Chapter Eight

A YEAR LATER

We'd got used to not having Jeb around. I knew all of them still thought about him though, but they didn't show it. I was proud of them, forgetting Jeb, continuing life.

We were outside watching the Flock play when Fang asked me, "What are you thinking about?"

I didn't want to lie to him, "The Flock and …Jeb."

Fang nodded, "You're doing a great job, and you know that, right?"

"We both are," I corrected him; "I couldn't have done it without you."

Fang may act like he didn't care, but I know deep down he loved every Flock member as much as I did. I've seen him tuck Angel in, reading to her sometimes.

"We make great parents," Fang joked.

I laughed, "Yep, the world's youngest, but dang greatest mutant parents ever."

We laughed together, relaxed. When I'm with Fang, I feel as if the world, my problems, his problems –if he has any– are gone. No one, but us. But I'd never tell him that.

Why not? Angel's voice asked me.

Recently we discovered angel could read minds, just like how Gazzy can mimic peoples' voices perfectly.

Because Angel, I thought back.

Okaaaay, Angel thought.

It's a little scary, having a five-year-old mind reader. But sometimes it comes in handy.

Angel skipped off to nudge to play with whatever they were doing. Iggy and Gazzy were discussing bombs, as usual. And Fang and I were having our usual chat. Not that I mind.

"Max?" Fang asked suddenly.

"Yeah?" I answered a little taken aback.

"Remember when we made that pact to stay together?" he quietly asked. Fang seems to be quieter these days, ever since Jeb left us.

"Yeah," I answered wondering where he was going with this.

"Did you really mean it?" Fang whispered, afraid of my answer.

I don't really like talking about me feelings, ever Jeb left. I need to be the strong one for the Flock.

"Of course I meant it," I said quietly, "I never want to leave you or the Flock."

"Good," Fang nodded.

"We should get back," I said slowly getting up.

Fang helped me up, "They'll probably be hungry."

We walked back to the house.

As soon as we got back, Iggy asked us," What took you guys so long? Were you kissing in the meadows?" He said holding his hands to his heart, "oh, how romantic!" he squealed.

I whacked him on the head, "Ig, you better shut up or both of us will beat the living daylights out of you," I said carefully.

Everyone laughed. Iggy pulled his hands back in surrender.

"What's for lunch?" I asked, changing the subject.

"Frog's legs and pig's brains," Iggy said seriously. Nudge and Angel made 'ew' faces, while Gazzy laughed.

"Don't worry girls, Ig's only kidding. Well, at least I think he is," I said unsure.

"We're having hamburgers," He said placing a tower of hamburgers on front of us. Hey, we're growing bird kids; we need all the food we can get.

When we finished eating, Fang suggested we should watch a movie.

"Sure, why not?" I clapped my hands, "Everyone to the lounge room."

On my word, they bolted to the lounge room.

Fang helped me make popcorn, something he was sure I would mess up.

"Gee," I said to Fang, "I'm so touched you believe in me." Fang chuckled to himself.

"What's so funny?" I asked.

"Remember the time you tried to make toast, but the toaster blew up?"

"Yes, but in my defence, the toaster blew up, only because Iggy and Gazzy thought it would be funny to put a bomb and set it off when I decided to make toast," I pointed out.

"Yeah, Jeb got so angry, and made them do laundry for a month," Fang replied, smiling at the memory.

"I'm surprised at their never ending supply of bombs," I thought out loud.

"Hmmm," Fang said, though clearly his mind was on something else.

"Popcorn's done," I said pointing to the microwave.

We took the very extra-large bowl of popcorn to the lounge room and sat down on the couch. Everyone else was sprawled across the floor.

"What are we watching?" I asked popping a couple pieces of popcorn in my mouth.

"Um, dunno," Iggy answered uninterested. He was probably discussing bombs with Gazzy, again.

"We're watching…" Angel paused for effect, "Disney's Cinderella!"

I quietly groaned. Fang look at me giving me a look that said, I-feel-your-pain-too.

"Everyone quiet, it's starting!" Nudge said excitedly.

Around um, three seconds into the movie, Fang and I sneaked out to the kitchen.

"Where are you going?" Angel asked when we stood up.

"I think I'm gonna sit this one out," I said slowly backing away.

"Me too," Fang said quickly, grabbing my hand and running to the kitchen in the process.

"Well, we have a whole movie of free time. Whadda wanna do?" I asked Fang.

He shrugged. That boy needs to talk a little more. Just a little whittle bit.

"Let's make something, I'm starving," I said searching the cupboards. Fang handed me a box of biscuits.

"That'll do," I said sitting down. Fang sat down next to me. We ate in silence.

"What do you think we'd be doing now, it we were normal, like no wings?" Fang asked casually.

The question took me by surprise, "I don't know, but I know one thing." I yawned.

"What?" Fang asked, catching my yawn.

"You wouldn't be my best friend," I said sleepily, leaning on his shoulder.

"Yeah," Fang agreed, just as sleepy as I was.