Chapter 9
Max's POV
Today was Fang's sixteenth birthday. We were throwing him a surprise party when we get back from getting his license today.
I got up a little earlier than usual today got ready before calling Fang.
"Hello?"
"Hey. Happy Birthday!"
"Thanks."
"Listen, are you ready to go get your license?"
"Are you kidding me? Heck yeah!"
"Good, I'm on my way over."
"Alright. See you."
"Bye."
"Bye."
I hang up and then head downstairs.
"I'm heading over to Fang's. We'll probably be back around two, maybe two thirty since we'll go out to lunch. Sounds good?"
"Sounds great. We'll have everything ready." She says, smiling.
I smile back.
"alright. Bye. Love you."
"I love you too Max. Be careful.
"I will."
And then I'm out the door.
I walk the couple yards down the street to Fang's house. I stop in the driveway and stare at it for a minute. Because parked there in the driveway is a car- the one Fang had been dreaming for his whole life.
I go up tp the front door, and right as I'm about to open it, Fang comes out, bumping into me.
"Whoa, I didn't know you were right here. I'm sorry." He says quickly, wrapping his arms around me to steady me and keep me from falling. My heart speeds up at the simple touch.
Stop it. I scold myself.
"It's ok." I say.
I notice he doesn't let go of me.
"Dad's going to take us. I was going to wait in the car. He should be out any minute."
"You're car is amazing." I tell him.
A huge grin spreads over my face, and he looks at it.
"Yeah. I gave my parents the money I saved for it, and then they covered the rest. They didn't tell me they were going to actually cover it though. They said we'd go to a dealership this morning and see, but then when I woke up this morning, it was there."
"they must have a lot of faith that you'll pass your driver's tests." I tease.
He looks at me.
"I'm kidding, you'll do great." I say, smiling.
Just then, Fang's Dad comes outside.
"Hello Max. You guys ready to go?" he says.
"We sure are." I say, smiling.
"You want to drive there Fang?" his Dad asks.
He hesitates, seeming like he's about to say he'll sit in the back with me, but I interrupt him saying
"Go ahead. I'm cool in the back."
He nods.
So we get in Fang new car and Fang puts the key in the engine, starting it. A wide smile spreads over his lips, and I smile at his happiness.
It doesn't take us long to get to the DMV. We get in line (which was quite long might I add) and then get a number and are told to wait, and we sit in three of the many gray chairs that fill the main room. I spot a blonde haired guy about my age sitting up a few rows in front of us that looks familiar, but I can't see his face very well since I'm at a weird angle, so I can't put my finger on who it is. Then he spots me and comes over to us, smiling.
Sam!
Sam is a guy I know from school. Fang and I had a couple classes with him last year, and we've talked some. Nothing serious.
"Hey Max, Fang. Funny seeing you here. You getting your license too?" he says.
"Fang is. I have about another month before I get mine." I say.
Sam nods.
He looks like he's about to say something else, but then the speaker says "Number 134 please go to desk 7. Again, number 134, please go to desk 7."
"Oh that's me. I'll see you around." He says, and then starts walking towards desk seven.
"You know him?" Fang's dad asks.
"Yeah. Just friends kind –of. " I say.
See, that's the other thing. Fang's dad may as well be my own Dad. He's protective of me, especially since Jeb's gone.
"He a good guy?" he asks.
I chuckle a little.
"He's alright. I don't really know him that well. We're not close. You don't have to worry." I say.
You may be wondering if this ever bothers Fang. I think it used to a little, but at some point he stopped minding because he got really protective too. I mean, when we were little he was too (like one time a kid called me the b word, and Fang punched him and got suspended for example.) But it was different. But it was nice too because he knew I could take care of myself. But now if any guy even seemed remotely interested in me, even just being friends, something flashes through Fang's eyes that I can't quite read. It's not that he's controlling or anything- just protective. Sometimes it gets on my nerves, but for the most part I think it's sweet. Of course, lately it's been even worse because of my cancer. I guess Fang feels like he has to step it up some since I'm sick and supposedly supposed to be 'weaker'. Pssshh, Maximum Ride is never weak.
Right now Fang was getting the same look in his eye, and I couldn't read it. By the way his jaw tightened or eyebrow twitched and shoulders tensed slightly, I knew something bothered him.
"If you say so." Fang's Dad says.
I turn to Fang.
"Hey, what's the matter?" I whisper.
"Nothing."
"Don't lie to me."
I say, giving him one of my famous 'looks'.
"I'm not."
I look at him again, one eyebrow raised.
Right about as I'm about to give him one of my speeches, the speaker calls out Fang's number, and instructs him to go to table six.
He smirks at me and gets up.
I give him a this-is-so-not-over look.
I sigh.
I'd still get it out of him. Sometime.
Hey guys,
Sorry it was short and that t was an abrupt ending but I have to go to bed and I'm so busy tomorrow and I had to give you an update before Thursday afternoon. So here you go.
Thanks so much for all the reviews! Honestly, I'm blown away and so thrilled. I love reading your feedback. I really truly appreciate it.
So please keep it up! Reviews inspire me. You guys are awesome.
Fly on.
