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I GUESS GRANDMA'S NEW boyfriend isn't so bad. Earlier today, we ate grilled cheese together, talked about our lives, and even played video games for about an hour. He wasn't that good at gaming, but at least he tried.
I think I'm closer to accepting the fact that she has a new guy in her life. Her youthful face will always be weird, but as long as she's happy, I'm happy for her.
I get similar texts from Alyx and Leigh, asking if I want to hang out later. I guess they want to celebrate my spirit school graduation, which is nice, but the person I really want to hear from is Sandalphon. I haven't seen him since yesterday, when he saw me singing and bawling my eyes out. I keep replaying that day in my head, wondering if I did something to put him off. I want to text him, but something is holding me back. Maybe, deep down, I'm still intimidated by the fact that he's an Archangel. If he wanted to see me again, wouldn't he contact me? I'm sure he has better things to do than to listen to the ramblings of a former student.
But I have to be a little important to him, right? I was his former charge, and he the broke rules to be my instructor. We had a date. He said he had feelings for me. We—
In the middle of my thought, I get the text I've been waiting for. I try not to feel too giddy as I stare at Sandalphon's name on my LightTab.
“I would like to see you. Where would you like to meet?”
I give him the obvious answer.
“The Taco Barn.”
I can practically hear his groan when he reads that. One of these days, I'll get him to try a queso blanco chicken fajita burrito with guacamole on the side. You haven't really been to heaven until you've had one of those.
When Sandalphon shows up at my door, I'm glad Grandma isn't around to see this, because he looks ridiculous. He's wearing a green tunic over leather pants, and there's a bow and quiver slung over one shoulder. Worst of all is his long, blonde wig.
Except it's not a wig. I try to yank it off, but it doesn't budge.
Sandalphon backs away from my hand and whines, “Ow oww oww! What are you doing, Mikayla?”
“I'm sorry!” I clench my teeth and hide behind my hands. “I thought that was a wig!”
“No, it's not a wig. I manifested new hair,” Sandalphon says. “You're not a fan?”
I tell him bluntly, “No. To be honest, long hair does not suit you. It wasn't the worst thing I've ever seen, but I prefer your usual hair.”
“Would you like me to go back to it?”
“Uh... yeah.”
Sandalphon leans closer to me, winks, and whispers, “As you wish.” Before I can even blink, his hair is back to normal.
As you wish. Those are the classic words from The Princess Bride. I think he was trying to be Legolas and Westley at the same time, and I've got to admit, it's pretty cute.
“I have a date planned for us,” Sandalphon says. “If you refuse, you'll break my heart so... please don't refuse?”
Why would I refuse? I would have to be seriously crazy. Holding out my hand, I reply, “No heart-breaking today. I'd happily follow you anywhere.”
Was that too flirty? Maybe I should take it down a notch?
Sandalphon, still in his Legolas clothes, warps us to a rowboat on raging waters. The boat is rocking so hard, I have to grip the sides so I don't topple out. Wind is lashing my cheeks, it's raining like crazy, and a clap of thunder rattles the sky. I can barely see Sandalphon's face through the downpour.
“What the hell?” I scream.
“It's the romantic scene from The Notebook,” Sandalphon explains. “They're on a boat, the rain's pouring, and—”
“I remember!” I have to shout, because that's the only way he could hear me over the constant hiss of rain. “You know, I'm starting to think rain is romantic in movies, but... maybe not so much in real life?”
“You don't like it?”
I already made fun of his wig, and I would hate to disappoint him again. Maybe it's not so bad? Maybe I need to chill? If Rachel McAdams can laugh during a storm, so can I.
I throw back my head, cackling unnaturally—until I'm silenced by another insane growl of thunder.
“Should I tone it down a bit?” Sandalphon asks.
“Yeah... maybe.”
Within seconds, the water calms, and the rain slows until only a few tolerable droplets tickle my skin.
Sandalphon reaches for my hand, stares into my eyes, and says, “It's not over.”
I know that line is from The Notebook, but I'm not sure how it applies to us. “What isn't over?” I ask.
“Our missions together,” he explains. “If you don't mind, I would like to go on more missions with you. I'd like for us to be partners.”
His answer isn't half as romantic as the movie speech, but I'll let it slide. “What do you mean by partners?” I ask.
“It means... I don't want to go on another mission without you, Mikey,” he says. “Well, naturally, you won't be joining me on the shadowling missions. That would be way too dangerous. However, I would like to go on many more—”
I must not be thinking clearly, because I throw myself across the rowboat and tackle him with a kiss. I've definitely not done anything like this before, and he doesn't seem to mind.
Tucking a lock of sodden hair behind my ear, Sandalphon says, “That was certainly unexpected.”
“I didn't really expect it either.” My face is flaming hot as I return to my side of the boat. “Was it too much?”
“I don't know.”
His answer terrifies me. I've just made a fool of myself, haven't I? That kiss was way too much, way too soon, way too—
A smirking Sandalphon interrupts my thoughts. He says, “I think I'll have to kiss you again to find out.”
My fists clench with anticipation as he moves to my side of the rowboat. When his lips touch mine, I'm screaming on the inside. I want him. He wants me too. This is seriously the most amazing day of my life and afterlife.
Against his lips, I whisper, “I'll be your partner... on one condition.”
He pulls back his head to stare into my eyes. A bit flatly, he asks, “What's the condition?”
I can't believe how bold I am today. I can't believe I'm going to say this. Ugh, Mikayla, what are you thinking?
Even though I'm nervous, I manage to sound semi-smooth. “From now on, I'm not just your partner. I'm your girlfriend.”
In his fingers, he pinches a strand of my soggy brown hair. Sweeping it from my forehead, he whispers, “I think I can live with those terms.”
I'm probably biased, but when he kisses me again, all movie kisses that have ever been kissed are totally put to shame.