Hello, Fan fiction readers. SO this is Fic number two. I hope you all like it. This is an all human fic and some characters might be slightly OOC. Mostly Fang, see the real him is there he just needs a healthy dose of Max. If that makes any sense (its kind of hard for me to explain though you will see it in the story) Cause right now he is a bit of a jerk but he changes as the story progresses. Enjoy.

Max POV:

"Max, time for school," called Julie from downstairs. I quickly launched myself down the steps, barely missing Gazzy as I tripped on the carpet. After giving Julie a kiss on the cheek and grabbing my backpack, I set off to take the younger set to school.

You all are probably really confused right about now, so I'll explain. Gazzy and Ariel are my two siblings. The Gasman is eight and Ariel is six. Their mom and dad adopted me at the beginning of summer, right before we moved here. They had been my fosters for half a year before that. I've been from home to home, but it looks like this one is the winner. I love my siblings, and Julie and Harry are, well, better than all the others by a long shot. But no matter how much I love them, you'll never catch me calling them mom and dad. That is not in the cards.

"Max, we're here," said Ariel, staring up at me with her big blue eyes. I ushered them inside the elementary school, stared down a cocky sixth grader, and signed them in.

"Have fun sweetie," I whispered into Ariel's hair as I hugged her.

"Watch out for Ari," She whispered back.

As she left I turned to Gazzy, which, if you haven't guessed, is his nickname, for obvious reasons.

"No stink bombs please," I internally rolled my eyes as he opened his mouth. "Artificial or natural." I added.

Finally, I walked out of the cheerfully fake building.

I turned a corner, and stood in front of Fanview High, home of the frogs. Really, could they be any lamer.

I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the first day of school. Next thing I know I was rudely pulled into a side alley.

"Can I help you?" I growled as I whipped around to face the idiot. Seeing his face, I mentally corrected myself. Oh, great, not an idiot, a jackass. Even better.

"What do you want, Ari? Actually, don't answer that. I'd rather you crawl into a hole somewhere and die," I said as I pushed my way past him.

Apparently, he had other ideas, because he grabbed my arm.

Ariel was right (not that I was surprised). I would have to watch out for him. Ari and I started dating when I first moved here. I broke up with him a couple weeks ago due to some issues.

"Just wanted to see my girlfriend."

Guess denial can be added to his list of mental instabilities.

"We broke up, remember?" I replied, whirling around to sock him, but he snatched my hand.

"I thought those bruises taught you a lesson, Max."

I winced at the mention of the major issue. It's in all the movies, books, and shows but I learned about abusive relationships the hard way.

He pretended to be thoughtful, as he looked me up and down. "Guess not," he added before punching me in the eye.

"Take that as a warning," he called over his shoulder.

"Coward," I muttered before following behind him. I could not afford to be late to class, even with a black eye.

I had five minutes to get to class. Brilliant. I had to be the only sophomore who had no idea where they were going. This was turning out to be a fantastic start to a great school year. Please note the sarcasm.

Suddenly, I ran into a solid moving object, spilling her stuff onto the ground.

"Sorry," I mumbled to the floor as I helped her get her stuff.

"No, problem. I totally wasn't paying attention. Thanks for – holy cow, what happened to your eye?" the girl exclaimed.

"Oh, nothing."

"Doesn't look like nothing. People are starting to stare. Hey, I have some make-up if you want me to cover that up." The girl said this all in about ten seconds flat. Jeez, she talked fast.

"Umm, don't we have to get to class?" I was frantically trying to get out of this.

"Let me see your schedule. Hmmm… there." She pointed at my first period. "We have art together. Mrs. Dawkins won't mind if I do your makeup in the back. She loves me. Oh, I'm Monique, but my friends call me Nudge."

I glanced over as we started walking down the hallway. She looked nice enough. But looks could always be deceiving. On the other hand… "Nice to meet ya, Mo-"

"Nudge."

I grinned. "Nudge. I'm Max."

"Ha, cool" Nudge laughed as we walked into the classroom late, and everyone's eyes landed on us. Several people motioned at her, but she merely continued until we sat in the back.

The teacher talked of this year's goals as Nudge ruthlessly applied the makeup.

"You have no idea how many hickies I've had to cover for the girls on the squad." Hold it. Rewind, rewind.

"Wait, you're a cheerleader." I actually liked this girl. Not that I had anything against cheerleaders, we just usually didn't mix well.

Out of nowhere, Nudge started cracking up. "What?" Man, was I confused.

"The look on your face. It was priceless. Don't worry; I'm only on it because my friends made me. I did gymnastics for seven years, so I was in pretty high demand."

"Huh."

"Still friends?" Nudge asked as she pulled out a set of puppy dog eyes. Ah, crap.

"Sure. You found my weakness." I sighed. Nudge just laughed.

"I'll make a note of it."

We talked the rest of the period until the bell rang. Nudge pointed out my next class and I continued my day.

The next three periods were a blur, and lunch consisted of me eating outside under a tree. I walked into English and sat down next to a girl with short brown hair and green eyes. She turned to face me.

"Hi, you're new right? I'm Vivian." She sounded all right. Not as perky as Nudge, which wasn't really a bad thing.

"Max." I replied, deciding to stick with the one word sentences.

"My friend had this guy last year. He's supposed to be so boring."

"Really?" Go Max. Go Max.

"Yeah. Oh great, Ms. Wonderful is in this class." Vivian's tone became sarcastic and slightly angry as a blonde haired girl entered the room.

"Who?"

"Brigid. She is the biggest teacher's pet there is. Especially with the guy teachers since she flirts with ALL of them. Even the ugly ones." Vivian made a gagging sound before she continued. "Couple that with the fact that she's a cheerleader and one of the biggest flirts at school."

"Someone shoot me now." I muttered as I glared over at the blonde. Vivian chuckled. Man, I broke my one word sentence spiel. Oh, well. Five minutes later the teacher did the same boring back to school speech.

"Hey, play along." Vivian leaned over and whispered then she raised her hand.

"Yes, Miss Clark?" The teacher intoned gesturing to Vivian. When I saw her I could barely contain my laughter. She was doubled over and looking green.

"I. Don't. Feel. So. Good. Can Max take me to the nurse?" Icing on the cake was her covering her mouth like she was about to blow.

"Sure thing. Go." The guy practically threw us out of the classroom.

"You"-laugh-"are"-laugh-"brilliant." I wheeze out as I'm doubled over in the hall. Vivian stands up and bows.

"It's a gift. I hate those back to school lectures. We just have to be back five minutes before the bell and we're golden."

"Sweet, sweet freedom." I said.

"You know it," Vivian added before dragging me down the hall.

After Vivian gave me the unofficial but much cooler school tour, we headed back to class. As we walked back out five minutes later, a guy popped up and put his arm around Vivian.

"Hey, Viv. Who's this?"

"Don't you know it's rude to talk about someone like they're not even there?" I ask, smirking at Vivian's muffled laugh.

"This is Max. Max this is Jeff, but-"

"Call me Iggy or you'll regret it," he added, cutting off Vivian, and earning him a glare. I looked at him again and noticed what he was wearing.

"You play?" I asked, gesturing to the worn soccer jersey.

"Yeah, you?"

"A bit." I faked nonchalance. I was actually pretty good, not that I like to brag. Much.

"Well, then, maybe I'll beat you some time." Iggy said, cockiness lacing his tone as a smirk appeared on his face.

I had to choke back a laugh as Vivian mimicked hitting him upside the head.

"We'll see about that. If you don't judge me for being a girl, I won't judge you for playing like one," I replied, leaning against the doorframe of our next class that we conveniently all had together. Iggy turned to Vivian.

"Invite her to sit with us," he said, "she fits right in." Then he went to claim three seats in the back.

"High praise," Vivian muttered and pulled me into the classroom.

As I walked down the aisle of my final class of the day, French 2, I felt eyes on me. "What the hell," I said, looking around for the source.

"Oh, great," Vivian moaned as we sat next to Iggy. He looked bewildered until she pointed out a guy. The creep who had been staring at me.

"Looks like Fang has a new target," She added with a look of disgust.

"Fang? What kind of name is that?" I thought out loud.

Hearing my question and noticing my confusion, she continued.

"Fang is just a nickname; I've actually forgotten his real name to be honest. Anyway, I guess you could call him a player."

"And an ass," Iggy muttered, interrupting Vivian. This was clearly not a good move since it earned him a smack upside the head.

"Ignore him," Vivian shot Iggy a pointed glare, "Ever since freshman year Fang has dated a new girl every week. There are repeats but each relationship only lasts exactly one week."

"Jerk," I spat, appalled.

How could any guy make me hate him so much without me even meeting him? I had no idea but I really didn't care. How could he use girls like that, as if they meant nothing? And now lover boy, some sick, demented, and twisted Romeo was coming after me!!! Nuh uh. No way. I have had enough guy drama to last a lifetime. Time to put up Max's patented, unbreakable wall.

"Yeah, only five percent of the girls in school haven't dated him," Iggy said with a mix of admiration and obvious hatred on his face.

"And only ten percent of those don't want to," Vivian finished, "It's pathetic." "Hmmm… Maybe we could call them Fang fan girls?" I said smirking. It did have a nice ring to it. The other two just laughed.

Suddenly Vivian's laugh stopped and her eyes darkened.

"Speak of the devil," she muttered along with a stream of curse words. I followed her gaze into a pair of dark midnight eyes that anyone else would have gotten lost in. The wall is patented for a reason.

"Can I help you?" I asked deciding to play nice, for now.

"I had a question. Do you have a boyfriend?"

"No, but I have an ex and I'm not looking for another one." I continued before he could speak. "I've heard all about you, Fang. I will not be one of many, maybe even not one at all so why don't you just scamper back to your fan club." My voice was icy and menacing, so I added on a death glare for some extra umph. I had decided to throw being nice out the window.

"Do I know him?"

"Who?"

"Your ex."

Why in the hell did he want to know? I pondered my silent question before answering his.

"Probably. You look like you hang out with jackasses." Then I turned back around hoping he got the message to leave.

Vivian was grinning like a maniac and Iggy was on the floor bowing at the foot of my desk.

"If you don't sit with us at lunch tomorrow, I will personally hunt you down and make you," Vivian threatened but the effect was ruined by her even bigger grin.

"Trust me, that won't be necessary." I responded. I finally found where I belonged, and it felt good.

When I went to pick up Ariel and Gazzy, a look of glee was plastered on my face.

"Good day?" Ariel questioned, skipping down the steps toward me.

"Yup." I answered. I gave her a hug.

"Even with the black eye?" Before I could respond she continued, "Your makeup is fading. But you still look pretty as always."

"Thanks sweetie. How was your day?" I loved my little sister. Everything from her big blue eyes to her tiny, obnoxious black dog.

She then grinned evilly. "I'll tell you mine," she sang, "if you tell me yours."

Fifteen minutes later, Ariel had relayed her day, and I was finishing up mine. I told her every detail excluding the more colorful words.

"I like Vivian and Nudge. Iggy sounds funny." Ariel stated then put her chin on her fist. I could practically see the cogs turning in her head.

"Well, I'm glad my six year old sister approves." I teased. She shushed me.

"Fang is in love with you." Ariel said, matter-of-factly.

"What?" I yelled. A bewildered expression graced my face.

"Sorry I'm late." Gazzy said breathlessly as he ran down the stairs. I turned my glare on him and he sputtered.

"Hey, I wouldn't have gotten detention if it wasn't for this girl. I told her not to touch the stink bomb." Gazzy cried defensively.

What? Bomb? God, is there no rest for the amazing? I closed my eyes for a second then opened them again.

"Detention? Bomb? You have got to be kidding me, Gazzy. It's your first day," I said tiredly.

"At least everyone knows my name now," he replied sheepishly. I raised an eyebrow.

"Gazzy, I would run." Ariel stage whispered.

I proceeded to chase him all the way home with Ariel following, laughing her little butt off.

That night I collapsed into my bed. Names and faces from the day ran through my head. My thoughts lingered on Vivian, Iggy, and Nudge. I let out a contented sigh. Maybe, just maybe this would be an okay year after all. Little did I know that 'okay' wouldn't even begin to cover it.

What did ya think? I would love to hear questions, comments, cronstructive critiques, or ideas. I would also love REVIEWS. Pretty please with Fang on top.