Angel's Wings

Chapter 1 Crash Reality

“Behold the Angel of the Lord…” The teacher’s voice blathered on in the background of Seraphina’s mind. She couldn’t concentrate on the lesson, her mind was solely fixed on one thing. Today was the day it would finally happen. She was going to get her driver’s license. Sixteen was a magic number and today Seraphina Sanders was finally old enough to take the test.

“Ms. Sanders!” Jolted from her thoughts at the bellow from the teacher, Seraphina jumped and brought her attention back to the current moment. “Answer the question.”

Seraphina had no idea what the question was. “ I apologise Mrs. Creech, can you repeat the question.” Seraphina asked. Mrs. Creech teaches history at St. Francis Christian Academy. She is a small woman, not topping five foot so most of the students are actually bigger than her. That didn’t stop Cheryl Creech from being intimidating. She straightened up to her full height and scowled in Seraphina’s direction. She asked the question again, but Seraphina still didn’t know the answer.

Before Seraphina could form a reply, the bell rang signaling the end of the period. “Saved by the bell it seems. Class read chapter 10 and answer the questions for tonight’s homework. I will see you all tomorrow. Seraphina a word please.” Mrs. Creech patted a stack of papers on her desk at the front of the class. Her desk was neatly organized and tidy.

Seraphina walked to the front of the class from her desk by the window. “Yes Ma’am?” She stood at the front while students piled in for the next class.

“Seraphina you have to pay attention in class. Your grades are fine but every day you drift away. Do I need to move you from the window?” Mrs. Creech seemed concerned.

Seraphina hated the thought of being moved from her seat, not because of the window, but because of who she got to sit by. Jake Reynolds was by far the best looking boy in the school and history was the only class she shared with him. “Oh no Ma’am please don’t. I will pay better attention I promise.” Mrs. Creech clearly didn’t believe her. She made a small note on her calendar planner.

“ Run along before you are late to your next class. We will discuss it further later.” Mrs. Creech said.

Seraphina walked to her locker in the next hall. She needed to grab her biology book for the next class. She put in the combination and opened the locker. “What was that about Sera?” Maggie O’Hare walked up behind her and poked her back with a mechanical pencil. She was as small and mousy. Her unruly cloud of orange red hair spilling over her school uniform looked like it hadn’t been brushed in ages. Maggie’s eyes were bright blue and her freckled face almost covered by big round glasses. Seraphina looked at her best friend. “ Mrs. Creech wants me to pay attention.” Sera answered her friend. “I told her I would try so she doesn’t move my chair.”

“It’s not like it matters anyway. History is so boring and irrelevant.” Maggie hated history. She would much rather a book of math problems or a good scientific mystery than learn dates of long dead individuals.

“Anyway… I got you a present for your birthday.” She held a small box in her hand. The box was light green and wrapped with a white ribbon. It was a five inches long and about half as wide. The slim lid lifted off easily when Seraphina pushed it. Inside was a satin liner that pillowed in the middle. A lone silver chain with a single charm floated on it. Seraphine pulled out the chain and admired the charm. It was a tiny pair of sparkling wings. “It’s to symbolize your name Sera.” Maggie’s voice broke into Seraphina’s mind.

“It’s lovely Mags, but you didn’t have to do that.” Sera wrapped the chain around her wrist, but couldn’t get the clasp. Maggie closed the bracelet for her.

“Happy Birthday Sera!” She stated and walked off to her next class.

The rest of the day flew by for Seraphina. She walked out of the front entrance at the end of the day excited to get to her driving test. Seraphina walked toward the line of cars in the parent pick up line. A woman in business casual attire stood about halfway down the line on the sidewalk. She was average height with straight brown hair and kind brown eyes. She walked to the passenger side of her blue Hyundai Elantra. “ Hey birthday girl… I thought you could do the honors and drive us to the DMV.” Mary Sanders opened the door and got in the passenger side. Taking her queue Seraphina skirted the hood and opened the driver’s door. “Seatbelts.” Seraphina started the car and carefully pulled out of the line of cars waiting for students. She drove forward as her mom started talking. Usually her mom was quiet when she drove, but today was a special occasion.

“I went by the bakery today and picked up your favorite cake. We can have some to celebrate both your birthday and you getting your license.” Mary announced.

“Mom, why didn’t you make me a cake? You bake better than all these businesses anyway.” Seraphina stopped at a red light and put her turn signal on to turn left. The light turned green, and Seraphina eased the car forward, ever careful to “accelerate through the turn”.

BANG! The side of the vehicle smashed in as a red Chevy truck ran the light and slammed into it. Glass shattered and the car was pushed sideways into the oncoming traffic. Noise and lights swirled around. She heard screams and sirens but everything went out of focus. Seraphina slumped onto the steering wheel and passed out.