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Flightless Angels[Finished Story]
 Rose
 Danielle
 Lilia
 Tina
Chapter 1- The Girl
-6:30 a.m.
“Whoa! I’m late for school!” Tina hurriedly packed her things and brushed her teeth, feeling her forehead which was hit by the boisterous alarm clock. She did not want to experience the teacher’s turbulent wrath. She struggled through the heavily cluttered home and tripped on an electric wire on the way out. She got up quickly and grabbed a piece of bread that has been left on the table overnight.
From this, we can all conclude that Tina was not a very organized person and she lacked feminine hygiene. The only shower she may have for the day is short and rushed due to the fact that she oversleeps and is almost always late for class. The only other shower that she experiences is that of rain since her umbrella is always forgotten at home.
After a long bike ride to school, Tina fixed the ruffles on her school uniform and tidied up her ribbon although it could still use a little more work. She quietly opened the door of the classroom, hoping not to be heard by the teacher.
“Ma’am, Tina is late again!” a student raised her hand thinking proudly of herself for this “honorable” deed. The teacher rained down a tumultuous downpour of judgmental criticism and a good lashing of rebuke that would scare away the meanest and the coolest of stray cats and junkyard dogs. Tina kept her head down, listening to the harsh review of her biased judge. The tongue-lashing gave her deep scars that remained with her throughout the rest of the period.
The part that she hated the most was the sharp glare the teacher would give her every once in a while. It sent chills down her spine and offensive words down at the bottom of her throat. Surely enough, she wouldn’t dare say anything that would offend the teacher.
After the class, Tina went to eat lunch with her three new friends. She sat down slowly as her spirit continued to sag below normal. She had this confused and inquisitive look on her face.
“Tina, you look depressed.” A girl with long, brown, curly hair looked at her worriedly. “Did Bianca sell you off again in class?” she asked. Tina nodded her head slowly, still thinking deeply about what the teacher said to her.
The young woman who was in Tina’s batch, looked very poised and confident. Her natural aura would tell you that she was probably an educated and high-class woman from a respectable family. None of this, however, is true. She, and everyone else, belongs to a middle-class family with no special status.
“Rose, what am I to do now?” Tina asked peevishly. She was in a bad mood that Bianca was such a snitch. In her mind, she could imagine herself strangling her when the perfect chance arose.
Danielle looked at Tina with her emerald eyes, her short chestnut-colored hair gently being swayed by the wind. “Forget about her.” She ordered in a soft tone. She began to play a few sad notes on her acoustic guitar. She was quite skilled and very gentle with words. You could say she deserves a chance to be an international musician.
Unfortunately, things don’t happen that way. Talent only gets you half-way through but favoritism and power will eventually decide who gets successful or not. It has been rough even for these four young girls.
Rose began to sing sweetly to the tune of the guitar. “Writing another song again, Rose?” Danielle asked. “From a poem I made” she replied. They continued on the sweet song that set a friendly tune.
The breeze was soft and cool; the sun peeked through the cotton clouds of the afternoon sky while the chirping of the birds could be heard from a distance. The soft wind lashed a fallen leaf gently into Lilia’s lap.
Lilia was fairly silent and loved art among all things. She observed the leaf closely, admiring the subtle lines of the leaf. “Could such pretty things be given to us by angels?” she asked.
“Of course, Lilia, they’re gifts from above. Things ordinary people like us couldn’t possibly create.” Danielle replied. Everyone was quiet but very talented in their own field.
Tina tied her blonde hair in the black ribbon she used as a headband. “Angels, the most perfect creatures whose status is lower than ours.” She said, flared up about the degradation of angels. “Now dear, that’s what it said in the bible but God loves all of us.” Rose said to her. Rose’s confidence made Tina shiver enviously.
Angels? They were all goddesses of patience and mercy. One would wonder why they weren’t sent directly to God to be saints. Tina smiled remembering that these people were the same people who took her in as soon as she started studying in the same school. Though it is inevitable that she will be envious of them all for their skills and kindness, she can’t help but feel sorry for them as well. Her bold persona and tactlessness led her to ask: “What are you girls still doing here?”
“I’m sorry. What?” Rose asked her. “What are you still doing here? You people are the most talented I have ever seen. Why do you have to be like angels? You can shine above them all!” Tina pleaded in a tacky disposition.
“Tina, I don’t believe you understand. Things don’t happen just like that. You can’t force things, you know.” Rose said confidently while the other two focused their pretty faces on the young blonde.
Tina froze, Rose’s words slithering slowly into her mind like destructive liquid poison entering her blood stream. She refused to believe that people who deserve what they were deprived could sit idly by as everyone else moved on numb about everything else. The dulcet and warm tone in Rose’s voice made Tina feel sick for some odd reason that she herself can’t explain.
Chapter 2- The Girls
The next couple of weeks were very awkward ones. Tina sat alone in the cafeteria, ashamed because of the things she said to her new friends. Little did she know that they had a plan on hand to help her.
The latchkey kid went home after school at the same particular time to the same particular place. She opened the door and was shocked at what she saw. She went home to a place so startlingly clean that she, herself, couldn’t recognize it.
She set down her bag on the floor and headed for the dining room. The old chandelier was lit up and an soothing aroma arose from the kitchen. She looked at the table and saw two young ladies seated.
“Oh, Tina! You’re finally home!”
Tina was too shocked to say anything at first… but when she finally found the courage to speak, she said coldly, “What are you doing here?”
“Well it turns out, Rosie called your parents abroad and got them to agree that we should stay here with you.” Danielle said in the same indifferent expression that first attracted Tina to her.
“Rose is in the kitchen, making dinner” Lilia blurted out.
“What about your parents? Will they be okay with this?” Tina said, looking for an excuse to make them leave.
“It’s okay. Rose has fixed everything.”
“I’m going to get another book from your library, if that’s alright with you.” Lilia headed out to the said room passing right by Tina.
Tina sighed a little, feeling embarrassed by the intrusion.
“Hey Tina! You already plan on messing up the place when we just cleaned it?” Lilia came in with a book in one hand and Tina’s bag in the other.
“So, I see you’re home. Welcome home!” Rose said, holding a wooden spoon in one hand. She was wearing a checkered pink apron with ruffles on the sides.
“Look, okay. I don’t need this.” Tina said in a depressing tone.
“Listen to me, Tina.” Rose paused for a while and held Tina’s chin up. “We care about you, more than you could imagine.”
“Yes, and we don’t want you to get lonely.” Danielle said, trying to comfort her.
Seeing as there was no more reason to convince them to leave, Tina tried to smile a little and said “I suppose I don’t mind the company.”
“I’m so relieved!” Lilia hugged her.
This was the start of Tina’s life as she realized that for once, she wasn’t alone. Uncomfortable as she was, she tried her best to stay in control of her emotions.
Chapter 3- The Start of the Two Week Trial
It was February again and love was in the air. The four ladies discussed about the ever-growing trend of PDA.
“Isn’t it romantic?” Lilia asked with the same enthusiasm as someone who just found love on a two-way street.
“I don’t know. None of us will probably find someone in fourteen gullible, frustrating days, don’t you think?” Danielle responded.
“Oh, don’t be like that.” Rose said. “Maybe Tina will find one. I’m sure she has the most potential.”
The group turned it’s eyes on Tina who did not enjoy the spotlight. She looked at them as well, trying to figure out what to say.
“No. I’m not ready for that.” Tina spoke rather flushed. “I don’t intend on dating until I finish high school”
“Oh, so you’re more attracted to the college boy type, huh?” Danielle joked.
“Really? Me too! I always thought they were more refined than high school boys.” Rose exclaimed.
“No…no-no-no-NO!” Tina waved her hands and declared the fact totally and utterly false. “I don’t intend to start dating any time soon”
“Oh, so it would be sooner?” Lilia joked.
“What does ‘no’ mean to you guys?” Tina said frustrated.
“It means the opposite of ‘yes’ but clearly has some opening.” Rose remarked.
“Yeah. Besides, “o” is also a hole.” Danielle said.
Lilia laughed.
“And if you put that in algebraic terms, n(0)=0 but you can’t just transpose it to the opposite side so it would be n=0/0 which is undefined!” Danielle continued.
Lilia nodded her head. “Well said”
“Yeah, but we’re not talking about algebra here!” Tina argued.
“Or it could be imaginary. (i)” Rose added.
“What? You can’t be serious!”
“An imaginary boyfriend. That sounds awkward.” Danielle said.
“Hey! Imagination still counts as something!” Lilia exclaimed.
“Oh, I forgot. You’re an artist.” Danielle laughed.
“Fine! Laugh all you want. It will be all your fault if I end up hurt by love.” Tina said but they only continued laughing.
Chapter 4- The Boy
‘Those guys… They completely and utterly changed my life. It feels queer… Especially now that there are so many awkward things happening around me… Guy with girl kissing beside me in the subway… Guy with girl holding hands in the park… Guy buying girl an ice cream in the ice cream parlor… again, guy with girl kissing in the far side of the library… Guy with guy kissing on the other side.’
‘Gah! What am I talking…slash thinking about?!!’ Tina messed her hair thinking about it. ‘Come to think of it-‘
“Excuse me, miss. May I ask what is the matter?” a boy with silky dark brown hair approached Tina.
“Huh?”
“You were messing your hair. Maybe there is something troubling you?” the guy said with a warm smile.
‘Kyaaa! Oh my God… He’s gorgeous!’ Tina thought, almost blushing.
“Um… Nothing.” Tina replied bashfully.
“Well, in any case, I’m Robin. ( Sorry, Batman obsession)”
“Nice to meet you.” Tina shook hands with him.
“You also study in Ravenheart high school?” he asked.
“Why yes.” Tina said. “How did you know?”
“You’re carrying a school book.”
”Oh, this? It’s because I’m studying-”
“-For exams next week.” They said in unison.
The both of them laughed for a while. Then, they both caught each other’s eyes and engaged in a deadlock stare-down.
“Excuse me, this is the last stop” said the subway conductor guy.
“Oh, right!” Tina exclaimed.
They both got out and continued their conversation there.
“So, how’s about we meet up again after school near the library?” Robin said. “I’ll be there in case you want to study with me.
“I’ll be there!” Tina couldn’t reject the offer.
Chapter 5- The Study Partner
Tina rushed into the library the next day. She found a seat in front of Robin and placed her bag in the chair next to her own.
“So, what are we going to study?”
“Math.”
“I hate math…” Tina mumbled.
“Let me see.”
Robin got Tina’s notebook and looked at her seat works. He examined it closely and tried to look for her weaknesses. He nodded his head slightly every now and then.
Tina looked flushed. She kept her head down and kept her hands on her lap. It was as though Robin was looking straight into Tina’s soul… or that’s how she put it.
She had every right to be nervous. Her hand writing was terrible and the notes on the sides made the pages look dirty. She also had a couple of failed seat works and missed assignments.
Despite this, she didn’t know that Robin didn’t mind. In his head, he only wanted to help her with her studies. He didn’t judge her.
“Oh, I see. You’re having trouble in this part.” Robin encircled her mistakes and showed her the notebook.
“This is how you’re supposed to do it.” Robin showed her what she did wrong.
They studied intensely for the next five hours. After those five hours, the siren was calling for all students to leave the building. In short, the school is kicking them out.
“Thanks for the help.” Tina said.
“Oh, please let me walk you home.” Robin said. “It’s my fault that you would have to go home so late.”
“If you insist.” Tina said with a queer feeling in the pit of her stomach.
“Wow, you live quite close to the school.” Robin said as they got to the front door.
“I currently live with three of my classmates.” Tina said.
“And you still came to study with me.” Robin laughed. “I’m sorry. Maybe next time, we could all study together.”
“I think they’d like that as well.”
“Well, I’ll be going now.” He waved.
“Wow, Tina! Who was that?” Tina was being anticipated at the
door by the three young ladies, anxious about the event.
“Oh, just a friend. Robin, from school.” She said, trying to cover up the whole thing.
“Wow, my little baby, all grown up!” Rose said hugging her tight.
“Looks like someone has a date for Valentine’s Day!” Danielle said teasingly.
“Well, invite him next time!” Lillia said with a happy grin.
Part 6~Valentine
Tina’s phone rang continuously without end. She woke up and yawned, then answered it. The voice on the other side was quite refreshment to her tired spirit.
“Yes, hello Robin. How you doing?” she said cheerfully.
“Listen, can you come to school early today?” he said.
“Sure, what about?”
“I’ll tell you when you get here.”
“Oh? You’re already there?”
“Uh, yeah.”
“Great, I’ll see ya there!” she hung up the phone.
She quickly took a bath, brushed her teeth and dressed as though something was after her.
“Bye, guys!” she knocked on the room where her friends slept.
“Heeey. Don’t you know what day it is today?” Lilia said although Tina went down quickly as to ignore what she was saying.
“That girl…” she flopped back onto the bed and went back to sleep.
Tina came running to the school as the streets were empty but blooming with the scent of flowers. It was the time of year when flowers were blooming on every tree and in every park.
“Tina.” Robin said, keeping his hands at his back.
“What do you need to talk about?” Tina asked.
Robin smiled and from behind him, he showed her a bouquet of red roses that he had been holding.
“Wha-?”
“Tina, will you be my valentine?”
“Y-…uhm… yes.” She blushed.
Robin held her in his arms with a warm and loving expression on his face.
Later that day, during lunch time, they met with each other again. Both were very enthusiastic on a fine Valentines day.
“Tina, since we’ve met a few weeks ago, I’ve always wondered why no other man has already claimed you as his own” he paused. “You’re a jewel… natural, funny, adorable… a very good person.”
“I’ve been surprised as well. I always thought I’d become a spinster all my life.” Tina responded.
“You just have to believe in yourself more, that’s all.” He said trying to comfort her.
“But I’m really glad” he paused. “You chose me.” He leaned over for a kiss. Tina closed her eyes.
Tina closed the front door to find that her friends were looking for her.
“Hey! We haven’t seen you all day.” Lilia said.
“Probably because she was with her boyfriend.” Danielle said.
“Hey, it’s not- That’s none of your business.”
“It kinda is. We’re your friends, after all.” Rose said.
“She was holding a bouquet this morning. I saw her.” Lilia said.
The three held Tina in a tight embrace. They were all so proud that she was the first of the group to find love.
“Hey, hey, guys! You’re… suffocating me…”
Part 7~ Tina’s Conclusion
I’ve always been so sad that the rest of us seem to be so wonderful although their talents are not being noticed by others. But then, now… from the looks of it, I’m one of them.
Maybe it’s because I didn’t believe in myself or that I never believed that there were kind people who exist somewhere on the other side but… transferring here made me realize something. We are all angels that can’t fly until we believe in ourselves and find our own wings.
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