The Guardians Read Free Page B

you’re one of those families,” she said, disdainfully.
    Her tone made it sound like our fictitious parents were the original Brad and Angelina, adopting kids from different countries and continents. I bit my lip to keep from grinning at the look on Gabriel’s face since nothing got him riled faster than someone being intolerant.
    “Regardless of color or creed, we’re all God’s children,” Gabriel said.
    It amused me when Mrs. Hopkins got flustered at Gabriel’s statement. One of the other secretaries, Mrs. Poletti, was a little friendlier. As she surveyed our paperwork, she smiled. “Your parents sure had a thing for angels.”
    Five pairs of eyes snapped in her direction. “What?” Gabriel questioned.
    “Sophiel, Cassiel, Gabriel, Rafael, and Elijah. Those are all angel names, are they not?”
    I couldn’t breathe. My throat constricted, and I felt my lungs deflate. I swiveled my head towards Gabriel, anticipating his response. When Gabriel smiled, I exhaled in relief and leaned against the counter for support. “Yes ma’am, you’re right. Mom and Dad did have a soft spot for the Angelic Host. I’m impressed you recognized that.”
    “Oh, I have a thing for angels, too. You should see my house. It’s wall to wall angels,” she said.
    “So is ours!” Rafe snorted. I elbowed him in the ribs. “Ow!”
    Mrs. Poletti smiled. “Well, here are your schedules. If you have any problems, just come let me know.”
    Sophie turned to us. “I’ll be here if you need me,” she said, with a reassuring smile before heading out the door to her classroom. The Dominion had assigned her to take over the teaching position vacated by Victoria Thomas. It was so reassuring knowing she would be in the building if anything went wrong.
    We all stared expectantly at Gabriel. “I’ll drop off the car for you guys in the parking lot, so you can drive home this afternoon.”
    “Okay,” Rafe said.
    “Good luck,” Gabriel said. He patted me on the back for good measure
    I took a deep breath and nodded. The bell rang shrilly over my head, causing me to jump. “Let’s get going,” Rafe suggested.
    Cassie and I grabbed up our schedules and followed Rafe out the door.
     
     
     
    Chapter Two: ELIJAH
     
    The instant we started down the hall, all eyes riveted to us. Time crawled by like in a movie when everything went to slow motion. Kids stood at their lockers, gaping with their mouths hanging open.
    I averted my gaze to the floor. “Why is everyone staring at us?”
    Cassie nodded. “Yeah, I thought Harrison was one of the largest schools in the state. By the way they’re acting, you’d think they’d never seen a new kid before.”
    Rafe grinned. “I guess I can’t blame them. It isn’t every day ya see a black kid, a beauty queen, and a giant lumped together in the hallway!”
    With plastered smiles on our faces, we continued down the hall. I became uncomfortable not from the stares I was getting, but from the ones Cassie was. Guys sized her up and down like a piece of meat. I didn’t like it, but Rafe was livid. I cringed as his protective vibe shot into overdrive when a guy brushed against Cassie to steal a glance down the front of her shirt.
    “What’s the matter?” Cassie asked, oblivious to the guy’s intentions.
    Rafe gritted his teeth. “You don’t wanna know.”
    I quickly reached out and touched his arm. “Relax, man. Save the aggression for the football field,” I said, with a shy grin.
    Rafe raised his eyebrows. “Dude, somebody write it down. Elijah made a funny!”
    “Whatever,” I murmured. But it was just what we needed, and our mood changed. We deposited Cassie at her first class. “Meet me after?” she questioned.
    Rafe nodded. “And until then, we’re just down the hallway.”
    “All right.” She drew in a deep breath and headed inside.
    Rafe and I entered our British Literature class just as the tardy bell rang over our heads. We quickly scanned the room for two empty seats.