Woah it has been a LOOOOONG time. And I think that I'm really not being fair to you guys. I mean I've still got people reviewing even though it's been so long. I've got like ADHD or something and I can never concentrate on one thing for too long, especially if i've got something better to do or no ideas. With my brain being pre-occupied with either homework or music or when it's not functioning, writing long chapters for you guys is tedious. So tell me whether or not you mind them being shorter. I feel like I have to meet a certain expectation of pages for some reason, because personally when there's a story I enjoy, I prefer long chapters. I am so sorry about not updating both of my stories. My stinky laptop got a virus and I was afraid to turn it on *sheepish smile*. Anyways, summer doesn't really help me, because my brain goes on vacation. Either way, here's a chapter, that feels really filler for some reason.


Stardazed Chapter 4- There's Hell to Pay

Do you ever have that feeling like your life is some clichéd chick-flick? No? Oh, well you're not me then. You know it's understandable for somebody, like our lovely blonde cashier, to be put out by the fact that a non-descript plain Jane like myself can be found hanging around somebody like Fang. I mean come on, people like blondie there think the world revolves around them. In her mind, Fang and I, the pair of us together, ruins her entire concept of life. According to her, beautiful people and non-beautiful people just shouldn't be friends. My fists clench at her tone of voice, and the way she looks down on me. As if.

"Uhm actually, she's my girlfriend and we just want coffee. A double double for the lady and black for me." Fang stated the word girlfriend as if it was the most normal thing in the world, and honestly I was thanking the gods for not ruining the moment by having him using his 'Russian' accent.

I heard him mutter 'Like my soul', under his breath and I stifled my giggles. Which ended in me nearly hacking up a lung, while Fang awkwardly patted my back. I'm pretty sure there was drool down my chin because Blondie was looking at me like I was some raving Neanderthal. I finally straightened up and wiped the dribble of my chin.

"And a chocolate chip cookie? He's paying." I said meekly.

"…Right…" Blondie muttered and went to get our orders. Bad service much?

"What the hell was that 'My girfriend' bit! She looked like she wanted to kill me. You couldn't have just nodded and agreed? Like I need more crazy fan-girls attacking me!" I whispered screamed at Fang.

"But she doesn't know who I am" He pointed out smirking at my fury.

"This isn't funny! Nick Valentine I am never going out with you again!"

"So you admit this was a date." He grinned at me.

"Wha-NO! You shut up." I grumbled.

"Sure thing, date." He winked. Have I ever mentioned I hate this guy?

"You are INFURIATING!" I screamed, frustrated as hell.

"ehem."

"Really? You seemed to be enjoying yourself back at the mall. Or was I infuriating then too?" He started getting angry.

"ehem."

"You know what? You are exactly like I pictured you!" I stormed.

"ehem."

"OH? And how do you picture me?"

"ehem."

"You are a selfish, conceited, hot-heated douche bag who doesn't think about anybody but himself. All you ever want is more attention."

"ehem."

"And what? You just assumed that from staring at my poster? Get real! You're not the victim here MAX. You're the one assuming things about me! You never even met me before that concert! Who gave you the right to judge me?"

"ehem."

"ME? Yes, I judged you! Because you rock stars are all the same! I wasn't wrong either!"

"ehem."

"Forget it! You're not even worth the time! I can't believe I tried so hard to get you to like me. As if I needed another person with a 'better than thou' attitude in my life." He finally yelled.

"EHEM!" We both whipped our heads around to see the cashier holding two steaming mugs of coffee and a paper bag.

"WHAT?" We both yelled.

"I have your order." She whispered pathetically.

"Take your stupid coffee. I'm leaving." I muttered. I walked out side and realized I had no idea where I was. Stupid Nick and his stupid Targa, driving me to stupid places. It was going to take forever to walk back to the mall parking lot.

Fang POV

I stood there fuming for a second longer, remembering all the things Max had said to me before she stormed off like some misunderstood heroine. Ugh, the nerve of her. How dare she judge me. I don't even remember why I got mad anymore. I was just so pissed. In the beginning, Max was interesting. Like a new toy that you couldn't figure out how to work. She was a puzzle, and the challenge of figuring her out lured me in. I never figured her to be the person who stuck her nose up before even smelling the air.

Just the thought of her... Max was pretty. She had nice highlights, a slender face, full lips and eyes full of swirling emotions. Every thing about Max was natural, natural beauty, something not many people had. And even though she had a tough 'idgaf' image, she was kind thoughtful, and a good listener. Though not everything that came out of her pretty mouth was pretty. Like how rude she was to me, I guess that was her true colours.

"Excuse me?" A small voice asked. I turned to see the ditzy blonde that tried and failed to flirt with me holding my order.

"Oh yah thanks." I grabbed the tray of coffee and the cookie distractedly. Great, that cookie was Max's, and now I'm thinking about her again. She's probably lost somewhere now. It was a couple of blocks from Bev Mall… She was wearing those healed boots. It probably wasn't very comfortable. Maybe I shou- No! What are you thinking, she deserves it.

Then suddenly my mom's voice filled my head.

Nicholas Tyson Valentine! I raised you better than this! Leaving a poor girl to walk back to her car! And by herself, mind you!

But M-OM!

No buts Mister. You go find that girl and give her a ride. Do you know how many creepy men there are in California?

Okay, call me crazy, but I actually listened to the 'Mom' inside my head, which was of course a figment of my imagination. I hopped in my car, and started circling around for Max. All the while thinking about why my mother's scolding was so vivid in my mind.

It was weird, imagining my mom's voice. Because I haven't seen her in nearly 2 years. When I was sixteen I got it in my head that I could be a big star. And when a record label from Hollywood called me at my small town home in Virginia (I know born in Toronto, raised in farm country, what's up with my life?), I took the chance. Problem was my mom wouldn't let me go. Sure she was proud of me, kept saying how talented I was, but she refused to let me chase a 'child's fantasy'. My mom had this fear of famous people, ever since the situation with my dad. So instead of being a good little boy I ran away from home, with all my savings and my old '94 Targa. That's why I kept the car after all. And I haven't seen my mom since.

Up ahead I saw the slender figure of a girl, hoodie up, looking utterly lost. I had to chuckle a little, the expression on Max's face was so hilarious.

I rolled down the window at her already glaring face and muttered "Get in."

Max POV

I saw a shady little Targa pull up on the road next to where I was standing, and I figured it was F-Nick. Good riddance to him, I don't want to see his slimy face again. Sad thing was, my heart actually gave a little jolt. He rolled down the window, a wry smile on his face, as if laughing about something he shouldn't have been, and muttered "Get in".

"Get in? GET IN?" That's all you have to say?" I fumed.

He sighed, "Look Max, I don't want to argue with you. You have no idea how to get back to the mall and I don't want you walking back yourself and getting raped or something. I was raised better than that." He said, smirking a little at some private joke of his. What a jerk.

"NO!" I exclaimed. Then I remembered I did have no idea how to get back. And I was lost. And the guy was offering.

"No?" He questioned again.

"…yes." I accepted defeated.

I slid into the passenger seat and he put the car into drive. Let the awkward silence commence, I thought.

Though I suppose I should be grateful. After all the horrible things I yelled at the guy, he still came and found me, just to make sure I was okay. Even saving me from possible rape or otherwise. And I did regret letting my anger get the best of me. The guy had been nothing but nice to me, even if he was a bit cocky. Pretty much nothing like my previous image of 'Nick Valentine' I had convinced myself he was. And yet I still threw in all those nasty comments I had about his fame.

I sighed.

I'm going to have to apologize aren't I? I hate apologizing.

"Hey uhm Fang?"

"-grunt-" He grunted at me. Grunted! Awe man he hates me, doesn't he?

"I'm sorry. About what I said. I don't really believe it. At least not now that I've met you. And thank you for giving me a ride. Even though I probably deserved to be ditched." I apologize. I probably failed miserable at sounding sincere, but I was, 100%.

"It's fine." He says. Great, now he's giving me two word answers. Yup, he so hates me. I'm screwed.

We lapse into awkward silence yet again. He reaches out and turns on the radio. Your Guardian Angel by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus blares through the out of date CD player. Unconsciously I start humming along and soon I'm forming words.

I will never let you fall

I'll stand up with you forever

I'll be there for you through it all

Even if saving you sends me to heaven

"You have a really nice voice, Max." Fang mumbles.

"I- thank you." I stammer.

"I like this song. It's kinda sweet, in a corny way."

"Yah… I like this song too." I smile at his words, because he's right. And this time, when silence settles, it's not so awkward anymore.

When he finally drives into the parking lot I feel a lot calmer. At least I can leave today as an acquaintance of Nick Valentine's.

I mutter a 'thanks' before I leave. At least I try to. Fang's arm shoots out and grabs me.

"Wait! Don't go yet. I want to uhm, start over. This time, with me being a regular guy. My fame is completely deleted from the picture. I won't even mention it if you don't want me to." He pleads. I don't know what I did to ever deserve his kindness, but he just keeps coming back.

"Sure, I want to start again, maybe be able to clean my slate of all the bad things I've done to you. But, I don't mind the rock star gig. It's part of who you are."

"Great! Ehem. Hi, I'm Fang" He winks at me, extending a hand.

"Max" I reply, shaking his hand.

"So, Max, how does a VIP tour of my life sound? Say, next Friday? This time, I promise our date won't be ruined." He grins at me.

"That sounds wonderful. But no date. Just an… outing." I agree.

"An outing? Pfft, alright whatever you say." He smirks at me.

I enter my number into his phone, my fingers slightly shaking. It seems kind of unreal, the situation I'm in.

"I guess I'll see you then. Bye Fang." I turn to leave.

"Max?" He calls out again.

"Yah?"

"I'm sorry too." He replies, and I walk away with a faint smile on my face.

What an interesting day.


A: Phew, I am such a terrible author. And to think I actually laboured over this piece of crap here. I'm not really happy with the results.

I: Hehe, you suck. Writer's block is an awesome torture device.

A: Iggy!

I: Sorry, it's the truth. I thought you promised I'd be in this chapter.

A: Yah, but I'm stalling. You'll be in Fang's little tour of my life 'outing' with Max.

I: You're sick.

A: I try, anyways, I've become boring haven't I?

I: Babe, you were already boring.

A: Screw you. Oh and for you lovely reviewers, do as your name preaches and REVIEW!

I: They're not going to do it.