"I still want to know where you got these mad cooking skills," I muttered, glaring up at Fang. He shut the oven door with a crooked grin, his dark eyes glinting.

"That's for me to know, and for you to never find out," he said with a smug look. I crossed my arms over my chest.

"I'll just go ask Angel and Gassy. For twenty bucks, those kids will do anything."

Fang raised an eyebrow, daring me to attempt to bribe his younger siblings. I grinned, nudging his shoulder and Fang held on to my hand. And just like that, I was sucked into his gaze. Fang and I had been dating for over a year now, but I still couldn't get over his eyes. They were deep, mesmerizing to say the least. And I still had trouble digesting the fact that when I saw Fang, I didn't have to say things like, 'Hey, see that lake? Go drown in it.' Or, 'Hey, I recognize you. My cat barfed up something that looked just like you!'

Of course, it seemed hard for other people to digest the news as well. A group of Fang's 'Fan Club' nearly ran into a wall when they saw our interlocked hands Monday morning. And Mrs. Wilson had been extremely suspicious, obviously thinking we were plotting against her or something since Fang and I were having a civilized conversation and I wasn't trying to throw him out a window.

Brandon had taken the news without blinking. Karma sure had taken a toll on him; not only was he suspended from the baseball team for his conduct, but he had quickly became the school's most hated person. He pretty much avoided eye contact with me, which I suspected had something to do with the way Fang threw daggers at Brandon with his eyes whenever Brandon walked by. I have to say, it was quite nice.

But as I leaned against the kitchen counter with Fang, waiting for our made from scratch Chocolate Chip cookies to finish, I realized with a sad pang that my high school years were almost over. Graduation was less then a week away and I still couldn't believe that we were so close to being completely on our own. Of course, Fang and I had made sure that our futures would include each other.

Fang and I had decided to go to the same college. We both decided to go to North Carolina State, where I planned to study to become a Vet like my mom. Fang was going on a full basketball scholarship. Obviously, playing basketball is much more important then saving the lives of animals. Heavy sarcasm there, if you don't mind. So while Fang was enjoying college, I was having to worry about the huge student loans that would be following me around everywhere I went.

But at least I wouldn't have to worry about other guys making rude comments about me. You see, I had carefully squeezed the real reason why Fang had punched Michael that day in the locker room. Apparently, Michael had said some things that Fang thought highly inappropriate, so he made sure Michael never said it again. And although I tried to roll my eyes and chide Fang for being so pugnacious, I couldn't stop a grin.

Everything seemed to be falling in place. Nudge and Brett were still together, even though Nudge had admitted her 'problem' to Brett. He didn't seem to mind and responded, "That's it? I was expecting something more along the lines of, 'You're on the run from Canadian officials for robbing their banks,' or something."

Iggy and J.J. were still going strong and both of them were attending Appalachian State together. And surprisingly, Sam and Lisa were still together as well. And Lisa and I had even managed to say complete sentences to each other that didn't include words like, 'ho' and 'skank.' It was a start.

"Hey, anybody in there?" Fang snapped his fingers in front of my face and I blinked a few times.

"Sorry," I laughed. "I was some where totally else."

Fang shrugged. "You were thinking about me being naked, weren't you?"

"Yeah, that's why I'm laughing," I smirked at him. Fang's eyebrows went up and I rolled my eyes.

"Don't think just because we've been dating and you are making me Chocolate Chip cookies means I'll let you get by with those remarks," I said.

Fang leaned close and I felt my heartbeat increase, even though we'd kissed so much already. It's like Fang had control of my heartbeat, deliberately making it beat fast when ever he came close. I tried to even my breathing.

"Personal bubble invasion," I muttered. Fang grinned and pressed his lips to mine, his hands resting on my waist. I was momentarily relieved we were home alone, so Ella wouldn't barge in and start yelling about how she couldn't eat in the kitchen after seeing Fang and I kissing in it. But Fang pulled back too soon, and I clutched the collar of his shirt.

"On second thought, I don't think I mind," I laughed, pulling him back down to me. And just like that, we were kissing. I don't think I would ever get used to the sensation of Fang's lips. Kissing Fang was like that feeling you get when you've craved a food for years and you finally get it.

Only one trillion times better.

When we finally broke apart, my face was flushed and Fang was restraining a smile. He tenderly pushed my bangs behind my ear, kissing my forehead. "I love you," he whispered.

"I love you to," I said back. Then under my breath, I added, "Even though you are a pain in my butt."

Fang perked up. "What did you say about my butt?"

"That it strongly resembles the thing you call a face."

"Ah, the thing you just made out with," Fang retorted. I opened my mouth, glaring at him.

"I didn't make out with your face, just your lips."

Fang laughed. "I don't know. You're hands were roaming, Maxi."

I punched his arm. "Oh, shut up Fangie."

"Watch it," he warned. "I'll sue you for assault."

"Ha!" I snorted. "I can sue you for assaulting my eyes with your face."

"I'll just put worms in your drink again."

I pointed my index finger at him. "That reminds me! I still have never had my lecture on how unsanitary it is to worm somebody's drink! Thank you for reminding me."

Fang had a 'oh crap why did I bring that up' look on his face. I smirked, crossing my hands over my chest.

"Did you know that worms live in the ground, with dirt and other things?" I asked. "And you put them in my drink, the thing I swallow and digest. I may fall dead at any moment."

Fang stared at me for a moment. "You know, you have dimples."

I rolled my eyes. "I'm still mad at you about the worm thing."

"You still have dimples."

"They aren't dimples!" I protested, covering my face with my hands. Fang chuckled, taking my hands in his. He leaned in close and for a moment I thought he was going to kiss me again and my eyes closed in anticipation.

"Gotcha'," he grinned, pulling away. My eyes shot open and I stared at him. He had a smug grin plastered on his face.

"That's cold," I said. Fang laughed and I couldn't stop a grin from exploding across my face. I liked the way he laughed, as girly and cliché as I risked sounding.

"You know," I said softly. "Everything is really working out. I'm just afraid that something is going to happen and ruin all this."

"All of this what?" Fang asked, his eyebrows narrowed in concern.

I shrugged. "All of this," I took my hand out of his and gestured around. "Everything is so perfect right now. I'm so afraid it's just going to blow up in my face."

Fang took my hand back in his and stared at me intently. His voice was sincere and I hadn't heard this tone since he had confessed his love to me the night of the Homecoming Dance. "Maximum Ride, you don't ever have to be afraid as long as I'm still breathing. Everything is going to be perfect, as long as we have each other to lean on."

I swallowed hard, overcome with the amount of love I had for this boy. It was unreal how I had went from despising everything about Fang to adoring every possible thing about him. And it was scary, but I trusted Fang. As long as we had each other, as corny as it sounded, then I knew everything would be okay. I smiled up at him. "What movie did you get that off of?" I leaned against him, wrapping my arms around his waist.

Fang grinned. "Oh, just some movie about two neighbors who hated each other but in the end, realized that it wasn't hate, it was just Neighborly Love."

"Ah," I grinned. "I'll have to watch this movie your talking about."

Fang grinned. "It's my favorite."

And then he kissed me again and I knew without a doubt that I loved, loved LOVED Nick Gomez.

Please go to the next chapter for the endnotes, special thanks, info. On the prequel, etc. (: