This is the kinda. Please don't hate me.
I don't own Maximum Ride. Damn, still no wings. I'll keep trying.
I was jostled out of my dream quickly, and without warning. One second I was kissing Iggy under the moon by the pine tree outside my window and the next I was sitting bolt upright as Nudge crashed through my bedroom door a very excited look on her face. In my opinion, she looked far too happy this early in the morning.
"Odd, Odd, Odd." my name came out of her mouth several times, it slipped together in her haste so that I had trouble distinguishing just what she was saying.
I dropped back down in bed now that any hint of danger dissipated. Pulling the over back over my head I tried to will myself back into the dream -trying to start back where I had left off but it was useless. The dream was already starting to slip through the cracks of my memory like sand through fingers.
I scowled from under my comforter, sulking like a child who doesn't get what they want. It was like someone was dangling what I wanted most right in front of my face but no matter how fast I moved to catch it I could never grasp it.
"Odd." Nudge sang my name and I growled in frustration.
"What do you want Nudge?"
"Well we were wondering -and when I say we I mean me, Angel, Gazzy, and Leader- would take us to the movies. Max said it was fine if you took us since Fang didn't want to go -I think he wanted to say with Max- and Iggy going to the movies is sort of redundant. I mean, really he can't drive. So will you take us? Please, pretty please with sugar and rainbows and puppies and cherries on top?"
"When?" I croaked out.
"Two hours. I thought you might want to get ready and have breakfast. Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, Odd, you're the best!"
I didn't want to explain to her that I hadn't said yes. Guilt welled up against my rib cage at the thought.
"Sure, fine, whatever." I rolled over poking a hand out form under the covers to wave her off. She gave a little excited squeal of sorts and ran out. I didn't hear the door close behind her. I peaked out of my comforter cocoon and, sure enough, it was wide open.
Weighing the pros and cons of closing it sloshed groggily through my mind. I decided that I was far too warm and far too comfortable to bother getting my lazy butt up and shutting it. Instead I wished for some magic wind to come through and close it.
When the wind didn't come -not that I thought it would, I'm not completely crazy- I thought about my dream some more. I could only remember some things. The dark sky with the moon, jumping off the roof, straddling Iggy, and of course kissing Iggy -one does not kiss Ig, even in a dream, and forget that. It had all seemed so real, like I could reach out and touch it. Secretly, I wanted it to be real.
As I reluctantly slid out of bed -tugging my shirt down in the process- I wondered if his lips were really as warm as they had been in my dream - or, if I would ever feel them again. I doubted it.
Glancing at my clock I noticed it was later than I suspected. Ten-ish already. Had I really slept that long?
I stretched my wing muscles and they felt strong, but one could never be sure. Maybe I should go up on the roof tonight and try to fly -like in my dream. Maybe it could come true. Shaking my head I headed out into the hall and down towards the kitchen. I rubbed my eyes with the heel of my hand to wake them up. Back in the days when Leader and I were running I would never have done that, I would have woken up instantly, alert and ready for a fight.
Sometimes change is a good thing.
But others… well, I wasn't so sure.
After a long, hot shower I headed to get some food. No one was it the kitchen, from my guess they were all crowded in the living room. I clamored through the cupboards until I found something to eat. With my box of Twinkies in hand I hopped up on the counter, even though I know Max hates it when I do it. I then proceeded to stuff my face.
It helped the knot in me chest… a little.
I was finishing the last Twinkie when he came in. I heard him coming, feet skimming across the carpet and then across tile. He stood there and smiled at me a little, I didn't smile back. It wasn't his fault, I knew that… but still.
God I wanted it to be real. I wanted to hop down off the counter, grab him by his shirt collar, and smash his lips to mine. The lips in question looked as soft and as warm as they had been in my dream, making the effort to stay on the counter even harder. I gripped the edge tightly knowing if I let go the shit would hit the fan.
I didn't want to have to clean up the mess. So, I stayed on the counter.
"Morning." he said leaning against the fridge, just a few feet from me. He seemed oblivious to my inner conflict.
I thought it was fitting that the 'morning' had the word 'morn' in it.. I would much rather be asleep.
"Hey." even I noticed how off I sounded.
Concern flashed across his face and he took another step towards me. "What's the matter?"
I'm falling in love with you. It was on the tip of my tongue but I shoved it back.
"I'm tired." I was. I was tired of not telling him. I was tired of falling -I wanted to fly.
"Don't lie." his milky eyes narrowed.
"I'm not." my voice was serious, even angry.
"Then tell me what's really the matter. You've been acting weird since the grocery store." He was angry, his teeth clenched tight.
"Maybe I'm just weird." I snapped, irritated by the fact that he didn't believe me -and that he was right.
"Why are you acting like this?" his voice was raised.
"Like what Iggy?" I instinctively raised mine to match his. I wasn't even thinking anymore.
He flinched at how I said his name and I instantly felt bad.
There was a long pause.
"I'm sorry." I whispered it, ashamed at myself. But it was too late, the damage was done.
