MAX
"I was eleven when mine grew out." I said as I sat next to the two boys in just my light blue tank top and jeans.
"Twelve here." Iggy offered.
"Mine came when I was thirteen. Max and I figured they grew in around puberty. If there were, you know, others." Ari was suddenly much warmer towards Iggy. I'm sure, even with all his popularity and social skills, he still felt lonely among others. I mean, we used to be the only two bird kids around town.
What if there were more?
"Ari and I have been hiding them ever since I accidentally walked in on him in the bathroom and I saw his wings. Not even our parents know." I added.
"Oh, you two are related to your parents?" Iggy asked, perking up. This information was obviously new to him.
"Aren't you?" Ari asked slowly.
"Nope. I was adopted when I was four, almost five. I'm just glad I'm not the only bird kid anymore."Iggy said honestly. I'd never been completely alone, thanks to Ari, but I still felt Iggy's words wholeheartedly.
"You two know what this means right?" Ari began, excitedly. "There could be others just like us."
"Don't get your hopes up Ari." I shot him down.
"Well, it's a relief to know I'm not a complete freak of nature." Iggy laughed.
"We always thought that wings were genetic, since we're related." I began.
"Therefore, not complete freaks." Ari butted in. I gave him another look, which he pointedly ignored.
"Can't really come to a scientifically sound conclusion with only three bird kids." Iggy mused aloud, "But I could care less how I got my wings. I wouldn't give them up for all the Klondike bars in the world. Flying is the most amazing feeling." He finished.
Ari and I exchanged glances again.
"Uh, we don't—know how to fly."
Iggy's jaw literally dropped.
"You've tried before though, right?" His voice sounded almost strained.
I shook my head. "We've spent a large chunk of our lives pretending they didn't exist."
"Huh," Iggy reasoned, "Well, I guess I'll have to teach you guys then." He said bluntly as he gazed up at the sky.
I caught a strange look from Ari, but I couldn't quite decipher it before it was gone.
MAX
Two weeks later
Sunday
The three of us were on the roof of a an abandoned parking garage, right on the edge. I looked over and felt my stomach quiver at the sight. I'm not scared of heights but this definitely made me nervous.
Screw it.
I threw my wings open and hurled myself over the edge. I felt the wind catch in my primary and secondary feathers. I pushed down with my wings and felt myself rise up, higher and higher. It was really a lot of work trying to lug my weight around in the air, even though I'm abnormally light. Compare me to another girl with the same body shape and I'll be fifteen pounds less easily. Honestly, I think I would be fifteen more cause of the honking wings, but noo.
I forgot to flap for a moment and felt myself plummet towards the concrete. I quickly made up for the lost height and tentatively let my left arm and leg hang as I dipped my left wing down a little. I turned in a wide half circle and made my way back to the roof.
Landing is the worst. I splayed out my arms and legs for the most air resistance and let some air through my feathers. Iggy taught us that we could move our feathers closer and farther apart to control our altitude. Who knew? Birds are crazy.
I landed hard and had to run halfway across the building to avoid face planting. Ari snickered and I rolled my eyes.
"Let's see you do better." I challenged.
Ari is much farther behind in flying than me. Believe it or not, I'm seriously kicking butt for a bird kid beginner. Iggy says if I keep it up I'll catch up to him eventually. He's being sarcastic obviously.
"Alright." Ari retorted confidently as he turned and jumped off the edge, quickly falling below our lines of sight.
Ari suddenly rocketed up into sight and into the sky, turning through the air, somersaulting, and tucking his wings in for the grand finale. He free fell until he was yards above us, then Ari flung his wings open, landing crouched. He smirked at me and folded in his a little.
"Ari has been practicing a little on the sides." Iggy leaned over and offered to me.
"No shit." I muttered under my breath, crossing my arms.
Monday
Max. He's here.
I could think of something gloomier to wake up to.
My alarm clock was blaring country music—my second alarm which I only have on in case I sleep in. I find certain country extremely irritating, no offence kids. I quickly took a sip of water from the glass on my bedside table and started getting ready for school. Downstairs, Ari handed me a slice of buttered bread and a glass of orange juice when I reached the kitchen.
"Chop chop Max." He urged.
I nodded and stuffed the bread into my mouth, chugging the juice. I followed Ari out the door as I scrambled for my bag and shuffled my shoes on. I climbed into the backseat and took a huff of relief once the car started to move. We were on time.
I haven't told anyone about my recurring dreams…yet. I figured it was nothing when they first started, until a few weeks in the dreams started to creep me out. Before it was like an intercom announcement playing on loop in my head, but now the dream had changed…really changed. Last night's dream had been clearer than all the others, without the horrible echos and headaches.
Now I'm just unsure. Should I be worried or not? Is this a real warning or my subconscious trying to scare the crackers out of me?
I was sitting in English class, twirling a pencil and gazing out the second story window. Mr. Rivera was ranting on about something something sub-textual meaning something and I was literally bored beyond my mind.
The classroom door's knob turned and the door opened to reveal a girl whom I had never seen before. She walked up to Mr. Rivera and asked his something quietly. She had bouncy blonde hair that was curled to perfection and was wearing a peach colored strapless dress with clunky black boots. Interesting... choice.
Mr. Rivera suddenly turned pale and shot up, nearly knocking his chair back. Mr. Rivera pointed to the door.
"Leave my classroom and this campus now!" He yelled.
The class went dead silent.
The Stranger ignored him and turned towards the rest of us.
"I'm looking for Max." She said coldly.
The class turned to look at me, giving away my position. The Stranger began walking towards me and I felt my stomach flip flop.
"Everyone get out of the classroom now!" Mr. Rivera yelled, scaring the other's out of their stupor.
The Stranger lunged for me and I quickly kicked my desk over, knocking her to the side. Someone screamed and the kids started swarming out the door. I beat the rush and promptly started sprinted down the hallway. Stranger danger was right behind me. At first, I was trying to make my way to Ari's class but the Stranger was seriously starting to gain on me, so now I was just trying to stay away from her.
I wondered if I had enough time to turn and get in a defensive stance. I could definitely take this chick out if she was unarmed. Ten years of full-contact martial arts does that. But this girl was fast! I decided to keep running, but I wasn't going to make it to the stairs in time. I took a quick left and ran down the empty hall, my every footstep echoing. I lost her... for now. I was about to throw myself out of an open window when I felt someone grab my hair, painfully yanking me to the ground. What the?
A arm wrapped around my waist, hoisting me up and bringing me close.
"We're going to make you regret the day you were born." Someone's voice hissed in my ear.