PART 3
BACK TO SCHOOL (THE NORMAL KIND)
40
You know how some kids get excited about the first day of school and have an outfit all picked out and a new lunchbox and stuff? Well, they’re bleeping idiots.
“Can we play hooky?” Iggy muttered as he scrambled eggs.
“Somehow I suspect they’re picky about that,” I said, dropping more bread into the toaster. “I bet they’d call Anne.”
“I look like prep school Barbie,” Nudge complained, as she entered the kitchen. She caught sight of me in my uniform and looked mollified. “Actually, you look like prep school Barbie. I’m just Barbie’s friend.”
I narrowed my eyes at her.
Our wings were retractable and pulled in pretty tightly to our backs, but you might say that we still looked kind of like a family of Olympic swimmers.
Angel arrived, and she looked cute in her plaid skirt and white blouse because she looks cute in anything. She put some eggs and bacon on a plate, then ripped up a piece of toast and set it on the table.
Total hopped up onto a stool and dug in, seeming almost doglike. “Woof!” he said, and chuckled to himself.
“Angel?” I said, bringing her a cup
of coffee. I lowered my voice. “No funny business with the teachers, comprende?”
She glanced up innocently. “Gotcha,” she said, taking a bite of bacon. I looked at her and waited. “I mean, unless I really have to,” she added.
“Angel, please,” I said, kneeling to her level. “Nothing that makes us stick out or look different, okay? Play by their rules.” I stood up and addressed everyone. “That goes for all of us,” I said quietly. “Try to blend, people. Don’t give anyone ammo to use against us.”
I got okays with various levels of enthusiasm.
“Goodness—you’re all up,” said Anne, coming into the kitchen.
She surveyed the production line of food, the flock packing it away. She smiled ruefully. “This beats frozen waffles. Thanks, Jeff. Oh, and Jeff—I meant to tell you. You and Nick will be in the same class. It’ll help you get your bearings.”
Iggy’s face flushed.
“Can Total come?” Angel asked.
Anne came over and straightened Angel’s collar. “Nope.” She walked over to the cabinet and took down a mug.
“I’ll be fine. Chase some ducks or something,” Total whispered, and Angel patted his head.
“This uniform is so uncool,” said Nudge.
“I know. Fortunately you’ll be surrounded by a whole bunch of other uncool uniforms,” Anne said. She frowned. “Ariel, are you drinking coffee?”
“Uh-huh,” said Angel, taking a big sip. “Get jump-started for first grade.”
I felt Total’s black eyes boring holes in me. Sighing, I got down a bowl and fixed him some coffee with milk and two sugars. He lapped it up happily.
Anne looked as if she was having some “pick your battles” thoughts and in the end decided to let it go.
“Okay,” she said, putting her mug in the sink. “I’ll bring the car around front. Wear jackets—it’s chilly this morning.”
41
The ride to school was short and silent—much as I imagine riding in a hearse would be.