Hello, guys. I have an actual announcement, believe it or not. I have been, as of late, not receiving hardly ANY reviews. It makes it very hard to be motivated to write when no one seems to be reading it. With my finals coming up, I've decided to put this story on hold unless I know people actually want to read it what I am writing.

With that said, I am asking for TEN reviews before I make the chapter after this. It only takes a few seconds to leave a sentence or two, so I hope you'll help in supporting me.

Thanks! Love you!

-Wise_yet_harmless

FANG'S POINT OF VIEW

Crash.

Bang.

"Who d'ya think you are? Huh?"

Slap.

"Think you're better than me? Than anyone?"

Pop.

Crash.

"You are nothing, do you understand me? Nothing."

My eyes snapped open, my lungs taking in a gasp of fresh breath. Sweat beaded my forehead while my arms and hands shook. I slowly looked about my room, finding it a mess. I could deal with a mess. I couldn't deal with it being shared. Not with him. I clenched my fists, letting my face go red with rage. I could feel my adrenaline course through me, making it hard to concentrate.

You let him do it. You were defenseless, a coward. What would have happened if you had died, you idiot? Who would watch Ella? Who would take care of her? Who would save her? No one. That's your job, stupid. That's YOUR freaking job.

Had I been hurt? You bet I had. I had little memory of what happened, fragments haunting me in my dreams. My father had been enraged, veins on his face popping out. He was high, or drunk, or both. He had never entered my room. That was the one place. I suppose it was because I never hid there; I always came out to meet him if he was yelling for me.

But he came in. I don't remember what happened, just remembered the pain and the noise, loud and crashing in on me. Then it was all black and fuzzy, ending with my crumpled body lying on a soft couch at Max's. I still remembered the way she looked at me, her eyes wide with a concern she had tried to conceal. But her frantic gestures, her frizzled hair, even her shiny tears had given away just how terrified she had been.

What was up with that, anyway? Did she think I wasn't strong enough to handle my life? Did she think I was weak? Some whiny, pampered, know-it-all? She couldn't, could she? She couldn't possibly believe I was taking it because I couldn't handle it. She couldn't.

Wait a sec. Why does it matter? What should I care what she thinks? I've had to deal with much worse. It didn't usually bother me, but the kids thought I was damaged goods. Iggy told me he had overheard some conversations. Some thought I was mute, others thought I wasn't smart enough to speak full sentences. Some thought I was gothic or emo or delusional, hiding from the world. They all seemed to think there was something seriously wrong with me.

I thought the gossip was ridiculous and a little funny. It didn't matter what other people thought-they'd never know the truth, so they had to assume something, right? They had to come up with their own idea of who or what I was. That's how high schoolers are, I guess.

But when it came to Max, it bothered me that she would think I was looking for pity, which I wasn't. I didn't ask for her help either, but look where that got me. If she thought I was a sissy, there was probably nothing I could do about it. I groaned, slapping my palms to my forehead.

"Who. Freaking. Cares?" I asked myself quietly, running my hands through my hair. If she decides I'm a good for nothing wanna be, then fine. I didn't care. Ella would probably miss her, but I wouldn't. So she had helped me out. I owed her, huge. I knew that. But that was it.

Right?

MAX'S POINT OF VIEW

Anne seemed to be making a deliberate attempt to avoid me. She hadn't spoken a word to me in days. Not that she was a chatter box, but she usually complained about something when she came home from work. It was starting to weird me out. I thought maybe she just wanted to give me some space after little 'announcement', but I wasn't sure. It was starting to annoy me. That and freaking Gazzy-

BOOM!

-had discovered how to make a stink bomb.

"What was that?!" I yelled, launching myself up the stairs to Gazzy's bedroom. About fiv feet from the door, I halted, gagging at the horrible smell. I covered my mouth and nose with my sleeve and walked in, my eyes watering slightly. In the middle of the room stood Gazzy, his face covered in a fine layer of soot, his blonde hair now a couple shades darker. His clothes were also covered in black filth, along with the carpet around him.

"Oh…hi Max…"

"What. Did. You. Do." I asked, my voice like steel. Gazzy looked around nervously, pacing slightly.

"See, I was just playin' around, no big deal, and the thing I was playin' with…sorta maybe blew up. It was an accident, I swear!"

"You were making another bomb!"

"Stink bomb. It's hardly even a bomb. More like a baby bomb. The black stuff is just the burnt insides where the gross smelling stuff is-"

"Gaz! You can't make freaking bombs! Baby or otherwise! Now march your butt to the bathroom to clean up!" Gaz did as was told, shuffling out with his head bowed. By this time Nudge and Angel were coming around the corner, making faces and sniffing.

"Oh my- what was that?" Nudge asked, covering his face with a pillow she was carrying.

"Gazzy built a stink bomb, huh Max. It misfired, huh." Angel guessed, using her creepy intuitions skills.

"Yup. Here, let's go outside. Anne's not home right now, so let's go somewhere. Go outside and wait for me and Gaz." Nudge was about to mouth off when Angel grabbed her hand and dragged her out the door.

I attempted to clean the mess in Gaz's room, walking out twice for fresh air. I got most of the black out of the carpet with a wet rage before Gaz returned in fresh clothes. He had red marks on his cheeks and forehead and his hands were red.

"Gaz, did it burn you?"

"Uh, yeah. Just a little. I was looking down at it when it went off. I was lucky nothing hit my eyes, I guess," he said, shrugging. He looked incredibly ashamed, not happy with how his bomb turned out and I knew Gaz really hated when I was mad with him. There were shiny tears in his big blue eyes and he sniffed, wincing slightly when a salty tear ran over his burned cheek.

I sat on my knees and held out my arms. Gaz walked into them, sniffing into my shoulder. Gaz tried so hard and was so brave. He was Angel's knight in shining armor, the man of the house. He must have felt isolated in a house full of women, most of whom paid him little attention. He was a elementary school kid who could make bombs with (almost) perfect accuracy, for Heaven's sake!

"I'm sorry, Max. Sorry I made a mess and made the house smell bad."

"It's okay, hon. I'm just glad you're safe. Just no more bombs in the house, ya?"

"Okay."

We walked out to meet the girls, Angel immediately linking her arm with his while Nudge peppered him with questions. We piled into my car and went to the neighborhood park. Nudge walked around the nearby field, chatting on the phone while the younger kids played on the playground together. It was nice to see Gaz smile even though it must hurt like heck. Angel seemed especially aware of his needs and talked gently with him while they ran around.

I wished it could always be like this. Me and my family, all safe and happy.

TIME SKIP

Of course, then I had to go back to school the next day. It was near the end of the year, so either the teacher was gearing up for a final, or leveling out for vacation, depending on what class it was. I spent the morning cramming and napping, sometimes simultaneously. When I got to Health, I plopped next to Fang, ready spend the period doing practically nothing. The teacher counted our project as the final and had given us only trivial assignments since.

"What's up little duck?" I asked Fang, grinning. He shrugged, not looking at me. Odd.

"You alright?" Fang, again said nothing. He just nodded. Then, to my shock, he pulled out a novel and began to read. He offered no explanation, just continued to read. When the teacher told the class to spend the period however we chose, Fang didn't look up from his book.

He ignored me.

The entire period.

When class was about to end, Fang packed up his things and stood quickly, silently moving out of the classroom without a word. I followed close behind, confused.

"You sure you're okay…?" I asked hesitantly.

"Yup," he replied curtly, no emotion involved. Now he was just pissing me off. It's not like he had been laying on my couch a few days ago. Not like I had seen him at his very worst or anything…wait.

"You sure don't seem okay. Are you hurt or something? Do you want me to get-"

"No! Believe it or not, I can handle myself. I'm not a little kid, Maximum."

Excuse me?

I grabbed Fang's shoulder, turning him to face me.

"No. If you were a little kid, you'd be dead by now. Gosh, Fang what's wrong with you today?"

"Nothing. I just want to be alone."

"That's not what you said a couple days ago."

"Yeah, well, this is what I'm saying now." With that, Fang yanked his shoulder out of my grasp and turned away, back down the hall. I watched his black clad figure go until I couldn't see him anymore.

I stood there, scowling. What just happened?

Something was up.

And Fang hated me for it.

ELLA'S POINT OF VIEW

I met with Fang at Iggy's after school, doing homework with him while Iggy made a snack. I could hear the sound of silverware and pots being knocked together, as well as Iggy whistling.

"Fang, I was thinking we should invite Max for dinner," I thought aloud. Fang didn't look up, but I knew he was listening. He always listened.

"Iggy and I were speaking today, and he thinks we should do something 'civilized' with Max, as we haven't done anything particularly…normal with her. What do you think?" I waited a moment, but Fang said nothing.

"Fang?"

"No, Ella."

"Well, perhaps we could see a movie, or just have a get together here-"

"No."

I froze, looking at my brother's bent head, his dark hair covering his face. Fang was hardly, no, never cold to me. He was often stressed or worried, but he was never impolite. I couldn't imagine what would make him this way.

"Fang, are you alright? You seem-"

"I'm fine, okay?"

Just then, Iggy came in holding a platter of steaming muffins. He set the plate on the table, seating himself on the end of the table. Fang stood abruptly, almost knocking his chair over.

"What's up, dude?"

"I'll be back." With that, Fang silently left the house without a word.

"What just happened?" Iggy asked, his eyes directed to mine.

"I-I am not sure."

"Huh. Maybe it's his time of the month. He'll get over whatever it is, I'm sure. Here, have a muffin," Iggy said decisively. I chewed the delicious pastry, trying to understand what was going on with my dear brother. I just couldn't think of something that would agitate him so much. He was such a calm, kind person…

"El."

"I'm sorry. The muffins are delicious, Iggy. Did you-"

"El."

"Yes?"

"Fang'll be fine, ya hear? He just has a lot goin' on, I guess."

"I don't know Iggy. He's never acted this way before."

"Do you want to go find him?"

I did. I really did. I wanted to make him come back and explain his behavior. But I couldn't, not really. My brother could really act any way he pleased, and perhaps there was a valid reason behind his disappearance. I just wish he would talk to me.

"No, no. That's okay."

"Alright. In the meantime, tell me just how beautiful my muffins are," he said, wiggling his eyebrows up and down at me. I laughed at his silly expression, knowing he was acting out just to cheer me up.

"They're the most gorgeous muffins I have ever seen."

"I knew it! And they don't taste bad either."

"No, they're lovely."

FANG'S POINT OF VIEW

I shoved my hands into my pockets, staring at the ground as I walked along the street. I was being an idiot. I lashed out at Ella, which also made me a jerk. I continued along the street, not keeping track of where I was going. I needed to apologize to my sister and grow up.

Then again, if Max freaking babied me again I'd lose it. She obviously I was some sissy who couldn't handle anything. If I saw that pity and concern in her eyes again…it wouldn't be pretty. I hated it.

Just then, I turned the corner right in front of a car.

I saw headlights and the driver honked, swerving away from me to avoid hitting me. They succeeded; the side of their truck inches from me. I looked into the window of the truck to see a shocked and seriously peeved Max peering at me. Her eyes only widened when she realized it was me.

You can't be freaking serious.

I rolled my eyes, annoyed. I turned away from her, walking back the way I came. She followed me, passing me a few yards before stopping and jumping out of her truck. Even in the low light, I could see the light shining off her hair and infuriated eyes. She marched right up to me, shoving me.

"What was that, huh?! You tryin' to get yourself killed?! I don't care if you're pissed at me, you don't just walk away! What's going through your thick head?! Anything?!"

That did it. It was one thing to pity me, but calling me out like that was too much. I shoved Max back, hard. Max was close and hadn't been expecting it, causing her to stumble and hit the ground, landing on her back with an oof. I closed my eyes, letting the words spill out of me before I could change my mind.

"What's going through my (swear word) head is that you're driving me crazy! I'm not a baby, and you're not my mother! I can handle this without you, okay?! I don't need you. Got it? I don't even want you around!"

Then I did the stupidest thing I could have done: I looked at her. Max was sitting on the ground, her hair frazzled from her fall. Her eyes were wide and full of tears, her mouth parted just slightly. As one shiny tear rolled down her cheek, her crumpled face turned red with rage. She got up quickly and stood very close to me, another tear rolling her cheek. With hate dripping from in her voice, she whispered to me.

"You're no better than your father right now. So congratu-freaking-lations."

Then she left, turning to let me see the scuffs and dirt now covering her back. She got into her truck and drove away, never looking back. Only after she had disappeared did her words sink in.

My blood iced over instantly. You're no better than your father…

I had hit Max. Hit her, like actually took my anger out on her.

Like my father.

I sunk to my knees, my limbs completely numb.

"I'm so sorry, Ma! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to-I didn't! I'll be good, I promise! I'll be good, I'll be good!"

I had lied. I was just as bad. No, worse. I was worse than the devil himself. I was the devil. I looked at my hands, shaking. I was a monster.

No. No no no no . I ran, going the way Max had gone, my feet slapping the sidewalk loudly. I ran the way to her house, hoping I knew the way. This couldn't happen. I couldn't be like him. I couldn't. I wouldn't. I could fix this, I had to fix this. I couldn't go on knowing I had done that. I had to fix it. I couldn't be like him. I would never be like him.

Right?

Cliffhanger! I've got big things planned for the next chapter, SO REVIEW and I'll get it to you ASAP.

Thanks!