Hey! Sorry it took so long for me to update. I've been really busy and stuff so yeah. I am really excited!!!! I went to a baby shower for one of my all time favorite teachers today. It was really nice to see her again.
Quote of awesomeness: 'Bluetooths are like the man version of a scrunchie.'
Disclaimer: I dis to the claim of Maximum Ride the novel, although I do own all five of them.
Right. On with the story
I barely staggered into through the heavy wooden door, it creaking closed behind me.
The bathroom was dimly lit, the checkered green and cream tiles dusty and old. Across from the door was an aged, clunky sink, the faucet and old-fashioned knobs rusted with wear. Right above was a smallish, naked mirror, the edges of the glass crooked and sharp. In the corner was a small crack, but over the years, it had grown, one straight imperfection running across the face of the mirror.
I leaned on the sink, my hands gripping the edges so hard I could almost feel the cold ceramic condensing into my grip. I closed my eyes, feeling the tears make their slow way out.
Please no, please no. Please God, of whoever controls this world, please not now. Please not during this time when we are finally settling down, when we finally have a chance at being happy.
I drew in a shaky breath. I had made my plea. Now I had to find out.
Slowly, slowly, I opened my eyes. An aged face with tears ready to spill met my eyes. I saw it all. Her past, her struggles, and her pain. All of it to lead up to this.
A light flickered out in the dimly lit room, leaving me with barely enough light to see, as if saying, 'You don't need to know. What you can't see can't hurt you. Right?'
Right? If only life were as simple as that since as much as I wanted to walk out of there right now, as much as I wished I hadn't stopped to talk to that little girl, I just had to know.
Because maybe she had been wrong, maybe I had misheard… Oh please let me have misheard. Another shaky breath.
I swallowed.
I took another trembling breath, this time clogged by unshed tears.
I lifted my hair away from my neck.
A bead of sweat raced down my hairline.
I turned to the light. The perfect angle to know. All in this moment I would see my fate.
I drew my eyes to the neck in the mirror.
And suddenly I was overwhelmed by tears.
No. No, please, please. No. But no matter how much I prayed, no matter how much I wished, there it was, the ugly black scar in neat Times New Roman on the back of my neck.
I can't tell you what it said, because that would just be too painful. But what made it worse is that I was to die on my birthday. Not my decided birthday, but the real, true to the heart, day I was born.
I had three weeks to live the rest of my life.
I collapsed onto the dirty, fast-food floor, my sobs echoing eerily into the silent room. For the longest time all I could do was sit there and cry. I knew I was being a wimp. I should be more concerned about now, about my family, right? But that's not how life is. No one wants to die. And knowing the exact day when it will happen is enough to break down anyone, even the toughest of the tough, the strongest of the strong, the bravest of the brave. I didn't want to die. I just wanted to finally be happy. And after everything I had been through, didn't I at least deserve that?
I don't know how long I sat on that disgusting, cold floor, but I was ready to stay there forever. Nevertheless, life moves on, and I had to move on with it.
Slowly, slowly, I stood up and turned back to the mirror. The girl looking back at me was the icon of misery and longing. Her cheeks were red, wet from all the desires and longing shed in liquid form.
I wiped the hopes away, making sure my cheeks returned to their normal color before pasting a fake smile on my face and stepping back into the fast paced world of McDonalds.
I was met with a blinding light, a bucket of daylight against the teaspoon of candlelight in the cup of darkness.
I blinked rapidly, pausing in the doorway as my eyes adjusted to the radiance.
I looked around. I had no idea how long I had been in the bathroom. Had the flock left already? Were they looking for me? Were they worried? Where were they?
I glanced around the crowded cafeteria. Fang was ordering the food, Gazzy and Iggy standing by him looking bored. Nudge and Angel were sitting at the table, just beginning to eat from their loaded trays. I looked out the door to see the little girl munching on a fry from the backseat of a dark blue SUV.
I hadn't been gone long at all.
I glanced towards the soda fountain, remembering what I had been doing when I had met the girl Karissity. Two full cups and one half filled with Sprite sat where I left them on the tray counter.
I let out a quick breath. It was as if nothing had happened, as if the world hadn't suddenly become abbreviated in time, as if- oh wait, to everyone but me, it hadn't.
Life was like it always was, taking it's boring drive down the intersection of Routine and Sameness. I walked over to the abandoned drinks and finished filling them up. I got three lids, three straws, and walked lightly to Nudge and Angel's table.
I caught Fang's eye from where he was just picking up his food and waited for him to get to the table.
"Hey Max!" said Nudge. "Thanks for getting me the Sprite! It is de-lish! I love these fries and chicken nuggets. They're so much fun to eat!"
I'm pretty sure she would have gone on longer, but my strained smile was enough to let her know something was up.
So she asked the obvious question, "What's up, Max?"
"Oh, uh… nothing, really, I was just… I'm going to go for a fly. Alone. I'll meet you guys back at the house in, like, an hour or so, okay?" I faltered uncertainly.
"Oh, um okay, Max." Angel looked up at me with concern in her eyes.
"Honestly, it's nothing Angel. Just enjoy your pancakes, okay?
She nodded and everyone went back/ started their breakfast. Fang caught my eye, not sure if he should let me go or not. I kept his gaze, hardening my look as much as I could until he finally gave a subtle nod.
I gave everyone a small smile before I walked out of the restaurant and into the broad daylight. I ran to the back of the eatery, where the dumster was placed on a small gravel allyway and jumped into the sky, unfurling my wings.
And it wasn't until I got to a small, secluded forest that I let myself fall to the ground and cry full out.
Thanks for reading and reviewing (*hint hint, nudge nudge, wink wink*)
15 reviews please? I think that's reasonable. I only need six more at least, and then I can post the next chapter. You know, a simple, "Oh my gosh you are my hero!" or a "Wow, I hate you. Yu stink!" is all i need.
