Days Go By

The days continued on in such a way, Lance coming over to talk to her every lunch time, (and scaring her every time). Sometimes during classes he would mingle with the other guys, which wasn't too surprising, but what surprised her was that he still came over, at the same time, same place, to talk to her. It wasn't really important speech, just about things in school, about the book she was reading, nothing much. But it did mean something to her. A friend, as he said, and the only one who talked sensibly here. It made her feel good that someone thought that. She thought that everything was going for the better...

Until Friday after school came.

She was walking home, as she usually did, but slower as to admirer the scenery. What she ignored, however, was what would bring an end to just be called a freak...but bringing truth to it. For a few jocks that had grown tired of her hanging around Lance decided to seek revenge.

When she was walking, they suddenly came up from behind, grabbing her backpack and coat and tugging at her hair forcefully. They asked stupid questions like, "Is it real?" and "What do you think is in this thing she carries around?" She tried to get away, two of them pulling at her jacket even more and the buttons beginning to rip. One of them scratched the side of her face, making it bleed, as the fabric finally gave way, making her fall to her knees.

There was a long, stunned silence, as she rose, turning to face them slowly. Her eyes were angry, glowing in the dim sunlight escaping the trees rasp overhead. They backed away, her eyes once and for all giving the effect that they did stare into their souls, and past it.

"You...really are a freak!" one of them breathed, unbelieving of what he saw.

Nevaeh's eyes remained stern, standing tall and about to step forward, when she looked to the side, her eyes turning sad. She only thought it was these punks, but to the side she saw her only friend, terror and shock in his eyes. She backed away, picking up her jacket and feeling ashamed, as she ran the rest of the way home, not wanting to look back.

The others just laughed, beginning to walk back to the school. The leader was in front, holding the backpack, as Lance stepped forth, his eyes narrow. They were about to greet him when suddenly he unleashed a punch into the leaders face, breaking his nose and sending blood to spew all over. He grabbed the backpack, throwing it over his shoulder and walking on. They just stared after him in wonder and he began to run, chasing after her.

When she got home, she tried to dry the tears from her eyes. As she entered, her father just happened to be standing there, soon seeing her distress and putting a hand under her chin, turning her head to see the large gash on the side of her head.

"Who did this?" he questioned, his voice agitated.

"Umm...no one. I fell," she answered simply, looking over to the kitchen door. "Mother, do you think you could fix my coat? I snagged it and ripped it when I fell and got this scrape."

"Sure thing, sweetie, just set it there and I'll get it later."

She set the coat down and ran up the stairs, ears beginning to fall from her eyes as she slammed the door shut behind her. Her father blinked, confused in a way, and looked to his wife, wondering if she new. She just smiled, shaking her head to her husband.

"Don't even try to understand, my dear Sephiroth. It'll only end in tragedy!"

"Hmm? Is it some sort of girl thing?" he asked, his wife laughing.

"Sort of. Just leave her to her peace, alright?"

He paused, soon shaking his head. "It is one thing I will never understand, Kerah, and that is our daughter."

Nevaeh put her head down on her bed, beginning to cry. She had blew it in a matter of days. A mere week, and just when it was leading to the weekend. She thought about telling her father about those who had caused this, but then again they didn't deserve that much treatment. Besides, if she really was that much of an outcast, she wouldn't want the reputation of her father being a murderer of the schools prized athletes. She would be kicked out for sure. She would go on wearing the coat, even though everyone would soon know about it. She'd rather look normal, and not be tormented even more. But, it didn't matter. She had lost her only friend by being the freak she was, and that was the end.

But outside, Lance approached this small, middle-of-nowhere cabin, getting a little creped out by it. The large trees loomed above, blocking out most of the light. The house was crawling with ivy, smoke coming from the smokestack to the side. He swallowed hard, stepping towards it. He knocked on the door, the handle creaking as it opened. He stood in fear, a tall, lean man standing over him, his eyes blinking in surprise. They narrowed, however, as he saw the backpack in his hands, looking like Nevaeh's.

"Yes?" the man's voice boomed, his dark wear blending into the outside surroundings.

"Uh...t-this Nevaeh's h-house?" he stuttered in fright.

"Yes it is," he stated, leaning forward threateningly. "Who are you?"

"I-I, uh, umm..." he couldn't quite get it out, Sephiroth filling in.

"Is this Nevaeh's backpack?" he finally inquired.

"Yeah, it is," he said, letting his hands slip and Sephiroth take it.

"Well, thank you for returning it," he said. "Now tell me, do you know who did that to her?"

"Oh, the jocks. Yeah, the four highest ranking, actually. Why?"

Sephiroth grinned, patter the boy on the shoulder. "You're a good kid." His eyes appeared stricken again. "Now, get off my property!" With that, the door slammed in his face.

He heard a few voices inside and before he could head on his way the door opened again. A lady with perfectly white hair and violet eyes emerged, wearing a green dress with leggings underneath and dark blue slippers, along with a robe. She smiled, shrugging.

"Forgive my husband. I'm afraid he doesn't like trespassers, whether they are or not. Please, come in."

He did what she suggested, stepping in and away from the dreary environment. Instead, it was something completely different. The walls were all an oak color, the carpet a soft gray color. Chair were placed close to the fire in the other room and stairs leading up.

"You're here to see Nevaeh? Say, are you that Lance fellow she spoke about?"

"Yeah I am. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, I've heard many good things about you. Supposedly you're as smart as she is."

"I guess you could say that..." he said, rubbing the back of his head. They both looked in the other direction, however, when Sephiroth grabbed his coat, flicking his hair back and opening the door.

"You're leaving?" she asked.

"Just going to take a breather," he said, obviously fibbing to keep her calm. But she knew where he was going, and only shook her head, sighing.

"He'll never give that act up. Oh well." She motioned up the stairs, smiling. "She just up there. In the room all the way down the hall."

"Um, thanks," he said, heading up here.

He walked up the rickety old steps, stepping down the hall. He heard sobbing from the room he was heading to, knowing it could only be her. His hand fell on the door handle, opening it slowly. He looked in, seeing her kneeing next to her bed, her head in her arms. She wiped them away when she looked up, presumably thinking it was her mother or father. But as she looked, she turned quickly away, looking up to her window.

"What do you want?" she asked softly.

"I just came over to bring your backpack back," he replied, stepping in and shutting the door.

She laughed half-heatedly. "Yeah, I know. I heard my father from downstairs. But why are you really here, besides for the fact that my mother asked you in."

"I was actually wondering...well, why else?"

"About my wings, right? Just probably didn't see my mother or father's did you?"

"No, I didn't notice. Do they have two too?"

"My mother has two white wings. My father has one black, and that's why I have one of each."

"Oh..." He chuckled slightly. "It's actually kind of funny."

"What, that I have wings?" she spat, putting her back to her bed.

"No! it's just that...I didn't think anyone else had wings."

She looked with question to him, wondering what he meant. He only grinned.

"See, my father has a wing too. And I guess...Well, here."

He reached for the sleeves of his coat, pulling it off. He stretched his arm to his side, something that would send her into shock being revealed. He rubbed the back of his head, shrugging. But attached to his back, spreading a black patch into the room...

Was one leathery wing...

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A/N I know, a long chapter, But it gets most of the boring stuff over with and leads of to A LOT! So, please-PLEASE review, and stay tuned for the next (hopefully somewhat shorter) chapters!