A/N Please read :] HELLO! ^_^ It's been soooo long! Like 34 days long (I think) :O Sorry T^T If you must know, I've been quite busy, busy, busy! -.- But I've been sneaking time in my day to write small parts to this new chap every day! :] I wrote a total of 44 pgs. (YAY!) That's the longest I've ever written teehee ^^ Okay, here's the chap. I hope you're not angry T^T Anyways, I hope you guys review! PLEASE! :] FAXness included in this chap just like I promised! :] Thank you to anonymous reviewer 'angelwings' and IZZLE-G for your ideas! :]
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Maximum Ride. James Patterson does.
Sigh.
I paced back and forth as I kept thinking about what the Voice said.
Well, if you wanna see your precious Fang…you're gonna have to do one or the other.
I keep thinking as I kept both my thumb and forefinger on my chin. Ha, I was acting just like some old detective. Anyways…
"You're sure there isn't anything else I could do?" I ask the Voice.
I don't Max. I've given you other suggestions but you're too much a coward to accept either of them!
"Well I'm just trying to not get the cops involved in this! Okay, look…the last thing I wanna do is go to jail!" I shout at the Voice.
Alright Max…no need to get all prissy.
"I'm not being prissy…I am not a goody-two shoes!"
So then what's the big deal?
"Ugh, fine...I'll smuggle myself into the train" I said reluctantly, still pacing back and forth.
Good.
I roll my eyes, "Which train do I take?"
Well like I said you co-
"Wait! I have a better idea!" I shout in glory.
…You do?
"Yeah! I could like send him a signal or something. Like you know when someone needs Batman's help they show an image of a bat through some huge light thing at night so it can show up in the sky? Well I could do something like that! Right?"
…No.
I stick out my bottom lip, "Why? It's such a good idea!" I say grinning.
Well, first of all…what if he's not even in the same state as you, and second of all…why in the world would you do something so stupid!
I furrow my brows, "Hey, it's not stupid…I bet it works" I say pointing a finger up.
Yeah…in the animated TV shows…oh and the comic books…
I roll my eyes, "Alright, alright I'll just go ahead and 'smuggle' into the train!"
I hear a sudden stop and look back. "It's here" I say.
"The train for Washington" I continue.
Well? What are you waiting for?
"Do...do I really want to do this?' I ask myself.
What? You've never broken the rules before? It's just sneaking onto a train.
I take a deep breath, "I'm not talking about that" I say, my head dropped.
It's your choice.
I lift my head up in shock, "What? My choice? But all this time you've been saying I have to go" I say in defense.
Have you ever wanted something you didn't know you wanted but then when you did get it, you realized it was what you always wanted?
I shrug, "I wouldn't know" I say and start walking towards, I mean…behind the metro.
"Excuse me" A woman says form behind, startling me. I gasp, "Oh! S-Sorry" I mutter, still in shock.
I move behind and find an opening in the back of one of the cargos.
"Sneaking on?" A sudden voice up from inside the small space.
I gasp and look up to see a boy, about my age smiling at me. "Oh...um…no I was ju-"
"It's okay…so am I…hop on" He says, offering a hand. I stare at it for a while and then take it.
He helps me get up on the train.
I take a better look at him, but it's kinda dark in here.
"I'm Dansin" He says, still holding my hand. "Uh, yeah…okay" I say, taking my hand back to my side. "What's your name?" He asks curiously, "Max' I say and then stumble on some baggage behind me and fall on them, "Ah!" I shout as I fall on my but. He laughs. "Yeah, you'll get used to that"
I look up at him, "So…you've done this before?' I ask, raising an eyebrow. "Guilty" He says, grinning. I nod and then turn away and sitting in something lumpy yet comfy enough for my butt to not hurt all the way form here to Asotin.
"So, where ya going?" He asks. His voice fills the darkness. "Um, somewhere" I say, not sure if I should be making conversation with a total stranger.
"Alright" He says, understanding that I don't wanna exactly speak right now.
…
1 hour later
"You hungry?" He asks. I lift my head form where it was resting on a random baggage next to me, "Um, yeah…can't wait to get off this train" I say. He laughs. "Me too…you want one/' He asks as something gently lands on my lap. I get startled for a second and then pick it up, it makes a crunchy noise…plastic. I bring it up to the light and see it a nutria grain bar. "Uh thanks" I say, putting it near my side waiting for this guy to take a bite out of his. I'm still not sure if I should trust this guy. He takes a bite out. "Oh c'mon, it's not like I poisoned it' He says. I shrug, "Lost my appetite" I say and he nods, disappointedly.
…
2 hours later
I wake up and am now in a lying position. I notice a lot of time has passes, it's starting to get dark now.
"Hello?" I ask, curious to know if this guy Dansin was still here. No answer.
"Helllo?" I ask, again.
No answer.
I shrug. He's gone. It was just one of those once in a lifetime type of meet. I'll never see him again. Ever.
Shaking that off my mind, I stare at my phone and click it open, I stare at the time.
7: 55 PM
I groan out, lying my head back down onto that lumpy comfy thing I was using as a pillow. I think it was some random sack though. With, probably sand in it or something.
At least, that parts over.
…
8:40 PM
"What the hell?" I groan out as I wake up once more. "Oh yeah, I fell asleep…again"
Max, good you have woken up
"Why is that?' I ask, stretching my whole body out.
Because we're almost here
"We?" I scoff out. "Geez, you make it sound like we're some buddies hoppin' around for adventure"
Whatever Max…pay attention.
"Did we cross the border yet?" I ask.
What border, we didn't leave the state.
"Oh"
Ugh…I swear…if I had eyes, I'd be rolling them right now.
"Yeah, yeah" I said, sitting back down. A sudden light shines through a creak in the back. "Is it morning already/" I ask.
No, it's night. Unless those are the metro station lights…hey…I think the train stopped, get off
"Okay" I shrug and walk to the back, "Um, how am I supposed to open this? There's like no light in here…I can't even feel a handle or anyth-aghh!" I shout as I fall off the train and onto some hard asphalt, hot asphalt.
Yay, way to make an entrance.
I roll my eyes, "At least I got it open"
"Hey…" I call the attention of some random lady walking near, she turns to me. "Is this Asotin?" I ask. She nods, "'Kay, thanks" I say and start to walk off. "So Voice…where exactly is Fang? Huh? Do ya mind telling me? Because I'll tell you right now, I am totally lost" I say.
Calm down Max
"I am calm" I say under my breath.
Really? Because it appears that you're quite pissed.
"Whatever" I say under my breath. "How do you even know this stuff?" I ask.
You've already asked that before.
"Only because you've never answered it before"
Ugh…fine…but not now Max. Just focus on finding him.
"Fang?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.
Yes, him.
"Fang/' I ask, once more.
Oh for crying out loud, yes…who else!
I shrug, "Nothing" I say.
"So...where are we goi-" "…Max…." A distant voice calls.
"Huh?" I ask.
What?
"Well, I dunno…you said my name" I say while looking everywhere; beside me, behind me, in front of me, even above me.
No I didn't…you're hearing things.
I shrug, "Maybe I am"
I keep walking. "So now what?" I ask, stopping and waiting for the voice to drop me some clues here.
I don't know…do I look magical to you?
"Well…no...well, actually…I don't know...I can't even see you" I say realizing it.
Get some rest.
"You're probably just saying that because you're tired and too lazy to keep talking"
Got that right…good night.
"Wait...where am I supposed to spend the night?" I ask.
I don't know...stick around, maybe some old lady will feel sympathy for you like last time and give you hospitality…er wait, then afterwards you might find her to be a creepy mother of a pedophilic stalker man…so…never mind, don't stick around, keep walking.
I sigh, "Alright…Voice"
"Max?" A voice asks. I turn around, Oh my gosh I'm hearing things ag-oh never mind.
I look to my left and see that…uhhh…what's his face…name?
Oh! Right! Dansin!
"Yes?" I ask as he bewilders me.
"Hi!" He says walking up to me.
Oh, as if we were buddy-buddy here have my balloon cause yours flew away and that's how much I love you! –cough- Gross.
"Hi?" I ask, confused
"Didn't think we'd meet again, huh?" He asks, grinning.
I shrug, "To be totally honest I forgot I even met you" I say laughing in his face.
"Gee thanks" He says, "Sooo…" He says. "I sigh, I know where this is going. First coffee! Then a movie! Then feelings start to show! Ugh.
"Um" I say, tapping my foot on the floor. All that is heard now are the chatters of people. But if you block that out all you will be able to hear is the impatient tap of my shoe against the hard concrete base.
"I'm kinda really tired…I have to go" I say.
"Well.." He says, interrupting my walking away. "Do you have a place to stay?" He asks. I shrug, "Yeah"
"Well, I could walk you, if that's okay with you…it's pretty late out…what pretty girl to walk all by herself in the dark"
I raise an eyebrow, "You'd be surprised' I say and start walking, he catches up to me. We are still in the metro. "So where ya going?' He asks. "Umm where do ya think…gosh, you're nosy" I say.
He shrugs, "Just friendly" He says, looking off to the side. I sigh, "Look I don't mean to be mean, I just…look…this isn't high school. I'm in a serious situation here...I cant waste time and you being here delaying my 'beauty sleep'-" I say with quotations around beauty sleep, "-as one would call it, is not only putting more pressure on me but also probably making me miss the one chance I have to see someone that I'll probably never see if we continue this" I say straight to his face, he looked totally awestruck, "Id hate to be an annoyance" giving me a hand gesture that says you're free to go…
"Thanks" I mutter under my breath. But the coldness is way too much and covers up my words. It just seems like I mutter something only meant to be heard by myself.
I start walking away and get out of the metro. I cross the street and look both ways before crossing another. No cars are coming. Ah, a bus sop…up ahead. I run to it and sit down on the bench. Usually, I'd think there'd be a hobo sleeping on one of the benches, ya know like in the movies? A causal hobo with a newspaper lying on top of his stomach while he lay on the ever so overrated 'green' bench. (Seriously, aren't most of the benches green?)
Several minutes later I hear a coming engine. The bus. I stand up and stretch out a bit.
The door opens and the bus driver, who is a woman, gives me a lazy and fake smile. Okay, so I guess she hates her job. I give her back a lazy and fake smile too. Two can play at that game. I walk up the small steps and notice the bus is not packed what so ever.
"Um, where is this bus going?" I ask, not being friendly but actually wanting to know.
"Gilldale" She says, not turning back to look at me. I spot an empty seat close to the driver and sit on it. I don't exactly like sitting way in the back, you know…in case of emergencies and what not.
I nod and sit down.
Several other people walk into the bus and settle down. They pay their tickets and act like normal commoners. That's good. Finally, no creepy people. And whatever happens with that creepy old lady who gave me hospitality?
I sure hope not to see her ever, again. Though, I can't help to say that a part of me is aching. Something about that lady. Not just her son, not just…Richard.
But something in her past. Who was she, exactly? And why did people write down 'witch' on the sidewalks? Who were they referring to?
Come to think of it, this isn't the first time this has happened. As a matter of fact, I find it quite strange that no one ever knew Fang lived in that abandoned apartment complex. No one.
Then that other time no one ever knew who that maid lady was. I mean, what is going on! Is there something wrong with me? Can I see…ghosts?
Er, no. I hope not. My mind is probably just playing tricks on me.
…
"Gilldale. The bus is stopping" A voice says. I wake up just in time to hear the bus doors open. "Oh!" I blurt out, not meaning to. I stand up and stretch out a bit and then run to the exit of the bus. I watch it drive away and then continue to walk. It's late I see. A sudden zephyr comes to me, awakening my body up more a bit. I stretch out once more. Hmm, I really don't know what to do so I just continue walking. I actually don't feel like sleeping.
"Huh?" I rapidly turn around as I hear a tantivy speeding up ahead. "What was that?' I mutter to myself. I shake my head, "I had a long day" is all I say to make myself feel like I am totally not hearing things.
…
8:50 AM
"Oh gosh" I yawn out as I stretch my arms out in place. I continue walking. Wow, I look at the time. How long have I been walking for?
"Whoa! Oh, wow" I blurt out as one of my hands automatically reach up to my heart as if the touch will make my heartbeat calm down a bit. "oh, sorry! Did I scare ya there?" A decent looking man asked as he abruptly swung open a transparent door of some store while I wasn't paying attention, "Oh no…sorry I wasn't looking where I was going, I'm just hungry and kinda tired, I gotta go" I say walking off. "Well, hey miss!" The man shouts, to get my attention. I look back, "Huh?" I ask. "This is a breakfast Inn, in case you haven't noticed, why not dine here?' He asks. Oh please, I bet he just wants my money…wait, I have no money. Ha. "Um, I'm short on money so no thanks' I say, "C'mon, it's on the house!" He says, convincingly with humor in his voice.
Wait, a sec…FREE FOOD!
…
"Wow...this is great…mmm…yummy' I say, stuffing a slice of pancake into my mouth. "more syrup please" I ask the lady and she nods while handing me the bottle. "Thanks' I say with my mouth full. I grab some whip cream and pour it all over my pancakes.
"That's delish" I mutter, grabbing a whole lot of bacon with my fork and practically shoving them down my throat.
The familiar chime of some bells are heard as a new customer walks in. "No Fred, yes exactly" He says into his phone. I look over, he seems to be a business man? I don't know, with the whole business suit thing, he sure seems to be pulling off that whole business look. He sits down, a good 4 stools away from me. I ignore his loud speaking and shrug it off. Eh! I continue stuffing the food down my throat.
"I know, can you believe it? Paul told me-" The man with the business type look says. Gosh, can he be any louder. He crosses one of his legs over the other and tucks a napkin on his shirt to prevent his suit from getting stained with the food just in case. I roll my eyes. I find it funny.
"Yeah, about MACinsDrive Cemetery, It's being demolished….I don't know, some big company bought the land because of its huge numbers of acres. To build some store, what do I know? Yeah, they're taking the tombs out…every single one! Haha, can you believe it?" He says.
My mouth suddenly drops open and I drop my fork. I hear the familiar sound of metal clashing onto the bare tiles. One waitress looks and me and raises an eyebrow, eyeing me to pick it up. I give her a slight fake smile, but not really paying attention to her annoying presence. I place one palm flat on the counter top table and bend down to pick up the fork. I can't believe what I'm hearing.
"Alright. Yes the meeting is at 4. Alright see you then Fred." He clicks off his phone. He seems the lightest bit uncomfortable. Oopsie. I think he knows I'm starring at him. He turns his head over to me, "Can I help you miss?' He asks. "Oh, um" I say, a bit flustered. "Um, sorry I couldn't help but to hear a conversation you were having about um, MACinsDrive Cemetery…what do you mean they're demolishing it?" I ask.
He looks at his watch and then back at me as I hear his beeper located on his belt. He looks over to it, "I mean they're demolishing it…as it, destroying it" He says, ready to pick his coat back up. He stands up and pushes in his seat. "Oh wait…when…did they start?" I ask.
"Yes, they have…it was scheduled at 3pm yesterday and continuing today. "He says. I nod, "Thanks" I say, grateful. If I would've never found out this way, I wouldn't even have ever known…they're destroying the place where…my mom…rests in peace….
"Thanks for the food!" I dash out the door before the man I bumped into earlier could even say 'you're welcome' or before the business man could even walk out first.
…
"Excuse me!" I shout as I abruptly stop my legs form running any more. I bend down and place both palms o my knees while panting out for breath. I notice a slight shimmer sliding down my arm. Sweat. I've been running for quite a while. But I'm here…MACinsDrive Cemetery.
"Huh?' asks a male worker. I can already see half of the cemetery is cleared up. "Um, who…who gave you guys these orders? This is a cemetery, people are supposed to rest in peace" I say. He looked quite a bit ticked off. "Um, lady? Look, I don't know who, ask our boss. And yeah I get that, but this is my job, I only do what I'm told" He says, turning back around and gives some orders to his fellow workers. I interrupt him, "Well_ I say, still panting, "-Can you please tell me what they're doing with the tombs?" I ask. He raises an eyebrow, "Uh, I'm pretty sure, they're all going in as cargo to travel all the way to LA"
I raise both eyebrows, "LA?" I ask, astounded, "Th-these are people who need peace and quiet not to hear some drunk people partying and throwing booze everywhere" I say. He raises his hand up in defense, "Hey, listen lady, I don't know…okay…there's some bigger and better cemetery over there…I think form the same company…" He says, "Well…who's your boss/" I ask. He sighs, "H's busy now can you please scram kid?" He asks, impatiently. I sigh, "I'm asking nicely…look my mom is in one of those tombs…what is it was your mother huh!" I shout in his face. He looks taken aback and sigh very deeply, "He's right over there, talking to those group of workers with the gray shirts on" He points. I nod, "Thanks' I say and he nods. I start walking some, maybe 30 feet and reach hm. "Uh" I say and he hears me. He turns to look at me. Wow, some one need s a shower. I see his face is all dirty and with mud stains. "Hello" He says. He seems to appear nicer than the man who works for him. "Um, who bought this place?" I ask. He pauses for a while and then finally gives me a response. His mouth opens, "Mr. Rodney Tyler…that man who owns quite a few bouquet shops just down the beach" He says. Oh great, some girly man is taking away my mom's place. "You okay miss?" He asks. Bo, could he tell I was pissed, "No, I'm not okay. These are people, not some bags of luggage you can just shove into a train and ship them off to Cali" I say, obviously pissed. He sighs and shrugs, "Hey…I know what you mean…my father…he's in one of these, but I'm just doing my job. You seem like you know someone here, if you wanna know the tombs are being shipped to LA in Cali, sometime this week. I guess they'll give all the people a call, you know the ones who have family members or friends here to know where they're being shipped to and when."
"Oh, I uh…see" I say, processing the stuff he told me.
"Well, um do you know when?" I ask, looking up at him squinting form the bright rays of the sun as they hit directly above us. "I really don't know ma'am. No one filled me in. I guess you'll have to wait. "
I take a huge deep sigh. "Alright, thanks" I say. He nods and I start to walk away. I still can't believe this though. I see a rock in my way. And can you guess what I do with it? Poor little innocent rock. I kick it and there it goes, flying away and landing onto the hard floor again.
I walk across the street. My phone rings. I gasp at the sudden noise and open it up, "1 Missed Call" it states. I raise my eyebrows and click on it, Nudge.
Ugh, she must be so worried. Nudge…Ella…Becca…Mrs. M! I can't believe I left them all like that! I practically abandoned them! But I can't let them know what's going on, it'll only make things worse. They'll just get more worried. I have to take matters into my own hands. I can't always hide behind someone.
I stop myself abruptly and turn around, facing the now demolished cemetery. "Mom, I'm gonna find you" I whisper.
How are you going to do that?
"I'm trying to have a moment here!" I hiss.
Wow. Well, sorry.
"Ugh, it's fine…I have to go to LA"
What about Fang? He's in Washington.
"I know, but this…is my mom…no one comes before her…no one.
Ouch. Poor Fang. You'd break his heart if he ever heard you say that.
"Well…Fang's gonna have to man up…I mean, what's with him and always running away? He's not some little girlie"
Double Ouch. Maybe it's only because you um, hurt his feelings?
I scoff, "Puh-leese! The only time I've ever seen Fang actually showing the side of him that claims to have 'feelings' is that time when he had a total meltdown…he cried like a baby.
Wow. Ow. You just keep givin' it don't cha? Fang having no feelings? Look who's talking. Can you be any meaner?
"Are you defending him! Ohmygosh! Ugh, I sounded like Nudge there for a second…but anyways, you know it's true! You're always in my head; you know what happened between Fang and I!"
Uhhhhhhh….
"Never mind…don't answer that."
Wasn't planning to.
"Good" I shrug and sit on a nearby bench.
5 minutes later.
"Yay, the bus!" I say.
You sound happy.
"Yah, well it's called acting. I'm not gonna sit here and act all depressed all the time"
I'm starving.
I stoop and take in what Voice just told me, "Um, I'm just gonna pretend I didn't hear that" I say.
You do that.
"Hello" A lady says form her seat, the bus driver. I nod and smile slightly and walk to an empty seat.
So, when are you gonna work things out with everyone?
Oh gosh, I didn't think anyone would ever ask me this question. I wasn't expecting it.
"Ugh-" I sigh. "Hmm, I dunno" I say quietly.
You can't just ignore everyone.
"I know…I know. "
Just sayin'.
"Okay I'm gonna stop talking to you, people are gonna think I'm crazy talking to myself.
Just hold your ear.
I raise my eyebrow, "Uh why?' I ask dumbfounded.
So they can think you're holding a Bluetooth moron!
"Oh" I say looking behind me and to the side. "Heh" I smile slightly flustered at some old lady who caught me looking everywhere.
…
So, smuggling…again?
I roll my eyes, "What other choice do I have? I'm totally broke." I get off my seat and exit the bus. I spot the metro station and walk towards it.
Hmmmmm
"Just gonna check the bullite- ahah! Found it! 7:54 PM next stop-" I trace my finger over the continuous dots till it arrives to the word of destination, "Los Angeles, California" I state and look rather happy.
Hmm, but isn't it quite early?
"Yeahhhh" I stumble over my words as I try to look for the time somewhere on this metro place. "Where's the huge clock thingy?" I ask.
To your left.
"Oh-wow…10:20AM"
Well, I have no money, have to food, have no place to stay…hmmm…what to do…decisions, decisions…."
…
You're starting to become a regular.
I roll my eyes, "Shut up, if I had money, I wouldn't have to do this"
We all make our decisions Max.
"Huh? What does that mean?" I ask the Voice.
Just trying to teach you a life lesson.
"Well, I get that. But I certainly didn't make the 'decision' of having no money and having to live like a homeless person"
Think about it Max…you did.
My mouth drops open slightly and so does my dignity. The Voice is right. I hate to admit it, but the Voice is definitely right. I made all decisions by myself. I chose to push people away…but I had good reasons, didn't I?
I sigh and rest my head on the flat of my palm as my elbow is leaning against some luggage. It's dark in here, so it's hard to see.
Hey, I hate to break it to you, but you still haven't found Fang yet.
"Well, I know that…he…he can wait…this can't. And can I ask you something?"
What?
"Why are you so fixated on me wanting to find Fang?"
Because Max, Fang…is in danger right now. You're the only one that can stop him.
"…danger?"
Yup.
"Big word"
Mhmm.
"Ugh" I sigh into my arm. Alright, I'm going to sleep. Um, can you substitute as an alarm clock or something?
No, wake yourself up.
"Uh, fine whatever" and with that I fall back to sleep. These days, I feel like I'm just doing the same thing…over and over…and over…again…
That night in her sweet dreams~
"Ah, wow…did I sleep like a baby or what! Haha, I almost tho-hey…wait a second! Where the hell am I?"
"Voice?" I ask. No answer.
"Voice…um, you sleepin'?".
No answer.
"Wow, um, hmmm…okay, ignore me, what do I care"
I stand up form where I was sleeping. Suddenly, I feel a think white atmosphere around me. I inhale the scent through my nose. That's when it hits me, I turn around and see this freakin huge white bed behind me. "Wow, you could fit a dozen people on that bed" I say, astounded. I turn the other way, there is a nightstand, wood painted white. N it, there's a clock; not the digital kinds though, the fancy ones ya know? I look up, there is a beautiful balcony with French doors. "Amazing" I say, totally astounded by the scenario. The roof is also white, all the walls are white. The carpet is white, my mother is whi-
"Mom?" I shout/ask. Immediately, tears start welling up in my eyes. "Oh, oh my go-" I say, having a total break down. "Sweetie" the voice of my mother suddenly calms me down.
I look up to see such a soothing and warm presence envelope me. She bends down on one knee and embraces me. I don't struggle against it. I wrap both arm around my mom as tight as I can. "I miss you Max" She says in a gentle whisper. "Me…me t-too" I say, crying. "Why are you crying?" She asks me, smiling. A glint of happiness in her eyes. "Because, you're…you're really here!" I say, sobbing. She tilts her head and tugs back the strands of hair that fell to my face, "Oh Maxi…my beautiful daughter…don't cry, you should not waste your tears on a silly thing" She smiles at me. My shoulder slump forwards and I just start sobbing even louder, "That's crazy…you're not just a silly thing, mom" I say, looking into her eyes.
"Oh, sweetie…Max…I'm okay. " She says to me, gently cupping my shoulder. "Mom…I love you!" I say, pulling her in for a hug. I notice her body go limp. I gently pull away, "Mom?' I ask. "Max-" She starts, all wide-eyed, did I say something wrong?
"Max, I love you…so much honey" She says to me.
"Me too…-" I sniffle, "-me too" I whisper to her. "Mom" I say silently. She gently pulls back. I take a good look at her, I see how truly beautiful my mother is. She has long light brown hair, kinda of wavy, kind of straight. Her eyes are a light brown, not really like mine. My eyes are darker, like chocolate brown. She has this gorgeous appearance, that when she smiles at you…everything just seems like it'll get better, everything seems so bright and…happy.
"I'm glad your back" I say, smiling at her. But all of a sudden, that glow form her face disappears. My eyebrows furrow, "M-mom?" I ask in disbelief. "Max, sweetie…I never left…ever" She says. My mouth opens, slightly. "But, mom…you…yes, you did…you left, both…both, d-dad and I! And ever since you've left, he's just gotten crazier mom!" I start sobbing, once again into her arms. She wraps me tightly and gives me a kiss on the forehead.
I smile at the sudden feel of her gentle loving lips on my forehead; she always used to give me those goodnight! Sleep well sweetie! Kisses on my forehead when I was younger, before I went to sleep.
Except, I never actually knew one of those days, she really was meant to say goodnight to me…forever…
"But sweetie…you have to understand that this is all…a dream"
My smile fades. My eyes grow wide and my mouth drops the slightest. My jaw tightens. "No. N-No!" I shout, pushing my body onto her chest so she'd be forced to hold me once again.
She does. "Max, it's okay sweetie…I love you."
"No! No, it's not okay! Who else is supposed to hold me like this? Huh? Who else? Tell me! Tell me!" I shout at her. She frowns, "I'm sorry…but I'm sure you know who…whom it is that is supposed to take my place, Max." She lifts my chin up and gives me a warm smile, lightening up my world. I shake my head, "No, no one could ever take your place, you're my mom for crying out loud!"
"But-" She says, continuing after I finish, "-there is someone who can hold you, love you, be with you…right now…think about it" She smiles.
"I-" I stop and once again, start bawling out tears. "I…feel like I keep pushing everyone that's important away from me! And I-I can't help it!"
"So, then stop" Her soothing voice once again demolishes me sadness. I look up to her instead of at the white carpet.
"How?" I ask in disbelief.
"By not pushing them away…by instead, pulling them closer. Embrace them…because, one day…they won't be able to hold onto you anymore…" She says.
"What do you mean?" I ask my mom.
"Because…one day…they're gonna have to let go…of you, Max…and you're gonna have to let them"
My heart sinks; I suddenly feel like it's flown away and abandoned me. A body with no heart is a dead one. I now realize what she's trying to tell me, "No! No, I don't want that to happen anymore! I've already lost you, haven't I? I don't wanna loose anyone else!" I clench my fists at the thought.
"But mom, -"I ask, calming down a bit now, "why are you in my dreams, are you trying to tell me something?" I ask her. She nods and gently rubs my shoulder, "Yes, I'm here to tell you that I'm okay. I'm here, watching over you, always watching Max…always. I'm always here. So...don't worry, because…I'm…alright…go…go and…find…" She stops and starts leaning closer now. Her eyes are closed, and she whispers into my ear "-Fang…"
She disappears.
"M-mom?"…."Mom!" I scream out.
…
17 Hours later
11: 54 AM
Los Angeles, California
Yoo-hoo, wake up sleepy head, I'm interrupting your perverted dreams of Fang hahahahah….
My head blazes up, "I swear, Voice if you were a person you'd have a whole lotta missing teeth and three black eyes by now!
But, a person can only have two eyes.
"Exactly! So stop messin' with me or you're gonna get it!"
Huh.
"And FYI-" I say, shifting my body so that I'm sitting up now. "I wasn't having perverted dreams of Fang!-" I blush at the comment, "I-I dreamed of my mom, she told me some stuff" I mutter.
Really? Like what?
I shrug, "She said that I shouldn't be so caught up in finding her, you know where they're gonna bury the tombs...but instead, I should be more focused on finding Fang. " I take a deep sigh and drop my shoulders, making me fall backwards back onto some luggage as my back presses to it.
So are you?
"Am I what?"
Going to find Fang instead of your mom's tomb!
"Oh, well…I dunno!"
Well, she is you mom…shouldn't you be listening to her?
"No! That's exactly the point!-" I say rubbing my temples and furrowing my brows, "Because she's my mom, she thinks I'll listen to every word she says! Ugh. This is…so…hard"
Eh. Your choice.
"Well why does everything always have to be my choice! Why can't it be anyone else's!"
Because, until you settle down, stop acting so stubborn and crazy all the time, and let some one else take care of you, hold you…only you will have to hold yourself, no one else will ever help you! Ugh, I feel like your some little kid and I'm lecturing you.
"Alright!...I get it! I get it. I have to stop pushing people away and instead, pull them closer.
Exactly. And, I don't mean to rain on your parade-
"Rain? What're some little drops of water, heh when you've already freakin tsunami'd all over my parade before!"
Someone's PMSing.
"No! No, I'm not. I'm calm. This is me…Maximum Ride…being…calm"
See! That's better.
I roll my eyes and give out a small chuckle, "Whatever" I mutter. "But, still…I'm gonna search for my mom first"
Like I said…your choice Max.
I sigh, "Alright, well I'm gonna get off this train now"
Sooo….you're in LA…party time?
I can't help but give out an unexpected laugh, "No way! I am not getting distracted!" and step off the back of the train,
Flashback (chap 9)
I ran off and then hit a dead end. I gasped and was out of breath. The man's shadow appeared.
I was so scared.
He came and he had a sinister smile on his face.
I felt like barfing, he was pure and utterly disgusting.
He approached and I slapped his hand away. I fell and he grabbed my wrists, "Hey...you wanna have some fun baby?" He said.
I spit in his face, "Let me go!" I kicked him where it hurt the most. He groaned.
I ran and he grabbed my hair and I shrieked in pain.
He grabbed my waist and pinned me to the floor, I screamed and he covered my mouth.
I struggled.
End flashback.
Yoohoo, Max…anytime now would be great…move why don't you!
I unconsciously shake my head, "Oh!" I give a sudden blurt out, coming back to reality.
You okay?
I nod, "Yeah, yup! Never better." And start walking, away from the train. Alright, so LA…here we are…so much stuff to do, but I obviously didn't come here to party…I need to visit my mom…I just need re-assurance. I need to talk to her…she needs to know that I'm alright."
I'm pretty sure she knows.
"Yeah, well obviously…but…still"
I take a deep breath and wait for the street lights to turn red so I can pass by. Wouldn't wanna get run over by a car.
"This place is nice" I say, observing the atmosphere around me. It's just like any other place. Just because LA's considered like 'party city' doesn't mean I can't do any serious business he-"
Buzz, buzz, buzz…buzzzzz….
My body goes in panic mode for a little while, "-oh, just my phone…hey since when was it set to vibrate? Meh" I grab it from my pocket, "Hello?" I ask, not recognizing the number as there is no caller ID. "Hello, is this Maximum Ride?"
I nod, "Yeah…um who is this?"
The low voice answers form the other line, "My name is Jeff Todwins and I am calling on behalf of MACinsDrive Funeral Parlor. I wanted to inform your mother…-" He stops all of a sudden. I sigh into the phone, not audible to him though. On the other line, I hear some rummaging of papers; he's probably going through them, looking for something. "-ah…Mrs. Rosalia Ride is now in transition to be shipped to Hidden Hills, California at Forders Cemetery. If you have any questions, comments or concerns…please dial 2. Thank you and good bye. Beep."
I also hang up and put my phone away. A sudden strike of determination hits my face, "I'm gonna find my mom" I say.
Hidden Hills?
"Yup"
You planning on walking there?
"Mhmm…how far away can it be right?"
Wow. Good luck on that.
"Um…thanks? Wait…why?" I ask.
It's a good 9 hour walk.
I practically choke on my own saliva, "Ah-what!" I shout more than ask.
Looks like someone's gonna have to do more smuggling.
I stomp a foot on the ground, getting some people's attention. I glare at them and they turn back around and mind their own businesses, "No way! I am NOT!-" I lower my voice, so I'm whispering now instead of shouting, "I am not smuggling into another train yet again!"
Okay, so get some fast cash.
"How?"
Look around you, Max. People everywhere do this for a living. C'mon, think!
There is no way I am going to job a striper club! That's the last thi-wait, no, not even the last I wanna do because, I never wanna do that!
Contemplation taking over me, I give a loud groan and reluctantly nod. "I guess I'm gonna have to'smuggle'…again" I say placing air quotes around the word smuggle.
…
"Ugh, I really hate these tra-" "HEY YOU!"
I jump a little since the sudden loud voice startles me, I turn around and see a man tackling a teen. I gasp and immediately stop myself form doing anything more stupid. I step off the back of the train and run away behind a column in the station. "Ah! Cassie run!" He screams at a girl.
"No stop!" The same cop who pinned down the teenage boy grabs a gun out of his belt and aims. "No, Cassie!" The young man screams. She turns around and a sudden pour of red comes out of her side. She drops to the floor. My eyes are bawling out of my sockets by now. My mouth is dropped open. I can't believe what I just saw.
The teenage boy tries to get his grip out of the cop, the teenage punches the cop in the face and other two cops interfere in the struggle, they grab the boy. "Noooo!" He screeches looking over at the girl.
"I'm a nurse!" A young woman, about in her late twenties shouts, she's wearing a black business suit and has her suitcases and her luggage's. She drops them onto the floor as the crowd gasps and chitter chatters about the scene which occurred just now. The nurse runs over to the girl lying on the floor, she turns the girl around so her face is facing the sky instead of the side.
She looks back at the crowd where the polices and other civilians are. She glances at me, seeing me hidden behind a column instead of puzzled around In the huge audience. "She's dead"
Loud gasps automatically fill the air.
She's dead…the girl is dead…she's…dead. She…dies…looking in the direction of where destiny was taking her…the train.
That girl…
It could've been me.
"Nooooooooooooo!" Screeches out the young man. The police officers release him, knowing he won't be able to muster up the strength or courage to run away form them. He just lost a loved one…how could he?
He falls to his knees, "Noo—ho!" He sobs, burying his head in his palms as they cup his face.
The audience once again starts to chatter and whisper about the obscenity jus now.
"L-look away people…nothing to see here…look away The cop who just killed the girl with his own .45 Caliber.
But why did he shoot?
"Officer Len…was that really necessary?" Another woman officer approaches him as she questions him with a frown on her face. Oooh, she wants answers all right. She raises an eyebrow. "Shut up Clara, the girl was gonna escape. You know once they pass the border there is nothing we can do and the train was already about to leave, we'd have to hold up all these hundreds of people"
"So...you're saying that one person being shot and killed is better than having a hundred people wait till the delay is over…may-maybe just a couple more minutes/" She stammers on some words, obviously in a thrift of anger. "That's not what I'm saying…I'm saying…it's the law! They do something wrong and we interfere!" "You didn't have to shoot the girl! She was only a teenager; she had her whole life ahead of here Officer Len! The woman 'Clara' angrily places her hands on her hips. "Then you know what, she shouldn't…they-" He says, pointing at the young man sobbing on his knees as the officer glances at him and has a bloodshot look in his eyes, he continues, "-shouldn't have had the idea to break the law, they were gonna smuggle! Who knows what they have in those bags? Drugs? Weapons? Huh? These are dangerous people doing dangerous stuff!"
The woman's nostrils slightly flare and her glares at the officer,, she takes a step closer to him, "Listen to me, next time I say hold you guard, then hold your guard…don't shoot…you can shoot when there is a gang of seven mafia men smuggling cocaine onto the metro…but until then…listen to me Officer Len, I am your chief and you will do as I say or it will cost you your job" She says, pressing her finger hard onto his chest, making him take step back. They glare at each other and she turns around, "Call an ambulance…alright clear the area, nothing to see here…Officer Brownswood, take this young man in for questioning" She points at the man. The other officer nods and soon the audience is clearing and scattering away form being hunched up together as if there was no space at all.
The woman officer sees me form the corner of her eye and glances, "Crap" I urn back around and hide behind the column. "I have to get out of here" I mutter under my breath.
I start walking…at a rapid speed. Like, seriously. That walking turns into running and soon I'm out of the crowd's sight. Well, from that officer who saw me at least.
I take it we need a plan B?
"Ya think?" I say in a dry and sarcastic manner.
I keep walking, "That girl could've been…me. What if I would've been the one who would've got shot?"
You'd be dead.
"Gee, thanks" I roll my eyes, "Like I didn't already know that."
…
Hey look.
"What?"
John's Breakfast Inn.
-NOW HIRING!-
-no experience necessary
-good pay
"Huh. Sounds good. You know what? It's worth a try" I say as I walk up to the small restaurant and open the door.
A man maybe in his forties greets me, "Hello young miss/ What may we serve you today?" He smiles at me, handing me a menu. I don't take it though and instead do the stop sign with my palm. "Um…I hear this place is hiring." I bite my lip, hoping for it not to be made only for promotional purposes only.
"Hmm" He says, looking me up and down, probably seeing I'm waitress material…ass.
"Depends." He crosses both arms behind his back, "What is your age?" He says. "Oh uh 23" I say quickly, and now thinking how stupid of me that was I definitely don't look 23. I could maybe pass on for an 18 or 19 year old, but not 23, wow.
He raises his eyebrow, highly in question. "Are you sure/ You don't look it. May I see an ID please?"
I sigh, this is getting me nowhere. I'm not gonna lie and create a whole scene. After all, I just almost got in trouble with the cops…the law. I can't have any more trouble now.
"Never mind. I'm leaving" I say, turning around and going out the door. "Bye bye' He says in his little girly accent while waving a hand at me. I grin and give him the finger and then stomp out the door. Jerk.
That didn't go too well.
"No it did not" I say in monotone. Wow. Just like Fang. Oh, did I just mention him? Fang?
Wow.
Never mind him, I want to see my mother first…or at least her tomb. I need to know they didn't just ship her out to some random desert in Egypt. Either that or the cargo ship that was handling this whole situation with transporting the cases could've had a hole in it and then sunk to the bottom of the ocean where all the coffins are, including my moms and then end up all the way in the deep dark mysterious depths of the ocean. Oh.
Fang just crossed your mind didn't he?
"Shut up-he did no-ohhh...whi do I even bother, you already obviously know what crosses my mind and what doesn't…what's the point in hav-ahhh" A sudden glimpse of pain thrashes around in my lower abdomen area, causing me to bend down and hold my stomach tight.
"Stupid pains" I mutter, continuing to walk.
10 minutes later…
"Still in LA and no jobs to be found. It's just not fair most of these places hiring require you to be over 18 and have an ID to prove it."
I stop abruptly without thinking of it. I tilt my head up and read the huge bright neon words on the sign above me. I take a breath and let it out. I never knew it'd come to this. Everything's worth trying…well, if you're desperate that is.
~Club Incognito~
NOW HIRING DANCERS!
"Hey wasn't there a club just like this back in Washington?"
Yeah. Word on the street is this club is the most popular of all these days. The owners have quite a few chains here and there. Oooh, nifty.
I scoff out of nowhere, "Nifty? How would you know?"
What? Just because I'm stuck in your head doesn't mean I don't go out and do stuff ya know.
I give a sudden laugh, "Kinda ironic don't cha think?" and enter the club.
"My eyes!" I blurt out and cover my eyes as bright neon lights and smoke invades them.
What'd you expect? This is a 'stripper club'.
I roll my eyes, "Yeah I know"
I bump into a woman in her early twenties as I walk around the crazy and wild crowd. Men and woman everywhere.
"Oh, sorry…I just…I was, uh" I say, getting a fast headache from all the noise and craziness going on.
"Hey…you wanna work here?" She asks, giving me a goofy grin as she picks up her papers that she dropped when I bumped into her.
"How can you tell?" I little over shout so she can hear me.
"Well, I've never seen you here before and I saw you eyeing the now hiring sign"
"Oh, well yeah…okay…um, I wanted to know, what positions apply? I've been looking over this whole tows…literally for a job. I'm desperate" I say.
She raises her eyebrows and grins more. Wow. I think she's uh…drunk?
"Oh well look no further hun!" She slaps an arm around my shoulder and neck, startling me. "C'mere" She says and I'm forced to follow her footsteps because she kept her arm around me.
She walks us behind the bar counter, where they give out the drinks. It is freakishly loooooong. So many stools. This place is HUGE.
She lets go of my shoulder and turns around to get some wine glasses and sets them on the table. She grabs two and then a bottle of wine. "Oh perfect" I say, as my hand approaches the bottle and I get ready to tilt it upside down to pour it onto the lasses. This job is sooo easy. And to think you can make a living form th- "Oh, hun what're you doing? Hahahahahahahha!" She laughs, playfully slapping me on my back as she continues laughing.
"Um…did I do something wrong?" I say, in confusion raising an eyebrow. "Hun, you are not working behind the counter, hidden from all serving booz ahahahhaha! She continues laughing and grabs a packet of cigarettes and lights one up. She glances me up and down, "With a body like your, we can attract more customer sin here…if you know what I mean" She wiggles her eyebrows at me and hands some drinks to a group of young men waiting for their alcoholic beverage. "Ummm" I say in reply, "But…you're working behind the counter" I say, "And...you're not exactly…fat…either" I say, crossing my arms. She stops smoking and breathes out the smoke, causing me to cough a bit, "I'm taking the place of one of our fellow employees. Anna, she called in sick today. Wait, hey I'm the boss not you, I should be the one questioning you" She says with a bit of humor in her voice and lets out a laugh as she shoves the bottle of wine down her throat. Wow. "Ummm" I stutter.
"But, I really can't-" "Oh darling, are you worried…because you're gorgeous, look at those hips! How dare you try to hide them behind that baggy sweatshirt…hideous too" She says, grimacing at the sweatshirt, "Well, it did belong to some old lady" I mutter under my breath.
"I just…I don't believe in selling my body for money" I say to her clearly and sternly.
She raises an eyebrow, "Hun…this is business. Half the women here agree to the same thing as you. But ya know what? They need the money…I got a girl working here, roughly 18…she's a couple weeks pregnant and doing this job to save up for an abortion she's secretly getting behind her parents back…and ya know what? Sadly, that's a true story." She says, pursing her lips and raising her eyebrows at me.
My jaw drops, "Oh my g…I-I didn't know that" I say, feeling sorry for the young girl. Just a teen, just like me.
"Wait, but isn't is bad if she's…pregnant...and doing…you know, with other men?"
She shrugs at me, "I have no clue if the girls sleeping with other men, but like I said, this is business. And hun, didn't you say you were desperate?" She asks, sipping up her wine. I nod, "But I just don't want men looking at me like I'm their prey…it grosses me out" I say.
"Ya well, I thought the same at to first…but…I've been in this business for almost-" She counts with her fingers, "-8 years…ya gotta do whatcha gotta do right?"
"I…guess"
"So ya want the job or not?"
"Aren't you gonna as for my ID?' I ask, hesitantly thinking now I should've have said that since I'm only under aged.
She looks me up and down and gives a final shrug, "Eh! You look old enough, follow me hun" She says and turns around, catches a young man's eye and winks at him.
"Follow me dear" She says, looking back now chewing gum. We go all the way to the back of the club and she opens a door with a key she keeps in her lingerie.
She unlocks the door and opens it and we walk down a narrow hallway. Suddenly, the loud crowd is not getting quieter and quieter.
"Uh...where are we going?" I ask her, looking around with my wide eyes.
"Why my office of course, I need to get the key"
We walk a few more feet and she stops at a door and unlocks it. We enter the room and my mouth suddenly drops open…again. "Whoah"
"Yup. This is part of the VIP room. The setting needs to be really great to be in the mood ya know what I mean?' She asks, bending over and her thong pops up out of her black sleek super shiny leggings.
I sigh. What has the world come to?
"Got it!" She says, putting down her papers, "What's your name?" She asks. "Max" I say.
"Ah, cute name. .Follow me, we're gonna get you changed into some lingerie!" She says all happy and excited as she hops out the door.
"Crap." I SAY UNER MY BREATHE BUT SHE DOESN'T HEAR. "Alright, this is the dressing room" She says and she unlocks the door.
"C'mere…what size are you?" She asks.
"um, small?" I say, raising an eyebrow. "Ugh, please honey don't tell me you're a size small an then show up with those huge pair 'o mangos on ya" She jokes and I blush, "Yeah right" I say. "Oh I'm serious, you're like twenty or something? Ahahaha" She says and then grins when she sees something. "Perfect! Try this on!" She says.
"Whoahhh! No, no, no, no, NO." I say causing her to frown. She whines, "Oh c'mon!"
"Don't you have something less revealing?' I ask her, eyeing the wardrobe.
"Hmm…well you could put a blazer on top. Here…this leather one, it would look gorgeous on your skin tone! Try these" She says, handing me something.
I reach out my hand and look at what she gave me, "Um, what are these? These are practically strings you're giving me!" I say.
She rolls her eyes, "You're so prissy. Don't tell me you'd never dress like that for you're guy" She says.
"I-I don't have a guy" I say.
She scoffs, "Oh, puh-lease…that's obviously a lie, there's lotsa young guys who come here, regular customers…maybe one of them is your guy...eh?" She wiggles her eyebrows at me, "Oh boy" I say.
"Now, change" She gives me a little push and walks out the door. I'm gonna go in my office and grab a few you know what ahahahahahah. Brb!" and walks out the door, closing it along the way.
…
Five minutes later and I have that sweatshirt over my body gain.
I knock on her door, she opens it, "Ye-oh! Take that off, that that off! Unless you wanna attract seventy year old men client by wearing that old granny sweater then you're outta luck" She says, grimacing at the sweater. "What material is this anyway?" She says. "Fine" I roll my eyes and pull the sweater off my head.
"Wow. Dayuuuum girl! You are gorgeous…now lets get outta here so you can work that bod!"
I pick up the sweater off the floor and cover my chest with it.
"Oh" She says abruptly, stopping me. "Do you want one? Do ya think you're gonna need one?" She says curiously, handing me a small packet. I eye it and lush, "No! Of course not!" I say in disgust. I definitely wouldn't wanna do it with any strange man!
Or anyone for tht matter!
"Hold on" She says, grabbing a bag form her huge suitcase, "Lemme do your makeup"
…
Five minutes later and I look like a total…well, one of those women.
I swear she just pounded loads and loads of makeup on me. Liquid eyeliner, long false lashes, heaps of mascara, red lipstick, she even put rhinestones around my eyes.
"You look soo hawt! C'mon!" She grabs my hand and we slightly run to the end of the hallway. "Oh, lemme fix your hair" She says. "There, that's better, you have such pretty long hair…it's so chocolaty and wavy!"
"We're entering through the stage" She says. "Look confident and work it!" "Wait, what!" I say in panic mode, I suddenly feel like she's the only one I'm close to in this whole pace and feel a distance in my heart as soon as she lets go of my hand. Maybe it's because she reminds me of my…mom.
Except my mom was way older that her, ahah. Well, actually, not really. Well, yeah, I guess.
No that old though, ew.
"Confident!" She mouths as I find myself tangled up in a group of other girls, 18 and older, they look and me and smile.
The curtains open, "Ladies and gents…the newest hotties!" The same lady who did my makeup and gave me my wardrobe announces. People starts cheering, mostly men as their eye practically dribble out of there eye sockets.
"Whoooooo!" The guy starts shouting. One girl starts walking down the runway and strutting her stuff, lol.
Men starts going crazy and throw booz everywhere.
Then I look around, no one is there. Crap. I'm the last one. "Here's our latest hottie" She says, pointing at me. I gulp and take a deep breath. "This should be easy, after all, I took dance lessons when I was 13" I say to myself. I just copy the choreography but add a little bit of sultry to it and walk down the aisle. Ouch. My ears are invaded by sudden shout of men's crazy vocal chords. No wonder their best for screamo music.
I finish walking and notice each girl has their own pole. I turn to the side and there is an empty one. I see the lady who helped me and she points at and mouths, 'that one'. I walk to it and grab a hold, starring at it. It's just a pole. Just. A. Pole.
I grab it and am on high alert of every man watching me. It's not like all men that are here are watching me. Each man has his own preference. Some men aren't watching me, but instead watching the other girls.
"Um, okay" I say as I start moving my hips much to my reluctance.
"Whoooo! Go sexy!" A man ells. I stare at him and glare, causing him to whistle. Crap. He probably thought I was giving him a seductive or flirty glare. Ew. I don't even know him.
"Yeah baby!" He shouts again. I take a good look at him. He's kinda tall, probably 5"9 and has light brown hair. He's wearing a simple blue t-shirt and some jeans. His hair is all messed up and he's totally drunk.
I suddenly feel bad. Half of the people in here are probably decent. They're just drunk. That's what alcohol does to you.
"Oh Jesus" I mutter as I spot one girl taking her bra off and throwing it to some cute guys who are cheering her on. Yeah, I said cute. You can't blame me, they're cute, but probably jerks. Whatever.
"Take you top off babe!" Another guy hollers to me. I stick my tongue out at him and he chuckles, cheering me on. Wow, these guys surely cannot take rejection. They still think I'm flirting.
I feel something pull at my leg suddenly and look down. Some thirty year old man, "You wanna have a one on one babe?" A man with blonde hair and a decent looking face asks me, wiggling his brows. "Uh, no" I say, kicking him back on the chest. The crowd catches him and once again goes wild and starts dancing and drinking.
"Max! Hey Max!" A familiar voice catches my attention. I turn around to see the woman. I run down the aisle. "There's this totally hot guy here, I think he could be your type! Plus he looks all lonely and dangerous! How sexy is that!" She laughs her head off, grabbing my arms and pulling me off the stage. "You wanna give him a lap dance? He asked for one, plus you look about his age" She asks. "No way" I say. "Oh c'mon!" She says.
I roll my eyes, "Is he an innocent looking geek boy with huge glasses and can't get a date to save his life?" I ask. Because if he is, then I'd have no trouble helping his self esteem. Plus, little nerd boys are so innocent and not all perverted and girl obsessed.
"Aahahhaah! Didn't you just hear me, he's totally hot!" She says and walks up to the guy. He's busy talking to some other guy so his back is facing me. From what I can tell though, he doesn't look too innocent and geeky looking.
As a matter of fact, it's kinda familiar looking, but hey, I've seen heads all day today who am I to say this one in particular is familiar looking or to close proximity looking like someone I'd know?
I turn back around and notice she put a hat on, "Oh call me Sheryl" She says, I nod. "Cute hat" I say and she pushes me up on the table, "What? I don't wa-" "Just go!" She says. I step up on the table where the young man is sitting, while talking to some other guy still. Hmm.
I stand there, and wait for the guy to finish. This better be worth it, I need that money, "How much do I get paid?' I ask Sheryl. She shrugs, "Between 50 to 200 for a personal lap dance. But if you want a private one, they'll have to pay you about 150 take or give an hour" She says.
My eye awl out, "Wow, that's good money" I say. She nods. "One 'o the best businesses in the world. Unfortunately one of the most dangerous too" She says.
I nod, understanding her. Suddenly, the other guy who's talking to this guy I'm supposed to lap dance gives me a glance and gins while he says something to his friend. Unfortunately for him, I can hear exactly what he says, dork. "Dude, there this total hottie waiting for you behind you' He says, wiggling his eyebrows. He playfully slaps his hand on the guys shoulder and walks away. "Yeah see ya" He says. Wait…..
OH.
MY.
LORD.
I rapidly try to scurry off the table. It's so hard to do though with these 6 inch stiletto pumps and it doesn't help that the table is practically a freakin giant made of wood and covered in red paint! I try to get off careful so I won't fall and bruise my face. A group of other girls starts danicing and one accidentally bumps into me, making me fall back on my butt onto the table, "Ooops, heheh' She giggles and continues dancing elsewhere. Crap.
"Hey Max, you ok?-" "Gimme that!" I blurt out, startling her and grab her Abe Lincoln hat and place it on my head, placing it at an angle that will prevent this young man form seeing my face.
If you didn't already notice…this young man is…Fang.
He turns around and is startled by my alluring presence. "Uh" He mutters and I try not to look at him.
Shit!
That's definitely Fang Freakin Fang!
AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
"Okay, well…I'll leave you two alone…hahahhha" She laughs and winks at the boy. Or should I say, Fang.
Awkward.
I notice my arms aren't moving. My legs aren't moving and neither are my hips. I'm totally frozen. What would he say if he saw me like this?
"Uh" He says, grasping my attention. "You gonna move or what? I don't pay for nothing' He says. My jaw drops and my mouth hangs open. What? What did he just say! He's sounding like a total jerk just now!
Since I'm not starring into his direction, I'm starring at the other and notice Sheryl keep an eye on me, she gives me a thumbs up and mouths go on! Dance!
I mouth back NO! She rolls her eyes and walks over.
"Hey, sweetie, everything all right?' She says to him.
He looks at her, "Thirsty" He says. "Oh, here lemme get your order for you, whatdya want hun?" She asks. "Uh, water?" He asks, glancing up at me. "Yeah, uh I think she's pretty thirsty too. Totally frozen." Ugh, stupid Fang.
"Oh, ya want some water-"
DON'T SAY MY NAME PLEASE. Don't.
Don't say it,
"M-"
(slow mo) NOOOOOOOOO!
"-ax?" She says.
Fang raises an eyebrow, when she mentions my name, "Max' he mutters under his breath and looks up at me but I stare away form him just in time. Ha! He'll never know my true identity!
"I'll getcha water Max" She smiles at me, WHY DON'T YOU JUST SHOVE A FORK DOWN MY THROAT! "You too…cutie" and winks at him. Fang gives her a causal smile and then looks down at the table.
"Ahem" He clears his throat. He opens his mouth and begins to speak, "So you're-"
"Here ya go!" Sheryl pops up outta nowhere. And thank God she did, just in time before he started conversation with me.
I nod at her and mouth thanks and gulp the water down, so does he.
"So, everything settled? I mean…ahahahah! Settled? Are ya hearin' me? Hahha settled! Ya guys haven't even done anything together! Ahahaha!" She walks away and continues laughing.
"Here I'll get tha-" He says as his hand reaches out to grab my empty glass of water to place it down on the table, but before he could make contact with me I throw the glass across the wall and it shatters onto the floor, "Uh, ok" He says, nodding in confusion. "You're names Ma-" I cut him off by placing a finger on his lip, but still covering my face with the Abe Lincoln hat.
I get up and grab the pole and hesitantly start moving my hips side to side while my hands move in accordance.
He crosses his arms and frowns. Uh oh. He's thinking things!
When Fang thinks, he thinks!
"I'm Fang" He says, smirking. I turn a bit slightly so that I can see him from the corner of my eye. He is smirking. Typical. Typical Fang.
"But you…probably already know that" He keeps his playful smirk on and arms crossed. I suddenly stop and my body freezes again, does he know it's me? Max?
I shake my head in disbelief and continue dancing. He just wants to trick me. I bet that's his plan. If I stop, he'll think he has me under his spell of trickiness whatever you call it. But if I don't, he'll stop thinking of me being Max and think I'm just some other girl. After all, he can't even see my face.
I suddenly hop off the table, being careful and I know he's watching me. I walk to the counter, hearing the clicks of my stilettos on the ground. I grab a whine and then walk back over to the table, still hiding my face behind the hat. "Here" I say to him, handing him the bottle. He raises an eyebrow, "Are you trying to get me drunk…Max? He raises an eyebrow and smirks at me. At the sudden mention of my name, I feel a sudden tingle in my heart; but I ignore it nonetheless. I bite my lip. I just want him drunk and not thinking clearly so he won't recognize me and start to think stuff.
He sets the bottle of wine down on the table and then cups his chin with his thumb and forefinger. He grins evilly, "you drink it" He says, handing me the bottle. Huh. Who knew Fang could be such a flirt.
"Uh" I say and take the bottle. I open it up without having to use the cork driver and throw it at his head. He gives a small chuckle. Fang wants to play, so then let's play.
I pour the wine all over my body and I notice his mouth open slightly. I smirk at him and start moving my hips once again. This time, towards him, though still being careful not to get too close. He might rip my hat off for all I know!
My long arms dance in the air and I swing my hips towards him and then side to side. I spin on the pole and then without thinking, drop down, to his eye level; avoiding him getting to look at my face, I turn my head to the side instead of him. Suddenly, I notice Fang lean in and he whispers, "Nice view" He smirks and my mouth drops open.
I just forgot I was wearing practically a narrow headband around my chest and a g-string. I did have a black studded blazer though. And this underwear is giving me a wedgie!
I get back up and then think of something funny. Time to mess with Fang. The hard way. Payback.
I drop back down and grab the back of his head, blushing and I notice a huge shiver run up my spine as my bare hand comes in contact with the back of Fang's neck. I pull him closer to me and mess up his good hair. Haha.
He frowns. Ha. He probably thought I was gonna lean in to give him a kiss. What an ass.
And get this, he actually fixes his hair since I put it al over the place. I don't see the difference though. His long bangs fall onto half of his eye. His dark black irises state at me. Though I notice something he doesn't do that the other guys who were looking at me do: stare at my body. Fang was actually practically starring into my soul the whole time. He tries to look me in the eyes but can't since the hat is covering them. I feel like I'm dancing the very heat of the flames down in those eyes of his.
I stand back up again and resume circling my hips again as I keep as I keep a hand wrapped around the pole. Then I hear something that catches my attention, a whistle. "Yeah baby!" I look over to my right where a man is sitting drinking his beverage in another table, he's looking my way. I grimace as I take in his appearance and face.
Fang turns around and glances at the man. For a second there, it looked like he actually glared at the man, but who knows? Fang stands form the stool he's sitting on, "More water" he mutters as he grabs his glass and heads over to get more water. That is until I stop him. I hesitantly place a leg over one of his shoulders, causing him to stop. He glances over at my long leg and then looks up at me with a raised eyebrow; I cautiously look away so he won't see my face. Whoa, that was a close one. I bend my knee over his shoulder, forcing him to come closer to me and then grab him by his collar of his black jacket and then trace my palms down his back, under his jacket; on top of his plain black t-shirt. Why is he always wearing lack? You'd think he's emo or something. I feel his body shiver below mine as I trace my nails on his back. I uncarve my nails from his back and slowly lift them up from under his jacket. I look under to see both his hands holding onto the edge of the table tightly as his face and chest face the table, his forehead, nose and lips a good three inches from practically touching the surface of the red table. I slowly unlatch my leg from his shoulder and I grab the pole again. He lets go of the table and looks up at me.
From the corner of my eye I see something green and moving. I look at it. The same man who whistled before to me was waving a wad of cash in his hands. I squint my eyes and could see it now. Two one hundred dollar bills. Two hundred buckaroonies. I gasp silently as I stare at the money the man waves from a distance and then my eyes travel o the man's face. He makes a kissy face and wink at me and then laughs with one of hi guy friends. I give them a disgusted look, but I know they have the money. I need that money.
I hate to admit it though, but it's been fun entertaining Fang. Even though he probably doesn't know it was me.
I look back down at Fang and see he's sitting back on the stool, his chin resting on his palm as he carries an impassive, bored look on his face. Suddenly, I bend down and give him the money sign with my hands; as to ask him how much he's gonna pay me.
From nowhere, he pulls out a dollar bill and hands it to me. I gasp at the sudden appearance of it and extend my arm out to grab it, but then he pulls his hand away; extending the distance between the money and I. I gasp at him and I see him smirk.
I glare at him and since I have no idea what to do, my instinct kicks in; I tackle him. I jump on his chest and to his surprise, he gasps and his eyes widen for a second. "What the he-" he stops talking as we both fall off the stool and onto the floor, with a huge thud sound; taking the stool down with us. I fall on top of him and grab the money and place it in my top. I stand up, full of guilt and walk over to the other big man who is with his other two guy friends and I lift a leg up and stomp my 6 inch heels on the surface of the table as hard as I can to get their attention. I interrupt their talking as they turn around and notice me. Their eyebrows raise and they all give each other these looks. Ew.
I stand up on the table and he hands out the two hundred dollars to me. Hesitantly, I extend my arm over just like with Fang to try and grab the money. He doesn't pull back. I yank it out of his hand as fats as I can, earning a "Ooooh" form him and his friends as they all laugh like perverts and crazy drunk men. I stuff the dollar into my bra and then stand back up and start moving my body.
"Hey babe, whatdya say we get a room ay?" He asks, winking at me; the same man who gave me the two hundred. I scoff and pretend like I didn't hear him.
"You got a nice ass" another says as he stares at my butt with pleasure. I grimace at him and continue doing my work. But I suddenly feel very disgusted and don't wanna do this, "Move that body! Oh yeah" shouts another. I look to him and see his eyeballs are bawled out of his sockets and he looks at my body with greed and want. They all have lust on their minds, they want my body. It's pure disgusting.
I move my body a good 90 degrees and glance at Fang. I see he's like glaring at the men I'm serving.
I look back and look at their faces, they're too stupid to notice him starring. "Come to papa sweet stuff!" A really big and muscled man says to me. He's bald and has a lot of tattoos on his arms and on his neck. He grabs my leg and I try to pull away but he puts force on it, "Ah" I silently whimper as he pulls me close rot me, "Let go" I say and they all starts laughing. A sudden tug is felt on my hair and I look over and yelp as one of the drunk men pulls on my hair to get my face close to his. "Lemme go!" I say, kicking him with my other leg. They start laughing like total psychos, just like that man and throw beer all over my body form a half full glass one of them was drinking from. "You're all wet, why don't you take your clothes off so you can dry off baby?' One of them suggest, giving me a pedophilic smile as both corners of his mouth twitch up and his cheeks rise, enhancing the wrinkles on his face. "Stop!" I say. "Sto-" "Hey, what're you looking at, huh? Punk!" The same man who gave me the two hundred dollars shouts at another guy. I turn around and see Fang, sitting all silently and alone in a corner in another table. "You" He says, glaring at him. The man lets go of my leg and stands up to walk over to Fang. My jaw drops and my mouth is open, "No!" I say, placing both hands on his chest to make him top, he looks at me and grimaces, "You think I'm gonna listen to someone like you? Get off me you whore!" The man shouts, pushing me back, looking into my eyes. I feel a sudden tear fall down my cheek and I look away.
The man walks over to Fang, "You have something to say huh kid?" He says, grabbing Fang by his shirt. Oh shit.
Fang's forced to standup up as the guy 10 times his size lifts him up by his shirt as he grasps it tight. "Yeah" Fang says, glaring at him. I see them both stand and my eyes widen in shock at the sudden height difference between them. I mean, Fang is pretty tall, maybe 5'10 but this guy is almost seven feet tall!
"Oh. You do?" He says and then glances back at his buddies and laughs with them. With one swift movement, Fang clasps both hands around the man's wrists and takes his strong grip off his shirt. Fang grabs the man wrist and bends his arm over, causing the other man to yelp out in pain as his ball socket from his shoulder twists at a weird angle. Fang slams his chest on the surface of the table, and roughly places a hand over the man's nape of his neck. He leans down as if to whisper something to the man, "Don't ever fucking touch her again. Ever." He threatens the man as he keep glaring at him and then lets go of the man as he loses his balance and stumbles on the leg of a stool and falls to the floor.
Oh crap. Does that mean Fang knows…it's me?
Max?
Fang turns his face to me and I look away, still on the pole up on the table. He starts walking to me and as he approaches me, I feel my heart beating faster and like I'm gonna throw up any second now. Time to go. I get off one of the heels and sit down on the table to get off. With beer all over the floor, I have to be very careful so I won't slip and bump my head onto the edge of the table. That's wouldn't be too good.
"Crap" I say, getting ready to leave but then I feel something hold down my wrist and I look back, "whoa!" I blurt out as the force pulling my wrist down takes control over me. I turn around and see Fang. He pulls me off the table, causing me to almost slip and fall! "Uh" I gasp out as he pulls my wrist and behind walking in front, I don't anything anymore. What is he doing? Where is he taking me?
We walk through a stampede of people and then he angrily pushes a door open and pulls my wrist even tighter, "ow" I yelp. The door slams shut and he aggressively pins me to the wall as my back hits it. He keeps his hand on my wrist and from all the movement the long strand of hair goes in front of my face, covering it. I look like I'd just been slapped with all the hair in my face and my profile view. I start breathing heavily as he huffs in a fit of anger and grows at me, "What the fuck are you doing?" He asks me with a rage of anger. He leans in to ask me. I feel his breath on mine; I feel like I'm about to explode into millions of tiny droplets of tears.
He keep his eyes focused on me and peering down my soul as he grabs my hat and literally throws it to the ground with all the anger he has.
I jump, startles by his sudden aggressiveness. What's he gonna do? Hit me next?
My face contorts as I frown and close my eyes shut as tears start bawling out of my eyes and run down my face like little rivers running down into an ocean.
I start uncontrollably gasping and sobbing out as my hands cup my chin. I don't want him to see me like this. I don't want him to see me crying. I don't want his pity. I don't want his anger. I don't want his lectures. I don't want any of it.
"I-" I stop talking as a hiccup erupts out form my throat. What's the point of trying to speak now if I clearly can't!
I shake my head; giving him and I don't know! Look. "I-needed t…t…to-d-do t-th-is"
I pant out, resting my back flatly against the wall as I slowly slide down to the ground.
"Why?" He asks his voice now calmer than before. He positions himself on one knee so we can be at eye level.
I take a deep breath in and then out. Sooner or later I'm gonna have to talk to him. If not later, then now. He wants answers, he probably deserves to know.
He's worried, Max.
Is he? Is he really? Or is he just a frustrated hormonal teenager?
"Be-because…I had…to see my mom" I say quietly, under my breath. Hopefully he heard me.
He blinks, "She lives here?' He asks very calmly and softly, looking at me, not meeting my eyes though because my eyes are half lidded and I keep avoiding his face.
"She's dead." I state and then all of a sudden, tears start scrambling out of my eyes again.
He blinks again and keeps looking at me. I suppose he's just looking at my hair now or my face, definitely not my eyes. I don't want him to see me.
He gently lets go of my wrist and sets it down on the ground.
I glance at it and see it's sort of red from his grip. "Ass" I mutter and glare at him. He looks at my wrist, "God. I'm sorry" He whispers, looking over at my wrist with wide eyes. I can tell he feels very guilty right now. He picks it up and gently lowers his head down, my heart beats super fast now, I feel l like if it keeps beating any faster, soon it'll pound off of my chest. He lowers his head and gently places his lips on my wrist and kisses it gently and slowly. "Um" I gasp out in sudden shock and fear.
I watch as his lips slowly and tenderly move across my wrist. His warm, wet lips. Just like the first time he had kissed me. Only, it wasn't on the lips.
He stops and gently lets go of my wrist. He looks over at me and cups my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes. "Was it recent?' He asks me. I blink, in total bewilderment. What is he talking abou-oh! My mom.
"No. Like two years ago" I say slowly. He gulps and I watch his slightly visible Adam's apple rise up then back down.
He keeps looking at me, telling me to keep going.
"I needed to visit her. But, I didn't have any money" I say.
"Wasn't there anything else you could do?" He asks in deep concern furrowing his brows but yet having a calm attitude.
"No. I needed the money fast. I needed two tickets." I say.
"Why two?" He asks me.
"Well-" I take a deep breathe, kind of embarrassed of what I'm gonna ay next. "H?" He mutters, gently stroking my hair, making me feel sleepy.
"One to visit my mom in LA. The other, to…find…you."
His mouth drops open slightly and he frowns in discontentment.
I can feel myself getting absorbed into those eyes. My body suddenly doesn't feel cold right now, but like I'm right in front of the sun. With him, I feel like I melt. I don't know why though. He's just a person.
"Max" He says and I lift my head up, listening to what he's about to sa-
"huh" I gasp as he slips his body on mine, he hugs me tight, he holds me tight. His long, muscular yet slender arms wrap around my back tightly. It's not an intimate sort of hug, more like a 'you should keep warm' type of hug. And suddenly, I feel an involuntarily action sprouse through my arms. They lift themselves up and wrap around Fang's back as well.
Slowly, my heart beats faster. I can feel my chest pounding against Fangs. I wonder if he does too.
"Max..." He whispers. "Hmm?" I mutter, almost inaudibly. Did he even hear me. "But why?' He asks.
"I...had to see you...that's why" I answer, whispering into his chest as my cheek is pressed against his chest.
"Why?" He asks still embracing me tightly into his arms and chest. "'Cause then… I …couldn't afford a train to come here" I say, hesitantly. Now I'm suddenly scared at what his reaction might be. "Idiot" He murmurs and I feel an unwelcomed pang of guilt now.
"You...didn't have to do that...you didn't have to risk yourself...just for...me" He says, slowly and with real emotion. Even though I couldn't see his face since my face was buried into his chest, I cold feel the strong emotion in his voice. I could tell he was about to cry.
"Mmm" I muttered in my mouth to let him know I was listening.
I feel a sudden blush come up my cheeks because of what he said...that I did all this...for...him. For...Fang.
"I'm…I'm sorry" I whisper against his chest. My cheek that's pressed flatly against his chest must be really warm by now.
He nods and then whispers in my neck, "Do you remember what happened last time we saw each other?" He asks, his hot breath pouring out of my bare neck. I nod, "Yeah" feeling guilt now, a lot of it. He wanted to kiss me, but I didn't. I was stupid. He takes care of me, he protects me. It's like he's my guardian angel sent to me from the heavens above. And that's actually kinda true, since he has freakin wings.
He gently pulls away and cups the side of my face and whispers, "I don't wanna make you feel uncomfortable" he says with deep emotion in his eyes and face and body. Everything. I feel like he's trying to pour out his heart to me. It's just in the way he does everything. The way he speaks to me. The way he comforts me, when his body presses against mine; giving me a warm pleasant sensation hat I haven't felt since my mom…died.
A sudden breeze seeps through form under the crack of the door and I shiver involuntarily. Fang notices. He takes off his heavy jacket and places it over my shoulders, covering me up and warming me up instantly. He helps me put both arms through the holes and then his hand reaches for the zipper, all the way down, since on me the jacket is quite big. He stops at my navel and stares at it; making me blush. He stops and shakes his head; blushing as well, "s-sorry" He mutters, zipping me up, not looking at my breasts that are sticking our of the stringy bra Sheryl gave me. I nod and give him a slight smile but it fades away quickly.
"I didn't mean to hurt you" I whisper to him, frowning.
He nods, "I know. You were confused. I was confused. We're were all confused" He says with humor in his voice. After all that's happened, I muster up everything that I can to make me grin. But it comes out as a grimace. How can he be happy? Is he?
"I dunno" I say. He looks at me and I continue, "I dunno how I feel right now. I just…I-I…don't know." I shrug sighing in defeat over my feelings. How important is Fang...to me?
And is there something else that matters?
Of course there is. There always is.
You can't always get what you want.
I can't pretend to live in a happy world.
This world is far from that.
Everyday, I feel like I'm getting to know this world more little by little. Its doors are opening to me. Showing me. And it's…disgusting.
"I feel so grossed out…with myself" I say to myself but Fang can definitely hear me.
Slowly, my face turns form a frown to a hard on grimace, contorting my features. "Oh god! What've I done?" I say out loud and once again a river of tears is formed down my cheeks.
"Max...shhh...uhh...it'll be okay...don't cry...please" Fang said, cradling me in his arms...that beautiful scent of him, that scent I love.
Wait…love?
I realize how close his face is to mine and I look u at him, a blush covering my cheeks. I hide my face from him and instead look down to his knees.
Fang has cool knees.
Oh. That's weird. Never mind.
Wait, I wouldn't know, he's always wearing jeans not shorts. Lets just say Fang with shorts = o.O= LOL
"What're you thinking about?" He whispers into my shoulder as his lips are subtly pressed against it. "Um, nothing" I say, obviously lying.
"Liar." He states. I roll my eyes, "It's nothing" I say to him, already getting annoyed.
"Fine. You're blushing again" He says to me. I look down again, "Shut up" I snap back and he chuckles softly.
"Fang" I state in his arms. My voice seeming muffled since he's hugging me again, his arms wrapped around my back and my body pressed firmly against his warm chest. Oh, soo warm.
"Huh?" He asks. "Promise me that you'll never leave again" I say. He tilts his head as if to think, "Depends" He says. "Whatdya mean/" I ask him, poking his hest causing him to grin. "Wipe that grin off your face" I mutter. His smile fades and he smirks, "Why?" He asks, "And that smirk" His smirk fades away too and turns into a frown…a second later he bursts out laughing at me. I look dumfounded. "Wha-hey are you laughing at me! Is there something in my hair or something?" I ask, annoyed. Stupid Fang.
"No. no. It's..-" He looks at my hair and slides his fingers down the strands. It gives me a sudden chill. "-really pretty" He says looking at me. "Whoa, um…gee thanks" I say, blushing and looking away.
"You're a…hot mess" he says, making me blush even harder. "You should go change…into your normal clothes….you smell like alcohol" He says.
"I, I didn't drink any of it" I say. "C'mon" He says, standing up and pulling my hand up with him.
His hand is gently grabbing my wrist and I try something; time for me to make the first move this time. I slid my hand off his grasp and slide it down his fingers gently, intertwining them. I swear I hear a small quite gasp escape Fang's lips as he looks down at our hands, he smiles back up at me. Wow, a genuine warm smile. A real smile this time.
"Max" He says my name, catching my attention. I look up at him in the immediate say of my name, "Yeah?" "Don't ever do this again" He says, pleading. Wow, Fang begging. Huh.
I nod, "I won't" I say. "And…take off your heels…they look unsteady" He says. I laugh, "They kinda are, I hate wearing heels!" "Haha" Fang chuckles, helping me take the shoes off.
"I don't need these anymore" I say, confidently, holding them by the long straps.
"Max" I roll my eyes, "Now what?" I say and he smirks, "Um, I need to tell you something…l-later "
"Whoa, why the sudden stutter?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. He shrugs, "Shut up" and we walk out the bathroom hallway door.
As soon as he opens the door, the bright lights and smoke once again invade my eyes. But this time, I'm glad I'm not alone.
"Max!" A familiar voice calls me. I turn around and see Sheryl. "Hi" I say, "Oooh…did you hook up with this hottie?' She asks, eyeing him. I blush, "N-no! Of course not!" I say. "Oh." She frowns.
"Well, here…you two might need it" She takes out something form her bag, "Here" She hands Fang a small packet. I tilt my head over to what she's handing him, in curiosity and then the blush comes back to my face. A condom!
I look over at Fang and see his eyes are widened and he's also blushing, "Um, no thanks" He says, rejecting the offer. Sheryl frowns, "Oh! But…you sure? Ya never know! You should be prepared just in case!-" She leans in to me to whisper something so Fang won't hear, "Ya don't wanna end up like that pregnant 18 year old girl who worked here" She states. Fang coughs, he probably heard it too. We both look at him and my eyes meet Fang's. He looks away, "Yeah, we're sure, we won't need this" He says. My face falls flatly on my palms, in embarrassment. Stupid Sheryl. The only reason why Fang and I would ever need one of those would be because we'd wanna do…that. But that's not happening. It's not even like Fang's my boyfriend, he just cares for me a lot.
That's it.
Sheryl once again frowns, "You guys are so cute together…maybe when you're married and wanna have babies" She says, winking at us.
Fang's eyes widen, "Um" He blurts out, "Sheryl…just…please" I say, begging her to stop humiliating us. "Oh, ahaha sorry! I must be drunk ahahah! See ya two love birds around!" She says, walking away.
And as soon as she does, Fang and I walk to the exit of the club and he opens the door, allowing me to pass through first. What a gentleman. Stupid Fang.
"So…what did you wanna tell me?" I ask. He looks down to the ground, "You see…I-" He cups his chin with his thumb and forefinger and tries to think. Hard. I can tell he's giving himself a rough time over whatever it is he wants to tell me. He sighs, "Look…uh…" "Just spit it out!" I say, waiting for what he wants to tell me. He takes a deep breath again, "Um, um...I-" With discontentment, he sighs, again. "I can't" His head drops so he's now looking at his converse.
"Fang, I'm really cold and my skin feels so sticky and gross form all the heat and stuff that fell on me. Do you have somewhere to go? 'Cause I don't." I say.
He looks up at me, "How long have you been here, in Cali?" He asks. I shrug, "Don't remember" "And you don't have anywhere to stay? Where'd you sleep? What'd you eat? Did you eat?" He asks, cupping both my shoulder with his hands and look into my eyes. "No and yes. I don't have a place to stay but I have eaten" I say.
I take in the background, where we're standing; right outside the club. I see the bright neon lights through the transparent doors. I look over to my left, see a couple drunk men drinking their beer and sitting down on the sidewalk. To my right, a group of five women smoking; they probably work back t the club from the look of it. They got their huge stilettos on and basically stringy lingerie.
"Hey cutie" one of the women smoking see him and call him over, "Want some real women tonight?" She asks. Fang doesn't even glance at them though. That's good. I smile to Fang and he smiles back, "Um, hop on" He says, grabbing my hand and leading us to his motorcycle. "Ah, yes…I remember. I've been on top of this bad boy before" I say to him, eyeing the bike. Fang clears his throat, "Hopefully you mean the bike and not a perso-" "Fang!" I say, startling him, "Pig" I sya, getting on the motorcycle.
He smirks and hands me the helmet. You hungry?" He asks. I shake my head, "I just feel nauseated, not at all hungry" I say, "Wow, what's wrong?" He asks, looking back to me. "Nothing, just stomach ache" "You've had a rough night, that's it' He says. I nod and he starts driving. As soon as I place my hands around his waist, I feel his body shiver causing me to smile. Now I know that I make Fang nervous too. Ha.
…
30 minutes later
Location: Fang's apartment
"Hey Max" A voice comes to my senses. I feel something tap my shoulder lightly. "Maaaax…wake up" He says. "Hmm" I say, feeling too lazy to wake up. Then I feel my body go into a sudden swoosh. I open my eyes wide and see that Fang is carrying me bridal style to his place. I close my eyes again, feeling enveloped in his warm body. I hear a door knob turn and then suddenly everything is dark.
The door closes and he sets me down on the couch. "Hey Max" He says, poking my shoulder. I guess I should wake up now.
"Hmm?" I groan out as I open my eyes. I see nothing but pure darkness. Pitch black. "Hey, this setting really suits you ya know" I kid. I hear his distant chuckle and he mutters, "Shut up" "Um, turn on the lights" I say. "Okay, but they're bright, so shield your eyes" He says. I nod and cover my eyes with my palms. A small lamp is turned on and I chuckle, "Fang, wha-what is this?" I start laughing, "It's just a small lamp" I say. "Yeah, well, it's bright for me" He says. "Yeah that's probably because you're used to being in the dark, emo boy" I say.
He shrugs, "Haha. Very funny" He says sarcastically.
"Can I use your shower?" I ask him. He nods, "Yeah, it's to your right…oh here" He says, throwing me a towel.
…
I step into the shower, "Maaaax" A sudden voice calls me, "Yeah? What is it!" I shout back, "Maaaax" I frown and open the transparent sliding door of the shower and stick my head out, "What Fang?" I yell. No response, "Fang?" I ask again, quieter this time. Maybe he took a stroll around the neighborhood or maybe he's busy listening to his iPod. There's lots of reasons why one wouldn't hear a screaming person. Nothing to be scared of. "I'm coming Maaaax" The wispy voice once again calls. I know the voice. It's definitely not Fang. It's….him.
I lean against the wall, my back planted on it and I slide down, "Why can't you just leave me alone!" I scream at the voice calling me.
But I shake it off. I wipe away my tears that were starting to form and stand up, turning on the shower. The warm water is soothing and calms me down. I hunch my back over so it falls down my back.
10 minutes later
I turn off the shower and squeeze the remaining water out of my hair. I open the door but then I stop because I hear some noises behind me. "Maaax" It says. I gulp and slowly turn around. There must be something behind the window of the wall from the shower tiles. Slowly my body turns at a 90 degree angle. From the corner of my eye, I see a black shadow. "Maaax" It rasps out to me, the same voice. I turn around and scream as I see the face of that man.
I open the shower sliding doors and grab the towel, circling it around my body. I open the bathroom door and close it shut, locking it.
"Something wrong?" A voice appears form behind me. Fangs. I give a sudden gasp out loud and turn around to see only Fang. He sees my eyes are red and frowns. "Hey, you ok?" He asks. "I-That man! He…he was behind the window! He's crazy! Why won't he leave me alone!" I start yelling and fall down to my knees. "Alright, you stay here, I'm gonna go check it out" He says. "Wait, you believe me? Last time I checked, he wa sin Washington not in California" I say. Fang sighs, as if he's hiding something. "Max, he's not in Washington…not…anymore. He's…kidnapped Angel…he's here, in California" My eyes widen and my mouth hangs open, "What does he want? He's so creepy!" I say, almost bursting out into tears, "Max…he's…he's…crazy. Period. " He says to me. "He kidnapped your sister?" I ask him. He nods, "I'm not really sure, but that's what I think could've happened. She's missing, it's in the paper" He says, sighing after the long sentence.
Maaaaxx, oh Maaaaxiii!
I gasp out loud, startling Fang. "He's here, did you hear him?" I ask him. "No, where?" Fang asks. "I just heard him, didn't you?" I ask him, grabbing his shirt, "Max, I didn't hear anything" I look into his eyes.
He's telling the truth.
Fang didn't hear…anything.
Am I…crazy?
"I'm not crazy" I say seriously.
He nods, "I know, this man…he has a way of getting into someone head…that's right where he wants to be. The same thing happened to me before "He says, tangling his fingers in mine.
He presses his body closer to mine and places a hand on the back of my head"
"I promise it'll be okay" He whispers.
"Here" He says, giving me my old clothes back, the jeans with that old granny sweatshirt. "Nice sweater by the way" He smirks, obviously being sarcastic. Why does everyone hate this sweater so much?
"Go in the bathroom and change"
I nod, "Fang, I know what to do" I mutter and he smirks at me.
…
After I finish changing into the old clothes I had on and open the door swiftly.
I take a look at his bed and see that he's not there, then I see his ouch, not there either.
Then I see something form the corner of my eye move, Fang. He's in the kitchen sitting on a chair and resting his head on his arm. "Hey" I say, waking him up.
"Wake up" I say
"I wasn't asleep" He mutters.
"Oh"
"I was thinking"
"About what?"
"Stuff"
"I see"
"Max…you don't have to worry" He says, getting off the chair and heading to the bed, "I can get the couch if you'd like" He says.
"Um, no that's fine" I say.
"Max?" He asks me, warily.
"Yeah?"
"I wanna hug you" He says, setting his eyes on the carpet instead of looking at me suddenly making me feel like a little stuffed teddy bear.
"Okay" I smile and he wraps his arms around me. Slowly, we both slide onto the mattress without thinking of it.
"You tired?" He whispers. I nod, "Kinda" I say. We don't let go of each other. My arms are still wrapped around his back and his are wrapped around my back. He starts stroking my hair, making me feel dizzy and sleepy. I can smell him. That same smell that he always has. No other person smells like him. His scent is just so invigorating. "Fang"
"Yeah Max"
"You promised you wouldn't leave…ever again"
He sighs, "No, I said it…depends"
I roll my eyes, "So, does that mean you will leave?" I ask.
"No. Why? You want me to?" He asks.
I bite my lip, "No!" I blurt out.
"Then I won't…but-"
"But what?" I ask him, what now?
"I think it's time…" He says.
"Time?" I ask him, confused.
"Yeah…time I end things with this man" He says.
"W-what're you saying?"
"I mean that this time instead of him coming to me, I'm gonna come to him"
"You're gonna find him?"
"Yeah"
"And then what?"
"Whatdya think?" He asks me.
My mind scans all the possibilities of what Fang would do when he finds this man.
"You're gonna kill him?"
"I'm gonna kill him"
"Wow" I gulp the dry lump in my throat.
"He's a sick man, he's disgusting...never have I wanted anyone more than this man..." Fang says with clenched teeth.
I silently gasp, "Never?" I ask.
"Never." He states
Well...what about...me?
Slowly, his fingers slide down my hair and to my shoulder, where he caresses it softly and gentle with his thumb; waving it back and forth. I keep half my face pressed against his chest. He's still wearing the same black t-shirt, just without the jacket. Fang shifts his body over, closer to mine. The mattress moves as he comes closer to mine. His face is facing the crook of my neck and his neck is a bit bent to the side. His warm lips stay about an inch away from touching my skin; my bare neck.
How long will he linger? Fang knows he wants to kiss her neck. If not her lips; then at least her neck. He can't resist th temptation and eyes Max's beautiful long flawless neck. He increases his breathing; it suddenly turns into hot and heavy breaths. They reach her skin and she gives out an involuntary shiver. He keeps eyeing her; not wanting to close his eyes because reality is finally better than his dreams; he can't believe this beautiful girl who's lying right beside him. He loves her…he knows that. He won't deny it…anymore.
Question is, does she love him?
Does Max love Fang?
That's what he wants to know. He knows he can't just ask her are you in love with me, Max? He knows that'd be awkward; for both of them. So there he is, starring at the girl. Her eyes are now closed and she's probably half asleep right now. He'd love to kiss her, he wants to. But, he'd feel selfish to. Fang knows how many problems Max is dealing with right now; her mom's death, she left her friends back in Washington, this crazy man is stalking them, etc.
That's why, he'd feel selfish to kiss her. To make her think that there are no worries…not today, not tomorrow, not ever. He sighs into her neck and stops rubbing her shoulder. He places his hand back down to his side and Max groans so he puts it back behind the lane of her back; wrapping her tightly with his embrace. He sees her give a slight smile, but still sleeping.
That's it.
Fang can't take it anymore.
He breaks the gap between his lips and the skin on her neck, he kisses her gentle yet with passion. "Mmm" Max suddenly mutters, as a reaction to Fang's actions. She's still sleeping though. Fang tries to deliver each move of his lips as a warm, soft, and calming pleasurable feeling to Max. Oh he knows he wants much more though. But he restrict himself form crossing the line. In no way, is Fang trying to make it seem perverse. Fang is definitely not one of those guys. His want for Max, isn't something lustful; just passionate. That's all it is. And when he has strong feelings from someone; whether it be hate or love; he does it with passion.
"Fang" Max mutters.
Fang stops kissing her and bites his lip; now regretting what he'd done. He definitely doesn't wanna ruin what they have. He rather have what they already have than not have what he wants.
"I didn't say stop" She says, opening her eyes out to him.
He blinks and positions them so that he's on top of her and she's under. He hovers over her and starts kissing her jaw line. "Um" She says. His lips trail down to her collarbone but can't go any further down because of the sweater.
You're not an animal Fang; control yourself he says in his mind.
Though, he does have wings…so clearly, he's half bird, which is an animal.
No, Fang, no. He once again tells himself.
Oh, how he must restrain himself. From doing what he truly wants. The beauty is lying right under him and he on top of her. His love is right before his very eyes.
Ooh, how he just wants to rip all her clothes off so badly and kiss her on the lips with a passion so strong, that it'd be clearly inevitable for anyone to stop…
O.o
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