Merry Christmas!
After we went inside one day, I sat down and started unlacing my heavy boots. The others came in shortly after me, Max bringing up the rear. She came up to me and, apparently having read my latest blog entry, teased, "Fang… alator?" with an undertone of bitterness.
I knew why-- most of the entry had been dedicated to Brigid. Yeah, it was over the top, but it had to be-- she knew I had been onto her, and I had to make her believe that her attempts to cover up the kiss were working. Still, Max pushing me away and getting jealous at the same time was getting old.
You know what I was so sick of?
Women.
"You're just mad because I wrote about Brigid," I said as I finished unlacing my boot and started pulling it off.
Her jaw dropped, and I half expected her to snap her fingers and go Oh no you didn't. But instead she protested, "I am not! I don't even read your blog! You can write about whoever you want!"
Usually, at this point I would shrug and brush past her, but her and Brigid and heck, even the freaking Red-Haired Wonder was getting to be too much. "You can't have it both ways, Max. You blow me off every chance you get, but then you get mad if I talk to someone else."
"I do n--" she started, then stopped, realization dawning on her face. A pretty blush came to her cheeks, and she huffed. "You say that like it's a bad thing," she blurted, trying to make this into a joke, but we were in too deep for that.
I stood up, now both my boots on the floor beside me. "I said that we would never split up again," I told her. A panicked look crossed her face, which actually kind of hurt. Did she really think I would break my promise to her for anything? "And I meant it. We have to keep the flock together to survive. But you might want to think about cutting me a break now and then."
I looked at her long and hard, and a solitary tear rolled down her cheek. We didn't want our relationship to be like this. Neither of us did. There was plenty of blame to go around-- me rushing things… I raised my hand, intending to wipe that tear away… but also her being stupid about it. I dropped my hand back to my side with this last thought, and from the look on her face, her heart was breaking in two.
Feeling horrible about it, yet for some reason doing it anyway, I turned to go.
Then footsteps were pounding from the other side of the room, and I looked back to see Gazzy running over to us.
"I can't find Angel anywhere," he got out between pants.
"Maybe she's just out flying," Max suggested.
"She would have told someone," Gazzy said. "Total's gone too. Maybe they went walking or something, but it's getting bad out there-- listen to that wind."
I cocked my head, listening, and suddenly heard it howling, pressing against the station on all sides. Max was looking panicked, and then Michael-- my gut still churned when I saw him-- came in. "Is Akila in here, by any chance? Last I saw, she was outside with Total and Angel, but that was an hour ago. Have they checked in with you?"
That confirmed it. Max's eyes met mine, worried, scared, and determined. I walked back over to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder while I waited for her instructions.
"Get the others," she said. "Tell them to dress warm."
I hope everyone enjoys their holiday! Reviews would be present enough for me! : D
