My friends, while discussing where to find the fruit in their house:

"We just keep the bananas and apples in a covered up in the in the fridge."

"You keep your apples covered up? I keep my apples out in the open!"

The same friend, while paying at the cash register:

"Come on, hurry up! We want to go to the bookstore."

"Hang on just a second. He's checking me out. No, that's not what I meant! He's checking out my items. NO! That's not what I meant either! Get your head out of the gutter!"

Oh, how I love my stupid, immature friends.

Chapter 3: Ashamed

The next morning, after a delicious breakfast of Ho-Ho's cooked over the fire (by the way, make sure you don't overcook them. Mine started smoking, and then all the frosting melted away and the inside turned rock solid. It was disgusting). Well anyways, after our breakfast of champions, I made an announcement. "Ok – time for a Flock meeting, guys." Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Gazzy and Nudge exchange alarmed glances – rarely did we discuss much or make any plans, rather than which we were going to hide in next – a cave or a forest. "I feel, and Fang agrees," I started, "that we aren't really getting anywhere with our search for parents and our saving the world mission. I think we deserve a little break, don't you?" I was greeted with eager nods and murmurs of consent. "I'm not really an expert at this whole relaxed and laid back thing," I said truthfully, as Iggy sniggered and Gazzy rolled his eyes. " So I need your help. What do you guys think we should do?" This time, their replies were not so quiet. Everyone shouted out their ideas, which ranged from going to Disney World (again? The first time was a disaster) to traveling to Australia to live with the kangaroos (come again?). The only one who wasn't babbling about their dream vacation was Angel, who was raising her hand with a calm expression on her face. "How about you, Ange? What do you think?"

"I think we should go on a cruise."

"Well, sweetie," I started, not knowing how to break it to her that there was no way in hell that we were going on a cruise, when I was interrupted by excited shouts and squeals of delight.

"A cruise! OMG that would be SO fun! They would have a water park and fancy meals and deluxe suites and hot boys –" I cut Nudge off before she could get any farther.

"Guys –"

"And they would have cute little shops and places to get your nails done-" Angel added.

"Guys –"

"And we could always jump of the deck and go for a fly –" Iggy put in.

"GUYS!" I cried in exasperation. "There is absolutely NO way –"

"I think it would be great."

I turned around in shock. Fang had just completely outright disagreed with me. It's not that I always have to have my way (well, actually I kind of do…), but Fang was usually on my side. He was someone who I could always trust to make a logical decision. And this was most definitely not logical.

"Fang…"

"Think about it, Max. We all agreed that we need a little bit of a break. What better way to relax than to go for a cruise? We have the money – you still have that credit card, right? There would be something for everyone. Nudge and Angel could shop, Gazzy and Iggy could swim…. And Iggy's right. Anytime we needed to stretch our wings, we could just hop of the deck and fly around. It's perfect.

"So I say we take a vote. All in favor of going on a cruise, say 'aye'."

No one said 'aye'. I looked around in relief, only to see that the rest of the Flock's mouths were hanging open in shock, after hearing Fang make such a long speech.

"All in favor say 'aye'," Fang said again, a little annoyed. This time, to my disappointment, there was a chorus of 'ayes' and 'oh yeahs'. I folded my arms.

"All opposed say 'nay'."

"Nay," I said defiantly. Nudge frowned.

"Come on, Max. It'll be so much fun!"

"Nay."

"Well, it doesn't matter anyways – majority rules. Sorry, Max," Iggy said, with a disappointing lack of sympathy. I groaned in defeat and tromped back to my little corner in the cave. A few minutes later, a little voice said in my head, Don't worry, Max. It's going to be fun! Is this the Voice, the one I talked about earlier, you may ask? No. This voice is Angel, intruding on my thoughts. Oh, right, about that – we all have special "abilities." (Although most people wouldn't say being able to encase yourself in a green bubble of fart juices is an admirable ability). Angel had the most of us all – she could breathe underwater, talk to fish, read minds, and even control them. Right now, she was once again holding one of her little conversations inside my head.

I know, Angel. It's a really nice idea. I'm just a little… worried.

About what?

About being around so many people, all day, 24/7.

It will be fine, Angel reassured me. If they notice something weird about us, I can just make them forget – remember?

Well wasn't that reassuring.

Yeah, I know, sweetie. Thanks. Why don't you, Gaz, Nudge, and Ig go for a fly? I just want to talk to Fang for a bit.

Sure, but don't be too hard on him. He's trying to make everyone happy, just like you.

Thanks, Ange. Have fun.

After they were all gone, their whooping voices lost in the wind, I cornered Fang. "I can't believe you! Think about how dangerous this is going to be! We are going to be around people all the time! Why do you have to go and make a decision like that without even considering what I think?"

"Max. You need to just calm down. Think about it. We'll be fine. We can just fly away if we ever are in a tricky situation. The kids will love it. It will give us a chance to relax. You really need to do that more often, Max," He was whispering now, much too close to my face. "Just relax, Max…" His hand smoothed my hair, and I looked down, ashamed. Just at that moment, though, Gazzy barged in.

"Come join us, guys! The air feels great! And Nudge said – wait… What are you guys doing?"

I froze. Fang's hand was still in my hair, and he pulled it away quickly. I inched away from him and smiled reassuringly at Gazzy. "Nothing, sweetie. We'll be right out." And with that, I sprinted towards the edge of the cave without a backward glance, and snapped out my wings.

. . .

The rest of the week went on in the same fashion – we ate meals, went for long flights, went down to the city every once in a while to get food and other necessities. It wasn't till Saturday that we progressed any further on our vacation idea.

"Max, come look at this," Fang said to me one evening while he was at the laptop. Crouching behind him, I saw that he had been researching cruise lines. "I found this cruise ship called the Royal Caribbean. They have over 300 ports, but I looked at the locations and saw that since we are going in early summer, a Caribbean cruise would be the best. The ship called Freedom of the Seas departs from Port Canaveral, Florida, which wouldn't be too hard to get to from here. Prices aren't too bad, as far as cruise ships go, either. They have swimming, rock-climbing, spas, and lots of other stuff that I'm sure the kids would love. What do you think?"

I took a couple of deep breaths and massaged my forehead. Then, taking a giant leap of faith, I said, "Go for it."

Fang smiled and sat down next to me against the wall of the cave. Throwing an arm loosely around my shoulders, he said quietly, "You know, the kids do really appreciate all the sacrifices you make for them." Sacrifices? You have no idea, buddy, I thought. Fang spoke again, in a gentle voice, "It must be really hard, being you."

Yeah.

I guess it is.