And just because you guys are so great: Another Chapter! I'm going to keep going until 9:30, but then I'm going to sleep, okay? I am TIRED! Gabe and Missy spent the night last night and we were up sooooo late! I'm freaking EXHAUSTED!
MAX
They'd finally decided on a completely different movie: The Labyrinth, with David Bowie in it. It was a major family favorite. Angel was asleep on my lap and Gazzy was nodding off next to me. Nick came in loudly. "SHHH!" I hissed.
His hardened features softened when he saw Gazzy and Angel. He sat down and pulled Gazzy into his lap. The boy cuddled up to him, snuggled into Nick's arms and going back to sleep. We watched the end of the movie (we'd only been at the Bog of Eternal Stench) without speaking. At the end we carried the kids to bed and headed to our rooms.
I nearly jumped out of my skin when Nick said, "Max?"
"Y-yeah?"
"I'm sorry."
"About?"
"I've been kind of a jerk."
"Yeah, you have."
"I miss you."
"I didn't go anywhere."
"I know," he held his head in his hand like he had a headache. "Look, I haven't talked in…I don't know how long. This whole, being someone thing, it's new to me."
"I know it is."
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay."
"No, it isn't. Listen, Max, you were so great to me and I threw it back in your face. I screwed up big time."
"Nick, it's okay."
"You call me Nick."
"Yeah, it's your name."
He shook his head. "I'm still Fang."
"Sure could have fooled me. There's a message for you on your called. I just wrote the name down." I bolted into my room before it could get worse. No, no, I've finally dealt with his betrayal. Why come back now! I'm healed! Don't hurt me again.
FANG
I walked into my room, sighing. I'd really screwed up. Estelle had made that very clear. I looked at the name and choked.
Some guy named Mick called looking for you. –Max
I started to feel dizzy. The room was spinning too fast to see. A loud thump echoed through the quiet house and the world was sideways. Then it was black.
MAX
"Nick!" I jumped up from my bed. There was a loud thump from his room a second ago. I ran in. It looked like he'd fainted. "Nick!" I shook him. No response. I slapped him hard across the cheek. He blinked up at me. "You okay?"
"Y-yeah. Yeah. What happened?" he sat up.
"I think you fainted. You okay?"
"I uh…felt a little dizzy before."
"Maybe you're coming down with something."
FANG
"Maybe you're coming down with something," Max pressed a cool hand to my forehead. "You're a little warm." Yeah, that's because I'm freaking out. "Maybe you should lie down."
"Yeah."
She pulled me to my feet and to the bed. I lay awake long after she left, hyperventilating.
Mick had found me. He was coming back.
Again.
I vowed not to speak another word about it.
Or anything.
And we're BACK to Mr. Pain-in-the-Butt-No-Talkie! Oh Joy.
And sorry if some stuff is messed up. These are "hot off the press." I finish and post immediately. I might correct later and re-post, but for now, sorry about mistakes. Please correct me if you see any. Thanks!