CHAPTER 23
Max POV
Flying from Arizona to Virginia takes forever! We made a few stops for food along the way and made it somewhere over Kentucky, just outside of Virginia.
"Yo," Fang said from above me.
I was speechless when I glanced up at him. The sun light shining behind him left him as a silhouette. A dark, mysterious silhouette. It was an amazing sight. I could only make out minor details of his face, like his dark eyes that seemed to look puzzled for some reason.
"Maybe because you're staring at him funny," Angel giggled in the midst of my thoughts.
What did she hear? What did I say? Oh no.
"It's not what you think, Angel," I thought back quickly. "Now, please, stay out of my thoughts."
She didn't say anything after that, but Fang did.
"What do you think we have to do over here?" he asked.
"I don't know," I replied with a shrug. "The voice never said."
He gave me a nod and stared straight ahead of him, as if in deep thought.
Maybe I should take some time to think like that. Ha! If I had the time.
"Max," Gazzy whined. "Can we get some food?"
And that would be one of the many reasons why…
Fang POV
"Yo," I said, shifting so I was flying above Max so our wings beat in sync.
She looked up at me, but didn't speak. A faint smile crossed her lips, though, I wasn't sure that she was fully aware that she did. Then, her expression switched to surprised.
"What do you think we have to do over here?" I asked, breaking her out of her trance.
"I don't know. The voice never said," she said as she shrugged.
I nodded and looked back up. I don't know how Max put up with a voice in her head. I decided to take a chance at reading her emotions, and, surprisingly, it worked. She was a little stressed, frustrated, and very thoughtful. It also seemed like there was a longing for something, overpowering everything.
Then, there was hunger. Wait. That wasn't Max.
"Max," the Gasman said in a pleading voice. "Can we get some food?"
Max laughed softly, mostly to herself, and replied, "We're almost there. We'll land soon, fuel up, and head to that school, fully energized. Okay?"
Max POV
You should all rest overnight before going to the school, the voice stated.
"Are you going to tell me why?" I asked harshly in my head.
All in due time, Maximum, the voice replied calmly.
"No! Now!" I shout out loud.
I groaned in frustration while five heads turned in my direction.
"What is it, Max?" Nudge asked.
"The voice," I sighed and rubbed my temples. "It wants us to stay somewhere tonight and go in tomorrow."
"And that's bad?" she asked. "Because I think resting overnight could help. Since, you know, we've been flying all day, we could use a good rest. Oh! We should stay at a hotel that serves continental breakfast! That would be so…"
"Nudge, please! Ears!" Iggy interjected.
She smiled sheepishly, and I laughed, "Thanks, Ig!"
"Why do we have to wait until tomorrow?" Fang asked curiously.
"Voice wouldn't tell me. Hence, the random shouting," I said.
The side of his mouth quirked in a smile, which, in turn, made me smile. And blush.
Quickly looking away, I said, "Look out for a place to eat, everyone."
"On it!" Iggy called over the wind.
I rolled my eyes as I replied, "You know what I meant."
Fang POV
I didn't miss that blush on Max's cheeks before she turned away. That only made me smile more.
"Ooh! Let's go there," Angel cheered, pointing to a little fast food place.
"Alright. Is that cool with everyone?" Max asked.
Everyone agreed, and we began our arced descent into the woods. I landed first, then, the Gasman, Angel, Nudge, Iggy, and, finally, Max.
The Gasman grabbed Iggy's hand and began running out of the trees. Angel and Nudge laughed as they took off after them. Max and I laughed, not bothering to chase them.
When we came to the restaurant, the others were already inside, scanning the menu.
"Max, how much can we get?" Angel asked her excitedly.
"Whatever you want, sweetheart," Max grinned.
We stood there for a moment, deciding what to order, when someone else spoke up.
"Max?"
I knew that voice. I only wish it wasn't his voice.
Sam.