Author's Note: It's been a while since I've updated, and I'm sorry. My only excuse is that school has kept me very busy. I'm sure you guys understand. ;). Sorry it's so short, but this is the shortest chapter so far. Enjoy!

Chapter 4

My room was going to be beautiful. I had convinced Angel, Nudge, Ella, even Mom to help me paint it. It had a dark purple base, and was splattered with neon pink, green, yellow, orange, and blue. The furniture was dark wood and the rest of the accessories were in many shades of purple and those neon shades interspersed here and there.

We had gone, exhausted, to the kitchen and were greeted with warm chocolate chip cookies, cold milk, and Iggy.

"You guys done?" he asked.

"Yep!" Nudge replied, "It's amazing. I never thought my own ideas and eye for color could be outdone, but Ava has done it."

I smiled, embarrassed, "I think I saw it done somewhere"

"But you did it," Angel said, "Or at least taught us how to make it work."

"I'll go get the others!" Ella volunteered, "Don't do the big reveal without me!"

"Okay!" Mom laughs. She still isn't seeming to really love me, or even like me, but at least she doesn't hate me any more.

"Ready! Come on Ava, you're the one doing the big reveal!" Ella called. Or should I say Aunt Ella? I'm a bit confused.

When everyone's ready, I smile slyly, wink to my fellow conspiriators, and open the door. The looks on their faces are priceless. Gazzy just stood there with his mouth open. Dylan,j who I met while shopping, whistled and said, "I wasn't sure about some of this stuff when you bought it, but you pulled it off." Iggy smiled, "I haven't ever seen this much color in any one place. I would have loved this place even before I got new eyes." Dad came over and hugged me, "So this is why you wanted to redo your old room."

I wanted to burst. I was so happy to feel included in this family. They were such a close knit group, to share even a little of that loved feeling was almost intoxicating.

I walked over to my biggest windows, a non screened pair of door sized things, and opened them.

"Coming?" I called over my shoulder, and launched myself out. I was followed by the others within seconds. Ella and Dr. Martinez stood at the windows and smiled, a bit enviously, but happily.

We had been flying for a while. I was enjoying the sensation of being able to soar without limit, not waiting for the phone call or text message that would call me back to the real world. The world where I had to hide that which made me beautiful. This freedom was amazing.

Suddenly, Mom dropped down on top of me like a stone. I was in freefall for a minute in shock before I remembered to flap. I reoriented myself and was about to complain about the unfairness of that move, when something caught my eye. I saw a falling, bleeding figure, closing in on the ground. I swooped down and caught the figure.

As I was gliding down, holding the figure under the arms I took a closer look at her face for the first time. The blood drained from my face as I recognized hers.

"Ava, are you okay?" Dad called.

I couldn't speak.

"Ava?" he sounded worried now.

I finally got passed the lump in my throat and screamed.

The figure was my mom!