OKAY. First off, please don't kill me. I know I promised frequent updates and then, what, it ended up being like half a century – but hear me out. I lost the notebook where my chapters were written down and, me being me, I didn't feel motivated enough to look for it. But, even months after a new chapter was written, I got a few reviews that made me smile. I mean, who would find my story amidst all the brilliant ones? So, I guess you can all thank them for making me look for that notebook which now sits right in front of me.
Disclaimer: This disclaimer is written by someone who needs to write a disclaimer, i.e., not James Patterson, you dingbats. Get with it, ayite?
Chapter 6 (FINALLY)
Max's POV
"You've got to be freaking kidding me right now," I said, grimacing at my reflection. My eyes scanned my body, now clad with a tight – and I mean tight – red dress. My blonde brown hair fell in soft waves to my waist and I had on pointed death traps that broke my ankles just looking at them. Frickity fracking no. Just no. "There is no way in hell I am going anywhere like this."
"You look hot!" exclaimed Ella.
"I look like a slut." Lissa popped into my mind and I shuddered. Okay, so maybe not that slutty.
"And your legs look so long and sexy," Nudge chimed in, winking at me through the mirror.
"My legs will be bruised and broken soon enough if I have to wear these torture devices. What did you do to get these you guys? Travel back to Medieval times?" I said, pointing to the black stilettos. "And don't even get me started on this makeup," I continued while being shoved out the door and into Ella's car.
"Oh suck in up and have some fun you fignut," Ella snorted.
"Fignut?"
"Fignut."
It was well past nine by now, for it had taken them about an hour to convince me to even go clubbing in the first place. And, well, by then we were practically starving like a bunch of lost rats. And after eating, we couldn't even move. Adding the fact of Ella and Nudge getting ready and them attempting to barbie up and uncooperative me to the equation, and you have the ultimate demise of what ever was punctuality. So, naturally, I'd say we didn't waste any time at all.
Ella was driving and Nudge, as per usual, had called shotgun. The two were talking animatedly about some new kind of shoes and I was sitting in the back, pouting like a madman, while glaring at my reflection in the rearview mirror. Honestly, I actually really liked how I looked. I didn't think that was even possible, for me to look "good." But I would never, in a freaking million years, go out in public like this. No. And I would never admit to the two "angels" in front of me that I actually liked how this turned out.
And then comes the topic of clubbing. Loud, tight spaces that feel suffocating? Yeah. Not really my thing. Ever since – well, I just don't feel safe in those places because of things in the past. Besides, I never understood why anyone actually really liked that kind of atmosphere. I mean yeah, if you're one of those sex-crazed pedophiles, then I totally get it. Go for it, man. There's a lot of fresh meat in there. But clubs are suffocating. They make you feel as if you are a rat, trying to find a way out, but can't. Running circles in a maze that never ends. I shuddered, and pulled my jacket tighter over my shoulders. Yeah. Clubs. Not for me. My heart beat quickened as we drew nearer to "The School." It was probably the most popular shindig to do when someone came to town. The one thing on everyone's bucket list. And the one place that I wouldn't have minded being arrested for burning down. Well, that and Lissa's whore house.
I grew weary as Ella pulled up and gave her keys to the parking valet. To make things worse, he gave me a wink just before driving off, reminding me of what I had for dinner as I felt vomit rise in my throat. Oh joy. I slowly followed my two adventurous friends, grabbing onto what I could of Nudge's tight dress like a terrified three year old in pursuit of her mother. I have to say, the only cool thing that I found worth remembering was the fact that my heart managed to beat in time with that of the music. The very, very fast music, I might add. My bottom lip found its place between my teeth as I attacked it to settle my nerves. Ella, being the all too caring friend, practically forced a couple of shots down my throat to "calm my nerves" and then left me alone at the bar to fend for myself. Yay for underage drinking, am I right?
Nudge attempted to drag me on to the dance floor and, when I stopped following her to her unknowing, I found myself alone. Guess this one was on me. My mind wondered off and I wound my way back to the bar stool in which I previously sat, saying no to any offers of drinks. I didn't normally drink, because I didn't like the feeling of not being in control, and now was not an exception.
"I have to pee," I said to the bartender, who gave me a look like he could care less, before spinning off of my chair and running to the little girls' room. He raised his eyebrows before shaking his head and serving another girl.
Well then. I pushed my way through sweaty bodies and humping strangers and found myself in front of the restroom, promising myself a shower later. Unfortunately, I wasn't the little girl's one. I sighed as I scanned the blazing club for the right bathroom, before turning around and running smack dab into a column. As I steadied myself and came to my non-existent senses, I realized that the "column" I ran into was a guy. A tall, muscular guy.
"Oh, I'm sorry," I said, nodding my apologies and trying to move past him.
"Damn sweetheart, you look fine," he whispered. I nearly gagged and I couldn't tell if it was from the strong scent of alcohol on his breath or the fact that he was a sexist pig. I'll go with the latter.
"Excuse me," I snarl, crossing my arms and leaning back to look at him, "What was that?"
"I said," he whispered, stepping closer to me as I stepped back, "You. Look. Fine."
"No, you see, I don't "look" fine. You can feel fine, which I sure as hell don't with you breathing beer breath on me, you can be fine, which I'm not, or you can say fine, which I won't. But I do not "look" fine. I'm a human, not a toy, so buzz off before I beat your sorry ass." I whispered pressing my finger into his chest.
Probably not my best move, but hey, why not? He grabbed my hands and pushed me up against the wall. Normally I could get myself out of a situation like that, but here, in a congested place – boy were my nerves ticking.
"Feisty and sexy. My kinda night," he said moving his lips to my neck.
"Um. No," I said and brought my knee up to his – uh – precious jewels and made a run for it. I kind of felt bad because that could not have felt good, but it sucks to suck. "Yeah, say hi to your future kids for me," I yelled over the music as he glared at me. "Oh.. Wait.." I grinned before curtsying and getting the hell out of there. I ran out of the building and pulled out my phone, dialing Ella's number. As I predicted, it went straight to voicemail.
"Hey Ells, I left. Don't worry about me but you know this isn't my scene. I found a ride home so don't wait up for me. Tell Nudge too. Have fun but don't be bringing anything back home, okay? No diseases, boys, babies – got that? Love ya! Bye." I hung up and make my way down the street. Did I really have a ride home? No. Was it cold in my little stripper dress and tiny jacket? Yes. But I had a place to go that I knew was close by.
"Onwards Max," I muttered to myself. "Onwards."
*************************TIME SKIP****************************
SARAH'S ORPHANAGE
I stared up at the large sign above the two double doors. Oh how I loved this place. And hated it. With my maximum luck – see what I did there? - it had started raining. My hair was plastered to my back and my already tight dress had practically morphed to my skin. I knew it wouldn't be long before the thunder and lightning started, so I hurried through the glass doors.
"Max!" Sarah, an old woman of about 82 cried. "What are you doing here? And in these wet clothes!" She didn't say anything about what type of clothes I was wearing, and for that I was greatful.
"You'll get sick, darling. Come, come, love, let's et you dried up!" I smiled asI followed her through the back room. Sarah was like a mother too me – or grandmother – considering her age. She practically raised me after it happened. I let out a shuddering breath, not wanting to think about that. A fresh T-shirt clung to my small frame and the sweatpants that Sarah had provided me with were bunched around my ankles. Though I was tall, the pants seemed to consume me. While I dried my now damp hair, Sarah and I chatted up a storm. That's what I loved about her. She had no questions as to why I showed up to her door looking nothing less than a prostitute, and she let me in anyway. We talked about everything and when I mentioned Fang, her face lit up in a smile.
"So my little Max has a crush?"
I blush slightly and turn away from her. Stupid feelings. "Sarah, I haven't even met the man," I said. "We're only ever written each other once." Which reminds me that I need to start my second one before Monday.
"Hey Sarah, is Annie awake?" I asked her hopefully. She nodded and smiled.
"Oh she's been waiting for you, she has!"
"Thanks," I said, gesturing to my clothes and to her. "For everything." I gave her a quick hug and kiss on the cheek before taking off down the hallway.
"Hey, Max! Long time no see!" I spun on my heel and trotted backwards, waving at my friend Claire. Sticking out my tongue and waving goodbye, I continued my hunt for Annie. Long story short, I knew practically everyone here. I found my way to Annie's room and my cold fingers hit the old, wooden door.
"Who's there?" A little voice squealed.
"A ghost," I whispered in a deep voce, drawing my finger nails down the door and hissing.
The door swings open and a bright little kid of 6 stares intently at me with her large green eyes before flinging herself at me.
"Max!" She cried. "I haven't seen you forever!" Her r's come out as w's and my heart melts on the spot. Only Annie could make me mushy gushy. Only her.
I laughed, yet was slightly offended that she knew that deep voice was definitely me.
"Come on Kiddo, I saw you last week!" I said, tousling her brown ringlets before walking into the room and plopping down on the bed.
"I know," she looked down. "But it's lonely here. No one likes me." Her lower lip wobbles slightly and immediately I crouch in front of her. Lifting her chin up with my finger, I look into her eyes. How could somebody not like this little angel?
"Annie," I sighed. "Of course they like you, bug!" I squish her face between my hands. "You're fun and lovable and have these adorable green eyes -,"
"Yeah, but I also have these," Annie whispered disappointedly, pulling up her sleeves to show me her burns. They weren't terrible, I could already see them slightly healing, but they were still there. The burns spiraled up the length of her left arm and halfway up her right. I slowly took both arms in my hands and gave them each a small kiss. Looking up at her, I saw her eyes wet with tears.
"Annalee," her head snapped up when she heard her full name. "You. Are. Beautiful."
I pulled her into my body and gave her a hug. For a moment she stay limp, but them her small but sturdy arms wrapped around me. I smiled. Annie and I had instantly connected the first time I had met her. She had just moved into the orphanage – and I had just moved out. But that was another story for another time. Annie was only four years old when she had lost her parents in a house fire. She would have been gone too if she hadn't been pulled out by the heroic firefighters. Annie, being the loving creature she was, had tried to stay in the fire to find her parents, reaching over fire to their bedroom door. My eyes watered as I thought of how the little girl in front of me, with the bright green eyes and rosy cheeks, went through something kids her age shouldn't have to ever face. Her past and mine were so similar, yet so different. And Annie, she was just a breath of fresh air.
"So Maxie," I grimaced at the name. Only she, and I repeat, only she can call me that. "Watcha wanna do?"
I laughed as she bit down on her tongue and crossed her eyes.
"Well Annie, I was actually wondering if you could help me with something," I asked as I pulled out a notebook and pen.
"What is it? What is it?" she grabbed my hand and started shaking it. "Maxxxx."
"Well you see, I have this friend overseas, a soldier -,"
"Like Daddy," Annie said sadly.
I picked her up and set her on my lap.
"Yes, like daddy. A very, very brave man with a big heart."
"Does your friend have a big heart too?"
"Oh yes. You see Annie, I think he gets lonely sometimes. Doesn't have anyone to talk to other than the other soldiers there. I think if he heard something from a little girl with a heart as big as his, it'll cheer him up a bit more than just little old me."
"So what we gonna do?" Annie asked with wide eyes, totally slaying anything she ever learned about proper grammar.
"We're gonna write him a letter," I answered, whipping out my pen and paper.
Annie took he pen from my hand and slowly started scrawling out what I was saying aloud.
"Dear Fang," she said cutely, mispronouncing the r's on a whole new level. Oh, this was going to be very fun.
Okay. I know you all hate me so I'm going to spare all the excuses I could give you because they will just make you hate me more. Anyway, next chapter is going to start out in Max's POV only for a little, and then Fang will take over. Okay? Okay. Thanks again for reading and sticking with me on this one, pals. REVIEW.