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Chapter 12: My name is Max
Iggy PoV
Dear God, if you exist and have any mercy towards birdkids, who don't believe in you since we were born in test tubes, please kill me right this damn moment. Max blushed pink, but stared right at me, expecting an answer. Why me? Why now? Why must she look at me with those big caramel eyes? (Not chocolate Fang!)
"Wa- why do you wanna know?" I ask dejectedly. She blushed brightly, and looked away with tormented eyes.
"Be-because the first time we met, he k-kissed me. But now, he seems to hate me for some reason. I want to go talk to those kids. But that F-fang, scares me for some reason," She lowered her head and began to mumbled. Her fingers interlaced mine, and held on tighter, like I was her life line. I repeat, so damn strong! "Every time I try to remember him, my heart feels like its burning. It-it really hurts. Who is he to me?" She whispers with quiet eyes.
Don't look at her eyes, no matter what Iggy don't look. Be a man and don't look. Oh shit, she's gonna cry. Okay don't panic- too late panicking.
"Max," I mumble. I don't really have choice do I. She needs to know. I love Max, and I want her to myself. But I love Fang too. Minus the period when he acted like a douche when Lissa was around, Fang is my best friend. The things I couldn't tell the Gazzer, I had Fang for. We were both growing men, and we needed someone to talk about . . . things with.
I don't want to be the one to tell Max why she doesn't remember anything. I don't want her to hate Fang for what happened. Not that I know exactly what happened. According to Angel, it had been established that it was ENTIRELY Lissa's fault and not Fang's. Since the dude's innocent, I really don't wanna ruin his impression to Max. The last thing I'd want is for Max to hate him.
I really do care for Fang. That's why I have his back no matter what. Now that he ain't being controlled by some witch with B, I trust the dude's judgment. Even if I didn't like the way he acted around Max an hour ago. Can't say I blame him either, he only wanted Max to realize she was hurtin the flock. Course, if it were me I woulda been more subtle about it.
"I guess I could tell you a little bit about it," I mumble. I took comfort in the fact that there were warm hands wrapped around mine. I was thankful she waited for me to get my thoughts together. Had it been the old Max, she might have yelled at me for thinking, or been in shock.
"Fang's your best friend, and right wing man. You trusted him more than anyone," More than me, I added mentally. "And later, he was your boyfriend."
"My boyfriend-" She drawled, as if the words were foreign to her. She looked to me for an explanation. A tinge of curiosity and excitement in her eyes, but more noticeably was a blush, painted across her cheeks. My unoccupied fingers started twitching as my face heated up.
"Y-yeah, the dude was head over wings for you since you were seven. You also started favoring Fang around the same time. But you didn't get together till much later," I stumbled over my own words trying to explain. This is so not cool. Since when do I, Iggy the great, suck at talking? I swear if I had the chance, I'd rival Nudge at a talk off.
"What happened between us?" She slowly questioned barely above a whisper. Her face was really red now and she looked absolutely beautiful. I swallowed the jealous venom in my mouth. I'd never cause her to blush like that.
"You should probably," I pause trying to sort my own words "-ask Fang," I whisper. She heard me anyway, being a birdkid and all. Max nodded awkwardly, and seemed to drop the subject.
"So you ready to meet the others?"
"Don't you mean reunite?" She said with a cute smile.
# # # # # # # # #
Max Pov
I let Iggy drag me down stairs. The closer we reached the foot of the stairs, the more I cowered behind his large lanky back. I was so busy staring at his pale blue t-shirt I didn't even realize it when we reached the bottom of the stairs. The "Flock" didn't notice me immediately. They were sitting at a dinner table, picking at their food more than eating it. It was the same thing Iggy made me. I smile; he really is a wonderful cook.
"Hey guys, look whose here," Iggy says, announcing our presence. The kids all jump at the sound of Iggy's voice and scramble out of their seats, and rush to where the two of us stood. A small black puppy followed them. The ones called Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel stood three feet away from us. I cowered even further behind Iggy. He laughed at me.
I was afraid. I wanted to apologize to them, I really did. But they must hate me for the way I was earlier. Before I realized my body started shaking a little. Without meaning too, I looked for the one named Fang. He was nowhere in sight. The little blonde haired children, Angel and Gazzy, I believe, offered me a tiny smile. The mocha haired girl looked at me with eyes full of concern.
"H-hey, Max," Gazzy began. Iggy nudged me forward. I peeked out, and offered him a small wave, and a tiny smile. It was all I could muster. Gazzy seemed to take this as a good sign, because a wide smile stretched across his face. He placed his arms behind his golden sun blond hair, and leaned back into an easier stance.
"Can we start over Max?" A soft angelic voice asks. It was Angel; she tugged my hand as she asked. A smile began to spread across my face, and I nodded at the small seven years old. I was beginning to understand why 'I' would name her Angel.
"I-I'm Nudge. And I chose my own name around the time that I was nine. You know me for being Chatter Box Nudge, or the Nudge channel. I like sweets, and anything Iggy cooks. I like clothes. And I like fighting and debating with Iggy," Nudge said in an almost hushed tone with a smile on her pretty lips. I liked Nudge, she was very pretty, and she seemed nice when she smiled like that. I nod.
"Me next! I'm the Gasman. Iggy gave me that name cuz I was a gaseous baby. I like being called Gazzy though. But you can call me G," Gazzy said with boastful grin. Iggy laughed mockingly at Gazzy and flicked his forehead. "Ouch, thanks Iggy. Anyway, I like blowing thin- I mean I like blowing fireworks and stuff up with Iggy. I also like to eat. Oh and Angel is my real sister," He concludes with a grin. I offer another small smile. Next to speak is Angel; she walks forward with the small black dog in her arms.
"I'm Angel, and you named me Max. I like cute things, and I have a major sweet tooth. I love my flock and my brother Gazzy. I love you the most Max because you always took care of me. And I . . .and I . . .I missed you," She whispers. Tears began rolling down Angel's cheeks and her smile instantly vanished. My heart clenched at the sight of the girls tears. She dropped the small dog, and held onto Nudge, burying her head into her stomach. Nudge smiled at me apologetically and held onto Angel.
I glanced at Iggy, he looked very confused, but also sympathetic towards Angel. I wanted to ask if this was normal for her, but that didn't seem to be the case. I had to say something. I don't want to see her cry anymore. Angel, being the shortest of the bird kids, I sat before her on my knees, and placed a hand on her shoulder. She finally peeked at me with her red teary eyes. I muster a small smile.
"M-my name is Maximum Ride. I-I like sweet things too. My s-sister Bridget taught me how to p-play the p-piano, and I p-play a little guitar. I also l-like to sing. And . . . I don't remember anything beyond six months ago." I try to tell her. But then I stared at my feet in shame. I could hardly speak without stuttering; my cheeks heated up at my embarrassment. I glanced at the bird kids, they still seemed a little reluctant to get close to me. "I-I'm sorry. I'm sorry I called you m-monsters . . . I didn- I'm sorry," I apologize as sincerely as I could muster the courage to look these children in the eyes. They were smiling at me. I was already forgiven.
Angel and Gazzy lunged at me. All thought my senses were hyper alert like theirs, I was taken by surprise and stumbled into the carpet. Angel and Gazzy both wrapped their arms around me. I looked to Iggy for help. He just grinned and placed a reassuring hand on my head. I smiled at the two precious children in my arms, and hug them back tightly. Their head rested by my neck, and both of their corn silk hair tickled my chin.
"T-that tickles," I giggled and eased away from them. I imagine that I look like a goof ball with bright red cheeks to them. For some reason, I wished I was as pretty as Nudge at the moment. Angel and Gazzy pulled away and laughed with me. As I stood up, I was attacked with another more subtle hug. This one was from Nudge. It was more like an embrace.
"I'm so happy you're back Max. I don't care what Fang says. You'll always be the same Maximum Ride to me," She whispered. I nodded into her hair and hugged her back. Thank you, Nudge, I thought to myself.
"Since when we're you so mature Nudge?" Iggy asks completely bewildered. Nudge pulled away and gave Iggy a playfully sour look. I giggle at the two.
"I've always been this way! You've just been too busy thinking about Ma-" Iggy cut Nudge off by placing a hand over her mouth, one arm was wrapped around her waist.
"Can it Nudge!" He exclaimed. I noticed Iggy's face was extremely red. Angel snickered at Iggy and Nudge, and Gazzy looked at him like he was crazy. I frowned, what was Nudge trying to say?
"Too busy thinking about what?" A solemn voice came from the living room. Shivers rolled down my back and looked around to match a face to the deep voice. I found the man, Fang, leaning casually against a couch, arms crossed, watching our little interaction. For some reason, I blushed brightly and hid behind Nudge. I wrapped my arms around my torso; my heart was beginning to ache again.
"F-fang? How long you been there man?" Iggy stuttered, still holding Nudge closely. Nudge struggled in Iggy's grasp, but stopped when she saw Fang. She then looked at me with sympathetic eyes.
"Thinking about what?" Fang repeated his question. I tried to peek at Fang's face. He didn't look angry. His eyes even seemed a little softer . . . he was completely different then he was an hour ago. I shuddered again, and this time shrunk back in fear.
"Oh you know . . . food a-and stuff, Ahahaha," Iggy laughed awkwardly, he looked like he was looking for a distraction. He glanced at me, and then Fang. "Hey shouldn't introduce yourself to Maxie here?" I gasped and ducked further behind Nudge at the mention of my name.
"Hello my name is Fang. I am an emotionless bag of bricks. Max will you marry me?" His deep voice sounded. This time I chock on the air I was inhaling and I blush brightly. My head started spinning in circles. Fang's voice was coming from Gazzy's mouth! Fang's eyebrows twitched angrily. He pulled Gazzy and into a strangling head lock.
"Ahh sorry, sorry, truce!" Gazzy screamed. Fang chuckled and let the boy go. He then told Iggy to let Nudge go as well. Iggy blushed when he saw that he was still holding Nudge. All the while, I kept telling my erratic heartbeat to calm down. What if he could hear me?
"So . . . who wants more cake?" Iggy suddenly announced after everyone silent. The silence was then broken of course; everyone began scrambling towards the kitchen for the last piece. Fang, Nudge, and I were the last left in the living room. Nudge wrapped her hand around mine, and with a gentle smile, urged me to the kitchen. The last time I saw Fang, he still had a cold hard look in his eyes.
Why do I ache for his forgiveness?
I'm so sorry my fans and readers, but Eggy (Iggy and Ella duh) will NOT be a part of this story. Ella was only a place holder in this story, I just needed her character and Max's mom to help move this story forward.
But I do promise a happy ending, so please continue to read and support my story!
P.S I got tons of romance planned for the next chapter! Watch as both Fang and Iggy fight for our shy little Maxie's attention!
P.P.S Sorry for not given Total any face time, he'll be back and in FULL Diva mode next chapter ;-)
~kiki1607 out . . .