Song: Heather by Conan Gray

3 years ago

Ted stood in front of my full-length mirror and looked at his body in disgust and shame. He twisted and angled his body to the side and made a face that looked like he was about to throw up.

"I'm not going to the homecoming dance, Celeste." he said for the millionth time. But I wasn't having it.

"And why not?" I asked, crossing my arms.

"Because I don't have anything to wear! Nothing fits me, I keep getting heavier and heavier even if all I'm breathing is air," he complained. He rubbed the back of his head shamefully. "I'm so fat," he whispered.

I gave him a warm hug and rubbed his back up and down. I heard him sniffle. He was crying. "Every year for Christmas, my brothers get nice clothes that make them look handsome and stylish."

"And I always receive extremely large jackets as gifts from my parents. They want me to hide my body because it doesn't fit their family's aesthetic." he continued.

"I have an idea!" I told him suddenly making him jump.

"Let's go shopping for new clothes!" I said.

"Oh hell no, I hate shopping." Ted groaned. I pulled him up. "Come on, it's gonna be fun!" I grinned.

Regardless of how Ted felt about shopping, we ended up going to the LA Fairview Mall to shop. I wanted to help him choose clothes that he would like and feel confident in. We entered the nearest H&M and I zoomed towards the men's section. I saw a navy blue denim jacket and a plain white henley I'm sure he would look good in.

"Here, try this on!" I said, shoving the clothes to him. I shooed him towards the fitting room and waited for him outside. I checked out some clothes that would look good on me too but unfortunately, I can't spend my current paycheck because I'm using it to pay off school and food.

The smooth white doors of the fitting room opened and Ted walked out with the outfit I suggested. His ears were bright red with embarrassment.

"Wow look at you! You look amazing!" I complimented him. I understand he was self-conscious but I pushed him to one of the full-length mirrors in the store.

"Look here, what do you see?" I asked him.

"I see a fat Teddy Bear." he muttered grumpily.

I smacked him in the back of the head. "No, you don't." I grabbed his shoulders and made him face the mirror again. "I see a sweet thoughtful guy that's getting a wardrobe upgrade so he can practice breaking hearts at Infernaluz High." I smiled widely.

"Thanks, Celeste." he replied, giving me a shy smile. He didn't know how to take a compliment but then again, I was happy that he felt comfortable with her picking out clothes for him.

We spent most of the day together hanging out at the mall, talking about life and how Ted dreamed of becoming a pilot.

"So when are you gonna tell, Angelo?" Ted asked, munching his nachos.

"What do you mean?" I asked, confused. I lied, I know what he meant.

"When are you going to confess your feelings for him?" Ted elbowed me gently. I pushed him back, rolling my eyes.

"What feelings? I don't know what you mean." I said, crossing my arms.

Ted tilted his head back and laughed. "It's obvious that you're in love with him, Celeste."

"I obviously care about my best friend!" I exclaimed standing up and beginning to pace. I pace when I'm nervous.

"I'll tell you what," Ted said as he finished the last of his nachos. "I'll play matchmaker so you two can finally be together, because honestly, Britt, Danny, and I are sick of smelling the sexual tension between you two."

"Stopppp." I softly punched him in the arm, blushing.

"It's the least I can do for this makeover." Ted smiled gratefully.

"Whatever," I said rolling my eyes. We continued talking until the mall was ready to close. Ted and I headed towards the exit when a little blonde girl holding her mother's hand walked past us in haste. I remembered seeing Ted's eyes glued to the little girl. I saw desire, lust, and hunger in his eyes. And I refused to believe what I thought I saw. I thought he was only eyeing the little girl's mother. I should have known that it was the little girl he wanted all along.

Present Day

I ran to the bathroom and threw up on the toilet and for a second I thought I saw thick blood and fingers floating in the toilet bowl. The thought of my friend's dismembered parts caused my stomach to churn and throw up whatever was left in my stomach. Warm fingers pulled my hair behind me gently. Ethan rubbed my back as I continued to dry heave. He handed me a cup of water and I slowly drank it.

I walked to the sink and looked at myself in the mirror. Bloodshot eyes, running mascara, with drying vomit on my shirt. I was a mess. My bottom lip wouldn't stop quivering although I willed for myself to be strong. I set the glass of water down and washed my face with ice cold water.

The sting of the water's chill revived me from the pitying victim mindset. I wiped my face with a towel and set it down on the counter.

"Celeste, are you all right?" Ethan asked me worriedly.

I nodded, not looking at him. I sauntered back to the living room like a robot. The pool of blood and the remains of Ted were still there. Almost an hour ago I was devastated with what happened. Not anymore. I can no longer feel anything.

Nothing but resentment and a dying thirst for vengeance. Ethan sensed the change in my demeanor and put his hand on my shoulder and then pulled me to his embrace. I usually would start crying but my heart no longer has tears left to shed. I threw away the remnants of hope that maybe this new demon could be Daemon.

Not even close. This one is more sinister and deadly.

I want revenge. I felt my heart harden as I picked up a mop from Ted's storage room and a bucket of disinfectant to clean up the dried blood on the tiles of Ted's family's home. As I dipped the head of the mop into the disinfectant, I remembered all the people I have lost ever since Daemon came into my life.

I lost my father, my best friend Angelo, and Summer. I was helpless and powerless to change their fate or see through Angelo's deception. No, not anymore.

Aurelio will receive a heaping amount of his medicine and it will be me shoving it down his throat. I finished cleaning the living room and when I finally did, I realized Brittany has been staring at me for a while.

She looked concerned for me. I laughed to myself. I was expecting her to yell at me and blame me for everything that's happening. Instead, she hugged me tight and I felt nothing.

I pulled away from her abruptly which shocked her but I didn't care. I washed the blood-stained mop head and put it back in its place. I even surprised myself for being so stoic and calm. It's as if whatever I threw up were the remains of my feelings of despair and hopelessness.

Now, I only want one thing; revenge. And I'll do anything to get justice for the rites of passages I missed because I was too busy fearing the demon King of the Nether Realm.

I looked at Ethan and then back at my friends. "There's an option that we haven't considered yet." I said.

Daniel and Brittany looked at me in confusion. I spared a glance at the mark tattooed on my forearm. Aurelio's claim. Ethan crossed his arms and shook his head as if he already read my mind.

"I can become a celestial being."

"That's dangerous Celeste." Ethan interjected.

"If Daemon knows a way of becoming human, then there must also be a way to become an angel."