“Didn’t you have your own theory for tonight?” I reminded him.
“Yes, well, this one sounds much better now.” Jack muttered.
I rolled my eyes, smiling, “All right then. Hawthorne, care to give it another go? We’re even now, you know?”
Hawthorne puffed his wide chest out impressively, obviously pleased with his heroism. I chuckled as he began to beat his powerful wings. I felt hope bubble in my stomach, and I wondered if this had been the key all along. Would he really be able to fly now?
Clenching my fists together in anticipation I waited for the moment that Hawthorne would spring into the air and take flight. Any second now. Hawthorne crouched, ready to leap. I found that my teeth were locked together very tight. You can do it, I thought aggressively, you can do it!
With an enormous bound, and pounding of wings Hawthorne threw himself into the wind, rising higher than he had on any previous attempt. For one wild, fleeting moment I thought he had done it. I was about to whoop and cheer in delight when I found myself face down in the freezing snow. Coughing and spluttering a raised myself on all fours and looked around. Hawthorne was there, lying on the ground, having fallen from the sky once again. The pull I had felt this time had been so immense it had yanked me into the snow, face first.
“Ava!” Jack said hurrying to me while Camryn ran to Hawthorne, “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine.” I said wiping the wet snow from my face, “That was insane.”
“It looked absolutely hilarious from where we were standing.” Jack laughed, pulling me back onto my feet.
“Ha, ha.” I said humourlessly.
“You lurched forwards about a meter and just fell face-first into the snow.”
“Yes, I know, I was there.” I said irritably.
“So bizarre.” Jack shook his head.
“Well I guess that theory goes out of the window, huh?” I said walking over to Hawthorne who was back in his feet again, an annoyed expression across his face, “Hey, this isn’t my fault.” I said defensively, “Don’t look at me like that.” Hawthorne pouted and I glared at him in mock fury.
“Okay, break it up.” Jack warned, a smirk on his face, “It’s time to hear my idea.”
“Oh great, here we go.” Camryn rolled her eyes.
“Just because your idea didn’t work Cam, doesn’t mean-”
“But the whole debt thing was your idea!”
“Don’t be bitter.” Jack sneered.
“You two are worse than an old married couple.” I teased.
“Except we don’t have sex.” Jack interjected.
“Like I said, old married couple.”
“Anyway,” Jack ignored me, turning pink, “My idea is brilliant. Avalon, are you afraid of heights?”
I stared at him for a long while, “No.” I said slowly.
“Excellent!” Jack clapped his hands together and started towards me, but I had a horrible feeling that I wasn’t going to like this idea.
“Hey, wait, what are you doing?” I demanded when Jack put his hands to my waist.
“Helping you onto Hawthorne.” Jack grinned as though it was the most obvious answer in the world.
“How will putting extra weight onto his back help him fly?” I challenged through gritted teeth.
“Oh, c’mon Avalon. It’s so simple. Whenever Hawthorne tries to fly away from you, you are both snapped back together again like an elastic band is being stretched to its limits.”
I pouted, “I’m heavy.” I pointed out.
“Hawthorne’s already carried you once.” Jack noted.
“What if I fall off?”
“Hawthorne won’t let you get hurt, will you, big fella?” Jack clapped Hawthorne on his shoulder who looked at us eagerly.
“What if-” I started.
“Look, just try it, and if it doesn’t work we’ll figure something else out.” Jack said impatiently.
I huffed and folded my arms which made Jack smile. Without my consent I was lifted into his arms and shoved onto Hawthorne’s back.
“Are you okay?” I asked timidly, stroking his furry neck.
Hawthorne snorted. I remembered he didn’t like being babied anymore. The only other time I had been on Hawthorne’s back I had slouched over his spine and passed out. Now I was astride him I fully appreciated his height and strength. My feet did not touch the ground while I sat upon him, and my legs fitted perfectly in the grooves behind his wings. It was like he was built to hold me. I smiled and entwined my fingers into his fur once more, trying not to think about what would follow. What if we both crashed to the ground? I might hurt him.
“Shouldn’t I have a helmet or something?” My voice shook.
Jack and Camryn looked at each other before turning back to me and saying in unison, “Nah.”
I took a steadying breath and looked down at Hawthorne, “This is such a bad idea. So bad. Oh no. Please be careful.”
Jack chuckled at my fear. Glad I’m so amusing, I thought bitterly.
“Whenever you’re ready, Hawthorne.” Jack nodded to him.
“What about when I’m ready?” I demanded over the sound of Hawthorne beginning to beat his wings.