You guys are AWESOME! There are so many reviews… And, not to mention, some people nominated me for Myrah's awards!

This chapter is dedicated to Tessa Van Rompaey and anonymoushairbrush! Thanks so much you guys! I appreciate it lots!

~Mo~

PS— I just realized that I have only written about three days so far… Huh. Weird.

"Women are like teabags, you never know how strong they are until they're put in hot water."
-- Eleanor Roosevelt

*FANG POV*

Everyone in our small town had heard about what happened at Max's house after she went home from the hospital.

After school, I would look at Max through my window (and- no- not in a perverted way). All she would do is stare at the wall with a determined, thinking expression on her face. That's all I have seen since the incident. Nothing else. Not one tear.

You don't really realize how strong a person is until you see them at their weakest moment. This is definitely one of Max's weakest moments. And she is definitely strong.

I so badly want to go over there and comfort her, though. Just hold her in my arms. Although, I don't know how she would react to that. She would probably find out that I care about her, too. And I don't want that happening…

So, no matter how much it pains me, I am going to have to wait until later to comfort Max in any way. And, trust me when I say this, it pains me a lot. Its like there's a freaking sign over my heart that says, 'STAB HERE'.

Yeah- It hurts that much.

*MAX POV*

"I can't believe Jeb. He cheated on my mom. Cheated! How could he do that to us?! Why would he do that?! I hate him! He doesn't deserve my mom."

Those thoughts keep echoing through my mind for the past couple of days.

And- yes- I said days. I haven't left my room since the night I found out about Ari (unless it's to use the bathroom or eat). Mom says its shock. I don't know what to say.

As soon as I finished beating Jeb, Mom had taken Ari and put him in the guest room. Then Mom proceeded to yell at Jeb for a long time. Jeb knew he was going to get kicked out- that much was obvious. What he didn't expect was that Mom said he couldn't keep Ari because "an innocent child shouldn't have to live on the streets because his dad is scum". With that said, Mom took Jeb's (he doesn't deserve the title of 'Dad') credit cards, cut them up, and kicked him out of the house.

So, I have stayed in my room. I didn't want to go to school; to have to face the people whispering about Jeb. I know I am not one to care about what people think- and I still am not- but I don't want to be talked about behind my back. Nobody does.

If I had happened to hear anyone talk behind my back, I would have punched them in the nose. I think that is one of the reasons why Mom wants me to stay home…

Anyway, the only reason I have avoided everyone is because I need to think. Some things haven't added up.

Why did Ari come now? Why not earlier or later? It was obvious that Jeb had visited Ari before, but when?

Each thought that entered my mind made me more and more confused.

If you want to get answers, Maximum, go to the source. My conscious told me.

So, what you're saying is that I should go ask Ari some of these questions? I asked.

No reply. Ha. Of course, that's pretty normal when it comes to my conscious. Then again, how could any of that be normal? The fact that I have a conscious that speaks to me is definitely not normal.

Note to Self: Normal is just a setting on washing machines.

But, I decided to take 'The Voices' advice. I walked down the hall to the guest room, where I knew Ari would be, looking at picture books.

I walked in and whispered, "Hi Ari."

He looked up. I swear I saw shock cross his features before his face settled on happiness.

"Hi Max! Are you finally out of your room?" he excitedly asked. Well, it was the first time I had talked in four days… I would be excited if I was him, too.

I smiled, sat on the edge of his bed, and said, "Yeah. I just wanted to ask you a few questions. Is that okay?"

"Sure, Max!" he replied.

I took a deep breath and blurted it out.

"What happened to your mom, Ari?"

I waited for his reaction with bated breath. I wasn't as scared about his answer as much as his reaction. I didn't know him that well, so I didn't know if he would get angry at me for asking, ignore me, or do whatever else he would do.

I definitely wasn't expecting his eyes to well up with tears.

"Mommy is gone. They put her in the ground."

With that said, he crumpled into a little ball of tears. I held him and rocked him back and forth whispering "it's okay, Ari. We are here for you" into his ear, forgetting about any other questions I had had for him. After a couple minutes, he fell asleep.

Poor little guy. Both of his parents were taken away from him.

Right then and there, I decided to be the best big sister to him I could be. He has lost a lot for a seven year old; the least I could do was help him.

I was doing a lot better now that I promised myself to help Ari. It felt good to help someone in need. It made me feel more like myself. You know, the protecting-the-weak Max that I am.

"Max!" my mom hollered from downstairs.

"Yes, mother dearest?" I answered, sarcastically- of course.

"Max, I don't have time for attitude. Come down here. Now." Mom replied in her 'if-you-dare-give-me-any-more-attitude-I-will-kick-your-butt-all-the-way-to-China-where-they-won't-take-the-attitude-and-put-you-in-jail-instead' voice. She also sounded surprised that I was acting more like myself.

"Fine…" I whined, stomping down the stairs. I know I was acting like a seven-year-old, but it was fun! I needed to have fun right now. Plus, life is nothing without fun, right? Live it up, people! You don't get out of this alive.

"Okay, Max. Tomorrow, after school, you have a doctor's appointment." She cautiously stated while I reached for an apple. She knows I don't like hospitals or needles. Anything to do with the two I pretty much hate. But Dr. Costa (yes, Fang's dad) is nice and he understands me, so I am fine with going to him. Anywhere or anyone else, I'll cause a fit. Plus, they just wanted to make sure I wasn't going through depression. No needles for that.

I think…

Anyway, when I was about to take a bit of the apple, Mom mumbled something under her breath.

"What was that, Mom?" I asked, lowering the unbitten apple.

"Oh, I was just saying that I'll take that as an okay. And how I wish you would eat more apples. 'An apple a day keeps the doctor away', you know!"

"Yeah, but if the doctor's son is cute, screw the fruit." I replied, winked, and left the kitchen with Mom's mouth hanging open. And, not to mention, the apple.

Walking up the stairs while laughing, I felt more like myself. Except, I couldn't believe I had just said that Fang is cute. I mean- I'm sorry if you think I'm wrong, but you can't blame me; the boy is gorgeous- I just can't believe I said that to my mom.

I walked into my room, past the calendar. Only then did I realize that today is Sunday.

Yes, my miserable, emotional week is over! I thought, referring to what the Voice had said earlier.

Expect the unexpected, Maximum. The emotional rollercoaster is definitely not over, the Voice replied.

I groaned and flopped onto my bed. There was no way I would be able to go to sleep now! I am way too worried.

Not to mention that I have school tomorrow. Great.

Note the sarcasm.

You have no idea what is going to happen, Max. No idea. (insert evil grin)

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What's your favorite line, by the way? I want to know.

~Mo~