ROOAR. I HAVEN'T UPDATED IN AGES! What horrible shenanigans must have caused it?
Zach: Please don't ask.
Abby: No, seriously, please don't. A whooole lotta chiz has been happening in my life lately and I'm really sorry for the lack of updates because of it. But everything had been so bad that I had been waking up crying every two or three hours last week every night. And I don't cry.
Zach: She really doesn't. Except for this one time wh-
Abby: Shut it. Point is, it's been really hard for me to focus on anything. And now I have NO idea how I'll be able to focus with school, but I guess I'll take it day by day. So here's your much deserved chapter!

FANG

My best freaking friend needed me. And I'm moving to freaking Connecticut!

That blank look she had in her eyes when I told her I was moving slowly shattered my heart to pieces. The girl I loved, though she didn't and couldn't know, couldn't even form a sentence around the information I had fed her.

I had to watch her run away from me. Obviously I knew where she was going; we both went there to think things through. It was where we met- the playground.

I sat on her front porch swing with my head in my hands for a second because -yes, I'm aware- I'm an idiot. But -yes, there is also an epiphony!- I'm an idiot who digested the whole situation fairly quickly and ran after the girl of my dreams. It started to rain on my jog there and I scanned the perimeter for Max. Lo and behold, there she was, curled into herself, lying against a pole of the swingset.

I slowly approached her and noticed that she was crying. Great, now I'm an idiot and a scumbag. What a delightful combination. Most definitely Prince Charming material.

I reached out for her shaking shoulder and when she looked up at me with large tears piled in her beautiful green eyes, I lost it. I just let myself cry as I held onto her, shaking. I'm not positive how long we stayed there, but it felt like forever. And even though it wasn't under happy circumstances, I would have loved to stay like that until I died. Suddenly she pulled away.

"How could you leave me? How can you do this to me? Why, Fang, why?"

I cleared my throat while shaking my head lightly. I didn't want to leave her. I never want to leave her! If I had it my way I would never leave her side for as long as I lived!

"Mom and Rufus... Ronaldo... Whatever the hell his name is... they didn't work out. And she 'needs to get out.' That's why she made that dinner. I will never look at mashed potatoes the same again." I gave her a tiny smile, attempting to lighten the mood. Bad choice. She whacked me on the forearm.

"You asshole! You dumb, self centered asshole! You're leaving me! You're leaving me and I'm dying. A month... That's all I have, Fang; a month." I gave her a look. A month for what? Another round of chemo wouldn't make sense... she was supposed to be done with all of that. And she was supposed to be healthy! I was clammy and very nervous, so I laughed.

"You mean you have a month until chemo? Because, I mean... I thought you were done with all of that... Clyde said you were done." She shook her head and I felt tears come to my eyes. She couldn't mean that... No, I couldn't believe that. She... She's so young and full of life; there's no possible way she could be... I can't even think the word!

"You can't! You're barely fifteen! You... it's just not fair, Max. It's not. I can't accept this, because it just... it can't be real! You're young and you're exciting and you're beaut... You've got so much going for you!" I almost told her she was beautiful. And she is. She is the most gorgeous creature I've ever laid eyes on, but she couldn't know that.

I got up and kicked the pole nearest me. My best friend was fucking dying and now I have to leave her! Why does God have to do this to me? To her? Why? I'm so sick of using that word, but why, God dammit, why?

"Fang!" Max scolded me, but I ran before she could stop me. I've never been one to stay and confront my feelings. I heard her get up as she shouted, "Nicholas Anthony Allen!" She pulled at my arm once she caught up to me and I jerked backwards towards her. Tears were streaming down my face in rivers and my breathing was heavy.

"I promised you I would never leave. I made you a promise, Max! I want to be here with you. I need to be here with you! You're all I have!" She pointed out my mom and my siblings. But really, does she think they matter? They do but not nearly as much as she does! I could live without them but her? Not a fucking chance. "It's not the same. I... I can't leave you. I won't leave." She laughed and I'm sure I gave her a look. What could be funny at a time like this? I mean... unless I had a booger hanging out of my nose. I subconsciously wiped at my nose. Nope, booger-free. Now I was just annoyed.

"You're crazy." That is when I got an idea. A crazy, wonderful, INCREDIBLE idea. I pulled her into a tight hug and then grasped her shoulders, holding her at arms length.

"Max, you just might be right. I have to go... but I'll call you later." I ran off, barely hearing her scream to me.

"What? Fang? Fang! What are you doing?" You're probably wondering what I'm doing as well. And truth be told, I'm asking myself that same wretched question. Why am I so crazy?

Because I love her, people. Because I love her and I'd do anything to be with her. She just had to be born so amazing.

I smiled the whole way back to my house.

MRS. ALLEN

"No. It's not happening." My fifteen year old son, Nick, was towering over me after his recent growth spurt. There was no way I was letting him do this. He bitterly laughed.

"Mom, just agree to it. You know somehow I'll find a way to do it anyway." He had a point but he was my son! I know we didn't always see eye to eye on things and he probably didn't enjoy moving a lot as a child, but I've given him so much!

"My answer is not changing and that's final. You can beg all you want but nothing is going to work." I turned my back and started to walk away.

"I'll get emancipated." I froze in my path. "If you don't agree then I'll get emancipated and do it anyway." I slowly turned towards him, feeling tears start to form in my eyes.

"You wouldn't." I started, but the look in his eyes told me otherwise. I swallowed my tears. "You really love her, don't you?" The way Nick looked at Max, the way he talked about her, it was like nothing I had ever seen before. I hadn't exactly hit the jackpot when it comes to love. The kids' father was the closest I ever had. He was willing to give up so much for this girl... I couldn't say no anymore.

"Fine. Talk to Mrs. Martinez. I love you, Nick." He nodded.

"I know, Mom... I know."

MRS. MARTINEZ

I shook my head at the crazy dark haired boy in front of me. He had gone crazy, I was sure of it. I may only be an animal doctor, but I know a crazy person when I see one.

"Fang, why would ou do that?" I asked, but we both knew that I knew the answer. He loved her and he would do anything for her. Including something as crazy as this. There was absolutely no way I could say yes.

"I'm sorry, Fang. I just can't agree to it." The small glimmer of hope in his eyes died to a dull, lifeless glow. It broke my heart to watch him as he walked away slowly, scratching his head. Suddenly, he turned around.

"You know? I can't take that reply. Because I love your daughter too much and I'm not letting her go. So I'll stay here asking you every second of every day until you agree to it. I'll withstand any blizzard, any heatwave. I'll climb any mountain, scale any building. But I will not take no for an answer." I felt myself break into a smile. The amount of love I felt from this boy warmed my own heart. I slowly nodded and pulled Fang into a hug.

"Sure, Nick. Okay." He grinned.

FANG

Okay, so I know it seems like I'm really cocky and sure of myself a lot, but being completely honest, I had absolutely NO idea that this would work.

Who knew being obnoxiously persistent actually got you places other than detention? I wasn't moving to Connecticut with my mom and brother and sister.

I was staying here, in Seligman, Arizona, with my best friend, Maximum Martinez until the day she died.

Just don't remind me that it's only a month... please. I was too happy to think of that part.

SOOO? HOW'D YOU LIKE IT?
Zach: Is that what you expected his big thing was?
Abby: 'Cause that's what it is! I'm unusually tired for 9:20 PM... I told you I haven't been sleeping well.
Zach: -yawns-
Abby: Why are you all sleepy?
Zach: Hellooo! You wake me up every time you do, remember?
Abby: -blushes- Oh yeah. Forgot.
Zach: It's all good.
Abby: So review, my loves! That would make me feel a lot better! -grins- And I hope you enjoyed the chapter!
Zach: Does anyone have any nyquil?

Love and Sleeping Aids,
Abby