(Max POV)
Hips met mine, and I laughed along at Momo's joke. (Why did the chicken cross the road? Doesn't matter why, because he ended up at KFC! Okay, I admit, it wasn't the funniest joke I've ever heard, but let me have my fun.) The brown haired boy from earlier was Kale. He was one of the nicest guys here, but I hadn't spoken to anyone other his friend Momo, and him. I was quiet at first, but then a song came on, and Momo pulled me to the dance floor. I can't dance, but, according to me, everyone else was either grinding (not me), or they were simply jumping up and down, and laughing their heads off. I couldn't stop laughing either. How odd.
I stood still, realizing what I was doing. I was having fun. If I wasn't a mutant teenage bird freak, this would be how my life would be. If I was a normal. If. Oh, how much I despise that word.
The flashing lights lit Momo's flushed face up. Kale suddenly appeared beside me, and put a hand on my hip. I flew around, and almost ripped his arm off. I looked him in his emerald green eyes, and then I finally realized a slow song was on.
I scanned the room for Momo, but I couldn't find her. Guess I had nobody to bail me out of this situation. Couples grouped together and started swaying to the music, and the lights dimmed down to a cool blue. A small fog lingered at the floor, thanks to the new fog machine. Kale placed both hands on my hips, motioning for me to dance with him. Might as well go along, right?
I smiled at him, dazing him for a minute. You have to admit, my acting skills were pretty high. He stood, and pulled me closer. Our chests pressed together, and I grimanced at the close contact, remembering the last time someone had held me like that.
Kale wouldn't stop staring at me. What was he thinking about? This was a night I wouldn't forget, and he was right. I really had needed a good loosening up. But now, I have to get back to work. To sort out my Max business, and the fact that I am still the saviour of the world. Great.
Kale's hand left my hip, and smoothed out the lines in my forehead. "-you're stressing again, aren't you?" he said loudly, over the music.
I quickly shook my head, and flashed my pearly white teeth in a grin. He always seemed to lose his train of thought when I smiled at him. Did I really have that kind of effect over people? Amazing.
"Yes, you are." He said, and replaced his hand on my waist again. "C'mon, Lacy-" I had told him my name was Lacy. I don't really know why, but that name had always appealed to me. Next to the name Rose, of course. *Wink, wink.*
Kale continued. "I brought you here to loosen up. You should've seen how tense you were in the food court. You were relaxed a minute ago, but now you're back to stressing." He leaned in closer, his eyes closed. His mouth was at my ear now, and goose bumps rose along my flesh when he spoke again.
"I can make you forget everything, Lacy. Just let me. I could make this night a night you'll never forget." His hand reached behind my head, and I jerked away from him. No way. I don't care about this guy. My heart stuttered a bit, and I strode away, and turned to look back. As I glanced back, a pang of guilt hit me. Kale's face showed a mixture of anger, and some kind of sick amusement. I rolled my eyes and sauntered away, the crowd parting at my piercing glance. Time to get back to Maximum Ride's life, not this Lacy character I had created.
Outside, I breathed in some fresh air, and exhaled loudly. This was me. I told myself to enjoy the moment, because for the next few days, I knew I would be locked in my room, analyzing my life. Kinda depressing, if you ask me.
Suddenly, a cold metal head poked at my back. I felt it through my clothes. I stood, frozen in place. The mall parking lot had been empty, and still was. Who the hell could that possibly be?
A deep voice floated towards me. "C'mon, Max. Did you really think I would fall for your 'Lacy' act? I'm not an idiot. Now," He paused and poked the metal into my back again. A soft metallic click hovered toward me, and I tensed up even more, if that was possible. He had a gun. Also, how did he know my name? Questions, questions...
"What do you want from me?" I whispered, slightly turning my head. My eyes searched for the suspect, but came up empty. What was going on?
"Kale. Me. How could you ditch me on the dance floor like that? You...bitch." The gun shook slightly against my back, and now I rolled my eyes. I didn't have time to play with this idiotic human. Regret filled me as I realized that I had wasted my time. I can have fun after I have finished all of my work.
"Sorry. I don't have all night." And I flung myself at him. We landed in a clump of bushes nearby, and I winced at the few thorns that pricked my skin. I wrenched the gun from his hands, and he stared at me, wide eyed. That's right, I thought, be afraid.
I shoved the gun into my hoodie pocket, and got off of him. I turned around, and before leaving, I simply spoke a few words that left him speechless.
"Sorry, Kale. Looks like you picked the wrong...bitch to mess with."
(Max POV)
"Where have you been?" Fang asked, flopping down beside me on the couch. I rolled my eyes. Who does he think he is? My father? He blew some hair out of his eyes, and stared at me.
"Who do you think you are?" I asked, speaking my mind and looking away. "My father?"
"...No." He curtly replied, and stood up. Some conversation. His steps echoed in the house, and I rolled my eyes. More guy drama. Perfect.
"You and Fang really need to get over each other." a voice said. I turned my head, and Iggy walked in, wringing his hands.
"What?" I said, oh-so-intelligently. My mind just wasn't working today.
"I said, you need to get your hearing checked." He said, and plopped down next to me. He ran a hand through his hair, and closed his eyes, facing the ceiling.
I rolled my eyes and sighed. "Ig, how am I supposed to get over Fang?" Iggy shook his head, and frowned at me. I looked away again, focusing on the stars.
"Whatever. Anyway," he said, standing up. Do I have a thing that scares guys away, or something? Geez. "I'm going out."
I couldn't help myself. Before thinking at all, I blurted: "Where?" He strode away, and without looking back, he raised a hand in the air, waving slightly. "You know, Max, you aren't the only one with love problems." And he left the room.
I sighed again. He was right. Here I was, centering the world around me again, wanting all the attention. Forgetting that my Flock needs me, and I have to support them too. Sure, I was...raped twice, but there are people who are going through hell, compared to me, at least. But, other people aren't mutant flying teenage bird kids, so they shouldn't complain.
A random thought hit me and I smiled at why the hell my mind would nudge me at this. I really needed a shower. Some soothing hot water, and steam to fog up the mirror. Maybe this would loosen up my tension, and even my stress.
I sighed as the steam enveloped me, like soft, welcoming kisses. The water was running in the bathroom, and I just had undressed myself. Okay, I admit, I'm not the kind of girl who stares at herself naked in the mirror all the time, because this was a first, actually.
My hands traced my stomach absently, the fingers probing at the skin. I stared at myself, pondering over why Fang ever wanted me. Long blonde curls that now hung down to the small of my back, and dirty, unkept nails. Of course, being the saviour of the world, I don't really have the time to keep up a good profile for myself and save everyone at the same time. Frustrating, isn't it?
I turned slightly to the side and gasped. Protruding from the center of my stomach was a small lump. Actually, a few small lumps. Tears formed in my eyes, and I wiped them away quickly.
Ari's baby.
What was I going to do about that, anyway? That kid...
No. I told myself to take a shower to ease my tension and stress. That thought wasn't helping. So I let the hot water cascade down my body, and I almost felt the stress melt off. I stood still and closed my eyes, taking in the pleasure of my muscles relaxing. The small bathroom was soon filled with the relaxing steam of my hot shower, and everything fogged up.
I don't know how long I was in there, but when I got out, my skin was like a raisin. I wrapped the towel around my body, and looked in the mirror.
Big eyes stared back. My eyes had sunken into my head from the lack of sleep, and it seemed as if someone had taken magic marker and drawn bags under my eyes. Yup, that's how bad it was.
Sensing something behind me, I turned around, gripping the red towel tighter to my body, my knuckles turning white. My breathing hitched up when I saw who it was.
Fathomless black eyes bored into mine, and I whispered one word that sent my heart into overdrive.
"Fang?"