After Christina left I met up with some friends for the more convenient weekend part of my birthday celebration. Christina, although invited, had been so excited about the clothing designs she was constructing in her head that she begged off. I wasn't one to stop her and I only felt briefly guilty about leaving Christina to do more work.

This was a more relaxing break than even my school focus had been and by morning I was feeling better. I took the chance to sleep in, run to the hardware store, and fire off a quick email to Mikey. We had only emailed a couple of times. Still, I was enjoying the communication. My original plan had actually been to get some more thought about my situation. His words had struck a chord with me and it was nice to get another perspective. And yet I found myself moving to other topics. I didn't have a real excuse. It's not like it was a real time conversation where I had to think on my feet. I had started talking about my life and my family a little more than I had intended to. Mikey was never at a loss for words, but I was noticing he was a little evasive about his own life.

It was evening when Christina came back over. I wouldn't admit it, but I was a little excited. I was filled with a wild nervous energy. When I saw the look in Christina's eyes I had a sense of apprehension, but it wasn't enough to diminish the feeling.

She wasted very little time. "So here's the clothing. And the shoes. Put them on and then we'll figure out the details." She shoved the items into my hands and gave me a hard look when I didn't move right away.

"All right, all right," I muttered. I slowly dressed, feeling just a little bit ridiculous. I carefully avoided looking in the mirror. There wasn't much to put on. I ended up in what was basically a long sleeved black leotard, black gloves, and black boots. I was beginning to see a theme here. I looked at Christina and raised an eyebrow. "Not sure if these is something I'd feel comfortable wearing in public."

"It's not done yet," Christina chided. She looped a red cloth around my waist in something that was halfway between a cape and a skirt. I clasped the wristbands and necklace that she handed me as she started playing with my hair. She tried several different styles, taking the time to twist me back and forth so she could see me at all angles, before she decided on a simple high ponytail. "Stop pouting," she said. Apparently she reading my mind and sensing that I was a little done with being her life sized doll.

"I figured out what these were," Christina continued, holding out the straps and metalwork that I had been untangling the previous day. "They attach to your shoes, see?" It was quick work to buckle them around the ankle and sole of each boot. They looked more decorative than functional. I actually couldn't even think of an actual function they could be used for, but I did admire the golden wings that now adorned my feet. The metal showed no signs of bending even though the wings looked extremely delicate.

I was feeling a little awkward and self-conscious. I did my best to push past it and made an effort to keep my arms at my sides instead of crossed protectively in front of me. After a moment of thought I decided to embrace the situation. I widened my stance, placed my hands on my hips, and set my shoulders back. I tried to look as heroic as possible, but as I tried to form a solemn expression I saw Christina's surprised look and couldn't stop my grin.

"Ok, tell it to me straight. How weird do I look right now?" I finally asked.

"You actually look kind of amazing," she said, walking in a complete circle around me. "An actual outfit will take a little more time, but this will do for now. So let's go."

I reflexively and started following her before the words registered. "Wait. What?"

Christina was already on the fire escape. "Come on. We're heading to the roof." She could still easily read my expression despite the mask I was wearing. "Listen, it's dark outside, no one's going to see you, and they wouldn't be able to recognize you anyway," she listed off, counting the reasons on her fingers as she spoke. "Hurry up!" she called back to me as she started heading up.

I buried my face in my hands for a moment before sighing and following. Christina proceeded to direct me to do a number of gymnastic stunts. "Do a cartwheel and then a backflip," she ordered.

I threw her a dirty look as she broke down in giggles. Christina was well aware that I could barely imagine a handstand on my best day.

"Sorry," she said once she finished laughing at my expense. "I just need you to do some running, twists, and jumps. It'll give me a look at the mobility and help me improve the design."

As she started taking pictures for 'references' I refrained from mentioning that the camera flash was negating the darkness and perhaps even calling extra attention to us. Standing in the same heroic stance while trying "not to look like someone had stabbed me in the leg with a fork," as Christina so lovingly put it, was getting a little old. The stretching and turning was a little more comfortable to do, even reminiscent of past PE classes. I was all warmed up by the time Christina asked me to run a couple steps and try a longer leap.

My jump was higher than I expected. My first though was of calm surprise, perhaps this was related to my feat of strength that had destroyed the window a few nights back. It probably was because it certainly wasn't normal to travel this far on a single leap. Time seemed to slow and a rush of panic and adrenaline shot through me. I was going off the roof. I doubted that even...whatever was happening with me would save me from such a high fall.

But I didn't go straight off the edge.

I continued going forward, crossing the gap swiftly. I couldn't believe it. But now a more immediate concern was coming up now. The next building was approaching. I braced myself to land.

I landed feet first, skidded slightly and then lost my balance as I tripped forward. I rested on my knees for a moment and tried to catch my breath. I then stood up shakily and brushed myself off, partially to get rid of the gravel sticking to my skin and partially to confirm that I was alright. I let out a slight hiss as I discovered some scrapes and scratches, but nothing was too bad.

I looked up to my apartment building. It was several stories above me now. There was no way that I would make it back up there. Christina's paper white face peered down at me from above.

"I'm okay!" I called, not quite managing to keep my voice from shaking. "I'm fine!" I tried again.

Christina nodded. I looked around the rooftop. There was a single door which, unsurprisingly, was locked, but no other visible way of getting off the building. With a sinking feeling I noticed that there were several nearby buildings that were at the same level of the structure I was on now.

"I have to keep going!" I yelled.

Christina nodded again, her face still pale. "Be careful!"

We'll call last chapter an extra update I guess?

I've been feeling like this has been a little description-y, but this should be the end of it. It took up a little more space than I thought it would. But I am very excited about the next chapter. You should be too~ :)

I would love to hear some feedback!

I haven't mentioned it before, but my intention for this story is for it to be lighthearted and fun. The beginning will definitely have it's share of awkwardness and silliness, but I hope you'll stick with me. :) A little while back it was going in a little darker direction, which was giving me a lot of trouble until I remembered how I had wanted this story to be from the start. (Also considering adding romance as a genre, just because that will be where it is going, after much suffering and awkwardness of course, and it's what I would look for if I was looking for a story like this. Hmmmm...)