Racetrack's POV

Beep-bip. Beep-bip. Beep-bip. Beep-bip. Beep-bip. Beep-bip. Beep-bip.

Yawning, I reached for my alarm clock, to turn it off, but I couldn't find it without opening my eyes, an action that was out of the question.

Beep-bip. Beep-bip. Beep-bip. Beep-bip. Beep-bip-

It went off.

Opening my eyes, I looked over at my clock. Was it broken? It looked fine.

"Annoying machines," someone muttered.

"Yeah, I know!" I agreed, around a yawn. I jumped, suddenly, and looked up. Hovering above me was a red-headed, green-eyed girl with angel wings stretching out of her back. She looked just as surprised to see me as I was to see her.

"You can see me?" she asked, sounding shocked. I stared at her.

"Of course I can see you! You're right there!" She didn't say anything. Her eyes glazed over, like she was listening to a voice only she could hear. Then she disappeared.

"Where'd you go?" I leapt out of bed, spinning around. I probably looked incredibly stupid, but I didn't care. Then she reappeared.

"That is incredible!" she exclaimed. I nearly yelped with surprise.

"Quit DOING THAT!" I exclaimed. She grinned, apologetically.

"Sorry. I'm new to this." I stared at her.

"New to what?" I demanded. She grinned.

"I'm, uh, your guardian angel." I stared at her, then sat down, heavily.

"My-my guardi-What?" She nodded.

"I died, but I wasn't supposed to, so I'm your guardian angel. I'm here to protect you." My jaw dropped.

"Okay, well, uh...I'm...Racetrack. What's your name?" I began, awkwardly.

"I'm Shakespeare." I nodded.

"Okay, uh, Shakespeare-Can I call you Shakes?" I asked, suddenly. She laughed, and nodded. "Okay, Shakes, can you get out of here for a moment so I can change?"

"Yup. I'll be downstairs." With that, she disappeared again. I dressed quickly and bounded down the stairs, rather excited. It was like a sugar high, or something.

"Morning, mama!" I said, sitting at the counter, next to Shakespeare. Mama gave me an odd look.

"Anthony, what're you so happy about?" she asked. I glanced over at Shakespeare as a thought occurred to me.

"She can't see or hear me. Only you and other angels can." I nodded.

"Nothin', Mama. I'm just in a good mood today."

"First day of school excitement," she said, knowingly, setting a plate of sausages in from of me.

I nearly choked on my milk.

"It's the first day of school!" She laughed.

"Did you forget?" I nodded. "Si, it's the first day of school." She glanced at the clock. "And you'd better hurry, or you'll be late!" I downed my breakfast and raced out of the house.

"C'mon!" I shouted. "We're going to be late for school!" She laughed at me.

"Actually, only you are going to be late. It doesn't matter if I am!" I stopped, then grinned up at her, sheepishly.

"Oh, right. I'm the visible one." I got in my car, and she flew above me. Apparently she had just gotten her wings, because she was flying above me, doing loops and figure eights, just enjoying the warm morning.

"Hey, Race!" called a familiar voice.

"Hiya, Kid!" I replied, jumping out of the car. I glanced up at Shakespeare. "Does he have an angel?"

"Yep. Her name's Moonlight. She died in a boating accident over in the East River."

"Ready for the first day of school?" Kid asked, when I caught up with him.

"More than you know," I replied.