We play Paintball…(You see where this is going)
Well, we didn't fall asleep on each other if that was what you were hoping for. By the time Dark Knight was close to ending, we heard light footsteps coming down the stairs and I backed away from Fang. I stretched, raising my arms over my head and standing up on my toes. I was surprised I could stand from Fang's arm on my shoulder like that.
I know, he had a girlfriend, but it felt really, really right, like it was suppose to happen. When his skin touched my scar, I a jolt of images flashed through my head- school hallways, scientists, a little girl with big blue eyes and white wings, Fang kissing some red head I didn't recognize, a bright white land, and a submarine. I didn't know what to make of them- memories or mirages.
Mrs. Loretts walked in and smiled at us, "Watching a movie? I didn't know you were a light sleeper like Fang." Her eyes were right on me and I still couldn't help but get the creeps from her. She was dressed in a pant suit of dark black with pin stripes. Her silky blonde hair was pulled back in a bun and from her appearance didn't look as if she could have a sixteen year old son.
I sat on the recliner, away from Fang, and turned my eyes to the movie. My favorite part where the Joker is hanging from the wire and telling Batman that with other there will always be the other. Sort of romantic in a good vs. evil kind of thing. Plus, it's a promise, a definite, even if Batman doesn't know who else is out there causing crime, he will always know the Joker is up to something and Batman will be there to stop him.
"Fang," Mrs. Loretts called out from the kitchen as she poured herself a coffee and grabbed a power bar. "Why don't you kids do something today? I'll leave the keys to the car and some money. Have some fun."
As if on cue, Iggy stepped down yawning wide and shaking out his hair. "I say we go to the movies."
"You're blind." I pointed out watching the credits of the movie appear.
"Damn it," Iggy muttered under his breath so only Fang and I could hear. He seemed oddly comfortable in a house that wasn't his. He walked around easily. He must've been in Fang's house a lot. I supposed they were best friends.
Fang shut off the movie just as Ella and Nudge stepped down yawning. I peaked outside the window, the sun was just over the horizon. Was everyone waking up early or what? Iggy entered the kitchen, "Hey Mrs. Loretts, see you later." I heard a door shut and I wondered if Fang's mom found it weird too that Iggy knew she was in there. He must've had really good hearing. "I'm cooking!" Iggy called out.
I pushed myself off the chair as Fang shut off the movie. Ella and Nudge, dressed in spare clothes Mrs. Martinez kept for kids who stayed over, entered the kitchen. I heard my sister call out loud enough for me to here, "As long as it's not Max." I heard a large, deep laugh come from Iggy and I caught Nudge trying to hold back the laughter.
Fang smirked as he walked passed me and headed in. I followed after, not as amused as the rest of them. "So, are we hanging out today? Fang's mom left money for us to, so if you guys want…" I let my voice trailed off. I didn't want to invite myself into spending my day with them. Fang probably had plans with Brigid. Iggy and Ella might want to be alone. Nudge- well, I don't know what she was going to do today.
"Yes! I say we go to the mall and shop! I could use a new pair of boots or jacket. Maybe some new hair products too," She continue to ramble on but I sent her a glare that made her stop. "Right, sorry Max. I forgot you hate shopping. Okay, I'm officially out of ideas."
I sighed, "Way to be creative Nudge. Are the rest of you in? Hanging out today would be pretty cool, I've got nothing to do." I leaned against the island as Iggy pulled out a frying pan and a package of uncooked bacon. My stomach rumbled at the thought of eating.
"I'm totally in," Ella claimed as she sat at a high stool at the island. Nudge was on the seat beside her drumming her fingers on the counter as if she had to make some form of noise if she wasn't talking.
"Sounds cool, we could show you the best spots in town," Iggy was sizzling up the bacon with a smile. I guess he was only going because Ella was. They had hung out during the entire party.
"I'm in," Fang replied. He crossed his arms and was casually glancing at me at the same time that I would stare at him. We'd look away instantly but then seconds later, I was observing him again until his eyes were on me.
Minutes later, with no new ideas, Iggy was placing bacon on the plates in front of us. "Um, is there more? If there isn't that's cool, but I eat a lot." Iggy laughed again as I picked up a piece and took a bite instantly.
"Don't worry, Fang's mom buys everything in bulk because normally, when I'm here, we go through more food than a sumo wrestler at a buffet." I smiled, leave it to Iggy to make up an image like that. The bacon was delicious though.
"Cereal in the pantry, milk and fruits in the fridge too." Iggy took a bite of bacon, letting the piece hang out of his mouth in a very attractive manner (sarcasm), while opening up a pantry that had half a dozen boxes of cereal. Wow, I guess they did eat a lot.
"Outdoor paintball," I suddenly muttered as Iggy opened a box and began chowing down. All eyes stared at me, I had a piece of bacon dangling in my hand, as I thought about when we moved into town. We passed by an outdoor field with a few obstacle courses and the sign had said paintball. I really wanted to try it. "Wait, that won't work, Iggy's blind."
Iggy gaped at me, "So not cool to assume Max. I have a perfect shot, unlike most with guns, I listen before I shot. Hence, why I always win." So I figured he had play before or just talking smack to defend his honor.
Nudge was jumping up and down, "Ooh, now we can see whose better, the boys or the girls. Paintball is normally not my thing but I'll go. It's better than spending a day at home watching re-runs of America's Next Top Model." I stared at her- Nudge would watch re-runs of that.
"So Paintball?" Everyone nodded. "Awesome."
We arrived before lunch to avoid the crowd. For a Saturday, the place was pretty empty and we were told it was because of the weather getting colder. October was just around the corner and the thought of it made me excited. I enjoyed fall more than anything- the time where it's between hot and cold.
With our gear all on, we stood on opposite ends. Iggy and Fang against Nudge, Ella, and I. You would think the teams were unfair numbers wise, but after I had to show Ella how to load up the paintballs, I figured it was like she was just an easy target.
"Go!" Iggy yelled and I dodge instantly behind a black rectangle to avoid being hit. I heard Ella scream in excitement but to my surprise, Nudge was being tough and actually hiding out behind another obstacle. She was serious and staring at me. I motioned for her to go around.
I got a quick glance at Ella who was sitting on the ground with about four or five bright blue marks on her black vest. Past her goggles I could see her closed eyes. As long as she didn't shoot me I was all right with it. "Ella, come on. Fight them." She nodded her head but didn't listen. I laughed- some people aren't meant to play paintball.
I started heading around the large, inflatable cube. The rules were you only had to hit a person once to "kill" them. I figured by a large victories yelp that Nudge had gotten someone. Which left only one of the guys and two of us, I figured the silent, quiet one was the person still in hiding.
I stepped around the corner into a tall figure, body protection, helmet and goggles. He looked strange, funny, with all of the gear on but I still saw Fang behind it all. Smirk, good looks, bright eyes in all- wow, did I seriously just say that? And why I wasn't I shooting him like I was suppose to? For a moment, I swear I saw two black feathered arches over his shoulders- like wings.
Why wasn't he shooting either?
"Max," he came at me in one quick motion that I had no real time to react. Closing the distance between us, I watched his dark eyes come towards me, slightly shutting. Before my mind could ask what he was doing, my entire body short circuited as Fang pressed his lips firmly against mine.
Warm, safe, familiar and I shut my eyes trying to remember when or where I had done this before. Fang's kiss was an old memory springing back to life. My body felt like a magnet against his, my vest touching his. His arm went up to my neck and pressed against the beating pulse there.
Just as he tilted his head to deepen the kiss I thought- Oh, geez this is Fang. Has really nice lips- no, this is wrong. He had a girlfriend and we're in the middle of a paintball fight. I pushed my hand against him to get away. The hand with the paint gun pointed at his chest as I backed. I bit my lip and quickly shot once, hitting him in the heart. But it didn't matter that I had "killed" Fang.
Both of us were smiling, acknowledging the kiss.