"I don't see why it was so difficult for you to recognize me." Christopher grumbled, as we sat at the counter of the store.

"It's the hair, really." I motioned, "Every time I've seen you, your hair is gelled and combed back. And the fact that you aren't wearing your glasses. Or your suit."

He consciously touched his dark brown hair, which fell below his ears, "I don't think there's much of a difference." His fingers swept through the strands, tousling it.

I leaned back into the chair, "Oh, believe me there is. And what kind of a lame ass name is 'Crescendo King'? That sounds worse than the 'Human Metronome'."

Christopher glared at me, my attention falling on his really green eyes, "No, it's much better than your lame ass title. It's what the call me back in Greendale. I'm popular amongst the teenage musicians by this name."

I snorted, "You? Popular?"

"Yes, actually. You are too. You'd know if you actually paid attention to the crowd you attract with your music. You have a lot of admirers. I don't know what for, anyway. You aren't that special." He said, snarkily.

You know, I'm getting mixed feelings from this guy.

I had met Christopher Grey when I was eight and he was ten. Mom and dad had taken me to Chicago for a competition and I had won by a wide margin. A lot of people congratulated me and gave me flowers when I exited the hall with my parents. There was this one super-short kid who was glaring at me with red-rimmed eyes. I remember, for some reason, I had decided to approach him to ask if he was okay only to be met with anger.

"I don't know why you won, anyway. You aren't that good."

I was hurt, naturally. I dropped the flowers at our feet and ran back to my parents because I didn't know what else to do. Dad didn't notice my expression and picked me up, happily, saying, "You know what? Why don't we fly down to Orlando? You've always wanted to go to Disneyland, didn't you?"

In an instant, I forgot what had happened between me and the boy and I cheered loudly, throwing my arms around dad's neck.

Christopher and I kept meeting in competitions all over. I won most of the times and he grumbled and glared at me across the hall. He won sometimes and I cheered for him. He was always annoyed that I never stomped my feet and threw a tantrum because of his 'triumph'.

Over time, he grew from the super short, moody kid to the really tall, egoistical jerk.

"You know," I began, "I really couldn't get out of my house after New York."

The brunet stopped his mumbling and looked at me curiously.

"I've never felt such disappointment in myself. Or shame. Or anger and frustration. I couldn't touch my piano. It was as if I had forgotten how to play. I shut myself out completely. Didn't even speak to my parents for a few days."

"Did you know I was planning on giving up the piano in seventh grade?" He asked me suddenly.

I shook my head.

"Well, I did. I mean, I was. But I really wanted you to feel the way I felt every time you won. I wanted to see the look on your face. I just wanted to see the look- the disappointed, sad, miserable look on your face and feel satisfied. I worked my ass off to win." He sighed deeply and dramatically, "But, you politely clapped every damn time."

I stared at him for a moment and he stared right back.

"You're really mean, you know that?" I said, furrowing my brows.

He crossed his legs and examined his nails and said, coolly, "I've been called worse."

Bipolar bastard.

"Here are the papers!" Charlie announced, appearing from the office, carrying a couple of loose sheets, "I checked the flute too. Sorry kid, can't fix it in a day. Would take a week at least. How did it crack that badly anyway?"

Christopher stood up to take the papers from Charlie's hands, "Let's just say that my little sister has one heck of a temper. But, I'll be staying here for a few days. I've contacted the movers. They'll be here for the piano tomorrow."

"You ordered a piano?" I scrunched up my face, "Don't you have one already?"

"I do," He pulled out his glasses from the breast-pocket of his jacket and put them on with one hand, "But, unfortunately, there was a terrible termite infestation. And my poor companion didn't survive." He scanned over the pages, "Looks like everything's sorted. Thank you, Mr. Bates."

Charlie puffed his chest at being called 'Mr. Bates'. Talk about an ego boost. "No problem, kid."

"I'll come over tomorrow, then." He removed his glasses and put them back in his pocket, "I need to check-in at my cousin's place. See you then."

"Do me a favour and take her with you, kid." Charlie nodded titled his head at me, "It's late and I can't have her walking home alone. I would've dropped her home but I have work."

Christopher shrugged, "Sure."

"Now, hang on. I can walk home alone." I protested.

" 'Night, Max!" Charlie waved at me. I lifted my shoulders at him as if to say 'What the hell is wrong with you?'

"Come on, Pierce." Christopher said, turning and walking out of the store.

"Why won't you listen?" I followed him out, "I can go home by myself."

"Just get in the car," He gestured at his blue truck, which was parked right outside the store, underneath a streetlamp.

It was pretty dark out here. Why are the shops closed up? It's too early. What time is it anyway?

"I'm not going anywhere with you." I crossed my arms, "I don't have the patience to listen to you insult me. You double…personalitied-"

"-That's not a word."

"I don't care!"

"Get in the car!"

"I don't want you to drive me home!"

"Stop acting like a child and get in the car!"

"No, fuc-"

"Max?"

I turned to see Jughead walking down the sidewalk, "Jug. Hey!"

His eyes darted between me and Christopher, narrowing a little when it landed on him, "What's going on? Who's he?"

"He…um…" I looked at the brunet and then at Jughead, "Is a… friend?"

"You can't answer a question with another question."

"I know him from some of the competitions. Charlie asked him to drop me home."

"Rightfully so." Christopher butted in, "With the Blossom kid murdered, it's not safe."

Jughead stared at him for a few seconds, sizing him up. He was an inch or so shorter than the brunet.

"You know what," He said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jacket, "I'll take her home."

Christopher motioned his hand as if to say 'Be my guest'.

"Come on, Max." Jughead moved forward and held my wrist, "Let's go."

I turned to look at Christopher, "Hey, thanks anyway. And I'm sorry. I haven't been right in my head for the past few days. Shouldn't have said the stuff that I did."

"Nah. You're not the first one to say what you said. I think I have a dual personality problem too sometimes. Besides, it's only right for your boyfriend to drop you home." He said simply, lifting his shoulders. He has dimples, I noted until what he just said hit me.

Boyfriend.

Boyfriend.

He called Jughead my boyfriend.

My heart began thumping against my ribcage and I could feel my ears burning, "He's-he's not my buh-boyfr-"

"Go home, Pierce." He cut me off, opening the door to his truck, "I'll see you later." He revved the engine and left. I stared at the back of the truck until it disappeared around the corner.

I felt a tug at my wrist and turned to Jughead, "Let's go."


And there ends chapter 28. I appreciate each and everyone of you who leaves me a review.

...Not that I don't appreciate all those who follow/favorite/read this fic. I love you all!

In case Christopher's description wasn't clear, he's about...6ft 2in, has brown, shaggy hair which reaches below his ears and green eyes which are pretty prominent. He has dimples too! His personlity is pretty screwed up. You can say that he's a tsundere. [How do I explain tsundere to those who don't know what it means? AAAAAHHH!] I adore his and Max's interactions in the future chapters. They're fun to write. No, he won't be paired with any other canon character [unless you guys want me to...]. I got so many messages saying that the readers thought of Christian Grey the moment Christopher was introduced xD I won't be writing smut though. I'm terrible at it.

Come to think of it, I'm terrible at writing romantic scenes too ;_; Oh no!

I can't believe I'm saying this but staying at home and not going to college is really really REALLY boring. My family and I shifted to a new city in a new state and I don't know anyone here. Luckily for me, my cousin left her puppy with us AND SHE'S SO CUTE AND FLUFFLY THAT I THINK I'LL DIE! The puppy's name is Jackie and she has beautiful eyes and has this cute expression that makes me want to squish her. My mum's not so fond of her because Jackie pees everywhere xD

Thanks for reading! Please leave a review. I'd love to know what you guys think of the fic so far and how you like/dislike Christopher.