Disclaimer: Girl. Man. Difference.

A/N: I love you. Really. You, right there, sat there reading this on your computer screen. Even if it's a PC. [I think I'll leave it to you to interpret that one.] (: Really, though, the level of support is amazing, and it just makes my day. I'm sorry it's late, I'm not going to bother you with excuses. On a side-note, WHO LOVES TAYLOR SWIFT'S NEW ALBUM? I'm addicted, so definitely expect a few songs from there in the next few chapters - any favourites you guys would like me to include? Oh, and I just bought tickets to see her live. 2011 is so shaping up for me, concert-wise - Paramore in a couple of weeks (!), Kerrang! in February, then Taylor in March. Oh yes.

In the end, he made me and Fang sit outside, with express orders NOT TO TALK, or we'd be in EVEN MORE TROUBLE than we ALREADY were, until lunch, when he told us that we had to be back here, ON THE BELL, or die. Well, something to that effect, at least.

"Nice going, Batfang," I glared at him as we walked to the hall.

He glanced sideways at me, not really concentrating. "What?"

I just sighed irritably. "I hate you."

"You wish you could."

"Oh, for God's sake, will you just shut up?"

He glanced at me again, surprised at my really pissed-off tone. "What?"

"You just got me into a shitload of trouble, which I could really do without!" I stopped in the middle of the hallway (which was deserted anyway), so I could yell at him properly. "Do you even know how much trouble I got in last year?"

"Yeah," someone said from behind us. "We thought she was practically dating Principal B." Turning round, I realised all the guys were right behind us, minus Ig, thank God. Typical.

"Thought you were already in the hall?" I asked, ignoring Sam's comment. It wasn't that bad. Really. I just... tripped a few times... around Lissa... with my fists in the air... um... yeah.

"We decided that we'd come help you out," Ella said, speeding up to walk in front of us. She then turned around to look at us again, walking backwards. I wonder if I could direct her into that trophy cabinet... "'Cos we're just lovely people."

"I've only been with you a few days," Sara commented, "and I already think you're the most retarded people ever."

"We try," Sam rolled his eyes. "You can hardly talk, anyway."

"And what the hell," Sara replied, narrowing her eyes scarily, "is that meant to mean?"

Sam laughed. "You had practically had an aneurysm over whether to get the pink or orange hockey stick."

Sara considered for a moment, before smiling. "Oh, okay."

Oh dear God. She amazes me sometimes, she really does. She goes from Ice Queen, to Freakily Happy Anime Kid. Well, I guess she is Nudge's cousin. What did I expect?

Ella, still walking backwards, was watching me closely.

"Are you alright?" she asked, suddenly. I met her eyes (and no, not literally).

"Do you know why Fang punched Lissa?"

"I figured he tripped," Ella shrugged, looking confused.

"He was testing gravity," I said briefly, "but that's not the point. The point is why."

Ella just looked at me. "Care to elaborate?"

"He punched her, because she said you were spreading a picture." I said it slowly, pronouncing every word very clearly. Wow, I sounded serious.

"I've not done anything," Ella replied, imitating my tone.

"Look, if you ha-" Fang stopped me, gently placing one of his over-large, warm hands on my shoulder. Needles immediately stabbed me all over my arm. But in a good way.

"Leave it," he said quietly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," I threw his hand off, glaring. "I forgot that you were in love with El. God forbid I might actually want to know what the hell's going on!"

Okay, that came out a little bit angrier than I expected... oops? Erm...

"Max," Ella said eventually, sounding a bit shocked, which was fair enough, really. I had just exploded in the middle of the corridor, which wasn't unheard of for me, but normally they get a good hour warning (generally consisting of me punching some randomer who had the nerve to brush against my bag, and growling at everyone. And yes, really growling. The 'Grr' growl. I'm not ashamed). "Are you alright?"

I was painfully aware that we'd all just stopped walking, and everyone was listening to our... disagreement. Ah well, I'm going to try and handle the situation maturely, and make sure this whole issue is resolved as quickly as possible.

"For God's sake, guys, what's with the staring? Have I suddenly grown a second head?"

"Well, if you have," Sam said, trying to be somewhat diplomatic, "it's practically minuscule, because I can't see it."

"That's what she said," Ig came strolling up, hand-in-hand with Lily and with a grin plastered all over his face. His camera was, as always nowadays, in his other hand, recording. Oh God, what's he blown up now?

Lily pulled her hand away from his, and slapped his arm, but didn't say anything as she stopped in front of us.

"They've just spent all day in Brown's office and that's all you can think of to say?" Ella, on the other hand, was a little more vocal. "God, I was so right when I called you a butt-trumpet. Where've you been, anyway?"

Iggy shrugged, choosing to ignore her very true comments about the trumpet qualities of his derrière. "Call from the Mafia."

Me and Fang exchanged a confused look. I forgot I was mad at him for a second, okay? God.

"The Mafia?" WTF?

"Well, you remember the day I got that call from those terrorists?"

Realisation dawned on Fang and I. That prank call... oh my God.

"Wait, Iggy..." Lily interrupted his explanation whilst trying to dodge his camera. "You told me it was your Dad..."

"I just didn't want to worry you," he replied with a smirk. "This is all very serious stuff."

Yeah, right. Of course. That obviously explains why, after the first call, he was cowering on the floor, hugging a teddy. Mmmhmm.

"Whatever." Ella flipped her hair over her shoulder in a very Ella-like way, then linked arms with Nudge, and marched her off. Poor Luke, Nudge's boyfriend, was just left staring after her. They'd been having a conversation, you see... I say conversation; really, Nudge was just talking at him.

"She's so moody lately," Iggy pulled a face after her. Typically, just as he did, Ella turned back.

"Sara, are you-F**** OFF, IGGY."

I signalled to Sam, and he saluted before reaching over, and smacking the back of Ig's neck. Ella was long gone by then, Sara having had thrown us an apologetic look as she scurried off after them. Luke cleared off too, once he realised it was either find his real friends, or hang out with retarded idiots all lunch. I am, of course, excluding myself there.

In the end, just me, Fangenstein, Sam, Iggy and Lily went to grab lunch; unsurprisingly, Ella and the others were nowhere to be seen. Well, it would've been a bit stupid, storming off just to go sit at our normal table and eat lunch with us all.

...Not that I've ever done that, or anything.

"What've we got last?" I asked Batfang, halfway through a mouthful of my second plate of pasta. I like food, okay? Get over it.

He just looked at me. Oh yeah, we were probably going to get sus... wait. Hang on. I'M MEANT TO BE MAD AT HIM! Goddamnit. How do I always forget? I stood up suddenly, grabbed my plate, and moved to sit next to Sam.

Hmph. Take that, Batfang.

"My lady," Sam gave me a sarcastic smile.

"Nice to know Legolas really has been showing you the rules of the army, eh?" I grinned.

Sam laughed. "Oh, yeah. Mentioned you a lot, he did. Seems to really like you."

"And that's just how you get yourself promoted!"

"All thanks to old Leggy, that is. Really showed me around, uh, everything."

Ig looked up, and nodded understandingly. "That's what she said."

As I was opposite him, I leaned over, planted my hands in the back of his head, and pushed. Oh, don't you just love macaroni cheese days? While he was still trying to get the cheese off of his face, I picked up Cassie - the camera - and made sure it was all recorded.

"I'm joining Fang's army," he announced spitefully, after he'd fully rubbed his face down with several napkins, with Lily's help. She's too good for him.

"Go ahead," I grinned, and turned to Fang. "Congratulations. You've gained an igiot."

He looked at Iggy. "Must you?"

"I must," he replied gravely.

I held my hand up, and Sam slammed a high-five. "I think we're now guaranteed a victory."

"No way," Fangenstein protested, and pointed at Iggy. "Science whizz, remember?"

Predictably, Iggy looked behind him, before realising it was him, and puffed his chest up, smiling proudly. "Yes. That would be me."

Before anyone could correct him (and rightfully brand him as a true Igtard), the bell rang. I stood up quickly, shoving my plate on top of Sam's. He grinned, and slapped me on the back.

"Good luck."

I nodded solemnly. "Let Legolas know what's happened, if I can't make it tonight."

"What's tonight?" Fangenstein asked, grabbing his bag.

I turned to him, smiling in what I like to think was a mysterious manner. "That is for us to know..."

"And you to find out." Sam finished. Finally, someone of my intelligence level! I know you're all making a joke about Ig and I being the same, uh... clever-ness (oh, shut up), so quit it. Right now. Seriously.

"I'M GOING TO MISS YOU!" Iggy yelled, before grabbing us all in a massive group hug, then sprinting off before we could murder him.

I just looked at Lily. "Why?"

She shrugged, giggling. "Not a clue."

"Coming, Max?" Fangenstein called, from where he was stood waiting.

I turned to join him, but Lily stopped me with a tap on my shoulder. "Hey, Max?"

"'Sup?" Thank God I managed to refrain from punching her in the face. See, my self-control is totally improving!

"D'you mind if I walk home with you tonight? I only live a street away from you guys."

I smiled. "Sure. We'll ditch old Batty, too. Seeya later, 'kay?" She nodded, and I strode through the door Batfang was holding for me.

"We're dead," he said, once we were walking through the corridors.

"Where did this 'we' come from?" I asked. "You punched her!"

"Yeah, before you could," he replied, his lips twitching.

"I..." I stopped, realising there was nothing I could say, really. "...Fair enough."

He smiled, fully, and was about to reply, when we saw Lissa. And she was not alone. She was, in fact, cornering Sara. Again.

I decided to handle the situation as maturely as possible. I would not, of course, run in, shove her up against the wall, and hold my fist to her face.

Of course not.

So, once I'd done that, I snarled, "Stay away from her. And my sister." God, I look so cool right now. If only Brown had taken me seriously when I suggested they hire Orlando to spice up the hall - he'd totally be sweeping me into his arms right now.

I waited for an answer, glaring at her.

"Uh... Max?" Sara gave me a weird look. "I don't think she can breathe..."

"So? She doesn't need to breathe!" ...Brain? I could really use you, right about now.

"Max," Batfang came up behind me and pushed me away with surprising strength. GRRRRRRRRR. I hate having a ridiculously strong best friend. He just ruins everything. "Are you okay, Lissa?"

She made a great show of coughing and spluttering, and motioned to her throat as if she couldn't respond.

"If you'd just like to lie on the floor, that'll help," I said with a smile.

Fang looked at me. "Kicking her won't help."

I gave him my angelic grin. "It'll do wonders for her face."

Unfortunately, Lissa wasn't quite as trusting as Brigid was with her lovely cup of coffee. Once she was done with her theatrics, she put her hands on her hips and tried to glare. Typically, she got her fake eyelashes stuck together.

"Shit!" she screamed, rubbing madly at her eyes and just rubbing the glue in further. All three of us cracked up laughing, even Fangenstein, her number one fan. "This is all your fault, Max!"

Then she ran off, sobbing manically to herself.

All in a good day's work, eh?

"You okay?" I asked Sara, once we'd managed to get over our laughing fit. If only I'd had my phone out. That'd get a million views on YouTube, I bet. It's better than the shit Ig puts up any day.

She grinned. "I'm good. I was fine anyway! I am Sart, after all."

I raised an eyebrow. "Sart?"

"Sara and smart," she explained.

I couldn't resist: "You sure it's not Sara and tart?"

"Igshit!"

She gasped, and slapped me, so I slapped her back, and it went on like that for a while. What? It's my most mature argument!

I was about to knock her out when someone tapped me on the back. Thinking it was Batfang, I turned around, and smacked him right in the face.

Except it wasn't Fangenstein.

Of course it wasn't.

"Hi, Principal B," I said weakly. "Um... my hand slipped?"

He glared at me. No appreciation for good humour these days, I swear. "My office. Now."

...Then again, punching him in the face probably wasn't the best way to convince him of my innocence.

He stormed off, and I followed. As I passed Fangenstein, who, like a typical goody two-shoes (I've never gotten that expression. How are two shoes good? Apart from the obvious... oh, never mind), was sat right outside Sir's office, he mouthed 'Good luck'. I rolled my eyes and shut the door behind me, adopting an obvious swagger for some reason.

"Sit down now Maximum, and stop acting like... like..." Sir tailed off at the end.

"An Igiot?" I grinned infuriatingly. Oh, it's fun winding him up, it really is. Highlight of my entire school life.

He turned bright red. "SIT. DOWN."

I rolled my eyes, and sat down slowly on one of the plastic chairs in front of his desk. I leaned forward, folded my arms on his desk, and rested my head on them. "'Sup?"

He closed his eyes, and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Maximum Martinez, I'll expel you right now if you don't sit up, I swear to God, I will."

"Alright, alright, don't get your knickers in a twist," I laughed, and sat back, crossing my legs and folding my arms again, normally.

He breathed out carefully. "Right, Maximum," I started tapping loudly. He ignored me. "You're aware that we started talking earlier this morning, aren't you?"

OBVIOUSLY, I was kind of THERE? Ugh. I started humming along with my taps, ignoring him. He still ignored me.

"I want you to tell me what happened, with no infantile jokes-" I started stomping along to the beat. "-and no funny business."

In the end, he walked out, to talk to Fang. I think it was when I stood up on the chair, and started singing 'I'M A GOOFY GOOBER' at the top of my voice, that he fully lost it. Ah, Principal Brown, I love you. Not in that way, Ig.

The igiot had just left me alone, in his office. So, naturally, the first thing I did was go to lock his door. Then, I went to root about in the files on his desk.

Unfortunately, they were all bills for his monthly head wax and shine. Typical.

Hang on... is that the PA? Oh my God. I can't... who am I kidding, I'm Max Martinez! Of course I can.

"Hello?" I pressed the button down, and spoke into it. "This is a very important announcement. Could Lissa Scott please be aware she is a massive bitch? Thank you."

I thought it was hilarious, but, judging from the shouting from outside (Principal B screaming at the secretary to get him the spare office keys, and she replying that they were in his office, with the others), Principal B didn't particularly agree.

Shame, that.

[ X X X ]

"We've both been suspended for two weeks, starting tomorrow," I told Lily as we walked home. "And then it's the holidays, so we've basically just got four weeks off."

She sighed. "Oh, Max... What are you gonna do?"

I snorted. "Do? Nothing. Unless you count annoying the hell out of old Batty twenty-four seven."

Lily laughed, and nodded. We walked in a comfortable silence for a minute or so, before she said: "Um, Max?"

"'Sup?"

She pulled her hat (a real hat, unlike Ella's holey thing) down a little further, looking uncomfortable. "...Did you notice once that Dylan wasn't with us, for all of today?"

"He wasn't?" ...Shit. I swear, he was! At lunch, I sat with... oh. I sat with Fang, Sam, Ig and Lily... but then, in the morning... no, he wasn't there either... oh, shit.

Lily shook her head sadly. "Nope. He was with some other girls."

For some reason, that didn't bother me in the slightest. If it had been Batfang, I would've both furious and hurt, but with Dylan, it's like... meh. That's a mood, now, by the way.

I shrugged. "Cool."

Lily looked at me closely. "Max, if you really do like him... shouldn't that bother you?"

"I... yeah, yeah it should." But it doesn't. And... maybe I don't.

"Max..."

"Yeah?"

"If it had been Fang-"

I didn't let her finish her sentence. "Yeah, I would've been bothered."

Lily ran a hand through her strawberry hair, then stopped walking altogether. "Look, Max, I'm not saying dump Dylan for Fang, 'cos I know how close you and Fang are, but, um..."

I smiled sadly. "It's not fair on Dylan."

She shook her head. "I think you should end it."

"I think I will," I said. Oh, God. Subject change time. NOW. "How's it with Ig, then?" I asked, as we resumed walking.

To my surprise, Lily grimaced, then tried to cover it with an easy smile. "Oh, good!"

I fixed her with my you-will-tell-me glare. "Spill."

She sighed. "I really like him, but... I don't think I can deal with the whole YouTube thing."

I bit my lip. "That stuff's all really important to him."

"I know! I just... I don't know... maybe it'll pass." She smiled again, obviously closing the subject.

"Boys."

"Tell me about it!"

"Tits, the lot of 'em."

A/N: (: Hope you liked it. I realise this should've been up yesterday, for Project PULL, but after a 12 hour car journey home [I went on holiday], I just wanted to collapse in bed. Cut me some slack, eh? (:

Oh, and 'cos I ALWAYS forget to mention it, if you ever have any ideas, or songs you'd like me to include, feel free to mention it, and I'll do my best. (:

I tried to reply to all the reviews, but I did half one night, and forgot where I was up to, so sorry if I thought I'd already replied and hadn't. /: I suck, I know.

Revieweth?