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Chapter 14- Dancing;A Dangerous Pastime
Max POV
"Hey babe," Sam quickly kissed my cheek.
"Sam! We're in school, so quit with the PDA," I teased, blushing a little. Okay, maybe a lot.
"So whatcha doing?" Sam asked cutely.
"Um, what do you think I'm doing?" I asked rhetorically, gesturing at the soccer ball at my feet and my teammates and an angry Fang striding toward me.
"No, I mean what are you doing tonight?" he clarified.
"Oh! Nothing, I guess. Just hanging out with Fang and the others. Why?"
"Well, I was wondering if you wanna go see Women In Black with me tonight," he smiled.
"Why, of course, Sam dear! Women In Black absolutely splendid, and I would positively loveto go see this wonderful movie with you! We shall have a delightful time! I'll see you then!"
As you've probably guessed, I did not say that because I'm not a gooey classy boyfriend addict like Nudge. Here's what I did say: "Hell-"
"No." Fang interrupted. His voice sounded passive, but I've known him long enough to be able to hear the anger brewing behind his words. I turned my head, giving him a classic Level 7 glare. (In case you're wondering, I have different level glares, from 1-mild, only slightly upset, directed at Angel, to 10, really freaking pissed off, murderous, directed a douchebags, sluts, and the occasional Fang when he disagrees with me.)
"Fang, what's up? In case you haven't noticed, I'm talking to Sam, so can you wait a second and not interrupt me?" I hissed at Fang.
Fang didn't even look at me. He was glaring at Sam, the only part of his face that showed his feelings. "We (he grabbed my waist and suddenly pulled him against his body) have really important things to do tonight."
"Like what?" Sam challenged, beginning to get pissed.
"Yeah, what the hell is soooo important?" I struggled to get out of Fang's strong grip but he just held me tighter.
"We have a game right now, in case you didn't notice," Fang said coldly. "Noob," he said under his breath.
"I meant after the game."
"Team party."
"After that?"
"Sleep."
"Fang!" I stomped on his foot. "I'm sorry to stop this testosterone war of yours, but like you said, we have a game and the halftime is almost over!" I growled at him. I turned to Sam. "Hey, I'll talk to you later," I said apologetically. I quickly pecked his cheek. "Bye Blondie."
Fang POV
I looked away in disgust as my Max kissed Sam. Honestly, what the heck does she see in that creep? The second he turned his back and left, Max pounced on me (not like that, you perv. I wish.) and started smacking me. Not that her punches hurt, of course.
"What is your freaking problem,?" she demanded when she was done with her little temper tantrum.
"What?" I said, feigning innocence. Max just glared at me angrily. "Fine, fine. Sam's a dick, you know?" Max's chocolate eyes were shooting daggers at me. Oh shit. Operation Blame the Enemy (OBE): FAILED. Begin Operation Guilt Trip (Hereby referred to as OGT).
"Come on, Max. We have a party tonight, 'rember?"
Max gave a curt nod. "Skipping it."
My eyes widened infinitesimally in mock surprise. "So you're ditching your team who grew to love you in just three months? Not very good sportsmanship there, Maxi."
Max scowled hesitantly. "Sam's my boyfriend though."
"And your team is your team. This is the next to last game of the season. You won't see them that often anymore. Come to the party, Max." Max bit her lip. Come on, come on, ditch Sam, come on…
"Fine," she finally gave in reluctantly. The whistle that signaled the end of the break sounded and we jogged onto the field. "Damn Fang and his damn guilt trips," I heard her mutter as she ran to her spot.
(Insert evil sadistic laughter here)…Operation Guilt Trip-SUCCESS!
It all went downhill from there.
Near the end of the third quarter, Max got tripped by one of the other team's players. Normally, that's not a problem. She would've just gotten up and swore at the offender and maybe get a yellow card in the process. But at the same time, another player tried to take possession of the ball. And, unable to stop his momentum, ran right on to Max's exposed ankle with his cleat, Max's usually expressionless face twisted in a grimace of pain. Without thinking, I shoved the player guarding me and sprinted to Max's side. Shit. Shit. Shit.
Max's eyes were squeezed tight with pain, and blood trickled from her ankle, where the cleats punctuated her skin. "Hey, Fang," Max grunted, slowly opening one eye. "I'm fine, really, I'm fine," she winced. "Just give me a moment and I'll get up." I waited for Max to get up. People were starting to whisper in the bleachers, and Sam the dick was already heading down to the field to help his "damsel in distress". Finally, after what felt like eternity, Max whispered, "Help me stand up". I offered my shoulder, and she threw an arm over it. Slowly, we rose, with Max putting almost all her weight on me. "Kay," Max grunted. She released her hold and tried to stand up with both feet, and failed. Gasping with pain, her ankle buckled and she dropped down. Before she can hit the ground, I quickly grabbed her waist and supported her. Max let out an almost silent gasp of pain. I glanced sharply at her, but she waved it off. "I'm fine," she insisted. Damn her stubbornness.
"Ref, I'm taking her to the hospital. Continue the game." He gave a quick nod and gestured to start the game. Quickly, I grabbed Max's legs and carried her, bridal style, to my car.
"This must be new, looking at me with concern," Max joked.
"Ehh, sure, sure," I responded absent mindedly. I watched as Sam the dick struggle to get through the crowd. As a result, I jogged even a little faster to my car, being careful not to hit Max's injured ankle.
"Tell the team I'm sorry I can't make it to the party," Max said as an afterthought.
"Whoa, Max is having a guilty conscience about ditching people? Holy shit, the world is ending," I muttered.
Max laughed weakly. "Haha, hilarious, Fangles. You could be a freaking comedian."
"Thanks, I try." I glanced over my shoulder and saw Sam right behind us. Damn.
"Hey, Fangles, I think I feel better now. Let me do-"
"Max!"
MAX POV
I heard Sam's voice shout from behind Fang's back. "Fang, stop jogging," I ordered.
"No, I gotta get you to the hospital," he said, his face suddenly a mask again.
Suddenly, Sam ran in front of us and pushed Fang's chest back. "Yeah, stop, James. And why the hell are you carrying my girlfriend?"
"Because she's my responsibility as team captain and she's my best friend, so fuck off," Fang silently.
I could literally feel Fang's chest (which is hard as rock under his shirt, btw) tense up. "No Fang, he's right. It's fine. Help me get down," I said tiredly.
Fang responded by holding me even tighter. Mhmmm. Dang teenage hormones.
"Max, come on. I'll drive you to the hospital," Sam insisted. "You don't need to pity Fang for being forever alone."
Defensiveness flared up in me. "Fang is my friend since birth. I choose to be his friend, not out of pity," I spat out, "but because he's a good guy." Sam opened his mouth to talk, but I kept on talking. "What about we just drive to the hospital together in Fang's car? It's right there, and my ankle hurts, so let's go," I compromised.
Fang looked at me incredulously. "You mean, I have to drive that son of a b-"
"Yeah, you do. Now let's go."
Sam stilled looked unhappy. "At least let me help you."
"Fair enough," I said. "Come on, let me down Fang," He looked like he was gonna argue, but I shot him a glare that said "we'll talk about this later, you little squirt". (Not that he's little of course.)
Fang rolled his eyes, and gently eased my legs to the ground. I winced a little, but Fang didn't notice because he was glaring at Sam, and Sam was glaring at Fang. I sighed, hopped to Sam, and threw my arm around his shoulders. When the heck is this macho war gonna end?
"Fang, quit being possessive, jerk," I whispered as we sat in the doctor's room, waiting to get my X-ray results. Sam had left a while back, claiming he had to babysit his sister Lissa, Funny, I thought his sister's name was Jenny. Oh well.
"I'm not doing anything. Plus, he started it."
"What are you, eight? Stop antagonizing Sam. You know nothing is his fault?"
"I do?"
"You should. Quit annoying him, please?"
"I didn't see you complaining when you were cuddling against me," Fang smirked.
My mouth fell opened. "I did not cuddle against you. I just needed to get to the hospital, and my ankle hurts so you carrying you was faster!"
"Dennniaaalll."
"Fang, would you rather me let Sam, a kinda stranger still, carry me instead of you, my best friend:
Fang's face took on a pained expression. "I was just joking you know. Chill, Max." I stuck out my tongue at him. "Who mature now?" Fang muttered. We talked for a little longer until the doctor came in with my X-ray.
"Well, looks like your ankle is twisted. I recommend that you wear a brace for the next two weeks. After that, come back here for a checkup. If it healed right, you may take the brace off and you'd be fine. However, let me warn you. Do not do strenuous exercise in the next month, or you will risk permanently injuring your ankle." Dr. Suchyta warned. *A/N: I've never been to the hospital for any injuries because I'm a boring person. So I made that part up based on what my friends told me. *
"Ok, thanks doc. Can I wear the brace now, or..."
"Yes you may. I'll send a nurse to help you put it on, and I hope you have a good day, Ms/ Ride. And stay safe." With that, Dr. S left the room.
"Well, looks like no soccer," I frowned as we walked to the car. "Damn."
"Soccer's almost over anyways, so you won't be missing much," Fang reassured half-heartening. He paused. "I guess if you want, you can be co-captain for me, so you're technically still contributing to the team, and you can order people around. I know you love that." He smirked at me.
I considered it.
Pros (insert cheesy smile-ly face here)
1.) Bossing people around-hell yuss.
2.) Helping the team
3.)Would look good for college
4.)Work with my best friend
5.)Get to watch hot guys on the team with an excuse
Cons (insert cheesy frown-y face here)
1.)Less time with Sam.
Yeah, I'm gonna take the job. "Yeah, I'm taking the job," I said to Fang. "How hard can it be?"
Fang chuckled. "Famous last words…let's get ready for the team party. In case you care, we won."
"Go panthers!" I said automatically. We got out of the car and walked into my house.
"And the party didn't end yet, so if you want, we can still go."
I briefly thought about it. "Sure, let's go."
Fang chuckled again. Wow, he's becoming quite the jolly person. Laughing twice in a conversation? Must be a new record! "Um, Max, did you look at the mirror lately?"
"Um, no, why?"
Fang smirked. "See for yourself."
I ran into the bathroom, looked in the mirror, and groaned. "I look like hell."
"I concur with that statement," Fang agreed.
My hair was falling out of its ponytail and it looked like a bird's nest. I didn't have time to change, so I was still stuck in my mud-stained soccer uniform. I was limping because of the unfamiliar brace, and one leg of my shorts were ripped when that guy cleated me.
"What kind of party is this anyways?" I said distractedly, straightening my hair.
"Semiformal. We're going to that really fancy restaurant on 9 mile, remember?"
I made a face. "Blegh. Do I have to dress up?" I complained.
"If you want to pig out at the restaurant," Fang retorted.
"Well, when you put it that way..."
'tUpdateInAMillionYears(AMonth)IDecidedToContinue…
I limped to Fang's car and got in. Fang's eyes widened at me, then said, "Wow, I didn't know you can turn your ugly monster face into something society accepts."
"Nice to see you too Fangle! There must be a compliment buried there somewhere… You don't look so bad yourself," I said, trying not to sound biased.
Fang is more leaner than others our age, but his abs are to die for. Err, scratch that. What I meant to say is that Fang looks hot-err, I mean-acceptable by society. Fang was wearing a (what else?)black dress shirt with a brilliant white tie.
"Hey, we match," Fang noticed. I looked at myself in the rearview mirror and laughed. "Yeah, we do."
I had to put my hair in a messy bun (the one Nudge taught me) and put a tiny bit of makeup on to bring out my boring brown eyes. I was wearing a ruffly strapless black dress that went above my knees. It had a white sash on it, kinda like Fang's white tie.
"Like my shoe? Tres fancy, right?" I put my feet on the dashboard and wiggled them. I was wearing my annoying brace on one foot, and then my black converse on the other.
"Yeah. Very fancy. Guess what my shoes are."
"Old man shoes!" *A/N:Inside joke with my friends in the real world. Yeah, I have a life.* I instantly shouted.
Fang glanced at me, then back at the road.
"Not formal shoes…"
I leaned over to look at Fang's shoes and realized he was wearing black Converse too. "Wow, we really do match. They say 'great minds think alike…'"
"And then there's us," Fang answered with laughter on his face. We both laughed at our old joke then got out of the car and walked into the restaurant where all my teammates rushed at us and fired a million questions at us about what happened on the soccer field. We ate quickly, and finally it was time for us to dance.
Now, let me just tell you this: I don't dance. (HSM FLASHBACK EVERYONE!) Anyways, yeah, I may look graceful on the field. But if you're not careful, I might accidently take someone's eyes out while dancing. But then Gazzy asked me to dance. And one does not simply refuse to dance with an adorable 10 year old. Especially when he complimented you on your ass kicking shoes.
So, of course, I danced with Gazzy. And one thing led to another until I was swaying slowly to the beat with my arms around Iggy.
"Hey Maxie. How's life?"
"Oh, yanno, same old same old."
"Good." We danced (or in my case, shuffle side to side) to Mayday Parade for a little longer in silence, and then Iggy casually asked, "Do you like Fang?"
I froze. "What do you mean?" I asked slowly.
"I mean, do you like him as more than a friend?" I started to shake my head, but Iggy kept on talking. "I know Sam's your boyfriend, and I'm honestly happy for you too. He's a decent guy." Iggy paused for breath. "But don't you like Fang too?"
"Friends dating never work out," I said automatically.
Iggy shrugged. "Maybe they will, maybe they won't. But I do know he used to be heads over heels in love with you. And from the way I've seen him act around you lately, I think there's a possibility… that he still loves you, but he's just to stubborn to admit it…."
I looked at Iggy's serious face. "Um, who died and make you Dr. Phil? Chill out, I'll sort it out."
Iggy suddenly smiled again. "Just don't break his heart," he said jokingly.
"Okkaaay then…" I said awkwardly. "I'm gonna find Fang and get away from your Dr. Phillness. Bye."
"Give him a kiss for me!" Iggy joked as I walked (read as: ran) away from that lunatic.
"Atta guy Iggy. Back to your pervy self. Great!" I shouted back. Suddenly, an arm reached out and grabbed my waist and I let out a shriek. "RAPE!" I screamed.
A familiar husky voice murmured, "Chill Max. It's just me."
"Oh. HI FANGLES!" I shouted perkily.
"What were you talking about with Iggy? You looked tense," Fang said curiously.
"Oh, that? Oh, we were just talking about what we should get Nudge for her birthday." I lied convincingly.
"Then why were you so tense?"
Damn Fang's lie detector eyes. "Um, the light probably messing our faces. I'm completely relaxed, Completely."
There was only a fleeting hint of doubt in Fang's eyes, and then it was gone. "May I have this dance?" he asked politely, with a hint of sarcasm.
I looked away. Holy shit. What if Iggy was right about the whole lovey dovey stuff with Fang? Crapcrapcrapcrap. CRAP BURGER! You know what? F all this. I'm gonna dance with my best friend and it won't be awkward AT ALL.
"Sure. But I won't be held responsible for any damages," I warned.
Fang smirked. "Are you planning there to be any damages?"
I shrugged. "Knowing me, there probably will be."
Fang shot a full-blown smile at me. "I'll risk it." With that, he grabbed my hand and put the other on my hip.
And baby, everything that I have is yours,
You will never go cold or hungry.
"Definitely, you little piggy," Fang joked. We spun around some more.
I'll be there when you're insecure,
Let you know that you're always lovely.
"That's going a little too far," I said. "Acceptable to society, maybe."
Girl, cause you are the only thing that I got right now
One day when the sky is falling,
"CHICKEN LITTLE!"
I'll be standing right next to you, right next to you.
Nothing will ever come between us,
We smiled at each other. "BFFLS FOREVER!" I smirked.
I'll be standing right next to you, right next to you.
Fang spun me around, and I felt like I was flying.
Okay, Max. Time for a little pep talk about your feelings:
I felt safe with his arms around me. I love the smell of his cologne. I can read him like an open book. I know his every quirk, his every strength. His jokes always manage to cheer me up. His smiles light up my world. His support means the world to me. And as I listen to a gushy love song, I guess I can just ask myself one question that Iggy's talk made me think about more: am I falling in love with my best friend?
A/N: OOoooh, cliffhanger! (kinda) Hey guys! :) Sorry sososososososo much I've been MIA for so long. I can make a million excuses (got accepted to my first choice high school! Organized a dance! Lost the spelling bee because of a distorted microphone! Had to give back a first place medal! Got 3 medals for band geek Solo & Ensemble!) but I know that doesn't cut it. So, I wrote this extra long chapter so you guys won't throw stuff at me virtually. Yay!
Oh yeah, so the song is "Next to You" by Justin Bieber, and no, I'm not a fangirl, but the cover of that song by Luke Conrad and Megan Nicole (not together) is AMAZING and that's what I listened to while writing this.
Also, if there's any Hunger Games fans out there, go see the Hunger Games Parody by WINTERSPRINGPRO on Youtube. It's hilarious, and the guys in it are hot, so that's an extra bonus! (I got my teacher to show it to the class ;)
Bye guys! Remember I love you all and the reviews. I know it's cliché, and everyone says this, but your reviews inspire me, they really do. Thanks so much. VIRTUAL FISTPOUND/HIGH FIVE!
PS—HI! THIS IS CHRISTINA'S BESTESTEST FRIEND EVAH, KAYLA! AND I JUST WANNA SAY THAT 3/6IS HER BIRTHDAY, SO WISH HER A HAPPY BIRTHDAY! AND PLUS, SHE DIDN'T KNOW I WROTE THIS BECAUSE IM A NINJA AND I ADDED THIS WHEN SHE ASKED ME TO UPLOAD THIS FOR HER. SO YEAH!