Maximum Ride One-shot
"What are you listening to?" I asked Fang. He was lying on my mum's couch, slumped in a lazy position.
"A new alternative band. They're so awesome!" He handed me a headphone. I listened, expecting my ears to be assaulted. I was actually pleasantly surprised.
"I've got to admit, this is pretty darn good!" I folded my feathery wings into my back and lay against him on the couch. Having just got comfortable against his warm body, all I can hear is: "MMAAXX! MAX! COME NOW!"
"Oh angel." I sigh. Having to cope with a flock, a boyfriend, being two percent bird, and being fifteen...it's not easy.
A few months later
"The kids are being looked after." Fang tried to soothe my worries. The band we liked had come for a concert near mum's town, so we were headed there tonight. We were making a proper date of it, going to dinner in a restaurant and everything. My mum even bought me a dress. I know I'm really not a "dress" person, but this was the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. It swished as I walked, and was a beautiful sea blue.
We were sitting in a cute little sushi place with a view of the city. It was so beautiful! Fang touched my hand and smiled. He looked so gorgeous, with a white shirt and black jeans. He had even put on a blue tie that hung loosely on his shirt, to match my dress.
"I love being around you Max. Your smile, your snarl...whatever it is, I love it. Whether your hair is covered in slime or freshly washed, whether your face is scarred from fights or shimmering with make-up, I love it. And I love you, Max." He blew me a kiss across the table and smiled. I smiled as well, for the first time in ages. I was so happy. It was the perfect evening.
The time for the concert came all too quickly. The secret smiles, the sweet kisses that we shared over dinner were lost in the anticipation. Neither of us had ever been to a concert before, if we had the chance, we didn't have the money, and usually, if we had the money, the kids would want us to spend it on them. We got to the venue extra early and joined at the start of the queue, holding hands and grinning.
The doors opened and we rushed to the front row. Fang's so tall that he could have stood at the back and still have had a great view! The crowd poured in, chatting in groups. Fang just stood there, taking pictures of the stage for his blog. The band hadn't even come onstage yet, but he was determined never to forget the experience!
At last the music started, loud and pulsing. The band came on and Fang took me in his arms. We stood together, as one, and swayed in time to the beat. It was the most amazing feeling ever: the people, moving in time to the music. I could feel the beat through Fang's body, feel the heat from the crowd, and feel the adrenaline...
I just let go. I forgot all about the flock, and the kids, and even my mum and Ella, I just stood there. Lost in the music, glued to my boyfriend's arms. He kissed me. We stayed like that for ages, just together. I felt like a teenager again, not a freak and not a mother. No responsibilities, no life. Just the music, the lights and Fang. Together.
I will never forget that evening. In the last song, Fang took me on his shoulders (a combination of his strength, and the fact that I weigh virtually nothing) and screamed at me to open my wings. The song was called "Soar". It was perfect. The crowd went crazy! My beautiful, fluffy owl wings open, and everyone just took it for granted. For the first time ever, I felt like I belonged. My wings made me a beauty, not a freak.