Past the Limit Chapter 10
Ello. I'M SOO SORRY. The truth is my laptop charger broke like the day after I put up that author's note and I already had typed up most of the chapter so I had to wait for my new one which didn't come by mail till Sunday. I swear to GOD. I'm not trying to make excuses and I don't deserve you forgiveness, but I won't make this a long authors note so yeah, I'm muchos sorry. You don't have to forgive me :((((
"Hey, Max, I was just thinking, because I know how my mom always makes me drink hot cocoa whenever I get a head injury. I just thought maybe, if you wanted to, we could go to Starbucks so you could get something warm to drink."
Oh shit. What do I do now?
See, things get complicated when it comes to Starbucks. You see, Fang and I had a history there; every Friday after school we'd go there, sit at 'our table', talk and laugh until nighttime and then go to the park where we'd stay until our parents blew up our phones with texts demanding that we come home immediately.
Wait, I could play around with this; make him so uncomfortable. I mentally smirked.
"Yeah, sure." I smiled up at him. Did I mention he was tall? Really tall. Wow, Fang used to be a skinny beanpole but now he was shooting up past me. I felt like huffing with annoyance.
He smiled back. "Ok, let's go." I nodded. He started walking towards his car. As I followed him, I pulled out my phone and set Ella a quick text, telling her to go home with a friend. I'd pick up my car later.
Thinking about it, it really isn't so bad. Besides, between me and you, I don't think Fang could've handled the disappointment.
And I don't think I could either— wait, no, no, no. I can't— I won't—fall for Fang Griffiths. I won't fall for him again. I mean, uh…. Not again! I never fell for him… Ever! Really! Oh, shut up! Don't think I can't see you little people. Yah, out there in the audience. Yah, you with the purple scrunchie. And you, in the weird pajamas. Yah, I see you disagreeing. Ugh, never mind, this argument is pointless.
Once we got to his car, I wolf whistled. His car was nice.
"You like?" He asked, smirking. I forgot what his smirk looked like. It was hot. Er, forget that I said that.
"Yeah, it's a Camaro, right?" I asked.
"Yep. It's awesome."
I opened up the passenger seat and hopped into the car. He jumped in the car, too and started the engine. We pulled out of the school parking lot and onto the road.
"So, Fang, how fast can this baby go?" I asked.
"I'm not sure…" He said looking at me, and then the twinkle in his eye looked mischievous. "….wanna find out?"
My eyes widened. "Fang…" I warned.
Before I could say anymore, the car had revved from 35 miles per hour, to a speeding 80 miles.
"WHAT THE CRAP! FANG! SLOW THE CAR DOWN!" He just grinned. Up ahead I saw a school bus. "FANG! STOP THE CAR! IT'S A SCHOOL BUS!"
Fang looked at me with confusion. Finally, he skidded to a stop, inches from the back of the bus. This one girl in the back of the bus— quick description: wild curly black hair, tan skin, navy wire rimmed glasses, she had a Middle Easterny look— her eyes widened a huge size, then she mouthed 'stupid assholes' and gave me and Fang the finger. (AN: MENNA, WE ALL KNOW THAT'S YOU!)
Fang just stared at her for a couple of seconds then looked at me. "Uh, why did I have to stop?" he asked.
"Fang, you're supposed to stop at a school bus, stupid!"
"Hm, really?" he mused.
"Yes, stupid."
"Well…you know what they say, you learn something new every day."
"What were you thinking of doing anyway?"
"Um, when the bus stopped, I would swerve around it." He said in a 'duh!' tone.
"Fang, that is just as bad! You know what? Just shut up and drive."
"Yes, ma'am!" He said, laughing. Finally, we pulled up into the parking lot and I jumped out the car door fast enough that I felt a small throb come back to my head.
"Ouch." I whispered to myself.
"You ok?" Fang asked, his eyebrows scrunching in concern. How did he hear that?
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"C'mon, then," He said gently. He hesitantly reached over and put his hand on the small of my back to help guide me. This motion had me breathing so irregularly I couldn't even look him in the eye even though I knew he was looking at me.
We walked in and I deliberately fastened my pace so that his hand dropped. I just couldn't concentrate on anything else and my mind and heart were reeling. It's a good thing I was in front of him. I wouldn't have wanted to see his expression…
I walked up to the cashier and ordered a hot cocoa and made sure they put in exactly six marshmallows.
I saw Fang glancing at me curiously when I demanded six marshmallows. His expression didn't let anything else show. "What?" I asked uncomfortably.
"Nothing," He mumbled. "Nothing at all."
After he got his hot cocoa, he looked around for a place to sit. I spotted "our" table. It was free. I mentally smirked.
"Fang, what about that table over there?" I ask innocently, pointing at it.
I watched him visibly gulp. "Um, I-I really don't know." He started running his fingers through his hair.
"Why not?" I asked, keeping up the innocent façade. I looked up at him widening my eyes in fake confusion. He looked down at me, his obsidian eyes looking into mine. Ah, I regret doing that. I'm drowning in his gold-flecked eyes again.
"Uh, well, uh," He seemed to be mentally arguing with himself. "Ah, screw it," He said before looking at me. "That table has personal memories." I saw a bit of pain flash through his eyes and then he shielded them from me so I couldn't tell his emotions.
"Well, you wanna tell me about it? I mean, if you really feel uncomfortable, we can sit at the outdoor tables." I think any other person in my position would ask the same thing, right?
I felt eyes burning into my head and I spun around to see the manager staring at me, with a look on his face saying that he was trying to recall something. Then realization. Then I remembered. How could I have forgotten Jack! Ok, really quick, Jack was always our server when Fang and I came around. He was like an uncle. A very awesome uncle. He was about mid thirties and was always cool with me and Fang, giving us discounts and stuff. Jake was about 6'4 and had dark rich curly-ish brown hair and dark hazel eyes. He had a couple of gray hairs, from stress, despite his youngish age.
He started walking towards us and I turned back and attempted to hide my face behind Fang. Unfortunately, Jack was before us in no time at all.
"Fang, m'boy, you've finally come back to the shop! You haven't been here in a while. Maybe even ever since Maxine left."
"Hey, Jack! Nice to see you again. I didn't know you knew she left."
"O' course I did. Ever since the first time Valencia and her younger daughter—Bella or Stella, somethin' like that—came here alone and didn't have Max with them; I asked 'em why and they told me. They were upset. Apparently, Max got up and left and went to live with her Pops on a whim. Valencia thought, maybe still thinks, that it was boy trouble at school or somethin'. Anyway, ain't you gonna introduce me to this young lady you got here?"
Fang was looking down and I couldn't see the expression on his face, but before Fang could even lift his head up, I introduced myself, "My name is Max. You?"
"Jack," he replied. "You're name ain't Maxine Martinez, is it?" He asked jokingly.
"Nope, it's Maximum. Maximum Ride." I held my hand and he shook it warmly.
"Nice to meet ya, Maximum Ride. Well I better be off now, work and all. Nice catchin' up with ya Fang." And when Fang wasn't looking he sent a small wink in my direction with a look in his eyes that said 'we need to talk'.
My pulse started beating faster. That wink could mean only one thing.
Jack knew who I was.
And he could tell Fang at any time he wanted too.
Dun, dun, dun, DUN! The next chapter is on the way and should be up in a week. Sorry again. Forgive me? Don't? I'm Sorry.