*Can you Fly?*

"Max, please listen, this is very importing…"

I looked up with childlike eyes, nipping on my bottom lip. My mommy's voice was so stern, usually her voice put me at peace, but this was a new voice. I don't think I like it too much.

"Yes, mommy?"

My mommy squatted, so she was eye level with me, placing both hands on my shoulders. "I know you think your wings are cool. And they are…but you have to promise me, to never, ever show them to anyone but me. Can you promise me that?"

Confused, I asked. "Why can't I?"

She dragged her thumb across my cheekbone, saying sadly. "Because people are afraid of things they just don't understand. I don't want you to be taken from me," tighten her grip on my shoulders, she said fiercely, "Promise me."

"Yes, I promise," I whispered.

I blinked the memory away, that day was so long ago, only a few days after I and my mother ran away from my father Jeb. The day was an emotional one, and I've never thought much about it, but it came zapping back to me, as every pair of eye stared at me, unblinking. I broke my promise. I had not meant to, but I did. I clenched and unclenched my fists. Nervously I glanced at Fang. His jaw was clenched tightly, a muscle below his eye twitching. I know this was just as hard for him, as it is for me.

Fang, for so many years had to keep the same secret as me. Afraid of, stinting rejection, or to be laughed at, even of being experimented on all over again. I loved him too much to ask him to come clean also. So I turned to the gaping group. "I…" I blew out a breath, the words chocked in my throat. Forcing it out, I said "yes, I have wings."

The group sill looked at me shocked, at a loss of what to say. I don't blame them. If I was so lucky to have the roles reversed, standing as one of them, listening to this. I would also have no clue as to what to say, what is there to say anyways?

"How…?" Emily asked confusion bright in her eyes.

"Um…maybe we should sit..,." I said wearily.

The still, quit group shifted. A few minutes later we were all perched on the logs rounding the left over fire, from last night. Clearing my throat, I said "I was born with my wings."

"But how is that possible?" Zach asked, pinching his eyebrows together. "That can't be possible."

"It is. My father Jeb was a scientist. His whole life was about his experiments. He was sick of the same things, and wanted something bigger that nobody thought before, so he thought outside of the box. 98% human and…2% bird…"

"How…did he do this?" Iggy asked quietly.

"He created some drug he pumped into a poor female, after getting her pregnant."

"Sick." Joyce said in disgust.

I nodded, agreeing. "He had met my mother, and buttered her up, dated her, drowned her in gifts, and his 'love'. So when he asked, she was against it at first, but she loved him, and did agree, she had me shortly after, the two did tied the knot, but not out of love, more out of something the two thought was right."

"Then what happened?" Angel asked quietly.

I looked down, "he experimented on me. My mom hated it, all of it. Unlike my dad, she loves me, and couldn't bear to watch any longer, we ran."

"And, your dad?" Lissa asked.

I shrugged, "we don't talk anymore. My mom won't allow it, but really he's never tried much, he did contact me before I left for this trip however, that was the first time he's called in years."

Which was odd, my mom cut all contact with him, he never tried to get custody of me witch was also wired, but then maybe, he was too busy with Fang, or some other things. I have no clue how my dad's mind worked.

"Your dad called." That got my head to jerk up, eyes crazy. My mom was sitting casually at the table.

"What?" I breathed.

"A few days ago," she said, abstinent-mindedly tracing the cup of her coffee cup with a pinky. I looked down at my half eating pancake, not hungry anymore.

A few days ago, she had hid that importation information for a few days. Sure, I've been mad about this upcoming camping trip I had no desire to endure. But this was huge. I haven't had contact with my dad for so long, since I was seven, there have been a few times he's 'checked' up one me, but that's all.

"Why are you telling me this now?" I asked, getting worked up.

"I didn't know how to tell you," she whispered, "but if I let you go to that camping trip for a whole week without you knowing. It would of eating me up. I had to tell you. "

I licked my lips; my mouth feeling parched all of sudden "what did he want?"

"I-I don't know," she said, her head hung low.

"Can we see your wings?" Sam asked. I blinked, the memory flying away.

"Sam." Nudge hissed.

"What, you can't tell me you don't want to see them too?" he hissed back.

"Well…no, just…"

"It's okay." I crocked, standing up.

"Max you don't have to." Joy said.

I shook my head. Hey, they already know, why not go the long mile, right? I fingered the end of my t-shirt. I had a tank top underneath, and so it was no big deal. "It's fine." I muttered, tugging the shirt up and over my head. I balled the fabric in my hands, slowly turning around, unfurling the white wings. I stood stiff, as I felt so many eyes pressed into them.

"Holy cow." Someone breathed.

I shiver, felling almost naked. Until strong arms wrapped around my body, brushing against my wings, they fluttered excitedly, loving the feeling of Fang also. "You did good." He breathed in my ear. I looked up at him, offering a small smile.

"Thank you."

He kissed the side of my neck, and then said. "Now it's my turn."

My eyes widen, "What? No!" I wrenched out of his arms, spinning to look at him fully in the face, "Fang, you don't have too."

"I do." He said, cupping my shoulders, "You were so brave, putting yourself out there. I want to do this, for you."

"But…Fang, you've kept this a secret for so long…" I said quietly.

Fang smiled, a tiny smile, one that had my heart beating into overdrive. He leaned close, kissing the side of my lips, "I want to do this,"

Fang turned around then to face everyone. "I have something to tell you, or…show you." Everyone looked curious. Fang looked behind over his shoulder at me, and winked, before discarding his black t-shirt. His midnight black wings lined his spin, but then he unfurled them slowly. His wings were bigger than mine, colored a purplish-black, breathtaking.

Mouths dropped open. Joyce looked the most shocked, because the two have been friends for a long time. "What…when?" Joyce asked.

"I was born with them too." Fang mutter,

I walked over to him, and laced our hands together, giving him a boost of confidence.

"I…Max's dad did this to me. He is not my dad, but my mom got knocked up at a young age, the rest is foggy, but I know Jeb tricked her, and pumped that 'drug' Max was telling you about into her, he took me from her when I was born."

He took a steady breath "I grew up in this place called a school, it was like a lab. He experimented on me. Until one of the lady scientist took pity on me, and stole me in the middle of the night. I've been living with her and her son since then."

"I'm sorry I never told you." He said to Joyce.

Joyce crossed his arm, looking down. "You could of told me." he said quietly.

"I know,"

Joyce was silent for a bit, finally he said. "Don't keep something that big from me again, okay?"

Fang smiled, promising "I won't"

The rest was quit however, I watched them wearily. Joyce seemed okay with this, but how about the rest? Fang was thinking the same thing, because he pulled me tight against him, ready for anything.

Then, "Can you fly?"

The group burst out laughing at Iggy's eager question. I knew then, everything was going to be okay. They all accepted us for who we really are. In the beginning of this camping trip we all were all enemies, but now we were a close knitted group.

And that made me smile.

Holy cow…finally it's out of the bag, and everyone knows! So what do you think….I can't believe this is almost over, only a few chapters left…

But, please, please review and tell me your thoughts.

Thank you!