Birds of a Feather

nine

     Voices shot out from all sides, piercing me like knives. But I wouldn't let it affect me.

     "Who did this to you, Dylan? And what do you have to say to them?" I heard one prominently say.

     I couldn't help my reaction, it was instinctive. I scoffed. "If I knew who did this to me, they'd already be locked up,"

    The crowd once again surged with indecipherable shouts. The mass seemed to be moving, almost like swarming flies. I nodded off for a moment, and watched the cars in the street drive by. I honed in on the angry honks to steady myself. I could see pedestrian passerby stop to see what the commotion was about. Some had taken out their phones to take their photos and videos. I slowly brought my attention back to the reporters. Another question popped out at me. "What will you do, now that you've been released? How will you deal with the irreparable changes made to your body?"

    I pondered a moment before replying, "Go back to school, play shows with my band. I'm still the same person. That hasn't changed," I paused. "I'll take one more question,"

     As the reporters frantically scrambled to have their questions heard, I could hear one voice above the rest. Knew it so well that I could pick it out amongst all the others. As soon as I heard it, my eyes frantically searched for their source. It didn't take me long to see his face, brows drawn up in distress. Pushing his way rather unsuccessfully through the crowd. Jack. "Dylan, Dylan please!" I acted as if I heard nothing and saw nothing. On to the next question. I answered the next one I could hear. "Can we see your wings?"

    I grinned, and said nothing. My wordless reply was met with an even greater uproar from the crowd. I flung my wings open, their great length overshadowing the crowd. They shouted questions even more fervently, if possible. I stood that way for a moment, taking in my surroundings. Looked up to the sky, itching to just take off. I thought better of myself, and started to bring my gaze back down. But then I saw Kace. Perched on a ledge like he was in a superhero movie, possibly brooding over what villain he'd take down next. But Kace was grinning. When we locked eyes, he pointed his finger up to the overcast sky. A wordless question, but one I understood easily. I smiled back. I looked at my family behind me, apologizing with a glance. I grabbed a microphone.

    "That's all for me today. Follow me on Instagram!" I cackled at my own stupidity, knowing I was the only one who would think it's funny and not incredibly self absorbed. And never having attempted it before, readied my muscles for a jumping takeoff. I crouched, jumped as high and hard as I could, and let my wings do the work as I pumped them frantically. There was a moment of hovering before I was truly airborne. I could hear the awe of the crowd and the cameras, and let myself enjoy the fleeting fame of it all. I looked down laughing, and took off towards Kace.

   As his face drew closer, his ear to ear grin became easier to make out. In turn, my own smile spread wide. Knowing that Kace thought the stunt I pulled was funny. My dad probably wouldn't, and neither would Dr.Lanelo. But that didn't concern me at the moment.

 "I'm sorry but that was hilarious," Kace said, once within earshot. I landed lightly on the terrace, and with my momentum, gave Kace a high-five. He grabbed my hand and pulled me into a hug, which threw me off guard for a moment. My hesitation was brief and I threw my arms around his neck in glee. I could smell some sort of spicy cologne on his neck where my face was nuzzled. The hug wasn't quick. It lingered for a minute. My stomach flipped. I couldn't remember the last time a man had made me feel that way. To be frank, it scared me shitless. I pulled away rather abruptly. I could still feel his arms around my waist and feel his hair on my face like they had been singed there. 

    "It was your idea," I mused, acting nonchalant.

    He laughed loudly. "Yeah, but follow me on Instagram? That was all you, Dyl,"

    I twirled my hair in an innocent-girl impression. "Yeah I know I'm like, hilarious!" I topped it off with an overdone American girl accent and obnoxious giggle.

    "Oh, fuck off," Kace laughed, pushing my shoulder. 

    I shoved him back jokingly. There was a silence before Kace spoke again, "What now?"

    "I dunno man, I kinda want to go home. You wanna come with?" 

     Kace shrugged his shoulders. "Sure,"

     Without another word, we walked to the edge of the terrace and walked off the edge. I waited a moment, letting the rush of the fall get to me before I opened my wings and set my sights on home.