Chapter 20: Hurt

Fang was pissed.

But he had an image to maintain, so when he touched down back at camp, he was all but composed. The only things that gave away his anger were the way he snapped his wings shut, and the slight clench of his jaw.

How could she not want him?

He wasn't conceited, but he knew he was good-looking. He had been friendly enough to her, even slightly affectionate.

So what was the problem?

\/

[Earlier...

Max had been on watch when Skye had flown away. She had seen Fang hesitate, and then follow her.

Now, Max knew she had to stay and keep watch over the little ones and Iggy.
She knew she had a job to do.
She knew that she was the leader and that if she set a bad example, she would never live it down.
She knew---Awww screw it.
Max silently leapt into the sky after her two friends.

What was Fang doing?

She saw two shapes in the distance, falling.
She gasped, what if there was something wrong?!
Max flew faster, debating on whether she should use her hypersonic speed, but decided against it.
Besides, she was already above the clearing where she saw her two flock-mates fall. She checked the ground and tree-tops for bodies, but found none. 'Well, that's a relief...' she thought, scanning the tree line for Skye and Fang.
She saw them near a tree, and opened her mouth to call for them, to see if they were okay.

Her words stuck in her throat, however, as she peered closer.

They were kissing.

Fang had Skye against a tree, in the middle of a full-on make-out. Skye teasingly moved away, but Fang pulled her back, resuming his work.

Max kinda forgot to breathe.

She forced herself into hypersonic speed before she could see more. Tears streamed down her face. God. She was SO stupid. She had thought that maybe; just maybe, things had changed between her and Fang that day they had escaped Itex, as they shared a warm coke, laughing hysterically.
But no, yet again, she was second best. First the Red-Haired Wonder, now Skye?!
Oh God, Skye.
Was this some sort of sick joke?! Max had made it pretty clear to Skye that she was in love with Fang. They had stayed up a couple nights before. talking about guys and could-be-crushes. Skye had even brought up the fact that Max and Fang would be a great couple! Sure, Max had said a bunch of things along the lines of , "yeah...right..." and such, but she had been beat-red.

She was betting Skye and Fang were laughing at her right now.

-+-

When Max had calmed down a bit, she stopped to get her bearings. She was currently flying over a small town. Not many lights were on, save a McDonalds restaurant on the outskirts. She dropped down nearby the fast-food joint, and took out a few dollars. She ended up buying a McFlurry. Her stomach was empty, but images of Fang and Skye kept flashing repeatedly behind her eyes, making her feel like she needed an extremely large dose of Pepto Bismol.

She finished the McFlurry as she walked down the town's "Main Street", dropping the empty cup into one of the numerous trash cans. She shoved her hands in her pockets, and only then did she allow the flow of tears to begin again.