Fallen

Chapter 25. Before the night begins [Michael]

There's a halo above my head.

It shines even in the dim lighting of the bathroom. It's golden yellow and lightly glowing.

Lucy is standing behind me, on one of the chairs from the kitchen.

She's tipping the halo to the side, making sure it looks just right. That it sits on my head perfectly. I can see how she hides the elastic hoop of the halo, a grey color, under strands of my hair. Brushing loose ones out of my eyes.

I can see her reflection in the mirror. She's grinning down at me. The light, making an emphasis on her youthful features, and her smile is toothy.

"You're almost perfect," She exclaims, jumping down from her chair with a loud thud.

There's a small box and brush on the sink in front of me, and Lucy goes for it.

She stops just in front of me. Taking my face in her dainty hands. The bristles start to touch my face. Patting around my eyes, on my cheekbones.

Glitter falls everywhere. There's a silvery tinge to it, and from what I can make out in the mirror, behind her working arms, there's a hint of something blue and purple too.

"Now you look just like the angels from the movies," She says. "I'm gonna go get ready too."

She puts down the brush on the sink and runs out of the bathroom without another word.

I can't help but chuckle. A small smile plasters itself on my face. Lucy might be more excited about me going to my first party than I am. Although, I might be more nervous than excited as of right now.

Things have been great. Days have gone by with nothing new happening.

Caleb went back to school after another day of staying home with me. And for the last few days, I've been on my own once again. Staying put. Lingering in the comfort of his home. It's been nice. No trouble since then.

It's finally the night of the party, and something is pulling in the pit of my stomach, nerves racking, my hands trembling slightly. I have no idea how the party will unfold or even what one of these parties is like. It scares me as much as it excites me.

It's as if I'm waiting for the beginning blow to land. One that just never comes. But I can't let my worry hold me back from doing something I want, especially not with Caleb.

There's a sudden bump. A loud thud above me, sounding like it's coming from upstairs.

I rush up the stairs, following the sound.

It leads me to Caleb's room. I knock on his door, waiting for a reply. An approving noise, one to let me come in, but there's no reply from behind the door. Still, I take it as an invitation.

When I push open the door, the first thing I see is Caleb.

He's lying by the foot of his bed. Face smacked up against the wooden floorboards while his butt, high in the air.

He's wearing bright red boxers, white hearts carved into the fabric.

He's wearing bright red boxers, white hearts carved into the fabric, along with a long black cape. The collar of the material is standing tall and stiff. Showing off his naked neck.

His face flushes, and so does his chest. Turning into a pink color.

He looks up at me with big eyes. Mouth gaping, wide.

Maybe this is where I should have turned around. Looked away and walked out. But still, I'm standing locked in place, frozen to the spot. Staring down at where Caleb is lying face-first on the floor.