Hello, readers! I believe it is time for another installment of 'Turn on the Nudge Channel'. My God, I sound like a game show host.
I hope everyone enjoyed the last chapter- in my mind, Nudge always smelled of chocolate, but lilac seemed more fitting (and it's an homage to Leila- Nudge's fake name in 'Forgotten' which was recently updated. Also a Niggy.)
So I know there are a lot of ideas bouncing around for the coming chapters and in all your fantastic suggestion, it was hard to pick one. But I think that I'll go with…
(big dramatic pause)
Number 4- When Ella told Iggy that she thought that he was amazing!
BlackBerry said it best in their review 'jealousy is awesome'
And a shout out to all that reviewed chapter 3-
Lunareclipse3 (Really enjoyed the last chapter to LIRL. It was amazing- I admire you!)
Monkeyj17 (Thank you for your review! This chapter is dedicated to you)
SynchroStar16 (Your idea is coming up next- so watch out! Might not be right away because, well, I kind of skimmed Fang- trying to minimize tears- and I'm going to relook over those parts)
Addicted-2-oxygen (Your reviews always- ALWAYS- cheer me up!)
YoursTruly13 (Thnx so much- I liked the last chapter too)
UNDERLANDERfromtheOVERLAND (I was really upset when Iggy left- just when Nudge left too, thnx for the review!)
justreadingnoflaming (Thnx- though I'm not sure the blabbering concept is a compliment, but I'll take it as one! I like this story, because then I can just let loose my chattering skills!- cough, cough - )
And thank you to anyone who reviews in the future. Sorry for the delay on this chapter.
You are all telling me to shut it right?
Well alright then!
Three Seconds
NUDGE POV-
"Okay, everyone," Ms Martinez shuffled in, arms loaded high with food. She wobbled under the weight and plopped it down on the table. "Food's up!"
Max watched the food hungrily and looked admiringly at our host. I knew we were thinking the same thing- this sure beats Taco Bell.
But Iggy said it best.
"Oh, man, this smells so good," he moaned, desperately piling the beans and enchiladas onto his plate (which I noticed was an inch in diameter bigger than everyone else's). Ella had set the table…I turned to look at her and saw her eyes were gazing across the table- at Iggy.
My eyes did a few double takes and I began watching him as well. A strand of blond-red hair fell across his face, shining in the light. His skilled hands scooping up mouthfuls of food, not a grain of rice spilling over the edge. My throat sort of balled up unexpectedly; I tried to appear very interested in my food.
But only seconds later, my attention was once again diverted.
"It's amazing, you know, how you can do that," Ella's voice made my head snap up like a cartoon. Iggy's brows came together, pausing with his mouth overflowing.
He swallowed carefully and I waited eagerly for his response. We both waited.
"Well, I've had a lot of practice," he choked on the rice that stuck in his mouth. Ella seemed pleased with his shyness. I glared daggers at her…than wondered why.
She has the right to say he is amazing- he is amazing, for knowing how to do that, so why should I be all mad and worried and stuff- because it all doesn't make any sense. Does it?
If I have no reason to be feeling anxious, why am I going to puke all over Gazzy?
"Well, I think it's amazing," Ella purred- well in my mind she did- and I coughed up some taco shell. Angel watched me with a slight smirk. Max caught my gaze as well- but decided to completely ignore the situation.
My head was nearly buried in the food now, but no one commented, thank the Lord.
Finally, when the conversation turned toward Total, I lifted my head and looked anxiously at the blind boy. His cheeks, bulging with meat, were red- but not from the stretching skin. Pink lapped at his collar and forehead. I gulped, suddenly red myself.
Ella's eyes were glued on his face, but my oblivious friend didn't even feel her stare, as he would with mine.
How could he know whenever I sneaked a peak at him, but not recognize the holes she burned into his head? Was he crazy or something?
The meal continued on, my cheeks green from unexplained envy, his still pink, and Ella sitting there, an annoying smile on her round face. I'd never wanted to hit her before, but in three seconds, I was going to smack her, if she didn't wipe that smile off.
Three.
Iggy leaned back in his chair, rubbing his belly and groaning. "God, I'm gonna be sick."
Yeah, me too, Iggy. Two seconds.
Ella cocked her head to the right and continued on staring.
What about his face was so dang fascinating! Okay, sure there was a glimmer on his eye that made his sort of irresistible and the way the light touched his hair- but no! There was nothing that could glue her eyes like that. Uh-uh. Nada. Nothing.
You've got one second, Ella.
"Ella, honey, Harry Potter is on," Ms Martinez called from the couch. Ella didn't move.
Zero- time's out.
Then we sprang up at the same time, my hand twitching and her ponytail bobbing as she strode to join her mother. Iggy's closed eyes sprang open, listening to her footsteps as she bounced away.
I stood there, feeling very empty…and relieved.
I didn't want to hit Ella, really.
Nah, you want to rip her eyes out so she can't stare like an idiot, my inner conscience growled. I shook my head quickly.
But then they'd have something in common, I argued with myself.
A body brushed past me and I felt confused, tumbling into a chair, balancing to keep from falling back. I then realized the person on my left was Iggy and he lifted his head as I wobbled.
"Nudge- you 'kay?" his voice was hoarse, confused like me.
Did he notice that our knees rubbed under the table, due to the small table?
Could he feel the envy-green on my skin?
Did he notice anything?
Robotically, I strode to the couch and joined everyone else, trying to get lost in the dramatics of Ron, Harry, and Hermione.
I almost did, when my ears caught Ella's footsteps. They went to the kitchen, where Iggy noisily cleaned dishes. I heard her voice though, soft against the loud t.v. and plates.
"You know, my mom taught me a recipe when I was little, for enchiladas...I could teach it to you," she proposed, slinkily. I didn't have to turn around to know she was batting her eyes furiously.
Then I almost laughed. Yeah, he'd really notice your eyes, Ella.
"Sure- that's be great. I could make it for the flock sometime," Iggy's voice was quiet, but I detected a glimmer of restrained pleasure. My heart just about constricted itself into a knot.
I tried to relax, watch Harry Potter without letting my mind once wander to what Iggy and Ella might be doing…other than cooking…in that small kitchen…brushing pass each other…her guiding his hand…her unseen smile of triumph…his laughter…
Suddenly, my mind exploded with these thoughts. Have you ever felt the feeling of when your chest hurts so much it might just burst but it doesn't and you are just stuck in your own body, crying internally and pounded the underside of the chair and then your head starts to throb with what you are trying not to think of, but then you just can't take it anymore?
….oh.
I jumped to my feet and everyone's eyes were on me. I gulped and made some excuse to leave the room. On my way out from the torture I passed the kitchen where Ella watched Iggy make an enchilada. I muffled a sob and ran faster.
But I could have sworn Iggy lifted his head as I passed by.
You can't keep running away from things, that irritating alter-ego of mine snickered.
I though about this for a moment and - for once- decided that my concsience was right. Spinning on my heels, I crashed...right into Iggy. We both fell to the ground and I felt very stupid for not taking off when I had the chance.
"Nudge?" he whispered after a second of suffocating silence. "You there?"
I nodded than squeaked, "Yes..."
"What are you doing out here? Why arem't you inside? Are you okay?" his soft voice was all around me and suddenly there were two arms searching for my body. I let them find me, but gently shivered when they did.
"I...just wanted some fresh air," I lied through my teeth. Though...it was somewhat true. Being driven insane by my own thoughts in that room made me feel like I couldn't breathe.
"Well, come inside. It's cold out here," Iggy sounded concerned. My heart beat a little faster.
As he said the words, a blast of freezing air knocked me down and sent goose bumps my spine. Iggy's warm and strong hands gripped my sides and pulled me up. Their touch lingered a little longer afterwards…
"Race ya," Iggy said slyly and he took off, his beautiful wings glowing with the stars. Stunned for a moment, I quickly unfurled my wings and laughed into the now-invigorating wind. We flew in circles, black and white against the moon and I eventually beat him to the house, which was like a firefly from up high.
We landed, wings overlapping, feathers touching lightly. We got a few suspicious 'looks' from the living room, but it was Ella who eventually cornered me, battering me with questions. And they call me a blabbermouth.
"Where were you?"
"I-uhh-"
"Why did you go away?"
"Ella-"
"Do you like Iggy?"
I froze, my blood running like ice. She glared with eyes full of fire, but the fire was fed by curiosity, not anger. I inhaled and whispered, "I…think so."
Ella squinted, exhaled and her shoulders slumped. "Okay, you can have him."
I did a double-take. "What?"
"Yeah- Robert , in my class, is cuter and he's my age. You two need each other. Plus, I know that if I like Iggy, I'll never see him and that only leads to one thing," she made a cutting gesture across her throat. Involuntarily, I found the corners of my mouth turning up.
"Thanks? I guess?" I smiled. Ella grinned back.
"Have you told him?"
I looked at her in wonder. "Why would I?"
She shrugged. "Don't know. Maybe it could get rid of all that tension everyone's been talking about."
My eyes narrowed. "What tension?"
Ella smiled bigger and 'zipped' her mouth closed. She walked away, leaving me to feel shocked, embarrassed and like I was going to explode.
Later, we said our goodbyes and it was heart-wrenching. I winced as Ella hugged Iggy but she just winked at me.
Finally, we flew off into the night, but soon stopped again at a cave in the mountains. We fell asleep immediately. My head drifted onto Iggy's legs and he shifted. My throat felt suddenly sore.
Should I tell him? My little voice nagged. What would happen?
At that moment, Iggy began to sleeptalk. "Mm," he muttered. My ears perked up. "Ell-a."
I pulled away from him like I'd been burned by the heat of his legs. My chest began to heave but the inner voice scolded me.
Forget it Nudge, it sang. Just be the bigger person and forget him. Be his sister. Love him in every way you can- except that way.
I nodded solemnly and tried to sleep, but the image of Iggy floated through my dreams.
Alright Nudge, the inner voice grumbled. You can think of him.
You've got three seconds.
This isn't my favorite chapter, but it's alright. I always imagined Nudge with a little voice. An irritating voice probably...