Max's POV

I clutched Fang's arm tighter and said, "It stinks."

"We'll just get Nudge a present, then we'll get the heck out of here," He assured me.

"Can't we go somewhere else?" I asked him.

"No. Let go of my arm."

It only made me hold him tighter.

The air was putrid and hot and sticky. The heat was almost unbearable. But the people walking by didn't seem to mind as they went on about their business. We were in a part of New York that I didn't like. The buildings seemed really old, and I've seen more than five hobos already. They were all looking at me hungrily, and that's when I had started holding on to Fang's arm. It was scary, the way they stared at me. I wasn't wearing anything special. Just a white t-shirt and jeans. Like Fang, who was wearing a black t-shirt and dark pants, I had tried to wear something that'd make me look like I'm not from out of town.

"We're almost there," Fang told me. "Please let go of my arm."

I refused to.

Up ahead, I could see the store. An alleyway was right beside it. My heart skipped a beat.

"Fang, can we go this way?" I asked nicely, trying to steer him in the opposite direction. There were some suspicious looking guys inside the alley, and I just didn't want to come across them.

"Scared?" Fang grinned.

"That's it. I'm leaving you." I turned away from him. "Goodbye, Fang."

"Okay." Fang shrugged.

"Okay," I said.

"See you."

"...Fine. I'm coming." I hate the way he does that.

By the time we're about three feet away from the guys, I was holding onto Fang's arm again.

"Will you quit that?" Fang was clearly irritated.

"I'm sorry!" I said in a hushed whisper. "I could just see a gun in that guy's pocket." The guy who had the gun was about a year older than me. He looked the oldest of the group, so maybe he was the leader or something.

"Hey," The guy said, winking at me. His minions snickered.

Next to me, Fang stiffened. "What?" Fang said, his voice eerily calm.

"She your girlfriend?" The guy asked casually.

"No...," Fang said.

Then what's this about? I thought. Fang, can't we go now?

"She's hot," The guy said, winking at me again.

With a roar, Fang tackled the guy to the ground and punched his face repeatedly.

"Stay. Away. From. Her!" He ground out. The guy's minions tried to pull Fang off, but he pushed them away.

"Fang!" I yelped, trying to pry his hands off the guy's neck.

--

I sat glumly next to Fang on the sofa, refusing to look at him. My mom was talking to the police officer. Yes, someone had called the police on us. Actually, on Fang, but I got dragged into it somehow.

Nudge watched from the doorway.

"Happy birthday," I mouthed to her, giving her a meek smile.

Nudge chuckled and disappeared into the kitchen.

"Okay, officer. Thank you." My mom walked him to the door where he went back to his car. She shut it as I heard the motor start.

"Max," My mom began.

"Fang did it!" I said quickly, pointing to my best friend. How's that for betrayal?

"He looked suspicious," Fang said quietly.

"I told you we should turn the other way, but no, you wouldn't listen to me!" My voice rose.

"It's not like I killed him," Fang said, looking down.

"You sent him to a hospital!" I screeched.

"He deserved it," Fang muttered.

"Fang!" Before I knew it, my hand came up and I slapped him. Or almost did. He stopped it a few centimeters away from his cheek.

I glanced in front of me; my mom was gone already. Sometimes Fang scared her.

"I was just worried," Fang told me, picking his words carefully.

"I know," I said softly. I lowered my hand. "Sorry."

"It's okay." Fang hugged me and I made noises of protest.

"Shut up, Max," He said, holding me flush against his body. "You like it when I hug you and you know it."

"Untrue," I said, although it was.

"Mhm." I felt Fang grin against my neck.