BY: DEYSE

The pale sunlight that insisted on appearing in that chilly Friday afternoon shone on Cathedral High School tree tops, as students were crossing the wide open iron gates heading to their homes after one more class day. They were excited, talking and laughing happily, because the weekend was ahead and that meant no school for two days, and many of them were making plans for the next 48 hours.

Next to them, but away from the big crowd, a tall handsome man, with blond hair and bright green eyes walked along the big yard. He was wearing a blue shirt, black jacket, blue jeans and black leather shoes. Judging by the expression on his face, Andrew was looking for somebody, and slightly smiled when he finally saw a short thin middle aged woman, with blond hair and blue eyes standing not far away from him:

"Hey Margaret! I didn’t expect seeing you here!", he greeted.

"Well, the plane for Minnesota only leaves at 8:00 PM, and I would never go away without saying goodbye to such a good friend ...", she lowered her voice, "...and a good angel..."

Gently, he put his hand on her shoulder:

"I’m sure that you and your daughter will set things out when you two meet again."

"Yes, I know we will, Andrew. I can’t believe I’ve spent almost one year without talking to her for just a stupid argument we had one day. Besides, these were the worst days of my life, I felt lonelier than never. To tell you the truth, it seemed like a hundred years to me."

"Time tends to be hard and difficult when we don’t have the ones we love near us, Margaret. It’s so hard that people may end up losing their own capacity to love. And God didn’t create none of his children with that purpose."

"Now I know that. And I promise you that I’ll make every day count."

She took his hand with both of hers and squeezed it gently:

"Thank you so much."

"Don’t thank me.", he replied, "And you can take the time you want with your daughter, your students will be alright, I’ll stay here for some more time giving classes to my students and I’ll substitute you while you are away."

Speechless and with emotion evident in her face, the old lady hugged him and left.

With a content look, Andrew watched as she crossed the gates. That was when he heard a smooth and familiar voice from behind him:

"I’m so proud to say I love you, you know..."

Smiling broadly, he turned to face his best friend and co-worker, who also had a happy smile on her face. The wind was blowing softly but strong enough to disarray some strands of her long auburn hair. Monica was wearing a blue turtle neck sweater, a long flowered skirt and white sneakers. Her brown eyes were sparkling with happiness, which was also evident on her meek face. Now happier than before, Andrew walked towards her, grabbed her hand and kissed it:

"Hi, Angel Girl. You know that seeing you is more pleasant than watching a beautiful movie scene that appears on a big screen?"

She looked into his eyes and smiled even more:

"Well... Actually, I’ve never been to the movies, but, if you say so, I feel flattered anyway...".

He caressed her cheek lovingly:

"Shouldn’t you be in Minnesota with Tess and Margaret’s daughter?"

"Yes, I was, and that’s where I’m coming back right now, but, after spending these two weeks there working on Elizabeth while you were here working on Margaret, I started to miss you so badly, that, now that everything seems to be solved, I couldn’t help popping in to see you for some minutes.", she answered, kindly. "You were completely right when you said that time tends to be hard when we don’t have the ones we love near us."

"I guess the same goes to you, Angel girl.", Andrew replied, his eyes full of love for the little Irish angel.

"And I think I’d better go now, because I told Tess I was going to contact you to check if Margaret had already left... Well, I guess she thought that I meant to phone you...", she said, with a wink. He laughed at the mischievous smile on her face:

"Do you know what I feel like doing? I feel like wrapping my arms tightly around you, lifting you up off the ground and twirling you around in circles!"

She giggled at those words:

"Not that I wouldn’t like it, on the contrary, I really would. But I think it’s not a good idea to do it in front of your students, as they are already paying too much attention to their teacher!"

He gave a quick look at their surroundings and saw that, in fact, some teenagers that were leaving the school were observing the two angels with curious faces. Monica kept on talking:

"I have one more thing to tell you: as we have been working hard for the last two weeks and the assignment went on so well, Sam told Tess and I that tomorrow we three will have a night off!"

Hearing to that, his compassionate green eyes widened in surprise:

"Are you serious, Angel girl?"

"Yes. So you’d better start thinking about what we are going to do tomorrow, ‘Angel Boy’!", she announced, playfully.

"Be sure I will!"

He kissed her hand once again and she left.

*

After watching his friend disappear on the corner, Andrew got inside the school to collect his material, which he had left on his table. Some students were still leaving the building. Inside his classroom, a boy, of about 16 years old, finished to put his belongings in his backpack, and put it on his shoulder:

"Hey Edward, still here? Aren’t you anxious to go?"

"Well, I don’t care about weekends or holidays that much, Andrew. In fact, I’m gonna work all through the weekend."

"Well, I take your point, you have to make ends meet. But you should also take some time free, to have some fun with your friends."

"I have no friends. And I think I’m better off this way. I have to go now, have a nice weekend!"

The boy left the classroom. Although the assignment in that school was over, Andrew got a bit worried about his student and the sad tone in his voice. This was when he noticed a small envelope on the floor, under the desk that the teenager was sitting. The blond angel took it and hurried to the front gate, where he could reach the boy:

"Hey Edward, I think you forgot this!", he said, giving him the envelope.

"Oh, thanks. I guess I’m a bit absent mind lately.", the boy replied, with a melancholic look. But then, he managed a slight smile: "It’s nothing important, though."

Edward opened the paper and showed what was inside of it: 3 tickets to a movie session on Saturday night:

"I work at the Roxy cinema, you see, and sometimes I get free tickets.", explained the boy, and gave the tickets to his teacher:

"You can keep them, Andrew. I won’t be able to go, anyway, as I’ll be working. You can take your girlfriend with you, and have some fun for me, ok?!"

"Are you sure you don’t wanna use them? Isn’t there anyone you would like to invite?"

"I’m pretty sure. As I said, the session starts at the same time I start my work. I gotta go now, bye!"

"Well, thanks, Edward. Bye."

The blond angel looked to the tickets in his hand and an expression of someone who had just had an idea appeared on his face.

It was about 7 o’clock in the night of a chilly but beautiful autumn Saturday, in New York city, lots of people started to form a queue in front of the Roxy movie theatre and there was a big outdoor on the top of it announcing the film to be presented that evening: "Grease". The Roxy was set in an old but very imposing and well-conserved building. Although the film was somewhat old, it was a pleasure to see a musical classic like that, which would cheer up the entire family.

And it was in front of this pleasant place that Andrew had been waiting for about 15 minutes. Due to the night’s cold air, he was wearing a grey sweater, brown pants and leather shoes, with a beige coat under. After consulting his pocket watch with some impatience, he looked around him once more, as if looking for someone else. And, as soon as he did so, the blond angel smiled with relief: just around the corner, there came Monica, his dearest friend. She was wearing a black shirt, grey pants, a black cap and a light blue coat. Her shoes were black too, and she walked in a hurried way:

"Finally you’re here, I thought you wouldn’t arrive in time, Angel girl!", he said, kissing her forehead.

"I’m sorry, Andrew, I really should be here earlier, but there was a problem in the last minute."

"What happened, sweetie? Where’s Tess?"

"That’s the problem. Tess has caught a terrible cold when we were coming back from that assignment in Minnesota this afternoon. It was a strike of a cold wind that had her straight away!"

"Oh, so we’d better cancel the cinema and go stay with her!"

"That’s what I suggested, but she insisted that we should go and let her at home. I didn’t agree at first, but Sam came up and offered to make her some company. So I was more relaxed to think that she has somebody to take care of her. When I left, they were playing domino, and, despite the bad cold, she was winning!", she said, with a smile on her face.

"Well, in this case, we don’t have anything to worry about. I’m sure that Sam will make a very fine guardian angel!", concluded Andrew, and wrapped his arm around Monica’s shoulder: "C’mon, lets go inside before the film starts!"

They queued up and Andrew gave the two tickets to the ticket collector. After, they headed up to the cinema room, and, as they did so, Monica opened her mouth, enchanted by the beauty of the place. The room was covered with a red velvet carpet and beautiful chandeliers were spread on the ceiling and on the sides. The armchairs were also covered with dark red velvet and in a total of 200. But what caught more of her attention was the screen, which measured about 10 meters from one side to another, and more 6 meters high.

"Oh Andrew, it’s beautiful!", she exclaimed "I can’t believe I’ve been an angel for almost an eternity and I’ve never had the opportunity to go to the movies!"

"And you’ll wait until the film starts, Angel girl!", he answered, and held her hand: "Come, I’ll buy you some popcorn!"

"Do they serve coffee too?", asked the Irish angel, in an innocent way. Andrew chuckled at that question and they both went to the cafeteria.

When they got closer to the counter, a young boy wearing a uniform came by:

"May I help you?", he asked. The blond angel smiled as soon as he recognised him: it was his student, Edward, who had given him the cinema tickets:

"Hey Edward!", he greeted, and the boy replied, also smiling:

"Hi Andrew! I gave you the tickets, but I didn’t think you were coming to see this film anyway!"

"Well I wanted a friend to see it...", he said, looking to the Irish angel "This is Monica."

The boy smiled once more:

"Hi Monica!"

"Hello Edward. It must be a pleasure to work in such a lovely place like this!", she said, still marvelled at the surroundings. The boy was hesitant, not wanting to show her his lack of enthusiasm:

"Yeah, well, I have to come here everyday and ... you know, with time you kinda get used to it...", and decided to change the subject "So what you guys want to eat or drink?"

Two minutes after, Edward brought them two orders of popcorn, a cup soda and a cup of mocha late:

"Here you are! I hope you enjoy the film!", he said.

"Thanks Edward. See you at school, then. Bye!"

They got back to the projection room, arranged themselves in their seats and the film finally started. In just listening to the stereo sound, completed by the first images projected on the giant screen, Monica smiled excitedly at her friend, who also had a happy look on his face to see her in such an enjoyment.

The hours that followed, were of pure delight. In the most romantic parts of the film, Monica rested her head on Andrew’s shoulder and he held her close to him, also resting his cheek on the top of her head. They had a smile on their faces and wanted this moment to last for an eternity.

But, two hours later, the film was over and the audience started to leave the theatre. The two angels began to walk in the street, hand in hand, with an expression of satisfaction on their faces:

"Oh that was wonderful, Andrew! I loved the film so much that I could come back here everyday!"

"I knew you would like it, Angel girl.", he replied, with a content smile.

"Yes, you were right. Thank you so much!", she said, giving him a gentle kiss on the cheek.

At that time of the night, the temperature had fallen more and it was colder outside than it was before. Andrew noticed that his friend was wearing no gloves and took off his own, giving them to her:

"You’d better put these on, sweetie, it’s quite cold in here!"

She looked at him in a worried way:

"But what about you?"

"I’ll be just fine.", he answered, putting his hands in the pockets of his coat, which was pretty warm. She put on the gloves and held his left arm with both of hers.

"Thank you Andrew. I was so worried about Tess that I forgot my gloves on the mantelpiece."

"It’s a pity she couldn’t come."

"Yes. But we can come back next weekend, I greatly enjoyed the movies!"

As soon as Monica said that, they heard a noise coming from the seat in a desert bus station. There, a teenage girl, with long straight black hair and green eyes was hiding her face with the palm of her hands and sobbing. The two angels looked at each other and got closer to her:

"Excuse me, do you want some help?", asked Monica. The girl stopped crying and looked at them scared:

"No, I... I was just going home... excuse me..."

She was going to leave, but Monica grabbed her arm gently:

"Please don’t go! It’s quite dangerous at this time of the night for a girl to walk alone in the streets!"

The teenager stopped and, after a second, started crying again.

In a snack bar, there were Monica, Andrew and the teenage girl they had met minutes before. The waiter served them two cups of hot chocolate and a cup of mocha late.

"My name is Monica. This is Andrew."

"My name is Annie", said the girl, and swallowed some of the hot chocolate.

"Now that you are calmer, wouldn’t you like to tell us what happened?", asked the Irish angel, in an encouraging way. But she was a little hesitant:

"Well... to be honest... nothing really important has happened...

"So how come you were crying like that?", Andrew asked.

"Don’t bother about that. It was a silly thing that happens once in a while, but it’s already over."

"I don’t believe something that can make such a pretty face like this turn into a crying one can be silly.", replied Monica, in a way that brought so much comfort to her that the girl stopped being so defensive and let go her worries:

"Well... I always come to that movie theatre... alone.. I don’t have any friends, you see. Just colleagues from my school, but none that is really close to me."

"What about your parents?"

"I live with my mom, and she works hard to make ends meet. We only stay together on Sundays, at night. But I don’t blame her. On the contrary, I understand she has to work and, in fact, she’s really wonderful. I get along quite well with her."

"And... Why were you so sad?"

The girl was going to say something, but, before that, she looked outside through the window: a tall handsome teenage boy was passing by, with another girl, tall and handsome like him. They were embraced and laughing loudly.

Monica and Andrew looked at each other understandingly, and Annie kept on talking, now in a sad way:

"I feel so unhappy... as if the world has turned its back on me."

"You know that boy, don’t you?", asked the Irish angel.

"Brian Thompson. Second year, Cathedral High School. He studies there since the age of 6... and me too..."

"Have you already told him about your feelings?"

"What for, Andrew? He barely remembers my name. We have been saying ‘hello’ to each other for almost 10 years and I’m as noticeable as a desk he seats on. Besides, look at me! He would never turn his interest on such an ordinary girl like me."

"Oh c’mon, Annie. Don’t say that!"

"I don’t get upset in saying so, Andrew. I know that I’m short, a bit overweight and I have to wear these glasses..."

"You’re a work of perfection created by God", interrupted Monica. "You have beautiful eyes behind these glasses, beautiful hair and a captivating look. And perfectly able to do so many wonderful things in your life..."

"Love is as beautiful as you are, and such a feeling shouldn’t bring so much pain to a heart that has just started living.", stated Andrew, in accordance to his best friend’s words. Annie smiled shyly:

"Thank you guys...", and was pensive for some seconds, "It’s strange... I’ve known you for just a few minutes and it seems we’ve been friends for my entire life!"

"What a beautiful smile you have!", said the blond angel. At that moment, a sudden thought crossed Monica’s mind:

"I have an idea! Once we are now officially friends, I suggest that, next Saturday, we could go to the movies!"

Annie’s eyes lit up:

"Really?! Are you serious?!"

"Yes! I just loved the place, the film and the popcorn with coffee, and feel like I could do this every day."

"I’m not gonna be a bother for you two, aren’t I?..."

"Of course not, Annie. It’ll be a pleasure. We’ll do as Monica says: next Saturday, we’ll meet in front of the movie theatre, OK?", said Andrew.

"OK. Now, I think I’d better go, ‘cause mom is going to get home and will be worried if she doesn’t find me... sleeping, of course!"

"We can make you some company.", offered Monica.

The three left the cafeteria and took a cab, which stopped in the middle of the way to drop the teenager in her house. On the way back to the apartment the angels were renting, Monica was a bit worried:

"Oh Andrew I feel so sorry for that girl. She seems to be so lonely..."

"Yes, I felt that too, the deep sorrow in her eyes...", he said: "It reminded me of somebody else. Do you remember Edward, the boy we’ve met at the cafeteria at the cinema theatre?"

"Yes, of course I do. If it weren’t for him we wouldn’t have gone there and none of this would’ve happened in the first place. He seems to have a great heart, although a wee bit sad, from what I’ve realised."

"Yes, you’re absolutely right."

"Do you think we could help them?"

"Well, we have a couple of weeks more to remain here, as I will be substituting Margaret until she comes back."

A smile appeared on Monica’s pensive face. Andrew noticed that:

"Hey sweetheart, I know that angelic face of yours. What are you thinking about?"

She looked at him and took his hand:

"Wouldn’t it be lovely if we used our free time in order to help people in need?"

He smiled back at her, already understanding what she meant, and squeezed her hand:

"Yes, I guess that would be great!"

"We could do that as a ‘free time assignment’!"

He raised his eyebrows amused by the expression his friend used:

"A ‘free time assignment’?!"

Monica nodded, hopefully.

"OK. But you know we’ll have to report that to Tess..."

"Oh, but we will! And imagine how proud she will be of us after we’ve finished!"

"After?!"

"Yes.", she answered, with an innocent look, "Let’s make it a surprise for her!"

Andrew chuckled at those words, having totally agreed with his best friend’s suggestion, although both of them had no idea of what exactly they were going to do.

Monica was walking along the corridor of Cathedral High School, carrying a pile of books to the library that Monday morning. But as they were many, she wasn’t able to hold onto them and ended up letting them fall down on the floor. It was at the exact moment that a tall blond teenage student was passing by: that was Brian Thompson, the boy that was near the cinema last Saturday and for whom Annie had special feelings:

"Oh, my goodness!", exclaimed Monica. Brian stopped walking:

"Do you need some help, lady?", he offered. The little angel smiled:

"Oh, yes, thank you. I shouldn’t be carrying all of them at the same time."

"Where are you going?", asked the boy. She was a bit surprised with that (unnecessary) question for a moment:

"To the library. I have to rearrange them back in case students need to make a research, you know."

They shared the books and continued walking. Brian was almost turning on the wrong corridor, when Monica called him back:

"Hey... I’m afraid you’re going in the wrong direction... It’s this way...", she said, once again surprised that he didn’t know the way to the library.

"Sorry. I don’t come here quite often, you see."

"So you haven’t been working on your reading skills lately, have you?"

"Well, that kind of stuff was never a big deal to me. I’d much rather play basketball with the guys and have some real fun. Don’t like being stuck in a room with moth eaten old books."

"Well, you never know how surprising a room full of books can be sometimes."

They entered the library and settled the books on a trolley, in the back of the room. That was exactly moment when another teenage came near them:

"Annie, I’ve found the book you were looking for, here it is...", said Monica, "It was upstairs, in an empty classroom. Somebody might have used it and didn’t deliver it back." The girl was a little embarrassed by being so close to the teenage boy:

"Thanks, Monica...", she replied, taking the book Monica handed her, "Hey Brian..."

"Hi.", he said, but, before he left the library, the boy noticed that the book Annie was holding was about sports, mainly basketball:

"Hey, ‘Physics applied to the world of sports’? I didn’t know there was such thing like that!"

Monica realised his sudden interest and the shy but hopeful smile on Annie’s face:

"Your friend helped me out with all these books.", she said, and turned to the boy: "Thank you, Brian, you’ve been very helpful."

"Yeah, maybe coming to the library wasn’t such a bad idea after all!"

Seeing his smile, the angel also showed a content (but confuse) face:

"I think I’d better deliver these other books. Excuse me."

The two teenagers stood alone:

"Listen, Annie, will you check this out now?"

"Yes, I was going to make a research for next Tuesday..."

"Do you mind if I stay with you, just to see it?"

She was almost lost for words in hearing that:

"N-no... of... of course not..."

"So let’s find some place to sit!"

Watching from a certain distance, Monica had the expression of somebody who had just had a surprise.

*

Some time later, in another part of the school, the History class was over and the students were leaving, when Edward came closer to Andrew and landed him a sheet of paper:

"I’m sorry for being late this morning, Andrew. I had to work until late yesterday, got home about 2 o’clock. But I promise this won’t happen again."

"It’s OK, Edward."

"Do you have the grades of the last test?"

"Yep, and I think I have good news for you, after all, an A+ isn’t something you can just ignore!"

The boy’s eyes lit up:

"A+?! Really?!"

"Check it up for yourself!", said the angel, landing him the test.

"I didn’t think I would have such a good result!"

"You are very intelligent, Edward. You just have to stop being so down on yourself!"

"Well, I guess I cannot argue with the teacher.", replied Edward, although rather melancholic.

All of a sudden, somebody knocked on the door, and Andrew was surprised to see that Margaret, the middle aged teacher that he had helped the week before, was back:

"Excuse me, teacher? May I come in?", she interrupted, with a smile on her face.

"Margaret!", he hugged her "I’m happy to see you here, but... weren’t you supposed to come back only in three weeks?"

"Yes, but my daughter and granddaughter wanted to come to New York with me and stay for some time. Elizabeth and Kate have never been to New York before, so they decided to visit the city with me as a tourist guide! So, don’t worry, I don’t plan to resume my post as a teacher so soon, you’ll keep on in command!"

That last comment made him feel more relaxed about his and Monica’s plans for the next weeks. Margaret turned to the door and called a 15-year-old girl that was reading the student’s research works placed on the walls of the corridor. She was a bit tall, had shoulder length blond hair and green eyes:

"Hey, Kate, come here sweetie. There’s someone I would like you to meet!". Smiling, the girl entered the classroom and the old lady introduced her:

"This is my granddaughter Kate. Kate, this is my friend Andrew, who is also a teacher here and who helped me to make my decision about coming back to you and to your mother."

"Hi Kate!", greeted the blond angel.

"Hi Andrew. It’s really nice to meet you! You have no idea how much you’ve helped my mom, my grandma and me too. Thank you."

"That’s what friends are for, Kate.", he replied, "And talking about friends, I want you two to meet Edward, one of my best students!"

"Hello, Edward. You must be really good, because I know Andrew would never lie!", joked Margaret. The boy was a bit shy by his teacher’s comment:

"Well... I’m not that good. It’s just that I like History..."

"You are Edward Davis?", asked Kate.

"Yes..."

"So it was you who did that research that’s on the wall, about the costumes and traditions over the centuries?!"

"Yes... that was me...", he said, shier than before.

"It’s really cool the way you did it using computer graphics! I liked seeing the way people dressed 800 years ago. You must’ve had a big trouble finding this kind of stuff and after transferring them to the computer and creating the scenarios!"

Andrew put his hands on both the teenagers’ shoulders:

"Well, Edward, it seems that Kate and I share the same opinion about your work, although you don’t agree with us."

Margaret had an idea:

"So, as you got along well, why don’t you show her the school during the lunch time?", suggested her. More than immediately, the two agreed with that, and left the classroom, leaving a satisfied looking grandma and a puzzled looking angel.

*

Some time later, Andrew came along the corridor of the school. It was empty, as the students were on their break. The blond angel turned left and bumped into his best friend, who was coming in the opposite direction:

"Oh Andrew, thank God I’ve met you, you don’t know what happened!", she said, with a worried look.

"Well I was looking for you too, Angel Girl. It seems that our ‘free time assignment’ will need some changes!"

"But that’s exactly what I was going to tell you!", she replied. Andrew took her hand in his:

"Come with me, sweetie, we can talk in my classroom, the students aren’t there now."

They headed to his classroom to talk about the events of the morning for some minutes and discuss what to do next:

"... this is totally unexpected, Andrew, totally unexpected. Now we are dealing with two more people!", said the Irish angel, pacing from one side to the other.

"Don’t worry Monica, somehow I get the impression that we both will be able to help Annie and Edward anyway! We’ll just have to adapt to the new situation."

"But how, Andrew?"

"Well, Kate and Brian seem to be two good people and what if they are exactly where they were supposed to be? What if Annie and Edward were meant to meet them in the first place?"

"Do you think that could be possible?"

"Of course it could! Just look at the way they got along so well almost immediately. And, besides this, Kate and Brian started admiring our two teen friends for great qualities they both have."

"I know that. It’s just that I was so worried when I saw such an unexpected meeting between Annie and Brian... it was as if things were going out of the control, you know. And now you’re saying the same happened with Edward..."

He smiled and stroked her auburn hair:

"Trust me, everything will be OK."

She became pensive for some time, and finally let go of her worries, and smiled too:

"Yes, you’re right, Andy. And we have to think that we’ll help four people instead of two!"

"And Tess will be twice as pleased!... ‘after’ we’ve finished, of course!", he joked. The Irish angel looked to her best friend lovingly:

"It’s amazing how you can ease my heart in just a blink of an eye..."

"The pleasure is all mine, Angel Girl..."

She glanced at her watch:

"I’m afraid I have to go now. The students will be back in two minutes."

Andrew looked around them, and, realising there was nobody in the corridor, he cupped her chin with his right hand and planted a tiny loving kiss on her forehead:

"See you later, sweetie.", he whispered into her ear: "I love you."

"See you later, Andy. And I love you, too."

In three days, Annie and Brian, as well as Edward and Kate looked like they were old friends. And it was really amazing how two people that had been practically strangers to each other for almost 10 years could have so much to talk about. Actually, it was Brian who was more impressed, as Annie, being so intelligent, was able to know so much about so many things, and apply them to his favourite sport, something that, for him, seemed totally unthinkable.

To Kate and Edward happened the same, as the boy finally found someone to talk about his ideas and impressions about the world, which he did very well. He not only loved History, as he spent most part of his day inside a movie theatre, having the opportunity to see all sorts of films related to historical events and other cultures, but he also had an incredible knowledge about computers, knowing much more than the other people of his own age. Kate, for herself, had never met a teenager who knew so many things that she didn’t even imagine existed.

In the library, Monica was finishing to arrange the books. It was past 1 PM and, at that time of the day, the place was empty, because the students were on their lunch hour. When she placed the last book on the shelf, she heard a familiar and dear voice from behind her:

"Anyone here would like to have lunch?"

Grinning, she turned around to face Andrew, who was smiling lovingly at her:

"I’d love to!"

He looked into her sparkling brown eyes:

"Go ahead, Angel Girl, tell me something good!"

Happy to see that he had realised her contentment, she kept on talking:

"Oh Andy... I think I’ve managed to help Annie more that I expected to in such a short time! She and Brian are doing so fine!"

He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it:

"Well, I’m happy for you, but I’m definitely not surprised, as you are always that wonderful, Angel Girl!"

She smiled at him, delighted with his kind words. He continued to hold her hand: "And I have some good news to tell you too, but we can talk during the lunch, because, right now, I’m starving!"

"And I think I’m twice as starving as you are!"

Some time later, in a small restaurant nearby:

"... and I think besides the fact that Brian is starting to notice how many qualities Annie has and that he didn’t notice before, Annie herself is realising that she’s not just another girl in the school, she has a beautiful gift, which is her intelligence, and that’s what her friend is impressed with!", told Monica, while the two angels were tasting a delicious lunch.

"Well, I guess helping some teenagers was more than a good idea.", said Andrew, "Do you remember the Edward we met last week? I would say he was miserable, with no friends of his own age and nothing to be proud of, but guess what? In three days, Margaret’s granddaughter turned out to be his best friend! Now I see them both together every time students have a break. Not mentioning that Kate was very much impressed by his research work, which is indeed excellent!"

"Oh this is wonderful, Andrew! I’m so happy for them!"

Suddenly, somebody interrupted their conversation:

"Hi Monica, Andrew!"

It was Annie, who was together with Brian.

"Hello Annie and Brian! Wouldn’t you like to sit with us?", replied the Irish angel.

"No, thanks. We’ve just finished having lunch and we have to go back to school." , thanked the girl.

"Yes, I’m playing this afternoon and Annie has given me some tips about how to position myself during the game, so I wanted her to watch it and see if I’m doing it right.", explained Brian. Monica and Andrew exchanged a quick smile:

"Oh, I see. Annie is gonna be some kind of a ‘coach’, isn’t she?", joked Andrew, and they smiled:

"Yes, I think she will!", replied the boy, happy to say so.

"But we came here to ask you two if the movie meeting on Saturday night is still on."

"Of course it is, Annie. Andrew and I will be there by 6 o’clock, and we will wait for you. And, of course, if Brian wants to come too it’ll be a pleasure to share his company."

The boy grinned at Annie:

"I would love to go!", he said, causing her to blush.

"So everything is settled: we’ll meet on Saturday, at 6 PM, in front of Roxy!", summarised Andrew.

On the following Saturday, Andrew, Monica, Annie and Brian met in front of the Roxy Theatre to see "Antz", a computer animated film, which was making a lot of success at that moment, suggested by the teenage girl:

"I just like computers so much.", she explained "And I love reading and learning things related to computers, as much as I do with movies. They’re my favourite hobbies."

"You’ve made a good choice, Annie. I myself like computers very much, they’re a fantastic source of information for people of all ages.", Monica agreed.

"Well, I’ve heard this film is good. I prefer horror ones, but, if it’s a comedy, it seems to be funny!", said Brian. Hearing that comment, Monica and Andrew couldn’t avoid a quick amused look to each other. When they queued, Andrew soon recognised two familiar faces near them: Edward and Kate were some meters ahead of them, talking enthusiastically. The blond angel walked until them:

"Hey you guys! Edward, I thought you didn’t have time to go to the cinema because ‘you’re so busy working’!...", he joked. They smiled at him, and it was evident how much happy the boy was:

"Well, I decided to follow my teacher’s advice and asked for a day off!"

"Edward is being such a great company, Andrew. He showed me all the shops around here, the most famous in the city!", told Kate.

"I see, and today it’s your turn to choose the place to visit, isn’t it?"

"Actually not, it was Edward who decided to see this film too. But tomorrow will be my turn: we will see the basketball game!", said Kate.

Some minutes after the group met, all of them entered the cinema theatre and the film started.

*

Two hours later, the show was over and they started leaving the theatre:

"I really liked it. Spielberg’s films can have so much fun and, at the same time, they are visually perfect.", commented Edward, "I’m thinking about writing my own stories and maybe, in the future, I’ll manage to turn one of his stories in a computer animated film."

"Um, that sounds great. I myself prefer horror movies, but this one was fine, really.", Kate replied. "And I was glad that you were there to get me acquainted with the story, it really has a message! Thanks a lot!"

The boy smiled, a little embarrassed:

"Well... The pleasure was mine, Kate. And thank you for coming!"

*

"It was great! I’ve read the reviews of this movie and they don’t do justice to it. I mean, the visual effects are amazing but it’s not only this; the story is fantastic too."

"You’ve made a good choice, Annie. I myself liked the story very much, it’s very clever.", Monica agreed.

"Just like the was I expected!", said Annie. Andrew agreed with her:

"You’re right Annie, it was an excellent film. You surely made a good choice!"

"Thanks. And I’m eager to see ‘Monsters Inc.’! Can’t hardly wait for the preview!"

"Did you like it Brian?", Monica asked. The boy ran his hand through his hair with a puzzled expression:

"Well, I didn’t get it how that small guy managed to guide everybody out of that hole before everybody got drowned! And he was able to do such a mess with those big guys, I mean, no ant could’ve beaten them down!", he said, "And I think they were kinda stupid, didn’t they? I mean, how could that leader be in command for a pretty good time and after let that little animal screw everything up?!"

Hearing that comment, Monica, Andrew and even Annie couldn’t help but laughing, and Brian himself started laughing too, thinking that they had agreed with his quick ‘review’ of the film.

"We’re going to the Mall to play some bowling, do wanna come with us?"

"Oh no, thank you Brian. I think I’m a wee bit tired for today, you know.", said the Irish angel. Her best friend rubbed her back in sympathy. Although they had been working on this ‘free time assignment’, the two had also been busy with other assignments during the week, not to mention that they had to be careful not to let Tess know what they had been doing in their free time.

"You two can go and have some fun for us!", the blond angel said, with a wink.

"Are you sure you don’t wanna come?", Brian insisted. But, before they replied, Annie spoke:

"Brian... they don’t want to come!...", she said, with a mischievous smile on her face, "We’d better leave them alone, as Monica and Andrew have already done so much for us!

The boy smiled too, without understanding what she meant, though.

"Ok, then. See you back on Monday!"

"Bye Andrew, bye Monica! Thanks for the company!"

The angels watched the teens leaving for a minute:

"I’m afraid Brian will need some extra classes in order to improve the conversation with Annie...", said Monica, with a slightly worried expression on her face.

"Yeah, I’d say he’ll need not some, but many classes...", added Andrew. She smiled:

"But they make a beautiful couple, that’s for sure!"

Nodding, the blond angel wrapped an arm around her shoulder and they started walking. Monica became pensive, and, after some seconds, she giggled. He looked at her in a curious way:

"What is it, Angel Girl?"

"You know Andrew, I’m under the impression that Annie thinks you are my boyfriend!...", she said. Although he himself had had the same impression, he blushed deeply. Seeing his face completely red, Monica giggled even louder:

"Monica, please... stop laughing!", he pleaded, more embarrassed. She tried to cease her laugher, but without much success. Despite the redness on his face, Andrew was also amused by his friend’s comment, and looked into her brown eyes:

"You know, Angel Girl, I think that Annie isn’t far away from the truth, though, as I love you very very much!", he whispered into her ear, and kissed the side of her head. The Irish Angel looked at him with her eyes full of love:

"So do I, my friend. So do I!"

She wrapped her arms around his waist and a mischievous smile played on her lips:

"So, I guess I can call you my ‘Angel Boyfriend’, can’t I?"

Again, he blushed profoundly, and opened a broad smile:

"Yes, and I would love to call you my ‘Angel Girlfriend’!"

Laughing, the two angels continued walking along the street, heading to the apartment they were renting together with Tess, who was innocently thinking that they had gone to the movies alone.

Monica was sitting in one of the 150 seats inside of Cathedral High School gymnasium, surrounded by many other people, mainly students. All of them eager for the basketball match to start. Andrew soon came along carrying two large size cups: one of soda, another of coffee, and it didn’t take him too long to spot his best friend among the crowd, having gone to sit beside her:

"Here it is...", he said, handing her one of the cups, "Double mocha late with cinnamon."

"Oh thank you, Andy!"

Happily, she wasted no time in grabbing the cup and taking a sip of the drink she loved so much. Andrew watched her: although her addiction to caffeine was something to be worried about, he couldn’t help chuckling at her almost childish satisfaction in tasting it.

"Just do me a favour? When we report our ‘free time assignment’ to Tess, don’t tell her how much coffee I let you drink, OK?"

"Deal!", she said, with a smile and a wink. Annie soon came up and went to sit together with the two angels:

"Hello Annie, anxious to see Brian play?", asked Monica.

"Well... yeah... kind of...", the girl replied with some despondency.

"Hey, what’s the matter, Annie?"

"Nothing really, Andrew... It’s just that I’ve already watched four matches in just two days. I’m a bit tired of gymnasiums and stadiums and people screaming around me all the time."

"How was the outing at the museum yesterday?"

"Oh... I think Brian was really impressed by Picasso’s paintings, as he wanted to know when he was going to pop in and give a night of autographs...", she explained, a little disappointed. Andrew and Monica’s first impulse was to laugh, but they didn’t, as they saw the expression on her face:

"Oh Annie, you just have to give him a chance, Brian is making a lot of effort to be familiar with the things you like."

"I know that, Monica, I really do. And I appreciate that, be sure. I’m just tired, that’s all."

In another part of the gymnasium, Kate, followed by Edward, who carried a lot of shop bags, looked for empty sits. After looking for them for almost half an hour, they could settle down:

"Oh, finally! I was almost sitting on the floor!", said the boy, with relief and a physiognomy of tiredness.

"I’m glad the match hasn’t started yet. Grandma said that the team is one of the best in the schools championship, and, indeed, the boys haven’t missed a single match yet! I’m eager to see this one!...", replied Kate, enthusiastically, and not seeming to be a bit tired.

"We’ve been walking for such a long time today... I’m so thirsty..."

Although he was on his last legs, Edward stood up and went to look for something to drink, as he too was thirsty.

The game finally started, and, although the visitors were really good, the Cathedral players were better, and managed to open 10 points of difference, winning the match. The audience applauded them excitedly, congratulating the team, with the exception of Edward, who had fallen asleep during the game and despite of all the noise that could be heard for over a mile.

The movie session would start at 6 o’clock on that Saturday. The audience was starting to form a queue in front of the movie theatre and the film to be presented was a horror one. Among these people, there were an excited Brian, together with a not all too convinced Annie; and an anxious Kate, together with a tired looking Edward.

"Are you sure this film is good, Brian?"

"Yeah, I’m telling you, Annie. This film is really cool! I’ve already seen it three times! And I can’t believe you haven’t just once!"

"Ok, then. If you say it, I’ll give you some credit."

*

"Kate are you sure you don’t want to see the other film?"

"Oh no, Eddie. I just love this one, it’s such a lot of fun! You’ll like it, I’m sure!"

"That’s alright, today is your turn to pick the outing, anyway. I’ll trust you!"

*

The theatre was opened and the public went in. Together with all those people, but unnoticed by the four teenagers, there were a worried Andrew and a nervous Monica. Hand in hand, they got into the movie theatre and took a seat in the back of the projection room:

"... I’m telling you Monica, everything will be ok around here! I’m sure the kids will do just fine."

The Irish angel was a little hesitant:

"I know it, Andrew, it’s just that... well, I had to see them for myself, you know. Yesterday I met Annie in the library and I had the impression that she was a wee bit... disappointed..."

"Don’t you think it could have been just an impression?"

"Yes, maybe. But I also met Edward later on, and he had such a tired face... in fact, he slept over a book in a desk inside the library and I had to wake him up..."

"Maybe they’re having a hard week, with many tests and research works to do, besides, of course, having to go out with their new dates, it’s just a phase, and it’ll be over soon. Relax, Angel Girl, I’m sure everything will be fine. Remember that, although we are giving these kids a little help, there’s Someone in the control, and He never makes mistakes!"

She nodded:

"You’re right, Andrew. As usual. I guess I’m a wee bit overworried because it’s our first ‘free time assignment’..."

The blond angel chuckled at her wording:

"Well, then stop being overworried and try to enjoy the film... if it’s possible... As Brian and Kate would say, we really form a great team!", he said, taking her hand and kissing her cheek. The film started and the audience turned its attention to the screen.

But, half an hour late, Annie stood up:

"Brian, will you excuse me for some time?"

"What is it, Annie?", he asked, deeply entertained by the film.

"Well, I... I’ll buy some more popcorn...", she replied, with a little uncertainty.

"Oh, could you buy some for me too?"

"Sure..."

The girl left the projection room and went to the cafeteria. Andrew and Monica saw not only her leaving, but also the expression on her face.

"Andrew... I think something happened... Did you see the look in her eyes?"

"Yes... Well... Let’s wait a little longer, if she doesn’t come back, you go and talk to her..."

A minute later, Kate, who was enjoying the film as much as Brian, turned to an almost sleeping Edward:

"Hey Eddie! Wake up! You are missing the best part!

"I’m sorry, Kate. It’s just that I worked until late yesterday evening, after we left the Mall... I think I’ll buy a cup of coffee, ok? I’ll be right back..."

Again, the angels watched the other teenager leaving the room: a tired looking Brian went to the cafeteria, the place he also worked:

"Angel Girl, have a look...", said Andrew, now really worried.

"It’s Edward... Oh my, Andrew..."

"I’m afraid his face is as bad as Annie’s..."

Monica was really nervous with that:

"Our assignment, Andrew! We are going to fail our assignment!"

"Calm down Monica, we’ll do the following: let’s wait for 10 minutes, and if they don’t come back, then we’ll go after them, ok?"

The two angels decided to wait, although both of them were rather concerned with the last events.

*

At the cafeteria there were many posters of different kinds of movies, all of them had been great hits of their time. There, Annie and Edward stood for some time, looking at those posters, standing unnoticed by each other and separated by some meters of distance.

Annie was staring at the photographs with a sad look on her face.

"Here is your drink!", said the man behind the counter, handing her two large cups of soda. She took the drinks and was already leaving when two tickets fell from her backpack. They were invitations to go to the preview of Disney’s ‘Monsters Inc.’. She didn’t notice it, but Edward, who was the only one around, took the tickets:

"Excuse me!", he called. She turned around: "You let this fall from your bag."

*

In this meantime:

"Andrew, it’s been such a long time, I think we’d better check them to see what has happened...", said Monica, extremely worried. The blond angel glanced at his watch:

"Yes, they’ve been out there for over 10 minutes. Let’s go check on them.", he agreed.

They moved from the projection room to the hall, looking for the two teenagers:

"They must be at the cafeteria", said Andrew.

"Oh, I hope so. It’s quite dangerous to go out in the streets alone at night!", Monica shook her head, "And we have to fix this situation immediately!"

"I’m afraid you’re right. If Tess finds out I don’t even want to think about what she’ll do..."

Suddenly, they heard a strong and familiar voice coming from behind them, which made both freeze:

"I suppose the movie isn’t that interesting, which doesn’t surprise me, as the announcement says ‘horror’ before its name!"

The two angels turned around to face their supervisor, who had her arms crossed, eyebrows lifted and a rather angry expression on her face:

"Tess!...", they whispered, now much more worried then never. She walked over to them:

"But you know what really amazes me? Two angels coming in here to see that!... Unless, of course, there’s another good reason for them to be in this movie theatre, with those ‘guilty faces’ standing before me!"

They looked at each other without knowing what to say and, at the same time, thinking about what had happened to Annie and Edward.

"Tess, we..."

"Don’t you ‘Tess’ me, Miss Wings! I want a good explanation for this, and I want it now!"

CHAPTER 8

The girl took the tickets Edward handed her and smiled feebly:

"Thanks... I guess I’m quite absent minded today..."

"This film seems to be a lot of fun.", he said. Annie nodded:

"Yeah, I think so. Besides, it’s all made with the use of the computer, and I love these kind of films!"

"Me too! Have you ever seen ‘Toy Story’?

"You’re kidding me! It’s my favourite one! And I’ve been watching all computer animated films since ‘Cassiopeia’, have you ever seen this one?"

"Of course I have. ‘Cassiopeia’ is a Brazilian film and was the first one all made with the use of the computer!"

She looked at him surprised:

"So you’re really an expert, aren’t you?!"

"Yep, I think I know a little about this kind of stuff!"

"Well, if you are so smart, then tell me who made the voices in ‘Toy Story’?

"Oh, c’mon, this is easy..."

*

Andrew and Monica looked at each other one more time and, realising there was no other choice, started to tell the oldest angel the truth:

"Well... everything started when I took Monica to the cinema for the first time...", the blond angel started.

"That day we came back from Minnesota and you caught that terrible cold and couldn’t come with us, remember?, interrupted Monica.

"Just go on!", fumed their supervisor, not pleased at all.

"Well...There were these two young boy and girl who were so lonely and unhappy..."

"And Monica and I decided to help these two teenagers to get out of all this sorrow they were through, to try to show them both that life is not to be lived in the pain and loneliness they were in."

"We intended to make them get back all the enthusiasm and happiness they seemed to have lost."

"As they study at the same school I was assigned, to help Margaret in the first place, it became easier."

"And they really started to feel better...", added the Irish angel.

"So we had to go on, to continue close to those kids so that we could transmit encouragement and hope to both."

"And that’s what we’ve been doing so far, during our time off, you know."

"To be honest, I don’t know it, as the word ‘supervisor’ doesn’t seem to mean anything to you!", grumbled Tess.

"Oh, but it certainly does, Tess! We intended to tell you! It was a surprise for you, something that we knew you would be proud of, as it is you who always transmits to both Andy and I so much wisdom and courage...", concluded Monica.

Although she still was a bit angry, Tess was really touched by those kind words, and, indeed, she was very proud of her two charges. But the oldest angel kept a stern look:

"Well, and where on earth are these two teenagers you have been babysitting for the last weeks?!"

The Irish angel bit her lips, looked at her best friend and after to her supervisor:

"That’s... That’s a very... pertinent question, Tess... You see... we..."

"C’mon, we don’t have all night long!"

"Well... Andrew and I... We’ve..."

But before she went on speaking, Andrew put his hand on her shoulder, to stop her:

"Monica, look!..."

The three angels looked at the entrance of the hall, from where Annie and Edward were coming, entertained in a good conversation. They crossed the hall and got into the projection room:

"Well, my friend is sitting over there.", pointed the girl.

"I’m with a friend too. She must be somewhere over that way..."

A brief silence passed between them, and it was broken by the boy:

"It... It was really nice talking to you... I’ve never met somebody who knew so much about computers. She smiled shyly:

"I guess the same goes to you. I was beginning to believe that I was the only person in the world that enjoyed films and computers and them both together!"

He, too, smiled shyly:

"My name is Edward Davis."

"Nice to meet you, Edward. I’m Annie Carter."

The two teenagers shook hands with each other:

"Listen, Annie, I work here, so, if you want somebody to talk to..."

The girl was surprised:

"You work here?! But it’s cool!"

"Yeah, I think it is..."

"Well, I don’t work yet, but, if you wanna talk, I study quite near here, at Cathedral High School."

"Are you serious? I study there too!"

"Really?! Wall, that’s what I call a coincidence!"

They shook hands one more time:

"So, I guess I’ll see you at school, Annie!"

"Deal! I’ll see you back on Monday, Edward!"

In the hall, Monica and Andrew were surprised to have seen the couple together and talking, as if they were old friends. Their first plan had eventually worked out well, as they had previously imagined, and a smile of relief appeared on their faces. The blond angel took his best friend’s hand in his own and squeezed it:

"As I said, Angel Girl, He is always on the control!", he whispered into her ear. She smiled lovingly at him, but, before they said something else, Tess stared at them:

"So, I imagine this ‘secret assignment’ of yours has succeeded after all..."

"Actually Tess, we called it a ‘free time assignment’, and we were a wee bit overworried because we had some pro..."

"What Monica wants to say it that, yes, we’ve managed to achieve our goal: help Edward and Annie, as we imagined right from the start!", interrupted Andrew, afraid that his best friend would say something unnecessary.

"I was under the impression that you were rather nervous when I arrived here..."

"...It’s because Monica and I wanted to see if everything was really going on well..."

"Yes... We would never want to disappoint you..."

"Umm... I see... And now that all this has finished, do you intend to go back inside that room to continue to watch that horror humans call a movie? No, that’s what I thought, so you’d better move your angelic butts outta here straight home, because I’m not to baby-sit two grown up angels anymore!

They looked at each other, knowing that that command was to be followed under no protest:

"Yes, ma’am!", both replied.

Three days after:

"So, we two can still be friends, can’t we?"

"Of course we can, Brian. To be honest, you’re one of the best friends I’ve ever had!"

Annie and Brian were sitting on the grass, under a tree, in the yard of Cathedral High School. The blond teenager blushed in hearing those words:

"Oh, c’mon!"

"I’m serious! We became friends because you saw qualities in me that even I had forgotten that I had."

"You’re very intelligent, Annie. More intelligent than I’ll never be..."

"Don’t say that. You have a great talent too, and if you can use you talent so well, it means you’re as smart as I am. What happens is that our interests in life are different, that’s all. I never thought a guy like you would want to befriend somebody like me..."

"Why not? Besides being the most intelligent person that I’ve ever met, you’ve got a great heart too, Annie. You’ve never tried to point out how much you know and how much I don’t. You’ve never made me feel like a stupid near you."

"It means a lot to me hearing you say those things, Brian, as I myself never thought I would be able to make somebody pay attention to me... especially somebody so popular like you. You gave me confidence, and I’m really thankful for that."

The two teenagers smiled at each other:

"Well, I have a philosophy class in five minutes."

"And I have a training that has probably started, so I think we’d better hurry!"

He helped her to her feet and they hurried back into the school building.

*

In another part of Cathedral High School...

"... so mom decided we’ll stay here for good, and you can’t imagine how happy I am with that, Eddie! Finally she and grandma stopped being so silly and finished with that grudge that lasted for so much time."

"I’m happy for you, Kate. I really am. You know, I don’t have a mother, but I have a great dad, and, listening to what you’ve just told me, I realised that I don’t think I’d be able to stop talking with him for one single day."

"Isolation is a terrible thing. I think it’s one of the saddest things in the world. Your heart grows bitter and lonely because you don’t have anybody there for you, to be your friend..."

The boy nodded:

"I couldn’t agree more, as I was one of these people who think that life sucks and kinda chased everybody away.", he said, and smiled as if he had just found out something that had been evident for a long time: "In other words: I was a jerk!"

Kate also smiled, but in a kind way:

"You don’t look or sound like a jerk to me! Actually, you’re the kind of person that I’d like to have as a friend for life!"

Edward took her hand:

"So are you, Kate. You may not know how much you’ve helped me to chase this loneliness away, but I’m sure I’ll never forget that."

"Well, that means a lot, as you resisted so bravely to the marathon of shops and basketball matches and horror movie sessions I put you through! Believe me, you were the first one who did it!"

They laughed loudly:

"I have to confess that I was almost beaten! One more shop and I wouldn’t have resisted!"

The boy turned serious:

"But I guess that was exactly what I needed. Somebody to literally shake me so that I could wake up and see that, although life has been hard sometimes, it still has many good things to offer, and we should try to be happy with them."

"I’m glad I could help you so much. And... just once in a while, would you mind going around in the city with me? I don’t know it very well and..."

"Anytime you want, Kate, we have a deal!"

"Deal!"

*

At the end of the day, the classes were over and the students started leaving the school building. Before going away, Annie decided to take a walk in the school garden, as she always used to do after the classes finished. The place was desert, as the last thing a student thought about in the end of the afternoon was going in there. It was when the teenager heard a female voice:

"Annie?"

"Hi Monica! I was just going to look for you!"

"It seems that you have a lot of work to do...", the Irish angel said, seeing how many books the girl was carrying with her.

"Yes, it’s going to be a busy week!"

"So I assume you won’t have much time to watch so many basketball matches..."

"Well, Brian and I have come to an agreement: one or two matches a month will do! He became a good friend."

"I’m sorry. I know that you wanted him to be more than your friend."

"To be honest, I did, in the beginning. But I’ve found out that it’s better to have him as a friend than anything else, and he agreed with me. And don’t be sorry, Monica, I was just looking for you and for Andrew to say thanks to both of you."

"Really?", Monica asked, in surprise.

"Yes! After you two found me in the street at that night, crying in an empty bus station and feeling miserable, things started changing in my life. You became such good friends, encouraged me and you even found a way to put Brian and I together in the library, remember?"

"Well... I ... I..."

"And I was telling Brian this morning how important he was in bringing my self confidence back. I would say that he finished what you and Andrew started to do at the very first moment we’ve met.". The girl smiled: "I know it may sound crazy, but... I would even say that you’re two angels that crossed my way when I most needed... And I even thanked God for sending you."

Monica turned her eyes to the sky for a brief moment, as if now she could understand many things.

"Thank you Father...", she whispered, and turned back to the girl, taking her hand with a kind smile:

"It doesn’t sound crazy to say that messengers of God were sent to help you, because they are as real as you are, Annie..."

By saying so, a splendid glow surrounded her, and the teenager opened her mouth and eyes in amazement:

"So... you’re... you’re..."

"Yes, I am an angel. And so is Andrew. You know, Annie, when we first met you, not even we knew that God was making us instruments of His endless love for all His children, for you in special."

"For me?! Are you serious?!"

"Oh yes, and I must say that He is very proud of you, Annie. You had lost your faith in humans and in yourself, but was able not only to get back the hope, courage and happiness you had lost, but also to be generous with another human being, helping him as well. And He wants you to continue like this. In the moments of anguish and pain, lay your troubles in His hands and trust Him, instead of sitting alone, in the dark and feeling that the world has turned its back on you. Remember He will always be at your side, ready to listen to your worries as well as to your thanks."

"I promise I will, Monica. Every single day of my life, I’ll never forget that anymore...", replied the teenager, with tears of happiness rolling down from her eyes.

*

Edward packed his material and was ready to leave the already empty classroom:

"Hey Andrew, it’s a pity you’re leaving the school, you’re such a good teacher."

"Thanks Edward. I was substituting Margaret during her days off, but now that she’s back my assignment here is finally over and I really have to go."

"What about your girlfriend?"

A slight blush appeared on Andrew’s face:

"Umm... you mean Monica, right? Well, she’s also leaving the school, as she too was substituting the librarian, Mrs Brown. What about you? I’ve heard your project has been chosen to be presented tomorrow, at the local college..."

"Yeah, the teachers really liked the scenarios I created on the computer to show the human evolution throughout centuries. I’ll present it tomorrow and... if they choose it as the best one amongst the other 19 projects, I’ll get a scholarship to study at one of the best computer schools in the city!"

The blond angel smiled, happy to hear that.

"I don’t know how to thank you, Andrew. You asked the class to do this project and chose mine to be exposed in the entrance hall of the school. And then Kate and her grandma saw it and it didn’t take too long to the headmaster to see it too. Kate’s grandma must have talked to him, much on Kate’s enthusiasm itself!"

"Kate, umm?"

Edward didn’t miss Andrew’s inquisitive look.

"Yes, she’s a great friend..."

"A friend?...", asked him, with raised eyebrows. The boy smiled:

"Yes. We’ve talked and decided that we’re best of friends, nothing more than that. You know, Kate is a lot of fun; to be honest, more fun than I could be ready for. I think I’ve been to almost all shopping malls that can exist in the city! And she and I have some problems in balancing our likes and dislikes. As we’re friends, these problems aren’t too big, and we can handle them."

The blond angel nodded his head, understandingly. Edward turned serious and kept on speaking:

"You two helped me out very much. Thanks again."

Andrew looked through the window, observing the clouded sky for some moments, and a sudden thought crossed his mind:

"Yes, Father...", he murmured, looking at Edward: "I’m happy for you, Edward. And so is God."

"God?", asked the boy, with a confused tone in his voice.

"Yes. And He sent me here to help you to see that there’s more to life than sorrow and loneliness."

A sudden glow involved Andrew’s figure, and the teenager took off his cap completely astonished:

"Oh, Jesus..."

"I’m an angel, Edward. A messenger of hope and faith. And I have to confess to you that even I didn’t know about God’s plan when I first came here, in this school, when I asked you to do that research work or when I introduced Kate to you."

"I... I don’t get it... God knows me?"

"Oh yes, he does know you. More than this: He loves you very much, as you’ve always been a good son, and has a message for you. Trusting in another human being, hoping the best of other people and being ready to help the others. All these actions were presented to you so that you could learn to trust in yourself, hope the best of your attitudes and be ready to let the others come to you. You’re His child, and so are the people that surround you; nobody is an island of isolation and pain. You’ve given the first steps towards His lesson and He wants you listen and learn it very well so that you can pass it on, as other people did to you in the first place."

Edward bowed his head in respect, and smiled with emotion:

"I’ll be paying attention to Him and to His signals every step of the way, Andrew, you can be sure about this.", he said, with a grateful look.

*

The last students were leaving the school, among them there was Edward, who soon spotted Annie coming from behind the school building, where the garden was:

"Hey Annie!", he called. Hearing his voice and seeing him, she smiled:

"Hi Edward!", replied the girl, joining him. "I’ve heard your project was chosen to represent the school..."

"Yes, I’ll present it tomorrow..."

Near there, but unseen to the human eye, Monica was watching the two teenagers with a broad smile on her face. Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice coming from behind her:

"Here you are, Angel Girl!"

The little auburn angel turned around and faced her best friend, who had an expression of joy and excitement, proper of those who have just finished a well done job. He walked towards her:

"And finally I can do something that I longed for since the beginning of this assignment..."

Saying this, he grabbed Monica by her waist, lifted her up off the ground and twirled her around in circles. Laughing loudly, she wrapped her arms around his neck, deeply enjoying the feeling of being in his strong arms. Some minutes later, Andrew put her back on the ground, although she continued wrapped in his neck, and placed a big kiss on her cheek.

"Do you mind if I ask why all this sudden happiness?", she asked.

"I guess it’s just a little celebration, as our ‘free time assignment’ went on so well!"

Gently, she pulled away and looked at his face:

"I feel that way too. It’s so good!"

"Yes, it is...", he put some strands of her hair, disarrayed during the twirling, behind her ear, "...Monica, do you wanna go to the movies?!"

Both laughed loudly as it wasn’t necessary to answer to that question.

Some months later...

When the last movie session finished, Monica and Andrew were sitting on the top of the movie theatre’s building, together with Tess, who was standing beside them, watching the audience leaving the place. Among these people, there were Annie and Edward, walking hand in hand.

"Oh, I’m so happy with the work we did with these two!", said Monica, watching the kids.

"We wouldn’t have imagined that what we really had to do is to give them hope and courage when we decided to help them. And remember that the idea of a ‘free time assignment’ was yours, Angel Girl!"

She looked at him affectionately:

"That’s not true! We two made a very good job! And, besides this, if it wasn’t for you inviting me to go to the movies in the first place, we wouldn’t have found Annie..."

"An act of kindness that was passed on and on...", Andrew simplified.

"Yeah... I must admit that I was pleased of the way you used your free time...", Tess confessed, which made them happier than before. But she kept a stern face: "But I hope the next time you two angels decide to fly solo, let me know it first, so that I won’t have to go out in the middle of the night to take you home and send you straight to bed with no coffee and no pizza!"

They couldn’t help chuckling at those words. The Irish angel remembered something:

"The only thing I’m sorry for is Brian and Kate, you know Andy..."

"Well, I wouldn’t be sorry if I were you, Angel Girl...", he replied, with a mysterious look.

"I don’t understand..."

"Take a look over there..."

She looked in the direction pointed by the blond angel and smiled with contentment at the scene she saw: Kate and Brian were entertained in a conversation, walking hand in hand, leaving the movie theatre across the street, which was showing a horror film.

The three angels watched the teenagers for a few more minutes, and didn’t miss the small kiss Annie and Edward shared right before entering in the nearest cyber café.

"Well... a pretty end for a pretty story, isn’t it?", said Andrew.

"Oh yes... I wish all stories finished with kisses, hugs and all sorts of acts of affection!", said Monica. Andrew wrapped both of his arms around her shoulder:

"Unfortunately not all stories end up like this. But the ones that do can be inspiring, can’t they?!", he said, with his eyes full of love for the little Irish angel. She looked at him affectionately and with a kind smile, and held him back. The blond angel pushed her closer, leaning to brush a loving kiss on her forehead and, after, to place a tiny kiss on the tip of her nose. The auburn angel didn’t miss the opportunity to brush a gentle kiss on his cheek and rested her head in the nape of his neck, sighing contentedly.

Watching that scene, Tess rolled her eyes to the sky with a mock upset and bored expression on her face, and mumbled:

"I think I’d better check out my glucose as I’ve been exposed to too much sugar lately!..."

They exchanged a quick look and laughed, amused by the fake grouchy tone in her voice. The oldest angel turned her eyes to the 4 teenagers walking down in the street, and kept on talking:

"And whenever you decide to open a match making agency, let me know it first, so that I don’t have to watch these kind of things..."

Hearing to that, the two looked at each other with a mischievous smile and, an instant after, stood up:

"Tess, have I mentioned how beautiful you look like when you’re pretending to be angry with us?!", joked Andrew, going towards the supervisor and with a suspicious expression on his face.

"And the more you scold us, the more we feel like doing something...", completed the auburn angel, also walking in her direction. And before Tess could say something, they grabbed her at the same time, both kissing her cheeks and tickling her.

"Hey, what the heck you’re doing?!...", she screamed, even more distressed than before: "...I’m not in the mood for these plays of yours, did you hear me?!"

But her two charges completely ignored her complaints and continued to tickle her:

"Oh Tess we love you so much!!!", Monica said, between laughter, and, together with her best friend, gave the supervisor a final big hug.

"Oh, look how much mess you two can do in just a blink of an eye!", grumbled the oldest angel, fixing her coat and her hat, which had fallen during the sudden ‘attack’. She looked to both Andrew and Monica and finally let out a loud laughter:

"C’mere you two!", she urged and hugged them tightly: "You know I too love you very very much babies!!!"

Near them, a white dove cooed and flew nearby the old building, crossing the starry night.

THE END