Peter happened on Raquel heading back to the room from breakfast. She was dressed in leggings, purple socks, and an old Grays t-shirt. Her head was angled towards the wall as if she were observing something tiresome along the edge of the carpet. The flat hallway lighting illuminated the cascades of gold, cinnamon, and brown curls that hung down from her face.

It reminded Peter of a moment in August, walking through the Yard, when he’d suddenly had the urge to hold Raquel’s hand. How defiant, he’d thought, to so publicly display their platonic affections toward one another. It would have worked only with Raquel. She understood the magic in holding hands. Their eyes met with only three feet of carpet between. They were gaining on each other. She said hello first, grinning.

Formalities

Peter thought it might feel more glamorous fighting in tuxes, but it wasn’t. Peter’s voice still rose higher than he wanted. Noah called him a monster. Peter knew Noah’s roommate could hear them through the walls. He didn’t care. He wasn’t ungrateful. He was trying. If the intensity of the emotions he felt made him monstrous, well…

He returned to his old bed in Paradise. He bumped into Uriel. She liked his new haircut. Had he gotten it for formal?

Fibbage

“Pre-game snack run?” Gabriel shouted, throwing on his coat.

Peter and the ArchAngels flooded into the hallway.

“Stairs or elevator?” Uriel polled. Peter turned and saw Noah and his roommate headed for the elevator.

“Stairs,” Michael suggested. The others agreed. Michael smiled at Peter, sheathing his righteous sword.

Revelations

Other Noah was in his common room, as were the ArchAngels. Michael’s head drooped forward. The room was host to the lethargic chaos of drunks attempting to both keep the party going and care for a fading Michael. Other Noah’s eyes met Peter’s. Lightning flashed in his mind, electrifying his synapses.