Milayna by Michelle Pickett

thoughtful. Chay. Tall, lean, and gorgeous with his dark hair, odd eyes, and a body that looked sculpted in all the right places under his perfectly fitted clothes. I could definitely see why all the girls were crushing on him. But my heart was saved for another. Jake.
    And that was why I was floored when I walked into Muriel’s house later that evening and saw Jake sitting on her couch in all his perfect glory. My heart did a little nosedive right to my toes before bouncing back and lodging in my throat. I couldn’t believe it. I’d always thought he looked like an angel with his golden blond hair and denim-blue eyes, but I didn’t know he actually was an angel—well, half angel, anyway.
    Oh, holy hotness, Batman! He’s amazing.
    Tearing my gaze away from Jake, I looked around the room. Nine sets of eyes stared back at me. Most I knew from school: Muriel and Shayla, who were both on the softball team with me; Jen from my history class; Steven and Jake, who played on the school’s football team together; and I didn’t know Drew, Lily, or Jeff very well, but they seemed nice enough. The ninth person, Chay, was a surprise.
    “Hey.” I gave a small wave and then rubbed my sweaty palms up and down my thighs. They stared silently back at me, unmoving. I wondered if there was a secret word or handshake I was supposed to know that Muriel forgot to tell me.
    Why am I so nervous? We’re all on the same side, and we’re all going through the same thing. Why do I feel like they’re sizing me up? Because they are, genius. I don’t particularly like it.
    “So, what now? Is there some kind of initiation or rite of passage or something?” I scanned the faces looking at me.
    “Nope. Now’s pizza!” Jake lunged off the couch, and I flinched. He made it to the kitchen in three large strides.
    “Pizz-uh,” Steven called out in a deep baritone that made me jump. Getting up, he pushed Jake out of the way and made it to the pizzas first.
    “Oh. Okay.” Standing at the door, I watched them swarm to the steaming pizzas, confused. I thought we were going to discuss things, not have a party.
    “They’re not much for small talk,” Chay said as he walked by me and into the kitchen.
    Neither was he, apparently.
    The ten of us gathered around Muriel’s small kitchen table, ate pizza, and talked about our secret. It was the only place we could interact freely and be ourselves.
    “Ever dress up like an angel on Halloween or play one in a Christmas pageant?” Drew asked, smiling.
    “Yeah.” Picking a mushroom off my pizza, I flicked it on my plate. I missed, and it plopped on Muriel’s arm. She shrugged a shoulder and ate it. I giggled.
    Drew laughed and grabbed another piece of pizza. “Betcha didn’t think you really were one, huh?” He scarfed down a bite without even chewing it.
    I popped a piece of pepperoni in my mouth and shook my head. “Nope.”
    “My mom collects angel figurines and only decorates our Christmas tree with angel ornaments.” Jen shook her head. “I should’ve figured something was up. Talk about angel overload.”
    We all laughed.
    Shayla looked at me. “What about you, Milayna? What weird things do your parents do?”
    I nibbled at the crust of my pizza. “Um, hmm, nothing. They’re just boring, angel-human parents.”
    “I guess that’s why you freaked out when you found out about being a demi, huh?” Lily asked, her tone cutting.
    “Yeah. I guess.” I glanced at my plate and tore apart my pizza crust.
    She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest. “And now you’ve had some great epiphany and everything is A-okay.” Sarcasm dripped from her words, and a frown darkened her face.
    Looking at her, I tilted my head. “I wouldn’t say that. I do have a few demons after me.” I smiled at her.
    “Don’t we all.” Lily stared at me, not returning my smile. “But now we have our fearless leader in the group.” She threw her hand toward me like I was a vowel on