I sighed and ran my hand through my curls. A hand slapped at mine and I pulled it back, clutching it to my chest.
"Don't touch your hair! I want it perfect!" Nudge scolded.
I winced. "Sorry, Nudge." I didn't even have it in me to retort with a sarcastic remark.
Nudge noticed. "Hey," She called at me softly before sitting next to me on my bed. She placed a hand on my shoulder comfortingly. "You okay? You've acted so out of it this past week,"
I shrugged, not answering. Truth is, after hearing the CD, I didn't want to watch the DVD. I knew I would cry even more. If not from the realization of Fang's feelings, then from seeing Marian again. If anything, I was not ready to see an old friend again. And the day after I heard the CD, Fang stopped talking to me, stopped being in the same room as me, and stopped working around me altogether. Every time I'd enter a room, he'd leave. The only time he was in the same room as me was when Iggy or Nudge forced him.
Angel and Gazzy's parents tried forcing them on me but I called my mom and, since she didn't live all too far from the school, she said she'd be delighted to let them live with her. So they are. Papers signed and everything. Although, I'm sure Gazzy and Angel are pretty pissed at their parents. They both moved to different states but I'm betting that they just said that and they ditched their old life to start anew. Those bastards…
"Okay," Nudge said, standing back up. "You don't want to talk about it. I understand. But I'll always be here for you. Know that." She tugged at my hand. "Come on. Time to get dressed."
Today was the day of the Holiday Party for the staff of the High School. Some students were allowed but only the ones that got along with the teachers and such. It was formal so I had to wear a dress. Lissa made it for me last year for my birthday and she was going to be there so I just had to wear it.
…It was pink.
Other than that, it wasn't that bad.
Anyway, the party was for Christmas, New Years, Valentine's, and some others around there since it was held at the beginning of February.
Nudge styled my brown hair into perfect ringlets framing my face and barely put on any makeup. She left my room to let me get ready.
The dress was floor length, it was light pink/rose pink. The top was a bit… revealing but it still covered me. It had the halter top style with an open back and, in between the breasts, a strip of fabric connected the two. The strip of fabric was either dark blue or black and there were sparkles everywhere. The dark colored sparkles created a design on the chest to look like lapels. It was actually a really gorgeous dress despite the fact that it was a dress. (Picture on Profile)
… And pink, but I digress.
I slipped the dress on and put on the crazy-beaded necklace. The beads looked like pink pearls but they weren't. At least… I don't think they were.
I put my heels on, just simple silver strapped heels, and headed for the door. As I opened the door, I looked up and saw Nudge putting an earring in her ear.
She was wearing a puffy, light blue, strapless dress that went to the floor. You couldn't even see her feet, like with mine. (Picture on Profile)
My heart immediately sunk and I felt so plain compared to Nudge. She looked as gorgeous as ever and I just looked out of my element, in a dress. I don't even know why I let her talk me into wearing it.
"Lissa's going to be so happy that you're actually using her gift!" Nudge squealed, fixing her now straight hair.
Oh yeah, that's why. She totally guilt tripped me into doing this.
I sighed. "I don't know why you insisted I wear it. I look weird."
She hit my arm.
"Ow!" I complained.
"Max, don't even think that! You look gorgeous!" She praised, trying to convince me.
I nodded. "Okay, I believe you," Not…
Iggy came out of his room wearing a tux. I raised an eyebrow at him. "What?"
I blinked, still shocked. "You- you even took your earring out and… you combed your hair?!" My eyes were wide. He never combed his hair and he never ever took his earring out unless he was swimming!
Iggy scuffed his shoe on the floor, blushing a bit, looking down. I looked at Nudge and saw that the earring she was wearing was Iggy's.
I cleared my throat. "Let's go, shall we? Don't want to be late," I tried breaking the silence and it worked.
They both smiled.
"Nudge, you go down first. I'd like to talk to my sister," Iggy stated, looking at her. She nodded and left, the door closing behind her. "Max…"
I sat down carefully on the couch, staring at him. "Yeah, Ig?" I had a feeling I was going to be lonely very, very soon.
"I'm moving out." He pressed his lips together.
I tried to smile but frowned instead and looked at my hands in my lap. "I guess I saw this coming. I mean, we can't live together forever, you know?" I started playing with my jaw, moving it backward and forward like I was chewing gum. I became a habit of mine when I was trying to not cry. It keeps your mind off of the tears and onto the movement.
Iggy moved and sat next to me. "I'm only moving upstairs." He acted as though I needed to hear it. I didn't, though. I understood. He wanted to be with Nudge and not his stupid, overrated, bothersome, younger sister.
"I know. I know and I'm happy for you, really." And it was the truth. I was just a little saddened about the fact that I'd come home to an empty apartment everyday. And have to pay for it by myself.
"Look, if you want, I can still pay half the rent-"
"No, Igs. It's ok. Just… go and be with your Juliet, Romeo." I teased. "We should go before Nudge starts to worry."
He nodded and we got up and left.
--!--
As we entered the school, my name was hollered in the parking lot. I turned and saw Ella running up to me in her dress. It was light blue, like Nudge's, and clung to her body. The straps were thick, probably as thick as a pointer finger and middle finger put together and it looked like a shirt and a skirt. It pinched together on the waist at the side and gave it a wrinkled-but-perfect look. She looked very mature and very beautiful. (Picture on Profile)
"What is it, Ella?" I asked, scratching my neck. Despite how nice the necklace looked… it itched like Hell.
She was gasping for breath as she reached me. It must have been hard to run in that dress without falling or ripping it. "Fang said… Fang said he was going to quit after today." She finally caught her breath and I lost mine.
I blinked rapidly before finding my voice. "What?"
"He said he's going to move back to New York after tonight." She looked so distraught. I have the feeling he was going to leave her with Lissa.
"Why? Did he give you any reason at all?"
She hesitantly nodded. "He said that, um…" She took a deep, quick breath, obviously deciding to just let it out. "He said there was no way he'd be able to work with his old love when she didn't love him back. Exact words, give or take."
"Max, what's she talking about?" Iggy asked me, completely confused.
I licked my lips. I completely forgot he was there! I spun and faced him. "Iggy… Fang and I… used to, well, be together." Date didn't seem like the right word and be together was as close as I could get to telling the truth. I didn't want to say, Hey, Iggy, by the way, just wanted to say, I used to sleep with your best friend. See you at dinner, bye! Yeah, not the best way…
His eyebrows drew down. "When?" He was genuinely confused, anyone could see that. And I felt really bad for keeping it from him.
"Back in high school and college. Before he left for New York." I sighed and looked at the school entrance, the wind teasing my hair. "And now I have to make things right."
I turned and walked inside to the large gym where the party was being held. There were tables pushed against one side where food and drinks were and an area where there were tables and chair. There was a stage, a mic, instruments, all the stuff for a concert and stuff like that in another corner and then a dance floor/mingling area.
I'll Be by Edwin McCain was playing over the speakers. All the staff was there and everyone stopped and stared at me, shocked. I blushed and looked away as Nudge, Iggy, and Ella came in.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Fang staring, his mouth open, eyes soft and gentle. I resisted the urge to walk over.
I turned to Iggy when everyone looked away from me (almost everyone, at least…). "Please, don't be mad at Fang," I begged him. Which was 100 percent rare.
"Why would I be mad? It's not like you slept with him," He snorted, smirking.
I blushed madly and his smirk disappeared. I bit my lip, ready for my big brother to yell at me for my stupidity and irresponsibility. I felt like a little girl who was going to get scolded.
But, instead of yelling, I was embraced. Iggy hugged me to him tightly. "No wonder you were upset when he left," He mumbled into my hair. "I should've seen it. Why didn't I see it? Why didn't you tell me?" He pulled back to look at me.
I sighed and looked at his lapels. "We thought you'd kill him for sleeping with your baby sister. We didn't tell anyone."
He was silent for a moment. "So…" He sighed, letting it all sink in. "At night, when I heard those creaks on the floor downstairs…?"
"That was him sneaking out so he wouldn't get caught."
"And when you'd go up to your room and never come down?"
"Crawled out the window to meet him at his place." I mumbled, totally embarrassed. I mean, there I was, telling my big brother that I slept with his best friend. I sighed and wiped my eyes carefully so I wouldn't ruin the makeup. "I feel so stupid."
"Why?"
"I know that our relationship was special now but, at the time…" I shook my head and looked at Iggy sadly. "I kept thinking that I wasn't the only one he was with. That I wasn't the only girl he was with. Not just at the time but ever. And I got mad about that- a lot. Which is probably why he left me."
Iggy shook his head at me, eyebrows down right above his eyes. "Max, Fang was never with anyone. Ever."
I snorted. Yeah, like I'd believe that. "Uh-huh, sure. Like Fang wasn't lucky. Every girl wanted him."
"But he didn't want every girl." He stated simply.
"Why would he turn down so many girls? Was he sick?" I joked but also not.
"Back then, I'm guessing before you two- you know…, anyway, he told me that there was only one girl. One girl that he was waiting for. And then, after a while, he kept smiling and junk, being just… not Fang-like." I raised an eyebrow and cracked a smile at his description. "He told me he finally got his dream girl but wouldn't tell me who. He was all cheerful, it was kind of frightening, really. You made him really happy."
I licked my bottom lip and tucked it under my teeth. I sighed and buried my head in his chest, still shorter than him with my heels on. "I'm such an idiot."
Iggy chuckled. "Yeah, you are." I hit him and he laughed again. "But I kinda have another question for you…"
"Go ahead." I looked up at him.
"Was he your first?" I could tell Iggy was uncomfortable but I knew he was only looking out for me. I mean, I was a junior in high school when Fang and I first did it. I'm sure Iggy was just checking I wasn't sleeping around in 8th grade. (I actually know people who did that- in 8th grade! AND in 7th!)
I chuckled and nodded, smiling at him. "So, you're not angry?"
"No. I'm not." Iggy smiled at me. "Well… kind of. I mean, my little sister and my best friend are both miserable right now and I don't really know what to do…"
I smiled at him. "Nothing. Just have fun with Nudge."
He smiled devilishly at me. "I plan on it." I could hear the underlying meaning to those words and hit his arm. He laughed and kissed my forehead, pulling away. "Love you, sis."
"Love you, too." I watched my big brother walk away and hold his love.
I felt envious: I wanted that. To be held by the one I love.
I saw Jeb and Valencia and smiled at the couple. Those two were married and their anniversary was tomorrow.
An idea popped into my head and I smiled, biting my lip. I walked over to the stage where some of the people in the music department were hanging out. I asked them to help me and they got on stage. This plan was to show how much I really did love Fang. And, you know, to celebrate Val's and Jeb's anniversary.
--!--
Everything was set up and we were on stage.
"Excuse me, everyone." I said into the mic. Everyone immediately quieted down. "I hope you're all having fun at our Holiday Party and I just wanted to add that this isn't just for Valentine's Day, New Year's, or Christmas, but also another holiday that not many of you know about." I smiled down at Val and Jeb. "Val and Jeb's anniversary." People cheered and clapped for them, facing them. The two were smiling and blushing, holding each other's hands. "And to celebrate that, I'm going to sing their song from their wedding. Feel free to grab a partner and dance."
I took a deep breath, ready to sing.
If I
Should stay
I would only be in your way
So I'll go
But I know
I'll think of you every step of
the way
And I...
Will always
Love you, Oooh
Will always
Love you
You
My darling you
Mmm-mm
Bittersweet
Memories
That is all I'm taking with me
So good-bye
Please don't cry
We both know I'm not what you
You need
And I...
Will always love you
I...
Will always love you
You, ooh
[Instrumental / Sax solo]
I hope
life treats you kind
And I hope
you have all you've dreamed of
And I wish you joy
and happiness
But above all this
I wish you love
And I...
Will always love you
I...
Will always love you
[Repeat]
I, I will always love
You....
You
Darling I love you
I'll always
I'll always
Love
You..
Oooh
Ooohhh. (I Will Always Love You By Whitney Houston)
As I let the note drift, people cheered and whistled. That song wasn't the easiest to sing, not in the least. Throughout the song, I kept glancing at Fang, hoping he'd get the message. I'd noticed him staring at me the whole time, when I was talking to Iggy and when I was singing. Our eyes met plenty of times.
But, alas, I had to perform some more songs since I was the entertainment for the night. "Now here's a song that I'm sure they'll be embarrassed to admit that they play every year on their anniversary." I winked at them and everyone laughed as Jeb flushed and Val buried her face in his shirt, hiding her blush from everyone.
They knew what I was talking about…!
Tarzan and Jane were swingin' on a vine
Candyman, Candyman
Sippin' from a bottle of vodka double wine
Sweet sugar candy man [whispered]
I met him out for dinner on a Friday night
He really had me working up an appetite
He had tattoos up and down his arm
There's nothing more dangerous than a boy with charm
He's a one stop shop, makes the panties drop
He's a sweet-talkin', sugar coated candy man
A sweet-talkin', sugar coated candyman
Oh yeah..
He took me to the Spider Club at Hollywood and Vine
We drank champagne and we danced all night
We shook the paparazzi for a big surprise
the gossip tonight will be tomorrow's headline
He's a one stop shop, makes my cherry pop
He's a sweet-talkin', sugar coated candy man
A sweet-talkin', sugar coated candyman
Se bop bop
Hey yeah
...
He's a one stop shop, makes my cherry pop
He's a sweet-talkin', sugar coated candy man oh
A sweet-talkin', sugar coated candyman
Woo yeah
Well by now I'm getting all bothered and hot
When he kissed my mouth he really hit the spot
He had lips like sugar cane
Good things come to boys who wait
Tarzan and Jane were swingin' on a vine
Candy man, candy man
Sipping from a bottle of vodka double wine
Candy man, candy man
Sweet sugar candy man [whispered]
He's a one stop, gotcha hot, making all the panties drop
Sweet sugar candy man [whispered]
He's a one stop, got me hot, making my uh pop
Sweet sugar candy man [whispered]
He's a one stop, get it while it's hot, baby don't stop
Sweet sugar [whispered]
He got those lips like sugar cane
Good things come for boys who wait
He's a one stop shop with a real big uh
He's a sweet-talkin', sugar coated candyman [x3]
Tarzan and Jane were swingin' on a vine [x2]
Sippin' from a bottle of vodka double wine [x2]
Jane lost her grip and a-down she fell [x2]
Squared herself away as she let out a yell [x2]
(Candy Man by Christina Aguilera)
During the song, I guess they got over their embarrassment because they started doing the dance like in the video. You know, the swing dance, not the stripper dance. I almost cracked up laughing so many times but my professional side helped me through.
--!--
Twelve songs later, I decided to end it. But not before one last song.
Tell me that it's gonna be okay
Tell me that you'll help me find my way
Tell me you can see the light of dawn is breaking
Tell me that it's gonna be all right
Tell me that you'll help me fight this fight
Tell me that you won't leave me alone in this
[chorus]
'Cause I need
I need a hand to hold
To hold me from the edge
The edge I'm sliding over slowly
'Cause I need
I need your hand to hold
To hold me from the edge
The edge I'm sliding past
Hold on to me
Tell me I can make it through this day
I don't even have the words to pray
You have been the only one who never left me
Help me find the way through all my fears
Help me see the light through all my tears
Help me see that I am not alone in this
[chorus 2x] (Hold by Superchick)
I sighed and stood, smiling at all the applause. I went over to the snack table since I was running on dry. I went up to the coolers and pulled out a can of Rootbeer since I didn't want to have a designated driver tonight. The DJ put a new song over the speakers and I nearly choked on my drink as I laughed. I Love You To Death by Family Force 5.
My friends and I used to dance to this all the time. I finished the drink and threw the can out right when a hand caught my arm. I turned and looked right into the eyes of…
(I, honestly, thought about stopping right there but I decided to not be that mean. lol)
_
_
_
_
_
_
Sam.
I sighed. I was really hoping it was Fang and not this stalker. "Hello, West."
He smiled. "Hey, Max. Listen, I loved those songs that you sang."
"Really, now?" I was scanning the crowd for Iggy or Fang but couldn't find either of them. Nudge either.
"Yeah. You look so amazing tonight, Max." He smirked perversely. I leaned away from him as he leaned forward. "I bet you'd look even better without that dress on." He whispered, trying to be seductive.
I glared at him and punched him in the jaw, finding my courage after so long. Sam fell to the floor and clutched his jaw, whining like the little weakling he was. "This time, Sam, you have gone too far."
I walked away to find Jeb and report all his sexual harassment. Instead of running into Jeb or Val, I literally bumped into someone else and tripped over my foot. I would have fallen on my face but strong, lithe arms caught my waist.
I was pulled to my feet and immediately, lips crashed my mine. My eyes widened in shock but I relaxed once I saw the black hair, the tan skin, and felt the warm, soft lips on mine. How could I ever forget those lips? His arms tightened around me as I put my own around his neck.
After a while, though, I gasped and pulled back, pushing Fang's body away from mine. I bit my lip and shook my head, embarrassed. He just kissed me in front of everyone! I don't know about him, but I hate PDA. Whether it was me or other people, it just always either A) embarrassed me (if it was me or someone I knew) or B) grossed me out. This case, it was choice A. And Fang could see that as I walked out of the gym as quickly as I could in the heels I was wearing.
~~!~~
Fang stared after Max, frowning. Weren't those songs for him…? Or…, or were they for that wiener Sam? Fang's hands clenched into fists as he ground his teeth together. He embarrassed Max and himself in front of everyone they worked with. How would he fix that?!
"Go after her."
Fang turned his head to see Iggy, Nudge, and Ella. Ella's arms were crossed and she was chewing on something- a brownie no doubt. I swear, that girl's addicted.
Nudge was in Iggy's arms, tucked to his side.
Nudge smiled at Fang. "You heard my man. Go get her back, Romeo." Nudge winked at him.
Fang looked at Iggy, realizing Max told him. Iggy nodded at him, smiling slightly.
"I guess I have to crush you now since you're crushing on my sister." He joked. But Fang could see the threat in Iggy's eyes. He knew Iggy would always look after his little sister.
Fang nodded and ran after Max. Time to give her an explanation.
I felt really generous so I decided to update twice. I am on a roll! Hopefully, I can update tomorrow too! XD