but to be pretty.
Prissie didn’t stop walking until she reached the bridge’s highest point. Resting her elbows on the railing, she stared down at the hopeful ducks who paddled closer, looking for handouts. She showed them her empty hands, then stole a glance at her faithful shadow. Koji remained on the pond’s grassy bank, looking commonplace in his new clothes. She’d been slowly adjusting to the idea that he was an otherworldly being, but now that everyone in her family could see him too, she wasn’t sure how to act.
“Grandpa likes ducks,” she said, needing something to say.
Koji accepted this as an invitation to join her on the bridge and climbed toward her with shuffling steps. His movements were oddly clumsy, and Prissie realized that this was probably the first time he’d ever worn shoes. Although he was dressed like an ordinary boy, he wasn’t one.
“You’re actually moving in here?” she asked again.
“Yes,” Koji patiently replied. “For a whole year, or at least through the upcoming school year, since I am an exchange student.”
“But you’re not a student!” Prissie protested. “You’re not even human.”
The angel’s brows knit together. “I did go to school before I was assigned here; even angels have to learn. I am simply transferring into your school. Shimron said I am the first Observer granted this privilege.”
“So for the next year, you’re giving up shiny clothes, pointy ears, invisibility, halos, flying, and whatever else angels do so you can take geometry and gym class?”
Koji tipped his head to one side. “I never could fly.”
“That’s hardly the point!” she snapped. Almost immediately, she regretted her words, for the boy wilted. With a longsuffering sigh, she said, “I’m trying to understand. You really plan to become a part of my family and go to school like a normal kid?”
“Yes,” he replied cautiously, dark eyes pleading.
Was it possible for him to keep his secret? His ears had first tipped her off, but now she thought that Koji’s eyes would give him away. They were extraordinary. “And you’re excited about this?”
“Very.”
Prissie stared out over the water. “Can you see through walls or anything?”
“No.”
“Super hearing with those ears of yours?”
He frowned slightly. “No.”
“So I can still have my privacy?”
“Indeed.”
“And you won’t come into my room without permission?”
“Agreed.” Koji smiled. “Now, we can talk without anyone thinking it is strange. They will see both of us, and they will know we are friends.”
Prissie relented. “Yes, I suppose they will. But what happened to your ears?”
“They are hidden. Do they look right?” Koji asked gravely, turning so she could inspect his altered features. “I thought Abner did a good job.”
“They look normal to me.” Reaching out, she touched the spot where the elfin point had been; it felt just as curved as it looked.
“Milo helped me with my clothing,” he added.
“You look fine,” she assured him.
“I cannot wait to learn more about being human!” Koji enthused. “There are so many questions I want to ask!”
“Be careful with that,” Prissie cautioned.
“Why?”
“If you ask weird questions, people will think you’re strange.”
Koji considered this carefully, then nodded. “I want to fit in like Harken and the others, so will you let me know if I do something odd? I have watched carefully, but there are many things I find difficult to understand.”
“I can do that,” Prissie agreed. “Are you nervous?”
“I am nervous, but mostly excited.”
They turned back toward the house, walking slowly as they talked in hushed tones. “Grandma said you’ll be staying in the boys’ room, but you said before that angels don’t sleep,” Prissie pointed out. “What will you do all night?”
“Approximate,” he replied smugly. “I can lie down and close my eyes.”
“Won’t that be boring, though?”
“I can visit with Harken or one of the others at night.”
“How?”
“We will share dreams.”
Prissie gave him a blank look. “How do you do that?”
Koji shrugged. “I just do. I will ask Shimron; perhaps he can explain it more clearly.”
“You keep mentioning Shimron. Who is he exactly?”
“See? You have a lot of questions, too!” the angel laughed, earning an eye roll. “Shimron is an Observer like me. He is my mentor just like Harken is Milo’s mentor.”
“Do you guys always come in pairs?”
“That is right!” Koji nodded approvingly. “You are being observant, too.”
“Two by two,” Prissie mused aloud. “Are there lots of other kinds of angels?”
“Lots,” Koji agreed, then listed, “Messengers, Guardians, Protectors. Of course, there are proper names for the orders. Malakim, haderim, cherubim — each has their function, and rank is based on aptitude and experience. We