Wings

I’m awoken sometime later by another unscheduled knock at my door. I roll over and shout, “I’m trying to sleep!” I don’t move until I feel a hand stroke my hair. With effort, I roll over to yell at the intruder to go away, but when I see their face, my jaw drops.

“Wings?” Her hand is wrapped in a brand new pink cast.

“Missed me?” She asks, grinning. I blush, because honestly, I had.

“What are you doing back here?” I put my hand on her new cast.

“Promise not to laugh?”

“Definitely not.”

She continues anyways. “I fell down the stairs at the front entrance, and tried to catch the handrail with my bad arm.” She raises her pink arm, “Refractured all the old breaks, plus I dislocated my pinky.”

I prove honest to my promise, and laugh. “Nice job. Did you do it on purpose?”

Wings stares at me for a few seconds. “Why the hell would I do that? You’re cute an’ all, but I don’t like you that much.”

I blush, trying to explain myself. “I just mean, you seemed pretty unhappy to be with your mom.”

Wings laughs. “Nah, I was just embarrassed by her plastic headlights.” Wings makes an obscene gesture and I can’t help but let a snort escape.

Things are back to normal already, and they stay that way for nine days before Wings drops her atomic bomb on me.

“I’m leaving tomorrow.”

“You’re not going to break your face on the way out?” I try to joke.

I must have done a bad job, because Wings adds, “I’ll visit you twice a week, okay?” I try to smile, but I probably do a bad job at that too, because Wings stands up and sits on my bed, next to me and wraps her arm around me in an awkward half-hug. “Last time I left, you totally missed me, didn’t you?”

I nod, sheepishly, “maybe a little. You are my only friend.” Wings seems to consider this for a moment.

“Remember when you asked if I re-broke my wrist on purpose?” I nod, waiting for her to continue, which she does, after a deep breath.  “Well… I did.” I stare, confused. Did she hate her family that much? Or- “I…” she started, “I wanted to spend more time with you.” I stare at her silently for a minute.

“Liar,” I finally say, laughing, but unsure.

Wings’ face stays serious, and a small smile appears on her face. “Honestly.”

Suddenly, without warning, our lips are touching.

My chest feels funny, like it’s full of… something. My heart is beating at an irregular rate. I feel as if a cool breeze has entered the room, sending a shiver down my spine. My face is burning red. I feel as if time is slowing to a stop. I feel… exactly the way Wings described running.

I’m frozen, like a cliché in headlights. I feel like if I move, I might shatter. I’m kissing another girl. Shouldn’t I stop? I don’t think I want to stop. Not that I want to keep kissing her either. I’m frozen on the line of indecision. The paradox of not wanting to stop or continue.

I think the kiss is short. It must be, since we don’t stop to breath. We weren’t full-on snogging or anything. It was just her lips on mine. Or my lips on hers? I’m not sure which of us initiated the kiss. Wings’ eyes were closed. Mine struggled not to do the same. If I close my eyes, I’ll be admitting that I enjoy this. Don’t I enjoy it? I’m not sure, but eventually, Wings’ lips separate from mine. She opens her eyes, but they’re nowhere near as wide as mine. She licks her lips and smiles at me, a blush on her cheeks.

“Holy shit…” I whisper.

“I know, isn’t it great?” Wings’ grin falters. “No, it- Oh god, I’m sorry, Lea- Was I- I didn’t mean to-”

I glare at her, and to my shock and dismay she stops talking. I’m about to apologize, but my mouth disobeys. “I’m going to sleep. You should too.” With that I rolled over.

I feel the pressure of Wings’ thighs leave my side, and I wish it would return, but it doesn’t. I hear the squeak of Wings’ bed as she lays down. I fall asleep shortly after.