A/N: I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! All I want for Christmas are at least five reviews... Hint. Hint. :)
Chapter 53
Thirty minutes later, we were waiting to order at a fifty's style restaurant on the outskirts of Chicago.
"This place is just too cute," Nudge stated. She pointed at a waiter and waitress punching in orders at the old-fashioned yet computerized register. "Awww. Look. She's in a poodle skirt. And he looks like Danny Zuko."
"Danny who-ko?" Gazzy asked.
"You know. Danny Zuko – from the movie Grease," Nudge exclaimed. "He's so dreamy."
Okay – now Nudge sounded like she belonged in the fifties.
Moments later our waitress skidded to a halt in front of our table. She was on roller skates and not decked out in a poodle skirt. Um. No. This one was tall and sporting a tight short red dress that exposed her midriff. And get this – she had long red hair. I quickly suppressed memories of Fang kissing the Red Haired Wonder back at the school in Virginia.
She quickly greeted us with her saccharine sweet Milwaukee accent and introduced herself as Alyssa. Great. The Red Haired Wonder from Virginia was named Lissa. Lissa. Alyssa. Quelle coinkydink. I glanced at Fang through the corner of my eye and noticed him giving her the once over. Acid began to churn in my gut.
As we placed our extremely large orders, I caught the undercurrents of Fang and Iggy's conversation – all centered around Fang's way too detailed description of our waitress. Possibly all for Iggy's benefit but Fang was enjoying it a little too much. And, as if that weren't enough, she stood just a little too close to Fang as she took his order. The wink she gave him before heading to the kitchen sealed the deal for me.
I shot up from my chair, mumbled something about having to use the bathroom, and took off toward the back corner of the restaurant. Once inside the bathroom, I pulled the stall door shut and sat on the closed seat. My hands shot up to my temples and began a quick massage.
Pull it together, Max.
I didn't know why I was letting this get to me. Fang was free to look at whomever he pleased.
Why don't you just let go?
My Voice was back – how nice.
Nice to have you back, Voice…. not.
Just go with the flow, Max. Your mom was right.
Right about what?
Right about you and Fang.
Okay. Really did not want to talk about this anymore. Especially with the Voice in my head.
The Voice almost sounded liked it sighed before it continued.
Trust your feelings, Max.
My feelings were telling me to find a brain surgeon and permanently extract my Voice.
Yet my Voice continued.
Eventually you're going to grow up – have a flock of your own. You're going to need to start exploring your relationship with Fang at some point in time.
Ewww. Okay. I really did not want to think about this. Time to change the subject.
So what's up with Itex, Voice?
I didn't really expect an answer. My Voice usually only spoke in riddles or gave me insane instructions.
I paused a moment. When I realized the Voice was not going to bestow any insight upon me, I stood up and began exiting the stall.
Itex is stronger than ever. Be on guard, Max. They are coming after you. They want you to help them with their plans.
