Chapter 7

Lissa. Dang! I quickly stuck my foot out in front of her, causing her to trip. Haha, score for Max!

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry!" I said in what I hope was a regretful voice. I grabbed her hand to help her up. "My leg just randomly spazzed and you just happened to run into it."

"It's ok, thank you!" She turned to Fang. Wow, pretty dumb, believing my really bad lie. I wasn't even trying, but when I do, I'm like, the best liar in the world. See! I just lied! Ok, back to being pissed off at Lissa but pretending to like her.

"Oh my god that was amazing!" Lissa said, looking up at Fang. "I love that song, you were so good! I didn't know you could sing! You should do theather, it's tons of fun!" For some reason, I was really annoyed at her. I mean, more than usual.

"Thanks," Fang replied with a smirk. Whoa, now I'm super confused. Does he like her? Am I overthinking this? Why do I care?

"I really want to sing, but I don't know what." Lissa stated. "There are so many good songs! Will you help me?"

"Um, I gotta get back to my friends." He told her.

"Ok..." She said with a pout. "See you later!" Fang continued walking to me, and I tried to collect myself.

"You were awesome." I told him. He smiled at me, and true smile that lit up the room.

"But I thought I couldn't sing." He said. He knows me so well he can practically read my thoughts.

"You can sing, you just don't, there's a difference." I replied.

"Whatever you say."

"Hey everybody!" a cheerful voice called form the stage. Lissa. I guess she picked a song without Fang's help. I turned towards the stage, my arms crossed over my chest. A few people, guys, I just happened to notice, called "Hi" back. She continued. "I'm gonna sing Your Love is My Drug by Ke$ha." God, she didn't have to announce everything, just get up there, sing, and leave. That's all you need to do.

She started singing. She sounded so... sure of herself, not nervous at all. Wait, isn't she in theatre? Yeah, that's probably why...

Maybe I need some rehab

Or maybe just need some sleep

I got a sick obsession

I'm seein it in my dreams

I'm knockin down every alley

I'm makin those desperate calls

I'm staying up all night hopin

Hitting my head against the wall

Hmmm... Wonder who she's singing about? I have no idea! Note the sarcasm.

What you got boy is hard to find

I think about it all the time

I'm all strung out, my heart is fried

I just can't get you off my mind

Because your love your love your love is my drug

Your love your love your love

I said your love your love your love is my drug

Your love your love your love

Won't listen to any advice

Momma's telling me I should think twice

But left to my own devices

I'm addicted, it's a crisis

My friends think I've gone crazy

My judgments getting kinda hazy

My steez is gonna be affected

If I keep it up like a lovesick crackhead

What you got boy is hard to find

I think about it all the time

I'm all strung out, my heart is fried

I just can't get you off my mind

Because your love your love your love is my drug

Your love your love your love

I said your love your love your love is my drug

Your love your love your love

Lissa sang the next part slower and softer, but got louder in the last verse.

I don't care what people say

The rush is worth the price I pay

I get so high when you're with me

But crash and crave you when you leave

Then she sped up.

Hey, so I gotta question

Do you wanna have a slumber party in my basement?

Do I make your heart beat like an 808 drum?

Is my love your drug?

Your drug, huh your drug

Huh, your drug is my love, your drug

Because your love your love your love is my drug

Your love your love your love

I said your love your love your love is my drug

Your love your love your love

Hey... Hey...

So?

Your love your love your love your love, is my drug

Then, just when I thought the song was over, she said, while trying not to laugh:

"I like your beard"

Okaaay... Ke$ha's a little strange. Maybe that's why I don't listen to her music.

"Thanks! You guys are great!" She told the crowd cheerfully. Those aren't your cheering fans Lissa, you're not a famous pop star, stop acting like one. Wow, my mind is kinda mean. I better get back up there and show her how this place works. Wait, I don't want to sing again, I didn't even want to sing the first time. But it was kinda fun... While my mind was arguing with itself, I saw Lissa walk up to Fang. You know, I bet I know who she was singing about. Just guessing here, but I'm pretty sure it was Fang. Call me crazy, but that's what it seemed like.

"Hey Nudge," I said, grabbing her.

"Yeah?" she asked curiously.

"I wanna sing again. Got any song suggestions?"

"Hmmm... Well there was another one I was thinking about for you. I sort of reminds me of you, and I'm pretty sure you know it..." She told me quickly.

"Well? What is it?" I asked impatiently.

"It'll be a surprise." She replied with an evil glint in her eye.

"Enough surprises! You know I hate surprises!" There is just a gigantic risk that you won't like the surprise. I'd rather not take that chance.

"C'mon" She said, ignoring my comment, and lead me to the stage. No one had gone after Lissa, so I didn't have to wait. Is that a good or a bad thing? Again, Nudge told the song guy something I couldn't hear. Ugh! Secrets are frustrating! A rhyme from middle school floated into my thoughts. Secrets secrets are no fun, secrets secrets hurt someone. So true. "Go Max, you wanted to sing, didn't you?" Nudge asked.

"Yeah," I replied and got on the stage. I felt more comfortable up here then I did last time. I looked at the screen, hoping I knew the song. Yay! I did! It was Anything But Ordinary by Arvil Lavinge. I guess it reminded me of myself. I didn't say anything before I sang, because I'm nothing like Lissa. I noticed some people turned to look at me and got quiet. Maybe they recognized me at the horrible singer from before! The music came on, ok Max, you can do this.

I started off quietly.

Sometimes I get so weird

I even freak myself out

I laugh myself to sleep

It's my lullaby

Sometimes I drive so fast

Just to feel the danger

Not that I can drive, but...

I wanna scream

It makes me feel alive

Then I sang the chorus louder. This song was easier, because it was like I was singing about myself. I could put more feeling into it.

Is it enough to love?

Is it enough to breathe?

Somebody rip my heart out

And leave me here to bleed

Is it enough to die?

Somebody save my life

I'd rather be anything but ordinary please

I got quieter again, like the beginning.

To walk within the lines

Would make my life so boring

I want to know that I

Have been to the extreme

So knock me off my feet

Come on now give it to me

Anything to make me feel alive

Is it enough to love?

Is it enough to breathe?

Somebody rip my heart out

And leave me here to bleed

Is it enough to die?

Somebody save my life

I'd rather be anything but ordinary please

I'd rather be anything but ordinary please.

Let down your defenses

Use no common sense

If you look you will see

That this world is this beautiful

Accident turbulent succulent

Opulent permanent

No way I wanna taste it

Don't wanna waste it away

I got reallyl quiet, and there was only a little music playing.

Sometimes I get so weird

I even freak myself out

I laugh my self to sleep

It's my lullaby

I practically yelled the chorus, while trying to sing. It's kinda hard.

Is it enough?

(Is it enough?)

Is it enough to breathe?

Somebody rip my heart out

And leave me here to bleed

Is it enough to die?

Somebody save my life

I'd rather be anything but ordinary please

Is it enough?

Is it enough to die?

Somebody save my life

I'd rather be anything but ordinary please

Oh

I'd rather be anything but ordinary please.

I held out the last note for a little, and let it fade. When the music stopped, I gave a big smile, and bowed. It was met by applause. A lot, surprisingly. Woah, I thought I was horrible! I looked around and saw Iggy clapping the loudest, and yelling "Go Jamie!" I laughed and said "Thank you!" to the crowd. Back where we were standing, I found Lissa sulking near Fang, who was giving me his famous half smile. He hugged me and told me I was awesome. Nudge was squealing and hugged me super tight.
"I told you it was the perfect song for you! You were great, we have to make a band now, we're all good singers, and it would be sooo much fun! Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplea se!" She pleaded.

"Woah, slow down!" I told her with a laugh. "I'll think about it. Give me a little time."

"Fine." She agreed.

Ella and Iggy were standing side by side. "JAMIE! You were awesome!" he stuck out his hand. "Truce?"

I shook it and repeated "Truce."

"Ok, we are now equally awesome singers! But I may be a smidge better, and have cooler dance moves, but we're equal! Somewhat."

I smiled and said, "Ok, I don't really care."

"You were great Max!" Ella told me. "I love that song, it's so you!"

"Thanks! I had fun singing it." I replied truthfully.

"So, are we gonna head home soon? We've been here a while and it's getting kinda late..." She asked.

"Let me check with everyone else." I turned around and started walking towards Fang and Nudge, but someone stepped in front of me.

"Max! You were great! I didn't know you could sing that well!" A somewhat familiar voice said.

"Yeah, me neither." I replied, looking up. Oh, it was Sam, he's in some of my classes. WAIT A SECOND! He was the semi-familiar guy that sang before Nudge and Ella! "You were good too." I told him with a smile.

"Thanks, I've been in a few musicals, so I had to take voice lessons. I guess they worked." He said with a chuckle.

"Yeah, they did." I agreed, still smiling. What's up with me? Am I flirting? That's absurd, I don't flirt. I don't even know how!

"So... Are you doing anything next Friday?" He asked. Oh my god is he asking me out? I don't know how to handle these things! Where's Nudge?

"Um... I don't think so." I replied nervously. Saturday was the concert where we were going to set Iggy and Ella up, so Friday was free. Darn it.

"Well, I know this great Thai place that opened recently, maybe we could go?" He asked hopefully.

"I'll see if I can and get back to you." I promised. Maybe I can get myself grounded or something. Sam's nice, but I don't do dating. And what would we talk about? It would be so embarrasing. I take back wanting Nudge's help, if she hears about this, there's no way to get out of it. In a daze I walked over to Fang, who was trying, unsuccessfully, to not talk to Lissa.

"Fang! What time is it? Do you think we should get going?" I called over to him. He looked relieved to have a reason to leave Lissa, but she followed him anyway.

"Uh," He checked his watch. "It's a little after nine. I'll text my mom."

"Kay, I'll tell the others." I told him and turned to Nudge. "Hey, Fang's mom will probably be here in ten minutes, ok?"

"Sure, but Max, I have to talk to you about something."

"Yeah," I asked, worried. "What?"

"Well, I saw you talking to that cute boy and-"

"Ugh! Were you spying on me?"

"No! I just saw you. And I wanted to know what you were talking about and if he asked you out. He seemed to like you, and you were smiling a lot, and I. Have. To. Know!" She said dramatically.

"I think he likes me, because he did ask me out, next Friday. He's nice, but I'm not sure if I want to go." I said patiently, knowing she would get it out of me anyway.

"If he's nice why wouldn't you want to go?!" She raised her voice in exasperation.

"I'm not good at that kind of stuff, you are."

"How do you know? You've never been on a date before."

"I just, I can't talk to boys, I get nervous and it's awkward." I confessed.

"You talk to Fang and Iggy." She pointed out.

"Yeah, but they're my friends. It's different. Listen, lets talk about this later, okay? Like tomorrow or something. Just don't tell anyone yet." I pleaded.

"Fine. But we will talk about this."

"Yeah, of course." I replied. "I gotta tell Iggy and Ella we'll be leaving soon."

"Kay," She said and walked over to Lissa and started talking to her. She can talk to anyone about anything. Why can't I do that?

"Jamie returns!" Iggy shouted.

"Yes, yes, and I come bearing news." I said, playing along.

"What is your news fair Jamie?" He asked curiously.

"Fang's mother is arriving soon to take us home. I thought you might like to know."

"Thank you for your news, it was enlightening. Shall we skip out the door to wait?"

"We shall." I agreed with a smile and took his arm. We skipped towards the door, attracting a lot of stares. Nudge and Fang laughed, and Lissa looked confused. Oh well, I'll probably never see half of these people again, so I don't care what they think of me.

"Nicholas, Monique! Join us!" I called over my shoulder. Fang scowled, hating the use of his real name. Nudge ran after us, smiling, and Fang stalked after her. Ella joined Nudge and they skipped together too. When the door closed behind us, we all looked at each other and laughed. It would never get old. And the looks on people's faces made it twice as funny. We had stopped laughing a little before Alice pulled up.

"So, how was it?"

"Great." I told her, because it was.

A/N: Ok, I swear every time I hear that song, I crack up at the "I like your beard" part. It's just so hilarious! I don't really have much to say... Oh! I forgot this in the last chapter, if you want to see Nudge's dress it's on my profile. My description was confusing. I hope you guys aren't going to kill me for the whole Sam thing. There may be some SamxMax. But, there will obviously still be Fax, because that is the entire reason of the story! FAX! Um, I think that's it! Hope you enjoyed the chapter, and a little piece of advice for you: It's really fun to write with a friend! My friend and I have tons of fun writing Flying High together, so yeah! And the best part is that if you have writer's block you're not completely screwed! Anyway, here I go, rambling. I bet half of you don't read this! BYE!