I had the weirdest dream last night. I dreamed I made up with Barry, and we danced to a slow song, and he kissed me! How strange! But it felt so right, and I felt something stirring in me. Totally, the opposite from when Todd kisses me! But the kiss part was only a dream. This morning I woke up and was surprised to see Barry sitting in his accustiomed place at my desk, and when he smiled at me at first I wa confused. But he told me that last night he had apologized, and we had danced after I showed him my prom dress. But he said I fell asleep in his arms. I didn't tell him about my dream. He'd probably think I was stupid. But I as glad we had made up. I really had begun to mis him, and the way he always made me feel good. It's too bad he couldn't go to prom, too, with a date so we could spend prom night together like best friends should. Odd, isn't it? I never thought I'd have a best friend that's a guy! But I do know one thing: I can't wait for prom night!

Well, the big night finally arrived. I watched Mercedes go through all the stages of preparation (which facinated me...I never realized it took that much for a girl to get ready!) and wached, drooling, as she finally walked down the stairs, a vision in the green silk dress. The skirt hovered about her when she walked, giving the illusion that she was floating, rather than walking. Her hair, done at the hairdresser's, was arranged in a braided loop around her head, with curling reddish tendrils framing her heart-shaped face. My heart leapt at the sight of the beauty now standing before me. Her mother and father exclaimed over her loveliness, but when she asked how she looked, her eyes locked on mine. All I could do was nod, my mouth wide open in astonishment. She smiled, and the spell was broken. I was then able to reel in my bottom lip from the carpet, and she laughed. Then the doorbell rang, and her father opened the door to admit Todd, in a black tuxedo with a dark green cummerbund, the color of Mercedes' dress. He presented her with her corsage, and I watched with a pang of jealousy as he slipped it on her wrist, his fingers lingering ever so slightly. After the obligatory photo session by her parents, they were out the door and getting into the car, Todd the perfect gentleman all the way. I debated following them, then decided it would not be prudent to jeopardize our newfound cease-fire with my nosiness. So I retreated back to her room to wait out the time. It was then that I felt the tug, and found myself reliving the pain I first experienced on my trip back to Earth after death. The stars and planets rushed by me, but even the pain of the journey was small compared to the pain I felt at leaving Mercedes behind. I discovered my mission must be over, and my heart broke when I realized that I might never see Mercedes again. The whole universe heard my cries of anguish and my tears fell unnoticed into the inky blackness.

I materialized i the same room as before, and I shrugged off the arms of my loving grandmother. The tears fell unheeded, but I forced myself to stop crying and allowed myself to be guided to the doorway where Jesus waited. The door was still plain, and this time I radily grasped the doorknob and pulled it open. I headed into the blackness, and almost ran into the light. He sat there much like he had before, just as composed and calm as the first time. His head was bend overthe thick file on the desk. But when he raised his head, I saw his eyes fill with tears. "What's happened?" I asked. "What have I done wrong?"

"It was not your doing," he said sadly. "You have performed your job to perfection."

"Then what's wrong? Has something happened to Mercedes?" As I spoke the words, my soul filled with dread. "What's going to happen tonight?"

He slowly answered, "Tonight she will die, brutally raped and strangled." His whole being began to collapse as he spoke the awful words.

"No," I said softly, in shock from what I had heard. "No!" I raged. "You can't let this happen! I won't let it happen!" I whirled and ran back the way I came. He raised a hand to stop me, but I heard a thunderous voice command, "No, my son. Let him be." I never swerved from my course even as I heard the voice of God. I reached the door and threw it open. Gram tried to stop me, but I pushed her away with a half-spoken apology, and shoved my way through the mass of people suddenly blocking my way. I had to hurry! I didn't have to ask who Mercedes' killer was. He had long ago admitted his guilt. I practically threw myself through the Gateway to Earth, and never felt the pain, as I thought of what would happen if I were too late.

I was having the time of my life. Todd was so sweet. We talked and laughed and danced every slow song, until about an hour or so before prom was over. I was so caught up in events, I never protested when Todd whispered in my ear that we should get some fresh air outside. I let him lead me outside, holding his hand, kissing him every now and then. He led me far fro mthe gym, and out onto the football field. He started kissing me harder then, and started touching me. But he wasn't gentle like before. At first I let him get away with it, but then he started scaring me. I tried to push him off, but he wouldnt' stop. I finally started kicking and punching, and scored a lucky hit in the groin. He fell to the ground, moaning. I stood away, breathing hard, not really sure what to do next. He got up, and I didn't like the look on his face. With a quick motion, he grabbed me, pulled me close, and knotted his fingers in my braid. "You little whore," he said, panting, "you're going to get it now." He started kissing me again, and thrust a hand between my legs, and began touching me there, hard. I bit his lip, and he let go, just for a minute, and I started running. One of my shoes caught in the soft ground, and I went sprawling. He fell upon me, and straddled my waist and began ripping my dress off, all the time telling me just what he planned to do to me. I fought as hard as I could, when all of a sudden, I saw a bright streak of light. Then Barry was there, and he hauled Todd off me! Todd stood up, saying, "All right, whoever you are, why don't you go play good Samaritan somewhere else?" I was shocked when I realized that Todd could see Barry! Barry simply replied, "You're never going to touch her again, you bastard." His voice was soft, with a hard edge of menace to it. Barry swiftly closed in on Todd. He puncedh and kicked again and again, but Todd's return blows passed right through him. Toddd began to get scared when he realized he couldn't hurt his adversary, and backed away rapidly, limping, with his right eye and bottom lip swelling and bleeding. "What are you, a ghost?" he asked, his voice a hoarse whisper.

"No," he replied, with a grim smile, "I'm an angel, and I'm sending you straight to hell."

Todd's eyes widened, and he quickly turned and ran off. Barry watched him leave, then turned to me. I was still sitting where I had falledn, and all I could do was stare at him with an awestruck expression. All the rage and anger evaporated when he helped me up, concern showing on his face. "Did he hurt you?" he asked, checking my face for bruises.

"No, thank God, but it wasn't for lack of trying." I said, trying to be brave, and make a joke, but then I collapsed against him, crying. He held me tight, smoothing my hair and murmuring in my ear. I suddenly looked up into his face. "How did you know I was in trouble? I thought you were still at home!"

"A little birdie told me," he quipped.

"No, really, how did you know?" I persisted.

I told her the story, ommitting my real motivation for the trip back to Earth. But this time I couldn't fool her. "You came back for me, even though you weren't supposed to, didn't you?" she asked.

"Well, I couldn't let you die," I said, trying to be nonchalant, "if you went to heaven you'd never leave me alone."

"Somehow I don't think so," she said,her green eyes filled with an expression I had never seen before. "I think there was another reason you came and just didn't sit back and let God's will take place."

"What do you mean?" I asked, my heart constricting in my chest.

"I have been so blind," she said. "Here, all this time I was looking for the perfect boyfriend, and he's been right under my nose all the time," she said softly, as she pressed her cheek to my chest.

"Do you mean. . . ." I broke off, as I thought about what she just said.

"I mean, you're the one I want. The one I've always wanted. Even when I was with Todd, he never made me feel the way I feel when I'm with you. It just took me so long to realize how I felt. How can you ever forgive me?" she said, smiling.

"I'm sure I can think of a way," I said, as I leaned down to kiss her. A bright light flashed around us, and I found myself on the gym floor at her school's prom, as the slow song we'd been dancing to ended with her head upon my shoulder. I looked down at myself, and saw I was wearing a black tux with a dark green cummerbund. We both looked at each other, eyes wide with surprise. I quickly pressed a hand to my neck, to the artery that had been still for so long, and felt a warm and steady beat! I looked around, and all the friends of Mercedes that I knew saw us together and smiled. I looked in a corner of the dance floor, and saw Todd dancing with Shanna. I whispered to Mercedes, and her eyes widened, and I told her to look for herself. She looked where I had pointed, and saw what I had seen. She looked back up at me, and began laughing uncontrollably. We held each other and laughed, and when I happened to look up at the ceiling, I imagined I saw God and Jesus smiling at me.

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