"Thanks for helping Becky," Cassiel told me as we walked to the car.

"It was nothing," I smiled, "She just needs to have a little more confidence in her abilities."

"Still." He insisted, "I know you don't like playing the flute."

I shook my head, "What I don't like is the swooning girls," I told him, "It's undignified and embarrassing."

"Well, in that case," Cassiel laughed, "You may not want to look at Ariel right now."

He was probably right, but I looked anyway. Ariel was about three yards to our right. Being "attacked" by a posse of school girls.

"Hey, Ari!" I called in an attempt to help him out. Instead, I bought the glares of the swooning girls.

My brother looked grateful anyways. He sauntered over, and slung a muscular arm over my shoulders, getting me more dirty looks. "Hey, Kiddo," He sounded burnt out.

"Nice fan-base." I teased.

"I'm not the only one." Ariel scowled.

"Tell me about it," I mused, "I spent my entire music class, listening to my classmate's ooze over Cass."

"Gross." The angel made a face, "What color did they ooze?"

"Red," I answered after thinking.

"Red?" He asked with a frown, "Did you imagine everyone with their throats slit?"

"No. Red, like hair dye."

"Ah," It clicked, "Like the woman in the front office."

"That's enough," Cassiel boomed as we burst into laughter, "You two don't have to act like Earth children."

"Relax!" Ariel forced a straight face, "We're bonding!"

"Just get in the car." Cass sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Someone's grumpy," Ariel smirked.

"Maybe he doesn't like the color red." I joked, buckling my seat belt.

"I said enough." Cassiel started the engine as we cracked up again.

Once we got home, I went straight to the kitchen,

"Tea?" I offered my brothers.

"It's, like, three o'clock," Ariel pointed out.

"Yeah? So?" I countered.

"Isn't it a little late for tea?"

I rolled my eyes, "Do you want some, or not?"

"Sure." He smiled.

"Cassiel?" I looked at my oldest brother.

"I will take some tea, thank you." He said without looking up from his book.

"So?" I prompted, putting the tea kettle on the stove, "How were your first days?"

"Mine sucked," Ariel huffed, watering one of his numerous potted plants, "My boss is cool, but the other gardeners are less than friendly."

"What did you do?" I smiled.

"Nothing!" He defended, "Do you think I would damage a garden?"

"You're right." I poured the tea into some mugs, "Here you go."

"Thanks, Kiddo." Ariel smelled the hot drink, eyes closed.

"You bet," I handed Cassiel his tea, with a wink.

That night, after dinner, Cassiel who, naturally, had picked up a knack for cooking, made his vanilla cookies.

We sat around our small, round kitchen table with hot cookies, and cold milk.

"Hey, Cass," I ventured, "Can I get a cell phone?"

"No," He answered without stopping to think.

"Ariel?"I turned to the head of my division. "Please?!"

"Sorry, Squirt," Ari shook his head, "You know the rules."

"Well, can we at least get a computer?" I begged.

"Where is this coming from, Flora?" Cassiel asked gently.

"I need one for school," I explained.

"And?" Ariel prompted.

"And I'm embarrassed." I sighed, "I didn't want any questions, so I told everyone that my parents were Amish."

Ariel snickered.

"Really?" Cass raised his eyebrows, "How did they react?"

"They laughed."

"We'll think about it, and tell you in the morning, alright?" Ariel asked.

It wasn't, but I can't say no to a Prince of Power, even if he is my brother. "Okay," Was all I said.

Just as I turned to go to my room, Cassiel called after me, "I forgot to tell you, but I managed to get you put into botany."

I smiled, "Thanks, Cass." I went back over, "Good night."

"Good night, Flora." Cassiel wrapped me in a hug, while Ariel ruffled my hair.

I found that my little, silver flowers had died. With a frown, I tried to revive them, to no avail. I poked the stalk, and the blossoms shuttered to the ground. I concentrated hard on my wings. Drawing on their angelic-power, gently, I blew on my little plant. To my relief, it perked up, new blossoms opening their fuzzy buds.

With a relieved smile, I climbed into bed.

When I stepped into the kitchen, Ariel handed me a mug full of steaming, black coffee.

"Morning, Squirt."

"Hey." I took a sip of the bitter drink, "Where's Cassiel?"

"There was some demonic trouble a few towns over, so he met up with Gabriel. They're taking care of it."

"Doesn't he have a class to teach?" I put a slice of bread in the toaster.

"He'll meet us at school," Ariel explained, "Why don't you go get changed?"