Jack didn't come back. He didn't show up that night; and he wasn't there in the morning.
Sky decided to clean the house. Lauren was around; but didn't say much other than a 'good morning'.
It was a Friday; and she had the evening shift which meant for the night she would have to cater to not only customers but the nights entertainment. Some local band.
"Where's your ribbon?"
Sky dropped the broom she'd been using and looked at Lauren. Pointing at the bandana she'd used in place of the ribbon. "I thought this would keep my hair back better," she lied.
"Oh... I thought maybe you'd lost it," she went to the fridge and looked inside as Sky picked up the broom.
Closing the door to the fridge, Lauren turned back to her, "If you don't want to wear it anymore, because of that fight we had, it's okay. It was a dumb gift anyway."
"Lau, no. Stop. I love that ribbon. And you; like a sister. That's not going to change any time soon"
"...Are you working tonight?"
"Yeah."
"Then let's talk tomorrow. I'm... not feeling well today." Lauren stepped forward and hugged Sky.
Awkwardly holding the broom at her side, Sky hugged her back with one arm, "Feel better soon, okay? I've got a lot of time to kill before work, so I'll be around."
Nodding, Lauren left the kitchen and headed to her room. Sky went back to sweeping the floor
'Good. We're going to talk. Hopefully about Jack Frost.'
Still, he never showed his face. 'I hope he gives me that ribbon back. Leaving my hair undone doesn't bother me but Lauren might ask again if she doesn't see it soon'
A while later; Sky was at work. Glancing out the window now and then, waiting to see if the Winter Spirit would show up, she only feigned focus.
She tried once to explain better about what had happened the previous night, but Daniel waved her away. '...IT's probably better if I never mention it again'
"Thank you, dear! I've been desperate for a good cup of caffeine all damn day! Haha" "It's no problem. Glad you came here instead of making more instant garbage at home" "Oh, yes! That was an awful time! Sorry, dearie, I do believe I nearly bit your head off with all my complaining!" "Just don't do it again! Come to us straight away, you hear?"
As the hours droned on, the cheery mood was replaced with impatience and loud comments of disapproval. The nights' entertainment wasn't showing up. Some band, barely out of their garage but supposedly 'headed for the big time', was meant to play. Sky didn't know what was happening and tried to keep the crowd happy while being a reliable waitress.
"Where's the band?" "They're on their way, please be patient" "Aren't they supposed to have started by now?" "It's a slight delay, I'm sorry" "What the hell do I do now?! This is such a waste" "I'm sorry, sir, but if you're going to get rowdy, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."
It continued like that for a while, Sky becoming more stressed every moment. If something didn't happen soon, she would have to enlist some of the college football players to hold her back from the ruder customers.
"Daniel, I can't take this anymore!"
"Sky, the place isn't even full yet. Hold on a while, it'll get worse" he winked at her.
Groaning, Skyla picked up the tray Daniel had filled with complimentary cookies and made her way through the room.
Reaching the idlers at the entrance, she noticed a certain Winter Spirit hanging around outside. Waving, she signaled asking if he wanted to come inside. Seeing him nod, she went to prop the door open, mentioning louder than she needed to how stale the air was getting.
"Wow, I've never seen this place so busy. What is there, 10 people in here?" smiling, she mumbled how there was more like 30 and continued making her rounds as Jack floated above everyone "With a crowd like this, one would think some sort of event was going on"
"There should be" ignoring a curious glance with a polite smile, Sky moved back behind the counter. "Daniel, what's the news?" He was just getting off the phone, looking as polite as he could in the middle of his business.
"Get on the stage, Skyla" Her eyes widened as he continued, "Those no-name losers aren't showing up. They are not getting another gig here, I tell you. Now get up there and FIX THIS."
"H-how?!"
"Do what you do! Sing! You've done it before. You can do it again. We need you to do this. Please. For The Nephilim."
Sighing, she nodded. "You owe me. Seriously."
"Whatever you want," he added with a smirk, "...Angel"
A few minutes later, Daniel was up making the announcement, "Sorry, everyone. Change of plans," everyone looked up with mixed expressions of confusion and annoyance, "Those losers who call themselves a band, Twisted Shells, will not be performing tonight" Loudly, the crowd began to boo, shaking their heads as they complained. Daniel hurried on, "Instead! Yes, we have a plan B! Nephilim Cafe's very own..." pause for effect, "Angel!"
Half the faces in the room had growing confusion written on them. None of them moved. The others, the more frequent visitors, gladly made their way closer to the stage. They knew the 'Angel' was a rare last-ditch gem the owner liked to show off. What friends they had brought along with them followed and they all hyped each other up.
All too soon for her liking, Skyla was putting on the brightest, most mysterious smile she could muster and making her way onto the small stage. After Daniel had given her the go-ahead, she'd ran to the back room to get ready.
They kept a dress for such occasions, though such occasions hardly ever came to be. Brown, like the shirt she wears as her regular uniform, with golden accents. Greek in style, it was almost a shame that it didn't get worn very often. As it's owner, Daniel only let her wear it when she was in the spotlight, and she was not about to be the regular entertainment.
Her hair, now in a loose braid, was tied with a gold-colored rope that hung down to the small of her back. Dark brown flats on her feet.
Jack had been curious about why she'd left, but she'd shooed him out of the back room so she could get changed. She could see him now, realization donning on him. The smile never left his lips. It stayed there, like it usually did, as she made herself centered on the stage.
"Hello," She spoke into the microphone, "Some new faces, I see. Nice to meet you all. I'm Angel, and I hope you'll accept me in the place of said 'losers'; the band Twisted Shells. A shame they couldn't make it... But I'm here for you instead"
Small sounds of approval made their way to her ears. Her confidence level rose.
"I have some ideas of what I want to sing... If there are any requests later on, please bring them to the owner.
"Without any further delays," Sky started, her smile becoming even brighter than before, "let's start with a song I've held close to my heart of late. Something of a shout out to a certain Guardian I've been helping"
Still, Jack's smile didn't falter. He laughed softly and floated closer as she began to sing.
After a few songs, with short breaks in between, Skyla's set was done. The crowd cheered a bit, she thanked them, and then some generic coffee shop music started to play. Most people left, some stayed for another latte or biscuit.
Sky slipped into the back room to get changed into her regular uniform. Hidden behind a screen, she barely flinched when Daniel walked in, Jack on his heels.
"That was great, Sky! You really saved my ass."
"Seriously? I do that every day just by showing up. Shouldn't you be watching the front?"
"No, no. You were a bit busy, so I called Jen in. She told me she wouldn't start anything," he continued before Sky could complain, "so just get dressed and get out without talking to her. Your adoring fans will have to wait til tomorrow for your autograph."
"Daniel, that's what you plan every time we do this. No one wants my autograph, "she shook her head, "no one wants Angels autograph, either."
"Yeah, yeah. Think up what I owe you and text me tomorrow, will you? You know I hate waiting." with that, he left.
Jack was still in the room, floating above her but facing the ceiling, "I didn't know you could sing. And what's with that nickname?"
"It's more than a nickname," she mocked Daniels voice, "It's a symbol of who we are. Those of us that are human praise the Angel for gracing us with her presence. Without an Angel, there could be no Nephilim."
"Hahaha, what IS that?!"
Sky smiled, "Daniel explained it to me that way once. It's an honor, really. Even better is the temporary pay raise"
Stepping out from behind the screen and looking in the mirror, she approved of the image. Being back in her regular uniform wasn't as glamorous, but it was more familiar than Angel's dress, "It's not that big of a deal, anyway. So I can sing, and so Daniel takes advantage of that for the sake of his café. Walk me home, alright?"
The young Guardian smirked, "Of course."
The streets slowly emptied out as they made their way towards the house. Neither said much, just kept up a casual conversation. Each smiling the whole way.
When eventually they reached the street, Jack bumped into Sky lightly; changing the subject "Hey, can we go somewhere? To the park?"
"...It's a bit late, don't you think?" she glanced sideways at him, curiously.
"Maybe for you" he grinned back at her.
"Oh, right. Of course," Sky rolled her eyes, "I guess if you really want to it's fine. I'm in no rush to get back"
"Are you ever"
"No," she laughed, letting Jack lead her towards the park.
Following Jack out to the middle of the field, Sky watched as he began freezing patches of grass, "Don't get mad if I ask you a favor, okay?"
"..." hugging her arms, she stared at him oddly, "Since I met you the only time I've been mad at you was because of a misunderstanding," she shook her head, "You really don't have to worry about that. Just ask"
"Okay. Then sing."
"Wh-what?" Sky stuttered.
He just looked at her with those sincere blue eyes of his, "Please? I really liked it." and went back to freezing plants.
"...If my throat hurts tomorrow, you'll have to take responsibility" she sighed, watching as he nodded his acceptance. 'Why is he asking me this? Not that I could refuse. Oh, he looks so happy when he freezes stuff... What? Stop it, Sky. Sing. It's crazy, but just sing."
And she did. Jack kept at it with his staff, the world somehow became quieter, and the stars looked brighter suddenly as she sat cross-legged on the ground beneath them. It gave her the idea to sing something she hadn't in a long time.
When she was finished that, she kept going as the cheery Winter Spirit's smile encouraged her. She sang clearer and with more confidence.
It went on for a while. The smiling, the singing. Jack sang along when he could, though soft enough he could still hear Skyla's voice above his own. It was peaceful, and it was fun. She sang even after it started to hurt. Only when her eyes were fighting to stay open did she say anything. Regretfully they made their way towards the house.
"That was great! We gotta do that again sometime!" Sky only nodded and he went on, "Next time, I'll know more songs and we can sing together!" she kept nodding, "Hey what's going on? You haven't said a word since we left"
"Just tired" her voice came out slightly raspy and she cursed herself for letting her throat get sore, "We're almost back, and I have tomorrow off. Haha"
"...Your voice is going a bit. You should probably take it easy."
Nodding, Skyla kept walking. It wasn't long before they were at the front porch. She wanted to say something but knew it wouldn't do her throat any good.
"Yeah, I'll see you tomorrow. Bright and early, in case I have to nurse you back to health"
Smiling as he laughed, Skyla grabbed her keys from her bag and unlocked the door. Nodding again, she slipped inside and closed the door. Leaning against it, she heard the sound of the wind carrying the young Guardian away.
NOTE:
Getting this posted tonight so I don't have to worry about it tomorrow before I leave
I'm actually a couple chapters ahead and didn't read through this before posting it. Basically I mean I don't have any comments to make.
Thanks for reading!
Review, review, review!
Love y'all *hearts*
EDIT: The comment I would have made was that this was one of my favorite chapters that I'd written. Apparently, it's a favorite of at least one of my readers, too!
