This story is dedicated to my friend Nisha-- Happy 14th!
Happy holidays everyone!
Max POV
I was starting to regret my decision- but I guess the bambi eyes would have made me say yes anyway. We -the flock- were going to a Christmas Party tomorrow night, since, and I'm quoting Nudge, "We barely ever get to have any real fun, and plus, this party will have great, free food,…" she kept going, but after the guys agreed, it was pretty much a done deal. I shook my head, and let the stiff curtain fall back to cover the window. Let the torture begin.
I walked back out to the hotel room's living room, and sat down on the floor next to the couch. It was one of the huge, wrap-a-round ones that have built in recliners.
"Max, can we watch a movie?" asked Angel.
"Sure Ange." I replied back, feeling too tired to actually care what we watched. They scrolled through the movies, occasionally stopping to read about one. We finally decided on Home Alone, with a little blond kid who kinda reminded me of Gazzy. Except for the fact that you know, this kid actually had a home. I leaned forward punching the pillow behind me into a more comfy shape, so that my bangs covered my eyes, which were starting to get slightly wet. Dammit.
I shook my head, and focused on the movie. The kid was wearing only a towel, okay, what was this thing rated? Then he rubbed something on his palms, and put it on his face. Then, accordingly, he screamed bloody murder. I busted out laughing, as did the rest of the flock.
Nudge and Angel leaned against each other for support, whereas Iggy was clutching his stomach and Gazzy was rolling around on the floor.
Fang murmured, "Death…by…aftershave…," and gasped between each word due to lack of breath.
Total was rolling around on a pillow, when he fell off the couch, and we all started laughing even harder; Fang's laugh was now a hearty chuckle, as opposed to a silent laugh type thing.
*
After the movie finished, I got up, feeling my joints crack and gathered Angel and Total into my arms. I started rubbing Nudge's back, waking her enough so she could walk into her bedroom. I saw Fang stretching, and moving towards Iggy. I tucked in Angel and Nudge, pulling the covers up to their chins. Hopefully they wouldn't be super- energetic for shopping tomorrow. I smiled devilishly as I shut the door quietly.
I saw Fang coming out of the boys' room, and we made our way silently back to the living room area. I claimed a recliner, curling up into a ball in it, with Fang a seat away doing the same exact thing. Just in a manlier way, I guess, since guys don't 'curl up into balls.'
After thirty minutes of boring commercials and a bald guy screaming, "I want the gold plunger!" we decided to call it a night. We stacked fists, and started drifting when I heard music-- classical music. I opened my eyes, and found Fang's at half- mast looking back at me. His eyes opened further, as he recognized I was actually awake. Our noses were a few inches away from each other, but our fingers were practically touching. Wordlessly, we got up, and Fang offered me his hand. I curtsied, and took it lightly. He placed my hands on his shoulders-- were they this broad before? And put his hands on my waist; I noticed that he was barely resting them on me; I guess he didn't want to put them to low.
We moved in time to the music, letting it guide our movements. Every once in awhile, he would twirl me, and I would feel like a little girl all over again. Well, a little girl with wings, but still. As the song ended, I rested my head on his shoulder, and we just stayed in that position, taking in everything. The way he smelled like the woods and sweat. The way our bodies moved together like old friends. The way his breaths on my skin made me go into an electric coma.
I bolted upright in the recliner, my blanket tangled around me. It was a dream. A dream. A fantasy. Fiction. As in no-way-in-hell-could-it-possibly-ever-happen.
"Ugh!" I stated, forgetting that Fang was right there. He turned toward me, his expression quizzical.
"Sorry," I murmured, flopping back over to look at the clock. It was 5 in the morning--I still had an hour left. So, I let my eyes fall prey to the tears that welled up and streaked down my face.
An hour later, I got up and put on a fresh Hanes shirt. Then I walked around and woke everyone up. Nudge and Angel woke up ecstatic, whereas the guys looked like they'd rather be introduced to Omega. In fifteen minutes, we headed out to the mall for clothes for the party. Nudge and Angel dragged everyone into Macy's, where we started the hunt. Angel got a white dress that had pearl buttons down the back, and Nudge bought a sleek purple dress that had sequins in little flaps that swayed when she moved. As for yours truly, I tried getting the first dress I chose, but since I've become Guinea Pig Barbie, they were experimenting my 'body type' with different dresses; plus, the perky saleswoman said I have a 'gorgeous hour-glass figure.' Then she continued waggling her eyebrows in the direction of Iggy and Fang. Angel was laughing her wings off as she 'told' the woman to leave. In the end I chose a navy blue dress that has a corset type thing around my chest and waist. It hugged me, but I could still move in it, so I just went along with the whole ordeal. The guys all got dress shirts and pants; Iggy's shirt was silver, Gazzy's was a powder blue, and Fang's was black. Obviously.
Just as I started walking out of the store, I felt two sets of hands drag me back in.
"Hey! Yo! What the crap! Guys, come on! Seriously…" I gave in as Nudge and Angel cornered everyone in the shoe section. The guys all got shiny black dress shoes, whereas the girls took longer.
"Okay, so Angel, what do you think? Dark purple or lilac…Or oooohh, these sparkly pink flats! Mmmmf…" Gazzy put his hand over her mouth, leaning against Iggy, exhausted.
"I like the pink ones." Angel replied politely. Meanwhile, I was trying to find my size in sneakers.
"Max! Bad, put the sneakers down now!" Nudge yelled at me, walking over.
"But…" I stated, as I looked back longingly.
"You are getting heels and you are going to like it." She said forcefully, poking me in the arm. Angel came over with a few boxes. Then she pulled back the tissue paper to reveal some silver stilettos.
"No freaking way." I said. "Next pair."
"At least try them on." She begged.
"No." I said. Angel's eyes glazed over and I found myself putting on the shoe. Dang it. I stood up, and fell back down onto the seat.
"Walk with your toe first." Nudge stated. Since when did she learn this? I mean you can't exactly do a roundhouse kick in pumps. I stood back up, and tried it; it worked. After a few glances in the mirror, I sighed, defeated.
"Fine," I grumbled. Nudge and Angel gleefully skipped to the cashier, while the rest of us followed like robots.
"Will that be all?" the clerk asked me, his blue eyes incredibly vivid behind his brown bangs.
"Yes," I replied, shaking my head to regain composure.
"That'll be $142.32." he stated. I gave him my credit card.
Angel, I wish you hadn't made me get those shoes. I'm going to kill myself wearing them. I thought to her.
Max, I know you liked the way you looked in the mirror, just enjoy this, she stated, pleased with her evidence.
The guy handed me my bags, and our fingers touched in that moment. I could feel a blush coming, so I said 'thanks,' and power- walked out of the store with everyone following me. Very subtle. Angel was giggling next to me, whereas Fang remained impassive. I sighed, and headed out of the mall.
Review please!