Yo,

I really, really should be doing homework, but you guys are just awesome so i just couldn't resist posting! :P

Fly On...

Heart of Diamond

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It Takes Six to Save the World…

Chapter 25: Only Just Holding On

Max POV

We were silent the whole way to the Dance. Occasionally, Sam gave me a hesitant glance. Out of the corner of my eye I could see his mouth opening and closing, but he didn't make a sound.

By the time we got to the school, the sky was dark. It would be so easy just to fly away from all of this. I could just fly away and never come back.

I didn't even know Sam had parked the car, until he opened my door. I jumped out of my thoughts as he held his hand out to me.

I took it carefully. I wobbled slightly on the stupid heels. Sam chuckled as he gripped my hand. "Looks like you're going to need me to hold you up all night."

"Heels are not my thing," I said seriously.

Sam closed the passenger door and locked the car. He held out his elbow like a gentlemen. I smiled slightly and linked my elbow with his.

I was desperately trying not to cringe.

Together we walked towards the gym. There was a red carpet rolled out and lights that lit it up. Couples causally walked towards the entrance, where you could faintly hear the base of the music playing.

For some reason, I just knew this was going to be a nightmare.

I was going to fall over, I was going to spill punch, I was going to…

"Max? Are you sure you're ok?" Sam asked, worry slipping into his voice.

I turned to him trying to keep calm and collected. "Yeah, I'm fine seriously."

NO! I'M FREAKING OUT HERE! I'M GOING TO DIE!

Sam looked sceptical, but nodded. We began to ascend the red carpet.

Jeff was right about one thing. It was a distraction.

I hate it here.

Some teacher with spiky white hair came up to us with a camera wearing the most ridiculous grin I had ever seen. "Smile!"

If there was one thing I hated more than dancing was pictures. I smiled forcefully anyway and blinked a few times at the blindness of the camera flash.

I have sensitive eyes ok? I don't like flashes.

The Teacher went to the next pair and Sam began to lead me up the aisle again. I prayed to myself not to trip.

We entered the dance.

It wasn't as loud as I expected. The DJ was at the far end of the gym, but there were four massive speakers were at each corner of the room. There were Halloween decorations everywhere. Ghosts hanging on the ceiling, Zombies on the wall.

HA! There was even an Angel of death hanging above the entrance door.

The Irony, the irony.

As Sam and I walked into the building, people turned and stared. It was subtle their reaction, but I noticed. The whispering, the shocked gazes. I gulped. This was not good.

Dancing, photos AND attention.

Help?

Thankfully Sam pulled me away from the main dance floor space and sat me down on the bleachers. I shifted nervously. I could still feel people's eyes on me.

That was when I spotted Jeff.

He stood there in black pants and a navy jacket. His tie was blue and orange striped and under shirt was white. He stood there with his hands in his pant pockets looking around the room.

And thank god, he met my gaze.

A small smile lifted on his face as he made his way towards me. Never in my life had I been happier to see my incredible bomb making friend.

"I'm just going to have a chat with my mates. Do you want me to get you some punch?" Sam asked me, grabbing my attention again.

I glanced at the group of guys in the corner of the room. It was easy to tell that they were the popular kids that Sam normally hangs out with. I mean girls were practically huddling into them.

It reminded me of penguins huddling together in a blizzard, the images you see of the discovery channel.

HAHAHA! What? That was funny.

I forced a smile as I looked back at Sam. "That would be great thanks."

Sam nodded and walked off just as Jeff came over and sat down beside me. I groaned and flopped my head into my hands.

Jeff chuckled. "Perfect distraction."

"Worst distraction in the world," I moaned.

Jeff only chuckled again. "I'm guessing you won't be dancing tonight."

"It's not only that!" I said glaring at him. "The teachers are taking photos AND everyone is staring at me!"

Jeff gave me a glance over. "Green does suit you."

"Thanks," I grumbled. I glanced at him. "I guess blue and orange suits you too. Though, you like the joker from batman."

He snorted. "Max. The joker wears purple. Gees, everyone knows that."

I elbowed him in the ribs, rolling my eyes.

There was a slight silence.

"You seem better," Jeff said. He was being careful with his words.

I sighed, an image of Nick's desperate face flashed across my vision. "I'm not."

More silence.

Jeff turned his gaze to me, sympathy in his eyes. I knew from his point of view that it was ridiculous that Nick and I weren't together, but if he knew who I was… no, what I was… I stopped myself, taking in a deep breathe, only just holding in the threatening tears.

I wasn't sure whether it was a good thing that Sam came back. He handed me a punch cup. "Here."

"Thanks," I whispered. I took a sip of the punch. Not too bad.

Sam glanced at Jeff. "Hey."

"Hi," was Jeff's reply. I rolled my eyes. Jeff certainly didn't like Sam very much.

The three of us sat in silence. It felt strange. I was so used to Nick being here and he and Jeff having a battle over something stupid. It was if Sam had replace Nick.

Oh, god.

I did not like that thought at all.

Erase, Erase.

I drained my punch to distract myself.

Ok, I swear that when the song from the DJ changed, it wasn't a coincidence.

Sam instantly put his punch cup aside and stood up. "Come Max. Let's dance."

I shook my head instantly. "No way."

Jeff snickered and I sent him my famous 'do you want a death wish?' glare.

Sam took my empty punch cup and placed it beside his. "Just one dance."

"I don't think…" I began.

But Sam just took my hands and pulled me to my feet. "I won't let you fall Max, you'll be fine."

I sighed and reluctantly followed Sam to the dance floor. I really wasn't in the mood for arguing. I've done enough of arguing with myself already.

Sam held my hand as he weaved through the crowd of people, until we were somewhere in the middle. He then pulled me towards him and placed his hands on my waist. I hesitantly placed my hands around his neck.

Sam smiled at me.

What I found most interesting was my reaction. Sure my heart was beating and my breathing was quickening, but I felt… nothing. No connection. No feelings of any kind.

Totally, totally different to what I felt with Nick.

Compared to this, Nick made me feel so alive. Just by touching me. His skin brushing against mine made me feel that I could carry the world on my shoulders.

I did feel something Nick, I thought to myself imagining sending a mind message to him. I've always felt something. I might not have wanted to, but I've always felt something and I always will.

"Do you like this song?" Sam asked, obviously trying to make conversation.

"What?" I said shaking my head to clear it. "Sorry, I wasn't listening."

To busy thinking that there was somewhere else I really, really needed to be right now. Well, more the point, there was someone else I really, really needed to be with right now…

Sam chuckled. "It's cool. I said do you like this song?"

I listened for a few seconds. Ah, Hero by Mariah Carey. Yeah, wasn't bad.

(Hero by Mariah Carey)

It's a long road
And you face the world alone
No one reaches out a hand
For you to hold.

"It's ok," I said with a sigh. I seem to be doing a lot of sighing lately.

Sam chuckled again. "Ah, Max, you humour me."

"I'm going to take that as a complement."

Sam just shook his head, obviously amused.

You can find love
If you search within yourself
And the emptiness you felt
Will disappear.

And then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive

We were both silent. Neither of us had anything to say.

Sam kept his eyes on me the entire time. I looked everywhere but his eyes.

To be honest I felt guilty. I was leading him on. I was using him as a barrier to keep me from Nick, but someone had to be it. Someone had to be the barrier.

So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you.

Oh ho, Lord knows
Dreams are hard to follow
But don't let anyone
Tear them away, hey yea.

"You look really pretty tonight, Max," Sam said honestly.

Oh, great. I. Will. Not. Cringe. I smiled up at him. "Thanks, Sam."

Sam grinned and leant forward to talk in my ear. "No seriously. You're lucky you're with me. You have nearly every single guy in the room drooling over you."

I rolled my eyes. "Yeah right."

Sam just grinned at me.

Hold on
There will be tomorrow
In time, you find the way, hey.

Then a hero comes along
With the strength to carry on
And you cast your fears aside
And you know you can survive.

There was more silence. I honestly didn't have anything to say. The lights were making me feel lightheaded.

"Did you want to…?" Sam began, he paused then shock his head.

I frowned. "What?"

Sam seemed nervous. "Did you want to take a walk with me?"

So when you feel like hope is gone
Look inside you and be strong
And you finally see the truth
That a hero lies in you.

"Didn't we just get here?" I asked.

Sam sighed. "I know, but these lights. They're not all that kind on my stomach."

I know how that feels.

That a hero lies in you
Mmm, that a hero lies in you.

"Yeah, sure," I said. "The lights are making me feel light headed too."

Sam gave me a grin. He took my hand and led me out of the crowd. I followed him, but to my surprise he arrived at the back exit.

"Why are we going this way?" I asked.

Sam gave me a smile. "Do you really want another photo by Mrs. Clark?"

Um… "Not particularly," I said with a shrug.

Sam opened the door and gestured for me to go first. I did. Sam closed the door behind us.

He sighed glancing at me. "Much better."

I just smiled.

He took my hand and we began to walk. We weren't really going anywhere. Just walking across the oval.

"The night's pretty," I said glancing up at the stars trying to make a conversation.

Sam sighed. "I'm sorry Max."

I froze and snapped my head to him. He looked at me his expression sad. I let go of his hand and stepped away. My senses went on overdrive and it only took me a split second to realise we weren't alone.

Out of the darkness of the shadows around us, people stepped out and into view. Men. All no younger than 16 but no older than 24 or so.

There had to be about 20 of these guys.

I spun around, immediately searching for an exit, but I was surrounded.

Crap.

Sam walked up to one of the guys. As he came closer, I immediately recognized Dylan. Dylan placed a wad of cash in Sam's hand.

Double crap.

"Bastard," I snarled.

Sam glanced back at me. "Sorry Max. Still paying off my car."

Triple crap.

Nick was sooo going to kill me.

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Was that too predictable? Now, the NEXT chapter is my favourite. REVIEW!