A/N I'm updating again for you people. You're welcome.

Disclaimer: I own the plot and "Kickin' It" the shoe store.

Max POV

*A few weeks later*

"Surprise! Happy Birthday!" I heard. I opened my eyes groggily to see Ella, Nudge, and Gazzy above my bed. Ella held a cupcake with a candle stuck in the middle. "Make a wish," I thought for a second and then blew out the candle.

"What'd ya wish for?" Nudge asked.

"If I told you it might not come true." I smirked at her.

"She probably wished for Fang to be here," Gazzy smirked as I glared at him. He had gotten it right. I got up from bed and headed over to my desk. My phone said I had no new messages. Odd; Fang usually texts me by now. I shrugged it off and headed downstairs with Ella, Nudge, and Gazzy trailing behind me.

A note on the fridge read:

Hey, Honey. I'm sorry I couldn't be there in the morning to wish you a happy birthday but I had to run a few errands. I'll be back this evening. Love you, Mom.

"So, since it's your birthday we wanted to take you out tonight…." Nudge glanced at Ella who nodded. Oh, no. "But we want you to have a cute outfit so we're taking you to the mall to-"

"NO! It's my birthday! Please, don't torture me!" I begged and gave her the Bambi eyes.

"Those don't work on me, Max. You're going. Be ready in ten." The guys walked out of the kitchen as I shoved the rest of my waffle in my face.

I ran up the stairs and changed into some of my favorite ripped jeans, a black T-shirt that said "Rules" with a big circle cross out sign around it, and my battered converse. I brushed my teeth and hair and ran down the stairs while slipping my phone into my pocket.

"So first, we'll head into…" Nudge and Ella droned on about all of our activities as we walked up to the massive building. I checked my phone for the millionth time in the last hour and I still saw nothing. I was starting to worry.

"Max? Are you even listening?" Ella gave me a look.

"Nope," I said and grinned at her. She rolled her eyes and her and Nudge dragged me through the front doors.

"Max! You have to try this on!" Ella squealed and held up a black dress. I rolled my eyes and continued to rummage through the rack of clothes. I felt a tug on my arm and then I was being shoved into a dressing room with the dress. I glared at the door before picking up the black cloth. It was an A-line skirt. On the bodice in front the neckline went to a little above my collar bone but a big hole was cut in the shape of a heart right where my chest would be and in the back there was another hole at the top of the back. I wrinkled my nose but I knew they would just send me back in if I didn't try it on so I stripped and slipped it on. It went to about three inches above my knee. I stepped out of the room and turned in a circle for Nudge and Ella.

"We're buying that." They said in unison and before I could protest they started talking again.

"We need shoes to go with your dress. Let's head over to Kickin' It." Ella suggested and Nudge nodded trying to pull me out of the dressing room.

"Whoa, hold up. I have to go change back into my other clothes. I'll be out in a second." As I slipped into the room I checked my phone again. Still nothing. I bit my lip contemplating on calling him. It was my birthday and he wasn't texting me. Did he forget? Is he in trouble? Did something happen? Max, stop freaking yourself out. He's probably fine. I sighed and changed back into my regular clothes.

"These," Ella said handing me a simple black pair of pumps with two straps around the top. I tried them on and walked around for her. "Max, you aren't complaining. What's wrong?" I shook my head and smiled at her.

"I'm fine, I think they'll go great with the dress." I said but she didn't look convinced.

"Okay," She said and went to go pay for the shoes.

"Let's go get you ready." Ella and Nudge said as they pulled me up the stairs.

I wasn't listening to their chatter as they curled my hair and did my makeup. They left the curled hair down. My makeup was very natural. I wore clear gloss on my lips, a thin coat of mascara, and my eye shadow was a light gold color. I changed into my dress and heels and when I came out of the bathroom I twirled around for them.

"Max, what's wrong? I know something is. You haven't complained since we bought the dress." Nudge said. They gestured for me to sit on the bed and they sat on either side of me.

"I'm worried. Fang hasn't texted me at all today, which isn't like him at all, especially not on today of all days. He would never forget my birthday." Nudge and Ella cast a glance at each other across me and smiled.

"He's fine, Max. Trust us." Nudge said and I gave her a quizzical look.

"How do you know?"

"We just do." Ella answered.

"Hey, are you guys all done in here? Can I see Max?" Gazzy said as he entered my room. He stopped and stared at me. I stood up and held my arms out, palms up, as if to say "see?".

"Max, you look hot." He smirked as I glared at him then rolled my eyes.

"Thanks,"

"Max! I'm home! I have a surprise for you! Come down here!" I heard my mom call from downstairs. My friends all looked at each other with excitement written all over their faces. I walked slowly to my door and down the stairs making sure to watch the ground to make sure that I didn't fall on my face.

"What is it, mo-" I stopped when I looked up at the bottom of the stairs.

"Hey," Fang said as he smiled at me. His hands were in his dress pant's pockets. He wore his black sneakers along with a button up shirt with the pants. I ran into his arms and he lifted me off the ground. Tears threatened to spill but I choked them back.

"What are you doing here?" I asked as I pulled my head back.

"You thought I was just going to text you on your seventeenth birthday? Yeah, no." He smiled at me again. I leaned up to kiss him and he eagerly leaned down. Our lips met and sparks exploded. We pulled apart and my smile returned automatically.

"I didn't know how much I've missed kissing you." Fang said.

"I love you,"

"I love you, too." I pulled away and turned around to see my mom and friends watching us and grinning.

"You knew, didn't you?" I asked pointedly looking at Nudge, Ella, and Gazzy. They just nodded and I stuck my tongue out at them.

A/N That's the chapter. I hope you enjoyed. :) Max's outfit is on my profile. I didn't know how to explain it. Just imagine that the dress is black. To WingsRock72: Thank you so much! That makes me feel amazing inside. Again, if you have any suggestions just review. Please, continue to keep reading Beneath the Dirt; Under the Ink. R & R!

~TAGGWRITC (Kiara)