The Innocuous Occurrence at the Academy

A Max and Fang Romance

by Forever2yours

"Oi! Over here, Max!" he called out to me.

I turned around in surprise -suitcase in hand, hearing the mention of my name. It was Fang; turned out he had found a compartment.

My names' Max, and I'm 13 years old as of March 18th, 1997. I'm in 7th grade, with my friends. We go to a special school-The Academy for the Intellectually Gifted. It's a boarding school thats apparently difficult to be accepted into; as such we get special privileges.

7th grade starts the High School division of our term, but our grade ranking system doesn't exactly correspond to any normal one in England. Its an independent and unaffiliated school, though I've heard it is highly renowned throughout the world, taking only a select few group of kids and importing them in each year as a test drive. If the kids last, stand up to par with the school's standards, they get to stay. Our curriculum, school system, and educational standards are by far vastly accelerated and different from normal schools.

Up until now, my friends and I have been a part of the elementary school division, but this year we're starting 7th grade, entering the high school division. It is a particularly exciting prospect because it entitles a lot of freedom, so our entire grade is extremely excited.

Although the school is settled on England countryside, my friends and I are from all over—I don't have an british accent, in case you were wondering, I have an american one. Because the school is highly selective, it takes students from various different english and non-english speaking countries from over the world through its affiliated partner branches. I, for example, was plucked out the Board of Education system in the state of Wyoming. (Yes, I know, couldn't I have been from a cooler state? Like California, or New York, or even Arizona for that matter? At least Arizona sounds cool to say outloud when I tell people where I'm from..)

Anyhow, during breaks and such, I go back to Wyoming to my mom, dad, and sister back in the states. I don't think my manner has been considerably affected much exposure to brits land however; I barely even see any brits around, even though I spend roughly 9 months of the year inside England; less than more people here are from England actually—everyone comes from all around the world here.

If you're wondering why I'm even allowed to come here by my mom, it is because it was such an unsure deal in the first place. The school is obviously renowned for its educational standards, but even so, when I first got selected, I was in a trial run. The first kids who come here are always on a trial run, before they are asked to stay. If you don't measure up to standards in the first half year that you are asked to attend, you are immediately kicked out. While you are on your trial run, your parents are allowed to stay with you and observe the institution to see if they approve. Needless to say, most parents and completely utterly taken by this place-the institution and teaching standards are not just sub par. Trust me, if my mom were not so taken by this place, she would not have let me go off to school in another country. Most parents are taken by this place, but sadly, alot of kids are kicked out.

This is why our grade is so close to one another—we've all known eachother for ages, and above all, we've all passed the test to belong here. We're survivors. I won't lie when I say that half of our school has a bit of a superiority complex over others; we think we're smarter than others, and on some level its true. But in the end, we're still kids.

My best friend is Fang. I know, I know; its pretty weird to have a best friend thats a guy isn't it? I've known Fang since we were in 3rd grade, back in the elementary division; we were always really close. His name is something very long and complex and with titles I think. Baron.. something? He chooses to go by something simpler, and apparently, he is from some division of english royalty. His mom has an english accent, but his dad was born in America, so Fang's voice is deep and sallow mix of both. Its pretty cool to hear, but hes pretty generally quiet to most people though.

"Yo!" he calls out again.

I turn around, with my suitcase on wheels in one hand, to see half of Fang wave at me from a compartment door he kept open with one hand. My clueless face grows a grin; I hadn't seen Fang all summer. I immediately rush towards his direction to cover up my previously clueless demeanor.

I smile brightly at him once inside the compartment. Quite honestly, I hadn't a clue what else to do. I was extremely happy at seeing him. He laughs softly at my speechless state and ever-so-present genki characteristics. He sits comfortably in a window seat. The compartments empty besides us so far. I came pretty early, but I guess Fang's mom had dropped him off earlier. He usually lives in England but he occasionally goes back to the states to visit his grandparents sometimes. He lives in New York there though, so I've never actually seen him in the states back at home during the holidays. New York is so far away from Wyoming.

I dragged my suitcase in and prepared to stack it away ontop of the compartment, which was readily equipped enough space for four. I expected Ella and her boyfriend Iggy to sit with us once they arrived. After all, Iggy is one of Fang's closest friends, and Ella being my closest girl-friend.

As I turn from putting up my suitcase on top our seats, I find Fang staring out the window of the Academy Express Train rather dazed out. I smile a bit as I remember the scrawny little boy he was back in 3rd grade, who had put tape on my red crayon when it broke. He had changed a lot. Even over the summer he's changed more than ever. Well, pubertys' to blame. Seeing him dazed out, i tiptoe over to him -a considerably close inquisitive distance. With one foot tipped into the air, and my nose in close proximity to his clueless earlobe I blow up my chipmunk cheeks as I bend over him, and poke his right cheek in my own frustration.

"F***?" He exclaimed in surprise, jumping nearly 2 feet into the air. Haha, i just couldn't stop laughing. "You were completely spacing out" I tell him calmly after my laughter subsides. I notice his features tinge with a hint of disappointment while I reprimanded him. His jawline was becoming more defined and I could see his adam's apple even, with his voice more deeper. It hadn't cracked once since this morning. I sighed sadly, and caught him looking at me wierdly. Oh well, it's not like he'd understand.

Just then the door flew open. Ella popped in, with Iggy holding the door our for here. "Missed me?" she asked excitedly, her hands full of bags. I turn to see Iggy sweat dropping, he too holding some of Ella's bags. Fang and I shook out of our dazed awkward moment as I turned to hug Ella tightly. Fang stood up too, and turned to punch Iggy, in greeting.

"HEY! What was that for?" Iggy asked indignantly against his drastic sobs. He was now clutching the now purple bump on his head with dramatic tears in his eyes. He's cartoon character, I swear.

Fang shook his head disappointedly at him, and went back to his seat with a secret grin on his face.

"Well at least things are going back to normal eh?" Ella laughed and took her seat across from me as Iggy put their luggage on top of their seats to then sit across from Fang, next to Ella.

The Academy Express train? Well it was what took the classes to the Academy. Ella dubbed it with an analogy likening it to the Hogwarts Express when we were in that phase in the 4th grade. Of course, as awesome and priviledged we were by attending this school, our lessons had a lot more to do with AB-BC calculus than magic. Though, its not like we couldn't wish it so, could we?

The school was a private school, but it wasn't snotty or anything. The funding was O.K., but wasn't spent generously. Max, Fang, Iggy, Ella and the rest of their peers had uniforms, but only had to wear them during classes. This year, they were going to start the High School division which meant they'd have a lot more freedom and a whole new system. Getting into the school was a feat to accomplish. Admissions were not existent in the High School, but a steady stream came in and got kicked out during the Elementary Years.

No one really knew what the criteria was for admissions, and there wasn't an admissions process or anything. You get selected from your previous school. Intelligence played a good factor in it, most would presume. Either that, or the school was really good in making people smart. But no one was ever too stressed or anything; the education/teaching system was superb because the students learned a lot of critical reasoning skills without being completely, utterly, flanked and inundated with work. Ella however, was the top student of the year. She was extremely work devoted and most found it rather strange that she had a boyfriend.

Max had gotten into the school in 2nd grade, and Fang in 1st grade. However, Max hadnt become friends with him till 3rd grade when they were put into the same class. Ella got in at 4th grade, and automatically became close to Max. Iggy, however, got in at 5th. Most of the time late admissions were outcasts at first-not being used to the school or knowing anyone in the intimate way everyone else did. However, Iggy, with his loud and boisterous nature fit in right away. He was quite the 'player', being the class clown and such. However the one girl he couldnt make laugh was Ella—Class President and intent on order. Easily said, Ella vaguely hated Iggy's guts. Iggy however ignored that, and spent all his time throughout the course of the second semester of 5th (after he had found out he had a guarantee to stay in the school) and the entirety of 6th grades trying to make her bend to his will.

Fang was telling Max one day, while watching the antics of their friends over lunch in 6th grade, that Iggy had actually grown an infatuation of sorts over Ella. At first Ella truly hated him, but by this time she actually enjoyed his attention and flirted in the most unpronounced ways with him. Over the summer by that time, they had become a couple. But a weird one, at that surely.

Iggy was also from America, like Max, but she couldn't remember where exactly he lived. She was pretty sure it was nowhere near her house though, or else they would've planned to meet up over break. Ella however, was Scottish. She had pretty brown-auburn hair, that was impeccably dark and impeccably straight and fell down her back in silk-like strands. Her snappy accent, which was scottish in nature, was something guys probably could never be able resist, Max had decided early on.

Ella sighed contentedly and as the train began to take off, crossed her legs and opened up her book. It was a Nancy Drew. She had had a strange obsession over the series since she was rather young. Iggy watched as she did this, and pouted. He had learned after a while that it was impossible to get her to 'play' with him when she was reading.

Max sighed and leaned back against her seat stretching. Tomorrow would be an off day to get used to their new division, and then would be the first day of classes. She hoped she would be in the same dorm as Ella. Fang looked away to the window as she stretched, dazing off again Max thought. She leaned back, and put her feet on the seat with her knees up so to rest her head against Fang's side.

She couldn't help but notice the weird silent atmosphere between her and Fang. How much had changed between them? Nothing much, she guessed, except of course puberty, and a summer. Even though they had emailed once or twice. He had seemed fine through the inter-web. A bit vague though. But she just called it off as paranoia, on her part.

Haha, she remembered when she first got her period, way back in 6th grade. And Fang, being the clueless 11 year old he was, followed her around when she had gotten up to go to the bathroom, to wait for her. And asked her why she was running slow in gym. And then kept on asking her conspicuous questions. It wasn't until Iggy had enlightened Fang after she had gotten moody and exploded at him about 'giving her space' had he blinked twice and refused to talk to her for two weeks ensued with immense blushing on contact.

Ella had told her that it was just probably him hitting puberty, and him getting shyer. In general Fang was a real shy person.

Max had gotten extremely mad in 6th grade, when she realized that he grew taller than her. She was always taller since she'd known him.

She was leaning against him with her eyes closed and he was facing away, looking out the window with his elbow on the armrest by the window and his chin propped onto his palm. It was about 11, and the train would get there at noon. Then theyd be due for orientation, meet all their teachers, find their dorms, unpack, and hopefully have some free time.

Max awoke irritated and pouting and, as Fang poked her forehead. She opened her eyes to see him staring at her with a discreet look on his upside down face. His long, shaggy and mussed-up hair was framing it. She yawned and got up to sit properly.

As she turned to inquire about his rude awakening of her peaceful napping, she shut up as he clamped his hand over her mouth. Annoyed, she struggled it off with a 'humph'.

Leaning into her he whispered into her clueless face's ears "He's gonna leave now," and pointed a finger in Iggy's direction. Still forever-more clueless and annoyed Max made a ridiculous face and folded her arms to watch Ella read her book. Ella's legs were crossed and were the picture perfect visage of lady-likeness, but Iggy fidgeted distressedly and childlikely beside her. She could tell why: Ella was reading her book and clearly wasn't about to put up with his attentive needs. Just then, Iggy hurriedly stood up and as he went to leave the compartment, called out "bathroom". Ella subtly rolled her eyes as she replied with an offhand "kay".

Stupefied as to how Fang could predict that, she turned to him inquiringly. She could see a tired grin on his face. He snickered knowingly and leaned back into her "Ha, that perv was jerking off". As the words sunk in Max's face slowly grew shades of red. She blinked and squealed an angry 'eww' in her head. Fang couldnt keep in his laughter at Max's facial expression and began to crack up into his deep low laughter.

Ella looked at the two of them weirdly: Fang clutching his stomach laughing and Max's face red and squealing with her arms flailing. She raised a perfectly tweezed eyebrow, and then went back to her book mentally shaking her head at them as if they were children. After all, it was one of their weird 'things'. Or so, thats what she decided to call it off as always.

Iggy came back with a grin on his face and said a provocative "Missed me?" in a rather revolting 'foxy' demeanor. It amazed Max, how one could even deform a simple phrase as crudely as he had. In annoyance she beat him a signature kick to his shins. Jumping around with his leg in one hand he was wailing "Owwwwwww..! Why am I being so abused today? Ellaaaa, help me!" he whined, but Ella just looked just rather amused. She pecked his cheek and told him to promptly shut up so that she could read her book in peace.

Fang snickered under his breath as Max just humphed and sat down on her seat with her arms folded.

Max and Fang continued their silent battle between glares and snickers, just as Ella looked up to check her watch and announced "It's 11:30, we should be changing right about now. Let's not rush later on." Iggy looked up playfully. "Alright! Fang- you leave." Shaking his head, Fang dragged Iggy out with him by the collar of his shirt as he rolled his eyes at his best guy-friend's antics. Iggy was pouting as he was being dragged along to their other guy friends' compartment as the girls changed.

Max and Ella pulled out their uniforms from their suitcases and shut the blinds on their compartment doors before they changed. "Hey, Ella?" Ella looked up.

"Yeah?"

Feeling slightly apprehensive, Max looked down as she pursued the issue that had been plaguing her the past hour. "Well, is it just me.. or is Fang acting less comfortable around me? We used to be really close, and now it seems like he'd rather goof off with Iggy or Jake or Matt or the Gasman, the rest of his guy-friends, rather then me.." Ella looked at her sympathetically. "Hey, dont worry Max! It's probably cause hes getting awkward around you, hitting puberty and all. He'll get over it. Its an awkward phase anyhow. Heh, y'know sometimes i wish Iggy would be more like that, rather than trying to feel me up..." Ella said humorously.

Putting her skirt on, Max looked up at Ella a bit relieved and even proceeded to laugh at the truth she had admitted. "Speaking of which... Was Iggy... jerking off? Fang said so.. Gross!" Ella turned pink and rolled her eyes. "ugh, yeah i know. It's disgusting. But like, I told him that he could touch my thigh and THATS ALL. Yknow, just to keep him quiet for the ride? Who know he could jerk off at that?" Max giggled as Ella blushed, and continued teasing her. Then they heard a banging on the door "Hey! Are you done in there yet? This lecher I'm stuck with keeps on trying to pick the lock. You guys spend forever changing, geez, what d'you do in there?" Max laughed as she heard Fang's voice. He seemed to be pretty pissed off; he didn't say so many words together normally. She opened the door and peeked through. Fang let go of Iggy's collar, and immediately Iggy flew to Ella to hug her. Mainly because she hadn't finished buttoning the top of her shirt. On his knees, Iggy was hugging her waist, with his head rubbing affectionately against her stomach.

Feeling a bit awkward and rather frightened to say the least, Max turned away sweat dropping. Fang too ignored them and pulled his uniform out of his suitcase and muttered a clear "Going to change in the bathroom.." off-handedly before the compartment door swung shut behind him.

As high schoolers now, their new uniforms were less kiddish. The girls wore dark emerald silk skirts with soft white underlays that were supposed to fall to mid-thigh. It was coupled with an untucked silk blouse in white, with the emerald school crest on a left breast pocket. The guys' uniform were khakis that fell just below the knee or longer, with half-sleeved white button downs. The green school emblem was branded on the left side of the khaki legs. There were many variations to the uniforms, which could be bought at the store open inside their school. But for formal affairs such as Fall orientation every student had to own a pair of the standard fall uniform.

The train had stationed in front of the Year 7 High School Building. The four got out of their train, luggage dropped off and looked up to the building with excitement shining obnoxiously on their eager faces.

"So. Ready for another year, guys?" Ella said grinning. Iggy's arm snaked around her waist to pull her closer to him, while still staring up admiringly at the building.

"Fuck yes." Fang said lightly leaning back to rest his head against his folded arms as he looked up to the 7th year building as well.

"I wanna get laid this year." Iggy said with a devious smirk on his face quietly to Fang, who was grinning widely as they walked to the auditorium.

"Right. Like that'll ever happen," he whispered back, "You've somehow managed to warp Els' into going out with you—I'll grant you that—but asking a 13 year old to give up her virginity?" Fang commented skeptically, almost snorting "Dude, you're going a bit too far, eh?" Fang said lazily.

Unfortunately for him Max had overheard this, and immediately proceeded to bonk Fang on the head rather hard. With spiral-eyes, he whined weakly as he clutched his head.

"Don't discuss such things so loudly then.. Hmph." Max squealed with a red face, her chipmunk-cheeks blown up. With a flip of her hair, Fang watched as she turned to catch up to Ella as Iggy took his turn to laugh at him whole-heartedly. He was clutching his stomach laughing, in front of Fang—who was now on the floor—as he took his well-awaited turn to jest.

"Oh shaddap" Fang muttered, extremely peeved as he followed Max into the auditorium slumping.

Author's Note

Tell me your thoughts on it? :)