Because of Ari

Chapter 4

Tired of trying, sick of crying. Yeah, I'm smiling, but inside I'm dying

The next day, I got up, went to school, told this girl I knew named Shadow every detail of how Joe asked me out, and went home and didn't study or do any homework at all. Pretty normal, but the Flock could tell I was moping. However, I was feeling generous, or else I would've dislpayed my mopiness way more openly.

The days went by, and my hopes of Fang asking me to Prom (even though he knew I was already going with someone else, and, you know, me hating Prom and everything) dwinded as the days until that grand, fateful day fastly approached. Although I must say Angel did her best to convince Fang to do something. Honestly, it's not her fault that what she has to deal with on the other hand is me, though. So I guess I shouldn't have expected anything. Not that I did. No. Of course not.

Always so sarcastic. Is that your only speed, Max?

You know, you should really stop doing that. When I'm old and 30 and you do that, better prepare yourself for a whoopin' or me having a myocardial infarction.

When did you start using such big words?

When I had that dream I killed you, then murdered you, then slaughtered you just because you're absolutely so much fun to deal with. And don't worry, it's not gonna last long. You know me.

What are y -

Ooh, you're actually gonna leave me along for once when I want you to.

Silence.

Voice?

Voice? Anyone in there? What happened?! Why did you stop, you never stop!

Okay, I'm not going to lie to you, dear reader, I was scared. This had never before happened, and it's probably not a good change. Cuz, face it, for me, change is rarely good.

Angel, who was screening my brain for anything weird, came running into my bedroom, yelling, "Max, calm down, Max!" over and over again. Iggy chose this time to spill gook all over me, and then fell on me, muttering something about new clothes. Total decided that now was the perfect time to lament that me freaking out reminded him of Akila's perfect fur and how much he missed her, so he started howling and yapping and crying and moaning and complaining (so today was completely normal for Total). All of this proving that Murphy's Law applies very much to me.

"Shut up! Everyone quiet! NOW!" aaaand everyone froze, some people in very odd positions. At least it got their attention.

"The Voice has stopped talking," I said in my most seriouos voice ever. Which is why I was surprised everyone started laughing, including Gazzy, Nudge, and Fang, who I didn't even see come in my room to begin with. Now I could imagine this happening if I didn't sound serious, but I did. So yeah.

"This is serious! I think this means something! Something important!"

"She might be right," said Fang. Ha, when was I ever wrong? I swear, I don't know why these people question me sometimes.

"Of COURSE I'm right. Besides, it's my Voice. I should know when something's wrong with it."

"Does it tie in with Ari?" Fang asked darkly, his eyes black stone.

I though about it before I answered. "I think that it might be too much of a coincidence to have happened so close together."

"What does THAT mean?!" Nudge spoke.

Again with the thinking! Strategy thinking in a fight, no problem. THIS=huge headache. "It's somehow connected. It has to be. I just have to figure out why, stop tons of new bad stuff from happening, get Ari out of the hands of the White Coats without giving myself away to them." I thought about this for a moment, "Yeah, not too bad."

Iggy's POV

Ranting, raving, freaking out, planning, bad, bad, bad, bad, bad. This was starting to get to me. Not that I was really paying attention at this point. Nope. I was planning my evil genius plan. So far, it wasn't working.

Max was pacing back and forth, waving her hands at some unknown invisible person. Several times I had tried to place the bug and tracer in a place where it wouldn't get lost or fall of. The results were this: nada. Just a persistent me.

"Max, I bought you this sweater. Will you wear it for always?" Max looked at me like I was crazy.

"Dude, that's my sweater," she said.

Hmmm... "I know! I got it for you!"

"I don't think so. I distinctly remember me finding it in a trash can somewhere in Canada," she felt my forehead in confusion, "Are you sick?"

"No!" I yelled in exasperation. Why couldn't she just cooperate for once?! Damn, I had to waste one good bug.

"Max!" I yelled, even louder the first time.

"WHAT?!"

"I think I can see the grain of your jacket! Come closer!" this had better work. I was beginning to sound insane.

"FANG!" Max yelled. Fang appeared out of nowhere. Even I didn't hear him coming.

"What?" always one syllable questions and answers.

"I think you should watch Iggy more carefully. He's starting to freak me out," despite me being blind, I could tell she was inspecting me carefully. I groaned.

One. Last. Chance.

"MAX!!!!" I shrieked, and threw my arms (which was concealing the device) around her with all my might. I pretended to sob.

"No! No! Why would you do it? Don't you LOVE me? Say it ain't so, Sam! Please! Why?! Why?!?! WHY?!?!?!" I threw the biggest acting gig in my entire life. All the while I was sobbing uncontrollably (in a controlled way).

"Iggy, come here, man," I heard Fang say gently, grabbing me away from Max. I let go, since my mission was ACCOMPLISHED. I clung to Fang now, deciding to pull one last prank for the memories.

"Do YOU love me???? Please! Not you, too! Why is everyone but me doing this! Have they no FEELINGS?!?!?!" I sobbed even harder into his shoulder as he led me away.

"Iggy, have you been sniffing one of those bombs you like to make so much?" Max asked me concerned.

Yeah, I should be payed trillions for my acting skills.