Fang's POV

"Nudge I thought I made it clear that I would be exempt from all shopping."

"I know I know, but you can't go to prom without giving Max a corsage. She deserves it! All I'm asking you to do is pick one out and buy it for her. Everything else is taken care of. I've got her dress at my place, and you have your tux. Iggy called the limo place and confirmed the rental. By the way thanks for that."

"Is Iggy getting you one?"

"He better if he doesn't want to deaf too."

I chuckled. "Fine. Give me the address for the shop."

"Done."

I scribbled down the address and drove down to the floral place. One of my classmates was working there, a shy girl that I'd noticed but never really cared to talk to.

She smiled at me politely. "Fang right?"

I nodded. "You know my name, and I don't know yours."

"Stacey. One among the tons of other girls who've wanted to talk to you but never had the guts."

Uh… that's awkward. "I suppose you're a step ahead since you gathered up the courage to tell me such? Anyways, maybe you can help me out. I'm looking for a corsage, but I'm not sure what fits. Aren't there dozens of types?"

She giggled. "Follow me." She directed me to a glass counter, and behind the glass were corsages. All beautiful. "Here's what we've got. See anything you like?"

"Think you could help me out?"

"What do you need?"

"What fits?"

"Well what kind of person is she? What do you want to tell her?"

"She's beautiful and kind. Strong and realistic. She's not materialistic. Everything about her is just perfect. When she needs to be she's gentle and soft and she can be tough and scary too. She always protects others above herself." I scoffed. "She's just like that. You know I could go on and on about this."

She smiled. "Someone who had loads of time on their hands decided that each flower symbolized something and that every color symbolized other things. Red roses symbolize love and courage. Yellow roses tell of joy and friendship. Pink represents gratefulness. Calla lilies show beauty while white says purity. White carnations are of innocence. Blue violets show you're faithful."

"Any suggestions?"

"Red roses are just too common. I'm sure you two must be way past friends. Which one do you want? Which one makes you think of her?"

"The blue violets. I want her to know I'm always here for her."

"See that wasn't so hard. Pick a design."

I picked the simplest one thinking her life was complicated enough.

"So you're going to prom. She's a lucky girl."

"I'm a lucky guy."

She packed the corsage in a box and gave me a receipt. I paid her and looked around the shop.

"You sound like you're in love." She laughed at the thought.

"Is that so unbelievable?"

"It's just hard to believe that so many people are waiting for you to ask somebody, and here you are already done searching… and in 'love'."

"You're making this too cliche. I think I may get her some flowers while I'm at it. Think these are good?" I picked up a pack of flowers. All different but not a single rose. They smelled nice.

"Most people give roses."

I chuckled. "She uses them as darts."

"Wow, she's… she must be something."

"Anyways, here." I paid her again and gave a nice tip. "Thanks for your help. I'll see you in class tomorrow."

Max's POV

I'd been resting against on the couch, and I'd fallen asleep. The door closing woke me up, and I opened my eyes to a bundle of flowers all types besides roses. I could see tulips and daisies and even sunflowers, but no roses.

"Fang?" I called for him and he came kissing me on the cheek while helping me sit up.

"I'm here Max." He handed me the bouquet and I took a whiff of the sweet scent.

"What's this for?"

"Just for being here. Prom's tomorrow night. Think you'll be up to it?"

"How many times do I have to say I'm fine? I can walk and the stitches are out. I'm just a little sore."

"I just don't want you to wear yourself out."

"I'll be fine. I can't wait, and thanks for the flowers. I see no roses."

"Yeah I thought they'd be better off in a floral shop instead of being thrown against my dartboard."

I laughed. "How thoughtful."

"Sorry to have woken you from your sleep."

"Nah I was just taking a rest."

"If you're not too tired, can I show you something?"

I smiled. "Of course."

He took my hand led me to the piano. We both took a seat.

"What are you doing?"

"You've never heard me play before, right?"

"Right."

"Haven't you wanted to hear me play?"

"Yes."

"Then let me play for you. Just relax."

I chuckled. "I am! You're making me nervous with all the anticipation."

"Alright alright here we go."

His fingers danced over the keys light at times and then fast and furious. The music started off so light and soft that I didn't realize he'd begun playing. There were moments that made me want to laugh, then cry, then throw something against the wall. At points, I held my breath to hear the music better. This was so beautiful, I didn't know anything so amazing could exist. Describing it in such an emotional tone was pathetic, but it couldn't be helped.

Fang finished leaving the last note hanging, and then silence. I didn't know what to say.

"No applause?" he asked with a half smile.

"Sorry, I just… don't know what to say. I've never heard anything like that before. It was… too amazing. Who's the composer?"

"Fang Fires."

I choked. "You're not serious."

"Look." He shuffled out the papers with his hand written notes on the page. I took a look at the title, and tears almost sprung from my eyes. He named it The Maximum Ride.

"You used my name."

"No. It's not about you. It's about the maximum ride."

"In life?"

"Yeah."

I laughed and kissed him. "That's so cheesy."

"Yeah but with all the surprises you've given me, I thought I owed you one."

At that moment, I thought it'd last. I thought there wouldn't be any more surprises. That everything would go smoothly from there on with no major bumps. It was only a wish for 11:11.