oooOOOOOooo
Reluctantly, we decided to go back home. It was late, so the only place to get ice cream for the others was a convenient store. The cashier must have thought we were crazy buying six half gallons at midnight. We couldn't stop giggling. I was totally giddy. And free. Freer than I felt in a long time. A year, to be exact.
When we got home, the lights were out, which wasn't a problem with our super-vision. We went to the kitchen to put the ice cream away.
"There's not enough room in the freezer," Dylan whispered.
"Put it in the garage freezer," I answered.
As soon as he left the room, my Voice paid a visit.
This is good, Max. Go with it. You and Dylan will be great partners in every way.
"Butt out," I said out loud.
Dylan chuckled as he walked back in, "Your friendly neighborhood Voice?"
"It has impeccable timing," I laughed. "I guess it's time to call it a night." But neither of us made a move to leave.
Eventually, he walked over, kissed me and said, "Goodnight. This was the best night of my life." Which, technically was only about two years. But still, it was sweet. There's that word, sweet, again.
We walked our separate ways, him to the guy's wing, me to the girl's wing (no pun intended). I brushed my teeth and hair and got in bed. There was no way I was going to be able to sleep. After about twenty minutes of lying there, staring at the ceiling, I got up to get a snack. I quietly padded out to the kitchen and opened the fridge. I heard movement in the living room and ducked down out of sight behind the counter.
"Is someone there?" a voice called.
"Dylan?" I asked, standing up. "What are you doing on the couch?"
"I forgot that I told Jeb he could have my bed tonight."
"I forgot he was still here." I said as I walked over to the couch. "You can't be comfortable."
Shaking his head, he pulled the covers down, revealing the fact that he was only wearing gym shorts. I couldn't help marveling at his perfectly muscular lean body. He seemed to be thinking the same about me. I was wearing my sleep tank and itty bitty sleep shorts, which I tried to subtly tug down a bit. I didn't expect to find anyone out in the living room while I raided the fridge.
Food was no longer at the top of my priorities list.
"You don't have to sleep out here," I held out my hand. What was I doing? Where was my Voice to stop me?
"Are you sure?" He whispered.
"No," I laughed nervously. "But you shouldn't have to sleep out here."
He followed me into my room. It was still dark. We each slipped into the bed from opposite sides of the bed and slid to the middle facing each other. I was trembling all over.
"Roll over," he said, gently pushing me away from him.
He scootched close to me. His hand moved from my shoulder, down my arm and around my waist. It settled on my stomach. He kissed the back of my neck and tenderly rested his chin there.
"We're not ready," he whispered, then wrapped his feet in mine. "Sweet dreams."
Secretly very relieved, I sighed contentedly and closed my eyes. And got the best night sleep I got in a long time. A year, to be exact.
oooOOOOOooo
The sound of chirping birds awakened me. I was lingering over the sounds of their songs until another sound entered my consciousness. People talking in the living room. I shot up in bed.
"Dylan, get up!" I whisper-yelled.
I looked to find the bed empty. I looked at the bathroom door. It was open and the bathroom empty, too. I remembered that he liked to get up early to watch the sunrise. I threw on some clothes and walked out to the kitchen, trying to look as casual as possible. Iggy and Gazzy were already playing video games, Angel and Nudge were on their third bowls of cereal, and Dylan was on the couch, wrapped in a blanket. He looked like he'd slept there all night. To complete the illusion, Jeb came walking out of Dylan's room, right on cue.
"Thanks for letting me use your room, Dylan. I hope the couch wasn't too uncomfortable."
Dylan and I exchanged quick glances. With a wide smile, he said, "Nope. Slept like a baby."
"But he'll need his room back, so you can leave any time," I said coldly.
Dylan jumped off the couch quickly, grabbed me by the arm and led me to the terrace.
"What're you doing?" he asked. "If he leaves now, we'll never get to spend any time alone. As I recall, lack of supervision is what got you and Fang into trouble."
Wow, he doesn't mince words. Rationally speaking, he was right. And for some reason, the others liked having Jeb around again. They didn't know all he kept from us.
"Fine. He can stay. I have no trouble using him as long as he's useful." I huffed.
We walked in and Dylan went to smooth things over with Jeb while Nudge came and linked her elbow around mine. She led me to the kitchen counter where she and Angel put their heads next to mine.
"So, how did it go last night?" Nudge asked in a sing-song voice.
"Fine," I said and started to walk away.
She grabbed my elbow again. "Oh no you don't. You're not getting away with 'fine'."
"Okay," I said. Then I couldn't help smiling. "It was actually, great. But I'm not giving you details. You'll have to use your imagination."
"Are you happy Max?" Angel asked.
"Yes, sweetie," In fact, I was.
"Then we'll all be happy again," she said optimistically.
Dylan came up behind us, put his arms around my waist and kissed my cheek. "What's for breakfast girls?"
So much for imagination. I felt my face get hot. He wasn't into hiding his feelings. He was an open book. That would take some getting used to.
Life was good. Everyone was getting along for a change. Jeb finally left. Dylan and I didn't need him around so we could catch a few stolen kisses. It was all out in the open. And everyone seemed okay with it. Surprisingly, even me. Well, at first, Dylan would sneak into my room at night and leave by sunrise. Then, one day, he didn't leave. Maybe they already knew because no one raised an eyebrow when we walked out together one morning. Ever the gentleman, he never pressed for more than a good night's sleep. It was comfortable and sweet. There's that word again.
So, of course, someone had to throw a monkey wrench into the whole thing.
oooOOOOOooo
I decided to go to bed a little early. It was a tough day of training and I was beat. Plus, I thought I might actually get up to watch that sunrise Dylan loved so much.
I walked into my room and flicked on a small table lamp. Immediately, I could feel that someone was in the room with me. I turned, ready for action, to see-Fang standing by the window. My heart just about skipped three beats.
He put his index finger up to his lips and mouthed 'sshh'. I stood, frozen, blinking to be sure what I saw was real. When I was, I ran to him. I hugged him tighter than I've ever hugged anyone. We broke apart so we could look at each other. He looked the same, but different too. More mature, I guess. His hair was long, even for him. I could barely see his eyes.
"Hello, Max," he whispered.
"Hi," I squeaked out, my voice breaking. "What are you doing here? Why are we whispering?"
"I can't stay long. I came back to see if you were okay," he said.
"No, you can't go away again," I said desperately. "I've-we've missed you so much."
He just continued, "Someone tried to get to Miranda. Nearly got her. We've been looking for Dr. Gunther-Hagen's new labs. Most of the places we found were shut down and moved. I think they thought she was you. That's why I came back. To warn you."
"That's the only reason?"
He ignored the comment. "I don't know who it was. But it was humans, not some new creatures. We found a new hiding place. I'm sure we'll be safe."
Searching his face for emotion, "Is that all?" I asked. He wasn't giving anything away.
We stood there awkwardly for a moment, then his face softened a bit.
"I've missed you too," he said. "All of you. I can't come back yet. My flock is getting stronger, but they're not ready yet."
I was so jealous. His new family to love. I tried to understand, though.
"I hope it's soon."
"Are you happy, Max?" he asked, maybe to ease his guilt.
Reluctantly, I answered, "Yes." I couldn't lie to him.
"I'm glad," he said, pausing like he had more to say. "I didn't want to hurt you. I still -"
We both heard the doorknob move. In a flash, Fang jumped back behind the opening door and out of sight. I just stood in the middle of the room like a deer in the headlights. It was Dylan walking in. He swung the door closed behind him.
"You still up? I thought you'd be in bed by now," he said as he walked toward me, smiling. He saw me look behind him and his smiled dropped. He whirled around and readied himself.
"Oh," he said, and the two of them stood there trying to stare each other down. Dylan finally said, "Should I go?"
"I was just leaving," Fang said.
"I wasn't talking to you," Dylan then turned to me.
"No," I said, trying to sound reassuring. "I'll be right back.
I walked over to the window and Fang followed me out onto the wide ledge. He stroked my cheek. The wind blew his hair away from his face and he had a look of regret in his eyes.
"Be careful," he said.
"I will," I wanted to say so much more.
He looked into the room and asked, "Do you love him?"
I hesitated. "I, um," I wasn't sure what to say. I had to look away.
He took my right hand and wiggled the ring on my finger.
"Maybe it's time you took that off, then." He wasn't angry. There was no malice in his voice. It was his way of telling me not to wait for him. Not to hope for our future. Or maybe that he was giving up on it. He turned away from me spread his wings. God, I loved them. Black as midnight.
He said, "Take care," and took off.
"But," I said, even though I knew he couldn't hear me. "I still love you." I heard the door to my room slam shut. Well, somebody heard me. Crap!
I climbed back in my room to find it empty and walked over to my dresser. I pulled my jewelry box over and opened it. Inside were mementos of my life with Fang. Some sea shells we collected on a few beaches. A picture of us when we were eleven. I was taller than him. A movie ticket stub. And three letters he wrote me-two 'goodbyes' and a 'how I'm doing'. I picked up the picture. There weren't too many pictures of the flock. Only a few from when Jeb lived with us. Life was good back then. We had a dad and nobody was in love with anybody else. I put the picture back and sighed.
You can't go back Max. No matter how much you want to. He's moved on.
Thanks Voice.
Maybe it was time to take off the ring. I slipped it off my finger and gently placed it in the box. The back of the sock drawer seemed as good a place as any to put it away. Even if it was cliche. As I closed the drawer, it occurred to me that I got that ring as a birthday present, over a year ago. Huh. I guess I'm sixteen now. I should remind everyone that we're a year older. Tomorrow.
