I was blushing like crazy - what had I done? We were family, we weren't friends, I was the mother, I had to take care of everyone - but then again, I was fourteen for God's sake. I'm not a mother - I'm just a kid! I shouldn't be playing mother... should I?
Well, the whole reason I feel like this is because I'm sitting here, with Fang looking at me like I was some kind of idiot (and hey, maybe I was - but that's not really the point). I knew that in a few seconds he'd scowl at me and call me stupid, questioning why the hell I just did that.
Did what you're probably thinking...? Well, me and Fang were not-blood-related family - we were practically brother and sister. And now? How 'bout... 'not anymore'. I just kissed him, not really a proper kiss though, but we were linked by the lips for a couple of seconds, if you get what I mean. There was still silence... Nudge looks like she's bursting to ask a million questions in 0.1 seconds. Fast talker - really, she is.
I closed my eyes and covered my face with my hands. "Sorry..." I muttered, my voice muffled from my hands. There was another long, long, L-O-N-G (and I mean it) silence. Fang was probably still in the same position, just looking at Gazzy or Nudge in complete utter disbelief.
This is the thing, OK... I kissed him, because it felt right (the voice did NOT tell me too, honest...). God, it was so damn right I actually kissed him until I realised he was in pain. He seemed to have forgotten too - faker.
"What's going on?" a voice squeaked - Angel was back, water in a little bucket she and Gazzy had bought (and hadn't used yet) to make little sandcastles like Iggy. There was still total silence, I couldn't believe this, they were practically torturing me with this long, boring (and embarrassing) silence.
They were kinda obviously expecting me to answer that question. Even though I couldn't see a thing with my hands covering my face. I didn't know what do say - should I just say 'me and Fang kissed - how stupid does that make me?' or should I lie? I chose the second one, because I'm funny like that...
I removed my hands from my face and realised that everyone was looking at me, waiting for an answer (does that make me physic? I think not). "Nothing, Angel, nothing, but give Fang his water."
Angel answered instantly. "You're lying."
"I am not," I scowled. "Don't you know it's rude to read people's minds, Angel? Why don't you learn how to respect people's privacy and leave me alone!" That was pretty harsh, obviously, and I'd never lashed out at Angel like that before, ever. She looked at me, shocked, and so did everyone else. I got so annoyed with everyone, I jumped up off the rock, and slammed a gun I managed to steal off an Eraser on the floor, and ran towards the cave - tears forming in my eyes.
WHY did everyone else treat me like an idiot! I didn't turn back, I could bare to look at anyone... I slammed my head on a rock, pain shooting through me. I clutched my head, moaning. Maybe I was stupid... maybe they all had a point, all I wanted to do was be alone for a minute, staring at my converse, hoping the bright pinkness would inspire me to do something smart and something everyone else would respect.
They do respect you Max, everyone in the flock loves you for a different reason - you might not realise it, but Fang does too, so does Iggy, even if they don't show it. Chin up, remember that Angel is only young, she'll learn not to read people's minds and stay out of everyone's business. Your still young too, you have to be strong. What you did wasn't stupid, you took a risk, and you've proved that you aren't always that predictable - they thought they could read you like a book, but they can't. Remember that.
Oh hell no. They voice was back. Some people get cool mind-reading powers, like Angel, some people get to be the best at making bombs and lighting fires. And, hey, Fang can read me like a book all the time. That one must have shocked him a lot. But some people (a.k.a: ME!) get these stupid, annoying voices in their heads that go 'blah, blah, blah' constantly. Damn.
I can remember everything in the past, I have a good memory like that. Wow, go and brag Max - but, no, really I do. Mainly, I remember Angel, Gazzy and me playing together, watching Iggy making bombs, but most importantly, arguing with Fang.
Ha-ha, arguing with Fang, breaking bones, suffering a lot of pain, and verbal abuse. It was funny now, we actually get on. Remind me to thank Angel later for getting kidnapped by Erasers and nearly being killed. I better not forget…
"Max…" a slightly sad voice called.
Oh God! Could I ever be alone? Iggy stepped forward. I knew Fang would send him, he knew that I could trust Iggy because he couldn't read my facial expressions, couldn't read my mind or see me.
"What?" I snapped. I didn't care if Iggy was taken aback, I looked into his white eyes, and suddenly the weirdest thing happened.
Iggy originally had blue eyes – these beautiful blue eyes. It was such a shame to see him come back to his cage one day telling us he couldn't see out of his left eye. The next day, his vision went completely.
He hadn't cried in four years, he never cries, I've never seen him cry. But now he was crying, and somehow it cleared his vision…
I don't know how… but his white eyes suddenly turned blue, it was pale, but he could see. He looked around and a gasp escaped his lips.
"Iggy?" I questioned in a low voice. "Iggy, how many fingers am I holding up?" I asked him. When he'd told us he was totally blind, we didn't believe him, we thought it would clear in time, and every day we'd ask him how many fingers we were holding up.
"Four," he told me, squinting. "I-I-I can see!" He was so happy, I was happy too; I almost forgot Fang, Nudge, Gazzy and Angel were outside, just waiting for me to come out with Iggy.
I would have given anything to see Iggy happy again. And he was happy now… I flung my arms around him, and when I let go of him I started to cry too.
Next thing I know, Nudge is at the mouth of the cage, staring at Iggy. "Your- your eyes, they're blue!"
"I can see!" he grinned.