That night
Ella and Max were in bed, but not sleeping. It's just one of those things about sharing a room with someone your own age, some nights you just want to talk.
"So, you were helping Iggy with a song?"
"Yeah, how'd y'know?"
"I'm a snoop, er, a super spy." The girls giggled into their pillows. "What surprises me is that he let you help him. He's a really closed kind of guy. He really doesn't like getting help, he's … independent or he wants to be."
"Max, you know about Iggy, right?"
"Uh-huh, I know a lot about him."
"Can I ask some questions?"
"Shoot, sister."
"When did he become blind, and how?"
Max bit her lip. "He hasn't told you?"
"No, he acts as if he is completely normal, he avoids the topic. I just want to know, I'm curious."
"Well, you know about the …" Max lowered her voice, "tschool, right?"
"Yeah, the really bad place where they did experiments on people and were planning on cutting the world population down by, like, over half. It's where you got your wings, and met up with the flock."
"Yeah, well, the white coats, the mad scientist guys at the school, they tried to give Iggy advanced night vision. They basically burned his eyes out by messing up laser surgery. He was, like, five."
There was a silence.
"So that's what happened… I guess I understand why you guys hate the white coats so much."
"Can we stop talking about the school and white coats? I really hate talking about that stuff. It makes me feel sick."
"Sure … has Iggy ever had a girlfriend?"
"Ooh, someone like Iggy, I knew it! And no he hasn't."
"Stop it, you're making me blush. I might be interested, but if I am, it's none of your business. I know you can't see me, but I'm sticking out my tongue.
"Ha! Very mature. I'm sticking mine back."
"Speaking of liking boys, what's going on with you Fang? You two got a little something something or what?"
Max sighed. "Nada to tell. If he wanted to make a move, I'm here, but thus far… no soap." Max deftly changed the subject, ignoring her conscience telling her about the cave incident. "Still talking about liking boys, have you noticed that nudge has been, like, gone more often? You don't think she's got someone, do you?"
"Ooh, maybe… hmmmm. I hope she's happy, no matter what she's been doing. So, what are you doing for the party? Like, what song, and do you need any help with the choreography? I'm good at that stuff."
"I'm doing something by Cascada. I have no idea what I'm going to do for choreography. I didn't think about it. Do you have any suggestions?"
"In this tired state of mind, no. Just think about it, and let me help in the morning. Oh, and start with something you're already good with, don't try to learn a whole routine in 24 hours."
"Hey! Don't fall asleep yet! What are you doing for the party? What song?"
Ella yawned, "Something by A Teens, and I'm doing lots of choreography. I'm helping Iggy with dancing too. You guys are so lucky. With wings, you have a whole other dimension to work with."
Max tried to muffle her laughter into a pillow. "Iggy? Dancing? What's next, Fang asked for some tips?" Max had to nearly smother herself to keep her laughter quiet.
"Actually, he did."
Max's laughter died in her throat. "He did? What kind of tips? What kind of dancing? Emo/screamo head banging stuff, ballroom dancing, or what? Spill girl!"
"I believe his exact words were something like 'how to not look like an idiot just standing there with a micro phone, little movement stuff. He wants to not look awkward, but says that the lyrics are important, and doesn't want them to be upstaged by dancing.' Something like that."
"Since when are lyrics important in a screamo song? Usually you can't even tell that the words are from all the roaring."
"Well, that's what he asked. Don't grill the messenger. Are you going to sleep? I need to rest, teaching Iggy to dance took a lot out of me, and practicing as well…man, I'm surprised I'm not in a coma by now, from sheer exhaustion."
"You can go to sleep, but I'm antsy. I'm gonna practice my num-chucks."
Ella sat up. "That's it. Give me the num-chucks for a minute. Turn on your bed side lamp; this one shines into the hallway." With the light from Max's side of the room, she got up and rummaged through her closet. "I know I still have some, where are they… here!"
She took Max's num-chucks, and covered them in green balloons.
"What? How is this going to help me with dancing?"
"Just turn out the light and do what it is that you do with num-chucks."
The light was turned out, and all that could be seen were two glowing green sticks of light.
"Glow in the dark balloons." Said Ella proudly, "Twirl them, or what ever you're supposed to do.
The orbs of light swayed, and then swung to become little circles. Max snaked them around herself while spinning them, making it look like her body was being slowly covered in layer of light.
"Wow," breathed Ella, "it's amazing. I'm a genius."
Max put down the num-chucks.
"Thanks. Will that do for dancing?"
"It should. Can I get some sleep now?"
"Whatever, I think I'll go for a quick fight. I'll be back in a few." Max said, sticking the num-chucks in her pocket of her pajama pants.