Okay! So I got up this morning before everyone else in the house so I could work on this un-interrupted!

Enjoy! Thanks for all your reviews!

Nightwings93

Max POV: Chapter 21

My brain fried as soon as our lips met. Seriously, why does it have to be like this? Every time I kiss Fang, or even touch him, fireworks go off. I get this electric shock that runs through my body. I don't get it.

Scratch that. I do get it. I get that I am in love with Fang. I do. But, I'm afraid. I've known him 5 months, and I've fallen head over heels for this guy. He's like my missing half. But, passion like this can't end well. Look at Romeo and Juliet. Yeah, that didn't go so well.

I don't want to get hurt again. I've been hurt enough. I couldn't deal with the pain of losing Fang. I'd die. I'd probably be the one to end it all. Whoa, since when was I suicidal?

I put hands on Fang's chest. I couldn't help but notice the nicely formed pecks and six pack under my hands. I balled them into fists and push Fang back. I didn't want to but I had to. For both of us. I'm protecting us both from heartbreak, right? So, why does it hurt so much right now?

Fang looked at me and his eyes flashed with anger and hurt.

"I told you, I can't," I mumbled.

Fang opened his mouth to say something. Before he could utter a word, I grabbed the 50 chicken men pictures and ran back to our dorm.

If he spoke I know that I wouldn't have been able to leave.

I ran all the way to Kyle's dorm room. .I could still taste Fang's lips on mine when I got to Kyle's door. I felt so awful. Ashamed. Like the second Kyle looked at me, he would be able to see the kiss I'd shared with Fang. The worst part? I want to kiss Fang. I only kinda want to kiss Kyle.

I replaced my worried look with a smile and knocked on the door. Kyle opened it and smiled when he saw it was me.

"Hey," he said brightly pulling me into a hug. More guilt settled in my stomach.

"Hi," I answered trying to sound cheerful. I reach up and gave him a quick kiss. Yep, still safe. I sighed happily. I liked the safe kisses.

"What's up?" Kyle asked grabbing my hand and bringing me into his room with him.

"I got some pictures. I was hoping you'd help me post them," I said while holding up the pictures.

Kyle laughed. "Is that Iggy and Gazzy? Those are great! So, that's what you've been working on since we got back."

"Yeah," I replied smiling. Kyle has a nice laugh, but it's not as dark and husky as Fang's. Fang's rumbles out from somewhere deep in his chest and you feel it deep within you like the bass in a rock and roll song.

Shut up, Max! Stop comparing your boyfriend to you best friend!

"You want me to help you put them up?" Kyle asked.

I nodded.

"Well, I don't know. I thought I was Switzerland in this war. Why don't you ask Fang?"

My heart beat quickened. "Sorry, no Switzerland in the kind of war."

Kyle smirked. "Okay, let's go."

He grabbed some tape off his desk and we walked out into the hallway hand in hand. For some reason, Kyle's hand didn't fit the way Fang's did.

"So, are you going to join the band?" Kyle asked as we posted pictures all over the hallways."

I shrugged, "Fang hasn't asked."

"Well, last time we talked, Fang said he thought it would be good to have a female lead. Plus, you can play guitar, right?"

I nodded. "Yeah, I can."

Kyle nodded in agreement. "That, and your voice kicks ass."

"Not really," I mumbled.

"No, really. Your voice could tame and ogre. Or, an angry Fang," Kyle winked.

I laughed, "He does get irrational when he's mad."

Kyle nodded. "So, wanna go out for dinner tonight?"

"Um. Sure." I replied. Why do I want to go out for dinner with Fang and not Kyle? Why would I rather things go back to the way they were when Fang and I first met, and we would go out to dinner at that Italian restaurant and laugh at peoples' faces when they saw us finish a giant calzone.

Kyle and I posted the last couple pictures up on the dorm walls.

"Hey, I've got a class next. Don't you have drama with Fang?" Kyle asked.

"Yeah," I muttered. My heart beat quickened every time Fang was mentioned.

"Cool, I'll see you after class, okay? We'll go have dinner at that Italian restaurant. They have this giant calzone that I know you would just love." Kyle smiled hopefully at me.

My breath hitched. "Yeah, sure. I'd like that. Sounds great."

Kyle gave a funny look. "You okay?"

"Me? Yeah, totally fine," I smiled to reassure him, though it felt slightly like a grimace, and reached up and gave him a quick kiss.

It was definitely a quick and safe, very safe, kiss. Kyle gave me one last look as if to say he knew what was going on. But, he smiled anyway and left for his next class.

I decided to go back to the tech. room since I hadn't seen him come back to the dorms. I probably should have just gone straight to class.

Fang POV:

"Stupid Fang. Stupid, stupid, stupid Fang," I muttered to myself while lightly banging my head against the wall.

What the hell was I thinking? Obviously, I wasn't. You don't kiss your friend's girlfriend. Especially if that friend's girlfriend happens to be your best friend.

I am such a moron. Now it's going to be even more awkward between me and Max.

Before it was just hard being around her. It was like reopening the knife wound to my heart every time I saw her. ( I understand this is very deep for a guy…but, shut up. I'm head over heel, right?).

That's when an idea struck me. Max didn't get it through words, she didn't get it through my actions, but I'd bet she'd get it through music.

I was about to leave the tech. room when the door opened. My heart jumped. Maybe it was Max.

Instead of Max's light brown hair with natural blond streaks, it was Lissa's fiery red hair. My heart dropped into my stomach.

"Hey, Fangy," Lissa said while making her lips look pouty and her boobs 2 sizes bigger.

I rolled my eyes. Did she have to be here now? And did she have to call me 'Fangy?' I mean, that is so annoying.

"So, I saw that little exchange between you and Maxi-pad there," Lissa continued ignoring my eye roll.

I clenched my fist. "Don't talk about her like that." I said angrily.

"Getting all defensive over a girl that isn't yours," Lissa tisked, shaking her head. "Aren't you sweet?" She advanced. "I think you need a little something to take your mind off of it."

Lissa took another step towards me. My back was against the wall so I had no where to go.

Lissa placed both her hands on my chest and crushed her lips to mine. My eyes widened and I put both hands on her shoulders and tried to push her off. Lissa just tightened her grip on my shirt.

I felt panicked and claustrophobic. This wasn't what I wanted. I tried again to push Lissa off, but she held fast. Damn, this girl has a really good grip.

I was about to try to push Lissa off again when I saw a flash of brown hair with blond highlights in the door. My stomach clenched. Was that Max? Did she see?

Using a little more force this time, I managed to wrench Lissa's lips from mine.

She pouted. "What's the matter?" She asked in a voice that was meant to be seductive. It just sounded whiny and annoying.

"Stay the hell away from me," I said through clenched teeth and ran out of the tech. room.

Max POV:

I walked over to the tech. room. I was about to open the door when I decided to peek in the window to make sure Fang was still in there.

What I saw made my blood run cold. Fang was sucking face with Lissa. Lissa was plastered to him like some leech. Fang didn't even push her off. They just kept kissing and kissing.

My stomach bubbled. I turned around and ran as fast as my legs would carry me. With every step away from Fang it felt like my heart was withering. By the time I reach our drama room, my heart was gone. A giant hole replaced the space where my heart used to be.

Why did Fang act like he loves me then turn around and kiss Lissa? Was I just the most available lips at the time? Did he really love me? From the looks of it, he doesn't.

I took three deep breaths outside the drama room door and counted backwards from 10. I needed to calm down. Act like nothing happened because nothing happened.

I walked into the class room. Rob, our teacher, was there, Finn was there, and some brunette was next to Finn.

"Hey, Max!" Rob called happily.

"Hi!" I said back in what I hope was a cheerful voice.

"You and Fang ready to try out tomorrow for parts in Taming of the Shrew?" Rob asked.

The whole in my chest got bigger at the mention of Fang's name. "Yeah, I'm ready. I'm sure Fang is to." My voice cracked slightly on Fang's name. Nice give away Max.

Rob gave me a funny look but didn't press the matter.

"Hey, Max! Come here!" Finn called beckoning to me.

I nodded and walked over to Finn and the perky looking brunette.

"Hi, Finn," I said smiling.

"Hi. Um, Max, this is Rachael. Rachael, this is Max," Finn replied introducing me to the girl next to him.

"Hi-" I stared but was cut off.

Rachael thrust her hand out. "Hi, I'm Rachael Berry. Finn's girlfriend. I understand that you trying out for Taming of the Shrew. Just so you know, you'll probably get the role, but when we do our spring musical, just know I'll get the lead. I've had theatre training since the age of 4 and have a very good vocal range."

Rachael smiled at me.

"Um, cool. I didn't know we were doing a musical," I muttered.

"Really!? It's Wicked. I love that musical. Probably one of the best. I was born to play Alpheba," Rachael replied, smiling.

"Oh, okay." I really wasn't sure how to answer.

"Anyway, I have to go. I have a different fine arts class right now. I have drama class tomorrow. I need to go polish off my Shakespeare. It was nice meeting you Max." Rachael smiled again. I don't think I could take anymore smiling. "Bye, Finn." She went up on tip toes and gave Finn a kiss. There kiss was like the passionate ones I shared with Fang.

How come they can be together so easily and I make things so complicated with Fang?

"Bye, Rachael. It was nice meeting you," I said waving to her as she left.

"Isn't she great? I really admire her drive," Finn said. Then he looked sheepish. "Sorry, she comes on a bit strong."

I shrugged. "It's fine."

I looked at Finn and envied his relationship with Rachael. Why didn't I let myself have that?

I went and sat down in my usual spot. A few minutes later, Fang barreled into the room at full speed.

My heart ached. Why had he done this to me?

He looked around the room then spotted me. He quickly made his way over.

Nothing happened. Nothing happened. Nothing happened.

"Hi, Fang," I mumbled.

"Max…" Fang huffed.

I couldn't let him go on. "Ready to try out tomorrow? I'm sure you want someone like Lissa to play Katherine so you can play Petruchio easier?" My voice was icy and hard.

Fang blinked. "So, you did see," he said in a hushed voice.

"Yeah, Fang, I did see. What? Was I just the most available pair of lips at the time? Did you find better ones? Someone prettier?" My voice had an edge of steel. I took my hurt and converted it to anger.

"No…Max, she-" Fang started but I cut him off.

"I don't want to hear excuses," I said bitterly.

"Okay, class!" Rob called form the front of the room. "Get in your seats! I'm going to let you practice today for the auditions tomorrow. Good luck!"

I brushed past Fang and walked up to Finn. "Be my partner?" I asked.

"Sure," Finn replied cutting a glance at Fang.

Fang sighed and went and asked Brigid to practice with him. She looked over-joyed. Life sucks right now.

* * * * * Three weeks later * * * * *

It had been three weeks since the Lissa incident. Things with me and Fang were strained and it was really hard since I was Katherine and he was Petruchio in Taming. We were the two romantic leads.

It was really hard and awkward. I spent most of my time with Kyle and avoiding the twins' pranks. They hadn't unloaded Plan Z yet, but they said it was coming. I think they're bluffing.

Fang and I only saw each other in rehearsal and in band practice. I was the new female lead singer. Every time I saw Fang the hole in my heart got bigger.

After a long day of Taming of the Shrew practice, I decided to go and take a long shower in my Chamber of Secrets bathroom.

I grabbed fresh clothes and slipped onto the staircase to the fourth floor.

This was when, literally, the shit hit the fan.

Ok! Hopefully I'll have time to get another chapie up today! Happy 2010 everyone! I know I'm gonna keep writing 2009 on my homework for the next week or so… I hate that…

Anywho…let me know your thoughts on this chapter!

Thanks

Nightwings93