Disclaimer: I disclaim! Bwahh!
Feedback: It's like the butter on my bread. I love it and it's greatly appreciated =)
.....................................................................
So kill me with the love that you won't give to me,
And pack the wound with salt - I want to feel it bleed.
.....................................................................
Chapter 6: Bottom Of A Bottle
-RockHard, 11PM -
"You know, I don't think anyone really understands the true meaning of love." Max was saying to the crowd before her. "Its not all lovey dovey cute little stars in your eyes or that warm fuzzy feeling you get."
Her eyes were a little droopy, and she looked like she was going to fall off the chair any second. Their were nods here and there.
"Its painful and hard. And emotional." She said, taking a swig of her beer. "And it makes you weak." Tears were forming in her eyes as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"Maxine I think I should take you home." Zane said to her, touching her arm briefly. She pulled away.
"Don't be such a party crasher Zane. I'm just having a little fun with my friends here." She said smiling at the few people around her. Zane glared again and gritted his teeth, "Its Zee, remember?"
"Oh yeah, sorry Zee." Max said sarcastically, laughing her ass off. "Whats so funny?" Zane felt like pummeling her, here and now. She was acting like a complete idiot.
It was a Saturday night, and also Max's day off. So she decided to take a few drinks, but she ended up drinking way too much, and now she was more than half drunk.
"Nothing Zeeeeeeee." Max said laughing still.. He hated the way she would say his name, it was getting on his nerves. He sighed and grabbed ahold of her wrist harder, pulling her to her feet.
"Hey!" She yelled at him as he swung her over his shoulder. Zane shrugged, "You wouldn't listen to me." He said, carrying her outside to his car. Dropping her to her feet, Zane pointed to the car, "Get in." He ordered, his face hard and unreadable.
Max sighed and sat in the car and took a swig of water. "I feel sick."
Zane just rolled his eyes and drove off to their apartment.
-
"Back so soon?" Tommy said, his voice echoing through the large apartment. "Yeah, Max had a bad encounter with beer. And I mean bad." Zane said, carrying Max.
He sat her down on a nearby couch and gave her a glass of water, "Drink it." He ordered. Max obeyed and soon the glass was empty. "My head hurts." She said.
Zane fetched her some aspirin and not long after she was feeling a little better, "Thanks." Max whispered to him, not looking him in the eyes.
"Max, I think you should tell me the truth at why your here." Zane said, staring intently at her. Max finally looked up at him, "But I told you the truth. My life was so hectic in Seattle, I couldn't take it."
"Yeah, but what about your friends and family back there?" Max's face became expressionless. "Original Cindy understands, and were keeping in touch. I have no family. Your all I got."
"Oh." Zane whispered. A long silence passed. "You were talking back at the bar like you were in love."
"I think I was." Max finally said, breaking the tension. "You think?"
Max sighed, "He was just so complicated and so different than me. I left because he hurt me. And now I'm just confused about where he and I stand."
"I understand." He said, pulling her in a hug. Pulling away from her, Zane looked into her eyes. "Theirs something else." He said simply. Max's face wrinkled into confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Theirs someone else your thinking of." Max shook her head, "No. No one else."
Zane broke into a smile, "You like someone." He said poking her side. Max jumped, "Maybe."
"You like him huh?" Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, Max got up from the couch and paced around the room, "I didn't think I did."
"But you do." Max looked at him bewildered. "How the hell do you know all of this?" Zane grinned, "Your like an open book Max. I've always been able to read you. You can't hide anything from me."
Max smirked and threw a nearby pillow at him, "Your making me uneasy." Zane chuckled, "Sorry." Glaring at him, she tapped her foot. He was just like Zack.
But soon after, Max's anger wore away, "I've missed this." Max said sitting down beside him, hugging him. Zane ran his hand through her hair, enjoying the comfort of his long lost companion. "Me too."
"Have you seen any of the others?" Max asked. "No, I've tried to reach Brin and Krit. But I've had no success. I tried reaching you too, but I guess you came to me." Max nodded beneath him, "Yeah. I'm really glad I found you too. You don't know how much I needed this. Someone that understood everything about me. It's like talking to Zack."
"Yeah, he always had a thing for understanding us easily huh?" Max nodded, suddenly feeling sadness surge through her at the familiar name. "I miss him." She confessed, a tear falling down her cheek.
"Me too Max, me too." Zane said, continuing to brush her hair with his fingers. "You know, its funny how a little tears can sober you up Max." Max chuckled, "Yeah. I know."
"Well I think I am going to hit the sack. See you in the morning Max." Zane said kissing her on the forehead, then got up and went into his room. "Night." She said quietly.
-
Laying down on the oversized couch in the living room, Max stared up at the ceiling, thinking about home. Or whatever it was called, she wasn't sure.
Starting to wonder if exactly what she was doing was right, she sighed and picked up the phone, her hands shaking from the slight uneasiness she was feeling at that moment.
Dialing the number, Max waited for the phone to pick up. The phone rang 5 times, and she was about to hang up, when a familiar voice had stopped her.
"Lo?" The sweet sound of Original Cindys voice echoed through Max's ears. Pausing, not knowing exactly what to say, OC grew impatient.
"Hello?"
"Hey OC." Max said softly. Their was a pause, then she heard a thud. "Boo?" OC said, not believing her ears. "Yeah, its me." Max said, smiling from ear to ear. She could tell that OC was smiling the exact same way.
"Well hey boo! What the fuck is shakin'?" OC asked excitedly. Max chuckled, "Nothing really. Just chillin' here at my FINE apartment."
"Define 'Fine'," OC said curiously. "Silk sheets, big ass TVs, loads of food, oh yeah, and I own a bar." OC gasped, "You pimpin' down there without OC?"
Max laughed through the phone, "I tried not to, but it all came to me. I met my brother Zane down here too." Original smiled, "Thats great boo. Your finally with yo brother."
"Yeah, but I miss you OC." Max said honestly. "Aw girl, ya know I miss you too. So get your ass back here. I mean, I can have huge ass TVs and I can turn this room into a pimp town. You just say the word sugar."
Max laughed, "Nah, I don't care if its not nice. I just care about seeing my friends. And you know I can't come back yet. Does Logan know where I am?" Max asked suddenly.
"Naw, not unless Alecs big mouth told him." Max snorted, "Probably did. Wait, you told him?"
"Not exactly. I told him you were confused and you had to leave. I didn't say where. I had to tell him something, that boy is going crazy here without you." Original said. "Who? Alec?"
"Mhmm." She said. "No way, Alec could care less." OC shrugged, "I'm stating the truth. He misses you ya know, and OC knows you miss him too."
"I might miss using him for a punching bag, but thats about all." Max said dryly. "Right boo. Keep telling yourself that."
"Whats that supposed to mean?" Max asked, raising her voice. "Absolutely nothing. Just, come home soon aight?" OC said. Max sighed, "I will keep in touch."
And the line went dead.
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- Jampony, Next Morning -
Casually walking to his locker, Alec passed by Original, who didn't look her usual self. "Whats up OC?" Alec asked.
"Nothin' boo." Alec smirked, "Now thats a first. No smart remark? No 'boo, shut yo ass up'? No flick Alec off today?"
"Max called." Original answered. That shut Alec up. His eyes grew dark and the emotions he had bottled up for the past 2 weeks were showing all over his features, but within a moment they were gone, replaced by the empty mask he was too familar with.
"What did she want?" Alec asked, opening his locker and pretending to not care. But Original noticed the shakiness of his voice just referring to Max. "Just to see how I was doing. It was interesting."
Alec shrugged, "Do I care?" He said shutting his locker hard. OC smiled softly, "Yes, you do." Alec shook his head, "Thats where your wrong OC. I don't." He said walking casually over to Normal, grabbing some packages and walking out the door.
"Damn transgenics. Their too stubborn." OC said getting up off the bench, while Sketchy walked over to OC, swinging his arm around her.
"Aw come on OC, your stubborn too. You can't even admit that you think I'm good looking. I see the way you look at me." OC snorted, "Oh like this?" She said glaring at him, then hitting him in the arm, hard.
"Ow!" Sketchy yelled, "See! Your flirting now. Can't keep your hands off of me." Original rolled her eyes, "Yeah, you caught me. Your so irresistible." She said sarcastically.
"Yeah, I know." Sketchy said, following her out the door.
-
Alec had rode his bike around downtown Seattle for about an hour now, his packages delivered long ago, his mind drifting back to her.
He hated thinking about her, it made him want to vomit. The way her face entered his mind, grinning at him, her eyes laughing at him. Alec felt like he was going insane.
Alec ran a hand through his disheveled hair, a sigh escaping his soft lips. Turning around, he rode his bike to Crash, in serious need for a drink and a round of pool.
Original and Sketchy were sitting at their usual table, with OC checking out all the fine ladies and Sketchy was doing the same. "Hey what about the girl in the red?" Sketchy asked, pointing to a short red haired woman.
OC moved her head in the direction and noticed the shy girl, and she was looking straight at Original Cindy, and OC laughed, "Sorry boo, that ones looking for a lady. I can tell."
Sketchy snorted when she got up, walking towards the girl. "It can just be the three of us then!" Sketchy yelled to OC, who was already out of hearing range.
"Give it up Sketch, you've asked OC that question a million times, she ain't giving in." Alec called to Sketchy, taking OC's once occupied seat. "Oh whats up man?" Sketchy asked taking a sip of beer.
"Nothing, I was just cruisin' round and decided I needed a drink." Alec said motioning towards his beer, which he hadn't touch.
Sketchy looked down at the full beer and stared at it for about five minutes, noticing Alec was making no move to drink it, "You going to drink that?" Sketchy asked pointing to the drink.
Alec looked up at Sketchy and saw the thirst in his eyes and laughed. "I was going to, but you can have it." He said pushing the drink in his direction. Sketchy grabbed it and gulped it down fast.
"Thanks." Sketchy said wiping his mouth. Alec said nothing, just stared at the table in front of him. "Where you at tonight? No scratch that, where have you been for the past week?"
Alec looked up at Sketchy with sad eyes, "I guess I've just been out of it. I haven't really got any rest lately." He lied easily. Sketchy snorted, "I may be drunk sometimes, but it doesn't mean I'm stupid."
Alec raised an eyebrow at the comment, "I mean I'm not blind."
"I don't know what your talking about."
"Damn you Alec! Just say it already, you miss Max. We all do! So do us all a favor and stop crying over her, or go find her. It's getting annoying."
Alec glared at Sketchy, who raised his hands in surrender, "Don't kick my ass for saything that." Alec gave a quick smile, "Its okay Sketch, your right anyways."
"I am? I mean, yeah. I am." He said pouring another glass of beer for himself. "I think I'm going to go find me a woman." Sketchy rolled his eyes, "You'll never find any, OC over there is scamming on all of them." Sketchy said pointing to Cindy, who was indeed flirting with about 4 girls.
"Eh, so I got competition. Nothing my wittiness can't overcome." Alec said walking towards the bar and scoping out some girls.
Sketchy hit his head against the table, "Why can't I be witty? Or gay huh? I need a woman." He said looking towards the ceiling. Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he came in contact with a short, chubby redhead, who was smiling down at him.
"Hey there I'm Tammy, and I couldn't help but overhear you and your friends conversation. Obviously you are much more attractive than him." She said winking at him. Sketchy grinned, looking her up and down, and then he shrugged. *She'll do* He thought.
"So, you wanna go up to my room?" Sketchy asked wiggling his eyebrows. She giggled and nodded. Sketchy grinned and grabbed her wrist, practically running out the door.
-
Two hours and he'd lost count of how many beers later, Alec was feeling a little queasy. He had no idea why either, beer usually only gave him a little buzz. But he felt much more than that.
Alec was talking to a redheaded beauty for he didn't know how long, and she seemed talkative enough for the both of them. He recalled her giving him her name, but he was feeling too strange to even think straight.
"So baby, what do you usually do on a Sunday night?" The redhead asked, smiling mischeviously at him. He raised an eyebrow, and she already knew what he was thinking.
"Why don't we go to my place, its not far from here?" She suggested, tugging on his jacket. Alec was about to object, just because he wasn't feeling too up to it. But taking one look at her chest, practically spilling out exposed to him, he had his mind made up.
"Okay." Alec said, voice unsure. "Aww, your shy. I love that in a man." She winked at him, rubbing her hands up his arms. Inwardly, Alec rolled his eyes. He was anything but shy, and he was about to show her that in bed. "Go, now." He practically grunted, taking her hand, making her follow. She giggled in response.
Seeing her car, Alec had to refuse to drive to her place with her. It was a small beetle, barely big enough for him to ride in. The thing was practically a mini dome.
"Umm, I don't know." Alec said, trying to refuse. "I have my bike here, maybe I should follow?" He asked, hoping she'd agree.
She shrugged, "Alrighty then. But follow close behind. Wouldn't want you to get lost." She said, winking at him for about the 10th time that night.
He sighed and hopped on his bike, following her to her place.
-
The next morning Alec awoke with a throbbing headache. Looking around the small, pink room in curiousity, he was trying to figure out where he was. His eyes were blurry and he could barely see.
Noticing he had no clothes on, Alec jumped out of bed in horror. Looking down at the woman beside him, she looked very familiar, but he couldn't place her. Feeling uneasy, he found his clothes on the floor and hurriedly ran out of the house and sped off to his apartment.
When he got their, he grabbed a bottle of water and took a couple of aspirins. This headache of his wasn't going away. He closed his eyes and tried to figure out everything that happened the night before, but oddly, couldn't remember.
Sighing, he threw the now empty bottle away, grabbed his jacket and headed to Jampony.
.....................................................................................
- California, 10AM -
Max groaned. She had the biggest headache ever. Rolling over she got up from the very comfortable bed and walked downstairs.
"Morning." Zane said smiling. Max grunted something noncoherent and sat beside him on the couch, grabbing the remote and flipping through the channels.
Zane watched her in amusement as she made faces at each channel, until she got to the cartoon channel. Sitting the remote down she smiled in satisfaction and plopped her feet on the coffee table.
"Headache?" He asked. "Oh god yes!" Max groaned, laying her head down in his lap. "You couldn't even imagine."
Zane smiled apologetically, "You could hit me on the head a few times and I may come to an understanding." Max chuckled, "I'm not in the mood at the moment."
Running his hand through her hair, Zane watched the TV show in interest. Max smiled, "Road runner is cool. Original Cindy got me into this stuff, can't get it out of my head."
Zane said nothing.
"Apparently it worked for you too." Max said raising her head from his lap, "Got any aspirin?" Zane nodded, "Kitchen cupboard."
Rising from the couch, Max headed into the kitchen. "Morning Max." Tommy said, eating fruit loops. Max scoffed, "Is that all you ever do?"
"What?" Tommy asked confused. "Eat. It's like your hobby." He shrugged, "Never thought of it like that." Max rolled her eyes and grabbed the aspirin, taking two.
"Never ever drink kid, okay?" Max said to him, patting him on the back and walking back into the living room.
"Zane I.." She stopped when she noticed he was on the phone. He turned around and looked at her, his face puzzled. "Max, its for you." He said.
She walked over to the phone and took it. "Damn it boy, if you don't let me talk to Max I swear to god.."
"OC, it's me." Max said, smiling at Zane. "What's the problem?"
"Hey boo. Just figured I'd let you know that Logan has the cure for the virus." Max's eyes widened, "Your kidding right?"
"Nope. He called me earlier this morning, saying he had to get ahold of you because it was important. He thinks your helping out a cousin somewhere uptown Seattle. So he wanted me to tell you to come home soon."
Max was too awe struck she couldn't form words.
"You there boo?" OC asked. "Uh, Yeah. I'm here." Max said, finally finding her voice. "So..."
"So what?"
"So are you coming back home and live with Logan, happily ever after? Or are you just going to forget I even told you that?"
"Oh I won't forget. But I'm not just going to go back and pretend everything is okay between us, cure or no cure. He really screwed things up for us, so I don't even think their ever will be an 'us' anymore."
"Want me to tell him that, cause I could throw in a few punches for free?" OC suggested. Max laughed, "Nah. Just tell him you couldn't get ahold of me. I know that if you tell him that, he won't listen. So whenever I get over this whole thing, get over him, I'll tell him myself."
"I'm down with that. But we all still miss you here. Come home soon okay?"
"I'll try, but I can't promise anything. Love ya OC."
"You too boo."
"Who was that?" Zane asked. Max shrugged, "It was just a friend." She plopped down beside him and sighed, closing her eyes. "I think my headache just got worse."
Zane chuckled, "Well it better be okay by tonight, you've got to work. And that place gives you a headache just by being there."
Max groaned, "I hate alcohol!"
....................................................................................
- Jampony, 2PM -
"So I'm with this hott chick right? And she totally comes onto me, grabbing me and kissing me and everything else, and I'm just like, sweet." Sketchy rambled on about his 'hot date' while Alec was having a headache the size of California. Go figure.
"Sketch, that's awesome you got the hook up last night but, I'm really not in the mood right now. My head hurts." He said, sitting down on the bench. "Women suck."
"Shut up fool." Original said, hitting him upside the head. "You will never believe the news that I got from Logan." OC said to Alec. "Well...."
"He found the cure for the virus." Alec's heart sunk. Every last shred of hope that he had for he and Max had just flew out the window. "Great." He mumbled.
"Wait, I haven't got to the great part yet."
"You know, I really got to deliver this package. Save it for later okay? I've heard enough good news today to last me a lifetime." He mumbled, walking out the door.
"Man that guy is really spaced out about Max ain't he?" Sketchy said to OC. "So what's the great part?"
"Max didn't care." Original said, watching Alec walk out the door.
-
Later that day, Alec and Sketchy headed over to the Blowfish Tavern. "I don't know man. I got me a girlfriend, I don't want to screw things up." Sketchy said walking into the place.
"Don't be so whipped, she's never going to know. Besides, this is my cure. The way to get a woman off your mind, is to think about other women."
"Ahh, I get it."
They found a table and sat down, "So which one do you want? I got dibs on the blondie over there." Sketchy pointed out. Alec looked around. Oddly, nothing looked good to him.
"I don't know." Alec said honestly. Sketchy looked at him weird, "Okay man you really need to chill. Fine, fine. Here, look at all the girls and imagine Max."
Alec looked at him skeptically, "I'm trying to forget about Max, not imagine her giving me a lap dance." Suddenly, at the words, he imagined it.
"Damn it!" Alec screeched, grabbing his head. "Now I really can't stop thinking about her. Thanks." His mind was racing, every woman he looked at, he saw her.
"Okay then, just imagine Normal." Alec sneered, "Max is way better."
"It's worth a try!" Sketchy said, slapping him on the back. "No thanks." Alec said through clenched teeth.
"You know Alec, OC told me that Max didn't want anything to do with Logan. Even after she told her about the virus." Sketchy told him. Alec looked up, "Really?"
Sketchy nodded, "Yeah so maybe their is hope for you two." He hinted. Alec huffed and shook his head, "I really don't know." He said honestly.
"Whatever man. I'm going to enjoy my night." He said smiling, winking at the blonde in front of him. "I'm a professor, baby." The girl smiled at him and giggled, "Your so funny."
Alec rolled his eyes, "Catch you later man."
"Wait! How am I going to get home?" Alec shrugged, "You seem to be doing good with the ladies, maybe you can score a ride from them." He said grinning.
Sketchy smiled, "Catch ya later."
...............................................................................................
- Zanes Apartment, 1AM -
"So now, after cheating on me, he thinks I'm going to run back to him just because he has the cure to the virus! Is he insane?" Max said to her new friend Layna. "He doesn't even know that I caught him cheating either."
"Men, their such fools. I say you tell him straight up how it is." Layna said, handing Max a glass of water. "I heard that." Zane said to them, sitting down beside Max.
"You going to be okay?" Zane asked worriedly. Max smiled, "I'll be fine. Just need to let it all out you know?" Zane nodded, "I'll be up in my room. You need anything, just call for me. Okay?"
Max nodded and gave him a hug, "I'm so lucky to have a brother like you." She said. "Ditto." Zane said, giving her a kiss on the forehead.
"Night you two."
"Yeah, I better head home too. Its really getting late." Layna paused, "Hang in there girl. Men, their just pains in the ass. They've got to go away sometime or another." She said to Max, giving her a quick hug.
"Bye."Max waved. She sighed and closed her eyes, deciding she needed a nice cold shower.
Heading up to the bathroom, Max turned on the shower and hopped in. The ice cold water did nothing to ease the tension that had built up in her the past month.
She sighed and leaned against the shower wall, letting the tears flow down her cheeks.
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A/N: Yes, I know. Short, boring chapter. I'm getting nowhere! Argh!
But, the next chapter will be skipping to 3 months later, so it should be interesting *hint* (Hopefully I'll update sooner!)
And I am *so* sorry for not updating for so long. I don't have much of an excuse, considering, I wasn't THAT busy. I really didn't mean to not update for 2 months.....So sorry!
Feedback: It's like the butter on my bread. I love it and it's greatly appreciated =)
.....................................................................
So kill me with the love that you won't give to me,
And pack the wound with salt - I want to feel it bleed.
.....................................................................
Chapter 6: Bottom Of A Bottle
-RockHard, 11PM -
"You know, I don't think anyone really understands the true meaning of love." Max was saying to the crowd before her. "Its not all lovey dovey cute little stars in your eyes or that warm fuzzy feeling you get."
Her eyes were a little droopy, and she looked like she was going to fall off the chair any second. Their were nods here and there.
"Its painful and hard. And emotional." She said, taking a swig of her beer. "And it makes you weak." Tears were forming in her eyes as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"Maxine I think I should take you home." Zane said to her, touching her arm briefly. She pulled away.
"Don't be such a party crasher Zane. I'm just having a little fun with my friends here." She said smiling at the few people around her. Zane glared again and gritted his teeth, "Its Zee, remember?"
"Oh yeah, sorry Zee." Max said sarcastically, laughing her ass off. "Whats so funny?" Zane felt like pummeling her, here and now. She was acting like a complete idiot.
It was a Saturday night, and also Max's day off. So she decided to take a few drinks, but she ended up drinking way too much, and now she was more than half drunk.
"Nothing Zeeeeeeee." Max said laughing still.. He hated the way she would say his name, it was getting on his nerves. He sighed and grabbed ahold of her wrist harder, pulling her to her feet.
"Hey!" She yelled at him as he swung her over his shoulder. Zane shrugged, "You wouldn't listen to me." He said, carrying her outside to his car. Dropping her to her feet, Zane pointed to the car, "Get in." He ordered, his face hard and unreadable.
Max sighed and sat in the car and took a swig of water. "I feel sick."
Zane just rolled his eyes and drove off to their apartment.
-
"Back so soon?" Tommy said, his voice echoing through the large apartment. "Yeah, Max had a bad encounter with beer. And I mean bad." Zane said, carrying Max.
He sat her down on a nearby couch and gave her a glass of water, "Drink it." He ordered. Max obeyed and soon the glass was empty. "My head hurts." She said.
Zane fetched her some aspirin and not long after she was feeling a little better, "Thanks." Max whispered to him, not looking him in the eyes.
"Max, I think you should tell me the truth at why your here." Zane said, staring intently at her. Max finally looked up at him, "But I told you the truth. My life was so hectic in Seattle, I couldn't take it."
"Yeah, but what about your friends and family back there?" Max's face became expressionless. "Original Cindy understands, and were keeping in touch. I have no family. Your all I got."
"Oh." Zane whispered. A long silence passed. "You were talking back at the bar like you were in love."
"I think I was." Max finally said, breaking the tension. "You think?"
Max sighed, "He was just so complicated and so different than me. I left because he hurt me. And now I'm just confused about where he and I stand."
"I understand." He said, pulling her in a hug. Pulling away from her, Zane looked into her eyes. "Theirs something else." He said simply. Max's face wrinkled into confusion, "What do you mean?"
"Theirs someone else your thinking of." Max shook her head, "No. No one else."
Zane broke into a smile, "You like someone." He said poking her side. Max jumped, "Maybe."
"You like him huh?" Suddenly feeling uncomfortable, Max got up from the couch and paced around the room, "I didn't think I did."
"But you do." Max looked at him bewildered. "How the hell do you know all of this?" Zane grinned, "Your like an open book Max. I've always been able to read you. You can't hide anything from me."
Max smirked and threw a nearby pillow at him, "Your making me uneasy." Zane chuckled, "Sorry." Glaring at him, she tapped her foot. He was just like Zack.
But soon after, Max's anger wore away, "I've missed this." Max said sitting down beside him, hugging him. Zane ran his hand through her hair, enjoying the comfort of his long lost companion. "Me too."
"Have you seen any of the others?" Max asked. "No, I've tried to reach Brin and Krit. But I've had no success. I tried reaching you too, but I guess you came to me." Max nodded beneath him, "Yeah. I'm really glad I found you too. You don't know how much I needed this. Someone that understood everything about me. It's like talking to Zack."
"Yeah, he always had a thing for understanding us easily huh?" Max nodded, suddenly feeling sadness surge through her at the familiar name. "I miss him." She confessed, a tear falling down her cheek.
"Me too Max, me too." Zane said, continuing to brush her hair with his fingers. "You know, its funny how a little tears can sober you up Max." Max chuckled, "Yeah. I know."
"Well I think I am going to hit the sack. See you in the morning Max." Zane said kissing her on the forehead, then got up and went into his room. "Night." She said quietly.
-
Laying down on the oversized couch in the living room, Max stared up at the ceiling, thinking about home. Or whatever it was called, she wasn't sure.
Starting to wonder if exactly what she was doing was right, she sighed and picked up the phone, her hands shaking from the slight uneasiness she was feeling at that moment.
Dialing the number, Max waited for the phone to pick up. The phone rang 5 times, and she was about to hang up, when a familiar voice had stopped her.
"Lo?" The sweet sound of Original Cindys voice echoed through Max's ears. Pausing, not knowing exactly what to say, OC grew impatient.
"Hello?"
"Hey OC." Max said softly. Their was a pause, then she heard a thud. "Boo?" OC said, not believing her ears. "Yeah, its me." Max said, smiling from ear to ear. She could tell that OC was smiling the exact same way.
"Well hey boo! What the fuck is shakin'?" OC asked excitedly. Max chuckled, "Nothing really. Just chillin' here at my FINE apartment."
"Define 'Fine'," OC said curiously. "Silk sheets, big ass TVs, loads of food, oh yeah, and I own a bar." OC gasped, "You pimpin' down there without OC?"
Max laughed through the phone, "I tried not to, but it all came to me. I met my brother Zane down here too." Original smiled, "Thats great boo. Your finally with yo brother."
"Yeah, but I miss you OC." Max said honestly. "Aw girl, ya know I miss you too. So get your ass back here. I mean, I can have huge ass TVs and I can turn this room into a pimp town. You just say the word sugar."
Max laughed, "Nah, I don't care if its not nice. I just care about seeing my friends. And you know I can't come back yet. Does Logan know where I am?" Max asked suddenly.
"Naw, not unless Alecs big mouth told him." Max snorted, "Probably did. Wait, you told him?"
"Not exactly. I told him you were confused and you had to leave. I didn't say where. I had to tell him something, that boy is going crazy here without you." Original said. "Who? Alec?"
"Mhmm." She said. "No way, Alec could care less." OC shrugged, "I'm stating the truth. He misses you ya know, and OC knows you miss him too."
"I might miss using him for a punching bag, but thats about all." Max said dryly. "Right boo. Keep telling yourself that."
"Whats that supposed to mean?" Max asked, raising her voice. "Absolutely nothing. Just, come home soon aight?" OC said. Max sighed, "I will keep in touch."
And the line went dead.
.........................................................
- Jampony, Next Morning -
Casually walking to his locker, Alec passed by Original, who didn't look her usual self. "Whats up OC?" Alec asked.
"Nothin' boo." Alec smirked, "Now thats a first. No smart remark? No 'boo, shut yo ass up'? No flick Alec off today?"
"Max called." Original answered. That shut Alec up. His eyes grew dark and the emotions he had bottled up for the past 2 weeks were showing all over his features, but within a moment they were gone, replaced by the empty mask he was too familar with.
"What did she want?" Alec asked, opening his locker and pretending to not care. But Original noticed the shakiness of his voice just referring to Max. "Just to see how I was doing. It was interesting."
Alec shrugged, "Do I care?" He said shutting his locker hard. OC smiled softly, "Yes, you do." Alec shook his head, "Thats where your wrong OC. I don't." He said walking casually over to Normal, grabbing some packages and walking out the door.
"Damn transgenics. Their too stubborn." OC said getting up off the bench, while Sketchy walked over to OC, swinging his arm around her.
"Aw come on OC, your stubborn too. You can't even admit that you think I'm good looking. I see the way you look at me." OC snorted, "Oh like this?" She said glaring at him, then hitting him in the arm, hard.
"Ow!" Sketchy yelled, "See! Your flirting now. Can't keep your hands off of me." Original rolled her eyes, "Yeah, you caught me. Your so irresistible." She said sarcastically.
"Yeah, I know." Sketchy said, following her out the door.
-
Alec had rode his bike around downtown Seattle for about an hour now, his packages delivered long ago, his mind drifting back to her.
He hated thinking about her, it made him want to vomit. The way her face entered his mind, grinning at him, her eyes laughing at him. Alec felt like he was going insane.
Alec ran a hand through his disheveled hair, a sigh escaping his soft lips. Turning around, he rode his bike to Crash, in serious need for a drink and a round of pool.
Original and Sketchy were sitting at their usual table, with OC checking out all the fine ladies and Sketchy was doing the same. "Hey what about the girl in the red?" Sketchy asked, pointing to a short red haired woman.
OC moved her head in the direction and noticed the shy girl, and she was looking straight at Original Cindy, and OC laughed, "Sorry boo, that ones looking for a lady. I can tell."
Sketchy snorted when she got up, walking towards the girl. "It can just be the three of us then!" Sketchy yelled to OC, who was already out of hearing range.
"Give it up Sketch, you've asked OC that question a million times, she ain't giving in." Alec called to Sketchy, taking OC's once occupied seat. "Oh whats up man?" Sketchy asked taking a sip of beer.
"Nothing, I was just cruisin' round and decided I needed a drink." Alec said motioning towards his beer, which he hadn't touch.
Sketchy looked down at the full beer and stared at it for about five minutes, noticing Alec was making no move to drink it, "You going to drink that?" Sketchy asked pointing to the drink.
Alec looked up at Sketchy and saw the thirst in his eyes and laughed. "I was going to, but you can have it." He said pushing the drink in his direction. Sketchy grabbed it and gulped it down fast.
"Thanks." Sketchy said wiping his mouth. Alec said nothing, just stared at the table in front of him. "Where you at tonight? No scratch that, where have you been for the past week?"
Alec looked up at Sketchy with sad eyes, "I guess I've just been out of it. I haven't really got any rest lately." He lied easily. Sketchy snorted, "I may be drunk sometimes, but it doesn't mean I'm stupid."
Alec raised an eyebrow at the comment, "I mean I'm not blind."
"I don't know what your talking about."
"Damn you Alec! Just say it already, you miss Max. We all do! So do us all a favor and stop crying over her, or go find her. It's getting annoying."
Alec glared at Sketchy, who raised his hands in surrender, "Don't kick my ass for saything that." Alec gave a quick smile, "Its okay Sketch, your right anyways."
"I am? I mean, yeah. I am." He said pouring another glass of beer for himself. "I think I'm going to go find me a woman." Sketchy rolled his eyes, "You'll never find any, OC over there is scamming on all of them." Sketchy said pointing to Cindy, who was indeed flirting with about 4 girls.
"Eh, so I got competition. Nothing my wittiness can't overcome." Alec said walking towards the bar and scoping out some girls.
Sketchy hit his head against the table, "Why can't I be witty? Or gay huh? I need a woman." He said looking towards the ceiling. Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder. Turning around, he came in contact with a short, chubby redhead, who was smiling down at him.
"Hey there I'm Tammy, and I couldn't help but overhear you and your friends conversation. Obviously you are much more attractive than him." She said winking at him. Sketchy grinned, looking her up and down, and then he shrugged. *She'll do* He thought.
"So, you wanna go up to my room?" Sketchy asked wiggling his eyebrows. She giggled and nodded. Sketchy grinned and grabbed her wrist, practically running out the door.
-
Two hours and he'd lost count of how many beers later, Alec was feeling a little queasy. He had no idea why either, beer usually only gave him a little buzz. But he felt much more than that.
Alec was talking to a redheaded beauty for he didn't know how long, and she seemed talkative enough for the both of them. He recalled her giving him her name, but he was feeling too strange to even think straight.
"So baby, what do you usually do on a Sunday night?" The redhead asked, smiling mischeviously at him. He raised an eyebrow, and she already knew what he was thinking.
"Why don't we go to my place, its not far from here?" She suggested, tugging on his jacket. Alec was about to object, just because he wasn't feeling too up to it. But taking one look at her chest, practically spilling out exposed to him, he had his mind made up.
"Okay." Alec said, voice unsure. "Aww, your shy. I love that in a man." She winked at him, rubbing her hands up his arms. Inwardly, Alec rolled his eyes. He was anything but shy, and he was about to show her that in bed. "Go, now." He practically grunted, taking her hand, making her follow. She giggled in response.
Seeing her car, Alec had to refuse to drive to her place with her. It was a small beetle, barely big enough for him to ride in. The thing was practically a mini dome.
"Umm, I don't know." Alec said, trying to refuse. "I have my bike here, maybe I should follow?" He asked, hoping she'd agree.
She shrugged, "Alrighty then. But follow close behind. Wouldn't want you to get lost." She said, winking at him for about the 10th time that night.
He sighed and hopped on his bike, following her to her place.
-
The next morning Alec awoke with a throbbing headache. Looking around the small, pink room in curiousity, he was trying to figure out where he was. His eyes were blurry and he could barely see.
Noticing he had no clothes on, Alec jumped out of bed in horror. Looking down at the woman beside him, she looked very familiar, but he couldn't place her. Feeling uneasy, he found his clothes on the floor and hurriedly ran out of the house and sped off to his apartment.
When he got their, he grabbed a bottle of water and took a couple of aspirins. This headache of his wasn't going away. He closed his eyes and tried to figure out everything that happened the night before, but oddly, couldn't remember.
Sighing, he threw the now empty bottle away, grabbed his jacket and headed to Jampony.
.....................................................................................
- California, 10AM -
Max groaned. She had the biggest headache ever. Rolling over she got up from the very comfortable bed and walked downstairs.
"Morning." Zane said smiling. Max grunted something noncoherent and sat beside him on the couch, grabbing the remote and flipping through the channels.
Zane watched her in amusement as she made faces at each channel, until she got to the cartoon channel. Sitting the remote down she smiled in satisfaction and plopped her feet on the coffee table.
"Headache?" He asked. "Oh god yes!" Max groaned, laying her head down in his lap. "You couldn't even imagine."
Zane smiled apologetically, "You could hit me on the head a few times and I may come to an understanding." Max chuckled, "I'm not in the mood at the moment."
Running his hand through her hair, Zane watched the TV show in interest. Max smiled, "Road runner is cool. Original Cindy got me into this stuff, can't get it out of my head."
Zane said nothing.
"Apparently it worked for you too." Max said raising her head from his lap, "Got any aspirin?" Zane nodded, "Kitchen cupboard."
Rising from the couch, Max headed into the kitchen. "Morning Max." Tommy said, eating fruit loops. Max scoffed, "Is that all you ever do?"
"What?" Tommy asked confused. "Eat. It's like your hobby." He shrugged, "Never thought of it like that." Max rolled her eyes and grabbed the aspirin, taking two.
"Never ever drink kid, okay?" Max said to him, patting him on the back and walking back into the living room.
"Zane I.." She stopped when she noticed he was on the phone. He turned around and looked at her, his face puzzled. "Max, its for you." He said.
She walked over to the phone and took it. "Damn it boy, if you don't let me talk to Max I swear to god.."
"OC, it's me." Max said, smiling at Zane. "What's the problem?"
"Hey boo. Just figured I'd let you know that Logan has the cure for the virus." Max's eyes widened, "Your kidding right?"
"Nope. He called me earlier this morning, saying he had to get ahold of you because it was important. He thinks your helping out a cousin somewhere uptown Seattle. So he wanted me to tell you to come home soon."
Max was too awe struck she couldn't form words.
"You there boo?" OC asked. "Uh, Yeah. I'm here." Max said, finally finding her voice. "So..."
"So what?"
"So are you coming back home and live with Logan, happily ever after? Or are you just going to forget I even told you that?"
"Oh I won't forget. But I'm not just going to go back and pretend everything is okay between us, cure or no cure. He really screwed things up for us, so I don't even think their ever will be an 'us' anymore."
"Want me to tell him that, cause I could throw in a few punches for free?" OC suggested. Max laughed, "Nah. Just tell him you couldn't get ahold of me. I know that if you tell him that, he won't listen. So whenever I get over this whole thing, get over him, I'll tell him myself."
"I'm down with that. But we all still miss you here. Come home soon okay?"
"I'll try, but I can't promise anything. Love ya OC."
"You too boo."
"Who was that?" Zane asked. Max shrugged, "It was just a friend." She plopped down beside him and sighed, closing her eyes. "I think my headache just got worse."
Zane chuckled, "Well it better be okay by tonight, you've got to work. And that place gives you a headache just by being there."
Max groaned, "I hate alcohol!"
....................................................................................
- Jampony, 2PM -
"So I'm with this hott chick right? And she totally comes onto me, grabbing me and kissing me and everything else, and I'm just like, sweet." Sketchy rambled on about his 'hot date' while Alec was having a headache the size of California. Go figure.
"Sketch, that's awesome you got the hook up last night but, I'm really not in the mood right now. My head hurts." He said, sitting down on the bench. "Women suck."
"Shut up fool." Original said, hitting him upside the head. "You will never believe the news that I got from Logan." OC said to Alec. "Well...."
"He found the cure for the virus." Alec's heart sunk. Every last shred of hope that he had for he and Max had just flew out the window. "Great." He mumbled.
"Wait, I haven't got to the great part yet."
"You know, I really got to deliver this package. Save it for later okay? I've heard enough good news today to last me a lifetime." He mumbled, walking out the door.
"Man that guy is really spaced out about Max ain't he?" Sketchy said to OC. "So what's the great part?"
"Max didn't care." Original said, watching Alec walk out the door.
-
Later that day, Alec and Sketchy headed over to the Blowfish Tavern. "I don't know man. I got me a girlfriend, I don't want to screw things up." Sketchy said walking into the place.
"Don't be so whipped, she's never going to know. Besides, this is my cure. The way to get a woman off your mind, is to think about other women."
"Ahh, I get it."
They found a table and sat down, "So which one do you want? I got dibs on the blondie over there." Sketchy pointed out. Alec looked around. Oddly, nothing looked good to him.
"I don't know." Alec said honestly. Sketchy looked at him weird, "Okay man you really need to chill. Fine, fine. Here, look at all the girls and imagine Max."
Alec looked at him skeptically, "I'm trying to forget about Max, not imagine her giving me a lap dance." Suddenly, at the words, he imagined it.
"Damn it!" Alec screeched, grabbing his head. "Now I really can't stop thinking about her. Thanks." His mind was racing, every woman he looked at, he saw her.
"Okay then, just imagine Normal." Alec sneered, "Max is way better."
"It's worth a try!" Sketchy said, slapping him on the back. "No thanks." Alec said through clenched teeth.
"You know Alec, OC told me that Max didn't want anything to do with Logan. Even after she told her about the virus." Sketchy told him. Alec looked up, "Really?"
Sketchy nodded, "Yeah so maybe their is hope for you two." He hinted. Alec huffed and shook his head, "I really don't know." He said honestly.
"Whatever man. I'm going to enjoy my night." He said smiling, winking at the blonde in front of him. "I'm a professor, baby." The girl smiled at him and giggled, "Your so funny."
Alec rolled his eyes, "Catch you later man."
"Wait! How am I going to get home?" Alec shrugged, "You seem to be doing good with the ladies, maybe you can score a ride from them." He said grinning.
Sketchy smiled, "Catch ya later."
...............................................................................................
- Zanes Apartment, 1AM -
"So now, after cheating on me, he thinks I'm going to run back to him just because he has the cure to the virus! Is he insane?" Max said to her new friend Layna. "He doesn't even know that I caught him cheating either."
"Men, their such fools. I say you tell him straight up how it is." Layna said, handing Max a glass of water. "I heard that." Zane said to them, sitting down beside Max.
"You going to be okay?" Zane asked worriedly. Max smiled, "I'll be fine. Just need to let it all out you know?" Zane nodded, "I'll be up in my room. You need anything, just call for me. Okay?"
Max nodded and gave him a hug, "I'm so lucky to have a brother like you." She said. "Ditto." Zane said, giving her a kiss on the forehead.
"Night you two."
"Yeah, I better head home too. Its really getting late." Layna paused, "Hang in there girl. Men, their just pains in the ass. They've got to go away sometime or another." She said to Max, giving her a quick hug.
"Bye."Max waved. She sighed and closed her eyes, deciding she needed a nice cold shower.
Heading up to the bathroom, Max turned on the shower and hopped in. The ice cold water did nothing to ease the tension that had built up in her the past month.
She sighed and leaned against the shower wall, letting the tears flow down her cheeks.
.................................................................
A/N: Yes, I know. Short, boring chapter. I'm getting nowhere! Argh!
But, the next chapter will be skipping to 3 months later, so it should be interesting *hint* (Hopefully I'll update sooner!)
And I am *so* sorry for not updating for so long. I don't have much of an excuse, considering, I wasn't THAT busy. I really didn't mean to not update for 2 months.....So sorry!
