Thunder: Back Through the Rain-Chapter 7
By MyNameIsCAL
---Iggy's POV---
"C'mon, let's dance." Ella took my hand and dragged me onto the dance floor as the band started to play a slow song. The smooth jazz was done. She placed my arms around her and we started to shuffle around. I let her lead, it only made sense since I was blind.
And we stayed like that until the band stopped and started getting the drum set and guitars out. The magical part of the night was over and those crazy teenagers would bust out dancing. And sure, we were the same age, but everything I've been through made me feel older. I wonder if that showed.
"So, Jeff." Joe walked up to me. "How do you know Ella?"
"She's a family friend," I answered stiffly. Ella should be back any second now. She went to get us drinks.
"Oh, I see," Joe replied. "You like Ella?"
I hesitated. "She's a family friend."
"That doesn't answer the question, Jeff."
"Joe, leave the poor kid alone," I heard one of Ella's friends say. "You're making him nervous."
Sighing, Joe walked away.
"He's jealous." It's Jen, Ella's friend, talking to me again. "Ella is coming. She sent me over to rescue you."
I grinned. "Thank you."
Ella tapped my arm to tell me she was here. She opened my soda can and gave it to me. I took a few sips and we sat at a table with Jen, talking about Joe and other people. Mostly, I just listened. Listening was always easier.
---Fang's POV---
Iggy came into my room around 10:30. He seemed happy. In fact, his mood is so radiant that I forgot about the pain for a while as he sat and told about Ella and her friends. They seemed nice. Except for this one guy, Joe. He seemed like a real pest. But I'm sure Ella handled him well.
"Sounds fun," I told Iggy.
He had a smile from ear to ear. "Oh it was amazing to do that. It felt normal."
I couldn't help but smile back. "That's good."
"Well, goodnight, Fang," Iggy said.
"Night, Ig." And he was gone out the door.
---Iggy's POV---
I changed and crawled into my own bed. I'm sure Max wouldn't miss me. She was probably asleep already. And honestly, I needed time to absorb everything that happened tonight. Ella was someone I really liked. Yet, she wasn't like me. She didn't understand everything. I let out a sigh and turned to my side. It was so cold in here.
Then I remember I had spent the last week sleeping in a bed with another person. That explained a lot too.
---Max's POV---
Iggy was still very excited about last night. You couldn't make him frown even if you tried. And it made me feel a little better that he had had his fun. Ella seemed pretty happy too. Even Fang tried to sound happy. We weren't exactly talking to each other, but at least I could stand to be in the same room as him. Maybe it was because neither of us wanted to ruin Iggy or Ella's good moods.
---Fang's POV---
And suddenly Iggy's good mood annoyed me. I just wanted him to get away from me and leave me alone for a while. I just needed to be alone for a while. Yet I couldn't go anywhere. And definitely not alone. I was hurt, and in pain, and an ideal target for Itex. They were still out there and it also reminded me that eventually I'd have to stop sitting here feeling sorry for myself and help Max save the world. And I wasn't mad enough to let her lead the flock on her own. If something happened to her, it would only be my fault.
I'm walking now, using a crutch. It still hurt to put pressure on my leg. I couldn't bear the pain. But the wheelchair was too depressing for me. Using that thing made me want to throw myself out of it. I wanted to hurl it against a wall and watch it tear it down. Maybe doing that would release some of my anger, but I'm sure Mom wouldn't appreciate that the slightest bit.
---Iggy's POV---
I am sucked into Max's room again that night. And as always, she snuggled up against me. It only felt right to put an arm around her. In fact, that wasn't more than a second thought to me. That was natural. But as I lay there, listening to her breathing, I thought about Ella and I thought about Max. And I realized that I sorta enjoyed being here with Max. It wasn't so bad. My bed seemed so empty without anyone.
Then again, what the hell was I thinking?