The Prayer

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~

"So how does this work? Does he stay handcuffed to you forever from now on or what's the deal? Why did Mr. Smith even handcuff you guys together in the first place?" Nudge asked.

Iggy pushed open the school doors and I rolled through easily, waiting for him at the top of the steps. He ignored Fang, pushing past him with an unnecessarily hard yet well earned shove.

"Ready Princess?" Iggy asked.

"Just get it over with Igster," I said rolling my eyes. As much as I appreciated the whole Iggy carrying me up and down stairs, I still couldn't get over the fact that it was really embarrassing. And the fact that he called me princess! I mean seriously what was that all about?

"Hey Fang, if you want me to carry you down with that wheelchair, I'd be more than happy too though I can't promise you'll make it down in one piece. And if you think of running, you've got another thing coming. I suggest you just pick up the chair and bring it down like a good little boy and we'll promise to never speak of this again."

Fang stood defiantly for a second as Iggy held me bridal style at the bottom of the steps. I could literally see his will to run with the chair and take his chances, but after three minutes of internal debate, he finally chose the mature option. Good for you Fangie.

He picked up the chair and dragged it down the stairs, shoving it at Iggy with a glare. Iggy set me down gently and grabbed onto the handles, giving Fang a quick thank you as he walked past.

Fang hung back, letting his arm stretch out in front of him in order to put the most distance between us as possible. Iggy pushed the chair as Nudge walked by my side.

I decided now would be an opportune time to answer Nudge's questions.

"Well, Nudge. My understanding of the situation is Fang needed to learn some manners and since I happened to be the only person in that class that wouldn't follow the guy to the ends of the Earth, Mr. Smith decided it would be prudent to choose me," I explained.

"Nice vocabulary Max. Trying to impress your boyfriend," Fang sneered from behind.

"I'm surprised you thought I had a boyfriend," I answered calmly, trying not to let Fang get on my nerves. Who was he even talking about? Everyone knows I don't have a boyfriend. Most of the guys at school are either too scared to talk to me or too scared of Fang to talk to me. The only guy who wasn't was Iggy... oh.

"You know what. I'm surprised I thought you had a boyfriend too. Who would want to date a cripple like you?"

Iggy stopped pushing the wheelchair.

Oh shit. This wasn't going to end well.

"What did you say?" Iggy asked slowly, letting go of my handlebars and turning around to meet Fang. Iggy was tall; he was almost six feet tall. Ever since we were kids, he would use his height to intimidate those around him, not that he ever had anyone he had to intimidate because my reputation alone was enough for people to not make fun of us. However, despite his height, Fang was a good two inches taller than him.

Fang wasn't the least bit bothered by the murderous expression on Iggy's face. In fact, he looked slightly amused.

"Awww, look Maxie. Your boyfriend is standing up for you since you can't stand up for yourself." Fang sniggered at his little pun.

"For the record, Fangy-poo," I drawled, spitting out his name with as much venom as I could, "Iggy is my best friend. He's not my boyfriend."

"How do you feel about that, Iggy?" Fang questioned.

Iggy looked livid, but he answered Fang anyways. "I love Max with all my heart..." he started calmly.

Fang faked a brilliant smile, "See I knew it!"

I looked at Nudge quickly. She watched Fang and Iggy's interaction with interest, but she didn't look the least bit shaken up about Iggy's little confession. Ooh, something definitely happened between those two after school today, I thought. After this is all over, I'll definitely have to ask her about it.

"Would you let me finish you attention-seeking slimeball. I love Max with all my heart, but I'm not in love with Max, you piece of dirt. That means even though I don't want to marry her, I will definitely, happily, and with pleasure rearrange your face and shove your balls up your butt if you say or do anything, anything, to hurt her."

"Awww. I love you too Iggy. And I would gladly accept your gift. I might even tie him up and hang him in the cafeteria for everyone to see after I paint him pink and put glitter and unicorn stickers all over him."

I paused for a moment, craning my neck to examine Fang's face. He looked expressionless.

"You know, Iggy. I think the reason Fang is so interested in our love life and keeps bringing it up is because he doesn't have anyone to love him. I think he's just jealous," I said with a smirk. Okay, I'll admit that was a little harsh, but Fang deserves it.

"You wish, Max. I never have and I never will be jealous of you," Fang spit out with a little more venom than necessary. He turned away, avoiding my stare. He'd never done that before. Whenever we fight, he always stares me down and never breaks eye contact.

"I think someone's in denial," Nudge sang, finally joining the conversation. "But it's okay Fang. I'm sure you'll find someone stupid enough to love you for who you are."

Fang looked livid by now. And by livid I really mean he looked angry which for Fang's case meant he was really, really, really angry.

"Can we all just stop talking right about now. Your voices are getting on my nerves and frankly, I would like a moment of peace before I'm finally sent to my death."

I continued to look at him strangely. Fang has never, ever backed down from a fight before, so what was different about today? There was something seriously wrong with Fang, and as much as I hated the dude, I wanted to find out.

Nudge and Iggy either didn't notice Fang's attitude or pretended not to notice Fang's attitude as they turned away from him and started talking about whatever it was that an Iggy and a Nudge would talk about. Iggy shot me a quick glance as if double checking to make sure I was okay. In his case, I think he only pretended not to notice. That guy sees more and understands people better than anyone.

I smiled back reassuringly.

Other than the initial altercation, the rest of the walk passed by uneventfully. Iggy, Nudge, and I giggled and talked about the most random stuff ever as Fang silently followed behind my chair, head down and one hand in his jacket pocket.

...

"Max, don't forget! You have physical therapy this week," my mom called out as soon as I opened the door.

"Yeah Mom. I remember!" I replied easily. I threw my keys and my backpack onto the sofa and rolled into the kitchen where I knew she would be waiting. Ever since the accident, my mom had made it a point to come home early and cook something for Iggy and I to eat.

She looked up as we entered, and smiled at Iggy, Nudge and I before her gaze landed on Fang. Even though Fang and my mother have never met, I could feel the tension in the air.

"And who is this?" she asked somewhat coldly. I think she had a good idea of who was currently handcuffed to my wheelchair.

"Mom this is Fang, the bane of my existence. The bane of my existence, this is my mom. Please do your best to treat her with the small amounts of respect you possess otherwise I will get out of this chair and shove your face into the toilet after a diarrhetic person has used it, without flushing it of course, and hold you underwater for as long as it takes. Got it?"

Fang looked somewhat amused with that idea, and my mom stared at me with a slight smile on her face. I'm glad she appreciated my humor.

"Dear Maxie. I have nothing against your mom. I have everything against you," he said shortly.

"Why did you follow my daughter home Fang. If I may ask?"

He didn't respond. Instead he just lifted his handcuffed arm as if that in itself was enough explanation. It really was though.

"Oh, I see. Well I pray to whatever gods there might be in this world that you guys don't kill each other while whatever is going on right now continues to go on. Furthermore, if at any point if you feel the need to murder one another, please do so somewhere outside of this house. We have carpets and I really don't want to clean up the blood stains."

"Oh come on Mom. Give me some credit. I would never kill Fang with a knife or a gun. That's too neanderthal like, and that's my 104th resort. Why would I use something so pedestrian as those when there are 103 other ways to kill him."

"Max, did you really make a list?" Nudge asked. "That is so cool. Weird, but cool. But I mean, it is you Max and I wouldn't expect anything else. Can I see it? I bet you if you published that list, you could make top comedy writer of the century because from what I've heard so far whenever you talk about killing Fang, you have some pretty interesting ideas!" Nudge ranted while clapping her hands excitedly.

"I am still standing right here folks," Fang interrupted. "And what's this thing about a list about me. Something about the number 103. Maybe 103 reasons why you are jealous of me or 103 reasons why you're secretly in love with me perhaps?"

"In your dreams Fang," I scoffed.

"You already are Maxie. Though... you're usually not wearing any clothes," Fang smirked.

I choked on the air I was breathing. "As if! Ugh! That's the grossest thing ever! Why are you such a pervert! Ugh!" I seriously need to clean and sanitize every inch of my body and this room and the air around us and the atoms that create the cabinets and everything. There was no way in hell.

"Wait. You're having wet dreams about Max?" Iggy asked bluntly. Holy crap, what the hell is happening right now.

I turned to Fang. "Wait, what? Don't you have a girlfriend? Why? What? Why would you... I just can't," I finished lamely, giving up on trying to understand the situation. I buried my head in my hands. Don't you only have those kind of dreams for people you find attractive?

"Don't tell me you've been having inappropriate dreams about my daughter."

Oh great, my mom was here too, and she heard the entire conversation that just happened.

Fang had the decency to look at least a slight bit embarrassed. "Well, it's not exactly like that. I would love to explain myself but I feel like I would dig myself into a deeper hole while you are still here, so if you don't mind, I'm going to turn around and pretend I left the room," Fang said directly to mom. Then he turned to me, "As for you, I will give you the meaning behind my statement when your mom isn't around because I'm pretty sure if I said it now, I'd leave this room with one less appendage. And I'm not talking about my arms or legs."

I turned to my mom. "You know, I think I should take you everywhere with me from now on. You managed to tame Fang with just a few sentences. That's a first!"

"She did not tame me!" He protested.

"Of course she did! You literally just put your head between your legs, turned and ran. You were worse than the cowardly lion! If that's not taming you, I don't know what is!"

"You know, I could make a very rude comment right now, but out of courtesy to your mom, I will not!"

"Oh wow! What a gentleman! See mom, you tamed him. Fang, you're whipped." I thought about that for a second. "No way! Fang you are not whipped. Stop this right now and start insulting me! I will not have you fall in love with my mother! That's even more gross than the wet dreams! Snap out of it Fang!"

I waved my hands in front of his face violently and reached out to shake him. Thankfully, he was actually within arms length.

"I am not whipped, Max! Especially not by your mom, no offense Mrs. Ride. Now would you stop shaking me!"

"None taken," my mom answered as we argued.

Iggy's P.O.V.~

I watched quietly as Fang and Max argued. Unlike all there other fights, this one had an element of playfulness to it. There's was actually some teasing and good humor fun in their arguments for once.

Nudge and I made eye contact as the enemies continued to yell at each other. She smiled at me shyly.

Max can take care of herself, I decided as I scooted over to Nudge.

"Do you think we should stop them? I don't think I could listen to this for the next however many days they stay attached to each other," she said.

"Nah. Besides, they are too caught up in their own world or hatred to even notice what any of us might say. Let's just leave them to duel it out. Frankly, I think they need to get whatever it is that's between them off their chest. It's been nearly four years since they stopped being friends. Eventually, this was going to happen."

"That's true I guess. I don't even know what happened to them, but maybe this whole handcuff thing might be a good idea after all."

Author's Note:

Thank you once again for the insanely quick reviews! We reached the review mark in under 2 days which I think is crazy! I love you all!

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Nehaloonie