Noah (Angel Institute #7)

Prologue

WILL

T he classroom buzzes with an energy that’s part nervousness, part excitement. I can’t help but fidget in my cloud-like chair, my fingers drumming a silent rhythm on the polished wooden desk before me. Angel Institute is a revered school for angels in training. All sorts come here—to be honest, I didn’t think they’d let me in, but admissions angels in heaven are way nicer than admissions directors on Earth. Here, they think I have potential.

I agree with them. There’s something great inside of me; I just never figured out how to get it out.

Hopefully, being a guardian angel will make that happen. Maybe this is my eternal calling, and I’ll finally be able to get my wings.

I breathe in deeply, savoring the crisp, clean scent of heaven—a blend of fresh-cut grass, spring flowers, and sugar doughnuts that never fails to invigorate me.

Around me, my fellow angels-in-training shift in their seats. We’ve been through so much together, countless study sessions and practice missions. I glance at John, who’s nervously adjusting his socks again. Poor guy looks like he’s about to face judgment day instead of getting an assignment. I flash him a reassuring grin, hoping to ease some of his tension.

My attention snaps to the front of the room as Henry adjusts his glasses. “Welcome, my dear trainees,” he begins, his voice warm and rich like honey. His blue eyes twinkle, and his silver hair seems even more disheveled than usual. He’s been a guardian angel for ages. I wonder if he remembers what it was like to sit at these desks.

“Today is a big day. Each of you will receive a letter with your final assignment on Earth. I should tell you that you’ll be going down during the Christmas season.”

A ripple of excitement passes through the room. I lean forward, eager to hear more. Christmas on Earth? Count me in. I don’t know if I’ll ever grow out of the sense of wonder and awe, not to mention the fun of buying gifts and keeping them secret until the 25th. I’ll get to be right in the middle of it all. I hope my assignment is ready for a great time. We’re going to have so much fun together. I can see us sledding, ice skating, skiing, and all of the fun winter activities on earth.

Henry continues, his expression growing more serious. “Your assignments are crucial. The humans you’ll be guiding are in danger of losing their Christmas spirit forever.”

My eyebrows shoot up. Losing Christmas spirit? That sounds serious. But also... kind of exciting? I mean, what better challenge for a guardian angel in training than to save someone’s Christmas spirit? Oh man, this is going to be awesome. I am going to rock this assignment. We’ll be best friends, and he or she will forever remember my name and tell stories about me every Christmas—the angel who saved his or her Christmas spirit. I can see it all now.

“That means–” Lillian starts to say, but Henry cuts her off gently.

“It means that you are important in The Plan.” His gaze sweeps across the room, meeting each of our eyes in turn. When he looks at me, I sit up straighter, puffing out my chest a bit. “Never forget that.”

I nod firmly. Of course, we’re important. We’re guardian angels (in training), and I, for one, am ready to knock this assignment out of the park. Not to mention, I could inspire a Christmas movie that would entertain families for years to come. A Christmas classic. How great will that be?

Henry’s voice pulls me back from my thoughts. “You have until midnight on Christmas Eve to fulfill your mission, and then you’ll return here to give a dissertation on your experience. Pass, and you’ll earn your wings. Fail, and you’ll have to wait a hundred years before you can apply to try again.”

A collective groan ripples through the classroom. A hundred years? The thought of waiting that long makes my stomach do a little flip.

John raises his hand, his face a mask of worry. “Is failure... possible?”

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Of course, it’s possible, John. Why else would Henry mention it? I keep my mouth shut.

Henry’s lips twist in a thoughtful expression. “We have a twenty percent failure rate. It happens. But the second time around seems to be the charm, so don’t be discouraged, and don’t worry about what happens next. Focus on the good. Work in faith. You’ll do just fine.”

I nod along with Henry’s words, feeling a surge of confidence. Eighty percent success? Those are great odds. I’ve always been a quick learner, always eager to take on new challenges. This assignment? It’s going to be a breeze.

As Henry begins to hand out the letters, I find myself tuning out a bit. My mind is already racing ahead, imagining all the ways I could help my assignment. Maybe they need a push to reconnect with old friends. Or perhaps they’ve forgotten the joy of giving? Whatever it is, I’m sure I can handle it.

I’m so lost in my daydreams that I almost miss it when Henry reaches me. His eyes soften as he places the letter in my hand, giving my shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“Will,” he says, his voice warm with affection, “Remember, your strength lies in your enthusiasm and your ability to connect with others. Trust yourself and what you’ve learned.”

I beam up at him. “Thanks, Henry. I won’t let you down.”

As Henry moves on, I turn the letter over in my hands. The parchment feels weighty and important. I take a deep breath, savoring the moment, then tear it open with gusto.

My eyes scan the elegant script, drinking in every word. “Assignment: Noah Montgomery

, who needs to use his God-given gifts and get on the correct path for his life.

A grin spreads across my face. Self-worth? An artist? Now, that’s something I can get behind. I’ve always been the one pushing for more excitement in our training sessions. This Noah Montgomery won’t know what hit him.

Around me, my fellow trainees are reacting to their own assignments. Rebecca sighs dramatically while Lillian grins at the prospect of guiding lost souls. Gladys giggles, and John... well, John looks like he might faint. He makes several notes on his pad of paper.

Henry wraps up with a final piece of advice, and I tune back in. “Remember, you are not alone.”

We nod and rise from our seats, the air thrumming with anticipation. As we file out of the classroom, I bounce on my toes. This is it. This is my chance to prove myself, to earn my wings, to make a real difference.

The campus stretches out before us, a riot of colors and scents intermingled between the buildings that always takes my breath away. For once, I’m not tempted to linger. Earth is waiting. Noah is waiting.

I close my eyes, focusing on my destination. When I open them again, I’m standing on solid ground.

I look around, taking in my surroundings. I’m in a small town, quaint and picturesque, dusted with a layer of snow. Christmas decorations adorn the storefronts and streetlamps, twinkling merrily in the early evening light. The scent of pine and cinnamon hangs in the air, mingling with the sharp tang of wood smoke.

A few people hurry past, bundled up against the cold, their breaths puffing out in little clouds. None of them notice me, of course. To them, I’m just another face in the crowd, another person out enjoying the holiday atmosphere.

I spot a sign that reads “Benton Falls Ice Rink” and feel a pull in that direction. That must be where I’ll find Noah. I set off down the street, my steps light and bouncy. I grin as I go.

I approach the ice rink and catch sight of a trailer parked nearby with a sign that reads “Ice Skate Rentals.” A man stands behind the windows, his posture relaxed but somehow... resigned? He has tousled black hair, warm brown eyes, and there’s a kind of quiet strength about him. This must be Noah.

I hang back for a moment, observing. Noah helps a young couple with their skate rentals; his movements are efficient but not rushed. He offers them a small smile as they leave, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. As soon as they’re gone, his shoulders slump, and he lets out a soft sigh.

My heart goes out to him. He looks... stuck. Like he’s going through the motions of life without really living it.

Well, that’s about to change.

I feel a surge of determination. This is going to be amazing. Noah , prepare yourself. Your guardian angel has arrived.