Soon I saw a tall guy with a mass of spikes silloheted against the movie screen. It had to be Max. I called out to him, and he sat down beside me. "I got you some candy." he whispered.

"You didn't have to do that." I said, feeling guilty. "What did you get me?"

"Well, I wasn't sure what you like, so I got you a bunch of things." He produced a king-sized Reeses, a bag of gummy bears, and a plain chocolate bar.

"Oh jeez. You must be trying to get me fat or something." I accused.

"No way! I swear!" he said, throwing up his hands. I giggled.

"We can share it."

We opened up our candy and dug in as the movie started.

"Hey, down in front, porcupine!" a voice called out.

Max didn't say anything; he simply pointed his middle finger up in the air with a roll of his eyes. The voice did not reply.

As the movie played, I could feel Max's arm slowly creeping around my shoulders. I wasn't sure if I wanted it there or not, but it felt so warm and nice, so I didn't say anything. I felt him twirl a lock of my hair around his fingers. During a very nasty and gory scene, I couldn't help but draw closer to him, chewing on my fingernails, half-hiding my eyes on his shoulder.

"I thought you liked horror movies?" he whispered with a snort of laughter.

"Yeah, but they still gross me out sometimes!" I replied.

When the movie ended, we left, Max once again taking my hand gently into his. Out in the lobby, I saw a bunch of guys dressed the same way as Max. I wondered if they knew each other. I didn't have to wonder for long.

"Steve! Tom! Will!" Max said, excited. He pulled me over to the group.

"Max! Long time no see, buddy!" one of the guys said. He had twice as many piercings as Max, a couple tattoos, and a shocking pink mohawk.

"Who's the chick, Max?" another guy asked. He was wearing torn army fatigues and scuffed combat boots, but with his long green hair and green goatee to match, I doubted he was in the army.

"Yeah, she's hot." the last guy said with a suggestive wink in my direction. This guy had a shaved head and pants even tighter than Max's.

"Hands off, Tom. This is Lily. Lily, this is Steve," mohawk, "Will," army guy, "and Tom."

"Nice to meet you . . . " I said falteringly.

"Jeez, Max, looks like she just walked out of a Gap ad." Will said with a snicker. Max frowned.

"She's not like that, Will."

"Yeah, I'm not like that." I spoke up. I didn't need Max to defend me.

"Right. Well, we're having a show next Friday, you should come down. You can bring Britney with you if you want." Steve said. He elbowed Will in the ribs and they all laughed.

"Maybe I will." Max said. "Maybe I'll even sing a few with you."

"Sounds like a blast." Steve said.

"Well, we gotta go. I'll see you Friday."

"All right, man. Later."

"Bye, dude."

"Have fun with the chick."

"Who were they?" I asked as we left the cinema.

"Some friends. I go and see their band play a lot."

"Oh. Max . . . who's Britney?"

"Oh . . . I think they were making a joke." he said uncomfortably. "I don't know anyone named Britney . . . I think they were, uh, implying that you listen to her music. Britney Spears, I mean."

I snorted. "Well, maybe they think I do, but I don't. I have a mind of my own you know.

"I know. And I don't care. I mean, I don't care if you listen to her or not. And I don't care what they think anyway. I like you." He gave me a wide grin.

As we got into Max's car, I realized something. I was as different to Max's friends as he was to almost everyone else. Yet he hadn't acted embarrassed to be with me, even when his friends teased him. He had held my hand the whole time, and he had even stuck up for me. I felt so sorry for letting go of his hand when those people were staring at us.

Max walked with me back to our building. We paused outside my door. He let go of my hand and turned to face me.

"I had a really great time tonight." Max said.

"Me too." I said.

"Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow."

"Yeah. Good night."

"Good night." He leaned in to kiss me. I pulled away, not completely sure if I wanted this, and still anxious about his piercing. He sighed, then turned to leave.

"Max, wait!" I called out before I even realized what I was doing. My heart thudded in my chest. He turned, a hopeful look flickering across his disappointed face.

"Could . . . could you take that lip ring off first? It kinda freaks me out." I said softly.

He beamed. "Of course." He turned to the side to work the metal out of his lip, then suddenly turned and kissed me. His mouth was soft and gentle on mine as he caressed the side of my face with his hand. He pulled back slowly and licked his lips, his eyes half-closed.

"You taste like strawberry shortcake." he whispered with a small smile. I giggled shyly, not knowing what to say. "I'll see you tomorrow, Lily." His deep voice was husky. "Good night."

"Good night, Max." I watched him walk back to his room for a moment before heading inside, and this time I did not chastise myself for checking out his butt.