A/N: Whoops. Every time I update, I feel bad, because I haven't updated in FOREVER. My best friend's love of her life had asked me out so...I kind of had to deal with that for awhile...

Max POV

Friday was strange. There were balloons everywhere, which was annoying because they kept smacking me in the head. Everything was all sparkly and white, and people were giggling uncontrollably all day. All I was was extremely confused.

Later, I went to get ice cream in reluctance. Truthfully, I was only looking forward to the ice cream. I still hadn't told anyone about my date with Sam, especially since I didn't want to go. It was too late to back out, though. So, I just told my mom that I was going out (to save myself from hordes of questions from an overly excited mother) and went to meet Sam at six.
It was awkward. We walked in silence. We got our ice cream in silence. We sat down in silence. The only person who truly talked was the lady at the counter, who winked at us. "You kids going together later?" I looked at her, puzzled. Then, Ella called. I didn't want to be rude, so I muted my phone. But while Sam went to the bathroom, I checked. She had called eleven times. Eleven freaking times. Did her beloved pet chicken Bartholomew die a horrible death or something?

I grimaced, and hoped Sam was suffering from severe constipation. Warily, I dialed Ella's number. She picked up on the first ring. "Where the hell are you?"

"I'm at Daisy's Ice Cream."

"Maximum Ride. The winter dance is tonight. I have your dress, we're leaving at seven, and you're telling me you're out for frozen food? I even told you before, remember?"

"No." Inside, I was freaking out. Fang had mentioned a dance, right?

"Well, you probably spaced out. Why are you there, anyway?"

"Uh…I'm on a date."

Silence.

"With who?" Her voice hissed.

"Sam."

The phone was quiet again. Then I heard a wail."Why are you on a date with HIM? Can you ditch him?"

"'Scuse me?"

"Nevermind. Sam is sweet, but he has awful timing. Hold on. I'm coming to get you." And the phone went dead.
Sam was still in the bathroom when Ella barged in, hair half curled, one shoe on, one shoe off, one eye with makeup, one eye without. She quickly scribbled a note to Sam, then dragged me out of the shop. When I was pushed into her car, I saw something surprising. My sister sat in the passenger seat, dress half on, stiletto perched on her half straightened head. She turned to face me. "Did Fang do something?"

I stared at her. "What are you..."

"Doing here?" She smirked. "Ella and I have miraculously bonded together to join forces against your utmost stupidity. Did Fang do something?"

"Why would he do anything?"

"Well, otherwise, you wouldn't be on this date with that Green-Eggs-and-Ham guy. So...what up with Fang?"

"Umm...we kissed."

"And...?"

"I ran away."

"You idiot!" She shrieked. "Why?"

"Because I didn't remember if he kissed me first. He obviously doesn't like-" My eyes widened. "Does he?" My voice came out as a whisper.

"Moron, what do you think?"

"I think..." I trailed off.

I thought about Fang and Maya's date, how we talked under the stars-how I ran. I thought about how I felt during Brigid's visit, startled and jolted,-how I ran. I thought about that day at the park, how Fang's eyes seem to stare me down-how I ran.

I bolted up from the seat, smacking my head on the roof of the car.

Maya raised an eyebrow. "Finally realized?"

"Why do you care?"

"Because you guys are perfect for each other. I'm not THAT cruel, Max." She rolled her eyes.

"As if. What time is it?" I voice sounded almost frantic, foreign.

"Six-thirty. The dance starts now. Of course, we can arrive fashionably late, so we'll have time to do you up real fast." Ella was driving like a maniac.

"No. Drop me off here."

"What? Max, it's like, a blizzard out there."

"You're exaggerating, Ells. It's snowing only lightly, and it just started now."

"Well, I guess Fang SHOULD be there...and it's not too long of a walk...WAIT." She looked me up and down. "Are you telling me you went on a date in THAT? That isn't acceptable for a date, so forget the winter formal."

"Whatever. I don't care at this point."

"Fine." She seemed hesitant. "Just promise me one thing, alright?" Ella looked at me sternly.

"What?"

"If you're running, this time, run to him."

A/N: Ok, so that was probably incredibly cheesy, but hey, I was in a cheesy mood. ACCEPT IT. And please also accept the shortness of the chapter. Please?

News: I'm going to be globetrotting for three weeks-which also means no internet. I WILL be writing, however, as much as I possibly can, so I'll have more chapters for you guys!

Thanks for every review! I read all of them, and it truly makes my day.