Author's Note: Okay first let me say that I love your reviews:) Second, the song in the last chapter was by Taylor Swift and it's called Mine. Third, the song in this chapter is You Raise Me up...its been done by a lot of people but I like the Westside and josh Groban versions the best. Fourth, I am Catholic and I don't know if other religions do funerals differently. I don't mean to sound ignorant or anything but I've only been to a Catholic funeral so that's how I'm going to write it.
And Fifth, this chapter is dedicated to my mom who died in October of last year.
Hope you like this, leave a review.
Max POV
I woke up the morning after my mother's death feeling empty. I looked around, forgetting where I was for a second. Then I realized, I was in Iggy's room. I'd crawled into his bed with him because I didn't want to be alone last night. I got out of bed and shook him gently awake.
"Hey Iggy, we have to leave for the church soon." I said. He blinked tiredly and then nodded in understanding before getting up. His eyes were void of any emotion except sadness, I'm sure mine looked the same. I hadn't cried all night, I was sad beyond tears.
"I'll see you downstairs." I told him. He nodded and I left to go check on Angel. I opened her door quietly to see my dad, already dressed for the service, holding Angel to him as she cried. He looked up as he heard me and I nodded once at him before closing the door and going to my own room. Today was Monday and we had school but I, along with my siblings, and some of my friends were skipping for the funeral.
I walked slowly over to my closet and pulled out my simple black dress and black heels. I slipped the dress over my head easily and stepped into the heels. I took a look at myself in the mirror and I barely recognized myself. The girl's face had no emotion at all. She didn't look happy, angry, or even sad, she just looked-dead.
I turned away from the mirror quickly and walked out my room. Angel was downstairs with my dad now and he was trying to get her to eat something but she refused. I sat down next to her and kissed the to of her head. Iggy came down next, looking older than 16 in black dress pants, a blue dress shirt, a black tie, and a jacket that matched the pants.
"Well, I guess we should get going." My dad said, taking a deep breath. I nodded and stood up. The drive to the church was silent but when we pulled up I saw a lot of people dressed in dark clothes walking in to the chapel.
"We'll be sitting in the front row. I'll meet you guys there, I have to make sure everything is set." My dad said before he walked away to find the funeral director. Fang came up to us then looking sad in all black dress clothes. He hugged Angel and she clung to his neck tightly before letting go. He hugged Iggy next, a real hug for once. Then he turned to me and wrapped his arms around memaking me feel better in a way only Fang could do. I laid my forehead on his shoulder and just let him hold me. I sighed hen and took a step back.
JJ came over next, wearing a black dress similar to mine. She hugged Angel as well and then wrapped her arms around me comfortingly. Then she hugged Iggy and they walked into the church together, with his arm around her shoulder, and hers around his waist. Gazzy and Nudge came over then, hugging me and then they took Angel into the church.
"Thanks for being here." I told Fang.
He nodded. "Anytime, Max." he said. Then he wrapped his arm around my shoulders and led me into the church.
"I have to go meet with the pal bearers, but I'm sitting in the row behind you, I'll see you in a few minutes." he said. I nodded. The pall bearers were the six boys who would carry the casket into the church. Fang, Dylan, and four of my cousins were the pall bearers. I saw Dylan then and he gave me a quick hug before he and Fang left.
I took a quick look into the church to see it was packed with people. I recognized some: friends from school, relatives, my mom's friends. But there was also many people I didn't recognize.
"Max." I heard from behind me. I turned around to see Sam and Lissa. I just stared at them but Lissa stepped forward looking sad.
"Max, I-I'm so sorry." she said. "The whole thing with Sam, and now your mom d-dying. I'm sorry." she said.
"It's fine Lissa, I'm over it." I said honestly. She opened her arms hesitantly and I stepped forward and hugged her slightly awkwardly. Then with a wave she walked into the church and took a seat. Now I was alone with Sam.
"Sam I have to go meet-" I started but he cut me off.
"Max, please. I -I have something to say." he said. I paused, waiting for him to continue.
"I want to apologize for everything that happened while we were going out. I was a complete bastard and I know that now. I just want you to know that we obviously weren't meant to be with each other but I want you to be happy. I've also started anger management classes, and I'm trying to change. Could we still be friends?" he asked.
I was stunned at his sincere words so I just slowly nodded. "And I'm so sorry about your mom. She was always nice to me, even though it was obvious she couldn't stand me." he said, his mouth lifting up in a half smile.
"Thanks, Sam. It means a lot." I said. With that he left to join Lissa in the church. My dad, Iggy, and Angel showed up then and music started playing from within the church. The pall bearers came around the corner, carrying the casket and I felt tears start to well up in my eyes. My mom wasn't going to be coming back.
"Ready?" my dad asked. The three of us nodded. We followed the pall bearers down the center aisle, with the priest following behind us. Fang, Dylan, and the others set the casket up front and sat in the second row. Then we turned off and went into the first. The priest continued up to the altar and the service began.
People spoke about memories of my mom, her friends, her coworkers, and her sister (my aunt). Then my dad went up and after he was done Iggy, Angel, I, and half the church were in tears. Then, it was my turn. I wiped away my tears and stood up, walking over to the microphone. I looked out at everyone and they all seemed to blend into one black blob, except for one: Fang. He was there, in the second row, his eyes giving me all the reassurance I needed. I cleared my throat and began speaking.
"My mom was someone that could be friends with everybody. If you just met her, you liked her, if you got to know her then you grew to love her. She was always kind to everybody, would never take a side without hearing both sides of the argument. It was always like that when I was growing up. If Iggy, my brother, and I got in a fight she would always be there to make us work it out.
"She was a friend, a mom, a sister, a wife, a great cook, and a great person. People wonder where I get my strength from. But now, after this past month I realized my strength and will power come from my mom. She was the strongest person I know and she will never be forgotten." I finished.
"Now, my mom told me a few days ago that she wanted me to sing at hr funeral, and who am I to deny her that. So I'm going to sing her favorite song You Raise Me Up." I said.
I walked up and over to the church's grand piano and sat down. Then I began to play, followed by the words:
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary; You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; There is no life - no life without its hunger; You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains; You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
Each restless heart beats so imperfectly;
But when you come and I am filled with wonder,
Sometimes, I think I glimpse eternity.
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
People slowly began processing out of the church, tears falling down many of their face. The as I hit the last note in the song, I was alone. I got up slowly and stood in front of the altar where my mom's casket was. It was surrounded by beautiful bouquets of flowers that my mom would have loved.
My mom wasn't coming back from this and then I finally let all my thoughts go. I allowed myself to think of how much this sucked and I sank to my knees, tears falling as I kneeled before my mother's casket. I cried there for who knows how long.
After a while I felt strong arms wrap around me and pull me into a hard chest. I cried into Fang's shirt as he stroked my arm.
"I'll take care of you, Max." he said quietly.
Fang and I went up to the reception part of the church where people were serving food and talking wth others who were at the funeral. A lady who I knew worked at the church pulled me aside.
"Max." she said smiling brightly. But I had never seen this woman without a smile on her face. I've hated her since she started working at the church and I was not in the mood to listen to her talk.
"I just wanted to let you know that I've never seen a funeral with more people who care about one person. Everyone was so happy. Your mom would have loved it." I wrenched my arm out of her grip.
"Well my mom's not here." I snarled. Before walking away and joining Fang.
"Let's go outside." I said. He nodded and followed me out, leaving the church lady, who's name is Nancy, looking offended.
Fang and I walked outside to the church garden and we sat down on the bench. I found myself thinking of what my mom had told me yesterday in the hospital and I decided now was the time. I turned to face Fang.
"Fang. I need to tell you something." I started but suddenly my back exploded in pain and I cried out.
"Max, Max what's wrong?" Fang asked worriedly. Then the pain was gone in an instant and I stretched out my back.
"Nothing, nothing, I'm fine." I said quickly.
"No Max-."
"Stop Fang, I need to talk to you." I said.
He looked at me with concern but nodded at me to continue.
"Fang I-I love you, and I have for a while. I just didn't know how or when to tell you but I think now was the right time." I said. I looked down at my feet nervously as I spoke.
Fang pulled my chin up so I was looking at him.
"I love you too, Max." he whispered. Then he leaned forward and kissed me, and I was kissing him back and just for that one moment I forgot about everything else. We broke apart and I smiled softly. With Fang by my side I could do this, I could get through this.
Three Days Later
FANG POV
I was lying on my bed, sketching a picture of Max's mom to give to Max when the pain hit me. It was worse than all the times before put together. I felt the skin on my tear open and then blood ran down my back. I wrenched my shirt off and stared in the mirror as the pain only got worse. The last thing I saw before I blacked out was two dark black things protruding from my back.
I woke up I don't know how many hours later with my back throbbing very slightly. I picked myself up off the floor where I lay and then I felt something flutter behind me. I turned around, my back facing the mirror and saw nothing. But when I turned my head and looked in the mirror what I saw almost made me pass out again. Two wings, two enormous black wings were folded into my back neatly. All the blood was gone and there was only a slight pain now.
I hesitantly tried to open them and I found I could move them just as I moved my arms and legs. The wings unfolded slowly, until they touched both sides of my room. It must have been at least a 16 foot wingspan. But how did this happen? Then I had the answer, Jeb. Back when I was 14 and he'd injected me with that shit he'd said: "A few years now.." Well now it's been a few years and I have freaking wings!
I'm a freak, max won't want me anymore. I need to run, I can't come back. Where would I go? I needed to find Jeb. I would kill him for doing this to me. I ran downstairs after throwing on a hoodie to cover my two new limbs. There was a note from my mom.
"Took Nudge and Gazzy to the movies be back later :)" I flipped it over and grabbed a pen, scribbling her a note.
"Dear Mom, I love you, Nudge, and Gazzy so much. But I have to go. If I told you why you wouldn't believe me. It's better if you don't call the police to come find me, I don' want to be found. Maybe I'll come back one day, but don't look for me. I love you. -Fang"
Then I grabbed a new sheet of paper and wrote to Max. Then I ran upstairs to my room, packed a bag of clothes and food and slipped it on my back. Now, I was going to see if these wings actually work. I went up to the attic and climbed onto the roof. I could see Max's house from here. Am I doing the right thing? Yeah, she won't want me anymore.
"I love you, Max." I whispered quietly, before I stretched out m huge wings, and jumped off the roof into the night.
Author's Note: Well things are getting interesting. Hope you liked it :)