Who got the two reviews they pleaded for? That's right; moi! Everyone bow down for the great;
EllaIncarnate:
who gave me the best review I've had so far (twice), for two of my chapters! XD I did the whole 'writing till past midnight thing' in a really giddy mood, for two nights straight, because of those two paragraphs of liquid joy!
A.K.A- Happy Mandy :D
This is the 25th edited version of this chapter, but I still don't think it sounds right - Fang waffles a bit too much. But I've been re-editing it for over a week and can't ignore the pile of homework on my desk any longer.
I decided to share some random facts at the bottom of chapters, as they are at the bottom of my homework planner and are completely pointless - see the bottom of the chapter for example numero uno
Anywho, these are the songs:
Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls
Rumour Mill by We Are The In Crowd
And this be the chapter;
Chapter 9:
Brand New Band Member, Gets Brand New Bird Power
(Try and Say That 5 Times Faster)
FANG POV
About half way through the last film I felt Max go limp in my arms. I looked down at her peaceful face; the expression looked slightly out of place, mostly because it's an emotion she rarely ever shows - she was constantly frowning or laughing, but she was always on edge...always tensed up...never relaxed (although I'm not really sure why). I had missed my best friend and, from what Iggy's told me, she's missed me too.
I'd let this carry on too long. Bridget. I wouldn't let her threaten the flock any longer. I thought back to the night of the Twilight Ball, on the dance floor.
*Flashback*
She secured her hands behind my neck as I looked at her quizzically. She was a pretty girl, rich family, nice, someone I'd known for years - for me to not pick up any of these feelings was slightly unsettling. She started up at me, tilting her head to the side like a confused bird and said;
"Why so suspicious Fang?" I shrugged, keeping my face clean of emotion just in case;
"Since when have you felt like this?" She shook her head slightly, pushing a few ringlets of hair back over her shoulder;
"Oh, a long time now - but not all of this is down to that." I frowned at her and she smiled widely; "I do have feelings for you, but this is bigger then any of my emotions. Truth is my father is pretty high up in his chain of work, and he let slip someone undesirable had slipped into the school. I broke into his office that night, curious as to who it was, and found something very interesting. I'll keep it short and simple; date me and I won't say a word." My insides were burning but I kept a cool head;
"And what makes you thing I have anything to worry about." She smiled wider;
"Well you see it's not you you'll have to worry about." I knew instantly she was talking about the flock but didn't give up hope;
"So I just take it for granted you're as powerful as you say you are?" She went up on tiptoe and kissed me. I froze, not knowing quite what to do, but she soon pulled back;
"Fang, whether or not you like Max, you don't have any choice..."
*End Flashback*
I didn't know why she brought up Max, but I did know she was bad news. I'd tell the flock the full truth if and when it came to it, but I'd get her out the way first. Without all seven members the flock can survive, but none of them are really living. The pain in their eyes, Max's mostly, every time I'd left - my heart screaming at me to tell them the truth as Bridget pulled me away. I'd been through the acting, keeping her happy; not telling Iggy what was going on, let alone the rest of the flock - but I was done with it.
Wednesday; I'll see her in geography and then I'll talk to her just before lunch - quick and (hopefully) fairly painless, there's no use dragging it out any longer. I sighed quietly; nothing in my life was ever easy, although it's not like I expected it to turn out any different. I guess I just hoped that somewhere along the line everything would resolve itself...ha, cause everything was always going to turn out hunky-dory from the start...not.
I looked down at Max's sleeping face; she was smiling slightly in her sleep, and I couldn't help wondering if she stay that way once she knew the whole truth. Even if Bridget wasn't a threat, I wasn't completely sure she could handle the other dangers in our lives. Could I trust her with the flock's secret? Of course I could...but would she look at any of us, at me, the same? I have no idea - it's one of the best and worst things about her; you can never tell how she'll react.
I want to tell her but it would only put her in danger - I didn't know if she could handle it. I know she's strong but we find doctors scary for a reason. I could trust her, but would I want to put that burden on her? Ella deals but Max. She's more vulnerable then everyone thinks, no matter how deeply she hides it. Sure she's Max the indestructible to everyone and anyone else, but to me? I can see that scared little girl behind those eyes - what it is that frightens her so much I'll probably never know, but she's always there - hiding.
And even if she didn't think we were freaks, would she be able to not worrying about us? From what Ella's told me she's a bit of a worrier, and tends to disregard her own feelings for the sake of others...she's just funny like that. I don't want to put her through that...But this is Max; she'd find a way to deal with it, I know she would...but would I? Being the reason to look over her shoulder for the rest of her life. The reason for putting everyone around, including herself, in danger.
And I couldn't keep this quiet forever. When she touched my head today so many memories (I'd long since buried) resurfaced, and all the pain came back. Her being there helped me to ground myself again; partly because I feel like I can almost trust her (I don't trust anyone for obvious reasons - but she's the one non-flock member that I trust the most; and that's gotta be worth something hasn't it?). Every time I try to tell her there's a little nagging at the back of my head telling me to shut the hell up because she'd hiding something. I know she's not from the school, I can feel it, but I don't have any ideas as to why she would want keep anything from me...
I heard her breathe in deeply and sigh; still innocently oblivious to all my worries, as she lay in my lap. The slow rhythm of her rising and falling form was comforting - but I could hear Ella and Nudge giggling. I looked up, to see them making love hearts at me and Max. I raised an eyebrow at them, and they simply looked from Max back to me. I ignored them; sure she was asleep on my lap, so what? I tried to bring my hand up to get the hair out of my eyes, and noticed that it was already tangled in something - Max's curly hair. Oh right...
I withdrew my hand and stretched; casually passing off fiddling with her hair as nothing, but they carried on with the kissing faces. I waited for them to stop yet after five minutes they were still going - so I decided to turn in for the night. I picked up the sleeping Max, bridal style, and shook the feeling back into my legs (gently). I nodded good night to the girls and, after yawning silently, I carried her upstairs...
She was still asleep as I lay her on the blow up bed Mum had made up. I pulled the duvet over her but she shivered, curling up in a ball to preserve her body heat, so I put down an extra blanket over ht top. I got changed into my pyjamas and got into my own bed, rolling over onto the side nearest to Max. I smiled to myself, staring at the ceiling. The same smile that Max told me was nice, and should appear more often. The last thought in my head was Max being here made me feel happy and weirdly safer (for once in my messed up life)...
MAX POV
It turns out that the people working in 'The Dream Department' (at the Back of the Small Brain, located in Max's Head) were in a better mood then usual, as I had no nightmares. Instead I dreamt of flying again; flying for no reason and going no where, just feeling the wind underneath my wings. After a while of just gliding, the air began to smell faintly of breakfast (which seemed to take the form of pancakes). I felt myself hover between sleep and consciousness, and tried to stay in my wonderful dream, but the smell of pancakes was simply too strong. The DDAATBOTSBLIMH (see above department) took over and I tucked in my wings, dive bombing straight for the land below. Like a bullet I shot towards the ground, and it got closer, a little too fast for my liking.
Focus Maximum, you can do this.
I grimaced with concentration - *breathes in* *breathes out*; okay….At the last second I snapped my wings open and was jolted upwards. My stomach lurched and I awoke and sat up fast; adrenaline racing through my bloodstream, and surprisingly alert. I blinked profusely, as the bright morning light invaded the room and rubbed my eyes - looking blearily around. Wait...where the heck am I? I caught sight of the instruments in one corner; Fang's room - but when did I fall asleep here?
...Oh; I fell asleep during the movie and Fang must've carried me up. I stood up and stretched; with my arms out I heard my back click very loudly in several places. I frowned, wondering if all the clunks were a good thing, before I yawned. My mind travelled back to my dream and I felt like stretching out a pair of imaginary wings. I thought I heard Val sigh quietly and suddenly picked up the strong scent of pancakes again.
I smiled and started to shuffle towards wherever my nose was taking me - I have crappy eyesight and am slightly deaf, but I my sense of smell is pretty dang good (which is lucky cause smelling is the sense everyone uses the most. Am I right or am I right? Pre-sactly)...
My nose led me in my PJs, downstairs and into the kitchen. I pushed the door open to see Iggy at the stove, Gazzy fiddling with something that looked a lot like wires, Ella and Nudge chatting behind a magazine, and Angel playing a card game with Fang. Fang looked up at my entry and I noticed that we were the only people wearing pajamas...awkward. No one else had bothered to look up, so I tried to shout good morning but (due to the fact I was up before midday) all that came out was;
"mrn" Everyone looked around in my direction, as if they hadn't noticed me, and gave a chorused;
"Morning Max" I smiled, rolling my eyes at the beaming faces surrounding me, and sat down - hopping up on a stool beside Mr Smiley himself. Iggy came over and plopped a plate of pancakes and bottle of syrup on the worktop in front of me.
"Breakfast for the late comer" Iggy winked and I frowned;
"I'll have you know I'm up very early by my usual standards! What time did you all get up? Wait are you all freaky early-birdie people like Ella?" I pointed at my sister accusingly and most of them shrugged awkwardly (at my casually slipped in Maximum Ride comment). Nudge however appeared to be unfazed - because, well, nothing can faze Nudge. So she bounced up to sit on the other side of the counter;
"Totally. We've all been up since 7:00am, and Iggy, Gazzy and Angel got here at 8:30. Fang only came down a couple of minutes ago though. Which reminds me what were you doing up there so long Fang, you never sleep late?" I noticed a faint tinge of pink on Fang's cheeks, but he just shrugged and returned to his card game. Angel giggled and Fang glared at her. Looking around at Nudge, I saw her send Ella a look that plainly said; 'I-really-don't-hate-to-say-I-told-you-so-but-I-told-you-so!' On sight of this Ella's face screwed up, which could only mean one thing; Ella was thinking/planning. This obviously meant it was the end of the line for the subject of that plan (and I have a funny feeling it's got something to do with me). Damn her. Damn her to hell.
I finished my pancakes (which I ruthlessly decapitated after drowning in syrup), then headed upstairs to take a shower. I got upstairs, grabbed my clothes and jumped under the hot water. The moment I stepped out of the shower I was met with a very nice evil epiphany - we shook hands, introduced ourselves, and I found myself taking a liking to it. Repressing the urge to cackle I left my clothes on the shelf next to the shower, and instead wrapped a towel around me. I then walked back to Fang's room; hiding away any hint of the very weak yet hilarious evil I was consumed with. I knocked and the door opened to reveal Sir Fangsalot, sitting on his swivel chair, looking impossibly good in pajamas - not that I think that, just as a general perception of females.
Of course it's just a general perception Maximum, what else could it be?
I frowned but (using a massive amount of concentration) told Fang's nose that the shower was all his. He nodded and walked past me with a towel.
For a couple of minutes I innocently waited until I was sure he had water running. I then proceeded to the bathroom and knocked on the door. I heard a muffeled deep voice call out;
"Occupado Amego" I rolled my eyes and called through the door;
"Fang, it's Max. I left my clothes in the bathroom, can I come and get them." A moments silence and then the voice replied;
"Sure" I opened the door (and before anyone asks; the shower had a curtain, not glass door - just to rain on any pervert's parades out there). I walked over to my clothes lying on the shelf where I'd left them, and picked them up in one arm. With the other I turned the sink's cold tap on quietly, and said;
"Thanks" then left for the hallway and closed the door. I know it was petty, and it's not that evil, but it just feels so good - both to pull a small prank and to annoy Mr Tall, Dark and…Cleaver.
I went back to Fang's room but was hardley dressed before I started my count down; and in 3, 2, 1;
"MAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAX!" Fang's voice of rage rang load and clear to my little ears, which was my cue for an excusable evil cackle;
"Mwahahahahahaha, hahahahaha, hahaha, haha, ha, he...ah." Max 3 - 3 Fang. Oh it's on...I dressed fully and sat in the swivel chair, waiting for Fang. Struck by sudden inspiration, I swept over his desk to find a cube of sticky notes. Remembering a past (and well remembered) mental note I grabbed the cube and a pen. I wrote on the little note in big letters;
BY DECREE OF THE PEOPLE OF MAX-TOPIA WE HAVE CLAIMED THIS SWIVEL CHAIR AS THE PROPERTY OF THE SUPREME ONE. ALL OTHER LIFE FORMS ARE TO LEAVE IT THE HELL ALONE!
I then peeled off the note and stuck it to the bottom of the chair, so that Fang wouldn't immediately see it and possibly burn it. A little extreme are you thinking? Well this isn't just a swivel chair... I then turned it round to face the door, crossed my legs, placed my elbows on the arm rests and pushed my finger tips together - professional Bond villain. Fang came in looking furious, yet holding a faint comical glint in his eyes; hair dripping on his black outfit and towel in hand like a tool of mass destruction. I was very tempted to say 'we have been expecting you, Mr Bond' but resisted as Fang tilted his head;
"Think your funny Max?" I smiled and replied;
"Oh I think I'm hilarious! But tell me Fang, being drenched in cold water is marginally uncomfortable for me, is the feeling mutual?" He scowled at me and said with a twitch in his lips;
"I really hate you" I sighed and sang;
"Everybody does!"...ha...funny cause it's true...I smiled and I stood up, looking in the direction of what I thought was the flock stomping upstairs. Sure enough everyone squeezed through the door, and (obviously) Nudge was the first one to speak;
"What has Max done now?"
"Oh Fang's just being weird" I smiled and I felt a death glare being shot my way again. Iggy smirked, got his guitar out of it's case and said;
"So...practice, we need to decide what songs we're doing for Christmas and New Years parties. What's the plan Fang?" Fang seemed to revert back to Mr cool and collected, and paused;
"Well…" he ran a hand through his hair, clearly stalling in style (I would know - I do it myself), and looked up at me (nodding in my direction); " We can now do any acoustic songs thanks to you know who" I smiled. Nudge clapped her hands with excitement and said;
"Oh yeah. Max! We all learnt some acoustic songs that you know how to play. It took aaaaaages because Fang refused to listen to the music on my iPod ever since I got it (probably because it's not emo enough for him, but whatever). Anyway he learnt them, and then we all watched a movie and ate popcorn. You know I like popcorn; I think my favorite is sweet, ooo and salty, and toffee, but not together cause that would be totally gross. Okay massive craving for popcorn now, I hmph-"
"Thank you Iggy" I said as Nudge slowly peeled the Iggy shaped hand away from her mouth and said;
"Oh My God, I'm not that bad!" She looked a little surprised, but without even looking at each other we all chorused back;
"YES, you are!" She looked a little sheepish but carried on talking about popcorn under her breath. I looked at Fang and we rolled our eyes in sync at Nudge's quiet jabbering. I then turned to Angel (to carry on what Nudge had started to tell me) and she obliged;
"Well, take a look at the list and choose a couple you like" She smiled and handed me a sheet of paper, with eyes as big as very cute car headlights. That kid is too dang cute to be twelve, she ought to be way younger - even Ella can't compete with those bambi eyes.
Say around 6 years old Max?
Rather then start shouting my at the top of my voice (internally), I simply shook my head and took the list from Angel. I scanned down it, and found most of my favorite songs down on paper - what is it with these people knowing me so dang well!
Mind reader present…*cough*
'Shut up!' I sang back, mentally checking I had mental blocks down (well if I was right, it was the flock's job to tell me the truth, not the other way around, so I couldn't have any of them finding out I knew everything - if not, as far as anyone knows, I'm stopping the magical nargles from messing with my head; I like my wooden head as it is thanks - it's a very nice shade of pine). I scrolled down the list once more before making my decision;
"How about Iris by the Goo Dolls?"
"Sounds good to me" Iggy answered as I looked up, and everyone made their way towards their instruments. Angel carried the keyboard forward and took up a tambourine, Gazzy dropped behind the drums, Nudge brought over her bass, Fang moved the microphone and hoisted his guitar over his head, Iggy extracted his electric, Ella brought out her violin and bow, and I got out my guitar (see what I did there? - level up!).
Everyone made sure they were ready, then looked to me to start the intro. This could be a problem as I have almost no concept of keeping in time with everyone else. Deep breath, I can do this. I can...I think.
Go with the flow Max.
I smiled at hearing the first ever piece of vaguely unencrypted information Val had given me, feeling more confident. I let out a sigh and looked at Fang, to start in sync. Without any indication of when each was going to start, we started playing together - Fang playing the very basic strumming on his fancy pants guitar, me the more complicated pattern on my cheap and cheerful model (ah the irony). After the intro Gazzy and Nudge came in just as Fang left the guitar part to me and started to sing;
"And I'd 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"
Angel added in a few light chords, just to give a little back ground all the while tapping the tambourine lightly against her leg. Ella also came in, with some low notes to back it all up.
"And all I can taste is this moment
And all I can breathe is your life
And sooner or later it's over
I just don't wanna miss you tonight"
Fang joined strummed his guitar a little louder for the chorus and Iggy gave us both a bit of help, as all of us cranked the volume up a bit;
"And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am"
Everyone dimmed the volume a bit as we rolled into next verse;
"And you can't fight the tears that ain't coming
Or the moment of truth in your lies
When everything feels like the movies
Yeah you bleed just to know you're alive"
Iggy put in a bit of backing with his electric and we all swung into the chorus.
"And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am"
Ella took over most of the melody, and we all backed her up. After a while Iggy took centre stage and used some awesome power chords, while back to back with Ella. Both of them grinning widely - and not just because we were sounding awesome, me thinks. Iggy let the last note ring and Ella and I carried a quiet tune for a while. Ella played one last note solo before Fang sprang back in (accapella) for the first line of the chorus;
"And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am"
Ella played over the rest of us beautifully, and we all harmonized around her.
"And I don't want the world to see me
'Cause I don't think that they'd understand
When everything's meant to be broken
I just want you to know who I am"
Ella played higher and higher for the final part.
"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"
At the last everyone but me let their last notes hang, while I played a little picky tune, and Angel helped me with a chords here and there. I finished it with a resounding note and a relieved sigh - because I hadn't messed it all up even after staring at...um….the wall...yes I was defiantly looking at the wall *cough*.
You love him this much!
The only reason I didn't start shouting at the voice in my head right then and there was because I was so amazed at how good we sounded. And they asked me to join? Me? When the flock is probably the best band out there and they ask me to join? What a fail. *Facepalm*. Nudge was the first to speak (totally unpredictable, I know);
"OMG! That was so freaking awesome! Fang actually learnt his part on guitar right, and then Max's tune was pretty, and and I was like bdongggggg, bdonggggg. Not really like that, cause basses don't sound like that, that was more of a spring sound, or a slinky - I love slinkies, they are so cool. Just drop it on a step and it's like bounce, bounce, bounce, bounce-
"NUDGE!" Everyone yelled (smiling lightly). She looked pleadingly round at us;
"I try to stop, I do, it's just I get…distracted" I raised my eyebrows;
"I take it you're like my dearest sister and never found your inside voice?" I asked, and Ella looked slightly sheepish. I imitated her expression causing Nudge to laugh at my face. It was infectious, as soon everyone was laughing - even Fang (who's chest shaking from silent laughter). As the laughter died down Iggy asked;
"So what next?"
"I was thinking more of an electric song," Fang scrunched up his face (as much as Fang will scrunch up his face with any kind emotion) in thought; "How about Rumor Mill by We Are the In Crowd? Know it Max?"
"I think I got it" I said smiling.
"Great, so everyone get your instruments" Fang announced to the room, as he moved over another mic for me. I put my guitar back in it's case, Angel set the Tambourine aside, Gazzy and Nudge stayed where they were, waiting for Fang, Iggy, and Ella to pick up their electrics. Wait Ella?
"Ella since when did you play electric guitar?" I asked.
"Oh, Iggy showed me the really simple chords for this song, I've told you about it yesterday. I don't usually do it though, it's normally left for the boys." She smiled at me and I smiled back, a little confused:
A) Because I bet you anything it was just her and Iggy and both of them loved being alone together, without the other knowing.
B) Because I was really starting to doubt if I knew what my friends and family actually did with their lives.
C) Because I didn't think my listening skills were honestly that bad.
I walked back from my guitar (that was now sealed inside it's case) and stood behind the other mic - beside Fang. Fang looked back at Angel and Ella and nodded at the both of them. Angel crescendoed a chord, and Ella slowly let loose more and more feed back. They both stopped for a second, and Gazzy hit his drum sticks once. This signaled everyone to start and they all launched into the intro. I cleared my throat slightly as they came towards the start of my part. Go with the flow? I smiled; Max-can-do. I opened my mouth and managed to come in on time; (MAX= text, FANG=text)
"Here we go again,
It's like you're calling all the shots before I shoot them
and I hate that.
Every time I turn my back I wonder what you'll
say to make me sound like someone different"
I smiled at the great sound, and looked at Fang who looked at me as he sang;
"It's not worth it anymore!
"We've been picking up the pieces
Leaving all the dust behind.
Sick of all the pressure
you're just wasting time"
Everyone moved it up a notch for the chorus;
"And I don't ever wanna know what it feels like
to be a shadow of myself
and I don't ever wanna come back down from this feeling
What makes you think that you know what's better for me
And I don't think you wanna see what's underneath
your made up version of me"
Fang, Iggy and Ella rocked the electric outtro, all of them completely harmonized together. Ella seemed to be pretty good...
"There you go again believing
that the truth is what you're reading
Talk some shit I haven't heard before."
"(Oooooohooooh)"
Fang and I both turned to each other singing the lead up to the chorus;
"If you've got something to say"
"Don't wanna talk about it"
"If you need someone to blame"
"Don't wanna cry about it"
"I measure life in minutes but these critics think they've got me figured out"
I turned away from Fang as I sang out the chorus eyes closed enjoying the music;
"We've been picking up the pieces
Leaving all the dust behind.
Sick of all the pressure
you're just wasting time"
I put two hands on the mic, restraining myself from jumping up and down;
"And I don't ever wanna know what it feels like
to be a shadow of myself
and I don't ever wanna come back down from this feeling
What makes you think that you know what's better for me
And I don't think you wanna see what's underneath
your made up version of me"
I smiled wider and sung the Bridge;
"I lost the strength to keep my grip on the reality that
everything from day to day is
Fading from my memory but I'll
never let this grow
out of my control and watch your steps so
you don't fall into this hole you've dug alone"
Gazzy played a drum roll until we reached the chorus;
"this hole you've dug alone"
All music cut out until I came back in for the last chorus;
"And I don't ever wanna know what it feels like
to be a shadow of myself
and I don't ever wanna come back down from this feeling
What makes you think that you know what's better for me
And I don't think you wanna see what's underneath
your made up version of me"
Fang, Iggy and Ella strummed in sync several down strums for the last line;
"Your made up version of me, me, ay"
Everyone let their notes hang until everything faded. I took a deep breath, trying to slow my heart beat down and said;
"Now that was cool" I turned around to see Gazzy beaming form ear to ear, and mirrored him.
"I think it's fair to say that the Christmas playoffs are now in the bag" Fang smiled at me, and I smiled back.
We carried on playing and singing, and singing and playing until my throat was starting to feel dry and sore. Which I'm guessing is from playing over two hours of musical genius. I finally gave in and turned to Sir Fangsalot;
"Hey Fang, think I could get something to drink?"
"Sure what do you want?" He asked me, but the whole flock answered him in a mixture of voices.
"I'll have a coke"
"Me, two"
"Me three"
"Well I'd like a coke, but I haven't had sprite in ages. But I could have Dr Pepper, have we got Dr Pepper? I don't know if not I'd have an orange juice, or would orange juice and coke go or maybe lemon juice and sprite? I like both I'm easy, I don't mind, I have no perhaps, technically I like one better, but you'll have to guess! Which one do you think I should-" Ella stopped her (receiving a nod of thanks from me) and said;
"All of us please?" I looked around at the nodding people, some displaying bambi eyes, some pointing at the bambi eyes. I slouched my shoulders sarcastically and shrugged saying in an exasperated voice;
"Sure, why not? Seven coke's coming up." I looked to Fang for directions - I'm not the mind reader here. I stared into his annoyingly stare-able face, and waited for an answer. And waited...still waiting...I raised my eyebrows; Earth to Fang? He blinked and said;
"Mum'll know where they are, she'll be downstairs somewhere" I nodded in thanks to Fang and left the room, followed by a couple of thank-you's...
I walked down the stairs, and hearing raised voices behind me sped up - wanting to get back before it turned into a small nuclear war (something that has consumed a number of lunchtimes, and from past experience I don't want to miss any of the fun). I opened the door to the Kitchen to find Linda (Fang's Mum) closing the fridge door. She looked up at the sound of my footsteps and smiled saying;
"Everything alright Max?" I returned the smile saying;
"Yeah sure, everyone just wants some fizzy drink; where would it all be?" she pointed towards a door I hadn't noticed before and said;
"Just in the pantry, on the floor to the right - cant miss it" I nodded and said thanks, before heading towards the door she'd indicated - barely noticing that she had left the room. Through the door and on my right were indeed the cokes, just as she'd said. I brought out seven cans in two loads, putting them on the kitchen work surface. I really couldn't be bothered to make two trips upstairs, so I started looking for a tray. I let out a sigh, as I tiptoed to see the contents of the top shelves, but brightened slightly feeling a cool breeze from the open window wash over my face. I searched all the cupboards at head height but with no luck, so I bent down and started searching the bottom ones. At least I would've done, because the moment my hand made contact with the first cupboard handle I think my head imploded.
I fell to the floor in agony; clutching my head with my hands, using ever last scrap of effort to remain a silent, curled up, ball of Max - I'm fairly good with pain, so you can guess how much this hurt. Weirdly I felt the pain in my head physically deepen, below the surface, and something really worrying happened. My ears started pumping. You know the feeling when your pulse goes up and you can hear your heart in your ears? Well that was what I was hearing 10 times louder. As far the feeling goes, it was a bit like a hammer trying to smash my eardrum out of my ear - not exactly comfortable. Suddenly everything cut out; the pain, the hammering, the headache. I uncurled myself cautiously, trying to remember how to breath more evenly. I lay there, counting the seconds, not wanting to move. After half a minute of nothing I decided to open my eyes. But I found I was surrounded by an eery, silent, blackness. Okay count to ten, and then panic;
1…2…have I gone deaf…3…4...I blinked but I still couldn't see anything, blind as well? 5...6…I could feel the kitchen floor, but that was all the sense grounding me to my earthly surroundings...7...8... images started flashing in front of my eyes again, just as they had in my dream; it was all I could see…9...10...It was only then that everything came rushing back. The wonderful annoying head splitting pain at only half it's original strength - I could keep my eyes open this time.
I rolled over onto all fours, my forehead resting on the cold tiles. Slowly, through the pain, I saw the black tiled floor coming back into view. It was completely normal except all the images that covered the inside of my head flying in every direction across it (like on giant computer screen) - each part quickly sharping into focus, and disappearing seconds later.
Just as my surroundings had faded back into vision, so did my hearing; only everything was amplified. I could hear everything for at least a couple of miles. At first everything sounded normal, but my hearing kept improving till every sound was roaring in my head - adding to the already splitting headache. Every leaf's rustle, every tiny bird call, every animal scurrying under and over the earth, every blade of grass blown by the wind; every sound within at least a couple of miles - you name it I could hear it.
For a few minutes the world was roaring in my ears and the floor had become a projector screen for my mind, everything hurt. Thought slowly, ever so slowly, the images started fading from my eyesight. The sounds started quietening down ever so slightly, and I found I could focus in on one in particular area. I picked out a few very familiar (but very loud) voices. Nothing was distinct, but I recognised them.
After a while the pain in my head had totally receded and all the images were gone - leaving me with the familiar voices I couldn't quite place, echoing around my head so that I couldn't make out any words. I shakily stood up - the kitchen counter giving me a hand. I still held one hand to my head, but the other managed to hold me upright. I lent towards the open window, where the sound was coming from, still trying to make the jumble of sounds into words. I couldn't get anything. I closed my eyes and tried to block out the world, focusing on those sounds - like I'd watched superman do in all those old Syfy episodes. As soon as I focused every part of my concentration on the voices, I heard the people talking as if they were right next to me. I jumped in surprise as I heard a boy say;
"Please Fang, if we told Ella, we can tell Max!" I heard the slight grinding of teeth, before a deeper male voice said;
"No" I heard a stamp of a foot, and a high pitched whining voice say;
"But why not?" The deeper voice spoke again, and it sounded so familiar but I couldn't quite place it thanks to my mush-like brain;
"Ella found out by accident and Dr Martinez only know so she's aware of what state Ella and Max's safety is, when she's around us." Another girl spoke up, sounding younger then the other girl, and I thought I recognized that voice just as well;
"But if her whole family knows then why can't we tell her? We all trust her, and it seems fair." I heard the deeper voice sigh and inhale deeply, and got a mental image of a tall black haired boy smiling at me. I slapped myself on the forehead for not recognizing it in the first place - Fang;
"The biggest reason I'm saying no, is that we trust no one that Angel can't get anything from. Usually it means that the person is on their side, which of course is a sign to kick their ass asap. But you're right; I do trust Max, I do, more then I first expected. We will tell her… just …wait for the Christmas to pass. I promise I'm with you, but we need to give her time to make the connection herself." I could almost hear Fang frowning (oh, wait, I actually could); "She's not stupid by a long shot, but you know what she's like when it comes to ignoring what is right in front of her." I heard a chuckle much like Fang's yet sounded like it was used more often - and it gave me the impression of sky blue eyes.
I pulled out of superman mode and looked around (still slightly dazed); finding that I had sunk down onto the cold, hard tiled floor. Did that just happen? Am I going internally nuts; first a voice pops into my head, then I can run at the speed of sound, and apparently now I was having hallucinations or possible super-man hearing? Is it all connected with Maximum Ride, or am I slowly becoming insanely delusional? I swear I've never been near any kind of toxic waste or radiation...
Ask a stupid question, get a stupid answer.
So I just heard that? I've now got ears of a bat - they're not technically birds you know Val.
*sigh* No Maximum your senses are adapting. They're becoming more advanced, just the same as the rest of you is.
What do you mean advanced? The super speed, the hearing, these things don't happen to normal teenagers you know!
Maximum we've been over this you are not normal. I'm not just even saying that anymore; as you yourself mature from child to adult so do your bird genes.
My WHAT?
Oh I didn't mention that?
NO you forgot that tiny 'unimportant' detail! So what I'm part bird?
Yes and no. It's not my place to say, but you will find out soon enough.
Come on; tell me - I have a right to know.
(No response.)
Val? (But hearing footsteps I tried (and failed) to get to my feet - as though nothing had happened...Being normal just isn't my style, but I can try...)
FANG POV
We'd been practicing for about two and a half hours - one half hour of which we sent Gazzy away to rid himself of any other unique odors he was carrying (and then had to wait for him to come back to keep the beat). But after around two hours Max turned to me and asked;
"Hey Fang, think I could get something to drink?" I shrugged;
"Sure what do you want?" but before Max could reply the whole flock chipped in. At the same time. Let's play guess who.
"I'll have a coke"
"Me, two"
"Me three"
"Well I'd like a coke, but I haven't had sprite in ages. But I could have Dr Pepper, have we got Dr Pepper? I don't know if not I'd have an orange juice, or would orange juice and coke go or maybe lemon juice and sprite? I like both I'm easy, I don't mind, I have no perhaps, technically I like one better, but you'll have to guess! Which one do you think I should-" (If you guessed the last one to be Nudge, congratulations your smarter then Lissa) Ella stopped Nudge from carrying on and broke the momentary silence;
"All of us please?" I looked around at my nodding flock; Angel, Nudge and Ella giving Max bambi eyes, Iggy and Gazzy pointing at the girl's faces. Max slouched in defeat (her lazy personality crumbling under a weakness to cuteness), and shrugged sarcastically;
"Sure, why not? Seven coke's coming up." She looked at me, and I stared at her for a second. I...uh...need to give her directions...yeah. What's wrong with me, open your mouth and say a few words! I blinked and said;
"Mum'll know where they are, she'll be downstairs somewhere" She nodded thankfully and left the room, closing the door behind her. As soon as I heard the door click, my gaze immediately found my carpet. I felt my lips curving in a smile as I stared at the floor - resulting in a few obvious sniggers from the flock. I looked up, one eyebrow raised ever so slightly in a 'what?' sorta expression. Nudge stopped giggling and swooned;
"Awwwwwww!" I sensed more coming, and so I raised my eyebrow further (usually showing more emotion gets me more information) as it was Nudge carried on singing;
"Fang loves Maaaaaaaaxxx!" I sighed - only Nudge or Ella would do this; if I say no, I'm in 'denial' and if I say yes, then she'll be twice as annoying. I ran a hand through my hair;
"Really?" To my surprise Iggy spoke up;
"Dude; you're obviously into her. You may not say anything or admit it, but we all can see it." I shoved my hands in my pockets and rolled my eyes, but to my surprise it was Gazzy spoke next;
"It is pretty obvious Fang." He looked at Iggy - great here it comes. Iggy looked up at me and said;
"The way you talk to her, the way you look at her, the how much happier you are when she's in the room."
"Yeah well she's a cool person to be around" I shrugged, but Gazzy chipped in again smirking;
"The amount of time you're smiling around her, you have a special smile just for her, not for us!"
"Yeah well I only do that cause it annoys the hell outta her" I said my lips twitching upwards involuntary by remembering yesterday (and the water gun incident), but Nudge fell back onto the floor sighing;
"You always talk about her over dinner" I raised my eyebrows and retorted;
"Only because you say everything else, about everyone else" - she can't deny that one. But she propped herself back up onto her elbows;
"But you never talk about Bridget" She said raising her eyebrows.
"Mum wouldn't be interested" I said frowning slightly; feeling like I was fighting a lost battle, but determined to avoid that subject. Nudge smiled giddily;
"No she'd be obsessive and I would be interested" I fixed my emotionless mask back on tight and said;
"Well, there isn't much to talk about" Nudge fell back to the floor and cackled;
"Someone's avoiding that question" She wiggled her eyebrows and me and I rolled my eyes (which obviously forced her to roll around on the floor, giggling in her deluded triumph). I turned to Iggy as he said;
"I have a question, if you're not willing to talk about you're love life." I barley nodded for him to continue; "If you are too deep in denial to confess your undying love for Max, then at least tell us when we're going to tell her about all of us?" The atmosphere in the room changed to from 'everyone-pick-on-Fang' to 'everyone-plead-with-Fang'. Not really a better situation for me, but of course it's a nice for the situation to vary every so often. I looked around at the flock's faces and sat down on my step. I looked back down at the carpet and ran a hand through my hair, trying to think of a way around everything that pushed me towards not telling her. Gazzy walked over and sat down beside me. I looked up at him as he said;
"Please Fang, if we told Ella, we can tell Max." They have no idea how much I want to tell her (but can't from a safety point of view). I ground my teeth thinking about the odds of telling her, but still came out with a quiet resounding;
"No" Nudge stamped her foot dramatically, spread her arms pleadingly and whined;
"But why not?" I breathed in;
"Ella found out by accident" I tried to smile a little at Ella so she would know I wasn't blaming her, but continued; "Dr M only knows, so she's aware of what state Ella's safety is in being with us." There was a moments pause before Angel piped;
"But if her whole family knows then why can't we tell her? We all trust her, and it seems fair." I looked around and sighed as I saw everyone nodding. I took a deep breath in trying to improvise;
"The biggest reason I'm saying no, is that we trust no one that Angel can't get anything from. Usually it means that the person is on their side, which of course is a sign to kick their ass asap. But you're right; I do trust Max, I do, more then I ever expected." More then I ever thought I could: "We will tell her… just …wait for Christmas to pass. I promise I'm with you, but we need to give her time to make the connection herself." I frowned wondering if (after all that Bridget and the flock have said) there might sliver of truth in what they'd said about the feelings I had for her; "She's not stupid by a long shot, but you know what she's like when it comes to ignoring what is right in front of her" Iggy chuckled, and I glared at him sarcastically, which only made him add in a sing-songy tone;
"Double meaning!" I didn't really know if I felt how everyone else said I felt - which is stupid, but I'm not exactly the master of emotions; I just know how to hide 'em. Sure everyone else said so, but surely I'd know if I felt that way? *sigh* All I knew was that almost from the moment I became friends Max I felt like I've both, known her for a long time (had some sort of connection to her) and that I could share our secret without a shadow of a doubt that she would stick by me through anything. Thinking of Max, what the hell is she doing? It doesn't take that long to get drinks.
You should go check on her.
I looked over at Angel who was glancing at me with slightly worried eyes. Even though she couldn't make a mental connection with Max, she could still get readings from everyone else. It was a real comfort having her around sometimes. I nodded slightly, and she smiled before we both turned away - and I headed downstairs...
I walked speedily down stairs and turned left, heading towards the kitchen. I opened the door silently and saw Max getting up off the floor holding her head. I leapt over to her and crouched down as she fell to the floor again;
"Max? What happened?" she turned to look at me with slightly unfocused eyes and said in an irritable way;
"You know with all the singing you've done today, if you don't shut up soon you could use up all of your 400 words per day allowance." I smiled but looked for her to carry on. She grimiced; "Sorry. I just fell over and hit my head" I frowned. I hadn't heard her head hit the floor - and with my hearing I know that Mum's watching a cookery channel when I'm a couple of fields away from the house. If a master ear wigger hadn't heard it then what had happened? I shook it off, putting it down to thinking too hard about emotions, and said slowly;
"Sit up and I'll take a look" She frowned and said in a patronizing voice;
"Fang I'm okay, I'm a big girl. Everything is going to be alright." She nodded at me slowly and I sighed at her stubbornness. I stood up, offering her my hand, and she scowled up at me but took it. She pulled herself up but wobbled, over balanced, and fell back down again. She jumped back to her feet, giving me a look that plainly said; I'm okay, you didn't just see me slip over, and I can therefore walk by myself. I rolled my eyes, and she glared at me, taking my legs out from underneath me for my disbelieving look. It would've worked if I wasn't still holding her hand, so she fell down with me. We both hit the floor; Max on top of my chest and my back resting on the tiles. We looked at each other's faces for a few seconds and laughed quietly; although Max stopped because of her 'head injury' (that appeared to be real), as she put her hand up to her temple. Suspicious...
She got off of me and stood up, treading on something, that cracked against the tiled floor underneath her foot. I hoisted myself into a crouched position and picked up two small objects beneath Max's lifted foot. I stood up with them in the palm of my hand. Max looked down at them and asked;
"What the hell is that?" I frowned;
"No idea they look like ear glass plugs, but more permanent..." I looked at Max to see her turning slightly paler, and frowned deeper still. What the hell was going with her? That was when I saw a trickle of dry blood;
"Max! You've had blood coming out of your ears, what happened to 'I'm completely fine'?" It was her turn to frown, as she lifted a hand to each ear then inspected the remnants of her dried blood on it. She shrugged and said;
"Oh that's happens sometimes, my...um...skin just gets really dry and cracks." I knew she was lying, but couldn't press her about it anymore, as she picked up more then half of the cokes. I helped her carry the rest of them back upstairs, still unsure what had just happened...
We didn't go back to practicing after that; and just ended up talking. Well the others did; as you may have guessed, I'm not a chatty guy. I couldn't help keeping an eye on Max my mind playing around with questions. What would she do if we told her? What's going on that she won't tell me about? What happened down in the kitchen and why is she lying to me about it?
All of them danced around the back of my head, none with any answers and all a little worrying. But the most confusing question of all dominated my thoughts, and I wasn't sure I had any means of answering it; did I still considered Max as my 'bestie' (Nudge - *faceplam*), or was I now starting to think of her as something more?...
Random fact of my week;
Venus is the only planet that rotates clockwise.
I thing someone completely random *cough*Maximum Ride*cough* once said; 'See? I'm fun and educational.'
Fly on
M
