Max

Welcome back to the marvelous world of Maxie and friends. I'm kidding, I'm Max and if you call me Maxie you'll end up with a black eye. Anyway, for those of you tuning in for the first time I'll lay down the basics. I moved to Virginia at the beginning of my junior year of high school because my dad was abusing me due to the fact that I failed to miraculously save my older brother Ari who was dying. Ari had a strange illness and I was born to save him. It didn't work so my dad began abusing me. He went after Ella a few years afterwards since she was born for the same reason (in case I failed) but when he went after our baby sister Angel (who had been born for pleasure) the two of us went ballistic and called the cops. He went to jail and Mom moved the four of us and our two dogs Total and Akila from Arizona to Virginia.

Once in Virginia I met Fang, Iggy, Iggy's younger brother Gazzy, and Nudge. I'm currently dating Fang, Iggy is dating my sister Ella and Nudge and Gazzy are together. We've all been through a lot in the first semester and with all the stress of the exams last week, I think we're all looking forward to a remotely relaxing second semester.

Today January 28th which is an important day; it's Fang's birthday. He's seventeen today and I'm on my way to his house right now. It's approximately seven in the morning and a Saturday but I honestly couldn't wait any longer. I knock on the door and Ms. Monroe answers but she has a worried look to her face instead of her usually very cheerful, friendly one.

"Hi Ms. Monroe. What's wrong?" I ask.

She seems to debate in her head whether she would like to enlighten me on whatever is the matter but then we hear a yell from upstairs and my only thought is: Fang.

"Fang!" I yell, pushing past his adopted mother and flying up the stairs. I tear his door open and find him thrashing around in his bed, fighting unseen enemies. I know this feeling because I do the same thing every night: Fang is having a nightmare.

"Fang?" I ask, walking over to his bed, my voice wavering with the shock of my unfortunate discovery.

If he heard me he makes no effort to show it.

"Fang? It's me Max. It's all right." I say, shaking his shoulder to wake him up.

Fang blinks open dark obsidian eyes are bloodshot and full of unshed tears. His face is pale and he's staring at me with shock, his eyes fill with recognition and his face flushes as he looks away to avoid further eye-contact.

"Are you all right?" I ask before wincing. That was a stupid question. Of course he isn't all right; he just woke up screaming and now he's trying really hard not to cry.

"You weren't supposed to see that." He whispers, still not looking at me.

"Why? I love you; I'm concerned about your well-being." I say.

He mumbles something I can't hear.

"What?" I ask, leaning in closer to hear him.

"They always said that nobody could love people who scream and cry all the time." He whispers.

I take his face in my hands and make him look me in the eyes. "I love you Fang. If you have nightmares, well that sucks because you're in pain all the time but I'm not going to leave you just because you have nightmares. I love you Fang and nothing will change that." I tell him.

"I love you too Max." He whispers back before pulling me close and kissing me on the lips. My brain shorts and my only thought is that I want to do this all the time.

Of course, this is when Ms. Monroe clears her throat and we turn around. I realize now that Fang has pulled me next to him on the bed and I hop up, realizing that he's still in his pajamas. Oops. He he...well then.

"Well, I'll let you change." I say awkwardly as my face turns beet red.

Fang nods, his face also flushed.

"By the way, happy birthday Fang." I say with a smile before walking out the door.

Fang

Hello again, Fang here reporting live from-yes, I'm done with that. Anyway, Max woke me from my nightmare and instead of disgust on her face, I saw compassion, empathy and understanding-the understanding part worries me a little. How does she understand what it's like to have nightmares? Does she have bad nightmares as well? I love her but she worries me sometimes with stuff like this. I wish she would tell me these things...of course I'm sure she's thinking the same thing right now.

Hello again dear readers. I am back and sorry for not getting this up and running sooner. I wanted to wait until a time when I could update more frequently and more consistently and now that time is upon us so thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy the rest of No Matter What. Also, the quote says, "Love is not about how much you say I love you but how much you prove that it's true". It will make more sense later on.

~Kay~