Disclaimer- All characters that aren't in the books belong to me. All the ones that are belong to James Patterson.
Just as a warning- My updating times are little out of wack. I'm usually not allowed to use the computer during the week (due to punishment of former crimes and evil parents). So I'll write as much as I can during the weekend. Hopefully I can update once a week. Hopefully. Message me with suggestions, critique, or anything else you feel may benefit the story.
Iggy POV
After we all got of the bus, I hooked my forefinger into Max's shoulder strap on her messenger bag. She shrugged away, forgetting it was me and I was suddenly lost. I strained my ears, trying to hear for any familiar footsteps, but found none. There had to be hundreds of people around me pouring into the school.
"You're blind right? Never been here before either I suppose. Follow me." I felt Kacey Kazer lightly tug the tail of my shirt and I followed her up some steps and into the school. She pulled me flush against the wall away from the flow of students next to her and whispered in my ear. "What do you have first?" I muttered my answer, not wanting the attention she was giving me.
"Tenth grade math." I felt her straining up to hear me. I was 6'3 annd she hardly reached my shoulder. "Oh, me too." She giggled slightly and I just then fully noticed her laugh. It was light and feathery, but it had depth. Strange. I never heard anybody laugh like that before.
She grasped my shirt again and walked down two doors, entering the one right next to the corner. "Here we are. The name is Kacey Kazer." She grasped my hand and shook it once, letting it drop. "Iggy. I suppose you could say my last name is Martinez."
She let out a laugh again, louder this time. "Martinez? You're one of the vet's new adopted kids? I guess you must hate me from all the things little miss Ella mutters about me." The words were abrasive, but I heard no challenge or conflict in her tone. I shook my head and smiled slightly. What a awkward speaking pattern she has.
"Not really..." I said it quietly, knowing she would hear. If she heard Ella earlier, she could hear me now.
I hesitantly sat down next to her in the classroom. It was a relatively small desk, and fit two people, side by side. Judging by the silence around us, we were relatively early. I judged that we were closer to the back, but not all the way. On the left side of the classroom, near the windows. Hm. she let me have the window seat.
I heard her exhale lightly in relaxation and turn to me in her chair. "So Iggs. Can I see your schedule for classes? Maybe we can walk together." I realized the teasing lilt to her voice and flushed. She was making fun of me being unable to get around. My heart sank slightly and I shifted so my body language was telling her no.
I felt her snatch up my backpack and I whipped towards her as I heard several pieces of paper float lightly to ther ground. "Ahhh, here it is. You know, it's sorta rude to ignore someone like that. I was asking if you wanted to be friends without being to straightforward. I mean, your girlfriend sorta ditched you there, so I figured you might like some company."
My pink face had to be scarlet at this point, and I tilted my head towards the ground. "Sorry, I thought-"
"You thought I was making fun of you being blind? Yeah, I only realized my words could miscontrued like that after I said them. Sorry." She forcefully kept her voice casual, but I could tell she felt bad and embarassed for being what could be considered as inconsiderate. "It's not my fault I forgot you're blind. Everyone is going to tell you I'm a horrid person you know."
We were silent as she read my schedule. "I won't believe them." I was saying it before I could stop myself and I heard her breath catch. "Anways Igg... Um, you have math first, then biology. After that is gym, and luckily lunch. Ohhh... you take psychology! Me too! Free study period afterwards... yay. Then creative writing. I love that class, the teacher's cool. Your last period is-" She giggled and poked my arm. "Geography."
She continued to shake with silent laughter and I felt her long hair- it had to be midback- brush against me as she leaned over to place my paper back in my backpack. I had to smile with her. "I hardly see what's so funny about a schedule Kaze." Great, I already had a nickname for her. I waited for her to correct me with her name, but she didn't mention it.
Her laughing increased in tempo and she barely managed to choke out her words. "We have the exact same schedule. Exactly!" She collapsed into giggles and leaned onto the table for support.
I still didn't quite see the humor, but her laughter was contagious. We barely had time to calm ourselves as the bell rang and students filed in. The class settled and I could feel their stares as they watched the old school outcast and the new one sit together. For some reason, I didn't really care. Well then. This is new.
Math ended and Max ran up to me. "Iggy, I am so sorry! For some reason, I forgot that we had homeroom together and followed Ella to her first class." I felt her arms wrap around me and I hugged her awkwardly back. "Max, no big. Kaz-Kacey found me. It's okay, you can't tend to me at all times." Kacey walked up and guided my hand to her belt loop. "No problemo Maxaroni. We got to get to Biology, so we'll see ya later, 'kay?"
Max nodded into my chest and whispered something rather odd into my ear. "I'll tell you what she looks like tonight." Releasing me, I heard her dangerously high heels run in the opposite direction. Biology passed without a problem and we walked to Gym together. I suddenly felt like tradition was making itself heard, and I had better get used to how annoyingly low her belt loop seemed, due to her height compared to mine.
We walked into gym, and I heard two boys walk up. They were a conversation even I couldn't hear and to be honest, it was irritating to not hear their speech other than a low hum.
Kacey's voice rang out, closer to me than I expected. During the midst of trying to hear the two boys, she had moved so she was directly infront of me, just by a few inches. "Iggy, these are my friends. Ryan Releck and Demetri. Left Ryan, right Demetri. Ryan has a deeper voice and weights a bit more, so his footsteps are more solid. He walks pretty cocky, so it's pretty signature when you hear it. Demetri Grites is uber skinny, and has a whispier sound to him. He's a little light on his feet, but not in a gay way."
I turned to where they were standing a few feet away and extending my hand. One came in from the right side and squeezed mine. Demetri. "Nice to meet you... Iggy was it?" He sounded ghostly. Creeptacular.
I nodded slightly and squeezed once, then moved my arm slightly to the left. A large, solid hand grasped mine and clamped down. I smirked as he introduced himself. He was trying to hurt me. "Yo. Name is Ryan." I squeezed back, just a bit harder than he did. I let a smile slip when I heard a slight crunch coming from his fingers.
I released him and felt his incredulous stare. "Iggy, huh? You wrestle or something?" I'm sure he was looking over my tall but extremely skinny frame. His voice was deep, and almost hurt my ears. "Nah. I just... work out. Alot." My head snapped to the side when I heard Fang's footsteps drawing near. I smiled in his direction, encouraging him to walk over.
I felt Kacey's lips by my neck suddenly, causing me to tense. "He's your brother-ish person, right?" I nodded and gulped as she wound her fingers through mine. "Okay boys, if he's a friend of Iggs, he's a friend of ours. Be nice." I tried to concentrate on something other than Kacey's head near my shoulder or her hand in mine. It was almost... comforting in a way. It didn't feel like she was all over me, it just felt nice.
Fang's stare was obvious even to me as he took in our joined hands and close posture, as well as the hulking Ryan and rather scary Demetri. When he finally stopped before us I felt he was carefully regarding my face, trying to see if he was intruding. I smiled quickly, as a cue to stick around.
"This is my brother, Fang." I said it quietly, as I knew they could hear. They could hear as good as me. They all murmered greetings, rather anti-socially. I raised an eyebrow at how introverted they were with anyone other than eachother and me. I guess I just scream freak-crowd. How... lovely for my self-esteem.
"Fang, these are my..." I trailed off, not sure what exactly what they were yet. Ryan spoke up in a flase cheery voice, the kind you would hear a preschool teacher speak in. "We're his new bestest buddies. Fwends foreba!" Kacey giggled loudly beside me and a grin stretched across my face. Great. Now Fang knew I was the epitome of the word 'freak magnet'.
Fang just let out a short laugh. "Okay bro. Have fun with that. See you at home?" His voice was happier than this morning. I guess being friends with weirdos, was better than none. No... They're not weird. Just different. Nothing's wrong with that.
The rest of the schoolday went by easily, with Ryan and Demetri in the rest of our classes. Turnes out Ryan and Kacey have been friends since birth, and Demetri joined them in sixth grade.Oh, and how's this for adaptation- I don't think I'll get used to anybody's beltloop other than Kacey's for the rest of my god given -or mad scientist given- life.
Fang POV
All throughout the last week, I saw Iggy with the same group of people. Don't get me wrong, I was happy for him and all. I was just worried about him getting attached so quickly. The body language of him and that girl Kacey... Crap. She had no shame, staring at him so adoringly. Her face was sullen even when she walked to the bathroom alone, but when Iggy was next to her, she lit up like a candle.
Ah, well. It's about time he got it on with the ladies. And she was pretty, but weirdly so. She would be beautiful if she didn't look so... off. Her eyes creeped me out. They were pale, translucent green and looked almost white in direct light. Her hair was more silver than blonde, which didn't quite compliment her pale skin. Her lips were too full for her jawline, which was extremely narrow. She always looked drawn, as if she just got over an illness.
She was skinny as well. Too skinny for my tastes. Don't even get me started on her clothes. (A/N- Me and a friend have this joke that we made up when Max said Fang was a snappy dresser in book 3. We decided he's always quite because in his mind he's running a fashion blog, critiqueing other people looks)
Speaking of beautiful, I passed Max several times. God. Seeing her unintentionally strut down the hallway with her hair up, miniskirt, and heels... Okay Fang. Mind out of the gutter. We don't want Angel walking by and hearing this. One day I really have to tell her how beautiful she looked. I don't get enough chances to compilment her without having somebody near by to tease me.
It was my very last class of the day, religious studies, and the bell rang to let all the students out. Looking around I quickly found Max and fell into stride next to her. She smiled brightly at me and communicated with that simple expression that her day had gone well. I smiled back in confirmation and she nodded knowingly.
We waited silently at the front steps of the brick building for the rest of the family. We call it the family now because now Ella and Dr. Martinez are involved. Nudge and Ella came from the building next door, linking arms and talking quietly with their heads together. I raised and eyebrow and looked at Max questioningly. "Girl talk?" She offered that explanation and I didn't answer because they stopped and stood next to us.
Gazzy suddenly burst through the doors of the elementary building, clutching Angel protectively. He sat her down, fuming angrily. "Um, Gaz. You alright?" Ella put her hand on his shoulder carefully.
"Some kid asked Angel out! Can you believe that? She's only eight. I mean- hello! Can you say creepy?" He stopped his rant and looked at the ground, teeth gritting together. I had to speak up. "Chillax bro. It's always weird for a sibling to date." Gazzy looked at me and his eyes lit up in understanding.
"You mean like how it would be weird for you if Max went on a date?" His voice radiated sincerity. I froze and fought down a blush of anger at the thought and embarassment at him making me think of that ever happening. Clenching my jaw, I nodded. "Uh, yeah. Exactly like that." He smiled and began lecturing Angel on how to avoid boys, while I looked at everything except Max.
Just as I began to worry where Iggy was, he walked through the doors of the school. Hand-in-hand with none other than Kacey Kazer, with her two bodygaurds in suit. I didn't have to turn to know the look on Ella's face.
They stopped in front of us and Iggy said goodbye to the two guys then turned to Kacey. She murmered something to quiet for us to hear, but whatever it was made Iggy go a deep red and the boys laugh. I watched in silent confusion as she ran her nose against jaw and he brushed his fingers along her collarbone. Huh? They're hardly even friends, certainly not a lovey-dovey couple.
They hesitantly let go of eachother's hands and he was his way over to us when she called out, barely loud enough to be discernable. "Hun... Do you wanna go to the movies with us tonight?" I let myself gape slightly. Hun? Movies? He's known this girl for a week. Max sighed next to me, and I looked to see a dreamy look on her face. "How sweet!" She whispered with a slight squeel. A quick glance back showed similar reactions from Nudge and Angel.
Not Ella. She looked like she was about to barf. Gasman was carefully studying the scene, trying to get pointers probably. I rolled my eyes and looked back in time to see Iggy's face brighten and nod. WHAT?!He can't even see! Why in bloody hell would he go to a movie of all places? They quickly exchanged numbers and he got Max to write down the address and directions for Kacey.
I observed that Max's hands were shaking slightly and she was smiling bigger than ever before. And it was sincere. Well, I guess that means she definately doesn't have a thing for Iggy. As both Ig and Max joined us in waiting for Dr. Martinez to pick us up, Kacey and her boys ran into the parking lot, jumping into an old black '59 Cadillac.
They had a nice car. I mean... wow. It's times like these when I wished Iggy could see, so he could appreciate the fine things in life. Like cars. It made me sad to be the only person in the family other than Nudge to appreciate a good ca- "Oh god. Is that a '59 Cadillac? Ohhh, it's so gorgeous. I wonder where they got it. I heard thy sold two of them last summer in Phoenix."
I looked at Max in amazement. She likes cars? I guess there's some I didn't know about her. "Max, since when have you been into cars?" She looked at me, then at the pavement. I hardly caught what she said, because she was talking so small. "I was cleaning you room last year and found some car magazine. It looked interesting, so I started looking it up online. It's pretty cool."
All I could manage was- "Why were you cleaning my room?" She lightly whacked my arm, just as Dr. Martinez drove up. "Sorry I'm late kids! I had to go pick up some groceries." We all nodded in understanding and climbed into the large van. Just soon as we closed all the doors and we pulled onto the street, Ella turned on Iggy furiously from the seat infront of him.
"You're going on a date with Kacey Kazer and her crew?! Iggy are you insane? As soon as the school's grapevine gets ahold of this say hello to social suicide! They're total losers. I swear to god, Kacey is disgusting. She sleeps around, is a total jerk, and not to mention the biggest FRE-" Iggy's face had been steadily growing red through Ella's speech. At first I thought he was embarassed, but I was pretty far off.
He was pissed.
"Freak?" He hissed the word with contempt, enough to make Ella flinch. "Freak. I have heard that word pass peoples lips far too many times for my comfort to be honest. You're telling me that some girl who guides a blind guy around, helps him out, introduces him to her friends, asks him to a movie, and treats him like a human is more of a freak than a mutant bird kid?"
She opened her mouth to speak, but he cut her off with a quickly increasing volume. "You're telling me that I should be more concerned about the grapevine than about someone I just so happen to have some things in commom with? You're telling me your juvenile opinions about somebody you hardly even know?!"
Before he could get another word in, Ella shrieked in frustration. "You've only known her for a week! A week Iggy! I've known her since I moved here four years ago, Iggy! I've seen her act like a slut in the hallway with other guys before. I've seen her knock some girl's lights out for no reason. I've watched her as she harassed my friends! All you know is that she held your hand, talked to you some, accepted you! Trust me, Kacey Kazer is an awful, nasty person that you do not want to be accepted by!"
Iggy leaned forward quickly, so his nose was right near hers. She winced as his eyes flashed and he scowled. "I. Don't. Care."
I never took Iggy as cruel. But just to get the point through he bared his teeth and copied Ella's whiny tone perfectly, coating it with malice and mocking. Ouch. Even Max winced a little at his tone. Ella's eye's widened and she gave a slight whimper, sinking into her seat quietly.
He leaned back calmly in his seat. "Hey mom, guess what?" Dr. Martinez's eyes widened when she realized he was talking to her. "W-What is it dear?" She spoke with obvious joy in her voice, causing me to smirk and Ella to grimace. "I'm going out with a few friends tonight. That alright with you?" She nodded vigorously, forgetting his and Ella's arguement, simply happy he's acknowledging her as a mother.
That night would forever be etched into our memories as the night that Kacey Kazer, Ryan Releck, and Demetri Grites crash landed right into our lives.
A/N- I didn't mean to make Ella evil. O.O Sorry, I just don't really care about her character and I used her lack of development in the books at my disposal. And Iggy isn't malicious, he's just pissed Ella is all 'OMG LYKE KACEY? EW GAWD UGH!' I would be annoyed to. Kacey's character will have more development than Demetri and Ryan, unless you want them to be included more. As a note- Kacey is the funky and cheery one in the group that keeps them all together, though she doesn't act all happy at school. She isn't popular because of her intimidating looks and strange dress style(which will described later) and eclectic behavior. Also- Kacey's not incredibly gorgeous. Her looks are extreme, and her features would be beautiful if they weren't paired together so dramatically. Ryan is goofy, manly, and perverted one but isn't popular because he doesn't find anybody else at school worthy of his presence(he's a bit full of himself). Demetri is just really creepy. He has a sarcastic sense of humor(if any), and only opens up when nobody but the crew is around. He's very selective with who he grants even a look, but strives to be polite except when he's angry. I was considering maybe pairing Ryan or Demetri with Nudge or Ella, or Nudge and Ella together. I don't know, I really want a crazy side pairing. Ideas?
