Barely An Angel (Completed)

26~ Kindness in Her Heart

Anna had told me to wait for her at the end of the school day so that we could walk home together. "But I always walk Nathan home before I go home," I had protested.

She crossed her arms. "Well then, I'll come with you both. But we should make it quick. I can't wait to see my brother's face when he sees me," she laughed.

I had huffed in annoyance, just imagining how uncomfortable Nathan would be to be walked home by his angel-vampire hybrid friend and her archangel aunt that was supposed to be his drama teacher. On the other hand, I suspected that, at this point, nothing could surprise him anymore.

When the final bell of the school day rang through the school, I hurriedly pushed through the tumultuous, unyielding crowd of students to get to my locker. It felt like a solid five minutes passed before my fingers felt the cool metal of the locker's handle as I threw it open. I couldn't think of any homework I had; frankly, I couldn't think much at all in that moment; but to be safe I grabbed a few textbooks along with my bulky binder, shoving them into my backpack and calling it good.

"Ramona, hey, are you okay?" Nathan's voice sounded like a beacon through the noise of the crowd. "You seem pretty...I don't know...flustered?" He scratched the back of his head, slinging his own backpack over his shoulder. "Ah, never mind, I guess. So, uh, what did you think of Mrs. Arche? I thought she was pretty cool. I guess I'm just glad that this school is getting a drama program," he laughed nervously.

I shut my locker, meeting his gaze. "Mrs. Arche, right, more like archangel." I lowered my voice to an urgent whisper, leaning closer to him. "Nathan, that's my aunt. I didn't even know until she told me just now. She's the one I told you about, my dad's sister who's supposed to help us with the Fantom Fangs situation. Oh, and heads up, she wants to walk you home with me. So, there's that." I shrugged, pulling my backpack's straps over my shoulders.

Nathan's eyes were wide, and he kept opening his mouth to say something but closing it when only gasps of surprise and disbelief would come out. "When you think you know someone," he joked finally. "So, is she going to help...with...everything? Does your dad know?"

I started walking in the direction of the school's front doors, Nathan following suit. "No, he doesn't know yet. That's why she wants to walk with us, so that she can walk home with me. As for her helping, she said she can't leave Earth empty-handed, and the whole reason she's even here is to take my dad back to Heaven. I'm pretty sure that's what she's going to want in return for her help. I just," I sighed as we opened the doors and stepped outside. "I don't want to lose my father so soon after only just meeting him for the first time."

Nathan slung his arm over my shoulders. "I'm sorry, Ramona. I'm sure we can figure something out."

I smiled weakly. "I hope so-"

"There you are!" Anna's shrill voice echoed off the concrete ground, causing Nathan and I to turn completely around as she threw open the school's doors and rushed over to us. "I was looking for you. Shall we?" She asked, stepping between me and Nathan. She held out her elbows towards each of us, prompting us to link arms with her before we continued walking.

I shook my head. "I'm good," I assured her. She looked over at Nathan expectantly, but he only smiled meekly as if he didn't want to be rude and straight out say no.

Anna lowered her elbows, disappointed. "Fine," she sniffed, marching ahead of us.

"Whoa, wait. You don't even know which way we're supposed to go," I called out. She stopped in her tracks, pivoting around on her heel to look straight at us.

"I suppose you're right. Lead the way," she gestured, waving her arms in front of her. Nathan and I traded glances, stifling small giggles.

The rest of the walk to Nathan's house was quiet, save for some small talk here and there between Nathan and Anna about acting, because apparently it was a subject Anna really did like. After we said our goodbyes to Nathan, the walk home was completely silent. And yet, I feel like so much was said between us. At least, a million thoughts of things I wanted to say to Anna were flying through my mind: Can't Dad just stay here? Does he have to leave? Why can't you just help us out of the kindness of your heart?

A chilling concept occurred to me then; what if there wasn't any kindness in her heart? I couldn't say either way, as I didn't know her well enough. I didn't know her at all, really. But my father did, so hopefully he'd know how to reason with her.

***

"Anna? What are you doing here?" My father exclaimed. "How did you-," he cut himself off, looking at me. "Did you have anything to do with this?"

I had just walked through the door when my father saw me, and he was about to offer a hug before Anna revealed herself from behind me.

"Of course," Anna scoffed, pretending to be offended. "Is it so hard for you to believe that your sister just wanted to visit you of her own accord?"

Mom emerged from the basement just then. "Hey, honey, what's-," She stopped short, a stern expression spreading across her face at the sight of her sister-in-law. "Anna," she said curtly, clearing her throat. "I definitely didn't expect you to ever come here."

Anna narrowed her eyes. "I would've never expected my brother would come here either, but, here we are." She smiled tightly, crossing her arms.

"Really?" Dad interjected. "Can you two ever get along?"

His sister sniffed, pointing her chin in the air. "Not until she apologizes for what she did."

Mom groaned, rolling her eyes. "Come on, Anna. That was years ago! Get over it! Besides, you've got your own apologizing to do, if we're gonna go there."

"What happened? What did you guys do to each other?" I asked, doing my best to hold back laughter at their immature bickering.

Anna looked at me. "Well, you see, when we were in high school-"

"That's enough, already," Dad cut her off. "Ramonal- uh, Ramona, sweetie, it was nothing. We have bigger things to worry about right now."

"Speaking of," Anna shifted her attention to her brother. "Tell me more about these Fantom Fangs. I want to know what we're up against." 

~

What do you guys think sparked the rivalry between Lucy and Anna? Leave your thoughts in the comments, and don't forget to leave a vote if you enjoyed! I love to hear your guys' thoughts, so don't be shy lol. Till next chapter,

~R.J. <3