"Ouch." I grimaced as I tried to twist around to rub Aloe on my back. After I sent Fang a reply, I had spent the rest of the day playing at the beach. Well it turned out me and the sun don't get along so great, 'cause next thing I know my back hurts like a bitch and it's all red and burnt. And whenever I moved my wings my back hurt. Even more so when I touched it with my hand. God. California sucks.
I got Aloe at the hotel gift shop and was, at the moment, having issues applying it. I sat on my bed, the TV blaring on about some infomercial and once I managed to slick some Aloe on my back the cold of it sent delightful tingles across my skin and I sighed deeply.
"Aw, yeah," I mumbled as I tossed the bottle and lay on my side. Let's just say I had a very…troublesome sleep.
The next day I checked the computer, somewhat excited to see what Fang said.
Subject: RE: RE: RE: PO'ed and hungry
Where are you now?
-Fang
I rolled my eyes. How suave. I opened up a chat room (compliments of the free site) and grinned when Fang got the hint and joined it. I snorted at his boring screen name.
Mime: Nice name dude.
Fang: What?
Mime: Nothing. I'm in California.
Fang: Oh.
Mime: Oh? Don't you want to meet up, mr. rapist?
Fang: I'm not going to rape you.
Mime: Well, ok, if you say so. :)
Fang: I can be there in a day. Want to meet up tomorrow night?
Mime: How about we meet down in San Diego? That's where I am right now. We can meet up at the beach—I'll message you the details. Sound good?
Fang: Sure.
Mime: Why so eager to meet up anyway?
Fang: It isn't everyday you stumble on a bird kid's blog.
Mime: Touche. ttyl.
Fang: what?
Mime: talk to you later.
I rolled my eyes and gave him the info then signed out. This Fang guy seemed like a real stick in the mud. I spent the whole day in bed, tending my sunburn, and by the next day it began to peel. Gross, I know, but I guess they, er, genetically engineered my skin so it had super-fast healing effects? Maybe, or something like that.
So the day I said I'd meet with him, I suited up in my red bikini (oh hell yeah bitches, hyahyahya!) and headed over to the beach, wrapping one of those dark blue pull-over robe-y things you put over bathing suits. I even had a sunhat for effect.
I squinted in the sun, as if he might fly out of the sky. Yeah, as far-fetched as it sounded, I wouldn't be that surprised. Ever since that stuck-up flock advertised their wings, people treated them like celebrities or something.
I sighed and sat down, lying on my back and sighing in bliss on the cool sand (though my wings hurt a bit as my back put pressure on them).
I was rudely interrupted hours later when a foot smashed against my face.
"HEY!" I flailed to emphasize my distress, pushing at his foot. I managed to pull back enough to look up. A boy looked down on me, ruffled brown hair falling across his oh-so-gorgeous blue eyes.
Oh, melt I did.
"Sorry!" he apologized, retreating sheepishly. "I didn't see you there."
I really like his blue swim trunks.
Oh, and his legs.
Mmmm. Nice and long.
"Uhh," he said, snapping me out of my creepy stare. I smiled at him, rubbing at the small dribble of drool on the corner of my mouth.
"Sorry, I zoned out. Ah, it's fine," I shrugged, patting the cheek he had stepped on. I will never wash it again. Hur hur. "I have cheeks of steel."
He laughed. "I'm Jeff."
"Madison," I lied easily, batting my eyelashes at him. Usually I introduced myself as Parrot, but this guy was hot and like hell I'd tell him I named myself after a bird.
"I was headed over to the beach bonfire," he said, motioning to a loud group of teens hustled around a large fire. "Wanna join me?" Then he flashed me those pearly whites. Ohooo. Mister rapist/Fang could wait. I had a cute boy to deal with.
"Of course," I said with a giggle, following behind him. What, don't give me that look. Like you wouldn't do the same if a hot guy stepped on your face then asked if you wanted to join him around a dangerous big fire! Yeah, I thought so.
I sat down and his little friends zeroed in on my in an instant.
"Who is this?"
"What's with the hat?"
"Cool contacts!"
"Where did she come from?"
Etcetera, etcetera. I put on a big fake smile and nodded, politely answering their questions, most of them being lies. At one point Jeff finally swooped in to save me and wrapped his arm around me, pulling me away from the excited group.
"Come on guys leave her alone," he smiled at me. I returned it. "Madison is my date."
I rolled my eyes but grinned.
And then it happened.
I know, maybe putting the 'it' in italics to make it seem really epic is a bit much, but I mean come on, it's pretty damn epic when a boy with big black wings suddenly swoops down onto the beach.
And maybe the 'it' would need italics if said black-winged boy was actually seen, but no, only I saw him because everyone else was focused on Jeff and I.
Oh boy.
"I have to go," I said reluctantly, resisting the urge to glare at the boy, who stood on the beach silently, hands shoved in his jacket pockets. I flashed Jeff an apologetic smile. "Thanks for everything."
"Uh, Madison, wait," he said as I turned away.
"Bye," I waved and hurried off. Once I reached the boy I eyed him wearily, stopping next to him and crossing my arms.
"So….Fang?" I asked. He blinked at me and nodded solemnly. Well, he sure looked like I imagined him to be. Dark dark dark—black hair and black clothes and dark, gloomy stance. A real stick in the mud. Hurrah.
"You know, you could be a bit more settle about your wings," I said. "Someone could have seen you."
"But they didn't," was his reply.
I stared at him. He smirked. Smirked.
Oh boy.
What have I gotten myself into this time?
