It had been a few weeks since the "incident" with Dylan, and I had definitively decided to pretend it had never happened. Dylan wasn't worth my breath or my very limited brain space. Besides, I don't do well with processing my feelings, so I figured it was better to ignore the whole situation entirely. It would blow over eventually. Everything does.

Fang had apparently mutually agreed because he hadn't brought up Dylan, or anything relevant since that afternoon. It seemed that ignoring the situation was the path of least resistance for both of us, and that was fine by me.

My friends, however, had very different ideas. Despite my valiant protests, Ella and Nudge had insisted on dragging me out for a girl's day. Their plans included going out for coffee followed my manicures followed by a trip to the mall. The only part that appealed to me was getting Auntie Anne's or Cinnabon at the mall. Fancy coffee and expensive nail polish? No thank you.

Unfortunately, my sound logic had been ignored and we were sitting on a bench that could only be described as "cute" by Ella and Nudge. They both had gotten frappuccinos and I had requested something more simple and less sweet. Hence, I had a plain cappuccino. I would give it 4 out of 10.

"Come on, Max. It's okay to have emotions and to talk about them. You've had an exhausting few weeks. First, you start dating Fang without telling anyone and letting anyone help you unpack this absolutely monumental change in your life and in the dynamic of our social circle. We," Nudge gestured to Ella and herself, "need all the details on Fang. Is your relationship any different than before? Is he romantic with you? Have you gone on dates? What do you talk about? Do you talk about the future? College?"

I choked on my coffee and tears streamed out of my left eye as I tried to clear my airway. "Geez, Nudge. Personal much?"

She just glanced at me before giggling with Ella, "Oh that's not all. But we have other issues to discuss as well. That heinous act of drama by Dylan? We need to unpack that. It was ruthless, tactless, and not to mention immature. You need to be able to talk about how you're feeling after that, and Ella and I are here for you. It's okay to be vulnerable, Max."

She paused and I thought she was done, but realized it was just for her to take a breath before steam rolling on. "Besides, it really just backfired. Everyone thinks you and Fang are the golden couple now. Third, and potentially most important, when are you and Fang going on a double date with Ella and Iggy?"

She stopped again to take a breath and sip of her blended coffee drink, and it finally seemed as if the Nudge Channel had finished.

"Why does any of this concern you?"

"Well, I'm your sister," Ella started.

"And I'm your non-blood-relative best friend," Nudge added.

"Fang is my non-blood-relative best friend," I responded, but Nudge ignored me. They both stared wide-eyed at me waiting for me to begin answering their laundry list of questions. I remembered only too late that Nudge has an uncanny way of getting what she wants by pulling her Bambi Eyes were are just too pure to ignore.

"Okay fine. Fang and I are good. I feel fine about the Dylan exposé, and accidentally bruising his jaw, and I'm choosing to ignore it. There will be no double dating at any point in the foreseeable future. Happy?"

Neither Ella nor Nudge looked amused at all. I literally did not understand what they wanted.

"Let's go one step at a time. Part one: Fang. How is everything going with you two? You haven't been in a relationship since Sam, and that break up was kind of devastating," Ella started.

I shrugged. "Yeah, breaking up with Sam sucked, but that was forever ago. He's part of the past. Besides, things feel a lot more natural with Fang than they ever did with Sam."

The two of them shared an excited look. "What does that mean? Is he romantic with you? Does he take you on fancy dates? Do his parents know? Do they care? Ooh, are you guys going to the winter formal? It's a new student-run dance to replace Homecoming this year." I held my breath as Nudge continued. Hopefully, she would talk herself into dress shopping and this conversation would be over. "I think it'll be fun. You've never been to a school dance, Max. You and Fang need to make an appearance. Besides, winter dresses are so trendy."

"I'm not going to the Christmas formal or whatever dance it is this year, Nudge," I responded taking a sip of my coffee. As I took another sip, it started to grow on me. Maybe a 6 out of 10 for the cappuccino today.

"Nice try, Max. You can't ignore this entire conversation. How is everything going with Fang?"

I gave a non-committal shrug. Everything with Fang was so easy. "Good. I really don't know what else you're looking for."

Ella rolled her eyes, clearly starting to get irritated with me. Oops. "We just want to make sure you're not going to get hurt. We care about you and want you to be happy. Fang is your best friend, but he's also your boyfriend. You need an outlet that isn't him."

I paused to chose my words carefully. "I appreciate you guys looking out for me. But right now, everything with Fang is great. It's easy and natural. It just feels like our friendship extended to include romantic feelings. Nothing has changed between us."

Nudge smiled encouragingly and then her smile fell from her face. "Is this why you were so shady about the whole Gray situation? When he wanted to ask you out and spend time with you and you blew him off repeatedly?"

I grimaced and then nodded. "I only blew him off once. You were the one that kept pushing him on me."

"Back to Fang, have you guys gone on many dates?" Nudge asked, pointedly redirecting the conversation.

I shrugged. "We hang out. Mostly at his house."

"Why hasn't he taken you on a proper date?" Nudge exclaimed. "That's ridiculous! I'm going to tell him he needs to be a proper gentlemen and take you out. You deserve a romantic evening."

"Nudge! You don't need to tell him anything. I'm perfectly happy spending time with him somewhere that we can actually talk and not be bombarded by strangers."

She just looked at me, shook her, head and tapped ferociously away at her phone. "Too late."

I groaned. What did I just get myself into? I waited for my phone to ring or for texts from Fang to start coming in, but my phone was silent.

I glared at Nudge, but she just gave me a bright smile. "You'll thank me later."

I rolled my eyes. "I think I've had enough of this so-called girls day."

"We didn't even get to manicures or the mall yet though," Ella said as I moved to get up.

"Bummer," I muttered. "I'm going to go see Fang, and make sure you didn't scare him off. I don't need fancy dates and expensive restaurants. I'll see you guys later."

"See you at home, Max," Ella called.

"See you later, Max. Are you going to Iggy's tomorrow?" Nudge asked.

I turned to give a shrug and a wave before starting to walk home.

I groaned as I thought about Nudge harassing Fang about not taking me out on a real date. I didn't care about going out; I just wanted to spend time with him.

Thirty minutes later, I was back in our neighborhood. I figured I would stop by Fang's house, clear the air, and then head home. Maybe go for a run. I needed to enjoy the absence of snow in the valley while it lasted.

I rang the doorbell to Fang's house, and his mom answered.

"Hi, Mrs. Ride. How are you?" I asked as she opened the door.

"It's so good to see you, Max! What do you and Fang have planned for tonight, anything exciting?"

I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes. Why was everyone so fixated on us being exciting? "Honestly, I'm not sure yet. Probably nothing too different than usual," I said with a smile.

She gave me a warm smile. "You're welcome to come in if you'd like. Fang's actually not here right now, but Angel was just talking about how she wanted freshly baked scones, so that's what we've been up to this afternoon. Not sure where these ideas come from. What kid call tell the difference between store-bought and homemade scones?"

I laughed. Leave it to Angel to demand something so high maintenance. "Oh, that's okay, but thanks Mrs. Ride. It smells delicious though. Do you know when Fang will be back?"

"You know, I'm not sure. He might've just gone for a walk or to see Iggy – who knows. I'm happy to send him a text for you if you'd like."

"I can give him a call, I just figured I'd pop in while I was out. Enjoy the scones!"

"Oh, thank you, Max, we will! If you ever want to stop in and talk about running sometime, I'm all ears for any of your questions."

I flashed her a smile, nod, and a wave before hopping off the stoop and heading back home. If Fang wasn't here, where was he? He was always either at home, school, or on the mountain when it was ski season.

My phone buzzed as I walked up the steps to our house and headed up to my room.

A rather ambiguous text from Fang read: I'll pick you up at 7. Don't wear your converse.

What? I sent him back a clarifying message: ?

My phone remained silent for the next 45 minutes, until he finally responded: It's a surprise. No converse. I'll be there at 7.

I rolled my eyes and flopped onto my bed. I had a feeling whatever was going on, Nudge was behind it. Anything that required a change in my normal attire could usually be traced back to Nudge.

I decided I would go for a short run, so I would have time to shower and potentially not look like a wet dog when Fang came to pick me up for whatever he had planned tonight.

35 minutes later, I walked back to my room drenched in sweat. I hopped into the shower and when I got out, wrapped in my towel, I was greeted by a very unpleasant surprise.

Nudge and Ella were sitting on my bed grinning from ear to ear.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to ram a brush through my sopping hair.

"To help get you ready! No converse," Ella explained.

"Why does everyone keep saying that?" I asked, starting to get annoyed. My converse were vintage. Iconic. Well-loved.

"It's a surprise," Ella and Nudge harmonized. I groaned.

"And we're here to prepare you," Nudge said with a wink. She had pulled her back into an effortless updo with her hair sitting perfectly atop her head. "Ella is on the fashion committee, and I'm hair and makeup committees."

"Why on earth do we need committees to get me ready for an evening with Fang?" I asked.

"Because it's more fun that way," Ella intoned. "Come on, Max. Don't be a bad sport. You'll look amazing when we're done."

"Are you implying I don't look amazing au naturale?"

"No," Ella said quickly. "We're just adding a little flare, if you will."

"Fine." I conceded, knowing continuing to put up a fight wouldn't be worth my time or my breath.

I sat in silence as Ella and Nudge gossiped about school, boys, other friends, the popular group, the next dance, blah, blah, blah. Every now and again, Nudge's hands would catch a tangle in my hair, and she would spray something on it, and the knot would dissolve instantly. I only hoped she wasn't burning out my hair. Otherwise, I wanted whatever she was using.

Nudge began dabbing my face with a variety of liquids, creams, powders, and brushes. After what felt like an eternity, I was done. And still in my towel.

"Time for the fashion committee!" Ella crooned, rummaging through my closet looking slightly disappointed. "I'll be back," she muttered before disappearing into her room. She emerged shortly with two pairs of short boots (booties?), a fluffy jacket, a leather jacket, and several shirts.

Ella tossed me a pair of black jeans, a chunky belt, and slide on shoes with a snakeskin pattern. After a quick discussion with Nudge and lots of gesturing at two shirts, Ella handed me a white top which appeared to be a leotard.

"What am I supposed to do with this?" I asked, holding up the end with two buttons.

"Uh, button it. It's a bodysuit, Max," Nudge said looking at me with concern.

I shook my head. "That's a no from me. Try something else."

"Told you," Ella muttered before handing me something else. A quick glance confirmed that this was indeed a shirt and nothing that needed to be buttoned or clipped. I quickly changed into everything Ella had thrown at me, and Ella handed me a leather jacket with a suede lining.

I glanced at myself quickly in the mirror but paused and turned back to examine their handiwork. I looked like myself just…put together. My hair fell in gentle waves down my back and Nudge had done an impressively simple makeup look that made my skin look flawless, accented my eyes, and made my cheekbones and jawline pop. For once, I actually felt…pretty.

I slid the "wine-colored" jacket over my shoulders, and gave Ella and Nudge a thumbs up. "You guys actually did a really good job."

"This is why we have committees!" Ella reminded me. "We have great flow."

"You look gorgeous, Max. Fang won't be able to keep his hands off you," Nudge said, fixing a piece of my hair.

I rolled my eyes but felt my skin blush anyway. "Thanks. Both of you. Do you know what this surprise is?"

They both shrugged but looked very happy.

About 30 minutes later, the doorbell rang. I heard footsteps as my mom went to answer the door.

"Hi, Fang. You look incredibly handsome. What are you up to tonight?" my mom asked.

"Hi Ms. Martinez. Just picking up Max for dinner. Spice it up a little tonight."

"Sounds lovely. I'll go let Max know that you're here; she should be finished getting ready," my mom said, and I heard the footsteps shift towards the stairs.

I flashed a grin to Ella and Nudge. All of my frustrations at them from earlier had evaporated. They had outdone themselves tonight.

"I'm coming," I called as I hurried out of my room and headed down the stairs.

I felt my heart skip a beat as Fang came into view standing in the entryway. He was wearing black pants rolled up at the bottom and a button down that was shockingly not black. I was so used to seeing him in black jeans and a t-shirt that I was caught completely off guard. I loved it.

"Hi," he whispered once I had made it down the stairs and next to him in the entryway.

"Hi," I mumbled back, keenly aware that my mom was just a few feet away and Ella and Nudge were watching happily from the stairs. "Let's get out of here."

A little bit of a fluffy chapter here with more to come. Please read and review!