1988
Hailey felt nervous about today. A new person has been assigned to her, apparently he has been having really bad luck and he is in a very dark place. This is the first time that she is in charge of someone who has given up so much. She also felt excited since it has been awhile since she got to help anyone. Her first step being to observe him, to see what he is all about and take it from there. His name is Eric. He had lost his job and has been struggling to find a new one, because of his employment problems he also lost his girlfriend and his house. He is now sleeping in his friends garage, only surviving on the basics. He had been motivated to get a job, but after going to so many interviews and never hearing anything back he has given up hope. His most recent thought being along the line of suicide.
Hailey found him walking around aimlessly. The look on his face tugged on her heart. She saw the emptiness in his eyes, the worry in how his was frowning and the anger in his tight jaw. Looking past his pain she saw a handsome man. He has brown hair with light brown eyes. Eyes she was sure use to have kindness in them. She followed the handsome man for a couple of days, watching him closely. He was still trying to get a job, which was a good sign, but he wasn’t putting his all in anymore. He looked tired and disheveled, he even showed up late for his last interview. To make matters worse he saw his ex girlfriend with a new guy. She was holding onto him, smiling at him in adoration and then they were kissing. He finally had enough. She could feel it with her telepathy. He had finally given up. He didn’t want to live anymore. She would usually just use her powers, but this was a dire situation.
She knew there was a opening at a bar nearby, due to her cosmic awareness. Finding a job for someone is not what that power was for, but when opportunity comes knocking you open the door. She made herself visible to the human eye. She easily bumped into Eric as he was on his way to a pharmacy. He was going to buy painkillers, enough to over-doze with.
“I’m sorry. I’m a klutz at times.” She apologized to him. He finally looked up at her and froze, because in front of him stood one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen. She had bright red hair that reminded him of the sunset and big brown eyes. She looked as delicate as a flower standing there in front of him blushing. She was young, but he couldn’t tell how young. Even her voice had caught him of guard it was soft and whimsical…musical.
“Don’t worry I wasn’t looking where I was going either. I was lost in my own thought.” She smiled at him, she had heard his thought and no one had ever described her as he did just now.
“Could you maybe help me? I’m supposed to meet some of my friends at a pub, it’s called… I can’t really recall what it is called…” He was staring at her. Was his luck finally turning around, it must be as such a beauty doesn’t usually cross paths with him.
“There is only one pub, close by. I could show you the way if you’d like?” He eagerly offered. She had what she wanted, he was taking her to his new job, without even knowing it.
“I’d appreciate it.” She smiled at him again. He smiled back at her taking a deep breath he indicated for her to follow him.
“I’m Hailey Valentine, what’s your name?” She was actually interested in hearing about him, it was strange. He dated his last girlfriend since they were about 15. She was the only girl he had ever liked and the only one who ever asked about him. He thought that after her there was no one. He didn’t even consider meeting anyone else. It wasn’t like he had anything to offer.
“I’m Eric Drogmen. It’s nice to meet you Hailey.” She took his breath away every time he looked at her. He instead tried to focus on the path they were walking. It didn’t take them long to arrive at the pub. To his dismay, he would have loved to stay in her company for a little while longer.
“This must be the place. I remember my friend saying that we choose the worst time to come here, since they lost their bartender recently.” She indicated to the sign that said help wanted. It was like a sign for him. What was the chances of him meeting her and having that lead to a available job. He felt a spark of hope that he hadn’t felt in weeks.
“I should probably look for my friends now. It was really nice meeting you, Eric. I hope to bump into you again at some point.” His name on his lips, in that soft musical voice caught him of guard again. He was frozen in shock. She smiled and turned to disappear into the crowd. Eric asked to see the management and immediately applied for the job.
It was a week later when he saw Hailey again. She had come into the pub, stealing the attention of everyone. She looked even more beautiful than he thought. He had laid awake at night wondering if his mind had conjured up this redhead beauty. He thought he must have because surly such beauty couldn’t exist in this world, but here she is once again in a dark floral print dress with a big white collar, her hair curled and loosely pulled into a ponytail, with a few strands having escaped. She had managed to give him his hope back and this would lead him back to where he needed to be. She had done her job, but hearing his thoughts at night, hearing him recall every detail about her had her intrigued. She just wanted to have a conversation with him.
He couldn’t believe his eyes as she walked straight up to him, everyone’s eyes following her movement. Due to her superhuman agility her movements flawlessly graceful and balanced she knew humans didn’t move with such grace, but she hasn’t been in human form for to long. This is the first time she has ever let her person see her. Eric’s eyes followed her every movement as she came over to him it seemed like she was gliding instead of walking.
“Eric, is that you?” He couldn’t believe that she remembered his name.
“Good afternoon Hailey. It’s nice seeing you again.” he said staring into her eyes that looked to innocent for this world.
“Likewise, but as I said last time I was hoping to see you again. I didn’t know that you worked here?” Normal conversation is not something she was really good at, since she so rarely interacted with the humans. She usually relied on her powers to solve their problems.
“I’m new. I interviewed the day I met you. I guess I have you to thank.” He doesn’t know how right he was, but she didn’t want the credit.
“Can I get you something to drink?” He continued. He wanted her to say yes. He wanted her to stay for awhile longer in fear that this time she really would disappear. That is exactly what she has to do. She needs to manipulate his memory and leave this place, leave him to live out his life, but it was harder for her this time. She didn’t want him to forget her.
“You can give me some water with lemon.” She answered watching him closely as he prepared her drink. It was as he gave her the drink that he started up a conversation.
“I haven’t seen you around before…” Of course he hadn’t usually she was invisible.
“I’m just passing through I guess, but I wish that I could stay a while longer. Life doesn’t always go as I want it to go.” The thought of not seeing her again saddened him. Her answer is not what he had hoped to hear.
“I’m a secretary to a wealthy businessman I usually just go where he does.” He knew how important it was to have a job these days. He was very grateful to finally have one again. She slowly took a sip of her water, he watched intently as the class barely grazed her lips, those lips he wished he had the guts to kiss. She blushed at his thought, he was thinking about kissing her. Her whole body felt warm all over at the thought.
“How old are you?” he asked her, she recalled that he had wondered about her age. She is young as he had though, she’s almost 16, but angels ageing was something different. She is immortal, she will always look young and beautiful. She is more around the age of 25 mentally. She has been an angel for almost 16 years. She doesn’t recall anything before that, which is why she considers herself 16.
“I’m sixteen.” He had known that she was young, but he wouldn’t have guessed her to be that young. She heard the panic in his mind, he’s 20 years old and sees her as a child, but that is also the problem he doesn’t see her as a child.
“Does my age bother you? It is only a number?” He was even more shocked at her words. How is it that she is only 16 when she seems so worldly. Does it bother him? Yes, but it’s not like anything will ever happen. She is almost leaving, as she said she was only passing through.
“No it doesn’t.” She knew he was lying, but he honestly didn’t want it to bother him. She sat there watching him as he went to quickly help the new customers that had come in. Is she feeling this way because this is her first interaction or is she feeling this way because she honestly finds him attractive? What if this is how she will always feel when she starts a relationship with her charges. She was so confused, but she knew that she had to go now. She got up and turned to leave, but she stopped. The uncertainty was bothering her more than it should. It was like her body had a mind of its own as she turned and walked straight up to him, she grabbed his face and planted her lips against his, It was the first time in her 16 years that she had kissed someone. It felt amazing. His lips felt just right against her.
“I just had to do that before I left.” She whispered out of breath before turning around and leaving, She decided to not erase his memories.
One month later
Hailey wasn’t as focused as she was before. Her thoughts kept going back to Eric, but he was fine now. He didn’t need her anymore. She had done her job, she had fixed what was broken, he was just a job. Then why can’t she seem to forget him. She shouldn’t have kissed him she should have never done something so reckless and uncalled for. She needs to find a solution…she should go back she found herself thinking. She should clear his memories of her. At least then she knows she won’t be able to go back to him, because even if she does he wouldn’t remember her. So that is what she did she finished her job and went back to his town. She went to the pub, but he wasn’t there. She wanted to find him and get it over with, but she also wished it took her a very long time to find him. This is why she didn’t rely on her powers.
“Hailey?” Just his voice made her giddy as she turned around to see him standing at the pubs door. He looked the same and yet different. He looks healthier than before, he is more build now.
“Eric. I was just looking for you.” Looking for him, but not wanting to find him.
“The bartender told me he saw you. I was sure he must have been mistaken, but here you are, you’re back.” He seemed so excited about her being back that it warmed her heart. What was it about this human. She didn’t feel like this with the others.
“I’m just passing through again. I just wanted to come and say Hi. How are things these days?” He was staring again, he reached out and tugged a piece of her hair behind her ear.
“Thing are great, I got promoted to bar manager. Which means that I got my old place back. Everything seems to have fallen in place.” Hailey was still shocked by his touch, how can she let this man forget her, this man that makes her heart race so fast with just a single touch.
“That is so great. I’m glad everything is working out for you.” He gave her a half crooked smile that made her take a deep breath.
“For how long are you back?” Hailey knew she shouldn’t be back at all, she should have just stayed away.
“Not long, I’m leaving…Now.” She can’t do this. If she spends to much time with him she would never want to leave.
“Can’t you leave tomorrow? I would like to take you on a date, at least spend more time with you than five minutes. Everytime you leave I find myself thinking that you never existed!” How am I supposed to say no to an actual date.
“I can maybe stay for a couple of hours.”
They sat at a restaurant, she couldn’t believe she was on a date. They left straight from the pub, since time was of the essence. They sat down and told the waiter what they wanted to eat after looking the menu’s over for a while.
“So what do you usually do when you’re not working?” Eric asked her.
“Nothing, I’m always working.” She hasn’t done anything like this. For the last 16 years she has been working, there is no off days in this career, this made her feel guilty, what was she doing here when someone could need her help.
“You never go on dates with handsome stranger?”
“You’re not a stranger Eric.”
“So just handsome then?” Eric had certainly gained confidence in the month since Hailey had seen him last.
“I don’t go on dates, I’m always working, I should be working now.” She admitted to him her guilt.
“Really?” He seemed confused by what she said, but she had only been honest. She heard his thought, he thought she was lying, because how was it possible for such a beautiful girl not to be dating.
“Eric, this is special. I haven’t ever dated. You’re special.” She was use to needing to reassure people, to make them feel better. It’s what she does.
“I’m not going to argue with you anymore. I’m honored if this is your first date. I just wish I did more…”
“It perfect.” She admitted putting a stop to his uncertainty.
“I don’t want you to leave.” Eric said as they left the restaurant.
“When will I see you again?” The night had been amazing, they had talked for hours over very good food. She really didn’t want it to end either. She came here to end it, but once again she would leave without manipulating his mind.
“When will I see you again?” Eric said slipping his hand into hers, holding her there on the spot.
“I don’t know. It can be anytime. In a week, a month or a year. I wasn’t supposed to be here today, but I just had to see you…”
“Wait you weren’t passing through, you came here just to see me?” She didn’t even realized her slip of the tongue.
“Yes, but I really need to get back now. I’ve been neglecting my work. There can be consequences for my actions.” She was supposed to help people, people that have strayed from their path, people like Eric.
“Then quit your job and stay. You could always find a new one. Then we can be together.” It was such a weird thing for her to hear, like her job was one she could just leave.
“There isn’t any job like mine.”
“Okay, but stay for the night then. I’m not ready to say goodbye yet.”