perfection, until the sound of rustling papers interrupted the melodious praises.
“What is this I hear?” Persephone waved her hand through the air to put a stop to the music.
“I'm sorry,” a freshman spoke up from the front row. “I lost my place.”
“Bertrand if you cannot keep your music quiet, you will spend extra time in the study hall memorizing the words. It is imperative we not hear any papers rustling.”
“Yes, Angel Persephone. I’m so sorry.” Bertrand gazed at the floor.
“Nevertheless, you will go to the study hall this evening during free time from nine to ten o'clock and memorize this. We can't have anything but the sound of angelic voices coming from our choir.”
“I’m so sorry,” Bertrand said once again, shaking his head back and forth, rubbing his fingers through his light brown hair as he clutched his music in his other hand.
“You are forgiven,” Angel Persephone smiled. “All right, we will run through it one more time and then we will give you your schedules for the week.” Angel Persephone resumed her starting position with her baton in the air.
Persephone's tiara sparkled atop her head as she waved her baton. Her eyes lifted with glee, her smile radiant as the beautiful music filled the air.
After the music, Angel Angelique, one of the two assistant directors, floated up to the front of the great room and called out the classes for the first week freshmen.
First hour: Thought-Instillation
Second hour: Controlling the Elements
Third hour: Glowing
Fourth Hour: Suicide Prevention
Lunch
Fifth Hour: Evil Spirit Confrontation
Sixth Hour: Choir
Seventh Hour: Floating Techniques
Eighth Hour: Invisibility
“Freshmen will start with Thought instillation 101. All other students will go to your registered courses. Your schedules can be viewed from your message box in your hand-held devices. You are excused.”
Angel Angelique floated back to speak with the other two directors. Her long shimmering black hair was secured by a sparkling jeweled headband. Although she had much experience as a guardian angel, she appeared about the age of twenty-nine, as did the other directors. Angel Persephone, Angelique and Crystal discussed their plans. Crystal, the other assistant director's medium-length blond hair shimmered as she smiled warmly at the others. Her beads and jewels sparkled from her necklace and belt of her shimmering white gown.
Felix, Kevin, Journey and I walked out of the great hall towards our first class.
“I feel sorry for Bertrand,” Felix mumbled. “Tonight while we have free time he’ll be in the study hall memorizing the Hallelujah Chorus.”
“Yes, too bad for him,” said Kevin, looking at his schedule. “We’re going to be playing a game of flotationball, whatever that is, and having angel food cake at the Eatery.”
Too bad Bertrand has to miss it,” Felix frowned. Then he smiled. “I can't wait to find out what flotationball is.
Chapter Four
“Welcome to Thought Instillation 101. I am professor Walter.” The sash around Walter's waist and the lapels of his white robe glistened. He looked to be in his thirties with white hair and a firm athletic build. I tried to count the sparkling jewels to estimate how many life-saving instances he accomplished as a guardian angel. I guessed two-hundred.
After he had everyone's attention, he addressed the class. “First I’d like to ask you to think, why thought instillation. What is the purpose of thought instillation and when might it be useful?”
Felix raised his hand. Angel Walter nodded.
“We can save a person by instilling an idea in their mind.”
“Okay. Can anyone give me an example?”
I raised my hand.
“Yes, Josie?”
“You could use thought instillation to give a person the idea not to cross the street at an unsafe time.”
“Yes, Josie,” acknowledged professor Walter. “Good example.”
Kevin