White Wings

by Aimee Jessica Russ

  “Spit it out, then,” Isabel said bitterly.

  “In private?”

  Isabel huffed and looked at Scotty. He nudged her as if to say, go. Isabel stood up and walked quickly out of the gym. She continued walking for a while with Millie following until she reached the hallway at the front of the school.

  “What do you want?” she said abruptly, turning around.

  Millie nearly walked into her but kept her balance. “I just want to talk to you,” Millie said, feeling badly about the way she had treated Isabel.

  “Go on, then,” Isabel said in an unusually tough voice.

  “I am so sorry for everything that I have done. I never wanted to hurt you,” Millie said.

  “Well, you did hurt me.”

  “I know I did. I’m sorry that I haven’t been hanging out with you and the girls.”

  “That’s because of your precious boyfriend.”

  “Don’t blame him. He’s a really good guy. He’s just looking out for me,” Millie said, trying to plead her case and yet not reveal the true identity of Benjamin. “He’s just protecting me. He doesn’t want anything to happen to me.”

  “I’m no threat. I would never hurt you, Millie,” Isabel said, leaning on a locker.

  “I know you’re not.” Millie rubbed her head. “Can you just give me some time? I promise, everything will be back to normal after summer break.”

  “So we’re only supposed to talk once in a blue moon until after summer break? I don’t think so. You can’t just pull me in and throw me away.”

  “Can you just trust me?” Millie asked in a sincere voice.

  “I want to think that everything will be back to normal in a while, Millie, but I’m not that kind of girl who just waits around.”

  “There are a lot of things happening in my life at the moment. I just don’t want you to get dragged in. Can you please wait? I don’t want to lose our friendship. Please just trust me?”

  “Drag me into your problems? I can help. That’s what friends are for. Don’t just push me away because it’s too hard,” Isabel said, throwing her hands on her hips.

  “I know. I would if I could, but it’s too dangerous,” Millie said, pacing back and forth.

  “What’s too dangerous? What’s happening?” Isabel said, grabbing Millie’s arm.

  She stopped walking. “I wish I could tell you, but I can’t. All I can ask is if you’re a true friend to me, I just need you to trust me. Please.”

  Isabel stood there in silence for a while. “I know something’s wrong, but I value this friendship too much to lose it. I am angry that you won’t tell me, but I trust you,” she finally said, letting go of Millie’s arms.

  “Thank you so much,” Millie said in relief, hugging Isabel for a quick second.

  “I just hope everything is okay soon,” Isabel said.

  “It will be. I promise,” Millie said with a smile. “Thank you for trusting in me, Isabel. It means a lot.”

  “No problem. I just hope Benjamin will look after you, then,” Isabel said.

  “You know he asked me to go to prom with him, right?” Millie said, remembering how Isabel had questioned how he hadn’t asked her.

  “That’s one brownie point for him,” she said with a smile. “But, Millie, I just hope you don’t get hurt.”

  “I won’t. I have Benjamin.”

  “Okay. Well, I hope you’re safe. I should be getting back to Scotty,” Isabel said, slowly walking backward. “You coming?”

  “I think I’m just going to stay here for a few minutes,” Millie said with a smile.

  “Okay. I’ll see you in there,” she said, turning around and walking off.

  Millie’s face beamed with happiness. Isabel trusted in her. She had her friend back. She couldn’t stop smiling, until she heard footsteps behind her. Her heart started to beat faster and louder. Her palms started to sweat. She thought about running but wanted to see who it was. She turned around slowly and saw a man in a navy blue suit with a white, collared shirt on. She looked at the face and saw that it was David.

  “David?” she said, shocked.

  “Hey, Millie,” he said with a smile.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, still in shock.

  “I was invited,” he said, rubbing his chin. “Even though my parents forced me to change schools because of you-know-what, I still got invited.”

  “That was nice,” Millie said, rubbing her head. “So your parents forced you to change schools?”

  “Yeah, they did. I nearly died, Millie. They didn’t want me going here anymore. They wanted me stay clear from Benjamin.”

  “I am so sorry, David,” Millie said, thinking about how she had led him on.

  “It’s fine, Millie. It wasn’t your fault. I’m sorry that I kissed you,” he said with apologetic eyes. “That’s why I begged my parents to drop the charges against Benjamin. I knew you guys were an item, and I forced myself on you. If you were my girlfriend and I saw Benjamin kissing you, I would have done the exact same thing.”

  “Thank you for dropping the charges against him. It means a lot,” Millie said.

  David just smiled. “He was so strong, though. Unbelievably strong. I couldn’t even get a punch in.”

  “He works out,” Millie said, quickly making up an excuse.

  “Got it,” David said with a smile. “Want to go in?”

  “I’m just getting something out of my locker,” she said. She wanted to walk with him, but her fear of leading him on took over.

  “Okay. Well, I’ll save you a dance, then,” he said, walking away. “And Millie, you look beautiful. The crown suits you.” He gave her a kind smile. Millie smiled back.

  She threw her head back, remembering how David forced himself on her. How Benjamin raged in jealousy and nearly killed him. She hoped Benjamin would not bump into David. She needed to see Benjamin’s face again. She started walking slowly back. Her ears heard a sound behind her, but she thought nothing of it. If she had looked back, she would have seen Miss Hades standing right behind her.

  * * * * *

  She walked into the gym and Benjamin was by her side in an instant.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “I’m fine,” she said, thinking of the conversation she just had.

  “That sash suits you very well,” Benjamin said, kissing her neck.

  “I could say the same.” Millie closed her eyes as she let the tingly feelings go through her whole body.

  “Oh, Benjamin,” Michelle called, running over to him.

  “Save me,” Benjamin whispered.

  Millie laughed.

  “Can I have this dance?” Michelle asked, already pulling him to the dance floor.

  Millie chuckled all the way to her seat. She sat down and smiled at Isabel and Scotty sitting at the table. Sasha and Will were dancing ever so closely together on the dance floor.

  “Millie,” a voice said behind her. She turned around and saw Miss Hades standing there.

  “May I sit down?” she asked.

  “Sure,” Millie said politely, although she didn’t want Miss Hades anywhere near her. Millie knew what she was and why she was here: to keep an eye on her.

  “Just wanted to say congratulations to the Prom Queen.”

  “Thank you,” Millie said bluntly. She looked on the dance floor and met Benjamin’s gaze. Michelle was having the time of her life, but Benjamin kept his eyes on Millie.

  “Do you guys have any plans over summer break?” Miss Hades asked.

  “Hitting the lake a lot,” Isabel said.

  “I might be going away, but I’m not sure,” Scotty said.

  “And you, Millie?” Miss Hades asked, fixing her with her piercing blue eyes.

  Millie had to look away--they were so intense. “Haven’t decided what I am doing,” she said, looking back at Benjamin.

  “Will you be coming back after the break?” Isabel kindly asked, but she looked at Millie with a worried expression.


  “Only as a substitute teacher because Mr Sterland will be back by then,” Miss Hades said, clicking her nails together.

  “Okay,” Isabel said, again eyeing Millie.

  “You have been a very good pupil,” Miss Hades said, turning to Millie.

  “Thanks,” Millie said, feeling uncomfortable and scared.

  “You have a good knowledge of history. I would love to just pick your brain,” she said with a smile.

  Millie’s face dropped. She was talking about her knowledge of Angels, not history. She wanted to know what Benjamin’s grace had put in her brain. Miss Hades wanted to know what Drake longed for.

  “I’ll leave you guys to it,” Miss Hades said with a stern smile before she walked away.

  “I’m going to get a drink. You guys want one?” Scotty asked.

  “I’m fine,” Millie said.

  “Just a coke. Thanks,” Isabel said with a smile.

  Scotty left the table.

  “What was that about?” Isabel asked across the table in a stern voice.

  “I’m not sure,” Millie lied.

  “What happened?” Benjamin said, instantly sitting beside her.

  Michelle sat down next to Isabel in a huff.

  “She said I have a good knowledge of history and that she would love to pick my brains,” Millie said, gripping Benjamin’s hand tightly.

  “We should go now,” he said sharply.

  “We’re safe here, Benjamin. If we just stay in the gym, she can’t get to us,” Millie whispered.

  “Not for long, though,” Benjamin said in a bland voice.

  He wanted to go, to keep Millie safe, but he didn’t want to take her away from her night.

  “It’s so hot,” Michelle said, waving her hands in front of her face.

  As Millie looked around, most of the suit jackets had come off. Layers of sweat appeared on the students on the dance floor. The oppressive summer heat was rolling in. Millie looked at Benjamin and realised he didn’t even have one single drop of sweat on him. Must be another perfect Angel trait, she thought.

  Millie talked to her friends for over an hour. Benjamin remained close to her. He liked how happy she looked. He felt he was in a dream. He had a beautiful girlfriend whom he loved unconditionally. He smiled at her every time she looked at him. Her smile was peaceful and beautiful.

  “Hey, Benjamin,” Scotty called, waving him over to the boys.

  Benjamin gave Millie a kiss. “Be safe,” he whispered into her ear.

  He walked over. “I thought I might save you from the girly chit chat,” Scotty teased.

  “Gosh, your boyfriend looks so hot tonight,” Michelle said.

  “You have your own date, missy,” Sasha quickly said.

  “Yeah, but he’s no Benjamin,” Michelle complained.

  “Jonathan’s a nice guy. Don’t ditch him,” Millie defended him.

  “Whatever,” Michelle said, sitting back in her chair.

  “You and Will seem great together,” Millie said.

  “Why, thank you. He is one good charmer.” Sasha smiled as she reapplied her lipstick.

  “Not as good as Benjamin,” Michelle said under her breath.

  “You and Scotty seem to be getting close,” Sasha said to Isabel.

  “We have talked heaps tonight. He is a really nice guy,” Isabel said.

  “Anything more?” Sasha said, giving her a cheeky look.

  “Well, he is cute,” Isabel said with a smile.

  “Of course you guys get the perfect boyfriends,” Michelle said, crossing her arms.

  “I pity the guy who is stuck with you,” Sasha said sarcastically.

  “Oh, ha-ha,” Michelle said, sipping her drink.

  Benjamin couldn’t keep his eyes off Millie. He was protecting her, but he was also blinded by her beauty. He had hurt her in the past and he hated that. He wanted to make everything up to her. A feeling grew inside of him. He wanted to tell her everything about him, but it was dangerous. He wanted to share what he was keeping from her. He excused himself from the boys and walked over to Millie whilst taking his jacket off.

  “I want to take you somewhere special,” he whispered in her ear.

  He placed his jacket on another chair. “We will be back,” he said louder. He took off her crown and sash as well as his.

  “Could you take care of this, Michelle?” he asked.

  “With pleasure,” she said, beaming.

  “I’ll be back,” Millie said to them.

  They walked out of the gym hand in hand.

  Eleven

  In the Night Sky

  Benjamin took Millie somewhere quiet and dark where no one could see them. His wings ripped through his shirt and spread open.

  “Your wings never cease to amaze me,” Millie said as she stood on his feet. “Where do they go when you’re not using them?”

  “Earthbound Angels’ wings go under the skin so we can blend into society. Other Angels’ wings are always visible on their backs,” he explained, kissing the top of her head.

  As he left the earth in a rush, Millie opened her eyes for a few seconds and saw the school gym vanish from sight. She quickly closed her eyes again as the rush from the wind made them watery. She felt them stopping and again opened her eyes. Benjamin’s skin was beaming as usual. His smile made Millie’s heart flutter. She wanted to stay like this forever.

  “I remember the first time I took you flying,” Benjamin said as his wings flapped in the air.

  “When you sprung it on me at school--that was great,” Millie giggled.

  “That wasn’t the first time.”

  “What do you mean?” Millie questioned.

  “The first time was when I saw you lying on the floor in the woods. Your head was bleeding. I picked you up and flew you to safety,” Benjamin said, remembering back.

  “Oh, my gosh,” Millie said, suddenly recalling what had happened.

  “Remember the man telling you to run. That was me. I tried to save you and Savannah,” he said as his eyes became sad at the thought that he wasn’t able to save Savannah.

  “That was you?” Millie asked in shock.

  “Yes, it was.”

  “You saved me?” Millie’s heart skipped a beat.

  “I’m sorry that I couldn’t save your friends.”

  “But you tried. That’s all that matters,” Millie said in amazement.

  “I saw you there bleeding and I took you somewhere safe until the battle was over. When the police officers and ambulances reached the scene, I placed you back where I found you and made sure someone discovered you. I couldn’t heal you because I wasn’t your Protector then, but even if I could have, it would have been suspicious if you weren’t hurt,” he said, tilting his head.

  “Thank you for saving me.” Millie hugged him tighter. “Did I wake up at all?”

  “For a short time whilst I was flying, but then you fell unconscious.”

  “Would have been awkward if I fully woke up,” Millie chuckled.

  “Would have been hard explaining it to you, but I would have probably just knocked you unconscious again.” Benjamin laughed.

  “Hey,” Millie said. She was glad to see him laughing rather than dwelling over how he couldn’t save her friends. “Is that why you were assigned to protect me?”

  “Yes, it was,” Benjamin said, pulling her up so he could rub his warm nose against hers.

  “Can’t believe you saved me. I am eternally grateful.” Millie planted a kiss on his lips. “Can I just ask something?”

  Benjamin nodded.

  “Weren’t the authorities concerned that my friends’ eyes were black?”

  “We Angels fixed that problem. We called on a higher Angel to fix it,” Benjamin said.

  “Okay,” Millie said, leaning her head against his. “Let’s not talk about that night anymore.”

  “Your wish is my command.”

  They hovered in the sky for several minutes. Millie was enjoying hugging Benjamin.
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br />   “You still scared of heights?” Benjamin asked.

  “I trust my life with you. I know that you will never drop me,” she said.

  “You just keep believing that,” he teased as Millie gave him the evil eye. She looked around and noticed how the moon and stars shown brighter. The moon seemed larger. It looked beautiful.

  “I realised that I never actually properly introduced myself,” he said.

  “No one introduces themselves at school. We always find out people’s names from other students. Weird, really,” Millie said, half to herself.

  “That is weird, but I’m going to do it anyway,” Benjamin said holding her tighter.

  “Go ahead, Prom King,” Millie smiled.

  “Hello.”

  “Hey,” Millie giggled.

  “My name is Mace. Nice to meet you,” he said with his sexy half-smile.

  “Come again?” Millie said, confused.

  “My name is Mace,” he said.

  “I’m so confused.”

  “Benjamin was my cover name. Mace is my real name—my Angel name.”

  “What?” Millie asked, still confused.

  “When Protectors have to go undercover, they use a fake name.”

  “Why?”

  “Knowing an Angel’s real name is dangerous. If a Demon finds out the name of your Protector, they can hunt that Protector down.”

  “So your name is Mace?”

  “Yes, it is, Millie.”

  “I’m so embarrassed. I can’t believe you didn’t tell me earlier. I’ve been calling you your fake name all this time,” she squealed.

  “I’m sorry, but it was to protect both of us. And I thought it was cute how you called me Benjamin,” he said with a slight smile.

  “Millie and Mace. Mace and Millie,” Millie mused to herself. “It’s a beautiful name.”

  “Thank you,” he said, kissing her forehead.

  “Now I don’t have to think of that Ben guy I know.”

  “Who was he?” Mace asked.

  “He was this dirty, pervy, seedy guy at a club.”

  “You were at a club?”

  “Yeah. Blame Savannah for the fake ID,” she said, looking at Mace worried. He just shook his head.

  “Shall we dance?” he asked a few minutes later.

  “What, in the sky?”