Blood – Chapter 4

By MyNameIsCAL

-Fang's POV-

I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing back my hair. It was just a trip to the mall and the grocery store. Max said it would be good to get out too, now that the media had forgotten about what happened already. Besides, I needed new clothes. At least until I gained more weight. And Iggy needed food to cook for when Angel and Nudge came to visit.

"Hey, are you ready, Fang?" Max stuck her head into our room. "Iggy's waiting at the door for us."

"Al-alright."

"Fang, you look fine." She came and stood next to me. "I promise, if you're not comfortable, then we'll come back home."

I let out a breath and followed her out to the car.

It was early, so the mall was just opening. Max took me around by the hand to a few shops and we picked out some clothes. I tried not to pay attention to the people we passed. They were staring at my scars, I could feel their eyes. When we had finally gotten everything, I asked Max quietly if we could not eat at the mall.

"Of course, whatever you want," she said, giving me a smile. "How about we go to the Burger Palace across from the grocery store?"

I nodded.

In the car I listened to Iggy and Max talk about this and that. It made me feel left out, even though it was my own doing. But every time I spoke, every time I had to stutter, I felt stupid, like no one would take me seriously.

At the restaurant, Max read the menu to Iggy. I stared at mine, wondering which would require me to say the least.

The waitress came over, a high school student, twisting her hair around her finger.

"What can I get you all today?" she droned.

Max ordered hers, and then Iggy.

"And you sir?" She tapped her pain impatiently.

"J-j-just a b-b-bur—"

"A burger, sir?" She cut me off. "And how would you like that cooked?"

"M-m-med—"

"Medium? Alright. Anything else?" And then under her breath, she muttered, "Fucking retard."

"I-I-I heard th-that!" I growled.

"Do you want anything else or not, sir?"

"Y-yeah I want y-you to f-f-fucking apologize!"

She frowned, putting her pen and paper down onto the table. "Look, buddy, I don't have all day to listen to you and your stutter!"

I stood, a little too fast, causing my chair to flip backwards. The manager was now rushing towards us, but I barreled past him, knocking him over.

"Hey!" I heard Iggy shout. "At least the decency to keep your mouth shut! I hope you know we're never come back again."

I slammed the door behind me, unfurling my wings.

And that was when it hit me. How long had it been since I had flew? Too long. Long enough for me not to remember a damned thing.

I pulled them back in, turning back to the restaurant. Everyone, except Iggy, Max, and the manager were staring at me. She was trying to hold Iggy back. He had his arms outstretched, reaching for the manager. He must have noticed the silence though because he stopped, and their eyes fell on me too.

Max started to drag Iggy out.

"C'mon," she said as they went through the door. "Let's go home."

"He deserves an apology!" Iggy shook Max off. "We're just going to leave?"

"The manager said he was sorry already." Max grabbed him by the arm again. "C'mon, Iggy!"

He gave in and Max took my hand, leading the two of us to the car.

I lay on the couch with Max. She knew that was all that I needed, some time to try to clear my head. We didn't say much to each other. It was just enough that she was here next to me anyway. Iggy had met up with Angel and Nudge at the grocery store instead, and they would be home in an hour or so.

"Don't you ever worry about what anyone else thinks," Max said, her hand running through my hair. "We still love you, Fang."

"I-I-I kn-know."

Angel, Nudge, and Iggy finally arrived.

"Fang!" Angel hugged me. As much as I hated all this sappy sharing of feelings, it made me feel better. She had grown so much since I had seen her last. I had to remind myself that she and Nudge weren't kids anymore.

"It's so good to see you." Nudge gave me a hug next.

"Th-Thanks f-f-for c-coming," I managed to say.

"We're glad you were up to seeing us." Angel gave me a grin.

It wasn't until Angel and Nudge were leaving that I realized I had missed them too. I had missed being together with everyone and forgetting the world for a while. Before all this, I had taken them for granted. As I lay in bed, waiting for Max to come to bed, I promised myself I wouldn't do that for any longer.

Max climbed into bed after turning off the light. She pulled my around her.

"M-Max?"

"Yes, Fang?"

"I-I l-love y-y-you."

"I love you to, Fang." She turned to face me and kissed me softly on the lips. "Goodnight."

I kissed her back and then we drifted off to sleep.

New chapter coming soon! Thanks for reading!