A.N. I know I haven't uploaded anything to this website in over five months, and I really have no excuse. I am just a truly terrible person. Well, that may be a bit self-depricating, but you get the gist. To all of my readers who are still with me, I very much appreciate you. To those who aren't following this story anymore, well... first of all, I suppose you're not reading this, and secondly, I don't blame you. It's really frustrating when someone doesn't update with efficiency... I get that. Anyways, this chapter is kind of long for me, so I'm feeling good about it! If you're still reading, I would appreciate a review!
Alrighty! Songs for this chapter!
Painting Flowers - All Time Low
Empty - The Click Five
Pictures of You - The Last Goodnight
Something to Believe In - Parachute
"You're taking this surprisingly well," admitted the orange sprite. I wondered what he considered a bad reaction, as I was currently hyperventilating and cowering in the corner of my bed. I liked to think that I was fairly adaptable, what with Kevin as my brother and all, but this was absolutely insane!
"So, Finn is it?" He nodded his little head, and I made a conscious effort to calm myself. "I didn't hit my head that hard, did I?" He made a negative grunt.
"Well at least she's sentient," he mused, dropping onto my kitchen table gracefully. The fact that Finn was no longer flying certainly alleviated my panic a great deal, and I was able to drag myself to the edge of the bed to sit down. While not entirely sure my sanity wasn't completely unhinged, I decided to try and have a rational conversation with him.
"Why can you fly?" I asked, accusation coloring my voice. Finn looked at me like I was mentally challenged. I wasn't about to disagree with him at the moment.
"I have wings." I studied the little creature, wondering if he had seriously just said that, before I burst out laughing.
"Well, duh!" I giggled, his expression becoming annoyed. "What I meant was, how is that even possible. I mean…" I struggled to find words that could express what I meant, but I came up with nothing. I shrugged, and Finn just sighed.
"You mean how could a being outside of your dreams possibly have wings?" he supplied lamely. I nodded.
"And also be so small!" I added. His eyes flared angrily, and I swore he was going to slap me.
"I'm not that small!" he cried indignantly. I held out my hands to placate his temper.
"Sorry, it's just…" I didn't have time to finish my though, because just then the door slammed open. "Kevin!" I shrieked, jumping up and throwing myself onto the table in front of Finn in an awkward motion. I winced as my hip slammed into the table, but gritted my teeth to smile for Kevin's scrutiny.
"Don't worry," said Finn. My eyes followed him as he flew up higher, being obnoxiously visible. "Other humans can't see me." I sighed, and returned my gaze to Kevin.
"Uh, Finn?" I hissed, gesturing wildly at my wide-eyed sibling. His little eyes bugged out as he saw where I was pointing. "I think Kevin can see you too." Kevin, to his credit, didn't scream like a little girl, nor did he pull a Kevin and incapacitate himself in any way. He merely pointed, and made a statement surprisingly free of expletives.
"Frickin' faerie!"
With both of us siblings staring him down Finn looked duly uncomfortable, but I figured he deserved as much for having made us so, well… uncomfortable maybe wasn't the most appropriate adjective, but it would have to suffice.
"You know, Angela, this is kind of like bringing a stray animal into the house," admonished Kevin. Go figure, my crazy elder brother had come to terms with the "frickin' faerie" much more quickly than I had. In fact, I still wasn't entirely sure I wasn't hallucinating, while Kevin was already joking around with the little guy.
"Don't equate me with a stray animal!" protested the faerie weakly, having given up on defending himself after nearly an hour of Kevin's lame jokes. Partly to halt said jokes, but mostly just to ease the angry atmosphere I decided to ask Kevin about the mysterious blue stone that Phoebe had given me in the mine.
"Hey, Kev," I asked, digging around in my rucksack until I found it. "What is this stone?" By the way his eyes suddenly grew wide I wondered what the rock was worth.
"That's rare ore, sis," he informed me, taking the stone gingerly from my grasp and examining it in the light.
"So?" I asked, holding my breath. If this thing was actually worth something substantial it could be the final push that Kevin needed to upgrade his home. A hesitant smile graced his face, and I knew I would give Kevin that stone, no matter if he protested. It was worth it to see him smile like that.
"Here," he said, holding the glinting rock towards me. I shook my head, closing his hand around it. He started to protest but I interrupted him.
"I want you to expand your house so that when I move out there will be room for Maya," I said, watching as Kevin's gleeful expression sank. I threw my arms up in exasperation, vaguely aware that Finn was watching our exchange, fascinated.
"Ang…"
"Don't you 'Ang' me!" I shouted, jabbing him in the chest with my finger. "What happened between you two?" My voice softened, breaking a little as I spoke. "If a couple as happy as you two can be separated by something that I'm sure is just trivial nonsense, then what about the rest of us?" I asked, grabbing his free hand between my own. Kevin sighed, then met my gaze.
"I told her I needed to provide for my sister right now," he finally admitted. "And don't you dare tell me your sorry!" he snapped, effectively shutting my mouth. His gaze slid sorrowfully to the side. "She was okay with it. She really was," he assured me. "But…"
"But what?" I probed after a prolonged silence. Kevin sighed, dropping his head to stare at his feet.
"I couldn't stand seeing her and not being able to hold her," he finally admitted. "It's too painful to see her, so I just… don't."
I shook my head, standing on shaky legs. Kevin reached for me, but I moved away, avoiding his hurt expression. Strengthening my resolve, I turned to my corner of the little house and closed up the chest, stuffing a wad of bills into my pocket.
"Angie?" Kevin's voice was reminiscent of his younger self, and I knew absolutely that I was making the right choice.
"Kevin, I want you to go to Maya right now and make things right," I demanded.
"But where are you going?" he asked, sounding panicked all of a sudden. I turned around and forced a smile for him.
"I can't leech off my big brother when he has another woman who needs him more," I said reasonably, eyes pleading with him to understand. "I'm going to stay at the inn until I can save enough to buy myself a house."
"But I like having you here all the time!" he argued. I shrugged, trying desperately not to cry.
"I'll stop by," I promised, finally relenting and giving him a hug. "After all, who else is going to take care of Hailey?" I felt Kevin laughing softly, a far cry from his usual obnoxious laughter. "And who else am I going to gossip like an old lady with?" I asked softly, smiling softly at my brother. He nodded, then leaned down and kissed the top of my head. I pulled away and pointed at the door.
"Now go!" I said sharply, breaking the melancholy mood. "She's waiting." He nodded quickly and ran out, sparing me one final glance before heading quickly for town. I sighed, leaning against the doorframe until I could no longer see him.
"So," Finn said hesitantly. "Can I come live with you?" I jumped, having forgotten about him.
"Of course!" I grinned, finally accepting that he was not a figment of my imagination. "It'll be less lonely with a faerie to live with!" I exclaimed, grabbing my meager belongings and starting my trek towards Flute Fields. I had sort of told a white lie to Kevin. I didn't have the money to stay at the inn for an extended period of time. I had to gamble, and hope that Renee and her family would take me in if I promised to work for them.
"M' not a faerie," Finn grumbled crossly, trailing behind me with his arms crossed over his miniscule chest.
I know the last review I received was five months ago, but I still want to thank all of my reviewers for the last chapter (albeit, belatedly.)
Extra super special thanks to...
Joy Beth - I appreciate your criticism. It helps me to become better. I was trying to convey the idea that there's a fine line between love and hate, but I don't know how well I did that now that I look back. Maybe I'll rewrite something later! :)
ShadyMango123
iChocoLove
Priestess15 - your review actually gave me sudden inspiration for a major point of the plot. I'm pretty sure I know how this story will work out now! Thanks!
Rabid Cream Puffs - As always, I appreciate your loyalty and consistent reviews. I'm so sorry that I didn't update sooner. :(
Hanaakarii - I really do appreciate the push to update. I felt guilty all the time thinking about this review and others that say to update, and I honestly might not have been compelled to update without this weighing on my mind. Thanks so much!
shadowwolf64 - I'm glad you enjoy this
Darka Moon - I'm sorry the answer to your review is "a long time."
OrangeIztehNewBlack - If you've indeed made an account in the months since I last posted anything, I hope you've enjoyed it and will continue to post such nice reviews to stories you read. It's really more inspirational than you know.