Max's POV

"Ma-ax!!!"

My eyes opened to the warm sunlight. Spring. How long have I waited for you, my dearest?

"Maaaaaaxx!!!!"

Angel.

"Angel, wha-? What is it?"

"Fang's gone!"

My eyes shot open. It didn't seem late in the morning, but it wasn't so early that we couldn't go outside. Nudge and Iggy rested by the rocks, while Gazzy stood behind his little sister, one firm hand, unwavering and reassuring on her shoulder. The cave's opening brought pools of light inside. But the words made me squirm with inexplicable question in my eyes. Fang would never leave the flock without mention to us. Never.

"Angel- what do you mean?"

She looked at me innocently, with her big blue eyes. Nudge fidgeted uncomfortably, Iggy's hands twirled back and forth and Gazzy couldn't quite look me straight in the eye.

"He said- well no-that wouldn't be true, he thought to himself… About some necklace."

I leapt up from where I sat. I gripped both of Angel's shoulders tightly, and pried off Gazzy's hands.

"Then what Angel?" My stern voice combined with my icy eyes got the information out of here in mere seconds.

"He said- he had to find it, because-"

"What Angel??" I shook her gently, my voice faltering with small shots of desperation. It's just Fang; it could've been any necklace…

"He said before taking off- it was too special to let go- and that- it was a gift from you."

No. I didn't know he still had it; it's ludicrous to even suggest.

"He said that?" I whispered to her. Her eyes shining sincerely; she gave me a nod.

Only Fang.

--

"Max?" Fang asked as he wandered aimlessly through the halls. Little did he know; I was right behind the corner, ready to pounce!

"Fang? ~" I cooed.

He wheeled around to catch a glimpse of me before I tackled him to the ground.

"Ha- loser!" I called, ruffling his hair with my fingers.

"Get off'a me, Max!" He said- a rare smirk creeping onto his face.

I wrestled with him for a little then rolled off of him, and sat beside him, panting playfully.

"Don't you wish days like these would never end?" I asked him, wind from the open window flowing lightheartedly through my hair.

His eyes traveled up me- and met my brown eyes. He had always told me he wanted my eyes, but something about his eyes were so undeniably smooth and fluid. I personally loved them. But of course, I would never admit that, or anything I really liked about Fang. It was one of my rules. If I broke one- in that same day- I would break the rest. Ironically that's the first rule.

"Yeah…" He exhaled coolly.

Fang never was one of many words- but when he spoke, something about how cool all the words were was instantly calming. I realized what I had tracked him down for. I reached into my pants pocket and pulled out two necklaces. One green, and one blue. They were long black laces, with miniature, slender jars, containing one grain of rice inside each.

"Fang-?"

He turned to look at me- his relaxed chocolate eyes moved from one necklace- to the next- then back up at me.

"Let's always be friends!" I said, a pink starting to creep onto my cheeks.

He looked quizzically at me; speechless.

"Max…"

I held out the blue one- a small grain of rice moved inside. I felt the pink deepening because of how intently Fang stared at me. A wide grin crept mischievously across his face. I closed my eyes tight, but then realized how silly I might've looked. I peered out of my right eye, to see Fang blushing all the same.

"I- I would like that, Max."

I exhaled calmly. He took the green one, (much to my dismay) so I was stuck with the blue one.

He put his on, as did I. He pulled it to his vision and read the rice. On it, clear as daylight, was:

Max

I stared down at mine, it said:

Fang

I had obviously expected I would get the green- and he would get the blue, so my name is now on his, and his on mine.

"Max…" He read

"We could switch you know- just hand over the-."

"No, he cut me off, I prefer green. Thanks Max."

Stunned at what he had done, he stood up and walked away, the same pale, blank expression painted on my face.

"I said, Thanks Max."

My eyes met his for a moment. His stunningly brown chocolate eyes, seemingly staring through my embarrassment like only Fang's eyes can. God I hate that I'm-so-cool-and-mature attitude.

"You- you're welcome… Fang."

"I have to take care of Gazzy, he's still young you know"

I smiled and nodded.

"See ya." He said.

And then he was gone. I sat there in awe, staring at the necklace- embarrassed at how girlish I had acted. But I didn't care.

"We'll always be friends, Fang. I know it."

--

"It was so long ago…" I mumbled to myself

"What was?" Nudge asked.

I smiled and felt a pink creeping onto my cheeks again.

"Nothing, I said, just reminiscing."

They looked skeptically at me for a moment.

"Alright- you guys, stay here. I'm going to look for Fang.

"Don't-!" Angel nearly shouted at me.

I twisted around to see Angel, being herself (and at the same time dreadfully adorable) and clinging to the back of my brown sweater.

"Angel- I won't be gone long- I promise. I just need to see if he's okay."

There are erasers on this mountain. I told her. She nodded forlornly and looked to the corner of the cave.

"Promise?" She asked in a low whisper.

I leaned down and kissed her forehead. For some reason, Angel was just so awesome. I could completely trust her, and at the same time, she could completely trust me.

"I'm glad you trust me Max. I trust you." She said

"Fang is our friend. I'm going to find him. Iggy! You're in charge 'till I get back."

Everyone looked at me hesitantly, then nodded and waved as I left the cave.

Fang… Would you really do this for me?