Heyo! Kat here with once again another chapter! Ya, ya. I know you love me :P. Let's get straight to the point!

….

Max's POV

"Pss, Max!"

I heard someone say but chose to ignore it.

"Max! Wake up!"

I let out a small groan.

"C'mon Max! We need to talk." I heard the person talking to me say a little louder. I instantly recognized the voice. It belonged to no other then my brother Iggy.

My eyes instantly shot open and there in front of me, knelt my brothers big blue eyes filled with worry.

I tried to sit up but was surprised by the weight that was on me. Then I remembered. I had fallen asleep on Fang. I looked up and sure enough there was Fang in a deep sleep. I couldn't help but absorb Fang's sleeping face. His pitch black hair was covering most of his eyes, and his mouth was slightly ajar as it made a soft snoring sound and his nose would inflate with every breath he took. His muscular tough features were deeply softened. I had to admit he looked damn right adorable.

"Max, can you check out your boyfriend another time please?" Iggy interrupted my trance.

My cheeks flushed and I slowly took Fang's arm off of me, carefully so he wouldn't wake up.

"He's not my boyfriend." I yelled-whispered.

Iggy rolled his eyes. "Oh really? You two looked pretty cozy there together."

I didn't know how to explain the situation. Being honest, I didn't know why I did sleep on Fang. That doesn't mean I didn't like it though.

When I didn't answer him Iggy chuckled. "Point proven."

Then I realized something. My brother was awake and standing right in front of. I instantly tackled him into a hug.

"Missed me?" Iggy teased.

"Don't ever scare me like that again." I said against his chest.

"I won't. I promise." He whispered into my hair.

When we finally pulled away he gave me one of his perfect Iggy smiles.

"So were did everyone go?" Iggy finally asked.

I gave him a confused look. I looked back at were our friends were sitting. Everyone was gone except for Fang's sister, Juliet who was still sleeping soundly in a chair in a corner, leaning against the wall. I assume Ella had to leave since her parent would be worried sick. But that didn't explain why Jake and Chloe were gone.

"I don't know. Wait, what time is it?" I asked.

Iggy stuck his hand in his pocket and took out his phone. A Galaxy btw. He showed me the time. 10:47 a.m. My eyes widened.

"What!" I shrieked.

Iggy shrugged. "I just got released like 15 minutes ago. They told me everyone was waiting here but to my surprise I find you and Fang over there, getting all cuddly with each other."

I ignored his last statement. "Before I fell asleep, Chloe went to talk to dad and Ella and Jake were asleep or falling asleep. You don't think Chloe left without us. She was worried sick about you, she wouldn't leave until you would have been released. It isn't like her."

Iggy's face turned red with anger. "Dad was here?!"

Oh fudgesicles. "Well, um he kinda came here to apologize." I tried to explain.

"What! You didn't forgive him did you? That man doesn't deserve to be forgiven."

I felt a sudden boost of confidence. "I did actually" I responded with my head up high.

"Max? Are you serious? After all he's done to you? To us?" Iggy said, sounding betrayed.

"Iggy, it's not like I fully trust him. I don't trust him at all actually but I do forgive him. He's our dad and nothing will ever change that. And I know that the old him is still there."

"The old him died along with mom." Iggy shot back venomously.

I didn't know how to respond to that. He was right though. But is it wrong of me to just at least have hope that he's still in there? Iggy noticed that what he said was the wrong thing to say since his face immediately softened.

"Max. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that."

"You're right though. He died along with mom didn't he?" I asked him.

He shook his head. "He's still in there somewhere. So far he's only showed that side to Chloe though. He just needs time. We all need time."

"Too bad we're running out of time. He'll surely kick us out to the curb the moment we turn 18."

"Chloe wouldn't let that happen."

"Iggy if you hadn't noticed, dad has ruined any chance on having a second chance. We'll move all the way across the country, far away from Chloe."

"Then as soon as we turn 18 we'll move back." He pointed out.

I snorted. "Us and what money."

"Your voice and my brains to be exact."

"I doubt your photographic memory can help us this time." I scoffed.

After a moment of silence Iggy spoke up again.

"Do you still forgiven." He quietly asked.

Without hesitation I answered. "Yes."

He nodded. "Then so do I."

"Iggy I think that's up to you to decide. Not me."

He smiled at me. "You're right. He's done some pretty awful stuff but he's still our dad and he hasn't always been like this. Doesn't mean I trust him but it also doesn't mean I can't forgive him."

Something suddenly came across my mind.

"Iggy?"

"Yes?"

"Do you think Chloe went off with dad?"

He bit the bottom of his lip, a nasty habit we both had, and pondered about what I had asked. "I don't doubt it." He answered.

I instantly took out my phone and called Chloe. After a couple rings she finally answered.

"Hello?" she said.

"Chloe! Where in the world are you?" I instantly asked.

"Max! Is Iggy awake? Is he okay?"

"He's fine. He's standing next to me right now actually."

"Thank goodness! Max honey I'm taking care of some business. Is Jake and Nick still with you?"

"Jake's gone but F-nick is here." I stuttered. I'm pretty sure Fang told Chloe his real name for a reason. Probably so she wouldn't assume he's some rebellious emo kid.

"Okay that's good. Ask him if he could take you home. Yes, actually home. Jake's probably at school. I have to go sweetie, I'll explain everything later! I love you!" She quickly said before hanging up. She said she loved me. That was the first time she had ever said it. Oh shoot! School! Hopefully Fang wouldn't get in trouble for ditching.

I heard Iggy let out a huge yawn. It was probably the medication that was still affecting him. I looked over at Fang who was oblivious to his surroundings and continued to sleep.

"Chloe's off doing something and Jake's probably at school. She practically let us ditch." I explained.

"Uh hello? I haven't even gotten out of the hospital and you expect me to go to school?" Iggy teased.

I rolled my eyes at him. "We better wake him up, he's our ride home."

"I don't know. You're not going to have a make out session in front of my now are you?"

I knew that my face had instantly turned tomato red. My twin brother gave me an amused smirk.

"Just wake him up" I grumbled as I went over to pick up Juliet.

Let's just say, Iggy had a very interesting way of waking people up. This time he decided to set on Fang's lap and gently pet his head and he had on a huge flirty grin. I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep me from laughing out loud. I was glad that the waiting room was completely empty.

Fang's eyes blinked a couple times as he tried to straighten his vision and was sure in for a surprise when he found my crazy twin brother and him in a very awkward position. Fang's eyes instantly widened in complete surprise.

"What the hell man!" He managed to say before he pushed my brother off of him.

Both Iggy and I couldn't contain it any longer and instantly bended over laughing our heads off. I felt tears start to form on my eyes from all my laughing and I quickly wiped them away. When I finally was able to control my laughter and turn into giggles, I saw Fang awkwardly stand there unsure what to do about the current situation.

"Aww come on man, you know you liked it" Iggy teased him. Fang only rolled his eyes in response. "Fine. I understand that your heart belongs to Max. Blah, blah, blah." Iggy faked hurtful tone and expression.

I rolled my eyes. "C'mon Fang, you're kinda our ride home." I said as I carried sleeping Juliet out the door. Sure enough, the boys were right on my heels.

"So were did everyone else go?" Fang asked.

I shrugged. "Practically ditched us. Oh um sorry for making you miss most of school today. You can totally blame it on me if you want."

"Don't worry about it. I'll probably just ditch the rest of the school day. I already missed most of it anyway. Why bother going?" He told me.

We got in Fang's car and of course, I called shot gun. While my brother and Fang's sister were in the back seat. But it didn't surprise me that the moment that Iggy touched the seat, he was out like a light.

We drove home in a comfortable silence with only the slightest sounds of Iggy giving the usual soft snore. When we finally arrived at the giant white mansion that I called my home we tried to wake up Iggy.

"Maybe it's the medications? Don't they make people all tired and stuff?" I asked Fang.

"Ya, probably. Here, help me carry him." Fang said as he grabbed Iggy's left arm and wrapped it behind his neck so he could support my brother better. But since Fang was so much taller than my brother and I, he had to awkwardly crouch so I could help out as well and so he wouldn't have to lift Iggy off the floor. When we arrived at the front door, I crouched down making Fang have to crouch down to his knees and grabbed the hidden key to the front door in the flower pot next to the door.

"That's a good place to hide it" Fang said with amusement.

I ignored him and opened the door that lead inside the house. Just like how everyone who's ever stepped foot inside my house, Fang suddenly stopped and gaped at the interior of my house with awe. I pulled Iggy which snapped him out of his daze. He murmured a sorry before continuing to help me carry Iggy to his room. We struggled the most when he had to pull Iggy up the stairs but we managed.

"His rooms the second to last door." I told him. Fang only nodded. We made our way through the long beige colored hallway that contained most of the rooms in the house. When we finally reached it Fang went ahead and opened the door. As soon as he opened it, he once again stopped dead in his tracks.

I didn't blame him. I guess it was kind of a surprise to find out that Iggy is a nerd at heart. Will not a full blown nerd but he had extra credit papers scattered everywhere, and pieces of medal with things he's been taking apart and tinkering with, along with different science medals and trophies he had earned over the years on the walls and shelves. Iggy had dark blue and green walls and was the exact way as my room except for the fact he didn't have a secret stair case leading to the basement in his closet like I did.

"This is your brother's room?" Fang asked.

I tried to shrug but Iggy's weight stopped me. "Ya. Surprised?"

"Ya, kinda. No offence but your brother always seemed to give off the all American perfect Jock vibe." Fang honestly said.

"Will then Fangles, you have a lot to learn about my family" I responded before I urged him to help me throw Iggy on his king size bed. Iggy landed with a soft thump and only slightly moved by the sudden movement but didn't wake up.

I sighed. "We better let him rest."

"Good idea." Fang said.

We both walked out his room before I remembered that I hadn't taken changed clothes. I had taken a shower before I had gone to the diner and I didn't puke on myself and I didn't want to leave Fang alone. Ugh I'm an idiot. Fang was only going to bring Iggy up to his room. Then he's going home along with Juliet. I felt my stomach rumble. I had forgotten that I didn't actually eat anything at the café last night and I hadn't had breakfast yet.

"Hey, um Fang?" I asked him as we stood in the hallway outside Iggy's room.

"Yes?"

"Do you and Juliet want to stay for breakfast?" I asked nervously.

"You don't have to." He assured me.

"But I want to! Iggy may be the chef of the house but I've been practicing. Just don't blame me if you get food poisoning." I jokingly warned.

He chuckled. "Sure."

I smiled up at him. "Great! I'll just quickly freshen up and you can bring Juliet inside."

He gave me a smiled and made his way downstairs while I went to my room which was next to Iggy's in the end of the hall.

I quickly took a 5 minute shower and brushed my teeth and all that good stuff. I wore my usual attire. Jeans and a tee shirt. This time though I wore an Imagine Dragons band tee. I absolutely loved that band. Okay I admit it, Iggy was the hot nerd, and I was the music geek in our family. I put my hair up in a messy budge and only added the tiniest bit of concealer on myself to hide the bags under my eyes. I then happily skipped down out my room and down the stairs and into the living room were Fang and his adorable sister were waiting.

"Hey" he said.

"Hey. So what would you like for breakfast? Will it's technically lunch time but sometimes it's good to break the rules am I right?" I joked.

"You're such a rebel Max" Fang sarcastically said.

"Watch out, I might rub off on you" I teasingly warned.

"Hahaha" Fang faked a laugh.

"So what do you want to eat?"

"Will you're the host so you decide."

I thought about it until I came up with the perfect answer.

"Hot dogs!" I cheered.

Fang gave me a dumbfounded look. "Hot dogs?"

"Yes hot dogs. Hot dogs are my favorite food!"

"Do you know what's in hot dog meat?" He asked.

"I know just random scraps of who knows what meat but that doesn't change a thing! Hot dogs are the best thing ever! Next to chocolate of course!" I skipped into the kitchen with Fang hot on my heels along with Juliet who's been quiet the whole time.

"Hot dogs it is" He smirked. Oh that smirk! It didn't help that every time he smirked a dimple appeared on his left cheek only making him more attractive then he already was.

"Okay can you take the ingredients out? They should be in the fridge or cabinets."

"Max, your kitchen is huge. I'll never guess right."

"Will Iggy and Mom are the ones that cook here. I'm spoiled, I know."

"If you were spoiled, you would have been complaining not stop about how your red heels don't go along with one of your right eyelashes or whatever girls complain about." He said which caused me to let out a chuckle.

"Ya, you're right. I wouldn't want to be the next Lissa and her minions." I grumbled.

Whatever I had said must have triggered some memory of Fang's since he then asked me "Hey Max, how did Lissa blackmail you exactly?"

I froze in my spot. "How did you know?"

"You kinda mentioned it yesterday during your rant." He admitted.

I could easily lie to him or just tell him it's not of his business but in a way it was his business and lying to him just didn't seem like an option.

I let out a sigh. "Lissa kinda got a hold of a video of me doing something I shouldn't have been doing." I started. I looked at Fang to see if he was listening which he was.

"She told me that unless I stayed away from you, she would show everyone the video." I said a little more quieter but Fang had heard every word.

"Lissa said that?" He asked ideally shocked. Seriously?

"Seriously Fang? Are you blind? She's been flirting with you nonstop for weeks now and you haven't noticed?" I scoffed at his stupidity.

"You mean that thing she would do with her face and the way she walked like a constipated penguin whenever she's around me is called flirting?" he asked in all seriousness. I instantly busted out laughing on how serious he looked when he said that. At least I wasn't the only one who thought that and I somehow felt a weight I didn't realize was there left off my chest when he admitted he wasn't interested in Lissa.

Fang rubbed the back of his neck in a shy way completely oblivious on the reason I was laughing.

"So why didn't you listen to her? Why didn't you stay away from me?"

I didn't hesitate to answer. "Because you're my friend Fang. You've been nothing but there for me and I wasn't going to throw you out after some slut told me to. Believe it or not you're really special to me Fangles." I whole heartily admitted.

My heart skipped a beat when Fang gave me a full out grin and I found myself grinning aswell.

"I-I honestly don't know how to respond to that" He said. I walked up to him and planted a soft kiss on his cheek.

"You don't need to. Just know that I don't plan on ditching you soon." I assured him.

Fang shook his head as if awakening from a trance and said "Aren't you moving?"

I felt my face fell. "Well, since my dad cares so much about his reputation, I don't think it will be good for the media to find out he just packed his bags and left after his son just got out of the hospital. He'll probably hold off at least another week. I hope at least." I don't know if I was assuring Fang or myself.

"I'm hungry" Juliet finally spoke up and complained.

I smiled down at her. "Will let's get cooking then shall we?"

She nodded with a big goofy grin.

When we finally found all the necessary ingredients we started cooking but since I didn't know how to properly do them, we just went the old fashion way and boiled water. As we waited for the water to boil and went and grabbed the radio from my room and turned it on just as one of my favorite songs began.

"I love this song!" I cheered. I heard Fang chuckle.

(Lyrics from 'Counting Stars' by One Republic)

"I see this life

Like a swinging vine

Swing my heart across the line

In my face is flashing signs

Seek it out and ye shall find"

I heard the song blaring from the radio and I gladly joined along. I would be lying if I didn't know that I had an amazing voice. Not that I'm bragging or anything, if anything I think it's a curse. Thanks to my perfect singing voice my dad wants me to become a professional singer and all that jazz but I just couldn't help but love music.

"Old, but I'm not that old

Young, but I'm not that bold

And I don't think the world is sold

I'm just doing what we're told" I sang.

"I feel something so right

By doing the wrong thing

And I feel something so wrong

By doing the right thing

I could lie, could lie, could lie

Everything that kills me makes me feel alive"

When the chorus arrived I gave it my all.

"Lately I been, I been losing sleep

Dreaming about the things that we could be

But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard

Said no more counting dollars

We'll be counting stars

Lately I been, I been losing sleep

Dreaming about the things that we could be

But baby, I been, I been prayin' hard

Said no more counting dollars

We'll be, we'll be counting stars"

Once the water was properly boiled and began to cook without stopping from my singing.

"Take that money

Watch it burn

Sink in the river

The lessons I learned" I finished out of breath, as I also finished making the first successful hot dog.

"Wow, you're amazing" I heard Fang say in awe. Oh Fudge! I forgot about Fang being here with me. As always I got lost with the music.

I turned around to look at him and blushed on how he was looking at me. With so much amazement and awe.

"I… uh… umm… lunch's ready." I stuttered.

"Max, you have a truly amazing voice you know that?" He continued.

"Th-thanks." I sheepishly answered. He once again gave me one of his smirks that made my heart skip a beat every time. Ugh what's happening to me?

Fang slowly took steps towards me. I felt my breath hitch. Before I knew it he was right in front of me, our bodies only a foot apart. I could hear him breath from this distance. He no longer smelled like watermelons. More like vanilla this time.

"Fang?" I whispered. He took a baby step closer to me.

"Hmm?"

I didn't answer but only looked into his captivating obsidian eyes instead. His face was unreadable. I surprised him and myself when I took a small step closer towards him, closing the gap between us even more. I saw a glint of happiness in his eyes for a second. I knew that my face must have been flushed to a total red color by now.

Fang slowly leaned in and I didn't protest. He leaned in until our faces were only inches apart. One small move and our lips would surely touch. And when lips touch it's considered a kiss. Which meant that I would kiss Fang. Oh boy.

We stood there only inches apart, neither of us making a move on moving closer or making the attempt to back away. We just continued to look into each other's eyes. I breathed in scent, enjoying how close we were.

But of course this moment couldn't last forever. Juliet walked in complaining about how the food wasn't ready yet and that she was starving. Both Fang and I instantly pulled away from each other and looked the other way, both of us embarrassed to look at each other. So close. So close on either ruining our friendship or opening another door. Yet it was interrupted by a 7 year old. I didn't know wither I should be happy about it or not but I did know that I was disappointed.

"The food's ready right Max?" Fang said not daring to look at me.

"R-right. Do you want ketchup on your hot dogs Juliet?" I asked as I went over to the island and picked up a random hot dog for her.

"Yes please" she said as she took a seat at one of the stools that were placed beside the island. I prepared her hot dogs and my own in awkward silence between Fang and I.

"I'll go and wake up Iggy." I said as I made my way out the kitchen. Fang only nodded. Our eyes met for half a second before he looked away. I sighed.

I walked out the kitchen and made my way upstairs on my way on waking up my brother. But one thing was on my mind. Mine's and Fang's almost kiss. We were so close to each other and for the first time in a while it felt like I was doing something right for once. I just hoped I didn't ruin our friendship. He means too much to me for him to leave.

But one thing had been absolutely cleared up in my head. I without a doubt, like Fang. In a more then just friends way. Like a lot.

…

WOW! It was so hard writing the almost kiss scene. I just wanted them to kiss and get together already! It's killing me! But soon! All in good time my dear readers!

Question of the Chapter: What's your favorite song at the moment? What's your favorite food?

My response: I'm absolutely obsessed with Counting Stars by One Republic at the moment! It's just such an amazing song! And of course my favorite food is without a doubt, hot dogs! Yes, I know what's in them but I can't help it! They taste so dang good!