~Nine~

I chew my pizza slowly, rolling the doughy pizza in my mouth while I play Fang's words over and over again in my head. He sat quietly – a ritual to Fang, eating his pizza. I wash down the pizza with my water, "You're right." I say.

Fang smirks cocky as hell, "You'll learn really fast that I'm always right."

I roll my eyes, grabbing for a chicken wing. Biting into the BBQ skin, I say, "Seriously Fang."

"Okay fine. Test time. Tell me about your dad." Fang leans back, looking oh so delicious with his arms cross over his chest and a look of satisfaction on his face.

I blink, "Um, what do you want to know?"

"Well, anything… what was he like? Did you two get along? How did your mom and dad meet? It can even be as simple as telling me what his favorite color is?"

I snort unladylike, "Seriously Fang, his favorite color?"

"Yes. You don't have to go deep so quickly Max. Start off simple."

Right, start off simple.

"Green," I say easily. "At least it was."

Fang nods, "Okay… maybe because of your eyes."

I laugh. "Fang! I have brown eyes."

Fang laughs too. "No you don't. Yes they're brown, but you have specks of green too. Beautiful hazel eyes."

Ugh.

I look down, blushing a little. I eat my pizza slowly. "Thanks. Um… My dad was a pretty cool guy I guess. He took care of me and mom so that's… a plus I suppose –"

Fang cuts me off with a laugh. "You look like you're in pain."

"Sorry." I apologize. "It's hard I guess."

"It doesn't have to be."

I relax my shoulders and sip my drink. I can do this. "You're right."

And before Fang can open his mouth, I laugh and say, "Shut up!"

His mouth snaps shut, one end of his full lips partly curling upwards – Fangs 'smile'. It was adorable. If only Fang knew I thought of him as adorable. I think he'll have a stroke. But Fang was adorable. And cute. Handsome. Sexy. Beautiful… and… oh man,thinking this way scares me. Before Fang, I've never really thought of anyone this way. I don't even know what to do with this! Suddenly, I need Lu. She would know what to do. But she wasn't here, so I was on my own. A thought… a memory unexpectedly hits me in the face.

"I was five. This was shortly before... anyways. We were in the living room watching a movie together. I can't even remember what movie it was. But some point during the movie he pause it and turns to me and says, "Baby, I have to tell you something." And… he tells me about him and my mom and all the problems they were having. At five I understood some of what he said but not most. I did understand the part about him leaving. I was so sad, and didn't think he loved us. My dad cried and told me he loved me and always would. However I didn't believe him. I was five though! I couldn't understand the issues and what was going on in my parent's relationship, you know? The only thing I really understood was that my dad who told me he loves me was leaving. I didn't want to hear any more of it… and ran. I ran to my room and slammed my door shut. I couldn't face it."

I feel a hand grip my hand gently, warm and strong.

"You were five Max."

I shrug. "My dad left a few days after that. I wouldn't leave my room to say bye."

"You were a hurt and confused five year old." He says gently.

"Yeah, but I wouldn't take his calls after he left, and I refused to see him… he gave up finally."

Fang squeezes my hand. "Is that… what you wanted?"

I shrug. "I thought so."

And I did. I thought after the calls stop, I could slowly heal and forget. Instead it hurt more. And now? I hate him even more. What kind of logic is that?

"Have you thought about –?"

"No."

Fang doesn't push it. And the waitress coming over saves my butt once again. She was going to get a big fat tip.

"How are you two doing? Can I get your more water? Or anything else?"

"No. Just the check," Fang tells her.

She nods and walks off.

Fang looks back at me. "Thanks."

I smile lightly, "For what?"

"Sharing this with me. I know we've just met… but I don't know, I just feel like we've know each other for so much longer. And wow, that sounded creepy. But it's still true! I feel like I can be myself around you. And I've never felt this way with anyone before, comfortable and myself… Holy hell I sound like Nudge. Please tell me to shut up."

I laugh, "Fang!"

He smiles sheepish. "Sorry."

"It's okay. I get." I squeeze the hand that still holds mine. Yeah… the fact that he hasn't yet to let go of my hand hasn't escaped me one bit. I like it way too much though.

Fang smirks at me "Okay cool."

I laugh. "Cool." I echo.

Fang offers to walk me home. He was cute when he asks, almost shy, which seems un-Fanglike in so many ways. I say yes.

The walk was quiet, the two of us walking close besides each other. I didn't live far from the music store; it was about a ten minute walk.

"So, I had fun." I say when I spot my house approaching up ahead.

"Me too," Fang says. "Well, I mean most of it was fun. Gazzy was a little annoying."

I laugh, "No way! Do you teach just him?"

Fang shook his head, "Him and a few others. Gazzy is my star student though."

I smirk, "I'm sure."

I stop at my house. "Well this is me."

My house was a small white house with a brown picket fence, that's been there forever, wrapped around the house. My dog Trick is barking up a storm inside

"Um, anyways… thanks again for the pizza." I say awkwardly.

Fang smirks. "It was my pleasure. I hope we can do it again soon."

I nod quickly, "Me too."

I was about to head in when I feel Fang quickly grab my arm. I turn. Fang smiles and leans in close… and kiss my cheek gently. My heart flutters and I feel my checks warm underneath his warm lips.

"See you around Max."

I watch him shove his hands inside his pocket after shooting me a wink and walks down the street.

Today was an awesome day.

I hope you guys like it! Sorry the kiss was… well not an actual kiss. But I'm waiting for the right time! And they did just meet…

Review! Thanks!