Think Angels don’t fall in love?  Think again.

“This is ridiculous.”  I stared up at the morning sun, waiting for another avalanche of feathers.  ”I’m dead, aren’t I?  This is a huge joke and I’m dead.  Or this is some kind of test to be an angel.”

Gabriel jabbed his finger under one of my ribs and I shrieked.  ”Still think you’re dead?”

“I could help.”  Tiny teeth bared, inching towards my ankle.

“Ok, ok.”  I bent down, scratching Mrs. McCluster’s dog behind the ears.  ”I’m sorry.  I just didn’t know dogs could be angels.”

My ignorance earned me a tounge up the nose as a reward.  ”Are you serious?  All dogs are angels!”

“Really?”  I glanced up at Gabriel.  ”All dogs?”

He shrugged.  ”What do you think most people want to come back as?”

“I don’t blame them.”  I kissed his nose and ruffled his fur.  ”If you’re an angel, why do you keep running into traffic?”

Gabriel’s hand wrapped around my arm, raising me up.  ”To do precisely what he’s going to do for you.  To protect me.”

“From cars?” I plucked a feather off his wing, grinning as he yelped.  ”Excuse me, didn’t I get hit by a car because of you?”

“You weren’t supposed to see me yet.”  Gabriel glowered as I shoved his feather in my pocket.  ”What are you going to do with all of those?  How many do you have?”

“Not enough.”  I stuck my tongue out.  ”Maybe I’ll make my own set of wings.”

“Wings are over rated.”  Mrs. McCluster’s dog scratched behind his ear.  ”You need a tail.”

“A tail could be cool.  What do I call you, anyway?” I frowned.

“Lucky works.  I’ll be your lucky charm.”  His tail waved back and forth.  ”Because from now on, you won’t go anywhere with out me.”

“What about Mrs. McCluster?” I asked.

Gabriel squirmed and I followed his gaze down the street.  ”You didn’t,” I scolded.

“It’s ok.  She’s getting a new dog tomorrow,” Lucky offered.

“But she thinks you’re dead!”  I groaned as Gabriel hung his head.  ”That’s so mean!  She’s got a bad heart!”

“Her new dog won’t run into traffic like I do.”  Lucky pranced around my feet.  ”We should get going, by the way.”

“Going where?” I asked as Gabriel squinted towards the sun, white beams piercing through the blue rings of his eyes.

“To where you’ll be safe, of course.”  Lucky leaned against me, his tail thumping against my ankle.  ”Don’t worry.  I won’t let them get you.”

“WHO?” I bellowed.  ”Who wants to get me?”

“They’re coming.”  Gabriel’s tense voice sliced through us both.  ”We need a place…now.”

“A place? Now?” Lucky yelped.  ”We don’t have enough time…”

“We’ve got to.”  Gabriel scooped up the squirming terrier, pressing us both to his chest.  ”Close your eyes, Arella.  Now!”

My head digging into his collarbone, the last thing I saw before I shut my eyes was a deep shadow racing across the street.

A flash of white and everything was wet.  And cold.

I would have rather been at school.

Stay tuned, Invisible Friends!  A new recipe tomorrow! 

More