A/N: Hey! A big THANKS to those who reviewed! I appreciate it knowing that people actually read my story.
So, even I'm surprised that I got this done as fast as I did. You guys should be proud. Anyway, this chapter is in Max's view but I promise the next one will be in Fang's.
Thanks for reading, and remember: please review!
Chapter One
Beep. Beep. Beep. Be-CRASH! I threw my iPod off the bed, not caring where it landed. According to the sound it made, I think it hit a wall. Beep. Beep. Beep… Ugh! So the crash didn't kill the alarm; it still lived on, but I didn't care. I just wanted to go back to sleep, so I burrowed under my covers and covered my head with my pillow. Fortunately, it was enough to drown the sound out.
I had been in the middle of the craziest dream. I was there, obviously, but so were five other kids that I had never seen in my life. And we all seemed happy together. Weird.
Too bad I couldn't fall asleep again. Darn.
I slowly crawled out of bed and walked blindly to the bathroom. I was pretty upset that I was defeated by my alarm clock, but I was refreshed to know that I had actually gotten some sleep for the first time in, what seemed like, weeks. I've been an insomniac for as long as I can remember, but it's gotten worse in the last month or so. In fact, this past month was when the dreams started. I never dreamed… I think, but so far, my dreams of consisted of the same things over and over- the five kids. I don't know why, but it freaked me out.
"Allie? Are you up?"
"Yeah, dad! Why?" I called back downstairs. I really hated my name, and I mean really hated it. It was too girly for me. I've always wanted a name more sporty and sophisticated. I think I'll get it legally changed when I'm eighteen. Yay, only four more years. Anyway…
"Because I heard a crash and I figured you threw your iPod across the room again!" Oh.
I smiled at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. Yeah, that was pretty much routine for me. My alarm on my iPod would go off. I'd get grumpy. I'd fling it across the room. It'd break. My parents would have to buy me a new one. It's been like this for about a month now and no matter how hard I tried not to break anything, trouble or fate would always find another way.
"I'm fine, dad… just getting ready!" I was going to leave it at that but then decided that I should add something. "And just so you know, it didn't break this time!"
"That's great, honey! Be ready to go in twenty!"
I froze. So that's why my alarm went off. Today was my last day of school; last day of finals; last day of freaking learning.
And I was going to be late.
I quickly brushed my teeth. I was only going through the motions, so I don't know if I actually cleaned my teeth to its full extent or not. Next, I put my make-up on. Like I said, I'm not a big girly-girl, so I only put on enough to make a difference but not enough to make it look unnatural. Actually, I'm probably the most un-girly female in my grade, but something about skirts, dresses, and doing my hair just doesn't appeal to me. Sweatshirts and Nike shorts were my usual attire, even in the winter. I quickly put on some foundation, dabbed on some blush, swiped on some eye shadow (tan, to match my skin color), applied eyeliner (brown- wouldn't want to stand out too much), and finished with a touch of mascara. I threw my hair into a ponytail and took one final look in the mirror before I left to go put my uniform of sweats. Good enough.
I opened the drawers of my dresser that contained the t-shirts and just randomly picked one that was on top. I looked at the one I picked- all black with the school logo on it. Oh well, it would have to do for now, although, black is so not my color, it looks better on Fang.
My eyes widened and I snapped back up to a standing position. Fang. Fang. Fang? Why did that name just pop into my mind? And why did I say that black looked better on Fang? Who, or should I say what, is a Fang? Is that even a name? And how do I know what color looks good on him (or it)?
"Allie?" Oops.
"Yeah, sorry, coming!" I threw on the shirt and picked out some Nike shorts that matched. I pulled my favorite sweatshirt- more school merchandise- over my head and raced downstairs. I'll worry about my spazzed mind later. Now, it was time to not fail my freshman year of high school.
I ran into the kitchen and grabbed a Fiber One bar, even though I knew it wouldn't last me till lunch. I'm very tall and skinny for my age. Why? I don't know. But one thing I noticed, is that no matter how much I eat, I never gain any weight. I keep eating and eating, and I'm always hungry. My friends are jealous that I can do that without looking like the people on 'My 600-Pound Life', but I think it just makes me a freak. I've always assumed that it was part of the package deal that also included the wings. Yeah, you heard me right.
I said wings.
On my back, I had huge 14-foot wings, but I had no idea how to use them. Now, I know what you're probably all thinking. 'How does a girl with wings attached to her back not know how to use them?' Simple. I just don't. I mean, sure I've tried a billion times, but no such luck. My parents told me to keep them a secret and to stop trying to fly. Honestly, I think they're just ashamed that they have a freak for a daughter.
People at school don't know about it either, that's kind of the main reason why I always wear sweatshirts. They're baggy enough to keep my wings hidden without making my backside look deformed. Plus, it helps that they fold up neatly against my back. It was a win-win situation.
"Allie, stop daydreaming and get in the car!" My dad called from the garage. He sounded angry, but I knew he meant well. I was always spacing out and getting in trouble for it. Oh, well.
"Sorry, sorry." I hopped in the front seat and before I even shut the door he backed down the driveway and onto the street.
My dad looked sideways at me. "Are you sure you're alright? What's with you today?"
"F-Y-I, dad, you never asked me if I was ok; therefore, I'm not sure," I said so quietly, I could barely hear myself. I raised my voice slightly, "Yeah, I'm fine." I sighed. "I just keep having weird, reoccurring dreams about, well, you know." I shifted my gaze from out the window to my dad behind the steering wheel.
"No, I don't know. Maybe you should tell me?" I don't know if it was my imagination or what, but my dad voice sounded strained.
I shook my head. "I'm not exactly sure, but every dream has to do with me and these five kids." I watched my dad's hand form a death grip on the wheel. "Dad, are you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine." But his hands did not relax. "Now, about these five kids?"
I shrugged. "Beats me. Two look about my age; one has black hair and the other has blonde. There's a small black girl, but she's not one-hundred percent black, I don't think. Maybe half and half? Then there's a small boy and girl, who look like siblings." I watched my dad's facial expression contort from relaxed to stressed-out. "It's just a dream, dad," I said, trying to reassure him. Unless… "Why, do you recognize them?"
He stiffly shook his head, "Nope, can't say that I have, sorry." The word 'sorry' was said through semi-clenched teeth. He suddenly stopped the car. "Have a nice day at school, sweetie."
I looked out the window and realized that we were already at school. "Yeah, ok. I'll, uh- see you later. Um, bye!" I quickly hopped out of the car and slammed the door behind me. I watched my dad drive away and a million questions started forming in my mind. Mostly having to do with why he started getting jittery about my dream.
I mentally shook my head. Nah, I'll just add it to my 'I'll worry about it later' list and ask him about it tonight.
I walked through the doors of the school with only one goal in mind- passing ninth grade.
My eyes were glued on the clock as the final minutes of school passed by, and I'll have to admit, I was anxious to get out of here.
I have never liked school. Teachers, students, learning, the crowdedness, nothing. Just knowing that I had one minute and thirty seconds left in this hell hole was enough to make me happy.
Finals. That's what I've been doing since eight a.m. this morning and, let me tell you, have not gone very well for me. Math. Math is the worst subject ever discovered. I do so badly, it's practically funny. I even laugh at myself sometimes. English is a close second. We were supposed to create a visual project that showed the rest of the class how we've grown over the past year. Since most of my vivid memories go back as far as a month, I didn't have any real 'plot' to my project, so I failed it. Obviously. I don't know why I can only remember a month of my life, but it fits in with the freak deal.
RIINNNGGGGG! And then the halls were filled with cheers of excitement and freedom.
It was enough to make my head hurt.
I walked alone through the halls to my locker because I'm a loser and I have no friends. Now, those who like to take things literally- no, I am not a loser. I just don't have any friends. It's not like I can't make any (I've had a lot of offers/attempts) but I just find it hard to stay friends with people who I have to keep secrets from. I've found it easier to not try at all.
Ok, confession. I do have one friend, but just one. Alright, fine, you got me. I have two. We're actually real close, and I can tell them anything, if it doesn't involve my wings. They're amazing and I love hanging out with them, but it's in my nature to be alone, so I usually just hang out with them during school.
Anyway, after I fished my backpack out of my locker, I slammed it shut and walked toward the nearest exit, excited to finally leave this place for three months.
I walked out the door and stopped in my tracks to look up at the bright sun that was shining down. Sounds cheesy, I know. As I stared up at the sky, I wondered what it would be like being up there… being free.
What it would be like to fly.
But, as you know, my parents told me not to try, so that dream was out the door.
Speaking of flying, it reminded me of my wings. I had to get home to take my sweatshirt off so I could let them relax. They were starting to hurt, and I just didn't want to deal with it anymore.
I started walking in the direction of my house because my parents were both at work (my dad dropped me off at school on the way) so I had no way of getting home. (No friends, remember?) It wasn't that long of a walk, about thirty minutes. If I ran, even shorter. I was about to cross the busiest street on the way to my house when a car pulled up next to me.
I immediately became scared. Wait, no. Not scared, more like alert. I absolutely hated when people snuck up on me. It gave me the willies. I turned to the car casually, in case it was someone who I didn't know, and this way prevented awkwardness. I was trying to figure out who was in the car when-
"Hey, giiirrrlllll!" Lindsey squealed from the car. I relaxed, realizing that it was one of my two friends. "What are you doing?"
"Um, you know, just walking home." I love my gift of speech; it's truly amazing.
"Well, duh silly, I can see that!" Then why did you ask? "Do you need a ride?"
That was actually a pretty nice offer because I hated walking home. If I could get out of it, I would, and this seemed like the perfect chance. But let's be modest… "Nah, it's ok. I can walk."
"No, seriously. Get in the car! You're holding up traffic."
I smiled. Lindsey was, beyond any doubt, way too perky for me but she was one of my only friends, so I guess friendship comes with prices. "Do you even know where I live?" I asked, climbing into the back of her mom's car.
"I'm sure it's not that hard to find. Which neighborhood do you live in?"
"Indian Creek, right off of Maple. Uh, 192nd St."
"O-M-G, really? I live in that neighborhood, too!" She paused with a look of wonder. "Actually, I think I live right down the street from you! How crazy is that?" No way.
"Pretty crazy," I admitted, looking down at my hands.
About five minutes of silence went past and we were on my driveway. How they knew which house was mine, I have no idea. Stalking, maybe? I'll check up on it later. "Thanks for the ride, Lindsey. I'll see you later," I said, getting out of the car.
"No prob. And yeah, we deff need to hang out this summer, 'k?" Ummm.
"Sure, just txt me." No, don't.
"Ok, bye Allie. Love you!"
I smiled until her mom drove away and then my grimace returned. Actually, call it my relaxed face because 'grimace' is so depressing.
I walked into the house and threw my backpack on the kitchen table and immediately headed to the couch where I planned to watch TV for the rest of the summer. That's me: a fourteen-year-old girl with big plans for her upcoming future.
"Hello, Allie. How was your last day of school?"
The voice scared me because I expected to be the only one home. I whipped my head around and saw my dad calmly sitting at the table reading a magazine. My backpack was just inches away from his hand. How did I not see him before?
"Oh, hey dad." I narrowed my eyes in confusion. "Were you sitting there the whole time?" He nodded oh-so slightly. "Oh, I'm sorry." I got up from the couch and moved my backpack to the chair. "My day was pretty good. I'm just glad it's summer." My dad continued to stare at me so I took a deep breath. "I passed all my classes," I added sheepishly. Then his smile appeared.
"Aww, that's great, Allie! I'm so proud of you! Come here." I walked around the table to him and he pulled me into a hug. It felt… weird. It wasn't the first time he'd given me a hug, but it was one of the few. My parents weren't that big on showing affection, and if we're being honest here, I didn't mind.
"Thanks, dad," I sighed, plastering a faux smile on my face. "Hey, are you busy?"
He closed his magazine and pushed it off to the side. "No, not at all. What is it?" Now or never.
"About my dream-" His face muscles immediately tensed up and I knew he wasn't going to give me any answers. I might as well try though. "-why do you get tense and pale when I ask about the kids in it?"
"No reason." Fat chance.
"But I can tell you're lying." I was not going to give this up. "Why can't you just tell me what you know? Why is it that, in my dream, I actually have friends, we all have wings, and we are all happy together?"
I could tell that he successfully attempted to relax his facial expression, but his eyes were still alert with fear. "I don't know, but like you said this morning, it's just a dream. So I wouldn't worry about it." I nodded. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have an important conference call to initiate for work." He smiled, but I could tell it was forced. I just rolled my eyes and left the room.
I was in the hallway on the way to my bedroom when I forgot to ask him an important question. I turned around and walked back to the kitchen but stopped just outside the door because I could hear that my dad was already on the phone, and he was talking somewhat quietly, which was weird for a conference call.
I knew I probably shouldn't have been eavesdropping on a private phone call with my dad, but he had been acting weird lately, and I thought this would give me some answers.
It did.
My eyes widened when I heard my dad's side of the conversation, even though I had no idea who he was talking to.
"Yeah, we have a problem." And that would be? "She's starting to remember."
There's the first chapter. I hope you all liked it and if you have any questions, critiques, or comments, please review… it would really mean a lot to me!
THANKS for taking the time to read and I'll see you all soon!
-ecStarz
