I was standing on the bridge by myself. It was late and the younger kids were in bed. Fang and Max were sitting on the patio. I heard the car next door pull off and figured it was safe to go onto the bridge without getting embarrassed by Fang. I closed my eyes and felt the mist again. A sound caught my attention. A piano. It was a very soft song with tinkling background notes. It was tantalizing. I turned toward the sound and listened, following the sound. It was coming from Declan's house; strange since they weren't supposed to be home. I started walking toward the source, wanting to know where the beautiful music was coming from. I moved along the side of the house. I could hear the sound getting stronger. I stopped. It was like I was standing right by a speaker. It was louder than anywhere else here. I closed my eyes again, taking in the music. It was a wonderful feeling. It slowed and ended too soon. I sighed.
"Iggy?" I jumped. Declan.
"Um…s—sorry. I didn't mean to…" I heard her giggle.
"It's ok. Did you like the music?" I smiled and nodded.
"It was pretty. What was it?" She giggled again.
"It was me."
"Really?"
"Sure was. Do you want to come inside? I can play you some more." I hesitated, and then nodded.
"Great. Come on in. I'm in the living room." I froze. She must have been in a window and wanted me to walk around to the front door and meet her inside. I bit my lip.
"Um…Declan?"
"What's wrong?"
"I…can't really…" I've never had this problem before. The flock knew how to describe things so I could get around. The only time I've ever been really lost was at that school Anne Walker had enrolled us in.
"Is there something wrong?"
"I'm…blind."
"Oh, my god. I am so sorry." I heard her footsteps running to her front door and soon she was next to me. "I'm really sorry, Iggy." She grabbed my hand and led me inside, sitting me down on a sofa.
"I really am sorry. I never even noticed you looked at me when we were talking and everything."
"It's fine. Even my family forgets sometimes. I get around really well." She was quiet for a minute.
"Do you want to hear me play?" I smiled and nodded. I felt her move off of the sofa and heard the scrape of a stool on the floor. There was paper shuffling and then…the music. I smiled. It was a different song than before but just as beautiful, with a slower sound and contrasts in high and low notes. I sat back on the sofa and closed my eyes, relishing how the music swept over me. The song ended too soon in my opinion. I heard her turn on the wooden seat.
"How was that?"
"It was beautiful. Where did you learn to play like that?"
She moved and sat back on the sofa with me.
"I've playing since I was about six. Since then I've been getting better and better. I'm still not as good as my dad but I'm getting there." My head cocked to the side.
"Your dad? I thought it was just you and your mom." She was quiet and I immediately regretted the question.
"He passed away when I was five. Car accident." I felt uncomfortable all of a sudden. I could tell she was frowning by the sound of her voice. But the next time she spoke there was a smile in her voice.
"I'm doing a recital tomorrow if you want to come. You can bring the others too." I looked in her direction, not sure if Max would agree to that. But Angel loved music as much as he did and he was sure one little whimper from her would change Max's mind. I smiled.
"Sure. I'd love to."
"Great! My mom can probably bring you guys; she has a pretty big van. The concert's at eight but I have to be there a little early to set up so we should be leaving around quarter to seven. Is that ok with you guys?" I nodded.
"This is so awesome!" I felt her arms fly around my neck and froze as she hugged me, not knowing what to do. When someone in the flock hugged me I would hug back, but Declan wasn't part of the flock. Before I could even decide what to do she moved away.
"It's pretty late. I should get to bed. You can come by tomorrow to hear me play some more before we go if you want to." I nodded.
"Do you…need help getting back home?" I felt my face get hot.
"No. I pretty much have it down from the bridge."
"Cool. I'll walk you out." She stood and I followed, catching her movements out the door. She continued over to the bridge with me following.
"'Night, Iggy, see you tomorrow." She quickly hugged me and walked off. I stood there for a moment then turned and walked over the bridge.
"Hey, Iggy. Where were you?" Max.
"I was just…over at Declan's." I heard Fang snicker.
"What were doing over there, Ig?" He wasn't even trying to hide the laughter in his voice.
"Shut up, Fang. I was listening to her play the piano. She's really good. She actually invited us to her show tomorrow."
"I don't know, Ig. There's gonna be lots of people. Do you think that's a good idea?" I shrugged, knowing she was going to say something like that.
"She's really good. I like the music." I knew Max would cave if I tried to hide my interest. She always did. I think maybe because she liked seeing me happy about something.
"Fine, we'll go." I smiled to myself.
"Her mom can take us. She said we'll leave by six forty-five." I heard Fang snicker again as I walked into the house. I walked to the room I shared with Fang and lay on my bed, facing the ceiling and thinking about Declan. I couldn't stop the tingling feeling that was still running through my body from the hugs she gave me. I was wondering why I was even feeling that way when Fang walked in. He plopped down on his bed and sighed.
"You like her, don't you?" I sighed. In perfect Fang fashion he wasted no time in getting to the point.
"I just met her."
"But you do like her, right?" I bit my lip and hesitated. Big mistake. I heard Fang sit up. He was laughing.
"Shut up, Fang."
"Sorry, Ig, but I saw it coming." I frowned.
"What?"
"The way you hang on to every word when I describe girls for you; you were bound to fall for someone soon." I scowled in his direction. Then I had an idea.
"What does she look like, anyway? Declan, I mean." Fang chuckled but I ignored it. I was curious.
"She's pretty, I guess. Pale, like you, with blue eyes. She has brown hair that goes to her shoulders. She's thin and she's about your height, maybe an inch or two shorter. She has a nice smile." I thought about something and said it before I could stop myself.
"She smells like honey." Fang stifled a laugh and I felt my face get hot.
"You were that close to her, huh?" I shrugged.
"She hugged me." Fang snickered again. I rolled over with my back to him.
"I'm going to sleep now." I heard Fang move too. I fell asleep almost instantly.
