Ok…I know it's late and I'm sorry. But, my teachers decided to swamp me all last week and this week, too. Plus, this week is dead week and next week is finals week! Argh shoot me!
Enjoy!
Nightwings93
Max POV: Chapter 26
I ran as fast as my legs would carry me to the willow tree grove. I burst through the circular grove and into the clearing with the rock and glittering pond.
I looked around the clearing. Moonlight was filtering through the long, leafy branches of the willow trees. Streaks of pearly moonlight shone on the pond. Lilly pads were silently drifting across the water. It was paradise except for one little problem. Fang wasn't anywhere to be seen. I sighed. Stupid, stupid Max. I'd really gotten my hopes up.
I walked over to the rock and plopped down on the smooth surface. It was cold. I pulled my hoodie tighter around my body and laid down on the cool rock. Maybe if I just close my eyes for a few minutes. It is really late, and I'm fricking tired.
I looked up at the sky and saw a lone star winking back at me.
"I can't believe I'm doing this," I grumbled to myself.
I closed my eyes and started wishing.
I wish Fang would show up.
I wish Fang would show up.
I wish Fang would show up.
I drifted off to sleep wishing for Fang.
* * * * *
"Max, Max, wake up," someone muttered shaking my shoulder.
"Piss off," I grumbled angrily. I was enjoying my sleep time. Except for one tiny problem: my bed is really hard and really cold.
"C'mon, Max, get up," the voice urged and shook my shoulder again.
"No means no," I hissed. Then, without thinking (or having much control over my sleepy limbs), my fist shot up.
I felt it connect with something soft. I snapped my eyes open. Fang was sitting next to me on the rock messaging his lip.
"Oops," I said smiling apologetically.
Fang shrugged, "it happens."
He brought his hand away and a little blood was on his lower lip. Wow, I punch hard. My bad. Then, I had a sudden urge to kiss him. No, Max, have a little self control. You just punched the guy. Can you say bipolar much?
"I'm really sorry," I muttered looking at his bleeding lip. I could make it better…God, I need to stop thinking like this.
"It's fine, really," I replied shrugging again. "But, um, what are you doing out here?" he asked looking me up and down.
I was pathetically perched on the edge of the rock, shaking. It was so damn cold, and I, apparently, do not have a built in heating system like Mr. I'm Just Wearing a Tank Top (AKA: Fang).
Fang raised an eyebrow when I didn't answer. Crap. He got me. What am I supposed to do? Shout 'I love you,' tackle him, and then kiss him? I don't think so.
I looked away and focused on a lily pad gently floating along the pond. Why was I so afraid to tell him now? I'd come out here just to tell him, and now I can't. All I had to say were three little words. So, why are they the three hardest words I'll ever say? I shivered again and pulled the hoodie tighter around my body.
"You cold?" Fang asked.
My head snapped in his direction. I looked at him. Why was I avoiding this? It's Fang. I can tell him anything.
I nodded hesitantly.
Fang opened his arms and gestured for me to come over to him.
I hesitated again. I sat like a statue for about 20 seconds. I looked back up at Fang and sighed. Who could say no to that face?
I smiled and crawled forward. I rested my head on Fang's chest, and he wrapped his arms around me. I breathed in deeply. Fang's sent filled my nose, and I was perfectly content.
Fang's warmth spread through me like a wild fire, and I felt as though I could take on the world.
"Fang…?" I mumbled.
"Hmm?"
"I have something I need to tell you," I whispered, blushing in the dark.
I looked up and Fang the same moment he looked down at me. Our eyes locked and there was no way you could tear either of our gazes away from the other.
"Yeah?" he asked. I could see the excitement in his eyes and the tension run through his body. His breathing picked up a notch, and I couldn't help but smile because I have the same affect on him that he does on me.
"I…" I faltered and Fang's eyes shadowed with doubt. Buck up, Max! I lectured myself. "I…Oh, son of a bitch…" I muttered. Fang cocked an eyebrow. This was the most awkward love confession ever. Just say it! "I love you, dammit!" I yelled forcefully.
Awkward Palm Tree silence…real smooth, Max. Really. Only you can screw up a love confession like that.
Fang's eyes widened, and my special smile split across his face. Deep laughter rumbled from his chest. When it subsided, Fang looked at me with deep love and admiration. He leaned forward so his lips were by my ear. "I love you, too, dammit."
I giggled like a giddy little school girl as the words left his lips, and his breath tickled my ear.
Fang pulled his face back so we were nose to nose. My breath hitched, but I wanted him to kiss me this time. This time, I wouldn't run away.
My lips met Fang's and they started moving in perfect sync. I tangled both my hands up in hair as Fang put one hand on the side of my face and the other on the small of my back. Gently, Fang began to push me back on the rock.
My heart sped up and a small giggle weaseled its way from my chest. My back was about to rest against the rock when Fang and I came to realize a horrible truth: this rock is not made for two people.
Fang and I had managed to migrate to the edge of the rock, and it wasn't wide enough for my back. Half my back landed on the rock while the other half was flopping in mid-air. Without enough support, I went flipping over the side of the rock and landed hard in the pond.
Honestly, can't a girl ever catch a break? I sighed and sat up. A lily pad had floated over and was sitting in my lap. I pushed back into the pond and looked up at Fang.
He was leaning over the edge of the rock looking at me with a mixture of shock, disappointment, and amusement.
I smiled at him, slightly apologetic, and we both burst out laughing. Fang reached his hand over the rock and hoisted me out of the water. I was soaking wet and little pieces of pond algae were stuck in my hair.
Fang gently picked them out of my hair and flung them back into the pond. Then, whipping his shirt off, Fang dabbed my face dry. Hello, six pack.
Maximum, some self control please.
I rolled my eyes slightly. I was sick of self control.
"We should get you inside," Fang muttered.
I nodded. This was beyond a bummer.
Fang wrapped an arm around my shoulder, and I wrapped my arms around his waist. We walked back to my room in each others' arms.
When we got to my French doors, we both stopped and looked at each other as if to say 'what now?'
"Well, good night," I whispered.
"Night," Fang murmured back. He leaned forward and kissed me.
Our lips met for a pure moment of bliss and then ended. I looked up at Fang. He shook his head.
"Not yet," he said in a hushed voice.
I nodded in agreement and slipped into my room. I couldn't wait until 'not yet' was over.
* * * * *
"Max!" Nudge called as I stumbled sleepily into the kitchen. The smell of pancakes had woken me up.
"Hey," I replied groggily.
"You and I need to do some shopping!" Nudge exclaimed.
My eyes popped open and I was fully awake. "Nudge!" I whined (yes, whined). "We went shopping last time I was here!"
"Want a little cheese with that whine?" Fang asked smirking at me across the table.
I stuck my tongue out at him but stopped the moment I looked up at him. My tongue shot back into my mouth, and I smiled shyly at Fang as I remembered our exchange of words last night. He loves me. Fang loves me. Out of all the girls in the world, he loves me.
Fang looked at me and understood. He smiled and winked at me while Nudge wasn't looking.
"No, silly!" Nudge scolded. "We aren't going shopping for you! We're going Christmas shopping. Ooh! I bet we'll see Santa! We need to take Angel. She still believes," Nudge muttered in a quiet voice.
"Oh…ok," I said not really paying attention. I was preoccupied with Fang's eyes, lips, nose, hair, smile…I was pretty much preoccupied with gazing at Fang and marveling that he's mine.
"I'm gonna go shopping with the guys while you, Nudge, and Angel go shopping," Fang told me.
"Ok. Sounds like a plan. We should meet up for lunch," I answered while heading to the stove and grabbing some pancakes.
Fang and Nudge nodded in agreement. "But not the food court at the mall," Nudge instructed. "That food will kill you!"
Fang and I just smirked.
"Maaaaaaax!" Angel yelled running into the room.
I whirled around. "Hey, sweetie!"
Angel barreled into my waiting arms and gave me a quick hug then pulled back and handed me a cordless phone. "Phone's for you!"
I looked down at the phone puzzled. Who would call me here?
"You talk into it," Fang advised. Ugh, Mr. Sarcasm.
I waved him off and brought the phone up to my face. "Hello?"
"Hello, Max?" An unfamiliar phone replied on the other line.
"Um, yes. Who's this?"
"Madame Popkin, you French teacher," The woman replied.
"Oh! Bonjour, Madame!" I exclaimed in surprise immediately reverting to French.
"I was told you were staying with the Martinez family over break. I need to talk to you about something very important," Madame Popkin replied wasting no time.
"Um, okay. What's going on?" I asked. I really didn't think I'd flunked the last test, but we'll see.
"Every other year we send some of our French students to study for half a year abroad in France. You are one of my best students and I think you will represent the University well. Next year is when the abroad program takes place, and I'd very much like you to be apart of the 6 who go there next year."
My mouth hung open and I almost dropped the phone. "G…go to France?" I asked in shock.
"Yes, for about 6 months next year," Madame replied.
"Um…I don't know what to say. I would love to, but I need to think it over."
"That's quite alright. We need an answer before summer though. Take your time. It's an important decision."
I nodded and hung up the phone. I flopped down onto the chair and stared off into space. France? Me in France!
"What was that about?" Fang asked.
I spun around and stared at him. How could I leave for France when things were finally starting to go right?
I am soooo sorry that took so long! I really am! I hate to keep people waiting like that.