Me no owny Maximum Ride.

~* O *~

"The hell I'm wearing that."

"Max, come on! You're gonna look super hot!"

"I don't care! I'm not wearing it! It's just a Christmas party, for Christ's sake."

~* O *~

30 minutes later….

"Nudge, I can't believe I let you do this to me. That iTunes gift card better be worth it."

"It is, it is! Now hold still, I just need to add the finishing touches…. and… done! You may now see your gorgeous reflection in the mirror and bow down at my feet." Nudge smirked and spun the chair around to allow Max to see herself in the mirror.

Max's eyes widened at the sight of herself, wondering if the reflection were actually she. She definitely looked different, having never really dressed like this before. "Nudge…. I look like a stripper," she said aloud, although her thoughts contradicted her statement. She actually somewhat liked it.

"Psh, puh-lease. You look hot. All the guys are gonna be wishing you were theirs, but I know one guy in particular who won't be able to take his eyes off of you…" Nudge taunted, wiggling her eyebrows.

"What guy? I have no idea whom you're talking about." Max averted her eyes to the side, avoiding Nudge's suspicious gaze. A certain boy flashed through her mind, and she quickly tried to shake her thoughts.

"Oh, well I know exactly what I'm talking about. And it's obvious too, Max. No use in hiding it."

"Hiding what? And oh, look at the time. We wouldn't want to be late to Iggy's Christmas party, would we? Let's go." Max subtly changed the subject and practically jumped out of the chair, eager to escape the uneasiness she felt. She and Fang were friends; nothing more. Besides, she caught him and some red-head after school last week getting… well, not too intense, but enough to inflict upon her some emotional damage. It felt as if her heart had broken in pieces and nothing would be able to piece the shards back together. No, she didn't need him. She would impress all the other guys, just as Nudge had said. Though, her heart still clenched at the thought of Fang, even though she had never officially claimed him. Just friends, just friends, just friends, she kept repeating in her head.

Nudge and Max stepped out of Max's house and walked towards Max's black FJ Toyota. Nudge, in her strapless pink dress and matching pink heels, walked with an air of prestige and elegance, while Max, in her black one-shouldered dress and black heels, constantly had to balance herself from tripping and falling on her face. Although it was December, the night air had a smidge of humidity and a slight breeze, almost as if it were September. Wearing a jacket or coat wouldn't be necessary that night.

Sliding into the driver's seat, Max let herself wonder what Fang would think when he saw her. Of course she wouldn't care in the slightest, she told herself, but she was just curious. Her daily attire was usually jeans, a hoodie, and converse, wearing no makeup and having her hair pulled back into a lazy ponytail. However, tonight she felt as if she were another person. With her hair pulled back halfway and cascading down in curls, a touch of eyeliner and eye shadow along with some blush and lip gloss, and a 'smoking dress and heels' (Nudge's words, not hers), Max felt… dare she say it… hot. And she sort of liked it.

~* O *~

Max felt all eyes on her as she closed the front door and followed Nudge through the spacious living area. She didn't know whether to feel embarrassed or soak all the attention in.

Music could be heard coming from some stereo set-up in the backyard. Teenagers loitered around the house, some milling throughout the living room, others in the kitchen or even bedrooms. The center of the party seemed to be coming from the backyard.

Iggy's house was huge. No, don't even call it a house. It was a freaking mansion; biggest one on the block. His parents were loaded, but sadly never home.

"See, Max? All the guys can't keep their eyes off of you. All you need to do is sway those hips a little more and look like you can do anything," Nudge murmured into her ear as she made her way over to Iggy and his friends.

Max caught sight of Fang, who was standing next to Iggy, and they made slight eye contact. Max looked away and smirked, attempting to sway her hips in what she hoped was a seductive gesture. The show wasn't for him, of course. He was her best friend; she didn't need to put a show for him. But regrettably she knew that was a lie.

"Ah, and here come my two mistresses! Nudge, Max, thanks for finally showing up! Glad you guys think you aren't too cool for this party," Iggy proclaimed. He stood near the door to the kitchen, in the back of the living area, surrounded by Max's and Nudge's other friends, Fang, Angel, and Gazzy.

Max rolled her eyes while Nudge beamed up Iggy, either oblivious to or ignoring Iggy's sarcasm.

"Of course we wouldn't miss your party! Your parties are the coolest ones and I always have so much fun! It's good to see you Iggy, and Merry Christmas!" Nudge threw her arms around Iggy and Max saw a faint blush on Iggy's cheeks as he hesitantly put his arms around her. Letting go, they both ensued in conversation.

Max turned to her other friends, careful to avoid Fang's gaze. Of course, he had never intentionally hurt her, but what did he see in his girlfriend? She was a redheaded bimbo with a one-track mind and apparently low morals. She was basically an idiotic slut. And if Fang were into girls like that, then Max shouldn't be wasting her time contemplating her emotions over him. Though, she couldn't help but wonder what if would have been like if she and Fang were to ever be 'together', a 'couple'. But that didn't mean she could ignore Fang, since he was probably oblivious to her feelings about him and wouldn't know why she was avoiding him. Max internally sighed.

"Hey, Max! You look super pretty tonight! Did Nudge dress you up?" Angel asked sweetly. Ah, her name fit her perfectly. Long, blond hair flowing down in neat curls framed her small, heart-shaped face. She had the bluest of eyes and the most adorable smile even though she was Max's age.

Fang coughed, trying to hold back a laugh. "Of course Nudge did. Don't you know how fashionably challenged Max is?" His eyes raked her over once and she fought a slight blush. No! She shouldn't feel like this! He should be her friend; nothing more.

Max smacked his shoulder. "I wouldn't call it fashionably challenged; I'm just…."

"Fashionably challenged," Gazzy finished.

Max rolled her eyes. "Whatever. You know I-"

"Faaaaaaang! There you are!" Fang's bimbo, whatever her name was, quickly approached us and wrapped both of her arms around Fang's left arm. Wearing way too much makeup and practically giving everyone a show, she screamed 'slut'. "I've been looking for you! Come on, the real action's outside!" With that she tugged not-too-gently on his arm and led him out the door. I faintly saw Fang roll his eyes, but I must have imagined it.

With Nudge and Iggy still being in a conversation, apparently intense, I turned back to Angel and Gazzy. "You guys wanna go outside? Since 'the real action's outside'!" Max imitated the last part in the red-haired wonder's high, irritating voice. Both Angel and Gazzy laughed, neither one liking Fang's girlfriend as well. Basically, no one liked her in their group of friends except for Fang. Max felt a pang of disappointment at how Fang let the freak drag him away with no restraint. But she shouldn't think about him anymore. She was at a party; she needed to distract herself.

Max led the way to the backyard, knowing the way through Iggy's maze-of-a-house perfectly. Upon entering, she saw a big stereo set-up on one side of the huge backyard. There was a dance floor set up next to the pool with lights streaming down from above. Some people were actually swimming in the pool, still wearing their clothes. Others were lounging around the sides of the dance floor talking and holding drinks in their hands. Most were dancing and grinding on the dance floor. Props to no adult supervision.

Max absentmindedly scanned the area for Fang, although wishing she wouldn't, and found him stiffly standing on the edge of the dance floor with his girlfriend grinding up against him. Eh, he's probably just depressed that's she's still wearing clothes.

Max saw the dance floor and thought it was the perfect distraction. She didn't need to think about Fang; she didn't need to think about anyone. She wasn't going to act all depressed because of one guy; one stupid guy.

"Hey guys, I'm gonna go dance on the dance floor. You wanna come with?" Max asked Angel and Gazzy.

"Nah, it's cool," Gazzy answered. "We'll just chill here."

Max nodded and strode over to the dance floor. Glancing once more at Fang, what she saw made her skin boil. Bimbo was pressed up against him and had her arms around his neck. He actually had his arms around her waist, and they were happily making out. Max shuddered and looked away, no longer wishing to see anymore. She couldn't help but feel a pang in her chest. If that's how it was, fine. She didn't need Fang.

Still in full view of Fang, Max saw and felt all the bodies around her. She started swaying her hips to the music attempting to 'look hot'. What a joke, she thought. A few seconds later though, she felt strong arms gently grab her hips and pull them closer to whoever was holding her. She craned her neck around to see that Dylan was the one who had held onto her. He smirked down at her.

"Just keep dancing, baby," Dylan murmured in her ear. She shivered a little, not from pleasure, and continued what she had previously been doing. Max actually wasn't quite sure what she was doing, since she has never really done anything like it before. Sure, she's been to a few parties here and there, but she was never one to join the dancing mass. She actually felt out of place and uncomfortable, certain that she was making a fool of herself. But Dylan liked it, and so she continued.

He pulled her even closer to him so that they were flush together; almost one body. Max glanced over at Fang to see if he were still sucking faces with his girlfriend (she should really learn her name) and saw he was standing with his arms crossed, glaring at her, while his girlfriend was aimlessly talking to him. He paid her no attention, only staring intently at Max. His jaw was clenched and his eyebrows were furrowed together.

I wonder what's stuck up his ass, Max thought to herself. But deep down inside, she liked it. She liked that she was eliciting a reaction out of Fang. Wanting to keep him like that, Max turned around and faced Dylan. She gave him a smirk and wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing herself closer to Dylan.

Of course she knew who Dylan was; he was considered 'the player'. Hooked up with as many girls as he could and never kept a girlfriend for more than a month. But Max wasn't interested in that. She was just using him, toying with him. She'd ditch him soon.

She knew she shouldn't be doing it, but she was actually enjoying it. Not enjoying the actual grinding, but enjoying Fang's reaction. He often unknowingly provoked her and it felt good to get back a little. Seeing him mad only encouraged her.

Max kept swaying her hips against Dylan, and she dropped down low once, slowly rising back up. Dylan closed his eyes and groaned slightly in pleasure. Max didn't dare look at Fang again. She didn't want him to see her take notice of him anymore.

After a few minutes of grinding, Dylan pulled back slightly. Max raised her eyebrows at him, questioning him. He grinned down at her and released her waist. He took one of her hands and whispered in her ear, "Let's continue this off the dance floor." He pulled her off the dance floor and toward the house.

Stopping at the porch, Dylan dropped her hand and put both of his hands around her waist to pull her closer. Max glanced out of the corner of her eye and saw Fang holding the bimbo and her talking animatedly to him. Feeling renewed anger, Max wrapped her arms around Dylan's neck again and brought her face closer to his. He smashed his lips to hers and immediately began pulling on her lower lip, begging for entrance. Max complied and let him in. (That's what she said… cough)

Less than a minute later, Dylan immediately pulled back from her and was no longer touching her. Confused, Max opened her eyes to see Fang punch Dylan in the nose, effectively breaking it. He punched him once more and Dylan went out like a light. Max looked at Fang, anger but confusion clouding her thoughts.

Fang looked up at her, as if just now noticing her presence. His face was wiped clean of emotions, except that Max could see the slight twitch of his jaw and barely noticeable crease of his forehead. Fang approached her and grabbed her hand. Not saying a word, he led her inside the house and into a room that was unoccupied by anybody. Sighing, he put her arm down and put his hands in his jean pockets.

Max crossed her arms over her chest and leaned back against the wall. She knew that when Fang was ready to talk, he would.

After a minute of silence, Fang looked up from the floor and into her eyes. Some emotion Max couldn't detect harbored his eyes. He angrily sighed. "Max. What the hell were you doing what Dylan?"

Max rolled her eyes, trying to keep it cool. "The given term is 'making-out', but if you want me to explain in detail what that is, I gladly can."

Fang took a step closer to her. "Cut the crap, Max. Why were you with Dylan? You know how big of a tool he is."

"Why is it any of your business, Fang? Why do you care? You have your own girlfriend. Shouldn't you go be with her?" Max tried to take a step to the side but Fang cornered her in.

"Yeah, but that's not the point. Look – I –" Fang paused, deciding how to word what he was thinking. Fang never stuttered. Max raised her eyebrows in question.

"You what? Look. I don't need you to tell me whom I can and can't be with. If I want to be with Dylan," which she didn't, she mentally added, "then you have no right to stop me. I don't go punching your shit of a girlfriend just because I don't like her."

Fang groaned in exasperation and ran a hand through his hair. "I didn't punch Dylan because I just didn't like him. I didn't like seeing him with you. You deserve so much more than that douche."

"And what do you think I deserve, Fang?"

"I –" he looked up and his eyes widened a fraction of an inch. Max looked up and saw mistletoe hanging from the ceiling above us. She gulped, wondering about what this could lead to.

She looked back down to Fang and saw him looking deep into her eyes. The emotion in his eyes that she couldn't detect earlier was present again.

"Well, it is tradition," Fang murmured softly, still looking Max straight in the eye.

Fang slowly began to lean down towards Max, never breaking eye contact with her. Max's mind was racing a mile a minute. She could not believe that she was actually about to kiss Fang, her best friend. As their lips touched, Max could have sworn that fireworks had just gone off. The kiss was not deep and hard, but it was the most magical moment Max had ever experienced. (Argh…. barf. Someone please hand me a paper bag)

They broke apart and looked at each other in silence. Max was speechless. During the kiss, all her anger seemed to dissipate and all that was left was confusion and wonder. She opened her mouth to try to break the silence, maybe try to fix the confusion, but found Fang's lips on hers again. Max closed her eyes and all she felt was him. He wrapped his arms around her waist gently, and she fisted her hands into his hair. This….. this felt right. She felt safe in his arms, unlike when she was in Dylan's. Dylan's kiss was full of lust, desire, and want; Fang's was full of care, comfort, and…. love?

They broke apart again but stayed in that position, his hands on Max's back and waist and hers in his hair. He pulled one hand up and put it at the back of her head, gently pushing it until he was cradling it against his chest. Max lowered her hands from his hair to around his waist and hugged him.

Staying in that position, she asked calmly, "Fang, why did we do that? What about your girlfriend?"

Max heard him sigh and felt the steady beat of his heart through his chest, which was well-defined and felt absolutely amazing. "Max, I like you, okay? I've liked you for as long as I can remember. Lissa," so that was her stupid name, "doesn't mean anything to me. I thought that you didn't like me the same way I liked you, so I tried to use Lissa as a distraction to keep my mind off of you. But honestly, it never worked. I could never stop thinking about you. And seeing you with Dylan, I wanted to break him in half. I didn't like seeing him looking at you like that, him touching you like that. It pissed me off. But now that I finally have you, I don't want to let go. I''ll never let go."

That was the longest speech Max had ever heard from Fang, ever. She felt like her heart was going to explode from happiness, although she was slightly embarrassed at how vulnerable and girly she was being. But in the end, she didn't care, because she didn't have to hide anything from Fang. He would never judge her. He would always be there to take care of her, protect her, be with her. Her heart now felt complete.

Tilting her head up, she responded to Fang's declaration with a soft kiss on the lips. Although their lips were barely touching, she still felt a swell of emotions reverberate throughout her. All of pent up emotions and feelings were showing their true colors during that kiss. It felt more significant than anything else.

Pulling back, Max rested her head into the crook of Fang's neck and closed her eyes, content.

"Merry Christmas, Max."

~* O *~

Ah, don't you just hate kissing scenes? I definitely do. Reading and writing them! But my friend helped me once again since I'm such a wimp. Whoever reviewed, thank you! The reviews made me feel all happy inside! And sorry for taking forever to post this, I had finals then all this other crap, and then I'm visiting my grandparents in Chicago tomorrow! I get to wake up in a few hours… yay me…

MERRY LATE CHRISTMAS!

~aalaal