An Evening With An Angel

Lila was alone in her dorm for maybe the first time since the Winter Holidays started. She had run out of things to do and so she started going through her old friends' social media accounts. They seemed to be doing fine without her, which was saddening but a good reality check, yet she felt the need to at least check up on them from her new home. It was only her closest friend who seemed lost without her, but that was beside the point.

As she lay comfortably on her bed she heard a knock at the door. Who could that be? Nobody really knew her dorm room number apart from those who lived in very close proximity and the staff, of course. Unless she had a new roommate (something she was uncertain whether she wanted or not) or had gotten in trouble (for something she couldn't recall doing), someone had somehow found out where she lived. Lila got up and opened the door curiously, looking to see who it was. Her face lit up when she saw James, her new boyfriend, smiling at her.

The two of them had gone to a party together, where he asked her to be his girlfriend. Their relationship had gone from complete strangers to dating within just a couple of weeks, which was quick even for Lila. It was much newer to him than her, and she could only imagine how nervous he was standing outside her door. "Hey, James," she greeted him, a surprised but happy smile on her face. "I didn't expect you to be here." This was a roundabout way of asking why he was there without seeming rude. Lila had learnt how to make things sound nicer to others, and she intended on using this to her advantage her when she was unable to manipulate people.

She was wearing blue jeans and a black and white hoodie, with the necklace he gave her hidden around her neck. She hadn't taken it off apart from when she slept. Her hair was brushed but unstyled and she looked reasonably presentable, but not to her own standards. Especially not for a date. One of her hands rested on the doorframe casually as she talked to James, the other was in her hoodie pocket. She honestly didn't know why he would be at her dorm room.

James invited Lila on a date, or at least what she assumed was one, and she couldn't be more excited. They were both lucky that he showed up when she was actually in her dorm, even though she wasn't wearing really date-worthy clothes. "Yes! I'd love to!" She accepted excitedly. But it got her curious. What could he be taking her to? He didn't seem to be giving much away, and he was more confident than she expected him to be, which impressed her. For a guy with no dating experience he was strangely good at it. So Lila decided to just relax and see what he had planned, without inquiring further about what they would be doing.

The heat charm looked like a simple clip, but apparently it was enchanted. Lila took the clip as he offered it and clipped it onto her hoodie. It was considerate of him to think of that, like a magical way of giving someone a jacket. "Thankyou," she said gratefully. From this she assumed they would be outside. She hadn't heard of anything happening that night, so she was surprised that James would. She was usually very up to date with things happening around the schoolyard.

"It's fine! I'm excited for this," Lila said. She smiled when he kissed her. He seemed affectionate, and she liked him, more than she had liked others that she had dated for short periods of time. Taking his hand, she allowed him to lead her to wherever it was they were going.

Lila followed as James lead her up to the school roof. It was so serene up there, so quiet. She could see the school grounds; the lake, the sports field, all bathed in the soft evening light. Letting go of James' hand, she saw others on the roof too. Were people up here because something was happening on this particular night, or did people come up here often? She hadn't even seen this part of the school, even after two months.

James told her that something would be 'starting' soon, which made her wonder what the occasion was. She was generally every up to date on the happenings of the school, but today was a surprise. She was also surprised how prepared her boyfriend was. He pulled out a blanket and hot chocolates as well as having snacks still in the bag. Lila was impressed. He'd apparently prepared more for this date than she expected him to.

She sat down on the blanket beside him, taking the cup of hot chocolate he offered. "Thankyou," she said gratefully. She was perfectly warm thanks to the charms, but she took a sip of the hot chocolate anyway. It was delicious. Lila smiled as James thanked her. She still didn't know what was happening, but she trusted that James was right and that whatever was going to happen would be good.

She enjoyed spending time with him, too. His thoughtfulness made her feel like the luckiest girl in the world and while she wasn't one to gush, she replied, "I like spending time with you, too. Whatever this is, I'm glad you invited me up here."

Lila was happy she got to see one of James' favourite places on just the first date, and she could also understand what he liked about it. Even from her place on the blanket she could see everything. The school grounds met the dark winter sky, the moonlit lake glittering but calm. James was illuminated in a soft white light, enough so she could see him clearly.

As she looked over to him, she glimpsed his smile, which was still present. He seemed so happy now and it made her so happy to see that. When they had met, and especially in the short time he was drinking he had seemed so different. So... distant, sad, hurt. Of course she was well aware that she played a substantial part in cheering him up, but for once she didnt take all the credit. She was genuinely glad that James could be happy.

Lila leant in as he kissed her. He didn't hold back on the romance and kissed her at whatever opportunity he had. Not that she was complaining, it was sweet and good to know he cared so much. She smiled when he pulled back to silence his phone, but was told to look up.

She relaxed into James as he wrapped an arm around her. Her eyes went to the starry sky, which was suddenly decorated with bright shooting lights. At his comment, she smiled again. "It's beautiful," she said in awe, gazing up at the bright, flying specks of light. She had seen a shooting star many times before, but a meteor shower was new.

"I've never seen one either," she said while watching the display. "Thank you for showing me." And with that, she rested her head against James' shoulder and watched the sky as lights danced over it.

Lila smiled back at James as he complimented her, leaning in to kiss him as if to say thanks. Her gaze returning to the night sky, she wrapped her arms around him and watched silently.

The meteor shower was captivating. Lila watched it, almost hypnotised by the way lights streaked through the air. It looked magical, yet it was totally natural. There was no intervention by any creature here that she knew of. The beauty of it was only enhanced by the knowledge that it wouldn't last long, so she savoured every moment of it.

She looked down once more, this time at the photo frame James held out to her. Slowly reaching out to take it, she smiled and said, "Thankyou." She wondered how he got all the gifts for her that he did. She thought he was poor. She also knew he was a very caring person, but she always wondered what he was giving up to give her these things. Regardless, though, Lila loved that he cared so much.

The picture was taken at the Winter Holidays Party in the City Hall, soon after they had become a couple. They were both so happy, so excited to be there, and it made Lila so grateful. She had already thought of a place to put it in her dorm when she returned. "It's great, I love it," she said to him.

Then she looked back up at the sky, where the display seemed to be dying down.