Screw-up

Fang

Maximum Martinez wasn't famous in any way, shape, or form. She wasn't a headliner or a national champion, she couldn't do a double backflip, or a front flip off the bike and land it. She wasn't obviously beautiful, and her brown hair and brown eyes didn't stand out one bit from every other girl in the world, but I knew her name.

How, I didn't know. But I did. I knew Maximum Martinez was the girl who stood in front of me decked out in white gear. I knew she was the one who had been stuck somewhere in the back of my mind and was now finally reaching the surface, only I couldn't remember why. I knew Maximum Martinez. But at the same time I had never met this girl in the flesh until today.

"Hey, sorry about Lupo, she forgets I can be just as intimidating as her," Max's eyes locked with Lupo's as she forwarded those words to her, and the girl sighed as she dropped her weight to one hip, her ponytail swishing behind her angrily.

"He almost ran you over, Max. I don't care how intimidating you are; I can still break his face much better than you can," Lupo declared, a hint of amusement clouding the anger in her eyes; almost as if she was challenging her friend. Max wouldn't take the bait however, maybe she already had one too many times.

"I'm sure you can, but I'd rather slay him on the course," Max patted Lupo's head in a mocking manner, and her friend scowled but obviously couldn't hold a grudge because she was soon smirking a smirk so devious I was slightly afraid.

"Well, if you insist, but watch it, Darko, because if she doesn't knock you down, I will." Lupo warned before slithering off as quickly as she had appeared. I blinked, and was shocked to find that she had already lost herself in the crowd. Quicker than a flash of lightning, and just as deceitful as one too.

"I really am sorry she snapped at you. She's kinda impulsive sometimes. So, who were you racing?" Max asked casually, looking around as if another bike would soar past us all at once. However, Sam's bike was long parked at the finish line, and he was gradually walking his way over to me to laugh in my face.

"My friend, Sam. And I'm actually surprised you're not ripping me to shreds for almost hitting you like that," I added, although I wasn't one to drag on conversations I was intrigued to know why this girl was stuck in my mind, bouncing around aimlessly without a purpose or a connection.

"Well you almost hit me, but you didn't. So I have no reason to be angry." Max shrugged as if that was the simplest solution to her problem and I smiled weakly. She seemed just as straightforward as her words were, and it made me glad to know not all girls were complicated combinations that if you put in wrong a bomb would go off.

"Well, nice to meet you Max, I'm Fang; fellow Motocrosser who's most likely going to beat you today." I joked, holding my hand out to her which she took. Her handshake was firm unlike most girls', and her smile was honest.

"Nice to meet you Fang, but I wouldn't be most likely-ing anything just yet." She winked and let my hand go, walking off to go find her friend as I watched her fade into the crowd. Her impression on me lasted longer than Lupo's had, and so did her image in the mix of hundreds of people. It wasn't until Sam punched my arm lightly that I dared to draw my eyes away from Maximum Martinez.

"I won." He cheered, and despite myself I smiled, ruffling up his hair.

"Shocker there. Go get our helmets, will ya? I gotta go park my bike."

"On it!" Sam hollered, already halfway to the parking lot.

I did as I said I was going to before getting lost in the crowd of people, finding a line to wait in so I could get something to eat before the race started. It moved agonizingly slow and there was little to keep my mind occupied other than the classic rock roaring through the radio, but I managed to drag myself to the front of the line and pay for a hotdog and a slushie before my patience wore out.

Just as I was turning a corner though, somebody smacked into me, effectively sending my drink flying to the ground and splattering all over the dirt floor. "Hey! Watch it-" My voice fell short as I looked up into two icy blue eyes, coated with regret that melted to something unidentifiable. Iggy had learned that look from me. That stoney-faced smile that didn't lift at the corners of his mouth.

"Hey, Fang,"

"Don't talk to me," I snapped, storming off to go find Sam, or even Lupo. Anybody but Iggy.

"Oh come on, I'm sorry. You know I'm sorry. How long are you going to torture me?" The sixteen year old whined.

"How long are you going to treat me like your lapdog?" I spat in answer.

"Okay, first of all, you're more of a wingdog, and second of all-"

"Iggy!"

"I'm joking, sheesh. Come on, Fang, we're friends, aren't we?" I paused at that, turning to look at him. One time, back when I still cried when I fell down, I scraped my knee pretty bad and broke out into a sob fest. Iggy had squeezed my hand and promised me I was a brave person, and that he'd cry a lot harder if it had been him. He made me laugh and got me back on my feet and together we trudged home where my mom treated my battle wounds. Then, he had looked at me with a realization. Back then it had been that I could feel pain just as much as he could.

Now it was the realization that I could be just as cruel as him.

"Friends don't make out with other friend's sisters."

"You dated JJ." Iggy accused, but I only rolled my eyes.

"Sam gave me the okay, Iggy, and I didn't sleep with her."

"You're right. But Fang, think about this for a second. We've known each other since birth, we've been through thick and thin, the Halloween of Toilet Paper, the Thanksgiving of Live Turkey, the Easter of Melted Candy- everything. And you're going to stand there and attempt to make it sound like we're not friends anymore? Yeah I screw up, but I always screw up."

"That's the problem, Iggy. You always screw up. I'm getting tired of seeing the people around me get hurt. Do you know when I saw you with Ella this little shred of hope I had for you completely disappeared? I thought the Angel thing would be enough of a slap in the face but I guess it wasn't." I snarled.

"Okay, I get it. Hit me."

"What?" I asked, leaning back in bewilderment.

"You know, pound my face in. We'll be even after you break my nose." He explained, gesturing for me to do as he asked. I only shook my head, turning back towards the course.

"No Iggy, we'll never be even. You've ruined any last chance of being even. Get away from me and…" Stay away. I bit my lip, unsure of if I could go through with this. He had hurt so many people but what those people didn't know was everybody hurt him back. Demanding he leave and not come back was like leaving a helpless puppy on the side of the road. I couldn't do it. "Give me time to cool off." I finished, and left him to stand alone in the crowd.

OopsI'msupersorryittookmethislongtorememberIneedtoupdate

So, here's the next chapter. Hope you guys enjoy. Please review to let me know you like it

Stay Majestic

VR