Angel and the Werewolf
Chapter 6- Angel
Jacob took her to a sweet little diner in the centre of town.
'I'm Angel.' She introduced herself as they walked to the diner. It was called 'Bernie's diner' and was one of those classical, retro American diners; complete with a neon sign and dirty linoleum flooring.
'Angel. That's a beautiful name. It suits you.' Angel searched his eyes for any signs that he might be teasing her, but all she saw was an earnest honesty. As they sat down a waitress sidled up to them to take their orders.
'Hey Jake. Is it the regular for you?' After a nod confirmed her question, she focused her attention on me, 'Hey there darling. I haven't seen you around before. You must be new, because everyone in town has been to Bernie's. Our bacon is cooked so good, they just can't resist. You wanna try some?' She paused, a pen hovering over her notepad; as if asking her if she wanted some bacon was just a courtesy. Everyone loved Bernie's, trying the bacon just goes unsaid.
'No thanks, I'm a vegetarian so I'll just have a veggie burger and a mocha frappe please.' Angel answered confidently. The waitress nodded, and disappeared into the kitchen, but not before shooting her an almost pitying look.
'Vegetarian huh? Boy you don't know what you're missing. So anyway how come you're in La Push? You've never been here before, right?' Jacob asked her curiously.
'Um,' Angel quickly remembered her cover story, 'I used to work in Seattle, but my mom died and then, well, things kind of went downhill from there. I was so lost in grief that my work started to suffer and I lost my job, and couldn't pay the rent and the bills etc. So I decided to move here; to La Push and make a fresh start. Get some sea air to clear my head. You know…' She trailed off, desperately hoping that he was buying it. She was excellent at lying; it was an integral part of her profession, but it was somehow difficult to lie to this particular boy; with his honest, open smile and warm eyes.
Fortunately for her, Jake bought it. 'Wow. That must be tough. My mom died too, when I was little, so I know exactly how you feel. It's never easy; losing someone you love, but time does numb the pain.'
Tears stung the edges of Angel's eyes as she inadvertently thought of Alex. She'd loved him so much. They'd both been working together for Interpol since they were 14. They were part of a unique team made of young agents, and throughout the years they'd always been partners. Their deep friendship had turned into love as they reached the peak of their adolescence and they were inseparable. However a month or so ago they'd had a huge argument and they had barely said two words to each other since. They had been arguing over the most trivial thing! They'd been arguing about her parents. Alex had wanted to meet them but Angel had refused. She had been worried about their reaction when they met him, but now she didn't have to worry about that. Now he was dead and it was because of her stupidity. If she'd known that it was the last time she'd see Alex alive she'd have changed everything. Every action, every word. Had he even been aware of how deep her feelings for him ran?
Angel's face closed down; into a mask of emotionless composure. Alex was her only weak spot. In all the years of brutal fighting and violence she'd had to deal with, she'd learned to be able to shut herself down completely in a matter of seconds. Her face was completely unreadable; no one could reach in and find out what lay beneath. No one except, it seemed, this confounded boy!
'Hey, are you okay?' Jacob asked softly. He reached out and placed his large, warm hand over hers. It was incredibly hot and the warmth of his hand seemed to work almost literally; melting her resistance and causing her walls to start crumbling. Shocked, Angel jerked away. What was happening to her? She'd never felt like this before. How can she succumb so easily to this gentle boy in front of her, when she'd been able to resist even the most painful tortures in the world? This boy was like a key. He turned something in her heart and opened her, like a chest. Every part of her; every memory, thought, feeling, brought back; lying out in the open for the world to see in her eyes. Anger rose in her mind, mixed with fear at how vulnerable just one touch of Jacob's hand could make her feel. She despised herself. She had never been one of those pathetic girls that drool after boys and depend on them for everything. She'd always been strong, bold and independent.
'I should go.' Angel rose, as if she was about to leave but Jacob blocked her way.
'Please. You haven't even had your food yet. I'm sorry. I understand that it must be a difficult subject for you. I won't bring it up again. I swear. Come on. I haven't even offered you my tour guide services yet. You know it's a classic line that's used on every pretty girl that arrives new in town.' He flashed another one of those warm, sexy and devilish smiles. Unwilling, Angel let out a small laugh. He'd done it again! This mysterious stranger had found a way to unlock another chest inside her and let a laugh escape!
Their meals arrived and they sat there eating and talking generally, about life in La Push. No one had recognized her. Maybe life in La Push wouldn't be so bad after all.