Hero/Heroine

Fang caught me off guard in school. I was casually in the lunch line thinking how I never thought he could break me apart so easily as he had. My hands were in my pockets and my head was in a cloud as I tried to focus on other, happier things.

Bobby was standing in front of me in line. I had my heart all locked down and then he turned me around by coughing. My eyes darted to the calloused, large hands on the tray beside mine.

Shivers went down my spine as I remembered him whispering in my ear and those hands holding me tightly and gently. Do you know that your love is the sweetest sin?

In my mind I was telling myself that I'll just take a deep breath and I'll look in his eyes. But I felt a weakness coming on that never felt so good even though it was wrong.

I turned my attention to Bobby who was talking to me. I entered a conversation with him knowing Fang was behind me wanting to get inside. Well, he has to get in line.

Now, I'm running and screaming on the inside. I want him to just leave me alone after all, he put the hole that was in my heart.

Bobby gave me a smile as we left the line. There to the right sat Iggy and Ella. Iggy was talking lightly to her, staring right at her. I remembered it now, two years ago, when he came into Fang's bedroom to tell his best friend that he had his sight back. Instead, he almost got a glimpse at me…naked.

Ella saw me and waved me over. I stopped and Bobby turned to look at me. I saw just beyond him was his own table with the kids from my art class. I saw a dark figure past me and head towards Iggy and Ella. Fang shot a sinister smile while he looked over his shoulder at me.

"He doesn't really act like your family sometimes," Bobby noted as I jerked my focus back on him. His eyes were glaring at Fang who was busy shaking out his wings a bit without hitting anyone in the small cafeteria.

"He's just weird," was all I could manage to say. I wasn't going to tell Bobby that I had a closet filled up to the brim with the ghosts of my pasts and one of them, had very large, black wings, gentles hands, and my heart in his grasp.

"Are you sitting with them?" For the past couple weeks, all I had done was sit with them but everything felt awkward. Iggy and Ella were dating casually. Fang and I were broken apart. I didn't want to eat through another silent lunch.

"No," I said facing him completely. "I'll sit with you." Bobby gave a great smile. I walked over with him towards his table and lucky for me, the seats were actually movable so my wings could stretch out a bit, but not too much. I made sure to stick close to Bobby. My back faced my family.

Our date on Saturday had gone so amazingly well despite the fact that I was still slightly angered with Fang. In fact, he was still stuck in my mind after this morning and I told him to leave me alone. For once, he actually listened.

"You're a big eater," Bobby joked. Everyone at the high school already knew that Fang, Iggy, and I were allowed two lunch meals. I gave a wide smile and observed the other kids. They were lost in their own conversations. They weren't staring or gawking at me. I felt normal and for the most part happy.

At the date, we went to the movies and watched part of a movie until Bobby had kissed me. Then, I'm pretty sure that's all we did. He was really good at it. Butterflies entered my stomach as I thought about it.

I reached for a piece of grilled cheese that didn't look exactly edible but for the most part it would do. I took a bite despite the fact it wasn't as good as it should be. I had been warned by Ella that the food isn't really meant to be eaten.

But I needed the energy, after wasting so much of it on Fang.

Bobby leaned towards me and I noticed how he smelled like aftershave. We were both in the tenth grade even though we were sixteen.

Bobby had been held back so he could be one of the older kids in his class.

And for me, well, I always end up a little behind in the knowledge area.

Iggy and Fang were in the tenth grade as well.

Nudge was in the eighth grade.

Gazzy was a fifth grader.

Angel was a fourth grader (her knowledge was beyond a second grader).

"I was wondering," his breath was sweat like peppermint, "If you would like to go to the Homecoming Dance with me." I swallowed what was in my mouth.

"Yeah," I replied even though I suck at the whole wearing dresses and high heels. But something made me want to go with him. We'd dance together and his hands would be at my hips and my arms around his neck.

He kissed me lightly on the cheek and a deep blush crept up to my cheeks.

He was really sweet and I could tell that he was happy.

With Bobby, it's not complicated.

Then, I watched as he rolled his eyes in aggravation.

"What?" I asked casually while placing my hand on his well, muscled arm. He was pretty strong for an artist kid.

"Fang," he murmured, "He's still staring at you."

I glanced over my shoulder.

Bobby was right.

Just as my eyes connected with the cool obsidian eyes of his, Fang turned away.

I reached for Bobby's hand and wrapped it in mine. "Ignore him, he's just…protective." I had told Bobby and a few girl's who liked Fang, that we were family, too close to actually be together. I wondered how I had become so good at lying.

Bobby leaned closer and whispered in my ear, "Around you Maximum, I feel like a hero and you are my heroine."

Tingles shut up my spine in a pleasant way. I shut my eyes and kissed Bobby straight on the lips in front of the entire cafeteria but I knew well only one person was looking. I could feel his anger.

I could care less.

I had someone else who cared for me and he wasn't sending confusing signals.

Forget Fang, I told the part of my heart that still cared for him, because this is how I feel now.

And it's so amazingly real.

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Song is "Hero/Heroine" by Boys Like Girls. Great song, check it out.