This one is dedicated to maximumriderocks24. Thanks for being the first reviewer ( u/4155005/ ). I got a review about Sam being a cheater. Wow, didn't think it would upset anyone. Guess some people liked him? Felt bad for Max? I don't know? I didn't like him because he didn't like Fang...I don't know what to make of this. I'm sure everyone can relate to the fact that the shower is where I think about the day or reflect on life. It's quite deep when you think about it. So here is a list of my shower thoughts for your enjoyment.
-Breaking up with Sam
-Fang hugging me
-Where everyone went after the fire and when they left
-Fang holding me on his shoulder
-How much I hate Lissa (in general, not just recently)
-Fang fighting me with soda
-Moving and living near him (we're looking at a house down the street from his. Did I forget about that?)
-Basically just Fang in general.
What does that mean? It wasn't like I was trying to think of Fang. It just sort of happened like that. Whatever. Fang doesn't like me anyways. He said that we are best friends, but I could live with that. I got out of the shower to find Ella and Angel sitting in my room.
"Nudge texted me. She got it out of Fang by sheer force, tickling him. She said not to be mad. I'm so sorry Max." Ella said. Trying to lighten the mood at first, but miserably failing and giving up.
"Alright, thanks but can we do this in a few minutes when I am wearing more than a towel." My bathroom and, therefore, shower is in my room so no one usually comes in.
"Fine." said Angel exiting the room while Ella followed.
I quickly got dressed as I texted Fang. I actually thought about my outfit. This is so freaking weird. I decided on red skinny jeans with a not too short crop top. You can see a lot of my stomach when I lift my arms but I'll try not to do that I guess. I just really like this shirt.
"You guys can come back and I'll tell you everything." I called out the door.
Ella came in first and sat next to me on my bed. Then Angel ran in, curls bouncing, and jumped into my lap. Gazzy walked in slowly. I felt awful for him. It was like he aged three year in a few days. He sat on my other side and I put my arm around him. He smiled up at me with eyes identical to Angel's bright blue ones. I told them the story, starting with the fire and ending with them leaving. I skipped any parts about Fang. I don't want Ella to get any ideas.
"Max. Are you okay?" Angel asked, worried expression on her face.
"Yeah sweetie, I'm fine now."
Ella gave me a look and I nodded as if to say I really am fine and don't need an ice-cream-eating-movie-watching girls' night any time soon. That sounds like torture right now. And Fang texted me back. I reached around Ella to grab my phone but she got it first.
"You're hanging out with Fang after a breakup rather than a girlfriend or sister? Are you even a girl?" Ella cried
"Yes, and a girl who would rather be Romance-movie free with a guy after a breakup. Get it? Good." I said.
I set Angel down and leapt off the bed. Gazzy hugged me. I hugged him back and told him I was okay. He nodded and went downstairs to eat dinner.
"Eating dinner at Fang's mom!" I yelled. I quickly threw on my grey converse that were only slightly dirty. I ran into the kitchen.
"Alright dear." she said sweetly, as only she could. I kissed her on the cheek. Then I moved right and hugged Ella. On the other side I kissed Angel then Gazzy on their small blonde heads.
"Bye everyone!" I called.
"Bye Max." they responded.
I dashed out to my car, almost forgetting my phone and keys. I shoved a piece of gum in my pocket.
I texted Fang: Be there in a sec.
He texted back: Kay
I can literally hear him saying it in my mind. I drove a little faster than usual but still within the speed limit (sort of). Finally I was at his house. I got a text.
Fang: Door's unlocked. Come upstairs. Second door on the right.
I opened the door awkwardly. You know how it is when someone leaves the door open for you and you feel like you are breaking in. That was how it felt. However, I was too excited to care. His garage door was open but there were no cars in it. No one was home. I felt a rush of excitement go through me that I quickly shooed away.
Upstairs is a long-ish hallway with about six shut doors and an open one that is a closet. I turn to the right and into the second door. Fang's room, I'm assuming. I open the door slightly. I smile as I see Fang listening to music from his black, of course, beats. His room is actually pretty cool. The walls are a slate gray, but you can't really see much of it. He has a million newspaper clippings, song lyrics, band posters and drawings hung up on his walls. His bed has a white frame with black sheets and black and gray pillows. He has two sets of these shelves that are in the shape of squares. The squares descend like stairs and the smallest one points to a desk in the middle of them. He has some pictures of his family, friends and autographs of bands. He has three guitars and a keyboard. I didn't know he was talented. He had a large flat screen on his wall.
I didn't realize that he stopped listening to his headphones and was staring at me in the doorway.
"Looking for something?" he asked with a smile.
"Found it." I said
"What?"
"You and your crooked half smile." I said as his smile widened.
"Sit?" He asked, putting his hand down on the space next to him.
"Sure." I responded, walking toward him as he moved his hand.
I sat on the bed and leaned back on my elbows. I tried not to let my belly button show, but it was hard. I regret wearing this shirt now. It isn't like I'm fat, even though I eat like a pig, because I have a really fast metabolism. I also do karate and gymnastics (I know. I would quit but I am on my way to nationals and stuff). Fang looked at my stomach and I self-consciously pulled down my shirt. He laughed a little.
"It's fine Max, it's just me. I won't judge you."
"Good to know. I'm starving."
"Do you want to make pizza?"
"From scratch?"
"Yeah, Iggy taught me." he said. I remember him telling me Iggy cooked.
"Let's go."
We took out some ingredients. We had flour, sugar, salt, hot water, yeast and some other stuff. I took some flour out of the bag and flicked it at Fang. He reacted quickly and through something (baking powder?) at me. Right in my hair. The white flour stood out on his black shirt. I laughed.
We circled the island staring one another down. It was a test to see who would make the first move.
"I know something Fangy." I said with both intensity and a teasing tone.
"And what is that." He asked, amused.
"Nudge told me a secret. Your secret weakness." I heard Fang swear under his breath.
He raced at me to knock me over but I tripped him. I sat on his stomach, pinning him down. I'm sure the look in my eye was menacing. I pulled the hair next to his ear.
"Ahh! Max! STOP! TRUCE!" I yanked one last time and he cringed. Then he got up. I was laughing and he glared.
"We might need to take another shower after this." he said.
"Probably."
"I think your pants are okay. I'll give you one of Nudge's shirts. She left a few here when her and Iggy stayed a few weeks ago. Their parents were out of town."
"How girly is it?" I asked, sighing.
"Only somewhat. I think it is from that store she likes, Free something."
"Free City? Free People?"
"I thought they were the same..."
"Nope."
"Wow, Max, I didn't think you knew about clothing stores."
"I'm still a girl!" I was slightly offended.
"Sorry," he threw his hands up in innocence, "Well, there is a sweatshirt from Free City and a tee shirt from the other one." he said
"That's better than I expected." I said, actually surprised. I was expecting rhinestones and neon.
"Glad your happy. Lets finish the pizza before I die of starvation." I rolled my eyes at the last part.
We put all of the pizza ingredients into a bowl and actually mixed it by hand. Neither of us knew how to use the mixer. Eventually it got too thick for me. I'm strong but not that strong. To my dismay, Fang acted like it was a piece of cake. However, I could see his muscles flexing and bending with effort. Now it was to to flatten and bake it.
"Do we get to throw it in the air like Italian chefs?" I asked. I have always wondered if normal people did that.
"If you want. It sounds...interesting to watch." He said with a wry smirk.
"Yes!"
I reached for the dough and rolled it out with a rolling pin. Once it was kind of flat I chucked it into the air.
"Fang! Catch it!" I yelled. But he already had it in his hand. Show off.
"My turn." he grinned. Rather than throwing it in the air he threw it at me. I threw it back and he tossed it in the air and caught it effortlessly. He actually looked like those Italian guys. Have to say I was impressed. I won't admit it to him though.
"Show off." I said with my tongue out.
"Oh come on, you know you're jealous." I threw it from his fingertips and the dough spiraled landing in the same position. "I'll teach you."
"I don't need lessons from you." I spat.
"Whatever," but he didn't mean it because he grabbed me by the waist and held my wrist. I squirmed but he was too strong. The dough was back on the counter.
"Hold your hand like this." I did as I was told and placed my fingertips skyward. He balanced the dough on my hands. "Then you throw it like this."
His fingers lifted, twirled and jumped all at the same time. I mimicked the motion and the pizza crust flew. I caught it clumsily on my fingers again beaming.
"You're welcome." he smirked.
"Thanks, really. That was so cool." I said, genuinely. Then there was an awkward pause. I hate those. They are so... awkward.
"I guess we should do the sauce now. Do you want plain cheese?" Fang asked, uncomfortably clearing his throat.
"Uh... yeah. Whatever you like."
"Cheese is good. Not sure that we have anything else anyway."
I painted on the sauce. It was actually pretty fun. It was also a great distraction from awkwardness. Fang and I talked about everything as we sauced and cheesed the pizza. We laughed, teased and spoke casually. It was nice. Finally we finished.
"It will be done in like twenty-eight minutes. Is that enough time to shower?" Fang asked.
"For me? Yeah. Can I have a towel please? Don't want to run around naked." We both laughed but it was really fake. I regret that sentence so much right now. He threw the pizza in the oven and grabbed a towel from that open closet I saw on the way in. He handed me the t-shirt and the sweatshirt. They matched my jeans at least. That was super lucky.
The t-shirt was soft. It was white and loose which was comfortable. It had a red, gold and yellow graphic design that I didn't know the meaning of. The sweatshirt was red and said Free City. I could smell the pizza from the shower. I washed myself quickly. The products smelled like Fang. I kind of liked it.
