are real. She had kept asking if I was okay, rubbing my arm as I stared blankly at the fire that popped and flicked across from us. All I could say was that I was okay now. It wasn’t completely a lie. I was no longer worried about the relationship I had almost had with a cute guy. Now I was getting anxiety over the fact that if fairies existed, what else does? Vampires, werewolves, dragons, there are so many things that could be all around me and I wouldn’t have even known it.

It didn’t take me long to pull into the driveway of the house, I just wanted to go inside and curl up in my bed with my dog. Rushing into the house, I hurried to my room, locking the door behind me before I hid beneath my mound of blankets. Sleep hit me like a wave of darkness. Pulling my eyes closed against my will, into a world of dreams I couldn’t wait to explore.

I stood at a waterfall alone, the surrounding forest as quiet as the dead. The moon sat above me, full and watching as I spread my arms wide. I felt different, safe almost as I leaned forward and fell. A sharp pain spreading through my skin as my wings burst from beneath it. They felt weak and unready to hold my weight as I plummeted towards the blackened water below me. Against the feeling, they spread open, supporting my weight easily as my fall slowed into a glide. One flap, two, and I had the hang of it. Taking off into the sky to join the moon in all its glory.

Peace filled my soul as I took in the feeling of wind flowing against the silken wings. I felt everything as if my body had become hypersensitive in a split second. Adrenalin flowed through my veins as I turned my direction towards the ground. I had to see what they looked like; I wanted to touch them. Spread them wide in the moonlight and admire the way they glistened.

To my dismay, my eyes fluttered open. The sound of my dog barking at my window had startled me awake. My heart racing against my chest as I flung my blankets from my body.

“Leave it.” I grumbled in a stern tone which made the barking stop almost immediately. Today I had class’ at college with the others, I had to show them around, which at this point I wasn’t too worried about. Sliding out of bed, I made my way into the bathroom. I hadn’t showered yesterday after being out in the rain. Smelling like damp earth with my tangled hair a mess atop my head, I flipped on the water, setting it to a slightly colder temperature for today.

I didn’t feel like listening to my music as I let the water roll down my heated skin, it’s cool touch reminding me of running through the rain. My back ached from the dream I’d had that night. I could still feel the air flowing against wings that hadn’t existed in reality. I missed it with all that I was. “Maybe it was a sign?” I mumbled to myself as I wrapped my towel around my body. It’s warmth comforting me as I made my way to the closet to pick an outfit for the first day.

A few hours later I was sitting outside of the college, my phone in hand as I shot a text to the one person I wasn’t yet ready to see.

Hey, I am out in the parking lot, 4th row. Meet me there with everyone else. -Kas

I shoved my phone into my bag before sliding out of my seat just in time to see everyone coming up to my vehicle. Slamming the door shut, I gave them an awkward smile.

”Hey Kassy, how have you been?” Kyle asked with a polite smile directed at me. Rae stood to his right, blocking another person who I had yet to meet. She was on the shorter side, maybe standing at five feet four inches tall. Her hair was a honey blonde that you could tell was completely natural. She was clinging to Nate’s arm as if for dear life. The way he looked at her in return was with pure love, which made my heart sink within my chest.

”I’m doing great, thank you for asking. Shall we get going?” I asked, gesturing towards the main entrance. “I already know which class rooms you all have first, we can go in order.” Unable to keep myself from grumbling that last part. He could have told me he had a crush on someone before asking me on a date. It was clear they had a history.

”Lead the way.” Rae offered me a sympathetic look before starting off towards the door.

”Hey wait up!” Called a familiar voice from behind us. Gabriel took his time catching up to the group, stopping just beside me seemingly out of breath. A small goofy smile played on his lips as he waved for them to keep walking ahead of us. “I had a feeling you wanted some space from someone in our little circle.”

All I could do was stare at him in disbelief. He was the guy from the dream. If it even was a dream, I still wasn’t too sure about the answer to that.

”Thanks.” I mumbled and kept pace with him. “Did we go to a waterfall the other night?” I glanced over at him as he held the door open for me.

”You remember that?” He looked surprised for a split second before his expression went to stony. “Yeah, we went to one after your date fell through. You passed out after realizing you almost walked off the edge.”

I nodded at him as we caught up with everyone. “Let’s talk after class.” He gave a curt nod and stood back as I took over the tour. Leaving Nate and his girl at their classes first. Gabriel ended up splitting off from us soon after I dropped off Rae. Now it was just Kyle, and I who had the same lecture to make it to.