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Yep. Be warned: LOADED WITH FAXNESS:

:D


Chapter Six:

Iris:

Day 3: Extremely Early:

World War three…

That's what had arrived upon our little, 'punishment camping trip.' It's not exactly what I had foreknowledge. Not even close, really. However, it works. It'll keep it interesting for sure. I would prefer this then let's say... nobody talking at all, making it awkward and all.

It seems the boys got over their hate and difference for the time being just like us girls had done.

Very unusual. Since it was known girls are way more mature then boys are. We had made the mature decision too join up, hate pushed aside and upsetting pasts forgotten for now, and it totally paid off.

Needless to say we had to watch our backs now.

Its been decided last night, it's girls vs. boys.

The group of amusing, narrowed-minded boys told us so last night. Oh, I was shaking in my sneakers, I was that afraid.

Ha. Not really.

A bit of payback from a group of boys is like a stroll in a park compared to what I've had to deal with when I was child.

However, I was kind of excited to see what they could bring.

Alright, alright, I was more excited too see what Fang had to bring.

Last night was a lot for me to handle. The fact that I'd seemed to be very engrossed in a naked Fang a little too much, additionally he was in my dreams, the star of my dreams. How I've felt about Fang isn't recent however. Last year with that class I had shared with him and the times we passed each other in the school halls, my eyes would always be drawn to him. I just feel like I know him, like actually know him. Not from school, but somewhere else, which is freaking crazy. Furthermore, actually talking with him for these past few days intensified that feeling, and others.

I didn't know what to do, so I'm ignoring it.

Yes, I'm taking the easy way out. Sue me.

I'm just going to toss the confusion emotions I had just confessed in my head out the window, freeing my heart of the foolish, sappy emotions I just didn't want to deal with at the moment.

Whatever. On to the now and not my turmoil, we were all once again gathered as a group in the same spot as our other meals. It appeared this is going to be a repeat performance all week. The only difference was the boys were on one side, the girls on the other.

Emily and Dan noticed but didn't ask.

Good.

We couldn't really explain that we sneaked out so Fang and Sam could uphold a bet. That would have turned ugly.

They just ate their food and left it alone. Once they finished they got up and told us they were going to be in their tents to get ready for the next activity. Dan parting words being: "be good."

Passed that, but okay.

We all okay him just to get them out of our hairs.

Also, us girls had some questions, mostly for Sam and Fang.

"So… " Joy drawled, voice lazy. "How did you two get back without the aid of clothes?" she asked them.

Sam flushed, from his pointy chin up to his perfectly disheveled hair. "Leaves. Lots and lots of damn leaves." He answered in a timed voice.

Oh shit.

"Freaking leaves?" Nudge asked, her coco eyes wide. They were a bit glossy too.

We were all in disbelief here.

"Like… legit leaves?" I asked.

Sam nods. "Yes. Green leaves. They come from trees…."

"Oh my god. That's sweet." Joy choked out.

"And awkward." Iggy pipes in.

"Yeah man. Most awkward moment of my life. Picking leaves from a tree for my friend and the football player I very much hate so they can use as damn coverage." Ben said shivering.

"Most awkward moment of your life?" Zach asked dissent. "I was the one that helped put those leaves on them."

This was getting weird.

"Excuse me?" Lissa asked.

Zach blushed. "Um. They couldn't figure out how to keep the leaves on… so I had to help Sam… we used mud. Fang wouldn't let me get close to him though."

I looked over at Fang whose face was angled upwards, eyes fixed up at the sky. Slowly, he answered. "I was capable of doing it myself. Sam's just an idiot."

Sam glared at him as he took an angry bite out of his food. He chomped loudly. "See that? I'm pretending I'm eating your head man."

I laughed. "Isn't this pleasant. How did it feel?" I asked.

"Itched like a freaking bitch." Sam answered. "And I got mud stuck in my nuts."

It was pretty impressive we've withheld our laughter for so long, but that clawed right through the barrier. We all erupted into hysterical laughter, leaning against one another for support. We sobered up quickly when Dan and Emily rejoined the group. We were laughing our butts off, and then suddenly solemn faces the next. I was still laughing on the inside.

"Aright kiddos! Ready for the activity?" Emily hopped in place as she asked.

Not nearly as ready as you it seems.

Halfheartedly, we all said yes...

Unless Sam still had mud in his nuts.

I giggled.

"What shall we be doing today? Bungee jumping? Tree climbing?" Sam asked while shooting me a glare as if he knew what I was thinking.

"Ohmygod! Please have all those be wrong!" Lissa begged.

Dan laughed. "Nothing like that today. We thought we'll spice it up at bit, and make things interesting,"

"Interesting?" Angel asked.

"Interesting." He confirmed. "Lyrics Hunt."

"Lyrics Hunt?" Zach asked. "Is that even a game?"

Emily laughed. "It is now. It's simple and fun. And it'll help you to get to know your partner better."

I shut my eyes tightly at hearing that. So far this partner up shit hasn't really worked for me. Proof that I work better alone.

"This is how you play Lyrics Hunt. It's just like a Scavenger Hunt in a way, just with lyrics. You and your partner will be blind folded, and then Dan and myself will place you somewhere within the woods. To start each of you will have an envelope which you can't open until you are told to do so. There will be five total. In each envelope there will be a few lines from a song we had chosen for each group and below that clues to the next location of the envelope that you'll be seeking for. Whoever gets all five envelops and gets back here, explains the title and artist of the song, and meaning behind said song wins Lyrics Hunt."

She cast a look around. "Everyone understand?"

Iggy smiles sweetly at her. "You explained that perfectly."

Besides Iggy, Nudge sat, so she pushed him for us all. "Shut up Iggy."

"Everyone understands. So who do I have?" Ben asked, rubbing his hands.

Emily looked down at her chronic clipboard and started to tick off who's with who.

"Angel and Joy."

"Sam and Nudge."

"Iggy and Lissa." - Ha! Poor Iggy.

"Ben and Zach."

"Max and Fang."

Wonderful. I'm trying to forget what I feel for the dark boy then yet she freaking sticks me with said dark boy. I swear they're doing this on purpose. First sticking me with Lissa and Joy to share a tent with, then paring me up with Joy for rock climbing, now they're sticking me with Fang. Life sucks ass. Emily went around the group to hand us envelops. They were green and a single one was marked on the front in black marker.

I cast a 'secretive' look over at Fang to regard his expression as to be partners with me. He was already staring at me. Fang had both elbows on his bent knees, his head slanted to the side, eyes on me.

Yikes.

I gave him a funky smile before quickly looking away.

"Alright. All of you have your envelopes. Let us get you guys all set!" Emily exclaimed. She then dew a hand full of black blindfolds from her pocket, going around the group to hand them out. "Now this is a small hunt. We don't want you guys to go far in unknown woods, so, the clues shouldn't be hard. Also, we have this bull horn that will be blown when you can start. Now Dan and I will assist you of your blindfolds and led you to your spot. Just wait for your turn."

The two went to each group and tied the blindfolds on them before leading them into the woods to wait for the horn.

I ran my thumbs over the fabric while we waited for our turn.

"This should be fun." Fang mutters.

I rope the blindfold around one of my digits, and nodded my agreement. "Yeah tons." I said sarcastically. "Love being stranded in the middle of the woods looking for damn lyrics. Who wouldn't?"

"Hm. You know I gotta say taking our clothes was pretty cleaver." Fang said.

I laughed and bowed. "Thank you. Using leaves to cover yourselves was pretty 'cleaver' also."

Slightly, Fang winced. "Yeah. That was actually Zach idea."

"For you guys to go all Tarzan?"

He nodded. "It was better then walking with the guys... you know, dangling all loose. Even so, as soon as we got to the campsite none of us could look one another in the eye. Waking up was the same."

I laughed some more. Maybe we should have stuck around to see that.

Our conversation was cut short when Emily and Dan came back. They had just showed the second to last group, so now it was just us and then we could begin.

"Alright you two ready?" Dan asked us.

The two of us nodded. With that Emily put our blindfolds on, making sure it was tightly done. And it was, I was completely blind to the world. We were led through the woods carefully. I was kind of on edge through the blind tour. The fact of not seeing, nor of where I was or going made me feel troubled. Thank my wings it wasn't a long walk. We weren't being placed that deep in the woods, just apart from the other groups, so we won't run into them is what we were told.

Emily guided my hand to the envelope in her hand, so now I had it again. Her and Dan wished us good luck, and then I heard the two walk off, their footfalls sounding distance with each breath I took.

And now we wait.

"Not going to steal my clothes again are you? Since I can't see." Fang spoke from beside me after a tiny silence between us.

I bite my lip which was in the middle of becoming a shit eating grin. I was glad as shit we were both blindfolded so he didn't see. "Mm… I'll let you keep them this time." I said.

He chuckled.

The bull horn blew in the air then, singling it was time to play.

Fang and I rip off the tacky blindfolds and looked at one another.

Casually, I ask, "So, we're gonna win, right?"

Fang's lips raise up into his typical smirk, "It's you and I. We'll win."

No doubt.

I nod. "The envelope then."

Fang huddled closer to me as I slid a finger underneath the flap, and tore it open. I shook the letter out. Opened it, to read:

And I'll give up forever to touch you,
'Cause I know that you feel me somehow,
You're the closest to heaven that I'll ever be,
And I don't want to go home right now.

I cast a look over at Fang who had read it over my shoulder.

"Hm. Sweet," He breathed in my ear.

I gulped and tried to steady my heartbeat. My stupid, stupid heartbeat.

He was right it was sweet.

I wasn't talking about the lyrics.

His closeness.

Warm breath.

Scent of boy, fresh cut grass and something just Fang.

That was all very utterly sweet.

"Um. Yeah, isn't it?" I asked him in return.

"I think so." He said. "Read the clue aloud."

I nodded and did so.

"Clue: Up ahead you'll see a twisting tree, amidst the tragedy you'll find the next clue."

I crumbled the sheet. "Easy enough."

Fang nods his agreement. "We just walk ahead until we see a 'twisting tree'.

"Yup."

With that Fang and I started the walk forward. Towards whatever twisting tree that the clue was talking about. The walk was silent for the most part, except for the leaves and twigs chomping from beneath our feet. It sounded deafening in the otherwise peaceful woods.

"Max, what happened between you and Joy?"

Well, it was peaceful until Fang asked a question that holds nothing but ache and heartbreak for me.

"What do you mean?" I ask, stubbornly tying to make my voice stay neutral.

"You and Joy used to be friends, right?" he asked.

My heart throbbed. Slowly I rose a hand to rub my chest, as if to rub the pain away. "Yeah."

"What happened between you two?" he asked.

It was usual for me to be a bitch as a defense method. I snapped at him, "Why do you care?"

I didn't even let him respond, I just picked up my pace. Fang, however, was quick to grab my arm before I got far, hauling me back towards him, so we were again walking side by side.

"Max. Don't do that."

"Do what?" I ask, easily sliding out of his gentle hold.

"Act like a bitch to push me away. It might work on others but not me. I've seen the way you look at her. I can see the sadness and regret in your eyes. I may not be an expert in 'Maximum's ways and feelings' yet, but I can see it hurts to be in close corridors with her. Am I right?"

I locked eyes with him, and because of that I submitted. "Yeah. You're right. Fang I screwed up really badly and it can't be fixed. There really is no point in talking about this."

"You can't think like that. Everyone has their screw ups. You wouldn't be human if you didn't," He said.

Yeah but I'm NOT human.

I couldn't speak that aloud so I said, "Okay. But what happened between us is so, very unfixable."

"Have you even tried?" he asked softly.

Uh…

I haven't.

Not that I could.

At the time I had felt like I was doing the right thing to end our friendship. Always in the back of mind I would think, how could a girl with wings be friends with one that's completely normal? It followed me day in and day out when we were friends. I mean without her knowing late, way passed midnight, I would be above her, in the dark sky flying. Being apart of something she could never be. Sometimes, I even flew over her house roof. How could I let our friendship go on? I couldn't. It was unfair to her and me. So, I ended it and never looked back. I didn't even tell her why. She had every right to hate my guts.

Fang was still waiting for me to answer. I just shrugged. "Doesn't matter."

A twisted tree came into sight then.

And I was very thankful.

This conversation needed to be over.

Fast.

"Hey, I think that's the tree." I told him while pointing at it.

The trial we're on now lead up to the tall tree. The fat and slender branches were one tragedy. They bend and circle amongst one another like a roller coaster.

Fang looked at me and then the tree, and once again back to me. "Max…"

I gave him a pleading look, which slowly he nodded to, albeit, reluctantly.

"I think you're right. Come on." He signed, at the time being letting it go.

The next envelop was just there. In plan sight. There was a shockingly bright egg yellow envelope tapped onto the bark of the roller coaster tree. A black two was marking the front. Fang plucked it from the tree with his slenderize fingers. He slid one of them underneath the flap, shaking it out. He unfold it, and reading it out loud:

"And all I can taste is this moment,
And all I can breathe is your life,
And sooner or later it's over,
And I just don't wanna miss you tonight."

Uh, um, wow.

I liked his voice. A lot.

It was deep and warm like the summer. His voice doing some kooky stuff to my heart. It was doing the tango combined with some tap dancing, at least it felt like it. My heart was sure beating in eccentric thumps. All because of his voice.

Insert weary sign.

What am I going to do?

"Max?"

"Huh?" I asked, shaking my head, brandishing the webs up in my noggin.

"I said do you want me to read the clue aloud also?" he asked me, with his head cocking to the side like a dog.

"Yeah," I said. "Sure. Go ahead."

"Clue: Follow the clear path until you hear the lapping of the blue where they'll be flapping of the yellow. You're next clue awaits."

"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" I asked him confusedly when he finished.

"Hm… I'm not sure. Lets walk a bit and see if we spot anything blue or yellow." Fang suggested, while sticking the envelope and letter in his back pocket.

"Flapping or lapping?" I ask jokingly.

He chuckled. "That too."


Meanwhile on the other neck of the woods…

Iggy & Lissa:

Iggy crossed his arms, looking ill temper aside for the curl of his lips, while watching his 'partner' struggle. Lissa stomped her foot, occasionally throwing Iggy hatefully glares over her shoulder.

"Why can't you just get it?" she asked.

"I already told you this, I'm not going to mollycoddle you."

"Mollycoddle?" she asked.

"Yes." He said firm. "I had gotten the other one, so you're gonna get this one. Now c'mon and do it already. Do you want to come in last?"

"No." She grumbled.

"Have Fang and Max win?" he asked next.

"What! No!" she yelled as if she couldn't believe he had dared to even say that.

He smirked, "Then do it, coz I'm not."

Lissa hissed at him. "I really hate you, did you know?"

Iggy in response faked hurt. "I do now. And I gotta say I'm dearly wounded."

"Whatever."

The first clue Iggy had gotten. Now they were on their second one. This one had to be submerged beneath an icky swamp, the tiny ridged corner of the envelope the only thing visible to the pair. Iggy wanted her to fish the damn thing out. The nerve of him!

Needless, she had to do it.

Unless she wanted Max to win. And that is something she most certainly did not want.

She growled low in her throat, totally defeated. Lissa bend and with one manicured hand pinched the corner slowly drawing it out. She almost gagged when the mud slid off the yellow envelope, plopping below to the bottomless swamp. Mud stained her fingertips. Ugh, this was so gross!

Iggy applaud. "You did it!"

Lissa shot him a glare. "So it seems."

Lissa then smirked. "But you're opening it."

"Wh-"

Too late. Lissa already slapped him with the muddy envelope, giving him a large splat on the front of his white shirt. Iggy splutters as he caught the envelope in his hands, the mud seeping through his fingers. He looked down at it and the front of his spoiled shirt with a frown. He really should have seen that one coming.

"C'mon Iggy. I'm not gonna very will mollycoddle you."

Iggy glared at the red head. This was going to be the longest few hours of his life.


Back to our favorite couple:

I hummed the theme song to The Incredibles movie under my breath as we fought the choppy grass.

"Max…?" Fang asked, amused.

"What? Haven't you ever seen The Incredibles?" I asked him, swiping at a leaf that was in my way.

"Um, no." He said aloof.

I spun on my heels and gasped. "No way!"

He smirked, and shrugged. "Isn't that the cartoon? The family with all the superpowers?"

"Yes. In fact it is. You have to see it." I told him. "The baby is awesome."

"Well… we could see it… maybe when we go home?"

Uh…

Max do NOT giggle like an awestruck girl!

"M'kay." I said softly.

"Wait. Fang, do you hear that?" I ask.

So softly you could hear lapping. I tugged Fang towards the noise. The closer we got the louder the sloshing and gurgling became. At the end of the path was a river, the one Fang and Sam swim naked in. The only difference was the ducks waddling the surface. There were three of them. Yellow. Feathers. Web toes. All of that.

"Um. Are those ducks?" I side whispered to Fang.

"Yes." He affirmed. "Aaaand it's where the next clue is too." He added.

"What?"

"Small duck. Left." He said candidly.

My eyes shot to the smallest duck to the left which wore a blue envelope. It was dangling by the slim neck. The royal blue envelope was strung through a thin clear string and had a bold three written on the front cover.

"Lapping and flapping." I breathed. "They'd meant water and ducks?"

"Guess so." Fang drawled lazily. "Who's the one getting it?"

Oh Fang.

Silly, silly boy.

I chuckled. "That's all you."

He cast me a look full of disbelief and akin to pain. "I was forced to swim naked with Sam, now you want me to fish out a duck?"

I chuckled. "Speaking of last night... look, your clothes."

I pointed up.

Fang looked upward and then blinked a few times. "Huh. Shoulda known you guys threw them in a tree."

"We wanted to air them out." I laughed.

"Gee, thanks Max."

"You're very welcome." I said and smirked. "Anyways, I vote that you acquire the clue."

"Why me?" he asked.

"Oh come on Fang... unless you can't do it. Afraid of a duck?" I provoked.

He rolled his eyes. And then he walked towards the edge of the lake, muttering. "I'm not afraid of a duck."

Being careful not to fall in, Fang bends on both knees, kneecaps digging into the squishy soil, "How shall I do this anyways?" he asked, perplex.

"Um. I don't know... try calling for it."

He flung an amused look at me from over his shoulder. "Max it's not a dog, but a duck."

I glared at him. "Yeah.. well, I don't see you coming up with any better ideas." I said crossly.

"Fine." He signed. Fang then called out: "Duck c'mere, ducky, ducky come here..."

I guffawed, beyond amused that Fang was dog calling the ducks. It was an amusing sight for sure.

Fang who evidently had to hear me ignored me as he continued to call the duck who I swear gave him the stink eyes.

The sight of his upturn tush gave me an idea. An evil one.

A grin played over my lips as I creep towards Fang, sneaking closer and closer to him. Without him noticing I stopped right behind him. Fang was still engaged in duck calling.

I took my chance, and without farther ado shoved him into the lake.

Fang yelled out "Max!" as he hit the water.

An angry Fang resurfaced the water. "What the hell?"

"There. Now you can get the duck." I told him smugly and dry.

What I didn't expect was for my plan to backfire coz Fang was sexy even wet. In his words, 'what the hell?'

So I was there gaping. And Fang totally noticed.

Fang thrust his wet bangs back so now he had the Elvis hairdo going on.

He was still cute.

He smirked at me. "If you're done staring why don't you help me out."

I flushed. "I- I wasn't staring."

His respond?

Simply reaching for me. He looked at me patiently.

Here forks is when Max makes a stupid decision...

... I reached for his hand to help him out.

As soon as my hand was wrapped around his bigger hand, he yanked. With a shout I went trembling into the lake also.

"Shit, Fang!" I yelled, the cold hitting me.

He laughed. "You deserved it."

I know, but still! Now I'm all wet... and more so, I'm with a wet Fang. This can't be good.

Frustrated, I swiftly placed both hands on top of his sexy ass head and dunked him. Hmp. Take that!

A moment later Fang's head reappeared.

I laughed.

He glared.

I still laughed.

"Oh. Yeah, it's on." He said advancing upon me.

I didn't get a chance to reason with him because Fang had dunked me back.

I spluttered as I appear back above water, and then I declared a splash war.

Him and I acted liked little kids for a good five minutes. We splashed one another, crying triumph when we built a big wave, hitting the other face on. Midway in our splash war Fang ducked under the cold water again. Like that's gonna save him. I turned around in a circle, scrutinizing the area. The only thing I spot are the ducks, but not Fang. Where the hell did he go? I was kinda getting worried, however, I then felt a pair of arms wrap around my waist from behind. I yelled in surprise.

"Had enough little Maxi?" He asked in my ear.

Cue the stupid shivers. And it had nothing to do with the cold.

Oh hell, oh hell, oh hell!

I ought to slap him for making me feel this way.

"Don't call me Maxi." Was my witty response.

He only chuckled, and held me closer. "Maxi."

I twist around so I was facing him, glaring. My glare swayed however as I became very aware of how close we truly are. A bitty bit close our noses could touch.

Oh.

Our heavy breaths mingled together as one. Fang's dark, tar like eyes flicked to my mouth, and then back to my eyes. He leaned even closer.

Oh. Again.

A loud quake break us apart, so now we're a normal amount away from the other.

A duck.

The smallest one too was wedged in between us.

Oh, so now the stupid duck waddles his ducky ass over to us, heh?

But then yet I should be thankful, right?

I mean was he going to actually kiss me?

If he did what would I have done?

I woulda flee like my ass was on fire, that's what I would have done.

Caught in between embarrassment and confusion I avoided looking at Fang as I unwrapped the string from around the ducks neck, careful not too hurt him... eh... her? Whatever. My point, we now had the third clue.

"Um. I think we should get out now. I'm kinda cold." I told him.

He softly agreed.

Mutely we climbed back upon dry land.

"I'll open the lyrics." I said.

"Okay."

Once I had it outta the envelope, I read:

"And I don't want the world to see me,
'Cause I don't think they'd understand,
When everything's meant to be broken,
I just want you to know who I am."

Every word I utter hit me hard. It was way too close to home for comfort.

I have always known I was different from others, because I own a pair of wings. I've lost so much because of them. I love my wings don't get me wrong, but sometimes I worry. I worry that I would never lead a normal life. I worry that I won't ever find someone to share my life with. I worry that If I have kids would they have wings also. I worry I'll grow old and die alone.

No friends.

No husband.

No kids.

No nothing.

I shyly looked at Fang who was looking at me, lost in thought.

"I think I know the song." I offered.

He blinked. "Me too."

Hm. If Fang ever found out about my wings would he think I was a freak? Pff, of course. Who wouldn't?

But maybe he'll be the one to understand me?

Shesh, I don't know.

"The clue?" he asked me quietly then.

"Uh... Right."

"Clue: It's closer then you think, just walk ahead until you see a bed of leaves, but don't dread, look up."

"Well...?" I ask.

"Suppose we look for a bed of leaves and then look up." He answered.

"Okay."

So we did just that. Quiet. I think we're still in shock of what was almost about to happen. Quiet worked for me. A tug on my arm stopped me. I musta been really out of it, because Fang was smirking now, when before he was stone faced.

"What?" I asked.

"This is all you." Was what he said.

"Fang, what are you talking about."

He pointed.

I looked.

And oh.

Right there was a heap of green and red leaves; the bed of leaves. Fang pointed up then. I looked up.

Oh shit.

Up.

Are Dan and Emily trying to kill us? For peep sake!

Anchored from one of the branches, swishing lightly in the breeze was a pink envelope.

The problem? It was high enough that you have to climb the tree to get the ugly colored envelope.

How wonderful.

I glared at him. "Why do I have to do it?"

"Because I got the other one. Now it's your turn. Besides you're a great climber."

My heart did not swell when he said that.

"Fine." I said.

Determine I walked to the tree and hooked both legs around the bark. I pulled myself up, effortlessly climbing the tree like a monkey. I was that badass. Anyways I shimmed my way closer, and closer to the mocking envelope. And now here comes the tricky part. Hm. I was on the bark, the clue on a branch. How to get there from here. Great. It's not like if I slip and fall I can count on my wings to save my ass. Yeaaah. I was gonna jump for it. Falling be damn. With that thought in mind I made the leap, nearly missing the branch. I didn't. Thankfully. I lift myself up and swing both legs over it, straddling it. I untied the clue.

Getting down was way easier then going up.

I grinned cheeky. "Got it!"

"That was hot."

He muttered it quietly... but I had heard.

I pretended I didn't.

"What?" I ask.

"What?" he asked back, innocently.

I raise my eyebrow at him. "What did you just say?"

"I didn't say anything." He replied all innocently.

Yeah Fang was anything but innocent.

I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. Ready?"

"Yeah."

I fished out the letter and read:

And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming,
Or the moment in truth in your lies,
When everything feels like the movies,
And you bleed just to know you're alive,

"Um. The clue..."

"Clue: Congratulations! You're almost done. Backtrack and you're find the last, so hurry you mighta won."

Fang laced our fingers together, giving me the slights squeezes. Hand in hand we took a few steps back.

1

2

3

4

5

My sneaker found it.

I looked down at the half orange envelope in view. The other half was concealed by my sneaker. "Found it." I said.

"Your sneaker found it." He corrected.

I dismissed that by waving my free hand, then I picked it up.

As I was about to open it, Fang halted me. "Hey. Max hold on."

I looked at him with inquired eyes. "Yeah?"

"I need to talk to you for a second." He requested.

"Okay... but hurry I wanna win."

He nodded. "About Joy... I have no clue what happened between the two of you, nor am I gonna pretend that I do. I just want you to know if you don't do something to at least attempt to fix you two, you're regret it later. Maybe not tomorrow, or next week, or even next year, but there will be a day you'll wish you had a time machine to go back in time and do a 'do over.' Boys, boyfriends, just friends come and go all the time, but best friends are there for life. I know how it is to lose someone dear. And that void that they filled never gets refilled. You still have a chance. Don't be a hothead and do nothing about it."

My mouth parted. I wasn't sure what surprised me more. The fact that, that's the longest thing Fang has ever said. I mean sure he's opened more so to me then most, but even so, they're times he blends back into a one worded male, or the fact what he had said was truly deep, and well... beautiful. I was dumbstruck.

I swallowed thickly. It felt like I had a softball stuck in my throat.

I breathed through my nose. "Look... I'll try... maybe there's a reason Joy and I are both on the trip."

In respond he gave my hand a light squeeze which he still held on to.

"That's all I ask." He said.

I nod. "Shall I open it now... or do you have more wisdom lectures to tell me?"

He laughed. "By all means I'm all wisdom out."

I smiled and opened the last envelope. It read:

"I just want you to know who I am,
I just want you to know who I am,
I just want you to know who I am."

I cast a look up at Fang.

"The perfect ending." He mutter.

I honestly couldn't agree more. It was the perfect ending.

I looked back down at the note. "Um. At the very end it tells us that we have to push the thick bushes out of the way and we're be home..."

"I assume those." Fang said.

Across the way, on the other side of the tree I had just climbed stood two lush bushes.

"Suppose so." I said.

Fang and I waked quietly towards them. It took a bit of time, but we'll reach them in do time.

Once there, we pushed them apart, our campsite came into view.

The only group there were Ben and Zach.

Oh nuts we came in second.

"They haven't won yet." Emily spoke up. "In order to win they need to know the tile of the song, artist and the meaning. Welcome back by the way."

Oh riiiight.

I threw them a smirk. "Do you know?"

The two guys looked at one another, and then turned their backs without responding. I could spot all the lyrics in both hands and they were fighting quietly amongst those lyrics.

"We so got this." I laughed.

Fang smiled but didn't say anything. Heh... Yeah I've noticed that. Around others he's more... shy? No. I wouldn't call it shy... just not talkative. Like he can be more himself around me for whatever reason.

How did I feel about that you may ask.

I have no freaking clue.

I was so screwed.


It was another ten minutes before we had the rest of the group again.

1 - Ben and Zack.

2 - Fang and I.

3 - Nudge and Sam

4 - Lissa and Iggy

5 - Angel and Joy

Being Ben and Zach came in first they had the right away. After it would be Fang and I, and then Sam and Nudge if we don't get it. The other two groups didn't make the cut. Ha! That means Lissa. Sorry, still hate her guts.

"Ben, Zach, go ahead." Emily said.

"Um." Zack mutter, itching his head. "I'm not really music smart, but book smart... so, Ben?"

Baffled Ben snatched some of the lyrics from Zach. He looked down, rereading some lines. We all heard snippets. "You get a line. I get a pole... fishing... down in Boondocks... church on Sunday... ugh! I don't know! Like it's about this dude who's proud to live in Boondocks, born and raised really ... but as to who wrote it, I got nada."

I laughed. And sung:

"You get a line. I get a pole.
We'll go fishing,
(We'll go fishing in the crawfish hole),
Down in Boondocks,
(Five card poker on Saturday night),
Church on Sunday morning.

Both boys' jaw drop.

"That it?" I ask.

Ben splutter. "So, you know it then?"

"Yeah. And I gotta say you won't get it. It's not your cup of tea."

"Who is it?" Zach asked.

I glanced at Emily who nodded. "Little Big Town. The song, Boondocks. They're a Country band."

"I hate Country." Ben said. "So unfair."

I smiled.

"Alright." Dan spoke. "Max, Fang. If you get yours, you win."

We got this.

"The Goo Goo Dolls wrote it. The song's called Iris." I smiled shyly. "I love this song actually. The words convey a lot. To anyone really. It's about a girl or a guy who falls madly in love. However, she or he hides her true self to the one they love and the world, afraid of not being accept for who they really are."

Like me.

"Also afraid that once who they really are emerges their loved ones might see them in a different light. He... she... hides so that never happens, but it hurts, hurts so bad that they would never know. So, they bleed to see if they're alive. Because sometimes he... she... never knows." Fang said next.

"Um... So all she... he... wants is for them to really know and accept." I conclude.

They all clap. I cast a look over at Fang who had a small smirk playing over his full lips, eyes on me too.

A thought hits me then.

Maybe someday Fang will be the one to find out about my wings... the first one to accept the true me.


Fixed - 5/1/12

Holy cow... 7,490... not including this authors note... shesh... its seems we're getting longer and longer.

When I first wrote this chapter last year... it was my favorite... when I reread it before fixing it, it was my least one by far. I hated how I glossed over Fang and Max. I mean they had all that time alone. I had to add more and explain it better, right?

So, I suppose for this chapter my problem were the lack of details.

But hopefully I made a BIG boo-boo right.

Both songs in here are amazing ones, so please check them out!

1) Goo Goo Dolls - Iris (Totally Max and Fang's song, hehe.)
2) Little Big Town - Boondocks