Anika: This chapter is going to be confusing as hell so make sure to pay attention to the dates and times so your poor brain doesn't explode.
Aj: Or something like that! Although that would look so cool!
Anika: Only to someone as demented as you.
June 8; 6 pm; Dr. M's house;
1 Hour Until The Dance
I didn't know if I could do this, not this time. My chest was tight and my breathing was unsteady. Of course, this could all be pegged down to what was happening tonight. After all this time of convincing myself it wouldn't happen, it has finally arrived. It was time to go to the dance. With Fang. In a dress. Nope, I definitely couldn't do this.
Guilt consumed me as I sat on my bed—correction, Maya's bed—holding my head in my hands and trying to control my breathing. I hadn't allowed myself to think about it in a while, but all of the past guilt was hitting me like a wave as I sat alone in Maya's room, my mother and sister waiting for me downstairs. No matter how many times I convinced myself otherwise, what I was doing was still wrong. It was Maya's life, Maya's friends, Maya's boyfriend, I had kept it up so far to protect myself, and then to protect my mom, but sometimes there are just too many secrets. Fiddling with the key around my neck, from when Nudge had been looking through Maya's closet what seemed like so long ago, I wondered again what it opened.
I think the only one with more secrets than me was Maya. I knew she had known more than she let on and somehow she had managed to date Fang and still not tell him that she had killed his father. She had made Fang believe his father had left him, when in truth he had been killed in self-defense by his girlfriend. His girlfriend, who was now missing and being impersonated by her twin sister. Thinking about it like that, it made it sound really bad. It was made even worse by the fact that said evil twin was about to go to the Spring Dance with her sister's boyfriend.
Fiddling more with my key in an attempt to push the guilt out of my head, my eyes widened and I practically leaped across the room to Maya's closet. I had an idea of what the key opened. Back when I had first started the lie, a heavy box had slammed into me. Inside of it had been a freaking heavy jewelry box, which just so happened to not have a key. I was willing to bet money that this key opened that box. My bare feet were sinking into the lush carpet as I pulled the box, being careful not to crush my ribs in the process-off the shelf, setting it down on the floor. At first glance it looked like a simple jewelry box, but now that I had a closer look at it, I noticed faint gold designs ornately covering the mahogany box. The keyhole was silver and seemed to shimmer from my position on the floor. Taking in a deep breath, I ripped the key from around my neck and hesitantly tried to slide it inside the hole. It fit perfectly. I let out the breath I had been holding, practically bursting in anticipation. Maybe if Maya had worked so hard to keep whatever was in this box hidden, it would reveal something about where she was.
I gathered up my courage, partly not wanting to know what was in the box, and turned the key until I heard a minute click.
"Maya! Get your behind down here!" Ella screamed. Looking once more at the now unlocked box, I made a split decision and stuffed the box under Maya's bed, using the blue bed skirt to hide the box as much as possible. Cramming my small feet into my shoes as quickly as possible, I prepared to rush down to avoid Ella's wrath. Pausing just before I reached the door, I took a moment to look at myself.
Dirty blonde hair, curled at the bottom. Makeup that felt awkward on my face, with light mascara, light blush, and natural looking eye shadow. Ella had quizzed me on what all the gunk was called earlier on when she decided to put lip-gloss on me as well. Looking down a little, I was surprised to see the dress. The red contrasted with my semi-pale skin, clinging to my body near the top and then turning...I don't know...flowey once it reached my hips. Hanging on my hips were two thin black leather sashes. The dress's sleeves hung on the sides of my arms, leaving my neck and shoulders bare. I had figured I would look like a stranger, but as I looked in the mirror, I saw me. I saw myself staring back at me, despite being a version of myself wearing makeup and a dress. Looking at myself I knew it was perfect.
I guess it was time to face the heathens.
"Oh my god." Ella breathed, her hands flying up to cover her mouth. She was standing at the bottom of the stairwell, prepared to criticize my outfit choice, but all she could do was stare at me.
"Take a good long look Ella because in a few hours I'll be back to normal." I quipped, jumping-yes, jumping, down to the first floor. Ella cringed seeing me do something do reckless while looking so fancy, but then she noticed exactly what I was wearing.
"Converse! Converse! You have to go put on some heels or even some flats! We already told you-"
"No combat boots. These aren't combat boots. They're high tops." She scowled at me, causing a wide grin to appear on my face.
"I think she looks stunning either way." My mom interjected, walking out from her office and seeing me. I smiled, stepping into her open arms and hugging her. She has got to be my favorite person in the world.
"Hey mom." I said, still loving that I was able to say that. She smiled at me warmly and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. Clasping my shoulders, she looked me in the eye and said, "You look so grown up. I'm so proud of you, sweetie."
I smiled at her, not used to hearing anyone say something like that, but of course Ella had to ruin the moment.
"I still need my picture! I may never see you like this again, I'm making sure I'll always have black mail on you." She exclaimed, causing my mom to chuckle.
"I have a camera in my office." She said, looking towards the one room in this house I hadn't been in yet.
"I'll go get it." I offered, wanting to be as helpful as possible to my mom, the one parent I could actually trust.
"That's alright, honey," My mom said immediately, "It's a mess in there and I know where the camera is. Besides, this is your night. I want you to enjoy it."
My mom smiled at me as she turned to her office. I was about to protest, wanting to help her, when the doorbell rang. Fang was here.
It was time to get this show on the road.
June 8; 11 am; Fang and Iggy's Dorm
8 Hours Until The Dance
"Iggy, for the last time, we are not going to actually blow Sloan up." I chastised for the sixth time, wondering whether or not it would just be easier to let Iggy blow him up. No, I decided. Too many legal issues.
I was sitting in a circle with Iggy and Gazzy in Iggy's dorm, that he shared with Fang. Papers were scattered across the floor, detailing different ideas and schematics for the plan. I had managed to sneak away from Nudge, who had been particularly clingy lately, for the past few hours by telling her that I had no makeup or hair products. She would be at the mall for a long time, with Ella most likely with her. Angel had been avoiding us lately, except for Gazzy and Fang, working on her campaign. As much as I wanted to let Fang in on the plan, Gazzy and Iggy had refused. Apparently, the more people who know, the less James Bond the plan is. The boys had gotten him out of here by telling him they were developing some new bombs. It wasn't a total lie.
"But Max, it would take care of him quick and we just got some new Lycopodium that we've been dying to use!" Gazzy begged, mimicking Angel and Nudge's Bambi eyes. Luckily, he couldn't pull them off.
"Nope. It would draw too much attention and Nudge isn't supposed to know. Blowing up her date would be pretty hard to miss, don't you think?" I argued. He looked about to protest, but decided against it and crossed that option off one of the many papers.
"Okay, no real bombs. What if we pelt him with stink bombs?" Iggy suggested, a manic look in his face as he held up a diagram of a stick figure Sloan crying with stink lines coming off of him. He seemed way too enthusiastic of this.
"It would draw too much attention. We need to do this smart and sneaky. I've got a plan and we're going to need some stink bombs. Gaz, go to your dorm and get all of the moldy food, sweaty socks, and dead animals you have. We need this to stink. Iggy, go get a lot of sulfur and show me the smallest stink bombs you have." I ordered. They both looked at me for a moment, surprised to see me take charge like that, but quickly saluted and jumped into action.
"Wait, where are you going?" Iggy asked, seeing me getting up and heading for the door. I smirked, enjoying his confusion.
"You'll see." I said ominously. He shrugged, muttering something about girls, before getting to work. I stepped out in the hallway, closing the door behind me and brought out my phone. I scrolled through the contacts before my eyes landed on Fang's. I closed my eyes, not wanting to feel the guilt that overcame me. I still hadn't told him about his father. After thinking it over, I couldn't think of a way that I could tell Fang about his father without telling him about who I really am. Worse, if I told him, I didn't know what he would think. Would he hate me? By this point, I don't know if I could take that.
I also didn't know if I could stand seeing him and keeping something so big a secret. Maybe I could just avoid him until the dance, at least until I got a better plan.
I sighed, my forehead creasing, before flicking his name away and looking at all of the other contacts on my—Maya's—phone. I needed to focus. After all, Iggy and Gazzy weren't the only ones with a plan.
June 8; 7:45 pm; Fairmont Towers
45 Minutes Into The Dance
Bodies everywhere, music blaring into my eardrums, lights flashing, tensing up and squeezing Fang's hand because of all the freaking people in the same room huddled together dancing to stupid songs by some crappy British boy band. Although, it may just be me who thinks this way. I looked to my left, where Fang stood next to me, looking—I hate to admit it—incredibly handsome in his suit. Luckily, I had enough self-control to keep myself from drooling over my missing sister's boyfriend. Surprisingly, he looked just as uncomfortable as I did.
"Well, feel like walking into our deaths?" He joked, smirking at me. I smiled, feeling slightly more comfortable. Instantly, I suppressed guilt by just being near him. This was the first time I had actually been near him since I went to his house, unless you count bumping into him.
"Maya, Fang! Oh my god, isn't this absolutely amazing! And I just love that they're playing One Direction! Finally, they hired a DJ with good taste!" I grimaced and I had a feeling Fang did the same, "Wow, I'm so rude! Come on, let's go over to our table and I'll introduce you to Sloan. Oh, I just know you're going to love him! I mean, he's absolutely perfect! He's on the football team, he has two dogs, that means he's sensitive, he's popular, he's h-o-t Hot! He's funny, he pays attention to me and doesn't talk too much because, I don't know about you, but when people talk so much that it seems like they've been rambling forever it's just so hard to pay attention and it makes you just want to slap them, you know?"
I paused, wondering whether or not she was serious. Was she being serious? Did she really not realize that she has a bit of a…talking problem?
"Oh look, there's Iggy. With a table. Let's go before he… chokes to death." I improvised. Obviously, the loud music and claustrophobia was affecting my ability to come up with good distractions.
Nudge nodded, obviously not realizing my awful improv attempt, but I could practically feel Fang looking at me like I was a complete psycho. Oh well, hasn't been the first time and most definitely will not be the last.
"So Sloan, my man, my amigo, my homie, how long have you known Nudge?" Iggy asked, coolly laying his arm across Sloan's shoulders. Sloan glared at the scrawny albino, causing him to squeak and withdraw his arm. Oh Iggy. Fang, Nudge, Iggy, Sloan, and I were all sitting at a table awkwardly, and of course Iggy was the first to attempt conversation.
"I dunno. A few days." He answered, looking distant. I rested my head on my hand, dying of boredom while Nudge looked like Sloan had serenaded his undying love for her. I do not understand the female species!
"Why don't I go and get some food or something." Fang attempted, obviously looking for an escape. My ears perked up at that. It was just what I needed.
"Yes! Best idea I've heard all day! Nudge and I will come with and help carry the food." I agreed, already smiling.
"Why do you need three people to carry food?" Sloan asked naively. Everyone turned to stare at him slowly, wondering how he could be so stupid.
"If you have ever seen Maya eat, you would understand." Nudge explained knowingly. Fang and Iggy nodded, while I just smiled in that adorable way of mine.
"Alright then. Do you want to know what I want to eat?" Sloan asked slowly.
"Nope." I replied, getting up along with Fang and Nudge. Sloan looked confused at my response, wondering how he should react while Iggy had a constrained expression on his face as he bounced up and down, his legs crossed. He was so over dramatic.
"Ig, if you have to go to the bathroom, just go." I sighed, wondering whether calling a mental house would be extreme.
He paused for a few moments, cocking his head as a relieved expression formed.
"Thank you." He breathed. To say the least, Sloan looked panicked to just be sitting next to Iggy. Because I knew Iggy so well, I wasn't quite sure what to think. He is such a dork.
"Hahahahaha! Oh my god I was just kidding! I can't believe you fell for that, Sean!"
"Actually it's -"
"Hey Steve, shut up, because I wasn't kidding about having to go to the bathroom. Try not to miss me too much." He sighed dramatically, placing his hands on Sloan's shoulders. To say the least, Sloan looked plain uncomfortable.
"It will be hard." I rolled my eyes. He nodded, completely serious, before bolting for the bathroom. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Gazzy coming a little closer.
"So, what about that food?" Nudge asked. I nodded enthusiastically.
"Isn't he just dreamy?" Nudge sighed, a faraway look in her eyes.
"The sandman? Yeah, totally." I replied, not in the mood to giggle about boys with Nudge. Fang chuckled slightly as he continued placing cookies on a plate already filled with about thirty. He knew of my condition and he accepted it, which is why I put up with him.
"No, Sloan, you butthead." She said defensively. That's funny, the last time I looked in the mirror I don't remember seeing a butt where my head should be, but maybe I missed something.
"Hey, what's that smell?" Fang asked, wrinkling up his nose. After he said that, the smell that made a landfill seem like one of those air freshener commercials hit Nudge and I. We turned around to find the source of the smell: Sloan, who was currently hopping around like a mad man and hitting himself all over his body for unknown reasons. There was a crazy expression on his face as he continued to smack himself.
"He must have made up a new dance or something." Nudge suggested, unsure.
"Yeah. Or something." Fang muttered.
June 8; 2 pm; Fang and Iggy's Dorm
5 Hours Until The Dance
"Okay, the stink bombs are done. What's your master plan, oh wise one?" Iggy announced loudly, sitting Indian style and looking at me. I smiled, already expecting him to ask. Gazzy was sitting on Iggy's bunk, nerves probably eating him up. The dance was later on tonight and depending on how tonight went, he would either get his dream girl or lose his best friend, and permanently sever the flock, forever. No pressure or anything. He looked up at me, his eyes hopeful.
"As you know, the first part of the plan was to let Nudge know we didn't approve of Sloan. Nudge needs her friends' approval, it's who she is, so she'll drag Iggy, Fang, and I into sitting with him and 'getting to know him'. Iggy, you'll be waiting with a stink bomb hidden in your suit. I don't care where, in fact, I don't want to know where, just have it ready. I'm going to find some excuse to leave and Fang and Nudge will have to come too, leaving just you and Sloan." The boys both nodded warily, still confused on how this was going to work. I smiled knowingly. Boys are such idiots.
"Okay, that sounds good, I guess. But where do the bombs come in?" Gazzy asked warily, still not sure about my genius.
"Iggy, you're going to wait a few minutes, but when you see us start to come back, use some excuse to get up and leave, but before you leave, make sure to attach the mini bomb to him without him realizing. Gazzy, since you're going to be wearing the sensor that will release the stink, you need to walk past Sloan and the bomb will go off, that way Iggy can't be blamed and Nudge is there just in time to see her date smelling like he just dumpster dived." I concluded. The boys both looked at me in awe.
"Should we be scared of New Maya?" Iggy whispered, loud enough so that I could hear. I crossed my arms, waiting for the two to stop being idiots.
"I don't know. Hey Maya, should we be afraid of getting on your bad side?" Gazzy asked, his eyes wide in faux innocence.
I nodded.
June 8; 8:30 pm; Fairmont Towers
1 Hour And A Half Into The Dance
You may find this surprising, but I can't dance. At all. So sitting at a table, trying not to notice Gazzy looking longingly at Nudge who was making googly eyes at Sloan was my idea of a good time. Okay, not exactly.
"I can't believe we've been so lazy! Here we are, lounging around drinking crappy punch, when we could be working on the list!" Iggy was ranting. It was just me and him at the table, which I was thankful for because being around Fang was still hard. For the past ten minutes Iggy had been...just being crazy, obnoxious, Iggy. It was nice, it was easy.
"Hey Ig, why'd you decide to help?" I asked, out of the blue. He paused, a thoughtful expression on his face for a moment.
"The Gasman is like my brother. Because of that, he tells me everything, including his obsession over Nudge. The sooner those two get together, the more peace I can get and the more we can focus on more important things. Like my list." He stated proudly. Although, something still seemed off to me. I looked at him for a moment. His strawberry blonde hair brushed neatly as opposed to its usual messiness, he was wearing a clean and expensive looking ice blue dress shirt paired with crisp black dress pants and dress shoes. Why would Iggy put so much effort into his outfit if he was only at this dance to torture Sloan and help Gazzy with the plan? Was it possible that Iggy, the jokester, the eccentric planner, and the most lovably immature kid I've ever met was trying to impress someone? Here?
I shook the thought from my head. If Iggy were trying to impress someone, he would be hanging out with them. So far, Iggy had pretty much kept to himself, save for talking to Gazzy, Fang, and I.
"Are you sure?" I asked suspiciously, not believing him. After lasting so long pretending to be my sister, I considered myself a professional liar. He can't lie to a professional liar.
"Maya—"
"Can I interrupt?" A voice asked from behind me. I turned around in my chair to see Fang, with his hand out, waiting for me to take it.
"Feel like dancing?" He asked simply, smirking slightly. I pursed my lips, considering all that could go wrong in the time span of a few songs, but as I looked up to meet his eyes, I couldn't help but agree. Wow, I've become such a sap.
"I'm sorry." I mumbled, hoping he didn't hear me as we stepped into the middle of the ballroom. A few months ago, I was in the middle of an illegal fighting ring. Boy, how times have changed.
"Sorry? For what?" He asked, his face shifting slightly upwards, his equivalent of being incredibly confused.
"For a lot of things. One, for avoiding you the past few days. And not spending much time with you at the dance, but most importantly because I can't dance." I blurted. I think I was spending too much time with Nudge. He laughed, actually laughed and put an arm around my waist.
"I'll show you how to." He said, his cocky smile reappearing. I looked at him in disbelief, about to tell him there wasn't a slow song playing, when suddenly...there was. All of a sudden, the annoying pop song stopped in the middle, replaced with some slow song I've never heard of before. As if this was totally normal, the other students easily transitioned to slow dancing. I raised my eyebrows, not believing this for a second.
"Where did you think I was the past ten minutes?" He said simply, moving my hand up to his shoulders.
"Let me get this straight. You requested a song just so we could slow dance?" He nodded, his jet black hair looking silver in the light.
"That's so cheesy." I laughed, attempting to keep up with his dancing. Out of all the things I suck at, why did one of them have to be dancing! He smirked, showing some of his teeth.
"Yeah, well it's cheesy for a reason," he shot back, "and quit stepping on my feet."
I blushed, feeling embarrassed. That is, until I reminded myself to snap out of it.
"So why have you been avoiding me for the past week?" He asked, in a different tone. I frowned, not wanting to answer. I wanted to tell him the truth, for once, but I could just imagine how that would turn out.
"Hey Fang, I don't know how to tell you this, but its a funny story, really. You see, my twin sister, who just happens to be your girlfriend, shot your father and made you an orphan. Oops. And yes, you heard me, twin sister. It just so happens that my real name is Max and I've been impersonating my twin sister Maya and pretending to be your girlfriend while lying to everyone's faces! But that's cool, right?"
Oh yeah, that would go over real well. The gnawing in my stomach grew more intense as the guilt from keeping all of these secrets was killing me. How much longer could I keep this up?
"I have to be honest with you," I sighed, deciding that if I couldn't tell him the entire truth, I may as well tell him what I can.
"For the past week I've been sworn to secrecy by Gazzy and Iggy because Gazzy is in love with Nudge and Sloan's not good for her, so we planned to humiliate him so Nudge could come to her senses and this drama could stop." I burst, talking a mile a minute with no sign of stopping. Telling the truth, letting at least one secret out, felt so good.
He stared at me, his expression growing more and more perplexed, his face looking serious, and I braced myself for the worst. For the first time all night, I wasn't focused on the way his black jacket fitted him, making him look more mature, or the way his hair swept over his eyes, the shadows from the lighting certainly doing justice to his strong jawbone. (God, I've become such a girl.) I could only fear whether he would think I was crazy or wasn't telling him everything. His reaction surprised me. No, it outright infuriated me. Why? Because he started to laugh.
Yes, read that again. Fang, the emotionless brick wall, began to crack up laughing.
I could only stare, along with a few other distracted high schoolers. Had he been possessed?
"What?" I demanded, glaring at him.
"It's just..."He tried to begin, before he once again let out a few small giggles. Yes, you read that right, giggles. The world has turned upside down.
"A few months ago you were confused from the heist in Ocean's 11 and now you're an evil genius!" He explained, after his laughing stopped. Ocean's 11? Is that a movie? I really need to steal more of Fang's movies to make up for my deprived childhood.
"So you're not mad that I've been blowing you off for the past week?" I asked, wondering if this was normal in a relationship—even a fake one—or if Fang was just different.
"The opposite." He answered, brushing a small strand of hair behind my ear. I blushed and smiled, getting lost in his obsidian eyes.
That is, until we were interrupted by Nudge storming away from Sloan, her nostrils flaring, while he was left spluttering, a confused look on his face.
"I suppose this was part of the plan?" Fang whispered in my ear. I nodded, forcing myself not to shiver. What the hell was wrong with me? Since when did I become this girly, vulnerable, wimp?
"Operation Bad Boy Burned." I told him, watching sadly as Nudge hurried to one of the building's balconies, all alone.
"Go and talk to her." He said. I looked at him, surprised.
"Really? You won't be mad?" I asked, still surprised he was so cool about me ditching him, yet again. He nodded, a certain light in his eye I hadn't noticed before.
"Yeah. Besides, I needed to talk to Iggy anyways. Plus, I think Nudge needs you more than me about now." I smiled, feeling tempted to hug him, but fought the urge.
"Okay. We'll continue this dance lesson later?"
"Definitely. I may need to get metal playing in my shoes first though." He smirked. I tried not to, but I smiled back at him before going after Nudge. I knew what I was going to say to her too.
Feeling the chill bite my skin immediately, Nudge turned towards me in surprise, before throwing her arms around me in a sisterly hug.
"Oh Max," Nudge began, after making sure no one was around to hear us, "I think you might have been right about Sloan. This wasn't how it was supposed to go at all!"
I looked at her, her dark hair curled to perfection, a purple dress with lace sleeves and a violet silk that went a little above her knee, along with her makeup making her look older and more mature, but gorgeous all the same. She was my best friend, the person who was able to figure out who I really was all by herself, and the girl who trusted me with everything. I had to return the favor.
"Nudge, I need to tell you something," She looked at me, her eyes wide and curious.
"When I was younger, Maya and I had to do one heist for Jeb worse than any of the others. There were these men who were following us. One of them knocked me down and he...he began to threaten me. I was so scared and then Maya shot him." I paused, looking at her reaction. She looked confused and sad, not caring for once that the heavy wind was blowing her perfect hair.
"The other day, when I went to Fang's house, Jeb told me he was dangerous and to stay away from him. I didn't know why, until I found a picture while his grandmother was driving me home. That man—the one Maya killed—he was Fang's father." I burst, unable to keep the secret in any longer.
Aj: Dun...Dun...DUN!
Anika: This was just Part 1 of the dance since all of it was just too long! The rest will be posted as soon as we get 130 reviews, so get reviewin'!
Aj: Question Time! Mwahahahaha!
1). Did you get confused while reading this chapter? Be honest!
2). Are you afraid of peanut butter?
3). What was the most epic part of this chapter?
See you later, my minions. -Aj.