I was lounging on the beach. Fang was beside me, looking totally hot. Nudge was building a sand castle and Angel had swum off into the ocean to do what God only knows. I think she mentioned something about dolphins. Yeah. The sun was warm and inviting, and I stretched my wings out to their full width, letting the sun warm them. Gaz and Ig were taking turns burying each other in the sand, laughing the whole time. The ocean's waters danced along the edge of the shore.
"Max?" Fang asked.
"What?"
"Want some whipped cream?" He pulled a can out from behind him.
"Oh no. No you don't. Get away from me." He started scooting toward me.
"I think you do!"
"No!" I hopped up, getting sand in my shorts in the process. "Help! Weirdo on the loose! He's got whipped cream!" Fang jumped up and grabbed my arm.
"I'm weird?"
"Yes!" I squirmed out of his grasp and leaped across the sand. He followed playfully. Gaz and Ig had now turned to watch our little love-bird-fun, and Nudge was watching too, a smile on her face. I jogged through the sand with Fang right behind me. He stuck his foot out and tripped me. I fell, getting a mouth full of sand.
He came to stand next to me, and looking down, asked, "Are you alright?"
I stood. "Yes!" I playfully whapped him with my wing and set off across the sand. Angel appeared on the shore, carrying an array of pretty seashells in her delicate hands.
"Max! Look at all of these!" I paused momentarily to look at her collection.
"Ooh, Sweetie, these are so cool!" I touched the prettiest one, a rainbow colored shell with stripes. I was about to turn around when I felt something sticky on the back of head. My hand reached around. It was none other than – yep, you guessed it – whipped cream. "Oh no. No. You did not." He smiled at me and nodded. I screamed as he lunged for me, attempting to spray me again. I bounded away, taking long strides. He followed like a faithful golden retriever. Or Scottie-dog, in our case.
Fang laughed at loud as I tripped on Gazzy's foot. He was just about to reach me when I took to the sky. I flapped my wings, my beautiful wings, and rose higher and higher into the clear air. Fang watched from the ground as I flew in circles and did flips. I actually traced the words "I love you" in the sky, but I don't know if Fang noticed.
The truth was, I really did love him. More than anything in the world. This wasn't just your average puppy-love. I loved him with every single fiber of my being, with every star in the sky. Our love was complicated, but then, hey, who's wasn't? I loved every single thing about him – the way that he tilted his head to the side when you talked, the way when he hugged you, his arms formed a protective shield around you, the way his lips curved into a perfect smile. All of those things were the things that I loved. He understood me, he was my best friend, what more could I ask for? My life was perfect. Complete with drama, romance, comedy, and a bit of randomness were mixed into my life.
I flew in a huge semi-circle and stepped gracefully onto the sand. Fang ran to me and tackled me onto the sand. We laughed and I looped his arm behind my head. I snuggled into him and sighed. My whole Flock was here. The people, or rather bird-kids, that I loved the most were here with me. They accepted me for me. I loved them and they loved me. We were living somewhere in Hawaii, with the sand, the sun, and of course, Fang. I leaned up and kissed Fang's cheek.
"I love you, Fang," I whispered. "More than my own life."
He closed his eyes and smiled. "I love you too, Max. More than anything." I closed my eyes and smiled also. Life was good. It was short, so why not take the risk? You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. You've gotta live life to the fullest, take chances, cherish your loved ones, and most importantly, cherish yourself. Enjoy yourself. Have fun, make friends, and fall in love. It's that simple.
This was the way I wanted my life to be like. My family was here, on the sunny beach of Hawaii, with me. I realized something right then. My life- however complicated it might be – would be and always was this way. Forever.