Hate is a Strong Word. But I Really, Really, Really Don't Like You.
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters in this story.
Please read the author's notes at the end!
Max P.O.V~
After Ms. Regin assigned me a detention for texting and talking back, the rest of the day passed by uneventfully, and by uneventfully, I really mean it was no different from any other day. I had one class with Fang.
One too many in my opinion.
For the most part he completely ignored me and flirted with his girlfriend Lissa. Occasionally he would look over and sneer, absolute disgust painting his face.
I ignored as much as I could, but even as I rolled down the hallways, all I heard were snickers and omg's.
I never truly realized how petty high schoolers could be till after my accident. My so called "friends" turned their backs on me and my admirers found someone new to focus on. There were no sympathetic or pitiful glances my way, not that I minded. I wanted to laugh at how easily influenced people were.
And to think this was all Fang's fault. One word from the King of Cool and they were falling over themselves to obey his command. It was because of that cocky, arrogant, annoying, insufferable douche bag that I was now a social outcast, and as much as I tried to tell myself that I didn't mind the personal space, I really missed being liked. I missed being looked up to and I missed being able to help others out when they came to me. I missed being important and the sudden realization that I had been tossed aside like an insignificant piece of yesterday's trash hurt more than the stares.
The bell rang and students filed out into the hallway. I waited at my desk until everyone in my sixth period class had gone before packing up my stuff and rolling out the door. The hallways outside were still crowded so I waited until I could find space to squeeze my wheelchair through.
Nobody noticed me waiting. The only people who bothered to do anything were the ones that "accidentally" swung their backpacks into my shoulders with an "Oops, didn't see you there" and a sly smile.
I rolled my eyes, unable to do much else other than yell out a string of profanity.
"Max!"
Searching for the source of my name, I strained upward and noticed an African American girl with frizzy hair and designer clothes barreling towards me. Good ol' Nudge to the rescue.
"Hey Nudge! How was class?" I asked as she came up behind me. She grabbed the handles of my wheelchair and began pushing through the crowd.
"Coming through folks! Please step to the side in order to avoid being run over. Of course, if you do want to be run over that can also be easily arranged," Nudge yelled into the hall. Slowly, people began carving a path as they glared at Nudge.
I rolled my eyes.
Nudge started leading me towards the main doors, weaving through people and shoving those who didn't move aside. I could see backpacks and legs bumping against my feet but they didn't hurt me. How could they?
"Wait Nudge! Not today. I got to go to detention today."
"What did you do this time Max? Ooh! I bet I know! You totally kicked Fang's ass! I bet he was standing there being all 'Haha, look at Maximum Ride. I could never beat her before because I'm pretty stupid and now that she's in a wheelchair I feel totally manly and strong because I can finally for once be on top. I know that makes me a horrible human being but who cares because I'm a selfish prick,'" she said deepening her voice and adopting a very manly stance, "and then you unleashed some of your Maximum power with a jab here and a punch there and totally beat him up. Sadly the teachers saw you and had to give you detention no matter how much Fang deserved it because we live in the land of equality. The end." Somewhere in the middle of her rant she had turned the chair around and began walking to the detention room.
I laughed. Nudge's rants always made my day. "Something like that. I was actually texting your future boyfriend if you must know." I teased. Nudge has had a major crush on Iggy since her freshman year.
"Channing Tatum? How did you get his number? You have to give it to me! Like right now," she said with a straight face. If it weren't for the slight blush on her face, one would think she actually had no idea who I was talking about.
"Don't let Iggy let you hear that. He might get jealous," I said with a wink. She blushed even harder.
"Shut up Max."
"Love you too Nudgey Wudgey," I cooed. "And don't worry, I promise I won't tell Iggy."
We'd finally reached the detention room, and Nudge wheeled me to the door before quickly taking off with an, "I don't know what you're talking about. Bye Max!"
Ah, denial. It's not just a river in Egypt, you know?
As I entered the detention room, the first thing I saw made me want to hurl. Fang and Lissa were leaning against the teacher's desk and making out as if their lives depended on it.
"Ugh, gross. Can't you guys share germs someplace else. The bedroom comes to mind," I said rolling my eyes when I saw their positioning. Lissa was almost sitting on the desk, her skirt lifted up pretty high, and Fang's hands were no where to be seen. There was some movement going on under Lissa's shirt though. Hmmm, I wonder what that could be.
They broke apart with a loud pop and Fang turned to glare at me. The feelings mutual big boy, I thought as I glared right back at him.
Noticing the tense exchange, Lissa hopped off the desk, adjusted herself and cleared her throat. "Hey babe, I'm going to go. I got cheerleading practice right now. I'll see you later, right?" Lissa asked hopefully.
With a terse nod, Fang let her go but not before copping a quick feel of her ass. I could see Lissa visibly tense up before brushing it off and giving Fang a sly grin. That was strange.
And then there were two.
"So Ride. How did a goody two shoes such as you manage to land yourself a detention? Let me guess, you were late to class too many times? Well, I suppose that can't be helped seeing as you are unable walk," he said his back against the large desk at the front and his arms crossed in front of his chest. He looked positively evil.
"I see nothing has changed Walker. You're still as petty as you were when I could kick your ass. Now look at you, jealous of a crippled. That really would do wonders for your reputation. I can't wait to share this with the world," I retorted half heartedly.
"As if. I never was nor will I ever be jealous of you, Ride. You're nothing." He laced his words with as much venom as he could. If you asked me, I think he laced his words with too much. It was almost as if he was trying to convince everyone, even himself that he hated me. But what would I know?
"Whatever Walker. Let's just get this over with. Where's the supervisor?"
"He already came. I told him you'd be coming, but you would be a little late when I found out you were on the list," he said with a smirk. If he wasn't purposely trying to piss me off, that might have actually been considered a nice gesture.
"Shut up, Fang. Your face is annoying me."
"That literally made no sense," he responded looking at me curiously.
"It made total sense," I argued. "Your face annoys me. Your voice annoys me. The combination of the two would annoy me beyond measure; since you sadly can't do anything for your face except put a paper bag over it, which is currently unavailable, I will have to settle for the option of you shutting up."
He ignored me.
And that was totally cool with me.
I grabbed an empty desk in the front of the classroom and set up my wheelchair opposite the side with the seat. I pulled out my homework and began to work. Surprisingly, Fang did the same though he was on the other side of the classroom.
He looked really focused. His eyes were scrunched in concentration, and he chewed at the eraser on his pencil. Not that I was looking at him or anything. It's just the clock happened to be above his desk so I happened to notice these things when I checked the time.
I sighed. Even his presence was annoying. Every time I saw him out of the corner of my eye, my mind would replay the incident from this morning focusing on the 3 seconds of contact Fang's skin had with my body and the tingles that ensued, and every time I would assure myself that it was all a figment of my imagination.
Other than my few stray thoughts, detention passed quickly and without commotion - which considering it was only Fang and I in a single room together, was rather surprising. A few times Mr. Sorenson, one of the freshman science teachers, came in to check up on us. He would always leave within 30 seconds, satisfied with the work we were doing.
When the detention bell rang signaling the end, I packed up my stuff, shoved them into my bag and wheeled myself out of the room and away from Fang as fast as I could.
I made it all the way to the front doors and pushed them open before I stopped, stuck. The entrance to our school was 10 feet off ground level and the only way up here was using a flight of steps. Usually Iggy, Nudge, Gazzy or even Angel helped carry me and my wheelchair up, but today I was all alone. Except Fang, but he doesn't count.
I waited at the top of the steps for a long time, staring at them.
Maybe if I stared harder, they would magically turn into a ramp.
The door opened and I instantly knew who it was. Fang was probably having a field day.
"This is a slight problem, don't you think?"
For once, I agreed with him, but he wasn't going to ever know that.
I settled for, "Hate is a strong word Fang, but I really, really, really don't like you."
"Whatever floats your boat, Ride." Fang creeped up behind me and placing his hands on my shoulders he whispered, "What would happen if I were to push you?"
I was too distracted by the tingles erupting everywhere as his breath fanned over my ear to care about what he said. I had spent so long convincing myself what happened this morning was a fluke, but here it was again.
The tingles flowed like electricity through my veins as I sat there for what seemed like forever. My legs pulsed and though I couldn't move them, they could feel the tingles. Of course it wasn't as strong. The tingles, which were like waterfalls in my upper body, seemed to transform into small streams in my legs, but it didn't change the fact that they were still there.
"Earth to Max. Did you hear what I said?" He growled.
I ignored him. Was it only Fang that had this effect on me? Iggy's touched me since my accident and nothing happened. And of all people... why him?
I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. He removed his hands from my shoulders (the tingles went with him obviously) and walked down the steps leaving me where I was to contemplate life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
He scoffed. "Did your accident leave you brain dead as well?" He called up from the bottom of the steps. "Oh, and have fun getting down," he said with a final smirk.
Oh, that cocky prick. One of these days, I swear, I was going to murder Fang. He whistled as he walked away and before getting into his car, which was parked in the spot closest to the entrance (of course) he gave me a quick wink.
I changed my mind. I don't think hate is a strong enough word.
Author's Note:
For the record folks, I have gotten a few reviews commenting on the characters personalities. For example, Fang being a dick and Lissa being a slut. I understand that these plots are overused and kind of tiring but for my story's purposes Fang has to be a dick at least for a little while (until he falls in love and changes). Lissa will also change later on, but until she does, this is her character.
Reviews: How about 10 reviews for the next update? Hopefully, I'll be back soon. So around, 28?
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Nehaloonie
P.S. Parisian Passion has been updated as well so check that out?
