August 27th, 2018
───∞───

MOVEMENT FROM WITHIN the house stirred me awake. I groaned, not wanting to move from my bed. Can't a girl nap in peace?

My eyes stayed glued shut as what sounded like pots and pans banging around. Holy fuck that's annoying. I grumbled a few words Michael wouldn't be too fond of, squeezing my pillow over my head as I tried to block the ruckus out.

"Celeste," Michael called out.

Ohmygawdwhatthefuck.

"What?" I grumbled. I didn't have to yell for him to hear me. Perks of being an Archangel I guess.

"Come meet our new neighbors."

Oh shit, what?

"Why?" I whined.

"Now, please." He called up, ignoring my childish complaint.

"I'm coming," I huffed.

By his silence, Michael had heard my response. I took my time getting out of bed, making sure to take as long as possible to get downstairs. What can I say? Being a smartass is in my blood.

I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision and yawned. I looked to my left at the digital alarm clock on my nightstand. The green digits read six thirteen. I had got home from school and crashed about three and a half hours ago.

Who knew school could be so exhausting?

I grabbed my phone from my nightstand, unplugging it and looked through my notifications. I had eight unread messages. Frowning, I went through them.

Unknown: Hey cupcake

Unknown: Sup Angel(;

Unknown: E stop flirting

Unknown: You're just jealous

Unknown: Am not

Unknown: Are too

Unknown: Dick

I burst out laughing at that one. A smile spread from ear to ear, unable to stop it. I had almost completely forgotten about the boys from school today. Part of me thought it was all a dream, or a joking. I was happy that it hadn't been.

Unknown: Bite me

Unknown: When and where?;)

That's when I decided I should probably step in before it got too weird.

Me: Kinky

Okay, so I didn't really help the situation, but close enough. Before I would forget, I saved their numbers into my phone.

Noah: Hey, Cupcake! We can't really talk right now

Evan: We have to meet our new neighbors, sorry Angel

Me: How ironic, me too.

Me: Good luck, I heard neighbors are assholes

Noah: lmao ikr, you too cupcake

"Celeste," Michael called up in warning.

Shit. "Coming!"

I threw my brush on my bed and speed walked out my bedroom door and to the right. The hall was boarded by my bathroom and a white railing overlooking the main floor. Michael had just opened the door when I came down the stairs. I turned out of the living room and my gaze fell on the front door as it creaked open.

My phone vibrated with another text message.

Evan: Wait a hot second

"Welcome," Michael smiled. The Archangel stook a step back, welcoming them into our home. As I walked up, I was expecting a normal family with a few kids and maybe a cat lady. Not this.

"Thanks," Noah smiled happily.

My jaw dropped as Noah, Evan and a red-haired woman stepped inside.

"Celeste, don't be rude," Michael scolded. At the mention of my name, all three heads snapped in my direction. The boys' and I's eyes widened, grins spreading on our faces.

"No way," Noah and I said at the same time.

"Called it!" Evan blurted happily.

We burst out laughing as Michael and the other woman I had yet to meet, gave us weird looks.

I walked over to the boys, pleasantly surprised that they were my neighbors.

"This day keeps getting better and better," Evan smirked.

"You've already met them?" Michael asked, his eyes drawn in worry.

Oh shit, I hadn't even thought of that. I resisted sighing.

"We met at school," I smiled, trying not to show my change in mood. "We're good friends." 

At least I hoped. My heart stung a little.

If I were to be friends with the boys, and they were my next door neighbors, it may cause some problems when it came to keeping secrets from them. I didn't even want to think about what they may say or do if they ever found out.

"Oh definitely., Evan offered. "In fact, Noah wants to adopt Celeste," he snickered. 

"Hey," Noah pointed an accusing finger at his friend. "You agreed, we just have to consult Zeke." 

Michael raised an eyebrow.

"Noah, leave the poor girl alone," the red-haired woman scolded from behind them both. They were so tall I could have missed her completely if it hadn't been for her hair.

The woman stepped forward, reaching her hand out towards Michael.

"I apologize for the boys' rudeness. I'm Hannah," she smiled, it was warm and friendly. Her eyes sparkled hazel, her flaming red hair framed her high cheekbones. She had a freckled button nose and full lips. She was stunning.

"It's nice to meet you," Michael shook her hand politely. "I'm Michael, Celeste's foster parent."

"That makes me Celeste," I laughed anxiously. Hannah's eyes flashed with sympathy as I shook her hand.

"It's nice to meet you," she spoke gently.

"She's kind of like our mother," Evan yawned, motioning to the Hannah.

"Except she's not," Noah rolled his eyes. Hannah smirked.

"I'm Noah's older sister. I live with him but take an online college class at the local university." Hannah smiled proudly and I couldn't help but smile back. The "local" university was about five hours away. I understood why she took classes online.

"Who's Zeke?" Michael asked.

Evan winced. "He's the other guy in our little group. He's out finishing some business he had to take care of. He apologizes he couldn't be here to officially introduce himself." 

Noah snickered from behind me. Hannah punched him in the shoulder.

"Well, that's quite alright," Michael soothed. His eyes traveled over to Hannah. "Would you like some coffee?" 

She smiled politely, nodding. "I'd love some, thank you." They went off to my left, into the kitchen. I glared at Michael's head while he gathered things around.

He better not let that woman use my coffee.

"What's with that face, Cupcake?" Noah asked.

My eyes never left Michael. He's currently handing Hannah a coffee cup.

At least he's smart enough not to hand her my coffee mug.

"Oh, I don't know, I'm just making sure he doesn't make my coffee."

"Possessive, are we?" Evan chuckled.

I turned to Evan with wide eyes. "Oh, yeah. Last time Michael tried to do that I nearly cut his fingers off." The boys snickered.

They thought I was joking. How cute.

Once I was sure Michael was being a smart little angel, I turned to the boys with a gleam in my eye.

"Wanna play Xbox?"

The boys nodded, an evil glint in their eye. It's funny how they think they're gonna win.

As we headed upstairs, I turned to glance back at Michael and Hannah. She was telling some story it seemed, while Michael was glaring up at me. I smirked, winking at my father figure.

I pushed his buttons way too much, but it's all just fun and games.

We've been playing Call of Duty for the past hour, the loser switching with the odd man out to play the winner. At first, we had started with Team Deathmatch, but the boys got bored. How they could get bored by that? I have no idea. Now, we were in the middle of Capture the Flag, and my team was kicking Noah's teams' ass.

"You're about to get the biggest cock-block ever," Evan murmured, wincing. I smirked because it was true. I hid in a corner behind the flag as Noah came in the building, heading straight for it.

"Yeah, right," Noah snorted. His avatar came into view.

I rolled my eyes. "You're too cocky." Taking aim, I lit Noah up with bullets. Noah's screen lit up with his reply death scene, and I was laughing my ass off.

"Not fair, Cupcake!" Noah shouted.

"Oh, please, it was completely fair," I snickered.

"Was not!"

"Was too!"

"NOT!"

"STOP BEING A WHINY LITTLE BITCH!"

Then we both simultaneously turned to the guy in the middle. "EVAN!"

His hands went straight up, palms out. "Oh hell no, I'm not involved in any of this."

We all broke out into fits of laughter. The wall around my heart cracked a little.

"Celeste, it's time for our neighbors to head home," Michael called up the stairs, loud enough for the boys to hear.

Groaning, I stood from the edge of my bed and turned off the Xbox.

"Sorry boys," I shrugged, slightly disappointed they had to leave.

"All good, Angel," Evan yawned, stretching out. The hem of his shirt lifted, revealing little blonde hairs trailing down the middle of his defined v-line and into his jeans.

Drool.

"C'mon, I walk you boys out," I blurted, tearing my eyes away from Evan.

The boys followed without argument, trudging down the stairs after me. Michael and Hannah were talking silently as we came around the corner. They stopped and smiled at the three of us.

Weird.

"You boys ready to go?"

"Yes, mother," Noah scolded. Evan chuckled, following Noah to the door.

They each thanked Michael and headed outside.

"Bye Angel!" Evan shouted over his shoulder as he made his exit.

Noah, halfway out the door, turned and winked at me. "See ya, Cupcake."

"Bye, boys," I smirked. My head shook with their dorkiness, absolutely in love with it.

"Thank you once again," Hannah smiled up at Michael, her eyelashes fluttering.

Michael smiled down at her politely. "Anytime," he said. 

Hannah's cheeks heated, but she turned to face me. She tried to hide her blush and failed miserably. 

"I'm glad you and the boys are getting along, maybe you can get them out of the house once in a while, even keep them on their toes," Hannah smirked, a hopeful glint in her eye. 

I chuckled. "I'd be happy too." Hannah nodded, thanking us both once again, and left. 

"That was interesting," Michael stated bluntly. 

I shook my head, smirking in an evil way as I eyed my father-figure. Michael turned to me. Once he saw my facial expression, his face scrunched in apprehension. 

"What?" His eyebrow ticked upward. 

"She was flirting with you," I snickered, enjoying this way too much. 

Michael rolled his eyes, shoving his hands in the front pocket of his jeans. "Oh, please. Get your head of your butt. She was just being polite." 

"She blushed!" I screeched, waving my hands around. It was supposed to help me emphasize my point, but I think it just made me look slightly mental. 

Michael said nothing, sighing like he couldn't believe we were actually having this conversation. 

I followed him into the kitchen, leaning on the inside of the island. "Ya know, for an all-powerful Archangel, you're pretty blind." 

"Am not," Michael whipped around, scowling at me. 

"Mhmm." My eyebrow ticked. 

His diamond blue eyes rolled again. "I'm going to get around for bed before you give me another headache," he mumbled. He was halfway down the hallway under the railing when I called after him. 

"FLIRTING!"

As he turned into his bedroom, I swore I heard him mumble: "I swear I'll never understand teenagers." 

I couldn't really argue with him on that one. Half the time we don't even understand ourselves.

───∞───
August 29th, 2018

WHY DOES IT have to be so difficult to put skinny jeans on? If you've been fortunate enough not to wear these awful but amazing contraptions, let me be the first to warn you: It's one hell of a process.

Jump. Jump. Wiggle. Tug. Tug. Jump. Jump. Pull. Tug. Jump. Wiggle.

Truth be told, the only reason why I wear them is that they hug my curves and make my legs look longer. Oh, and they make my ass look fucking great. So, of course, I'm going to wear them.

Sighing in relief after all that hard work, I started to brush out my hair. Today is Wednesday, and I'm picking up the boys - Noah and Evan - for school in about ten minutes. 

It was a mutual agreement that since we all lived right next to each other, we might as well carpool and save gas. I go through my gas like an alcoholic goes through alcohol, so I was elated over the idea.

Zeke, the guy that lives with Evan and apparently the last in their little friend group, still hasn't shown up for school. Evan mentioned that he wouldn't be going again today, so I didn't have to worry about giving him a ride. I've never met the guy, and as far as I know haven't seen the guy either, so it was no big deal to me.

Pulling a simple blue crop-top on, I quickly pulled my hair into a half-up. My makeup was already done and my bag was ready. Unplugging my phone, I checked my messages with a frown. Nothing.

That's odd. Deciding it was best, I sent the boys a message.

Me: Picking you up in 5.

Grabbing my keys, I swung my bag over my shoulder and headed downstairs. To no surprise, Michael was already downstairs making coffee.

God bless his soul. Oh, wait.

I placed my bag on the chair next to me as I sat down. "Morning," I yawned.

"Morning," Michael grumbled in reply. I raised my eyebrow.

"What has your panties in a bunch this morning?"

Michael grunts, saying nothing. Then he turns around and I gasp. Michael's hair is completely disheveled, the opposite of its usual combed back hairstyle. It looked greasy and dark compared to how it normally looked - bright and nearly glowing. The white t-shirt he wore hugged his muscular torso in wrinkles, and his jeans were slightly lopsided. He didn't seem like himself at all, something was off.

"Michael, what's going on?"

He handed me my cup of coffee and I took it gratefully. My eyes never left him.

"I'm getting weaker," he stated bluntly.

"W-what?" I stuttered, absolutely horrified.

Running a hand through his already messy hair, he sighed with a look of disappointment and worry written on his features.

"When I came to Earth about eighteen years ago, I had to hide who I really was."

My eyebrows drew together. "What do you mean?"

"Celeste, I had to conceal my powers. I had to retract my wings, hide my powers that constantly radiate around my body, and look as human as possible. I can't look anything other than human, and if I don't suppress my powers then I can be tracked down here."

"Tracked by who? Who are you hiding from?"

Michael ignored the question, a troubled expression on his face. He was holding something back.

"Spit it out," I grumbled.

"I think I know what's been causing your flares," he admits as he bows his head.

I'm taken back, nearly falling out of my chair. I set down my cup, my blood pressure rising and my hands shaking. He said he never had a clue, and now all of a sudden he does?

"Celeste I said 'I think', I don't know if it's true or not," Michael snapped.

"Stop," I hold my hand up, shaking my head as tears brim in my eyes. "Just stop."

I didn't want to hear anymore, at least not right now.

The number one thing in my life that has brought me such misery, mockery, and depression possibly has a cure. Michael claimed he never had an idea, but he did. Angel's don't lie, but he kept this from me. It hurt more than any word could put into a sentence.

"I have to go," I whispered hoarsely.

"Celeste..." Michael choked.

I ignored him, picking up my bag and tugging it on my shoulder. My heart cracked and the wall around it building another tier.

Just as I opened the door, Michael called after me.

"I did it for your protection, all of it. You have to let me explain!"

My nose flared in anger, a single tear sliding the length of my face. "That's the thing, Michael," I barked. "If you had really done it for me and my protection, you would have told me and never let me go through all that misery!"

Michael was stunned into silence. Without another word, I turned and slammed the door behind me. Swiping the tear from my cheek, I hopped into my car and started the engine. My throat throbbed as tears threatened to pour down my face. I bit my lip, forcing them back and they did.

The only things that kept me from skipping school and leaving were Noah and Evan. They've been my saving grace these past couple days, but this only meant I had to keep my distance. I don't want them to leave. Another tier was added to my little wall.

I checked my phone and found no new messages from Noah or Evan.

What the hell?

Pulling out of the driveway, I planned to just pull up to Noah's house first, the problem was, I didn't know who's house was whose.

Shit.

The house to my right was a similar two-story victorian like my own but painted in a light gray unlike our white. To my left, the house again similar, but painted sky blue. I didn't want to pick the wrong house and accidentally run into that Zeke guy, I hate awkward circumstances.

I didn't bother sending a text considering they weren't even answering their phones. Deciding to wing it, I pulled into the blue house's driveway to my left. Noah and Hannah seemed like bright blue-loving people, right?

Instead of honking, I figured it was best to go up and knock. So that's what I did, but I left the car on. It's early in the morning but it was already starting to warm up and with a leather interior, I wasn't gonna risk it. Ladies, you know what I mean.

I knocked on the front door, checking the time on my phone. I was right on time. We agreed on seven-twenty, but yet all was quiet. I shuffled my feet on the plain wooden boards on their porch, waiting for Noah to open the door with his infectious smile. Well, hoping rather.

Heavy footsteps walking up the porch steps ripped my gaze away from the door and into a pair of stormy grey eyes. All the air inside my lungs vanished as we made eye-contact. But it didn't last long before I was ogling every inch of him. My eyes traveled down to his black tee that suction cupped his broad chest and his hard abs. I got a peek of the defined v-line before it disappeared beneath the waistline of his jeans that hung low on his hips.

His tousled raven black hair gave me the idea he had just woken up, but by the bags under his eyes, I'd say he hasn't slept all night. His chiseled jaw was locked and his full-kissable lips were begging for attention. They were getting plenty of it from me. Just taking a small guess, but I'd have to say that this was Zeke.

Wrong house.

And now here I was, at seven in the morning, staring. Awkward. I really need to get laid. And get a boyfriend. Not necessarily in that order.

"Can I help you?" The rich baritone of his voice was swoon-worthy.

...knees weak, palms are sweaty, there's vomit on- Nope, not gonna vomit. Wrong song choice. 

I mentally grimaced. 

"Hello?" he asked, the tone he used was dripping in tired annoyance. 

However long I had been staring at him as I've never seen a good-looking dude before, was way beyond my level of thinking right now. In my defense, besides Noah and Evan who were like my best friends, guys my age did not look like that. He must have crawled out of hell because it had to be a sin to be this hot. 

"Take a picture, sweetheart it will last longer," he snickered arrogantly, his grey eyes brightening in amusement. My eyebrows furrowed for a split second. Those eyes, they're familiar. He seemed to take note of my confusion, his eyebrow raising. 

I'm glad he found my drooling amusing. Not. It was completely embarrassing. His arrogance was like an ice-cold bucket of water being dumped on me. 

"I-I'm looking for No-, er, Evan," I stumbled, mentally face-palming myself. 

I hate this, I look like a fool. With my luck, I'll trip over nothing and face plant in front of the guy. Oh, I really hope I didn't just jinx it. 

"I'm Celeste, I just moved here a few days ago." Great, now I'm rambling. If the boys ever found out about this little moment, I'd never live it down. 

"Celeste? Seriously? That's your name?" He sounded like the name actually disgusted him. 

My body stiffened. "Yup, pretty sure that's my name," I muttered. He laughed, he actually laughed and it was a damn good laugh. It made me want to punch him in the throat. He just insulted my name and was laughing. What a prick. 

"What's wrong with my name?" I snapped, flailing my arms around. I should really stop doing that, it makes me look crazy. 

"Why are you here for Evan?" He completely ignored my question. He face went blank, hiding any emotion he was currently feeling. Man, I wish I could do that. 

"We have school," I said like it was the most obvious thing in the world. 

"Ah, that explains it." 

"And I'm here to pick him and Noah up," I quickly finished. His eyebrows drew together at the mention of Noah. 

"And who the hell are you, again?" he barked suddenly, a storm brewing within his eyes. Where have I seen those before? The question was starting to drive me insane. 

Okay, dick-o, just because you're hot, doesn't mean that gives you the right to be an asshole. 

"Excuse me?" I hissed. It was like he was getting possessive. I don't know how to explain it, but I could just feel it. Like I was on his territory, even when I literally lived right next to him. 

"You heard me," he snapped, glaring down at me as if I were a bug beneath his shoe. 

"You're about to hear a lot of things when I shove my foot up your ass," I growled. 

He straightened up, his eyebrow raising with a smirk firmly planted on his lips. "Kitten has spunk." 

Dick. 

First Michael, now this. It's only right for this shit to happen on the same day. Oh, and let's not forget the fact that the hottest guy in Allegan, the smallest town ever, was a prick.  

Fan-fucking-tastic. 

He leaned up against the railing across from me, an easy smirk across his face. It said that he had all day, but I certainly did not. 

"Can you just go get Evan for me?" I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. 

"Not a chance in hell, sweetheart." 

My mouth dropped the floor as my temper flared. "Don't call me sweetheart," I growled. If I didn't leave now, my demon would start to come out and he was already livid. I could feel his anger and it was starting to give me a headache. 

"Too late," he smirked. 

"Go burn in hell," I snapped. 

"You may just get your wish, sweetheart." 

Grr. He acted like I was his playtoy. Just as I was about to say "fuck it" and leave, Evan swung open the door with a bright smile on his face. Who the fuck smiles that bright this early in the morning? 

"Hey, Angel, I see you've finally met Zeke," Evan smirked. 

"Unfortunately," I muttered at the same time Zeke asked, "Angel?" 

"It's her nickname," Evan said, acting like it was no big deal. Which I thought it wasn't, but clearly it was. 

"Angel, seriously?" Zeke drawled like it was the worst nickname in the world. Again. What's this guy's problem? Does he have something against celestial beings or something? If so, he was going to have a hay day if he ever finds out what I am. 

I've had enough of him. "Okay, Prettyboy, let's go," I said, turning to head towards my car. 

"I'm not going," Zeke said, sounding as if I had just insulted him. 

"Oops, sorry, I forgot you're too dense for high school. My bad." My voice was dripping in sarcasm. Evan chuckled and Zeke glared at me. 

"No, dickhead, I wasn't talking to you. I was talking to Evan," I continued. 

Evan smirked, waving to Zeke before following down after me. Just as my hand grazed my door handle, Zeke called out to me. 

"See you around, Kitten." 

From here I could see a knowing glint in his eye. I didn't know if it was a threat or a challenge, so I took it as both. Then, I did the most mature thing I could think of. I stuck my tongue out at him. His laugh followed me as I got in the car, the engine nowhere near loud enough to drown it out. 

"I apologize for his attitude," Evan chuckled nervously. I waved it off, not wanting to talk about it.   

"He's been through a lot and he doesn't really know you," he paused. "But once you get to know him you'll grow to like him." 

I snorted. Yeah, maybe when pigs fly. 

"Don't worry about it," I eased. "As you said, he doesn't know me." 

And he never would.