"What are you writing?" I asked, looking over at the piece of paper he was writing on. He set his pen down and said, "Well, it's a beginning of a new year. It's the time to set new goals to accomplish in that year. So I am writing my goals for this year down."

"Is it like a tradition?"

"Yeah, you can put it that way. New year, new beginning."

"Do people really accomplish those goals?"

He looked uncertain. "Some do and many don't."

"Then why set them?"

"Because we are all hoping that our efforts would be enough to accomplish those goals. I think it's all about hope and effort, Rose. That's the whole point of it."

I shrugged and nodded. "What are your goals?"

He quickly folded the paper up and slipped it into his pocket. "That's a secret. I can't tell you," he answered, smiling down at me.

I rolled my eyes and asked, "Getting rid of me is not one of your goals right?"

"Maybe."

I glared at him and said, "Nice try, Dimitri."

He passed me a piece of paper and tapped it. "If you want, you can set your goals."

I stared at the blank page. Nothing came to mind. I didn't need goals. I didn't need to progress like the people here.

"Too many goals you can't pick one?" he teased.

I shook my head and said, "No, that's not it. I mean, why would I need to set goals? It's pointless for me. Setting these goals aren't going to change how my life turns out. I'm a guardian angel. My duty remains the same throughout my mission here on Earth."

That made me sad. I pushed the paper back to him and said, "Thanks, Dimitri, but we're a little too different."

"Not that different."

"Oh, really? What makes you think that?"

"We both want something beyond our reach," he replied, looking at me. That was true. I wanted to live again. Dimitri? I didn't really know his deepest desire. Maybe he wanted his family to be happy again. Like I said, I didn't know.

Then, I started hearing something explode outside. I whipped my head around and asked, "What was that?"

"Fireworks."

"The works of fire? I don-"

He stood up and grabbed my wrist, pulling me to the window. In the dark night sky, there were colorful sparks of light exploding into beautiful patterns. It was amazing. I had never seen anything like it.

"We watch fireworks here. This is how we celebrate our holidays," he explained. "Did they have fireworks during your time?"

I smiled and said, "I don't really remember them, but I guess not. It's so beautiful." I wanted it to go on forever. The sky was more beautiful than ever. "You are so lucky to see all of this."

"I don't always watch it. I usually choose to work during holidays," he replied. I felt his pain and heartbreak. He had been through a lot. I shrugged and said, "Well, now you're here with me."

"Now I'm here with you."

I sighed, "You know, I never thought I'd end up here."

"I thought being a Guardian Angel is supposed to bring something like honor?"

I shook my head and laughed. "Not for me obviously. This is a punishment." A very memorable one. One that I actually liked.

He didn't reply.

"You really want to go back?" He asked after a few minutes of silence.

I nodded my head. "In a way, yeah. I mean, home is not exactly here, is it. It's up there. I'm not saying that this is a bad place, but we all belong somewhere despite of what our heart tells us."

Then he walked away from the window and said, "I'm going to finish up my work in my room. The fireworks will be there for awhile."

I turned to him but he wouldn't even look at me. What was wrong with him? Did I say something wrong? He picked up his laptop and went inside his bedroom. I frowned and shrugged. Maybe he was not feeling that great? I went over and sat down on the couch. In times like these, I wanted to go back to Heaven. It was less complicated. I didn't have to deal with emotions. Emotions were pesky little things.

I decided to go to my favorite place: the roof. I laid down and watched the fireworks, wishing I could remember this forever. When you live forever, some memories fade. But I wanted to remember this moment forever. It was too beautiful. There was some good in the world, hidden in everyone and everything. Dimitri was right; it's all about hope and effort. I just wanted to be alive again, a human down on Earth.

Then, I thought of something I hadn't thought of in a long time. I had even ignored it. There was an angel who was assigned to the Valley of the Unforgivables. You'd probably want to know how an angel was assigned to such a foul place. Well, it is said that he fell in love with a girl on Earth as her guardian angel. But their love was forbidden because an angel and a human? It was unspeakable. Many chose to let their short time on Earth go. But this angel didn't. On the east side of Heaven was the Pond of Life. That was where many young spirits went to be born on Earth, to receive a physical body. And that was where he went to. The ending? It was tragic. He did receive a body, but his memories were suppressed. He was a new person. His lover? Well, they didn't even meet. When he died of old age, he returned back as an angel. He was this sad, gloomy angel. I had only met him once when I accidentally ran into him while sneaking into the Valley of the Unforgivables. I had thought he was going to send me back, but he just glanced at me and walked away. He left quite an impression on me.

I told Christian about this and he forbade me to ever socialize that angel. But was I an obedient girl? Absolutely not. I crossed my legs and looked up at the sky. Maybe breaking a few more rules wouldn't be that bad? The trick was, how was I going to get to keep my memories? I tapped my chin, thinking hard. I scowled and knew that I had to take a secret trip back to a certain angel. Then, I remembered Dimitri and my 'punishment'. It would be sad to not remember him and our time together. There had to be a way or Christian would have been so. . .quick about it. I stood up and flew to the entrance of the Valley of the Unforgivables.

"What are you doing here?" a deep voice asked.

I turned around and faced him. "I came here to talk to you," I replied, glancing at his flaming sword. Holy moly. . .

He rolled his eyes and said, "You're here because you want to know what happened when I went into the Pond of Life."

"Not really. You see, I already know that part. I want to know the other part."

"What 'other part'?"

"How to keep our memories while on Earth as humans?"

His black hair was slightly covering his eyes when he leaned close to me, face to face. He tsked and asked, "Rose, you mischievous, little angel, don't you know where you're not supposed to play?"

"Y-you know my name?"

"Who doesn't?" he retorted. He sure didn't miss a beat there.

I glared at him and asked, "Are you gonna help me or not?"

"Your partner's not gonna be happy."

"W-who? You mean Christian? He isn't your concern. I am."

"My, my, you really do live up to your reputation."

"Stop playing games and just answer my question!"

The corner of his lips tugged up into a sly smile. He leaned on the gate and lifted his sword up. "Listen, princess, there isn't a way. You go into the Pond as an angel, you'll lose your memory. That's the way it is. And once you remember all of it--"

"Then what?" I pushed.

"You're gonna wish you never did."

I froze. However, my reason was different. I just wanted to have another chance at life. I didn't have a lover or anyone of great, great importance down there. Maybe losing my memory wouldn't be bad? I scratched my head and pouted. This was a lot harder than I thought.

"Why don't you ask that Christian of yours?" he said, swinging his sword in the air. I stepped back a little, worried that it might accidentally get me.

I frowned and replied, "Why would I ask Christian? He knows as much as I do."

"Really, though? You do realize that he is the Keeper of the Holy Elixir, right?"

I didn't know that. I refused to be humiliated in front of this angel. He deserved to be where he is now. I knew what the Holy Elixir was. It could grant one's deepest desire. But for it to be given, one must sacrifice something of great value willingly. I just didn't know that Christian was the Keeper.

"Now don't tell me you didn't know that. . ."

I ignored him and started to walk away.

"Take my warning, little girl; Don't fall in love with a human!"

I flew away and came back to Dimitri's roof. I was not in love with a human. I was sure of it.