Lionblaze Lost the Lightning

Chapter 7: There's Something About Firestar

"Your mother is going to be so unimpressed," Dovewings dad mumbled, sounding very stressed out. He frantically started cleaning the kitchen table, shoving things to the side in a sorry attempt to make it look tidy.

"Dad, why does she always do this?" Dovewing asked, crossing her arms over her belly. "Why can't she give us at least a days' notice?"

"Your mother doesn't work that way kiddo," the dad replied hastily. "She likes to live on the spot."

"Should I leave?" Lionblaze asked, feeling awkward.

"No, stay," the dad said quickly. "She was gonna meet you sooner or later anyway."

Lionblaze fiddled with his sweater, feeling very uncomfortable at the dad's tone. He sounded strained, and Lionblaze had a feeling that he should leave despite what he said.

"I'll go," Lionblaze said at last, grabbing his coat off the coat rack. "I'll come back later."

"Text me," Dovewing smiled slightly and gave him an apologetic look.

"I will," Lionblaze walked back over to wear she was standing and kissed her. "Bye Dovewing."

"Talk to you soon," Dovewing replied. Lionblaze looked down and touched her belly, feeling happy as he felt a little kick. "Bye baby. I'll see you in four months."

He nodded at her dad and turned around, pulling on Hollyleafs raincoat. He was just reaching for the door when the doorknob started to move. He stared at it in confusion for a split second, shrieking when the door suddenly slammed open unexpectedly. A woman walked in, wearing six inch red heels and an expensive looking black dress. She looked Lionblaze up and down with a look of terrible disgust.

"Hi there," Lionblaze said kindly, trying to be polite. She didn't even glance at him, not bothering to acknowledge his greeting.

"Birchfall," the woman said in a cold voice, staring at Dovewings dad with narrowed eyes. Lionblaze forgot about how offended he was for a moment, confusion clouding in his mind. Birchfall?

He realized with a jolt that that was the dad's name. How the hell did I go this long without knowing his name? Jeez.

"Whitewing," the dad sighed and gave her a grim smile. Lionblaze struggled not to laugh. The dad looked fed up already and Whitewing hadn't even shut the door yet.

"Hi mom," Dovewing piped in. Whitewing smiled at her, looking as though it pinched her face. Lionblaze noticed how she looked Dovewing up and down too, analyzing her with the same disgusted expression on her face. This triggered a rush of irritation, and Lionblaze struggled to keep his opinion quiet. Why would you look at your own daughter like that? Do you even know how rude you are?

Dovewing, however, seemed blind to her mother's looks. "Do you want some coffee?" she asked. "Dad just made a whole pot."

"The thought itself of drinking your fathers nasty no-name brand coffee makes me want to throw up," Whitewing snapped, laughing sharply. "I don't know how you still drink that shit, Birchfall."

"Hey now," the dad said defensively. "Dovewing and I love that coffee. Just because it's the no-name brand doesn't mean it's not good."

"Disgusting," Whitewing rolled her eyes, nearly spitting the words. She pulled out her phone and started texting, completely ignoring everyone. This made something snap in Lionblaze, and he slowly started walking across the kitchen to wear the coffee pot was.

"Whatcha doing?" Dovewing asked, laughing nervously. Lionblaze didn't reply and grabbed a cup from the dish rack, feeling as though his mind was completely blank. He poured a cup of coffee and walked back over to the family, staring at Whitewing. He stopped right in front of her, not even a foot away. He waited patiently for her to look up from her phone, ignoring the awkward coughs coming from Dovewings dad.

Finally, after what seemed like eight years, Whitewing glanced up at him, eyebrows raised. It almost felt like a challenge, a test.

Lionblaze raised the coffee cup to his lips and started drinking, not stopping until the entire cup was done. It took nearly a minute, and he didn't break the eye contact once. When he had drank all of it he set the cup down on the counter loudly.

"Delicious," he said loudly.

A painful silence then enfolded, tension spiking the air at once. Lionblaze was just starting to wonder if he had done the completely wrong thing when she finally spoke.

"You must be Lionblaze," she said slowly. And that was it, no nice to meet you or I've heard a lot about you. It was just that one simple sentence.

You must be Lionblaze

It was too much to bear, and Lionblaze felt his confidence drain away. He looked away from Whitewings hardened stare, realizing that he had lost. She didn't say anything and pulled out her phone once again. Her long nails tapped the touch screen, clicking away at a lightning speed.

Her mouth didn't move, but Lionblaze could swear she was laughing at him.

Txt from: Ashfur

Hollyleaf felt her heart speed up as she looked at her phone, not expecting to see his name come up when she glanced down at it. Her hands shook slightly, and she took a deep breath to try and calm down. It's probably just a work thing, she thought, trying to reassure herself that that was what it was. Nothing to get freaked out over. She opened the message, finding herself holding her phone up closer to her so Jayfeather couldn't see.

Whatcha up to?

"Who are you texting?" Jayfeather asked, giving her a weird look. "And why are you shielding your phone from me?"
"It's Lionblaze," Hollyleaf lied. She texted him back quickly and shoved her phone in her pocket. Hanging out with my brother

"Sure," Jayfeather snorted, shaking his head. "And I know you're lying, by the way."

"What's your plans for today?" Hollyleaf blurted out, trying to distract him. "Are you going to Scourge's house again?"
"Nah," Jayfeather replied, looking annoyed. "He's spending the day with his mom."
"Why don't you go with them?" Hollyleaf asked, relieved that he seemed to drop the subject of who she was texting. As she asked the question she felt her phone vibrate again. Hollyleaf hastily shoved it in her pocket.

"He told me he isn't ready for me to meet her yet," Jayfeather explained, rolling his eyes. "Sometimes I wonder if he'll ever be ready."

"Just give him time," Hollyleaf muttered, feeling way too distracted to talk about this right now.
"I've given him all the time in the world," Jayfeather sighed. "It never seems to be enough."

"Uh huh," Hollyleaf mumbled, not hearing him. I wonder what Ashfur said

"Hollyleaf for god's sake just answer your goddamn phone," Jayfeather snapped. ""I know you got another text."
"Whatever," Hollyleaf mumbled, pulling out her phone. To her surprise, she had two text messages waiting. One from Ashfur, and one from Firestar. She opened the Ashfur one first.

Lucky guy

WHAT DO YOU MEAN LUCKY? WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?!

Hollyleaf clicked out of their conversation, feeling terribly confused. She clicked on the unread icon by Firestars name, wondering what he wanted.

Hey, let's hang out or something

"Did you get another text from Lionblaze?" Jayfeather asked sarcastically, giving her a look that signaled that he knew it wasn't Lionblaze at all.

"No," Hollyleaf said, relieved she didn't have to lie again. "Firestar."

"What's he want?" Jayfeather asked.

"He wants to hang out," Hollyleaf replied, texting at the same time. Okay, sure

"He's into you, you know," Jayfeather snickered. Hollyleaf looked up at him in alarm, not expecting that at all. "What?"

"He likes you," Jayfeather shrugged. "I think he has for a while."

"That's silly," Hollyleaf mumbled. "We're friends."

"Believe what you want," Jayfeather said, raising an eyebrow at her. "Denial will get you nowhere."

Txt from: Firestar

I'm here.

Hollyleaf reached for her coat that was draped over the couch, feeling happy that Firestar wanted to hang out for a bit. Maybe now I can just forget about this whole stupid Ashfur situation. She put it on and shoved her phone in her pocket, pausing for a second in confusion. She pulled out a wallet, realizing it was Lionblazes. He borrowed my coat again, she thought in annoyance, throwing the wallet back on the coach. And he knows he's not allowed to wear this one! She sighed and pulled on her shoes, trying to push away her irritation. He's got like ten coats. I don't know why he always takes mine.

She walked out the door, shivering from the cold. Her breath came out like smoke in the cold air, and she zipped up the coat a bit more. She walked quickly to Firestars car, realizing that he had parked half on her lawn and half on the driveway.

"You know, you're tearing up my lawn every time you come over," she said as she opened the door. Firestar didn't reply and just smiled up at her, his green eyes bright and clear. Hollyleaf was dimly aware that they didn't hold the usual drugged out red glow.

"Hey you," he said, yanking off a fast food bag off the passenger seat. He threw it behind him onto the backseat.

"What do you want to do today?" Hollyleaf asked, realizing it was only four in the afternoon. Hey, this is weird. Usually we only hang out at night when we party.

Wait, I don't think I've ever hung out with Firestar in the daytime.

Weird

"I was thinking we could go get some coffee," Firestar suggested. "And then drive around, I don't know. Listen to some death metal cranked on full blast."

"Okay," Hollyleaf smiled as she put her seat belt on. Hey, this wasn't a bad idea at all. I'm feeling better already!

She said nothing as Firestar pulled out of her driveway, skidding over the grass once again. He leaned over and clicked the stereo on, jerking the car around like crazy. Hollyleaf jumped as his music came on suddenly, already turned up very high. His speakers were blown; it was obvious by the harsh way the music came out. But she didn't care. Firestar sang along to the music, rolling down his window without a care in the world. Hollyleaf realized she felt almost giddy, excited.

Something about Firestar made her feel free from the world.