Okay, so a lot of you are getting real impatient, waiting for the fax to happen. Let me tell you now, when I first started this, I did not intend on it taking this long to get to the Fax and it may take a few more chapters. I don't want to make you guys wait any longer but it may be about three or four more chapters. But, I'm going to cram as much of the story into each chapter so it won't be too much of a wait for the Fax. If you guys could just stick with me and don't give up on this yet.
Max P.O.V
"So, I've been thinking." I said to Nudge as we made our way across to Fang's house on a warm Saturday morning. We were all meeting up there to take a break from studying. It would be the summer holidays soon and I couldn't wait.
"About?" Nudge asked me, her voice tainted with curiosity. She adjusted her denim shorts and grinned at me as we walked.
I cleared my throat. "Fang and Maya." The couple had been together for three months now and I still hadn't addressed Maya as a friend. I barely talked to her.
"Oh?" Nudge raised her eyebrows and looked at me with suspicion.
"I realised how I've been acting lately and I think it's driving a wedge between Fang and I. I think I'm gonna try and be nice to Maya. Get to know her." Nudge slowly turned her head to face me, her brown eyes wide and doubtful.
"You're going to be nice. To Maya. Why? Which brings me to this, why have you been so mean to her anyway? Has somebody been a bit jealous?" Nudge teased and skipped ahead of me when I went to slap her away.
"No. I do not get jealous." I said indifferently. It wasn't true. Why would I have been jealous? I mean, sure, I was losing my best friend to the girl who came out with statements such as "When you get older, you get older." Like, no shit Sherlock. And maybe I couldn't understand what Fang saw in her. She had the IQ of a brazil nut and the attention span of a goldfish. And yeah, maybe I was a teensy bit afraid that she would take Fang away from me completely. And maybe I knew that eventually, she would probably hurt him. Because that was what girls like Maya did. So yeah, maybe I was a little jealous. Because maybe, just maybe, I had developed a teeny tiny crush on Fang. But it was nothing serious and I was sure I would be over it in a week. Because there was no way, no way on earth, I could ever pursue it. Because that would ruin everything. He was with Maya now. And I just had to get over that. So I kept telling myself that they wouldn't last and maybe one day, I might get my chance. Because that was what a good best friend would do.
"Really Max? Really?" Nudge sounded incredulous as we neared Fang's house. I pushed past her and opened the front door.
"Yes." I signalled the end of the conversation and kicked the door shut, going into the living room to greet my friends that were already sitting around the coffee table, going over some simple Physics notes that JJ had missed. I threw my white converse off and kneeled next to Fang.
"Okay, text books away. We are going to have some fun today. No studying." I declared, snatching the text book from JJ's outstretched hands.
"Hey! I really need help on that!" She protested, trying to take the book back. I threw it on the floor and shook my head.
"No. Not today. Come on, let's do something fun!" I ignored the sight of Fang's hand holding Maya's underneath the coffee table and looked away. Nudge was watching me curiously, biting her thumb nail anxiously as her eyes zoned in on Fang and Maya. An understanding look crossed her features and she smiled at me reassuringly. How she had figured out my little crush was beyond me. Was I really that transparent?
"What do you wanna do then?" Ella piped up from next to Nudge. She had traded her much loved books for her friends today based on the promise that we would do something fun.
I looked around the room and chewed my lip. "Let's just… chill out for a bit. I'm too tired to do anything productive. Basketball's wearing me out at the moment. I seriously need to get fitter…"
Nudge nodded and smiled. "Amen to that. Coach Trundle refuses to let us out of cross country unless we run at least 10 laps of the track. I'm only getting used to 4!" I laughed as Ella and JJ agreed. It was just us girls, Maya, Fang and Iggy today and I had a feeling JJ and Ella were about to ditch us to catch up on JJ's latest boy troubles. She was crushing on Tyler but was convinced he didn't even notice her. Which was crazy considering she was all he ever talked about. That was why I had been spending so much time with him lately. Apparently I was the new go to person for some girl advice, despite the fact I was the least girliest of our little band of misfits.
Without further ado, Ella and JJ stood up and hurried on upstairs to Ella's bedroom. Nudge and Iggy had resorted all of their issues and were now wrapped up in their own little, ever growing love bubble. It was sickening. So, I decided now was as good a time as any to resolve my own issues with Maya.
I turned to face her and pushed Fang aside, looking Maya directly in the eyes. "So, I think we got off on the wrong foot…"
Maya raised an eyebrow and brushed her loose hair from her eyes. "Oh? We did?"
I nodded. "Yeah. And I wanted to apologise. I'm sorry for being so distant and stuff. Not really a great welcoming to the group right?"
"It's okay. I understand why you were apprehensive. I mean, I just came in and joined your friends and I guess that made you kinda nervous. I'd have been the same."
It was funny; I had spent so much time judging Maya based on a matter of my own fears that I had failed to learn one thing. She was actually kinda cool. She understood my predicament completely and she hadn't been one of those super clingy girlfriends. I could still see Fang. It had been me pushing him away because I didn't want to be the third wheel.
"Thanks. So, I figured, I should probably get to know you better. Considering the fact you're now dating my best friend." Maya laughed and it sounded like the perfect melody. Everything about her was so perfect. She had perfect white teeth, perfect blonde hair, and a perfect slim body. I couldn't help but feel a little threatened.
"Okay. So, what do you wanna know?"
I shrugged. "Whatever you want to tell me." Another laugh from Maya and a Hollywood worthy smile.
"Well, I grew up as an only child. My Mum owns her own business. Dad's in Australia…"
"What, like, on business? Cool." I crossed my legs and bit my lip at Maya's sudden distraught expression.
"Actually no. He just moved out there. My parents are in the middle of a divorce. He always wanted to go to Australia so I'm guessing now was the perfect time for him." Maya said, hostility clouding her tone.
"Man that sucks. Sorry, I totally get it."
Fang stood up from beside me and wondered into the kitchen. He came back a few seconds later with three bottles of fizzy and a big bag of sweets.
"What do you say we all have a movie night?"
"I know what you're doing." A malicious voice shook me from my thoughts. I jumped when a perfectly manicured hand slammed down on the library desk and looked up to see Maya, staring at me coldly.
"Excuse me?" I closed my laptop and looked at her curiously. She pulled out the chair next to me and scowled.
"I know what you're doing and it's not going to work."
"Again. Excuse me? Look Maya, I don't know what you're talking about." Maya glared and flipped her sunny, blonde hair over her left shoulder. She had a pair of dark sun glasses perched on top of her head so her dark, bold eyes were revealed for all to admire. She had opted for a red tank top and a pair of white denim shorts today. Her nails were painted a brilliant red to match her top and her lips were the same. She dressed to impress as usual.
"Quit playing dumb. It doesn't suit you."
"And of course you'd know all about that, although you don't really have to act. You've already got that trait down perfectly." I remarked snidely. What had made her turn on me all of a sudden? I had finally thought we were getting along.
"I know what you're doing. Sucking up to me, acting all nice and sweet whenever we're around Fang. Get this into your head; he doesn't want you. He will never want you. As long as I'm around, you don't have a shot. Ever. Am I clear?"
"Crystal. But let's get one thing straight; I was here before you. And no matter how much it kills you, I will always be the one he comes to when he needs somebody to talk to. Or when he wants to have a movie night with his bestie. And sweetie, I can guarantee you this. I am not interested in Fang Walker in that way. At all."
Maya scoffed and flicked her hair again. "Whatever Max. Keep telling yourself that. Just remember, he's mine." I stood up and grabbed my laptop.
"Uh-huh. Little piece of advice. Don't cross me. You can backtalk me all you like, I don't care enough about you to get upset. But if you ever hurt my best friend, I can promise you this; I will bring you a world of hurt. I will wipe that snooty smile off your pretty little face."
I stalked out of the library and left Maya staring after me, glaring at her hands whilst she no doubt thought up a million ways to get rid of the best friend. Because that's all I was. And what she had said to me, had actually scared me. Because I knew it was true. As long as she was here, in all her beautiful glory, I would never have a chance.
Fang P.O.V.
"I've got a theory." Nudge declared as we waited for Max and Iggy on a warm Saturday morning.
"Oh? Do tell." I slumped down on the fresh grass next to Nudge, smiling fondly at the sight of Angel playing on the monkey bars at our local park.
Nudge licked the ice lolly she had demanded we stand in a que for 10 minutes for before she faced me in all seriousness.
"I think I've got you figured out." She said. "I know why you're with Maya. You're with her because you have feelings for somebody else but you don't want to acknowledge those feelings. Why else would a guy like you date a girl like Maya? I mean, no offence to the girl, she's lovely. But she's not your type. I know your type Fang. And your type usually comes with the programmed sarcasm and the fun loving smart genes. Have you ever noticed how alike Max and Maya look? But that, personality wise, they're nothing alike? Ever noticed that? Well, my theory, is that you're dating Maya because whilst you can fool your subconscious into thinking she's that other girl, she's not anything like said girl. She just looks like her. You're displacing any feelings you may have for a hypothetical best friend onto Maya because you're scared. You like her! You like Max!"
Even I, of all people, couldn't stop the small blush building in my cheeks as I shook my head in denial.
"You're insane."
"But you kissed her! At that party! You kissed!"
"Because we were drunk." I reasoned. Nudge shook her head and tossed her lolly stick in a bin nearby.
"Why didn't you tell her then? Your subconscious is trying to get rid of what you feel for Max. So you're displacing those feelings onto Maya. Does Max know?"
"No. because there's nothing to know." Nudge frowned at my statement and rolled her eyes.
"No! Does Max know about your hot 'n' heavy, drunken make out sesh?" I groaned and shook my head.
"You knew that already though. I didn't tell her." Across the distance I saw Max hurtling towards us, her long hair flying behind her. Ari and Iggy were following her. "Conversation's over." I said. I couldn't risk Max finding out. It would change everything.
Max skidded to a halt in front of us and sat down on the grass opposite me. She kicked off her shoes and wiggled her toes out ahead of her. She had painted them a bright yellow today. My eyes skimmed across her long, toned legs that were left bare below the knee due to the old pair of ripped jeans she had cut up. She was wearing a plain blue t-shirt and was currently pulling her knotty, windswept hair into a ponytail.
"Hey." Nudge said simply. Max grinned and reached out for the bottle of water I was taking a sip from. I pulled back and shook my head.
"Give me. This heat wave is killing me. I need water, I haven't been home all morning to get a drink."
"Why not?" I asked her curiously, pulling my water away from her again.
"Because," she blew a strand of hair away from her face exasperatedly. "Because I was helping Grandma. Mum's got the sickness bug that's going round so I had to do our weekly shop. Never again. I had to sit in the car for a two hours whilst Grandma ran her errands listening to the best of classical music, throughout time. Throughout time, Fang! I nearly died! In fact, that would have been better than listening to that crap. And by the time we got back home, it was time for me to leave again and so I literally grabbed Ari and ran. Iggy was on his way here and we caught up with him. I can't go back there Fang. She's insisting that we have movie night tonight. I don't even wanna think about what she's gonna make us watch. So far, all that's been showing on our T.V for the past month is Love your fucking garden! I can't take another minute!" Max finished her rant and glanced at me with wide eyes and a horrified expression. Ari and Angel were playing on the swings, so they hadn't heard Max's melt down.
I patted her back and handed her my water. "Okay, calm down. Where's your dad?"
"Jeb," Max said pointedly, "Is away on business. Well, that's what he told Grandma. He's on some golfing holiday with his old mates. My guess is that he's off visiting that ex-wife of his and his billion other kids. Man whore…" I smirked and patted Max's back again.
"Okay, chill out. We're gonna have a fun day. And then, when it's time for you to go home, you're gonna sleep round mine tonight. And Nudge and Iggy can come too. Okay? Then, by tomorrow, you'll have calmed down. When's your Grandma going home?"
Max groaned. "God knows when. And I can't stay over tonight. I promised I'd help Grandma make dinner and I have to finish that Chemistry project." I smiled and took my water back.
"On another note though, where's Maya?" Iggy asked me. He had his arm wrapped around Nudge's waist and she snuggled in closer, resting her head on his shoulder. They were just too damn cute.
I cleared my throat and ran a hand through my hair. "She's staying with her Dad in Australia for a couple weeks."
"Lucky bitch. Going to Australia." Max remarked. I chuckled and snatched my water away from her when she reached for it again. Knowing Max, if I gave her my water again, she'd just down the whole lot.
"Yeah well-"
"This means that you'll have time to hang with your besties!" Nudge exclaimed joyfully. I caught her looking at me thoughtfully out of the corner of her eye.
Every time I so much as looked at Max, Nudge gave me those pointed looks.
I shook my head and scowled at her. "Quit it." I mouthed. She smirked and fluttered her eyelashes innocently.
"What?" She mouthed back. Max stood up to go play with Angel and Ari. Nudge took advantage of this time to voice her thoughts. "Seriously though, you need to get your crap together Fang. Either you like her, or you like Maya. You can't have both."
"When did I turn out as the bad person in all of this?" I demanded. Iggy was watching us curiously, confused by our conversation.
"You're not. It's just…" Nudge's eyes flickered over to Max, who was pushing Angel on the swings. "Just forget it. Forget I said anything."
I shook my head. Just as everything had been working out, this happens. Nudge was convinced that I liked Max… and what had she been about to say? Maybe, just maybe, there was a possibility that Max might like me back? In the hopes of making everything okay, not ruining anything by my crazy, fucked up hormones, I had dug myself deeper into this pit of nothing. Nothing but lies and confusion. If I did have those hypothetical feelings for Max, then Maya would get hurt. But if Max liked me, and I was with Maya, then I would be hurting Max.
I really needed to cut myself a break.
Max P.O.V
The same evening, when I got home, Nudge was waiting for me outside in the garden. She jumped down from the garden wall and rushed towards me and seemed to be debating something in her mind. She was playing with a loose thread on her vest top.
"Hey, Nudge. What's wrong?"
"I gotta tell you something Max." She blurted out. I sat down on the garden wall and pulled her down next to me.
"What is it?"
"Okay. So you know that night, at the party?"
"Yeah…." I said slowly. What was wrong with her?
"I shouldn't even be telling you this but I have to. I need you to know." Nudge seemed fraught with worry. I could practically feel the tension rolling off of her in coils. She took a deep breath and tugged at her loose ringlets, twirling them around her finger nervously. It was another one of her anxious ticks.
"Nudge. What's wrong?" I demanded.
"You and Fang kissed." My mouth fell open and I gawked at Nudge mindlessly.
She hung her head. "What? What are you talking about?"
Her eyes were wide and sorrowful when she looked at me again. "You kissed Fang. And he kissed you back. I'm sorry, I should've told you sooner but I didn't know that it would mean anything to you but now that you like him and… and well I need you to know. Max, I don't think he wants to be with Maya. I promised him I wouldn't say anything but he didn't tell you because he wanted you to remember by yourself. He likes you Max. I really think he likes you."
I shook my head and grit my teeth. "If he liked me Nudge, he wouldn't be with her. Face it, I don't have a shot with him. And I shouldn't want him like that anyway. He's my friend. He can never be anything more."
"But Max-"
"Just leave it. I'm fine. Just forget about it." I stood up and left Nudge outside, sitting on the wall with her head hung in despair. I didn't look back.
When I got inside, I went straight up to my room and slumped down on my bed. This was all just too much. Either I liked Fang or I didn't. Either he liked Maya or he liked me. Both of us needed to make a decision because it was costing me valuable sleep time.
But despite my aching need to pursue this and all of my messed up feelings, I couldn't shake my conversation with Maya from my thoughts. She had said what all of us had been thinking. As long as she was here, I didn't have a chance. And maybe, even if she wasn't here, I still wouldn't have a hope in hell. But if what Nudge had said was true, then why was he still with Maya?
One thing was for sure, for now, I wouldn't say or do anything.
Because I wasn't about to steal another girl's boyfriend.
Even if she took him from me first.
Okay so they're finally starting to realise some feelings that maybe they shouldn't be having. But damn those stubborn kids. Don't worry though, I have some brilliant plans for Maya, the total bitch. So yeah, review.
