To say I slept fine would be bullshit. To say I slept at all would be somewhat true. I kept waking up to Max either running her fingers down my cheek or sliding them through my hair.

It was morning and Max sighed before slithering closer. I tightened my arms around her, refusing to let her go. As I opened my eyes, she plastered a smile to her lips.

"Morning," I murmured.

She looked at the window behind me. "Seems so,"

"Should I leave?" I asked since her mother hadn't known I snuck in.

She sighed again before nodding. "Yeah…"

"Do you want me to leave?" I re-questioned.

She looked into my eyes and bit her lip, fisting my shirt in her hand to keep me close. "No,"

I brushed my lips against hers lightly, lovingly. "Then, I'll stay."

She smirked, sliding her lips to mine, sending tingles down my spine. "Yay," she whispered, just as quiet as me.

~!~

It was the week after the giant Prom fiasco and everyone forgot about it. We were all able to return to our normal lives… if that's what we are.

Anyway, it was free period for seniors so we were all allowed to just chill and walk around. I stumbled around looking for Max and found her at our lunch table, relaxing.

I placed my hand on her shoulder and she jumped, startled out of her thoughts. I smiled as I sat down next to her.

She chuckled, smiling back at me. "What are you so happy about?"

"The giant festival is next week!" I reminded her, my smile growing. I was really excited- which is rare. "It's going to be great- going to see all my favorite bands with my girlfriend, just us time," I put my arm around her waist to slide her closer.

She smiled back again. "Yeah," she sighed but spoke again before I could breach the source of her sigh. "Are you coming to my birthday bash tomorrow?"

I nodded. "What's wrong?" I asked anyway.

"I'm just… tired, that's all. All this preparation for graduation is driving me nuts."

"Well, at least we graduate tomorrow. I'll come straight to your house to help set up."

She laughed, shaking her head. Did she not want to see me tomorrow? "No, it's fine. We're all done setting everything up anyway."

"Well, then I'll just come early to see you." I kissed her cheek, leaving my lips against her smooth skin. "I never get to see you anymore. I miss you."

Max gave me a small, reassuring smile and kissed my lips. "Relax. I got to go," She got up and left, pulling her cell phone out on her way to her bike.

~!~

My cell phone rang as I sat on my bed that afternoon. I flipped it open to check who it was and it was a government number. I sat straighter.

"Hello?" I answered hesitantly.

"Fang," The man on the other end sighed. "I have to tell you something,"

It was Jeremy.

~!~

I clenched my teeth as I wiped down a table at work. As I stared at Max, I saw she was arguing with her band mates. They didn't seem to get along anymore. Max stomped up onto the stage, scowling at the drummer.

I rolled my eyes as I made my way to wait another costumer.

~!~

Max sat next to me at the bar as I was sneaking some soda from the nozzle. I looked over at her when she smoothed her hair out of her face, taking a deep breath. Jeremy said she had a lot on her mind so it'd be best I talk to her.

"What was with the yelling earlier?" I asked, swallowing the Coke-Cola. Delicious.

She covered her eyes with her hand and leaned her elbow on the bar, resting her head in her hand. "We're all just arguing, that's all."

"When's you birthday party?" Random, I know, but it's a good way to see if her thoughts are scattered.

"Next week."

I nodded. Yep, she's clueless.

"Max! Get back up here!" Donny yelled.

"I'm coming!" Max screeched, sulking over to the stage.

I sighed, ducking my head. This… is not good.

~!~

I buttoned my black shirt and jumped down the steps. Mom smiled at me from the kitchen.

"Have fun at the party, Nick," She hugged me before Dad came over.

"I'm proud of you for sticking it out this year." He smiled down at me. "And I'm glad you actually stepped it up too."

I smirked. "Thanks, Dad. Well," I sighed. "Got to go,"

"Your mother will pack your things later just in case," Dad murmured to me as we walked to the door.

I nodded. "Yeah, thanks," I left.

About two hours into the party, I walked in with Gazzy and Iggy, our parents coming in after us. Max strutted over to us and kissed my cheek, giving me a fake smile.

"Happy birthday," I said, smiling. I hugged her to me.

She hugged back weakly, completely unlike herself. "Thanks, Fang. Love you," she whispered in my ear.

As she walked away to talk to other guests, I stood there, studying her. Dad came up to me and looked over at Max. Iggy was by his side.

"What do you figure?" Iggy questioned, looking at me and bumping his head in the direction of Max.

"She's leaving." I stated, never removing my eyes from her laughing figure. "She wouldn't tell me she loves me unless she was."

Dad put a hand on my shoulder. "Maybe you should talk to her?"

I looked up at him. "You think I haven't tried that? She's as good as dodging bullets as I am,"

"Now that's not true," Iggy contradicted. "You got shot, like, what? Ten times? Eight? Max hasn't been shot yet,"

I glared at him. "Iggy, you're a dumbass,"

Dad nodded, wincing in agreement. "You really are,"

Iggy just rolled his tongue between his teeth angrily before biting it and stomping off. "Nice to know I'm loved, guys," He grumbled.

Dad chuckled. "Just because you're stupid doesn't mean people don't love you,"

"Yeah, I mean, Nudge does." I added.

Iggy stumbled before turning in the direction of Nudge and went over to her.

I walked back inside after a while with Iggy, Nudge, and Gazzy, looking for Max. She had been MIA for half an hour. Ella and Angel ran up to us, tears running down their cheeks.

"Max! She's-!"

"Gone!" Angel finished for Ella.

"She left!" Ella sobbed. "She's not coming back," She leaned on Gazzy as he comforted her.

Angel ran into Iggy's arms as he opened them up for her.

He looked up at me and Nudge. "Take my car and go to the airport. Gaz and I will take care of things here,"

I nodded and Nudge and I ran off to the car.

I hoped we could stop her…

Okay, I know it's been a while but sophomore year has been brutal so far. My classes are way harder and more confusing and i have three hours of homework every night. Then, I have Drama Club, and I'm auditioning for the school play. (I'll be auditioning for each play every year, just fyi)

And then, last week was my birthday and this week is Homecoming. And THEN, after that, I have even more things to do! I haven't had ANY time to write AT ALL. I just wrote this since I couldn't fall asleep.

Anyway, only one more chapter after this. Almost done, so I think I'll wait a while to write it. After that, once I have the time and I'm done with Choir's Angel, I'll be posting the sequel, hopefully. I'm going to wait until I have enough chapters before uploading them to here. I put two chapters into this one since they were so short on the last one.

But, whatever, hope you liked it! (Probably didn't but whatevs)...

R&R