Work, work, work! Time for work! I've never been so happy to work: ever! It was time for my first break where I could have dinner so I went up to the bar. Max sat next to me soon after while I was drinking from a rootbeer bottle and eating a burger.

Bobby, the new bartender, came up to us, wiping his hands on a dishcloth. "What can I get ya, Maxie?" Bobby was a dear friend to all the workers, basically an older brother. He had a New York accent.

"Usual." He nodded and left. Max's usual was basically what I had gotten. She faced me. "Waiting tables got you starving?" The burgers here were huge and the fries that were the side were giant potato wedges. I had almost finished the whole thing.

I smirked and handed her a fry. "You're lucky. Your job doesn't require effort."

Max's jaw dropped, just like I knew it would. It was fun to tease her. "Hey! For your information, it takes a lot of effort! Especially when you don't like the job." Bobby brought Max her food and she immediately dug in.

He shook his head at us. "You two have this argument every day! Just switch jobs and then you'll see how hard both are." He leaned against the counter. "I tell ya, bartending is annoying as heck. It's hard to keep track of orders. I've always loved to sing, though."

I shrugged. "Bartending isn't that hard, you're just lazy." Max laughed and I savored the sound.

"I have an idea. Bobby, why don't you sing a couple songs? Fang, take over bartending and I'll take over your waiting job." Max practically ate half her burger in one bite.

"I don't know. I mean, Bobby, can you even sing? At all?" I asked. I mean, I've seen him sing into a mop but could he pull it off onstage?

Max gaped at me. "Are you kidding? He's amazing! He used to sing all the time at open mic night." Max finished her burger and fries, practically inhaling the food. Mmm…

Bobby smiled, excited. "Really? Maxie, that would be so awesome! Fang, Fang, man, please! Please!" He begged, putting his hands together.

"Will Mr. Fisher be okay with this?" I checked. I hate to admit it, but I enjoyed working at the club and I'd have rather not be fired for switching jobs.

Max nodded. "He normally has people switch shifts and jobs when there are fighting about importance. It's all about balance." She smiled. "I think you're just scared to be a bartender."

Competitiveness flashed in my eyes; I could never resist a challenge. And Max knew that, too. "Fine." I stood and went behind the bar, Bobby heading out.

Bobby smiled and went over to the band who were relaxing back in the break room. Max went back there too to put on some Heelies

Max Heelied her way out to the eating area. I was already working behind the bar. Bobby and the band were getting ready to sing and play.

I constantly had to move around the bar, getting people their drinks and putting their food orders in to the kitchen. It was basically the same job as waiting tables except you don't really move anywhere…

I looked over at Max and saw she was doing just fine so far, getting all the orders in, being polite- the works. As I was watching her, I grabbed a glass and accidentally cut my finger on the chipped edge. It stung but it didn't bleed. I threw the glass out since it was useless now.

Max wheeled her way over to the bar and leaned against the counter. Bobby seemed to be doing great onstage but I could see a little stage-fright in his eyes. "Having fun?" She smiled while I handed someone a beer.

"I'm getting by." I smirked. "Having any trouble?"

"Nope. You're just a crybaby who can't handle work." She teased.

"Just wait until the orders come out." The bell dinged for her to pick up food for my tables. I smirked. "Don't come crying to me when you crash and burn."

Max worked around the orders easily, never missing a beat. She was almost… angelic, the way she maneuvered around.

Things were going smoothly for me. I got good tips and people were happy. It was break time again for Max and Bobby so they came up to the bar where I was leaning against the back counter, head drooping, exhausted. I felt like sleeping but I had to keep the rag around my bleeding fingers. I kept getting cut from messed up glasses.

"Fang," Max called as she sat down. As I looked at her, she pointed to my wrapped up hand.

"I'm fine. Finger was cut by a broken glass, that's all." I washed it off and wrapped it up again, tying the rag around my palm where the scratch was.

"That happens." Bobby smiled, holding his hand up to show his scratches. "How was it going over here?"

Max smiled. "I got tons of tips! And a lot of happy customers. What about you, Fang?"

I shrugged. "The only downside was the cut but other than that…" I shrugged again, acting indifferent about it.

"Man, I never realized how hard it is to concentrate up there." Bobby told us. Max tried to hold back a smug smirk but didn't do it very well. I rolled my eyes at her. "I mean, people staring and the lights- wow, it's stressful."

Max chuckled. "Now you know how I feel. And I know how you feel, Fang. I had to admit, it was tough but it was fun."

"Well, did you screw up any orders?" I asked, taking a sip from a beer bottle. Ew… light beer.

Max took the bottle from me. "Actually, no, I didn't." I thought she was going to keep it away from me but she took a swig of it too.

Someone at one of the tables Max waited at was making a commotion so she had to go over. I kept an eye on her to make sure nothing bad would happen. As Max was talking to the customer, he shouted at her angrily.

"Excuse me! Are you trying to rob me or something?"

Max stayed calm though and I was proud of her for that. When you have a disrespectful customer, it's hard to stay polite. The boy at the table grumbled something and Max whipped out her walkie-talkie.

As Max spoke, Ernie walked over to the table and grabbed the guy's arm.

Ernie was the security guard in charge of uncooperative customers. Ernie took the guy to the back where he'd be washing dishes to pay off his dinner. Max took his kid to the employee lounge.

-!-

Max sat down at the bar, exhausted while I cleaned the mugs and bottles and plates, putting them in the dishwasher. The kid's dad went home 15 minutes ago, having cleaned his "debt." Turns out, when his wife came to pick up their kid, she paid it off but didn't tell him.

Max had finished wiping down the tables and putting the chairs on top of them a while ago. The club was closed now. Bobby was asleep on the couch near the stage and the band had left some odd minutes ago, not helping at all with cleaning up. Again...

Mr. Fisher was sweeping up the floor. "You kids did great; I heard nothing but good reviews!" He smiled at us and turned to look at Bobby. "He's wiped." He laughed.

I smiled at the sight of Bobby. His life was pretty hard. He was a high school drop out from three years ago because he couldn't afford to finish. And he was close to graduating too. He's been trying to save up money so he could pay to go to college part time. He was such a teddy bear. Max got up and Heelied her way to him, setting a blanket over him. She faced Mr. Fisher. "Do you think he could stay the night here?"

He nodded, smiling at her. "Of course, Max, he's family." Mr. Fisher considered everyone that worked at the club family.

Iggy came in from outside. "Trash is out." Gazzy was next to him, hiding something behind his back.

Max narrowed her eyes at him and he smile innocently. "I really hope you don't blow up your house, Gazzy." Max told him.

Mr. Fisher faced him, smile gone. "What have I told you two?"

"No bombs in the club." Iggy and Gazzy said, looking down.

"Exactly. Now go take that up to your room." The boys ran past the employee lounge and went up the stairs. Their house was above the club.

Max and I laughed at this because they both seemed ecstatic that they could keep it. Max went and sat down on the counter at the bar.

Mr. Fisher sighed. "Fang, I hate to tell you this but Max gets to keep the tips made today as a waitress."

I shrugged. I really didn't care- she deserved them. "Okay, but I get to keep the tips given to me for bartending."

"Deal. Bobby, unfortunately, doesn't get any tips."

"He can have my pay for the day as well as his for the week." Max told Mr. Fisher.

"Max, I don't know-"

"Mr. Fisher," She cut him off. "He needs the money more than I do."

He nodded and went back to cleaning.

"All hail Queen Max." I muttered, smirking.

"That reminds me," She looked at her over her shoulder while I walked out from behind the bar to stand in front of her. I was leaning against the counter in front of here, hands on either side of her, supporting myself so I didn't fall into her lap. "The polls came in at school."

Our school is different than normal schools. Instead of having Prom King and Prom Queen and things like that, we have titles for people. Students and sometimes teachers, vote for people for certain titles, based on personality.

Ice Princess is the title for the person who is the rudest girl in school that popular just by people knowing she's a bitch.

Fire Princess is the girl who can be nice but chooses to be mean.

Queen is the person who is nice and caring but has a side to her that only her enemies see.

Nymphs are the girls who are all sugary sweet and sensitive.

The White Knight is the person who has a strange personality and is super pale. It's still an honor though.

The Black Knight is the same only isn't pale.

The Jester is someone who constantly jokes around and never seems to have a serious side unless in a troubling situation.

The King is like the Queen only a guy.

The Flower Princess and Sky Princess are the two princesses that are fashionable and seem to know everything and anything about the school. The Flower Princess knows everyone's troubles and always tries to help. They get honors and awards at the Prom along with the other Royalty, besides the Fire and Ice Princesses.

"And? Who's Queen?" I asked, rolling my eyes. "Although I do have an idea." Like it wasn't obvious Max was going to win. She won every year, from what I heard.

She laughed. "Me. Again." She sighed. "Lissa is Fire Princess, like always, and Brigid is the Ice Princess." I laughed. Those were actually not good titles to have. "Nudge is a Nymph, Iggy is the White Knight. The Jester is Gazzy- obviously. The Flower Princess is Angel and the Sky Princess is Ella. The Black Knight is Jason."

"And what about King?" I asked. "I thought I was a shoe-in for Black Knight. I mean- look at me." Max laughed. I loved the fact that I could make her laugh. I was wearing all black as usual.

"They should make a title called Shadow Boy- you would totally win."

I smiled, Max's face becoming more open. "Who's King?"

"Think."

I raised an eyebrow and pointed to myself, shocked. She nodded, chuckling at me. Wow, I never thought I'd become King. I mean, I thought I was still invisible to most of the school. "So, tell me about this whole Royalty thing, I'm still confused."

"Well, everyone votes for all those people and whoever has the most votes wins. At the Prom, they announce the winners to people who haven't heard- which is no one- and they hand out crowns that have designs on them that show what you were voted for. Sky Princess gets a light blue tiara with white swirls on it; Flower Princess gets a tiara with flowers on it- duh." She laughed. "And King and Queen get big crowns. You'll be able to tell who won what."

I scowled. "Do we have to wear the crowns?"

Max nodded. "If I say no, can I not wear a dress?"

"No." No way was she not wearing a dress to Prom. Like I said before, she's wearing one even if I have to dress her. Maybe I should threaten her with that. Hmm…

She scowled and I just laughed at her expression, moving her hair out of her face, by brushing it behind her ear. Her scowl faded away and a light blush tinted her cheeks.

Gorgeous.

"So, I hear my boys won Royalty." Mr. Fisher came up to us, ignoring out position. I held back a blush when I realized how close I was to Max. Here I was, between Max's legs and my hands on either side of her. Didn't look so good.

I was the one who spoke to him, seeing as Max was a little more embarrassed than I was. "Yes, sir. Gazzy is the Jester and Iggy is the White Knight."

Mr. Fisher laughed. "Yes, well, Zephyr can never take anything seriously so I guess it fits. James…well, White Knight fits him too." He laughed. Zephyr was Gazzy's real name and James was Iggy's. Mr. Fisher only called them their real names behind their backs. "What about you two?"

"King and Queen." Max and I said at the same time.

"Huh…hey, don't the King and Queen kiss up on stage? And the White Knight kisses a Nymph?"

"No." I raised an eyebrow, thinking. I had heard that but dismissed it as a rumor. but if Mr. Fisher heard then… I smiled, happy that I would be able to kiss Max in front of every guy and girl in school- to show them that she was mine. "I don't think so, at least."

Mr. Fisher smirked. I think he knew Max was lying. "Maybe, maybe not. But if Nudge is the Nymph, James wouldn't mind kissing her. Night, kids." He winked and walked away toward the employee lounge.

"Iggy likes Nudge?" I sounded shocked. I didn't want Max to know that Nudge liked him back so I acted like I had no idea. I know Max and Nudge are great friends but I didn't think it was good to reveal things like that without her letting me.

"Yes, and Nudge likes him so you can't hurt him." She warned. Oh… Okay, so she knew. That makes it easier.

I still fake-pouted, though. I did contemplate killing Iggy if he hurt my sister and it didn't surprise me that Max knew. A small one shone through on Max's beautiful face. "Why not?" I whined quietly. I saw Max's pupils get slightly bigger when I asked.

She chuckled and played with my hair a little bit since it fell in front of my eyes. "Because…Nudge really likes him. I don't think you'd want her to be angry that you hurt him. And I don't think Iggy would appreciate being beaten up. I mean, would you want your crush to be hurt?" She tucked some of my long-ish hair behind my ear. I had barely been listening, too caught up by the fact that she was playing with my hair. My thoughts were still coherent enough for me to say something though. And something that made sense, at that.

"I already had to go through that once…" I murmured, extremely quiet. I kinda did and kinda didn't want Max to hear me say that. And I didn't go through it once. I went through it twice: when Tabitha came and when her father appeared as well.

"Well, now you can have an idea about how Nudge will feel if you hurt her crush." Max was still playing with my hair and I was losing it.

I grabbed her hand and stopped her from playing with my hair any further. "Please stop." I requested quietly. I was afraid my voice would crack if I spoke any louder.

"But I didn't get to braid it." She joked. "Why can't I play with your hair?"

"Because you don't know what your touch does to me." I informed her, voice husky, rough, throaty, and gruff since I tried to speak fully. Max bit her bottom lip, her eyebrow twitching at the sound of my voice.

She leaned her forehead against mine. She used her other hand and ran it up my arm and rested it on my neck, twirling some of my hair around her fingers gently. "Why don't you give me an idea?" O…Kay, it was official- Max drives me to complete insanity. And I loved her immensely for it.

There was a low growl in my throat, sounding a bit like a moan… I held her hand tighter in mine. I saw something flash in Max's eyes: curiosity.

…What's she up to?

Max lightly rested her leg on my hip, pulling my closer to her. I held her hand tighter, eyes closed, foreheads still pressed together. That growl in my throat came again. It was sort of embarrassing but Max seemed to like it…

I knew exactly what Max was trying to do. For lack of a better term, she was trying to… seduce me. My hand raked down her thigh and stopped right above her knee. My fingers played with the fishnet legging of their own accord. A shiver ran down Max's spine and she sighed. I held back a smug and proud grin.

I was getting back at her for what she was doing. But I was also doing it for me. Max slid her lips down my jaw and neck, her nose skimming the skin. My fingers stopped playing with her leggings and I placed my hand on her hip, pulling her closer to me. She gasped when she realized that she was completely pressed against me.

Gotcha.

"Um…I think I know now." She murmured, weakly trying to move away from my body.

I opened my eyes and I saw that Max's pupils almost filled her entre iris. She couldn't look away from my eyes. I let go of her hand and cupped her cheek, drawing her face closer to mine. As soon as my lips were about to touch Max's, a song came through, making us both jump, startled.

It's getting late your eyes are closed and mine are wide awake (But still!) I can never go on I can never go on like (Just like!) I'm begging just to see your eyes again I can never go on (I can never go on) Should I even care that she didn't say anything Tried to do my best by giving her things Like rings… and roses…

Max picked up her cell phone from right next to her. As she read the text and replied, I had let her go and slid her leg off my hip, suddenly embarrassed for my behavior.

"I have to get home." Max's voice was very quiet, though it still cracked some.

I nodded and stepped back while she hopped off the bar. I heard more music but it came from my phone, not Max's, this time.

Restless tonight Cause I wasted the light Between both these times I drew a really thin line It's nothing I planned And not that I can But you should be mine Across that line…

I took my phone out and read a text, messaging back before putting it away. "Me too." Mom had said I had better be home soon otherwise I'd be grounded for a month without friends- without Max. If I could teleport, I'd be home already just so that wouldn't happen.

Max nodded, biting her lip. She stepped forward and placed her hand on my cheek. She kissed my lips gently, tenderly, and earnestly. It was obvious she pulled away before either of us tried to make is deeper or more passionate. She gave me a small smile before turning to leave.

I couldn't have her leave yet. I grabbed her arm and spun her around, lips connecting with mine again. I placed my arms around her waist as she wound hers around my neck, holding her to me.

I'm pretty sure we would have kissed longer but both our phones rang at the same time with the same song:

It was late last night before she hit me up, And baby, don't you know nothing good happens after midnight? You see the night before I couldn't keep my hands off her, Yeah I wanted to drink her up. Her body burned like a fire and I knew, I knew I couldn't take anymore from her. I'm burn, burn, burning, my stomachs turning, my hearts giving into my eyes. I'm stare, stare, staring at the skin she's sharing, my heart's giving into my eyes. Now it's too late, for me it's too late, I'm burn, burn, burning, yeah my hearts giving into my eyes.

We both broke apart and looked at our phones to see our moms calling us. I opened my phone and shut it without speaking. Max did the same. My mom knew that meant I was coming. Val probably knew the same for Max. Max pulled away from me and we walked out of the club and to our bikes.

I smiled a little as I placed my helmet on. As soon as I sat on my bike, Max's text ringtone came through. I waited for Max to read it and reply. I could see her smile through her helmet.

Max,

Tomorrow after school, since you don't have work, we're going shopping for Prom Dresses.

Angel

Her smile immediately fell off her face. In fact, she pouted. Hm, I wondered why. I took her phone and read the text. I laughed, handing it back.

Max put it in the holder on the motorcycle and took her helmet to make a face at me. I took my helmet off too and set it down on the seat as I went up to her.

"Just because you make a face at me, doesn't mean it isn't funny." I informed her, resting my hands on her seat so I could be eye-to-eye with her.

She stuck her tongue out at me. Instead of laughing like she thought I would, I leaned forward and opened my mouth, kissing her and using my tongue to play with hers. She kissed me back, thankfully. I was sure she would have hit me. As I was pulling away, I licked her tongue. She immediately blushed.

Mmm… she tasted sweet. Like candy or… fruit? Possibly a peach or a mango, whichever was sweeter and better. (You choose which is better and pretend that's what Max tastes like, I guess. Me, I like mangos more than peaches but I put then both since they're both so yummy!)

I smirked and put my helmet on, going over to my bike. Max put here helmet back on and started her bike. Max and I sped out of there towards our homes. On the ride home, I noticed Max's face was extremely red and she had a giant grin on her face.

I pulled into the garage, waiting for whatever my parents and sister dished out.

Just to clear things up: no, my computer is not fixed. my dad keeps saying he'll send it in but he never followed through with it yet. For those of you who have been fans of mine since the beginning, back when I was still working on my Our "Normal" Lives trilogy, remember how I got a computer for Christmas and before that happened, I had been on my mom's, which we shared? Well, I'm back on that one. Yes, it had crashed but it was because the battery was shot. So, he replaced it and now I'm using it to try to get caught up... also because my life is on the internet, I never do anything, really. Haha.

But anyway, this literally took me two hours to convert to Fang's point of view. Back on my old computer, I had almost finished so I was majorly pissed off it was gone. Since I was really miffed about all my work being unaccessable, I didn't want to write and have to chapter turn out bad. Plus, I've been busy with Driver's Ed. Thankfully, though, t's almost over- only the rest of this week and next week left! :D

Anyway, please R&R? I'll try to update on Friday or Monday (Since I have a party/sleepover to go to over the weekend and won't be home) if I get al least 30-42 reviews. And I'm serious. If I don't, then I won't update until September. :)