Iggy POV:
We finally pulled into Fang's driveway, which was decorated with red rocks and small trees. Max pulled the key out of the ignition with a sigh, and then
turned to us in the backseat. Ella was silent, facing forward still. "Ready?" She asked me. I nodded, and opened the door with a click. I got out slowly,
stretching my sore muscles very carefully, and finally got a glimpse at what Fang's home was really like. It was a two story adobe house, with a little
balcony at the front and back, and a small yard where a black and white and brown dog barked excitedly. Fang walked up to the front porch and
extracted a key from his jeans, which he then inserted into the door. As he opened it, I was confronted by the scent of tobacco and crappy lemon
freshener that most likely had been used to try to cover up the scent but ultimately failed. Fang threw his book bag onto the floor and flopped onto his
black couch in his living room, where there was a 55" Widescreen TV and a PS3 was hooked up to, with 4 controllers lying around. Following Fang's
lead, Max threw her book bag and walked into the kitchen. "Snacks anyone?" She called over her shoulder. Ella stood next to me, and gently rested her
book bag next to Max's. Weird...How come she's so gentle with her bookbag now, compared to in 7th period? I wondered to myself. "You want anything
Iggy?" I shook my head and half smiled. "Ella?" She shook her head as well, a sad look on her face. Max noticed and came over and pulled Ella into a
hug, stroking her hair. "It's ok...I know.." She said softly. My eyes widened. Max could be gentle? Ella pulled back and forced a smile. Max smiled back
and brushed hair out of Ella's eyes. "I've got something for you!" Max took Ella's hand and pulled her up the stairs next to the TV. "See you guys in a
second!" She yelled. I looked at Fang for answers. He shrugged. "What do you want to play? Gazzy & Angel will be here soon." He asked. I shrugged
slightly. "What do you have?" "Well," Fang got up with a groan and bent down in front of a DVD rack. "We have, World of Warcraft, which is one player
but we take turns, umm...Skyrim, also one player, Mario Kart, which is multiplayer, and Final Fantasy, all of them one player, we have VII, X, X-2, XII, XIII,
XIII-2, XIII LR and XIV." "I don't know, what do you guys normally play?" "Well, we usually switch off between one player and multiplayer. Today it's one
player day. And you're the guest, so you get to choose." I nodded thoughtfully, fingering my pocket knife as I did so. "How about...a Final Fantasy?"
Fang grinned. "Nice choice. Which one?" "Whatever you guys want." He gave me a thumbs up and cracked open one of the cases. "Here we go!" He
said as he popped the disc in.
Ella POV:
Fuck. I almost broke down in front of Iggy. Not good. Not good at all. I cannot show weakness. Not in front of someone I suspect... "Ella!" Max snapped
her fingers in front of my face. "Snap out of it!" I shook my head. "Sorry..." I muttered. She grinned. "Ready for your surprise?" I nodded. "Ta da!" She
brought out a hair dye box, with the model having blood red hair. My eyes widened. "Wow!" I exclaimed. "Mom says only to your dark brown roots
though." Max stroked the hair where my dark brown roots were showing. "You ready?" I grinned. Oh hell yea.\ Iggy POV: I sat back on the couch
waiting for the start screen to show up, when my jaw dropped.
Fang POV:
I watched as Iggy's jaw dropped as the music started, and the opening scene started playing. I chuckled softly to myself. Then watched as Iggy's eyes
started to fill up with tears. Whoa! I thought.
Iggy POV:
As the actual start screen started up, I had to wipe tears from my eyes. "...Wow.." I croaked out. Fang grinned. "Just wait dude. Just wait."
Ella POV:
I spun around with my new hair, it's dark red and light red streaks flowing around me. I giggled, and then leapt into Max's arms. "Thank you thank you
thank you!" I gushed. She laughed and shoved me off. "You're very welcome." Then I heard something. Something familiar. My eyes widened. "MAX
THEY'RE PLAYING IT! THEY ARE PLAYING FINAL FANTASY X!" I I yelled, hearing the familiar and heart wrenching battle theme. Max grinned even wider
then me. "Let's go join them." She held out her arm, and we ran down the stairs. Iggy POV: "How have I not heard of this game before? It's so cool!" I
asked Fang as I fought blue bugs with a glowing red sword. "I know right? It's Ella's favorite." "I can see why!" I exclaimed, as I swiped down a electric
tank off a bridge into fire, which then made everything explode. The doorbell rang. "That must be Gazzy & Angel." Fang said. I paused the game. "I'll
get it." I got up from my spot on the couch, a stupefied smile still on my face, and opened the door. "Hey Gaz-" "Hello Iggy." My father grinned at me. I
froze. "James...What are you doing here?" I spoke calmly. "It's Dad to you. Oh you know, just making sure you're safe and all." My eyes narrowed.
Bullshit. "Just wanted to let you know, if you come home at all in the next 48 hours, you may end up, " His voice lowered to a seductive whisper. "with
some broken bones. My buddies are coming over, and we don't want to be disturbed." He leaned toward me as he said it. "Or maybe we could have
some fun with you instead..." He licked his lips. I stood my ground. "I won't come home in the next 48 hours." I gritted through my teeth. James
laughed, and then turned around. "See you later then. Don't die." And with that he roared off on his motorcycle. Tears threatened to form in my eyes,
and suddenly I felt Fang's hand on my shoulder. "Iggy? What is it?" I stood there, slightly shaking, and then pushed Fang away and walked to the
bathroom, sat on the counter, and shut the door.
Ella POV:
"YES!" I yelled as I came barreling down the stairs, noticing the paused FFX. Fang stood at the bathroom door, knocking slightly. "Iggy?" He called. My
eyes narrowed. I sat down on the couch and watched Fang try to force the door down. "Iggy!" Fang called more urgently. The door unlocked with a
click, and then slowly creaked open to reveal Iggy sitting on the counter in his underwear, his eyes wide. Blood covered his legs and the floor. In his
hand he gripped a pocketknife shakily. I gasped and covered my mouth with my hands.
"Oh Iggy..."
A/N: HELLLLLOOO! Sorry! I've been traveling for a LONG time so I had no time to update...BUT! Today on the 6 hour drive home from Denver I wrote this chapter! :D Btw, Iggy's reaction to playing Final Fantasy X for the first time was my exact reaction, only times 5 with the crying and fangirlingness. :D I GOT MY HAIR DYED AS WELL, like Ella's :D Anyway, i do not own any of these characters, yada yada yada. Enjoy! -Isa Fe