Author note:

Ahhhh! Thanks for all the reviews(?)! And all the positive feedback.

I'll shut up before I start blabbing. Sorry that I haven't updated in a few days, Like Max, I was busy with my own cheerleading.

Without further ado,

Apartment Twenty Three

Chapter Two

Max P.O.V.

Sweat rolled down my face as I landed into the final pose. My left hand out in front of me, my right hand on my hip, and my head leaned up toward the sky.

"And… cut!" Coach Macintyre dragged out and I let myself slump forward so my hands were on my knees, taking in deep breaths before I pushed myself upright again.

"You alright sweetie?" Coach asked, rubbing my shoulder a little. I nodded, huffing in breathe like a fat person who just ran a mile for a Twinkie.

"Great job." She said, passing her soft smile onto me before calling everyone into a circle. We went through the ritual of patting everyone's back and going in for a group fist pump.

"Okay!" Coach said, clapping her hands together, bringing everyone to attention.

"Does anyone have anything to say? Things you think we need to work on?" She finished, pulling out her clipboard and a pencil. She scanned the room before I sighed and stepped up.

"Me." I said with extra energy than I had before. Coach Macintyre made a motion with her hands that said the-floor-is-yours before backing out of the circle. I hopped up onto a stack of rough blue mats, so everyone could see me. Hey! I'm not short, just latitudly challenged.

"What are you AFRAID of? Passing out? You'll live. Not being able to breathe? You can when you're done! Feeling the pain? It'll eventually go away. Not being strong enough to finish? You'll find the strength in the end. Are you afraid of competition? YOU are YOUR biggest opponent. Whatever it is, DON'T be afraid to get out there and compete. Because as soon as you cross that finish line, you SHOULD know you have nothing left. Be FEARLESS from START to FINISH" I said, raising my voice so it boomed around the gym. Coach Macintyre smiled the biggest smile I have ever seen as the gym exploded into applause and whistles. I jumped down and stuck my hand in the middle for the last time for the night.

"Excuse me? I'm sorry. I'm really such a lady. I wear the blue and green but my name is ORANGE baby" The team chanted as one as our hands flew to the ceiling.

This is OUR year.

THIS IS A LINE. TIME SKIP.

"Bye Max!" A few girls shouted as I walked out of the gym door. I turned and waved before starting to walk down the hill that leads up to the gym. Sure, I got a ride here. But a ride home? No chance. My brother is such a lazy mofo. I had changed out of my cheer practice get up into a pair of baggy sweatpants, a black short sleeve shirt, and I changed my high pony tail into a messy bun. A completely different person.

You see, no one can find out that I cheer. It would change everything. There's so many stereotypes it'd basically kill my rep and leave me alone. You see, my friends think cheerleading is full of snobby bitches, when really, it isn't. Kinda pisses me off, but I'll go to the end of this earth to hide this secret from everyone.

I pushed my bag straps higher up on my shoulders and continued to make my way to my dad's apartment. A while ago, My parents, Val and Jeb, got in a big fight and got divorced. So every weekend I go stay with my dad, while my mom gets me during the week. Kind of sucks but you get what you get.

I turned to my right onto Sycamore Lane and started toward a brick apartment building. A moving van caught my attention as I neared the front of the building. A teenage guy about my age was carrying a box, his muscle on his arms showing on the outside of his black wife-beater tank-top. He was covered from head to toe in the color black. Including his eyes. I pulled the rusty old screen door open, which lead to stairs and an elevator. Those magically tools brought you toward resident apartments.

His eyes met my brown ones as he walked carefully through the door frame. His lip turned up into smile as he mumbled a soft thank you. His voice surprised me. Low mixed with a few sexy sprinkles.

Cough. I mean, please erase that sentence from your little minds.

I followed him up the stairs, flight after flight. He looked back at me and chuckled.

"Stalking me?" He said in his soft voice. And I blushed and shook my head back and forth.

"No. No. I promise" I said with a laugh. God, I am so awkward. Please shoot me now.

"So, where you headed?" I asked, following him to the 4th landing, my dad's floor.

"Apartment Twenty Three" I burst out laughing but managed to nod.

"Apartment Twenty Two" I pointed to myself, and moved to stand in front of my doors. He chuckled before moving behind me.

"So.. I'll see you around..?" I dragged out, waiting.

"Fang. Call me Fang" He said, sticking out a pale hand.

"Max" I said, shaking his hand. He waved a little before turning away.

Damn.

Damnnn.

A/n:

This chapter is so random. Sorry.

Tell me what you think?

Thanks!

-Zena'sSilentSerenity