Chapter one
I sat up in bed, panting, sweat pouring off my face. Sweet Jesus. Why was I remembering that? Not a dream, a flashback. Today wasn't a bad day.
It was Saturday, so all I'd have to do was eat breakfast, make out with Fang, and then chaperone Ella's date at the movies with that one guy. Jake. And then probably make out with Fang again. If possible. That's how most of my Saturdays went.
I sighed and rolled out of bed, padding down to the bathroom.
The lights were on under the door. I knocked twice.
"Mmf," someone muttered. I slumped against the wall next to the door until I heard a flush.
"Sup Max," Fang ran one hand through his hair as he walked out.
"Jesus Fang, walking around the house in your boxers again?" I smiled, taking a step forward and putting my hand on his bare shoulder. He rolled his eyes and bent his head down to kiss me lightly on the lips. I slid my hand down onto his chest.
That's right, Fang had a six-pack, so suck it biatches! Just kidding. I'm still Max. Angel says I just give more to Fang because I know I'll never love anyone else now.
"Love you," I blew him a kiss over my shoulder as I walked back to my room.
"You too," he called.
I glanced at the clock. Eight in the morning. On Saturday. I laid back down on the queen size bed. A year and a month ago, I'd saved my mom from Mr. Chu. And it turns out my birthday and Ella's were in the same week, so next Friday we were having a double sweet sixteen. Great.
I detoured and walked in the door across the hall. Nudge and Ella looked up at me form their game of cards.
"Hey, Max, what's up?" said Ella. I shrugged and sat down.
"Nudge, it's your turn. Nudge. Nudge," Ella repeated. Nudge's head rolled to one side. Well crap.
"Nudge!" I said loudly, shaking her by the shoulders.
"She's not expiring. We need mom in here, now. Go!" I said. Ella jumped up and ran down the hall.
"What happened?" asked my mom, kneeling down next to us.
"We have absolutely no idea," I said, "Help!"
She laid Nudge carefully down on her back and traced her body for any signs. She paused between two ribs.
"There's a little… oh, Nudge," she whispered as she turned her over slowly. I gasped, brushing her hair aside to look at the back of her neck. My mom shook her head.
"She's not expiring, Max, look."
I looked at her back. There was a small hole in her shirt between the scars that reminded us all of the day that her wings... I blinked as my mom lifted the back of her top up.
"What is that?" asked Ella, staring over our shoulders at Nudge's back.
"Oh, my god," I gasped," it's a-"
The stinging sensation between my wings lasted only a fraction of a second, and then everything was dark.
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