Chapter 20: Revenge Turned Semi-Sweet

A/N: Well, I'm back and haven't abandoned this story. Can I get a woot? No... Well anyways, I guess I needed a break, but just know I'm not done with this fic. I had this thing where I was writing about three chapters a day a few months back, and had run out of steam. I haven't been officially writing this fic since chapter nine or so, but I am back now so... enjoy. I'm gonna post the rest of what I've written!

Max

Name: Lucas Green
Age: 16
Objectives:
-Find out connections to kidnappers
-Why Nick was taken
-Who took him?
-Befriend him so:
-You can gain information
-Find out how he gets info

He was Lucas Green, the nerd. I met him during math class, when I was spazzing out on my arithmetic (I learned that's another word for math). He helped me with the whole assignment and I even understood (he's like a miracle worker or something). I thanked him and went on with my work. Let me say this, I didn't know this was the Lucas or even that he was a Lucas at all. What he looked like to me at the moment, was a geek snob. After receiving the help, he let out an "ahem?" I ignored it, oblivious to the fact that he was still talking to me. The next time he spoke it was in an irritated tone. "Aren't you going to give me payment?"

"What payment?" I had been utterly confused.

"For helping you with your math," he sounded like he was from New Jersey. It was cute in a faux Italian gangster way.

"It was just help. Don't get your boxers in a bunch," I thought he was just trying to be nice, so much for that.

"What?" he shook his head, and continues. "Everyone that I help gives me something in exchange."

I had been getting mad. How dare he speak to me like that? It was rude and disrespectful. I turned around. "See here, you. This is no way to treat a person; I won't stand for it. You're acting like the worst type of dumbass. Back off, loser."

Unfortunately, I hadn't known who he was. My voice has a tendency to rise when I am angry. So, it was practically at a yell when I was done with him. The whole class heard and was staring at me, mouths agape. I turned around and the teacher scolded me. I got reprimanded; in other words, I got detention. I was thinking; this is horrible until he, sitting behind me at the time, leaned forward. His lips neared me, inches away from my ear. I will remember the way he said those chilling words. I was literally cold. It was epic in a complete oh my gosh way.

"My name is Lucas Green, remember it. This is far from over," they pierced my ears. I just had to become rivals with the one person I needed to befriend. I am totally screwed, which is what I thought. I had to take this in stride and turn the situation around. I'll accept his challenge.

"You better believe it," I taunted. I am so badass when I wanted to be.

Throughout the day, they went to the ends to irritate me. They tried to trip me in the halls. They knocked the textbooks out of my hands. They would try to play keep-away with my things, but the harsh reality is I am taller than them. Score one for Max! I also, felt a little left out of the flocks' activities, because they were all in their groups, but I was alone. I felt like a failure. I didn't want to admit it to Lyn so I went to sit with someone else. I evaluated everyone's assignment in my head. Angel got the popular, girly girls; I didn't want to deal with that.

Nudge got the emo kids, so drab. Gazzy got a leper (a.k.a. loner), but I just wanted to angst. Then I remembered Iggy got the mean group. Yes, I can angst if I want to (without getting chewed out)! I sat with their group and just being by Iggy made me remember what happened last night. We were singing some cliché Paramore and the next thing I know he's sitting on my bed, breathing hard. I kissed him. I don't know why, but it just seemed right. It didn't even last five seconds before he pulled away, angry. I don't know why he did it. I didn't understand.

Our song, it was so romantic, so indignant. Maybe I was caught up in the music. Maybe I was angry with Fang. Maybe Iggy doesn't even like me. He did leave, after all. I don't know why he would. I think back at when we were at Amiele's. I kissed him then. I was so happy for many reasons. First, I didn't drown. Second, there was a cute guy with me. Did I say cute? (blush) Whatever. Third, he took care of me when I needed him most. I won't ever forget that, but he stopped that time too. I recollect, he said I was Fang's girlfriend. I'm not now (mad at him); but I'm not sure if I ever will be. I just needed to face the facts and get back into reality. I bet I looked super spacey.

Iggy was doing a painting with his assignment, Janica So. I don't get how he could do it; He was blind after all. The girl wondered the same thing. "How can you copy it so good, even when you can't see?"

He blushed. Blushed? I'm losing Iggy to that raven-haired, uh, (I couldn't think of an insult) swank! Crap, that's not even an insult. What is with me today? Where are my awesome sarcasm skills? Regardless, I didn't mean that; I'm just angry. Oh, why do I send out the wrong signals? "It's a matter of…"

I didn't listen to the rest. What was the point? I instead concentrated on my painting. I was working with this girl named Takada. She was really nice, but had issues with people poking fun at her. You know those jokes that say that Asians are bad drivers, or that they are best at math. She hates them, like with a passion. I understand, because I do too. I hate women jokes too; I think that's called feminism or something. Ones that say women can't do a role normally associated with male. It irritates me to the ends of the Earth and maybe even past the moon. We soon finished, and it was very pretty. It was artsy and fierce. My red, oranges and hot pinks' contrasted her solemn earth tones. It was pretty cool. The art teacher said, "Her tones were a calm to your raging, fiery ones."

Lucas and his friends came passing behind me, making pig noises and waving globs of red, thick acrylic paint in my face. Knowing schemes as well as I do I knew this had to be a clue to theirs. What does pig noises and red paint have to do with anything? Red for blood? No, that doesn't make sense. Pigs for…? I am completely confused. This will never work. I left, and went to gym. It was pretty uneventful; except for the successfulness I heard Nudge having. She was wrestling the guy; what had I done? Nothing except made him angry with you.

I need to turn this situation around. How will I do this? If you guessed turning on my Max-like charms, then you were right. After school, I set my plan into action. I saw Lucas and his friend walking out of class. Okay, deep breaths. I composed myself and walked towards them, trying not to make a fool of myself. I stopped in front of him, and said. "I'm sorry okay?"

His look was softening as the words came tumbling out of my mouth. He spoke. "Really?"

"Yeah. This is my first day here; you could go easy on a girl," I mused. It was true; his accusation was so mean and I didn't have a clue what he was talking about. This guy is either a super duper professional or a super duper dumbass. How could he not know this was my first day? According to Lyn he has been at this school since the fifth grade. I think it's the latter of the two. Never mind that; I have been through worse feats. I think I can take him. All I've got to do is turn on my Maxish, or should I say Annish, charm?

"I think I might be able to make an exception, but there's only one condition," he says. Oh you and your conditions. I didn't do anything wrong! If there are any conditions, I should be barking them out.

"What?" I said, letting irritation seep through my voice.

"I'll tell you later," he smirked. "I'd rather have you full of curiosity until then. See you later," he said, as he started walking away from me.

I still had one question rumbling around in my head, "Wait."
He turned around, "What was with the pig noises, and red paint?"

He looked a little irritated this time, "Have you ever read the book, Carrie?" What? I was insanely confused. He seemed to get that and a sigh escaped his lips. "By Stephen King?"

Oh, like that is supposed to help. I am the infamous never-been-schooled-bird-kid. Do you think I would have read that book, let alone any? I don't have the time. I calmed down; he doesn't know that. He doesn't know. He never will. "No."

He let out an annoying nasal laugh, "Oh, you have so much to learn little, uh what's your name?"

"Anne."

"Anne, I like it. Oh, and we were going to splash you with pig blood. It's from the book; you should read it sometime. I normally don't take kindly to not getting paid. It interferes with- nothing. I just thought I'd make an exception for you. Well darling, you are the only exception," he said, the volume of his voice dropping as he left the winding corridor. I could hear his hum the tune echoing down the hall. I couldn't help but picture his face.

He was so cute. I felt like the next time I see him I would just pinch his cheeks until they turned pink. I didn't have a crush on him, but he was just so cute, is all. It was unnatural. I normally could see a cute guy and just get over it, but he was, as I hated to admit it, the only exception. I couldn't help humming that tune as I sauntered down the hallway. I wanted to stop, but I couldn't. The tune was hypnotic, and soon started leaving my mouth, against my will. The song resonated in my head, and sometimes I would sing the words aloud. "Well you, are the only exception. You are the only exception. You are the only exception. You are the only exception."

This was ridiculous. What the heck did he do to me? All this time I was singing I couldn't stop thinking about his face, his green eyes, and his soft, pretty lips. I couldn't stop thinking about kissing them. I wanted to run my fingers through his soft, dirty blonde hair. I wanted to kiss him over and over; my mouth twitched with the anticipation. What am I doing? I don't even know this guy. "I've got a tight grip on reality, but I can't let go of what's in front on me here."

"And I'm on my way to believing. Oh, and I'm on my way to believing," I sung softly. The song ended; I regained control of my feelings, and I was so angry with myself. How could I have let my guard down? All this time I have been paranoid. The one time I let my guard down I get… whatever he did to me! I couldn't move or, think the way I wanted to. I could barely breathe. All I could process was him, him, and (you guessed it) more him! You are a failure Max. You are a complete and utter failure, a waste of avian genes.

It would be my assignment that has to make the song quotes. It is a good song, but he is so smug with himself. I had to restrain myself from calling him a sexist pig. I couldn't even restrain myself from what he did to me. It had to be my assignment that was a devil in disguise. Well darling, you are the only exception? The nerve of that guy! That smugness reminded me of one person. That person was, Fang. I was still, my breath catching at the memory that was flooding into my head. The recognition made me gasp. I remember this; I can't believe it. I remember this.

Max's Memory
Maybe I was being a little crazy when I suggested I should have the chip taken out of my arm. There was a big chance I could lose the use of my right arm, but I didn't care. I knew it was for the best though. I couldn't deal with having it there. If we were going to remain on the run, the least I could do was ensure the flock's safety. I knew that at least this time a trained professional was doing it, my mom. You couldn't get any better than that. When we got into the clinic my muscles tensed from smelling the lab-like chemical smells, the antiseptic. The bright whiteness and cleanliness of it all scared me a little. I was nervous, but I doubted anyone except Fang would notice. I was scared and clutched my arm, afraid that these slight, uncontrollable twitches of my muscles would be the last time I move it.

I trusted Dr, Martinez; she was my mother. If you couldn't trust your mother whom else could you trust? Plus she made the best chocolate chip cookies! This is no time to think of choco chip cookies; I might loose the movement in my arm. I calmed myself down, fearing that Erasers would jump in through the windows. Yep, my paranoia seemed to always get the best of me. We entered the operating room, and I laid myself down on the table, momentarily letting go of Fang's hand. My mom stuck an IV into my arm and I had to restrain myself from strangling her. Old habits die, hard. I flinched and reminded myself that she was not like the people at the school; she would never hurt me. I looked away from the IV, staring at the white walls to keep myself in control.

She gave me some of that IV medicine, and I immediately felt groggy. I was immensely sleepy, and the world was swirling around me. It felt incredibly weird. "This is great. I feel so… calm".

My voice was oddly cheerful, and sleepy, completely unlike me. Ella patted my shoulder and told me it was okay. I glanced at Fang and saw that he looked worried. He shouldn't be, I'm fine. He finally spoke up, "You still want to do this? Bark once for yes."

I stuck my tongue out at him; there was no way I was changing my mind, not now. I could tell he was thinking, at least she didn't bark. I know him too well. I was carefree until mom strapped my arm too the table. I panicked for a moment, and immediately calmed down. I will be okay. Fang suddenly took his hand in mine, and looked down at me. I felt the urge to talk to him, tell him everything and words tumbled out of my mouth. "I'm so glad you're here."

My words were slurred in my droopy voice. I continued, "I know everything's fine when you're here."

His face got red; he was blushing. Dr. Martinez looked at me for a second and then, continuing to work on the IV. Ella raised an eyebrow, but said nothing. Why am I saying these things? I have never said anything like that to anyone before. So why did I choose now to speak up? "Hey."

I pouted for a second as; Dr. Martinez pricked me with a needle full of Valium. "That's just a local anesthetic. I'll give it a minute to take effect."

She was explaining it to me, but I wasn't listening. I was distracted by the warm lights overhead. "Oh, look, the lights are so pretty."

My expression was amused, and I could tell Fang was holding back a laugh. I continue to look at the overhead lights, Fangs attention turning to the scalpel. "Fang?" I asked.

He glanced my way, "Yeah. I'm here."

"I'm so glad you're here."

"Yeah, I got that."

"I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd be fine," he muttered, slightly embarrassed.

"No," I was quite sure of myself. "I would be totally unfine. Totally."

Fang looked away from me, not being able to meet my groggy eyes. He turned his attention to what my mom was doing. Then, he just looked away. I started to squirm; this is so uncomfortable. "It's okay. Just relax." he told me stiffly, "Just…relax. Don't try to talk."

But, I wanted to talk, and so I did. "I don't want my chip anymore," I frowned, "Actually, I never wanted that chip."

"Okay, were taking it out," he told me, looking away from Dr. Martinez.

"I just want you to hold my hand." I smiled faintly at him, and looked down and our intertwined hands.

"I am holding your hand."

"Oh. I knew that," I slurred before drifting off. Later, my eyes fluttered back open. "Do you have a La-Z-Boy somewhere?"

"Uhm, no," Ella replied. Fang looked up at her and she grinned at him. He half smiled back, looking back down at me.

"I think I would like a La-Z-Boy," I replied dreamily, and then I was troubled, remembering something important. "Fang, don't go anywhere."

"I won't. I'm here," he assured me.

"Okay. I need you here. Don't leave me."

"I won't."

"Fang, Fang, Fang." I said, my voice sounding faraway and soft. "I love you. I love you sooo much." I tried to extend my arms but the restraints wouldn't let me.

Fang blinked, speechless. "Oh, jeez," he said, his words sounding soft, and strangled.
End.

The sudden shudder back to reality almost made me want to cry. Fang was with me when I had tried to get that chip out of my hand. He stood by me, even when I was making a complete fool of myself. When I was there he held my hand tightly, and never let go. He didn't let go when I said those embarrassing things. He didn't let go when I was asleep. He didn't let go, because I asked him not to. It was all because, I asked him not to. He loved me, but did I love him? The snapping of fingers snapped me out of my thoughts. "Anne, come on! We have to go to F-Nick's dorm," Angel yelled into my face. Where did she come from? Okay, time to go; but remember this: I was still mad at him.

"Um, yeah. Okay. I'll meet you there in five," Angel skipped off happily and I was awestruck. Maybe Fang wasn't such a bad guy after all, but I'm still mad at him.