Disclaimer: I don't own Max Ride.
Claimer: I do own Saviors of the World, band/crew members, and the Flocks' friends.
Chapter 3:
"Since when have you been Lapis Lazuli?" Iggy asked, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Since the band first came out. What'd you all think?" I sat up straight.
Everyone started talking at once and I heard some words from each person. Then, they were quiet again.
"How were you able to keep Angel clueless?" Fang sat next to me and put his feet up on the coffee table.
"I blocked my mind." Toby tossed me a water bottle and he didn't toss it very far. I used my telekinesis to pull it up back into the air and carried it over to me. "Thanks."
My family stared at me in shock.
"Why the hell did you do that? This concert's live!" Nudge scolded.
I shook my head. "No, cameras aren't allowed back here. This area is for our privacy. And they all know about our wings and stuff so relax."
They all did.
"Hey, guys," Fang tore his gaze from my face to the Flock, Mom, and Ella. "Why don't you go around and say hi to the crew and band?"
They all left: except Fang. He just sat the next to me. I put my feet on the floor and dug under the couch. I pulled out my semi-slipper shoes and took off my heels. I put the slippers on.
Fang did the oddest thing- for him anyway. He bent down and grabbed my ankles. He then swung them onto his lap and then I was in a position on the couch where I was lying down with my legs over him and my feet on a pillow next to him. Did I mention that I was wearing very skinny, leather pants that show off my bodily curves? I did? Okay, well then you should know that this situation was uncomfortable.
"Uh, Fang," I was so confused. He looked at me. "What, um- what are you doing?" I sat up as much as I could.
He shrugged. "It seems that your feet hurt so… now they're comfy." He shrugged again and looked off into space. His arms were resting over my legs (like if they weren't there, they'd be resting on his legs). To tell you the truth, I was comfy but I wasn't at the same time. I mean, this is FANG here! I can't just rest myself across him.
"Fang, I appreciate your… generosity but," I sighed. "You don't have to do that. Hey- why did you send everyone away?"
He half- smiled. "So you could have some peace and quiet. Figured you needed it. Why didn't you tell us?" He shifted under me to face me.
"I thought you guys would know at first, but you didn't so… I just," I shrugged. "Didn't say anything. Another reason was because of the outfits I have to wear. I thought that you, Iggy, and Ella would give me a hard time. Nudge and Angel probably think I like wearing this shit so… now they'll take me shopping."
He laughed. Wow, that was new. "You really think that?" I shrugged, sticking to the no- speaking role. "Max, we would never criticize you about something you love doing. Ever. Plus, you don't that bad. Is that where you go almost every week; to the concerts?"
I shrugged again. "Concerts… signings… photo shoots… recordings… practices. All that jazz…" I relaxed into the couch. "Wait," Ha, I caught that. "What do you mean, 'I don't look that bad?' Are you making fun of me?"
He shook his head with that silly smile on his face. "You look good- really damn skinny- but good. Who knew that Maximum Ride would wear leather?"
I smiled a crooked smile. "Yeah, well… she doesn't. Lapis Lazuli, however, does." I moved my feet off of his lap. "I'll be right back- I have to change."
I walked off to the costume room and right when I was about to walk in, I felt the hairs on the back of my neck prickle. I swerved around just as I felt a finger tracing the birthmark on my way lower back.
"What the hell, man?!" I yelled at him. It was Fang.
He looked at me and shook his head. "That's not a birthmark, Max. That's a tattoo. Birthmarks are slightly raised above the rest of the skin around it. That's level."
"Well, I don't know how it got there! And I don't need you touching it! Especially without my knowing!" I punched his shoulder. Not hard but hard enough.
"How long have you had it?"
"I don't know… Why? What are you going on about?" I crossed my arms over my chest and raised my right eyebrow.
"Did it just… pop out of nowhere?" I nodded. "That's not a birthmark. Maybe you did get a tattoo- just didn't know." I gave him a look that said 'huh?' "Maybe while you were asleep somewhere, some one came and gave you a tattoo."
"I fell asleep at the photo shoot for this album. The costume designer said it'd be cool if I did have a tattoo, but I told her no. Let me go change and we'll talk later." Without waiting for a response, I opened the door behind me and walked in. I shut the door and changed into my black T-shirt that had grey tattoo-like flowers on it and ripped skinny jeans.
I walked back out and Fang was no where to be found. "Fang?" No answer.
I walked into the other room where my family and fellow band/crew members were.
"Hey, Max. Have you seen Fang around? I think he turned invisible again." Gazzy asked me from the snack table.
I looked around the room and from the corner of my eye; I saw a black shadow move. "Gotcha." I murmured. I shook my head. "No, I haven't, Gaz. Sorry." I winked at him.
I walked around and made my way over to a chair by Ella, Mom, Angel, and Nudge. I sat down and I noticed that the black shadow came forward and stood next to me. It bent its head near mine and I looked in its direction. I could see where the eyes were and all the features. It was grinning. It was Fang. He was going to try to scare me, but as usual- it won't work.
"Nice try, Buddy boy." I smiled at him and he became visible again. He frowned.
He backed away as he said, "How can you do that? How can you see me?"
I looked at him. "Because I'm supposed to. I'm supposed to keep an eye out for my Flock and how can I do that if you keep disappearing?"
"She makes perfect sense." said Mom. "When's the after party?"
"Uh, Toby!" Toby looked over at me. "Party?"
He looked at his watch and quickly stood up. He looked back at me. "Like, 10 seconds."
We all rushed to our cars and drove to the building where the party was going to be held. It was around the block.
The band met fans and other stars and hung out with them all. It took a good total of 3 hours. We were also being interviewed on TV from different stations.
"What's it like to be in a nationwide known band in only a few months?" one reporter asked me.
"Oh, it was amazing. We never thought we had that much potential to be famous. Um, we just started off playing in Black- Hole's garage and we played at coffee shops and people told people who told more people and so on and so on. It was amazing. I wrote all my songs after my feelings that want to come out but I hold onto them and just… write them out."
About an hour after that interview, everyone left and we all went home. The Flock flew home and Mom and Ella drove home. I said bye to my 'normal' friends and extended my wings when no one was looking. I jumped into the air and started to fly.
It was an amazing feeling. I used my super speed to catch up with my flock and we all flew home. Angel started to drift off so I held her bridal-style in my arms. She started to get a little heavy. Iggy was carrying Nudge and Fang had Total.
"Hey, Iggy, Fang. I'm going to go on ahead and put Angel in bed before my arms fall off. Okay?" I whisper- shouted. They both nodded and I took off. Normally, it was about fifteen more minutes to fly home but using my speed, I got there in fifteen seconds.
I put Angel in bed and went to go get Nudge from Iggy before he dropped her. I came back again and put Nudge in her bed. Right when I laid down on my bed, my bedroom door opened.
"Max?"
I grunted my acknowledgment. I stayed in the same position laying down with my eyes closed.
"Bad time?"
"No. Just- what do you want, Fang?"
"Can we talk?"
Okay, normally, when a guy wants to talk, it's bad but with Fang- you never know. "Sure." He came in, shut the door, and sat by my side on the bed. "What about?"
"The songs you wrote…"
"Oh…'Kay. What do you… need to know?" I yawned.
"Where'd you get your inspiration from?" He sounded really curious.
"Um… my feelings. And others' as well. When we split, when I thought you were dying, while we were on the run. And also when I was angry, upset, and ecstatic- stuff like that. Why?"
"Just curious… Hey, Max?"
"Hmm?" I was starting to drift off. I knew Fang was talking but I couldn't get myself to listen. I could hear his words but it was like I was a baby and I didn't understand anything around me yet.
"Max? Max, are you asleep?"
I felt something brush my hair off my face and a set of lips peck my cheek. Then, my quilt was over me and the door shut as silently as Fang could walk- which is pretty quiet.
In my mind while I was asleep, I kept dreaming about my conversation with Fang backstage.
"That's not a birthmark."
That line kept repeating and repeating and repeating. How could I have gotten that mark then? Another thing that kept registering in my brain was how close Fang and I were standing next to each other during that conversation. Bodies brushing, faces just inches apart where the smallest breath sounded loud. Oh, man. I need to stop thinking that. Just… stop…thinking… about……
So? What'd you think?! I added some Fax in there. Small but enough for the time being. Help me out! I need ideas! I'm not going to update much if I don't get at least 4 reviews! I'd like to know what you all think!
Amy~Katherine914
