Me: I have scabs on my feet. And being the lady that I am, I started to pick at them. Now they are bleeding.
Jeremy: Well, what did you expect?
Me: I don't know!
Jeremy: And why are we putting this on the internet for everyone to see?
Me: I don't know. I thought they would want to know…also, there is a bit of creepy Angel in this chapter…just a heads-up!
"Max? Are the neighbors coming over again today?" Angel asked me the next day. I had just come downstairs, feeling awesome. I had taken a shower…I never realized just how lovely they were. Ahhhh…
"That's what Anne said. Are you ready?" I asked. She nodded.
"Yeah. I even dressed myself today!" She exclaimed. I twirled my finger, and she smiled, pirouetting like a ballerina. She was wearing an overall jean skirt, and a red and white striped shirt. She had red and white polka-dotted bows in her beautiful curls, and she had black Mary Jane's on. Sad. Even a six-year-old had more fashion sense then me.
"I really like them. Nudge and Ella are nice. They really like you, you know. But how come you don't like them?" She asked. Um…
"I never said I didn't like them." I told her, confused.
"Yes, but you were thinking it all yesterday." Angel said, picking up a Barbie doll. I cocked an eyebrow. She knows this…how?
"Angel, you did you know that I was thinking that? Did I accidentally say it aloud?" I asked. She shook her head.
"I heard your thoughts." She said. "Can you make me a peanut butter and jelly?" She asked suddenly, looking up from her Barbie.
"Can I talk to you for a little bit first? Honey, you heard my thoughts?" I questioned.
"Yeah, I just listened and I heard you thinking. Never mind, I'll just get it myself." She said, skipping into to the kitchen. I sighed, but let it drop. I didn't need this right now.
A few minutes later, we heard a knock on the door, signaling the arrival of the Martinez's. I went to get the door, letting in the spill of kids.
Nudge was the first in, then Ella, Iggy, and last but not least Fang.
"Hey, guys!" Nudge said. "I brought my work clothes! I'm so ready to help, cause I love decorating, and you guys look like you could really use some help. Plus, you are so nice, and fun to hang out with. And I love your dog. He's just so cute, isn't he Fang?" She asked. Oh, Lord, help us now.
"Yeah." Fang agreed, then he lapsed back into aggravating silence. What was wrong with these people? I mean, you had a girl who was too shy, a guy who was too outright, a girl who wouldn't shut up, and a guy who wouldn't say anything! Maybe they were supposed to balance each other out? Jeez!
I quietly hummed "Teenagers" by My Chemical Romance as we all just stood around. I saw Iggy and Fang's heads whip around, but I just kept my stare down.
"So, Gazzy, you're a pyro like myself?" Iggy asked, breaking the awkward silence.
"Um…a what?" Gazzy asked.
"A pyromaniac. That means you like fire and things exploding. And no. Why would you ask that?" I demanded of Iggy. He looked a bit taken aback as I stepped in front of Gazzy. He was only eight! He shouldn't know what the word "pyro" means!
"Chill, Max. It's okay." Gazzy said, poking his head around me to see what was going on. I frowned at him, but relaxed a little.
"Well, kids, thanks for coming over." Anne said, bouncing in with a spring in her step. Thank God for her, she saved the conversation from getting anymore awkward.
"Your welcome Mrs. Walker!" Came a chorus. Although, only one voice really stuck out. I wonder who that could be…? (AN: Since they can't find Anne's husband, she changed her name back to Anne Walker, while Max, Gazzy and Angel all stuck with Ride)
"Well, lets get started! Okay, so Angel and Gazzy, I need you two to help move the toys and movies up from the basement. Can you do that? It's a big job." She said. They nodded eagerly, wanting to prove how strong they were.
"Alright, Nudge and Ella. Could you help with the artwork from downstairs?" Anne asked them sweetly. They nodded too, with a few comments from Nudge.
"Iggy, will you help me move the dining room table from the kitchen to the dining room?" Iggy cracked his knuckles, and stood there like he was all that. Sure he was.
"And Max and Fang, you guys. Do you think you could move the couch? It is really heavy. I mean, I know Max is pretty strong, and Fang, I'm sure you are, too, but-"
"Yeah, mom. We can do it." I told her, cutting her off. Again, she was rambling, and if I didn't stop her, no one would.
"Okay. Just making sure." She told us, wringing her hands. She looked a bit nervous, probably because she didn't want Fang getting hurt. Yeah, the couch was pretty heavy. It took about three mover guys to get it out the door in Michigan. But I was capable, with or without Fang. And he looked decent when it came to muscle.
Anne and Iggy disappeared into the next room, while Angel and Gazzy, Ella and Nudge starting forming at the mouth of the basement stairwell.
"Alright, so the couch is in the den, along with the other furniture, so…lets go get it." I said, rubbing my hands together. Fang gave me an expression like "Well?", so I sighed, and lead him into the foyer, off to the left and then into the den.
"This is the couch. We need to move it into the living room, and then wait until Iggy and Anne are done, so Anne can tell us where to put it." I said, walking to the farther end of the couch and picking it up.
"Oof!" I said, as the air rushed out of me. "God, this couch weighs a freaking ton!" I shouted. Fang cocked an eyebrow. "Sorry." I apologized for my outburst.
"Here." He said, then came and helped me out. He sucked in a quick breath, then pushed the couch up, and without waiting for me, started forward.
I scrambled to catch up. The couch was a lot easier to cover when Fang was on the other end, carrying like half of the weight.
"Okay, this is good. Let's set it down here." I directed. He just grunted and set his side down carefully. I was a lot less graceful. My end flew down, narrowly missing my big toe. I yelped in surprise at the close encounter.
"You okay?" He asked. He looked a little concerned, but not enough to actually be considered friend-like. Jeez, these kids really didn't like me! Well, according to Angel, Nudge and Ella thought I was okay…creepy.
XXXxxxXXX
The week went by about the same, the neighbors helping us out whenever they could. Fang and Iggy and I did most of the heavy lifting, while the other kids and Anne would rearrange what we had just done.
Wednesday I had my singing lessons, and it was harder, but I had lots of fun. J.J. was a cool person.
On Thursday, I went to blockbuster and rented a Bratz movie, and Kick-Ass, which Fang, Iggy, Ella and I watched. It was awesome! One of the best movies I had ever seen. Fang and Iggy enjoyed it, too. Ella was a little upset by the end, though. She didn't like all the blood. I would recommend it to all of you, except it's rated R, so…yeah.
Friday, we went to dinner with the Martinez's. Outback. Yummy.
Saturday was spent at staples getting school supplies. The school year started that Monday. Everything Gazzy got was blue, and everything Angel got was pink. I got black and purple stuff. My two favorite colors.
Sunday, I started my lesson, and it was the best lesson I had ever done. My voice was full and think and emotional. It was gorgeous. I don't know what happened, but everyone in the house, even Total, had gathered around.
I had just finished my second to last song, when I heard the knock on the door. My mother went to go open it, as J.J. keyed the notes to the Kelly Clarkson song, Breakaway.
Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I'd just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And if I'd end up happy
I would pray (I would pray)
Trying hard to reach out
But when I tried to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong here
So I prayed I could break away
[Chorus:]
I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly
I'll do what it takes til' I touch the sky
And I'll make a wish
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget all the ones that I love
I'll take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Wanna feel the warm breeze
Sleep under a palm tree
Feel the rush of the ocean
Get onboard a fast train
Travel on a jet plane, far away (I will)
And breakaway
[Chorus]
Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging around revolving doors
Maybe I don't know where they'll take me but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway
I'll spread my wings
And I'll learn how to fly
Though it's not easy to tell you goodbye
I gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway
Out of the darkness and into the sun
But I won't forget the place I come fromI gotta take a risk
Take a chance
Make a change
And breakaway, breakaway, breakaway
I finished the song, eyes closed, feeling surging through my body. I heard clapping. More pairs of hands than I should've. I opened my eyes to two women, and six kids. Nudge and Ella, Gazzy and Angel were clapping happily, whooping and hollering. Iggy looked a bit smug, and Fang had his jaw slightly dropped. His face a smidge surprised. Why?
"Well, Max. Very good, very good. You are progressing beautifully." J.J. told me, picking up her purse and her coat. "Bye Max." She said, getting up to come hug me. I got up too, following her lead.
"Bye, J.J., see you Wednesday." I said.
"Yes, Max. See you Wednesday. Bye everybody!" She called, as she walked down the hall and into the foyer. Everyone was silent until the door opened and shut. Then, Nudge, Ella, Angel, Gazzy and Anne were all on me, asking questions, saying congratulations, and just making a big fuss in general. Iggy and Fang instantly set into a conversation that was too quiet for me to hear, except for one word. Max.
Me: Tell me whatcha think in a REVIEW!
Jeremy: Yes. Otherwise, she starts murmuring to herself. It's creepy.
Me: Yeah, I do. It kinda freaks out my family. They started talking about therapy last night at dinner…yup.
Jeremy: Don't forget the special shout out!
Me: Oh, yeah! A SPECIAL SHOUT OUT TO DEATH WATERS! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SWEETIE! HAPPY 10TH BIRTHDAY!
Jeremy: I wish I could get the Paramore guys to help us in a sing along.
Me: Yeah, but then they could trace your phone. No way. Anyways, thanks everyone, Happy Birthday, Death Waters, and have a Merry Bloody Christmas!