The Runaways – Chapter 38

By MyNameIsCAL

-Iggy's POV-

Nudge hates leaving me alone, and honestly, I hate it too, but I've gotten used to our small apartment. It's got a kitchen, a bedroom, a closet, and a small sitting area where Nudge set up the TV and stereo system. We didn't want to use any of Dr. M's money, and even though the hot water occasionally didn't work, the kitchen was the reason we got this place.

I'm sitting on a second hand couch right now, jazz music playing, the walking bass and drums keeping the beat of my thoughts. Nudge is at a class right now, and then she's supposed to go food shopping. Then I'll cook dinner when she gets home.

She's really been to nice to me though, bringing me out to college with her. Between classes and other things she's involved in, Nudge always stops by to check up on me. I'm not really allowed to cook without her being around because she's afraid I might cut off my finger or start a fire, but I still do sometimes. Don't tell her that.

I can hear people walking in the hallway. Most of our neighbors are college students too. Nudge is friends with some of them. Often during the week we cook together or chip in to buy dinner since everyone's low on money these days. It's so hard to get a job that fits the hours you want. Nudge and I get by because she works at some clothing store doing alterations.

Well, it's not that we don't have money. We received plenty of compensation for what we went through, and well I had some money from my parents, but we're saving up to get a house. It was nice that Fang and Max skipped school altogether. They've got a nice house by the beach. Too often we're there because Nudge likes it so much too. I don't think they mind though.

Some three songs later, I hear the key in the door and rise off of the couch. The door opens and Nudge enters, putting her bags on the ground so I can pull her into a hug. She puts her arms around my neck and kisses me.

"How was your day?" I ask once we break apart.

"Same as usual. Went to class, did some stuff at work, went to my other class, and then picked up some groceries," she told me. "Was yours any more interesting?"

"Not in the slightest bit." I gave her a grin. "Woke up at noon, ate some leftover pizza, and listened to some music."

She runs her fingers through my hair. "Yeah, I can tell. I'm glad you don't go out by yourself."

"Why? Because I'd get killed?"

"No, because your hair is a mess and you've buttoned your shirt inside out and you're off by two buttons."

"You're lucky I don't walk around naked."

She punches me in the arm. "I'm sure Maria across the hall would like that."

We fall onto the couch, Nudge resting on top of me, my hands resting on her back. "Well, you know I'm only out to please you."

Nudge laughs, ruffling my hair again. "Shush, you. Now c'mon, I'm hungry."

I kiss her, feeling her lips form a smile. "Alright, I guess I'll have to cook then."

-Nudge's POV-

Iggy turns his music up whenever we're cooking. But tonight's food had to be put into the oven, and he grabs me, putting his arms around me asking if I'd dance with him.

"We've got to be better than Max and Fang," he jokes.

"You know, I don't think Fang would appreciate you making fun of his limp."

He suppresses his laugh with a smirk.

"Seriously, Iggy."

"You think he doesn't make fun of me being blind?"

I frown. "No, he doesn't. You used to be very sensitive about it."

"Alright, you win, I guess." He takes my hand, lifting it, and I spin in a circle.

"You're lucky I love you too much to not slap you across the face," I tell him.

"Yes, I know, I'm very lucky." He gives me one of his charming smiles. "I'm the luckiest in the world to have you."

I roll my eyes. "Sometimes I wish you weren't so damn charming."

He cranes his neck to kiss me. "I love you too, Nudge."

I can't help but kiss him back.

PAGE BREAK!

-Iggy's POV-

I'm at a café with Fang right now, but only because I want coffee. He's sitting across from me, sipping a carbonated drink. From its smell, I'm pretty sure it's a Coke. We're waiting for Nudge and Max to finish up with their dresses for the wedding.

"You sure you don't want me to walk you down the aisle?" I snigger.

He grunts. "Maybe I oughta walk you down the aisle."

I laugh, but he's not, and I remember my conversation with Nudge before dinner last night.

"I'm sorry," I finally say, sheepishly.

"I know you're only kidding." He sips his soda again and I can hear the fizz settle. "I haven't been the best to you all these years either."

"Are you kidding? You saved my freaking life! C'mon, man, now's not the time to harp on the past."

"You were my best friend and I treated you like crap all those years in school."

"I needed you as much as you needed me."

"I wanted to say sorry."

I almost laugh. "You're kidding, right? If I was really sensitive to that, I would have stopped letting you walk me home."

"I've just been thinking, alright?"

"Okay, Fang. But seriously, it's not a big deal. You should stop your worrying. Wait a sec. You're not having second thoughts about marrying Max, are you?"

"No, of course not!" He puts his soda down. "I've never been so sure about anything else in my life than marrying Max."

"Just making sure." I finish the rest of my coffee. "Because I'm your best man, and I'm still your best friend, so I gotta make sure you got your head on straight."

"Thanks, Ig."

I tell him it's no problem, and we carry on small talk about this and that. Dinner was at his house, but I'm cooking. After he finishes his drink, we get up and go across the street to the grocery store. By the time we finish, Max and Nudge are waiting for us outside.