An Angel's Scheme

I sat on the edge of the building, listening diligently, as I observed the sounds of the busy city just below my very own feet that swayed off of the structure. I stretch my arms behind me as I leave my hands out to support my figure, tilting my head back slightly to feel the breeze of the fresh air. My eyes steadily shut whilst my lips part to release a soft sigh. The music faintly sounds through my ears with my headphones resting upon my head, as the hair attached flows along with the current of air. My mind empties its thoughts and drifts onto anew. The memory just from two hours ago.

I was in the huge room, the noise of chatter and blasting music suffocating me. I was stood within a group of some of my friends, planted to my spot as I stayed silent. It was a party for one of my colleagues since they were leaving the company next week. 

I quietly examined my friends’ conversations lingering amongst the group until one spoke to me. “Hey, Ori. What about you? What plans do you have for this summer?” The rest turned to my direction.  In truth, I had no plans. No one really speaks to me or arranges any sort of disposition with me.

“Just staying home really. Nothing much.” I gave an awkward laugh under my breath as everyone turned back around and giggled, whispering faint words that broke through their small laughter. The taunting of their voices were obvious but I put it aside, knowing I shouldn’t let that get in the way of my thoughts.

I continued standing within the group so I could blend in - I’ve never truly been a fan of attention - staying put in position without a single sound. I held my drink up as it lightly landed onto my bottom lip, slowly transferring the beverage down my throat. As I drained the drink held in my hand, I looked to the corner of my eye, the popular associate. He was friendly with everyone around him, he always had this pleasant smile plastered across his face, it showed a warmness to him. Despite the fact that he wasn’t very talkative, lots of co-workers usually talked to him, like he was the boss of the company, always flashing him with beams and petite waves. Most of the women there thought he was attractive and had a good reputation but I saw him differently. To me he was beauteous. His hair was parted by the front, dangling by the sides of his temples, just in level with his eyebrows, as the curls flowed with the rest of his dirty blonde hair. He had plumped lips that were usually seen with a downward smile which I always found amusing, it always gave me a sort of comfort. His eyes were lapis, an unnoticeable shade, but I consistently noticed them first before taking in his entire appearance. The top of his iris had a dark periwinkle shade that gradually faded to a soft, light blue as it ran down his eyes, showing a secure consolation within. Yet, that consolation seemed as if it were hiding something else – something else deeper within his real self but I couldn’t help but ignore the strange feeling it gave me. His long eyelashes were what stood out to me the most. They made him seem so angelic and pure. He was wearing a blank shirt that gripped onto his torso ever so lightly, sleeves rolled up to his elbows and collar unbuttoned. A formal pair of linen trousers ran along his legs in darkness.

I got transported back to reality as I realised my drink had subconsciously dropped back down along with my hand, just in level with my waist. I looked to the corner of my eye again to see the popular associate coming toward my direction but thought nothing of it. He was probably walking toward my friends, which is what I thought, but surprisingly, he walked up to me. He took a last step just a metre away from me, immobile but the opposite of stiff. “Hello. I see you around a lot but I’ve rarely seen you engage with others, I thought you’d maybe like some company. I’m Sébastien, and you?” I couldn’t help but glance back in revelation. Sébastien seemed ever so sincere. His voice had a French accent to its flow, a quixotic voice acting upon my ears. It was just his eyes, but it was his voice that was furthermore seraphic.

I felt slightly flustered by his words - words that actually held an interest in them for my answer. I said, “Oh I’m Oriana. Thank you for the company but I really don’t mind.” It felt odd to actually speak to someone who seemed as if he would be attentive to every single word that came out of my mouth. 

He looked me up and down for just a rough second before he smiled calmly and looked back at my eyes. “Your dress really matches your eyes, I must say.” Right as those words slipped out of his tongue, I felt a slight flutter in my stomach. No one had ever given me a complement as such. 

“Thank you.” I let out a light chuckle. I didn’t know what this feeling was, but it was certainly peculiar. It gave a slight annoyance to its mysterious side but it gave me a comfort that made me feel like maybe there was hope. That maybe someone actually wanted my presence. A purpose to live. 

He lightly grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the group, stooping down to whisper delicately in my ear: "Hey, this is a little forward, but I've liked you for a while… could you consider, perhaps, going on a date with me?" 

I let a gasp escape my pursed lips. I scowled, "Funny prank, ha-ha. Nobody actually cares about me."

He flexed up to his full height again, staring thoughtfully down at me. "No, I'm genuine. Let me take you on a date." 

He stared meaningfully at me for a while, his eyes turning a brighter blue than before, until I dimpled. "Fine… when?" 

"Tonight okay?" he grinned. I nodded, nervous to talk in case I stammered. “I’ll see you there then.” He symbolised a phone, with his hand, up to his ear after slipping a note into my hand. I brought my hand up to my face to view the note, finding a number on it, making me smile ear to ear watching him walk off into the crowd.

However, tonight seemed too far away. I had to learn more about this mysterious yet devilishly handsome man now. And so I found myself following him, awfully curious of where he could be going. The event for my colleague wasn't over yet. 

It hardly surprised me when I found him surrounded by a group of what must've been my friends. I observed, straining my ears for any speech, hoping I was being discreet of my eavesdropping. I titled my head down to obscure my face, trying not to be noticed, but I forgot all about that when I heard him snigger to one of his friends: "That little rat - you know, the wormy little blonde one - agreed to go on a date with me." He paused to allow the group to burst into mocking calls of laughter, then continued smugly as it dimmed down. "Thinks I actually like her. What a fool… nobody likes her!" 

My heart dropped like a heavy stone into a pool. The tears slowly created river streams down my face. I couldn't help but agree, though. Despite what he'd said, I still felt attracted to him. Maybe I could make him happy by just disappearing - maybe it would make everyone happy. He could laugh about that often; I'm sure he'd like that. 

I choked on my tears. I covered my mouth swiftly, gasping, and found everyone’s eyes on me. I felt a pressure build up in me, like I was about to fall to the ground and start choking to might what as well be my own death. Every single eye was on me. I felt frozen in place, the gravity was tugging onto me, making sure I didn’t leave this exact spot. I heard a mutter from someone - I couldn’t make out who: my ears blocked out as much sound as it could. My legs broke free from gravity and started running off somewhere as I heard a muffled voice behind me slowly fading away.

My mind awakes, back to the present to find my body now hovering over the very edge. I look down to see the cars steering back and forth, giving me a slight sickness in the motion. I start to feel water over myself, drenching the city. I observe the number of umbrellas popping up, one by one. Tonight seemed like a beautiful night. Gorgeous even. Yet such a cruel society. I leisurely take my headphones off and lay them onto the ground, beside my phone, as the music drifts from my ears. The tunes of the rain then approach my hearing and I feel at home. I stepped forward, knowing that this must be the right thing to do until I heard that angelic voice…

“Please, don't do it!”