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Growing Up

Chapter Thirteen: Another Awkward Situation

MAX POV

"Max! MAX!" Rachel waved her hand in front of my face. I shook my head and brought myself back to Earth.

"Yeah?" I asked, still a little dazed.

"Did you hear?" Rachel looked really excited; excited enough to run fifty laps around the school.

"About what?" I asked confused.

"The Spring Dance!" She jumped up and down twice.

Those two dreaded words. Spring. Dance. Spring on its own was fine. I enjoy Spring, Spring is good. But Dance...let's just say I don't dance. Full stop. Period.

Rachel saw the look in my eyes and understood. "Max, stop being immature. Dances can't be that bad. See look." She shoved a yellow flyer in my hand. I looked down, holding it far from my face.

"CALLING ALL SOPHMORES!
ITS THAT TIME AGAIN!
THE SPRING FLING!
SO FIND YOURSELVES A DATE

AND WE'LL MEET YOU THERE!"

"Who wrote this? There's an exclamation mark at the end of every line." Rachel shrugged.

"Dunno. But who cares? How exciting! Our first Spring Fling!" Rachel started dancing and twirling in circles. I tried to look like I didn't know her. My plan was working until she decided to grab me and twirl me around. I awkwardly stumbled and tried to keep my balance. Rachel didn't seem to notice.

We span around for a few minutes befpre she let go and flung me towards the closest person. That person was Fang.

Fang caught me; his strong arms around my waist, holding me steady. "Whoa."

I smiled up at Fang, gratefully, then I froze; lost in his gaze. Oh. Shit.

We must've been staring for a while, 'cause Rachel had stopped twirling and coughed. I quickly jumped out of Fang's arms and he helped me regain my balance. We looked at Rachel who had a twinkle in her eye.

"What?" I asked. I walked down the corridor, with Rachel and Fang either side of me.

"Nothing." She grinned quickly, but still had that twinkle. "So, who do you plan on asking out? Fang?"

I looked at Fang, half amused and half curious as to what he'll say. But, knowing Fang he's gonna not say anything. At least not to Rachel.

"I have someone in mind." Fang said kinda sly-ish.

I stopped walking. Whoa, what!

One, he said more than three words to someone else other than me and Iggy.

Two, that was SO not the answer I was expecting.

And three, NOW I was curious.

"Really?" I bumped Fang's shoulder, ignoring the small ache in my heart. "Tell us."

Fang looked down at me - damn him for growing taller than me - and smiled quickly at me. "Nah."

"Oh come on." I whined. Yes I know I just whined. I really do want to know.

"I don't even think she'll go, let alone say yes." Whoa, that's TEN words, in front of Rachel.

"You'll never know until you try." Rachel shrugged. If she surprised, she sure didn't show it.

"I guess..." Fang trailed off. I SO have to know now. I'll wait 'till after school.

I betcha most of you (okay, all of you) wanted a waaaaay longer chapter this time...So I decided to add more to this chapter for you guys, when I finally got over my mini writer's block. Man, I hate writer's block.

Be thankful...because this might make the next one shorter and longer to update. Who knows?

Chapter Thirteen-point-Five: The Mystery Girl

I can't believe Fang has a secret crush and he didn't tell me. My curiousity was killing me, and I could tell Fang knew too 'cause he gave me a look that said relax. I sat on his bed, slightly bouncing up and down. Fang sat casually and calm in his computer chair.

"Soooo," I started, casually, trying to act as if I'm not dying to know. "The dance."

Fang looked away from his laptop to look at me for a brief second. He nodded once. I waited for him to continue. He didn't. Of course.

"What?" He asked, after a few minutes of me staring at him.

"Well..." I gave him a look.

"Well...What?" He looked slightly irritated.

"Oh come on." I stood up and took Fang by his shoulders. I shook him. "TELL ME!"

Fang's eyes widened slightly in surprise, though I wasn't sure if I imagined it or not. 'Cause you know, it's Fang.

He stood up, causing me to let go. He stood up to his full height - and I know he's doing that on purpose, because it pisses me off - and gently forced me to sit back down.

"So, you going to tell me now?" I whined. Fang looked at me, eyebrow raised. Yes I know, I just whined. Again. I never whine. But it that's what'll take, I'm willing to take it.

Fang opened his mouth, and I almost jumped on him with excitment.

"Um...Nah." I could he was struggling to keep a straight face.

"What?" My eyes narrowed down on Fang's dark ones. I'm pretty sure one of my eyes were twitching.

This time the corner of his mouth quirked up quickly. "I said. Nah."

"What do you mean, nah?" I was ready to attack Fang. And I could, we used to take karate lessons together up until the age of thirteen.

"I mean, I'm not going to tell you. Me making you whine, well, that's something I'll probably never be able to do again. It's pretty funny actually." He allowed himself to grin widely - and evilly, I might add.
"Actually, it's not. Fang, we've been friends - best friends - since we were, what? Born? And now you're keeping something from me. That's not very best friend of you." I crossed my arms and pouted, adding to the act.

"I'm not falling for that one, Maxine." I narrowed my eyes, when he used my full name. He rolled his eyes. "You can't emotionally blackmail me with that 'best friend' crap. I'm a guy, we don't have feelings."

I dropped my arms to my sides. Damn. On thr pther hand, I got him to say more than three words.

"Don't worry." Fang assured me. "I'll tell you when the time is right."

He came over and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. Wow, Fang is hugging me. Instead of the other way round. What's gotten into him?

"And when will that be?" I looked up at Fang. His eyes were soft, instead of their usual closedness. They say that the eyes are the windows into the souls. Maybe that's why he doesn't show emotion. I made a mental note to ask him later.

I put my head to his chest again, and squeezed his shoulders once. "You know Fang, you're a great guy. A girl would have to be stupid to turn down."

"I don't know about that." Fang muttered to himself, though I heard him.

I pulled back and frowned. I opened my mouth, ready to voice my thoughts, when Fang interupted me. "I'm just saying she might not like me that way."

I shurgged. "You never know."

"No, I do." Fang sighed, and cleared his throat. "Doesn't matter. Let's eat."

I sighed, Fang was back to his three words again.

Why was so sure that 'the girl' didn't like him?

"Coming?" Fang asked, paused at his door. I nodded and smiled quickly. I need to find out who she is, even if it is the last thing I do.

Read, review (again) and...wait (for the mext chapter).

FlowerChild22