Human Meets Angel

As Ethel walked around back to the front of the school she heard the school bell and with a “Damn it,” and turned to face the front doors. She stared at everyone bustling into the school and as she tried to walk backwards she heard someone calling her.

“Ethel Valens! I better not be watching you trying to escape school?” Groaning, Ethel’s brain began swarming for excuses as Mr Notchet walked over to her. “Miss Valens?” He questioned.

“I forgot my work book for your class, sir. Surely you’d want me to be prepared for your brilliant lesson?” Ethel nearly slapped herself for the obvious and persuading lie.

“Nice try, Valens. In.” With his thumb he pointed behind him towards the school and Ethel scowled passing him on the walkway and headed up the steps.

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Collin walked through the school gates, skateboard under his arm and Raphael by his side. Normally Collin went for crazy ideas, they were pretty fun, but he had no idea how Raphael was going to lie his way into coming into school. All this just to talk to Collin and Ethel together. Collin had the distinct impression Raphael didn't like to repeat himself.

“Ethel!” Collin called as he spotted her walking away from Mr Notchet.

As Collin walked up the pathway girls gawped and boys sneered in his direction. The sun glowed in their direction and it seemed like a movie had just slowed down. The girly gasps didn’t drown out the footsteps that moved across the pathway. They boys’ comments shot in different directions but never at the direction of Collin... But no-one was staring at Collin. They were drooling over Raphael.

Ethel ran back down the steps of the school, up to Raphael stopping in front of him. “We need to talk...”

“Haven’t I been saying that all morning?” Raphael smiled forcedly; making sure people around him couldn’t tell what he was on about.

Ethel breathed slowly to not snap at him, “That was different-“

“Ethel?!” Carly’s voice called running over to her and Ethel, before even looking at Carly, could tell her eyes were wide and shocked to see Raphael standing on the school steps. “Wow... Hey... You heal fast, huh?”

“Do I know you?” Raphael smiled nervously and seemingly curious.

“Yeah- Well, no, you were knocked out for our introduction, I’m Carly,” She smiled warmly and held out her hand for him to shake but he stared at it angrily.

“You know as well?”

Carly lowered her hand looking at Ethel and back at Raphael a little hurt and his rudeness “Well... Yeah... Who do you think taught these two how to bandage a wing- erm I mean back,”

“Anyone else know?” Raphael asked Collin completely ignoring Carly.
Shocked, Carly turned to Ethel and Ethel side hugged her and could only say “He’s a pompous jerk,” to make her feel a little better.

Collin scratched his head, “Ryan came over after I’d found you because we were...”

“Anyone else?” Raphael growled staring around him, making sure no-one could hear and Collin shook his head, becoming scared of the increasingly angry angel that towered over him. Raphael groaned and his hands rubbed his face with frustration. After calming down, which took a long and silent minute, he nodded his head, “Okay.”

Shuffling her feet, Ethel felt the sun glare into her eyes and she looked up at it, only for a moment then back down across the field to spot Brad staring at her and the girl hanging on his side, looking up at him with curiosity, probably of why he had suddenly stopped kissing her. Carly’s eyes followed Ethel’s and she made an ‘Oh’ face then an idea in Carly’s mind seemed to be brewing.

“You guys are so cute together!” Carly squealed delightfully and very loudly and Ethel, Collin and Raphael looked at Carly like she was mad, while everyone else stopped and listened intently. Some pupils even walked back out the school just to know what was going on. “Seriously Ethel, how did you meet Raph’? I’m so jealous of you! I mean-” Carly turned to Raphael, “I know we just met but you’re gorgeous! But seriously, you hurt Ethel in anyway, and I will rip you to pieces. Her last boyfriend was such a jerk,” Carly rambled on and Ethel began to wish she’d stop.

“Carly, don’t-“

“Eth’... What’re you so worried about? You and Raph’ are perfect for each other, who cares who knows?”

“What are you doing?” Raphael hissed quietly to Carly.

“Hitting two birds with one stone,” She smiled and Collin looked up to see Ethel's mortified face. He couldn't help but snicker.

“Kids! Would you stop blocking the entrance and get into school! Now!” Mr Notchet angrily shouted at the group huddled on the steps and Raphael seemed to shift uncomfortably.

“I will just leave now...”

“Uh-uh-uh,” Mr Notchet waved his finger patronizingly. "Get into school, Mr... Er... What's your name?"

"Raphael... Er, Turner, sir," Raphael said shifting uncomfortably.

Mr Notchet sniffed, "Well Mr Turner, in class, now." Mr Notchet stood in front of the kids waiting for them to all go in. All gulping they turn to the school doors and enter as Mr Notchet turns to shout at some other kids wandering across the field.

Carly and Ethel turned into their tutor room as Collin carried on walking but stopped as he realized Raphael wasn't following him. "Raph?"

Ethel spun on her heels and felt her face thump into Raphael's chest. She stepped back in shock, "Woh... Where do you think you're going?"

"With you," Raphael stated and tried to walk through the door but Ethel side stepped in front of him again.

"Nah-uh,"

"I highly doubt that I'll get away with passing off as Collin's age, do you? And besides we need to talk,"

"I know we do but-"

"What about me?" Collin interrupted Ethel.

"No, you'll be there too, I have just got to make sure Ethel does not walk away again." Raphael says talking to Collin.

Collin thinks for a moment then grins happily, "Awesome!"

Grabbing Ethel's shoulders before she could protest anymore, he pushes her backwards into the tutor room and follows Carly to their seats. Carly sits happily as she sees Brad glaring at Raphael, "Are you two going to act like you're dating or what?"

Both Ethel and Raphael shot a look towards each other as if repulsed and Ethel said "Like I'd ever date him,"

"Likewise," Raphael sneered.

"Ouch... Burn..." Carly said slightly shocked from their reactions.

Looking around the classroom not only did she spot all the girls looking at Raphael, but Brad as well. Before Ethel could start crying she lowered her head to only see her desk. 'Would it upset him if I were in a relationship already?' Ethel thought, and became delighted of the 50/50 chance of hurting Brad in any way possible.

Thinking about it a few seconds later, Ethel flipped her hair facing Raphael and smiled warmly. Raphael looked straight ahead but she could see he was confused by her sudden movements. "Hey Raph'," Ethel chimed, "Your shoulder feeling better?"

Raphael blinked. He slowly turned to face Ethel. Studying her face, he saw she seemed concerned about him and he couldn't help but stutter, "Y-Y-Yeah... It's o-okay..."

"Aww!" Ethel placed her hands on her heart, "You're so cute when you stutter,"

It was at the word "so" did Raphael notice the fakeness in her tone. She was lying. Her hand reached up to touch his face. "I love your hair this way, looks really good on you," and she started curling his hair in her fingers.

Raphael's jaw dropped, as she beamed at him. Raphael, still in shock hissed, "Are you FLIRTING with me?!"

In return, her face and hand dropped and she looked back at the table, her eyes flickered up but could only see the back of Brad's head. He wasn't even looking. Her eyes lowered again and her face began to morph as she felt tears swarm into her eyes. As she tried to control herself she became completely unaware that Raphael had been studying her. Raphael looked towards Brad then back at the front of the class, ignoring Ethel, and ignoring the situation that had just arisen.

'The sooner I get to tell them what's going on, the better. Once I save Collin's life I can be out of here.' Raphael thought and breathed deeply.