Max

I don't think people understand how hard it is to just forget about something.

I mean, if you constantly think about something, or frankly someone, and then decide, hey, I'm going to erase it from my mind like it never happened, you would find it's not as easy as it looks.

Like now, for instance. I was trying everything to get rid of my weird feelings, but they kept coming back like an annoying song.

I flopped onto my bed, Sage and Evangeline sitting next to me.

"Do we really have to do our homework?" I groaned. "Maybe they won't check it and we can just pretend like we did it."

Sage laughed and Evangeline groaned.

"Yes Max, we need to do our homework. You don't want to get another detention and get pulled out of your big track meet this weekend," Evangeline replied.

"Are you guys gonna come?" I asked.

"Hopefully," Sage answered. "My mom's been really pushy about my grades lately, since I'm practically failing English, and will want me to do extra studying. But when have I ever done extra studying? Never! So I should be there."

Evangeline followed, "Same."

I smiled. "You guys are the best!"

Sage tossed her hair behind her shoulder. "Well, I know I am. But Lin over here…"

Evangeline tossed a pillow at Sage and she caught it with ease, producing a light laugh.

We sat around for another minute, before I decided to turn on some music. I placed my iPhone on shuffle and a random song began to play.

"I'm waking up to ash and dust. I wipe my brow and I sweat my rust. I'm breathing in the chemicals," the song played.

"What song is this?" asked Sage.

"Radioactive by Imagine Dragons," I replied.

"I'm breaking in, shaping up, then checking out on the prison bus. This is it, the apocalypse."

I tensed up at the lyrics. Why does the apocalypse, I pondered, feel so familiar to me? What is it about these lyrics that make me feel inclined to know something?

"Max?" A hand was waved in my face. "Max?! MAX!"

I snapped out of my daze to meet two sets of very annoyed eyes.

"Sorry guys! I was just daydreaming again."

"You've been doing this all week!" Evangeline cried, frustration evident in her tone. "What's going on Max? What are you not telling us?"

"Nothing! Nothing is wrong. I've been just staying up too late each night. I really need to catch up on my sleep."

"Uh-huh, because you need so much sleep…" said Sage.

"I'm serious guys! I am fine. Nothing is wrong or out of the ordinary." Guilt washed over me, as I realized that I was flat out lying to them.

Evangeline stared at me. "Are you sure Max? You know that we're here to help you, no matter what."

I smiled one of my rare smiles. "I know guys. If something really serious does happen, I will tell you guys."

"Are you implying that something is wrong though?" Sage smirked.

I groaned. "Oh my god, you are impossible! Nothing is- you know what, never mind."

"Can we do homework now?" Evangeline asked.

I nodded my head and we grabbed our backpacks, spilling its contents all over my bed, and began the grueling tasks that teachers call "educational help".

…

I took a deep breath, allowing the fresh scents to enter my nose. The stars twinkled in the sky and the ebony sky was as clear as it could get. The road was practically silent. The only sound were my footsteps connecting with the grey pavement.

Sage and Evangeline had left a couple of hours ago. After dinner, I told my mom that I needed to take a walk to clear my head. Fresh air always gave me a sense of clarity.

Why is everything so messed up right now, I thought. I really want to tell Sage and Evangeline what I've been thinking about, but they wouldn't believe me. They would think I was crazy.

But maybe I am just crazy. That's probably the reality of it. It would be pretty much impossible to grant a human being with wings.

Suddenly, another noise was heard from behind me. I slowly turned around, fear rising in my stomach.

"Hello?" I called. "Is anyone there?"

Nothing happened.

"It was probably a bunny," I whispered to myself.

I began to walk and again, the sound reached my ears. I tried to ignore it, but after a minute, I whirled around.

"I'm not even kidding at this moment! Get out here before I kick your ass off my street!"

A figure emerged from the woods and stepped onto the sidewalk. He stayed where there were no street lights, so I couldn't see his face.

"You do realize I can't see your face," I proclaimed.

"Maybe that's the way I want it," a deep voice replied.

"Are you a rapist or murderer?"

The figure created a chuckle. "No, I'm not."

How you can believe this guy, I questioned myself. He's probably lying to you. But something inside of me pushed me to trust him.

"Then come forward, where I can see you."

He moved towards me from his previous location and stepped into the light. My chocolate brown eyes were met with his obsidian ones and I almost gasped.

"Do I know you?!"

DUN DUN DUN! I think you guys can take a lucky guess on who that creepy stalker guy is *wink wink*. Thank you for the great ideas. I got some inspiration from them and I'm gonna mash them all together. As for the next story I might write, I'm not sure what I want to do yet, but thank you for the feedback! I liked this chapter and I hope you guys do too. Read and review! :)