Me no owny Maximum Ride.

~* O *~

"Babe, you look beautiful as always." Dylan wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me to him.

I smiled and felt a small blush creep onto my cheeks. "Thanks."

I looked around at all of my other friends and their dates, dressed up and smiling. We were all crowded in my living room, and Ella, Nudge, and I had just arrived from upstairs after getting ready for our homecoming dance.

I looked over to my closest friend Fang and saw him looking at me. Lissa, his date to homecoming, was talking animatedly to him but he was paying her no attention. I smiled at him, and he smiled back, but something in his expression seemed off; almost a bit solemn. As his best friend, I would have been able to see it. I raised my eyebrows in question, but he shook his head and turned to Lissa.

I then noticed that Dylan had been saying something to me, so I smiled and nodded, hoping he didn't ask a question.

My mom barreled down the hall with a camera in her hand. "Wait! Before you leave, I need to take pictures!"

I outwardly groaned. "Moooom. Do you have to?" I already felt uncomfortable in this stupid black strapless dress and heels, along with the makeup Nudge had insisted I 'had to wear'; I didn't need a reminder.

"Of course I do! This is your senior homecoming dance! Now everyone line up, girls in the front and boys in the back." We all lined up, me grumbling to myself as I stood in front of Dylan. "Now, everybody smile! … Max, that means you, too."

I showed my teeth and glared at the camera. I didn't even want to come to this dance in the first place; I only agreed to come with Dylan because we had recently gotten together and I didn't want to be mean and say no. So alas, here I was in a stupid, bloody dress.

My mom sighed, accepting my 'attempt' of a smile, and started taking pictures…. and didn't stop. Geez, how many did she need to take? I would have stopped after zero. My mouth was starting to hurt and I just wanted to get this dance over with.

"Okay, I'm done!" My mom beamed at us. "I can't believe this is finally your senior year! You all grow up so fast! Soon you'll be in college, and – "

"Mom! We're leaving now!" I started walking towards the door to prove my point. If we had stayed any longer, she probably would have broken down into tears. That would have been embarrassing. My friends were all wearing awkward smiles, sharing in my discomfiture.

"Alright, honey! Stay safe and make good choices!"

I rolled my eyes at my mom's apprehension and opened the front door. "Yeah, mom."

Fang came up to me. "Make sure to use protection, too," he murmured in my ear, smirking. I punched him softly on the arm.

"I should be the one telling you that," I replied. We all got into the stupid limo waiting outside of my house and rode to the stupid homecoming dance. I was super excited, if you hadn't already guessed. Tonight was going to be the time of my life. Note sarcasm.

~* O *~

I instantly wanted to go home.

Music was blaring loudly the moment we stepped into the large gym. Lights were glaring throughout the room from the ceiling. High school students were milling around or grinding on the dance floor. And did the teachers care? Not one bit. Cheesy decorations and balloons lined the walls, showing that the homecoming theme this year was 'starry, starry night'. Pft. What a waste of time and effort.

But, I was here for Dylan. Even though he had made me come to this stupid dance, he was still the sweetest boyfriend. And I liked him enough.

Everyone went off in different directions with his or her date. Dylan took my hand and led me to the dance floor in the center of the gym, facing the stage and DJ. Right as we arrived, the fast-paced song playing had changed into one of those slow-dance songs. Ah, perfect timing.

Dylan stood in front of me and bowed. "May I have this dance?" he asked, extending his right hand. I smiled at his antics but instantly felt nervous. I had never really been the dancing person; I was too clumsy and could never hold a beat.

I curtsied, to go along with the charade, and took his outstretched hand with my left one. I placed my right hand on his shoulder, and he placed his left hand around my waist.

"If I step on your feet, know that it is not intentional and I have warned you beforehand."

Dylan smiled at me, and we started swaying. "It's fine, Max. Just follow my lead and I'll guide you." (That's what she said…. Ah, gotta love those.)

I let him guide me through the dance and I only stepped on his feet a few times. But you had to admit; dancing in heels was hard. I was itching to just take them off and chuck them as far as I could away from me, but then Nudge would kill me.

The song ended and Dylan stepped away from me. "I'm going to go the restroom, but I'll be back in a moment." He smiled and kissed me on the cheek, then left.

Not wanting to awkwardly stand by myself in the middle of the dance floor, I looked around to find any of my friends and found Ella and Iggy sitting at one of the tables at the side of the gym. I joined them and sat down, but they didn't notice me; their heads were close together and they looked deep in conversation. I smiled. They were good for each other.

I looked around to try and spot any of my other friends, and found Fang. He was slow-dancing with Lissa on the dance floor, her head resting on his chest. I felt a pang in my chest and had to look away.

I oddly felt…. saddened. As if I didn't like seeing Fang hold someone else that intimately. But why? Why would I care if he danced with anybody? He was my best friend; I should have been happy to see him with someone. Nevertheless, it was almost as if I were disappointed.

I shook my thoughts and began to absentmindedly zone out. Minutes passed by, and soon it was about fifteen minutes since I had last seen Dylan. I looked up to find that Iggy and Ella weren't in their spots anymore. They probably got up to go somewhere more private and were too entranced in each other to take notice of me.

But I began to worry about Dylan. He said that he would have been back in a few minutes, right? Well, he clearly wasn't here.

I got up to go and see if I could find him. Maybe he was just talking to a friend in the hallway and lost track of time.

I left the gym and headed out into the hallway, only to see Dylan huddled closely with someone leaning against the wall. I furrowed my eyebrows and stepped closer, wanting to get a better look.

Approaching, I saw that he was kissing the person leaning against the wall. Actually, kissing was too nice a term. More like attacking her mouth with his own. I heard my own gasp. I couldn't believe it. This was Dylan; always the gentleman, careful with my feelings. He always respected me and treated me as if I were a princess. And though we had only dated for a little less than a month, I thought that Dylan was the one for me. I thought that what we had was special; that it would last and be strong. But apparently not.

Dylan heard my gasp and jerked back from whomever he was kissing. Giving the girl a second glance, I saw that she was none other than Maya. Class-A slut. No wonder.

I backed away a few steps, hoping Dylan wouldn't see my hurtful expression. I didn't want him to see me crushed. I could not cry in front of him.

Dylan looked like a deer in the headlights. "I – uh – Max. I can explain." He scratched at his head, avoiding eye contact.

I gave him my best glare and folded my arms over my chest. I wanted to cover what I really felt on the inside: hurt. Crushed. And now humiliated. "Yeah, I can explain too, Dylan." I put as much venom into his name as I possible could. "You were obviously making out with some easy whore here and just totally forgot about me. I completely understand."

Maya cocked her head to the side and smirked at me. "Is this your girlfriend, Dylan?"

"Ex," I made clear. I gave one more look at Dylan, who looked miserable. I then turned on my heel and stalked away, trying to keep whatever dignity I had left. I needed to get out of there so they wouldn't see me break down. I wouldn't give them that satisfaction.

I turned the corner. As soon as I was sure they couldn't see me anymore, I tore my heels off and ran down the hallway. I didn't know where I was going. I just didn't want anyone to find me. Finding another empty hallway, feeling tired, alone, and depressed, I leaned against the wall and slid down. I pulled my knees to my chest and put my head in my hands. Tears unwillingly started to pour out.

You would think that I could have handled this better; that I could have been strong and easily gotten over this. But no. I've never had much dating experience. Actually, Dylan was my first boyfriend – ever. And now, my first heartbreak. I thought glumly. So this it what it felt like. I had always made fun of girls in books and movies who would cry over past boyfriends and lovers, considering them wimps. So I guess that classified me as a wimp now. But I just didn't care anymore.

I didn't know how long I had stayed like that until I heard footsteps approaching me from down the hall. They were almost silent, but I could just barely hear them. I kept my face in my hands, knowing the makeup Nudge had plastered on my face was probably all messed up now.

The person stopped in front of me and knelt down. I still refused to look up. "Go away, whoever you are," I mumbled, my voice sounding tired and broken.

"Max, look at me." The voice sounded like a melody to my ears, almost calming me. I knew that voice from anywhere. But I didn't want him to see me in my current state: pathetic and broken.

I kept my head down. The tears were all dried now, but I'm pretty sure I looked like someone from Night of the Living Dead. "Please. Leave me alone, Fang."

But Fang stayed where he was. He gently pried my hands away from my face, and I let him. He held onto my hands and pulled me up to my feet. "Come on," he said, keeping ahold of one my hands and dropping the other one. He started walking and I followed him.

I gave him a questioning look. "Where are we going?" I asked, seeing as we were walking in the opposite direction of the gym. Not like I wanted to go there anyway.

Fang's mouth quirked up on one side as he still looked ahead. "You'll see."

"What about Lissa?"

"What about her?"

"Aren't you, you know, sort of ditching her?"

"Don't worry about her. I set her up with Sam, and she looked pretty happy."

Soon he led me outside and into the parking lot. Fang had led us to outside of the school, but then he stopped. He kept ahold of my one hand and place my other one on his shoulder. He then placed his free hand on my waist, almost as if we were going to… dance?

"Fang, what are we doing?" I asked. Why did he take me out here?

Fang smirked at me as we started moving in a rhythmic motion. "What does it look like we're doing?"

"Dancing?"

"Congratulations. You can depict the obvious."

I rolled my eyes and smiled. "Seriously, though. How did you find me?"

The smirk slightly fell from Fang's face and he looked away. "I saw you leave the gym, and then a few minutes later Dylan and Maya walked in hand in hand. I figured something was up. But you never came back."

My heart clenched again and I stepped back from Fang, glaring at the ground below me. Dylan didn't even regret it. He didn't try to apologize, didn't try to come after me. No. He went back with stupid Maya, hand in hand. Did I not mean anything to him? At all?

Fang cupped my chin gently and forced me to look up at him. But then I couldn't look away. His eyes were so dark a brown that they looked black. They almost seemed to be sparkling, too. But I have looked into his eyes thousands of times before. Why did they seem different now?

"Max, Dylan isn't worth it. He doesn't deserve your tears. He doesn't deserve you. He's an asshole, and that's not your fault," Fang said in a soft tone, even though we were the only ones out here.

I buried my face into Fang's chest, needing his comfort. He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me closer to him. I closed my eyes in comfort. Fang was the best friend anyone could ask for. Even in my most vulnerable moments, he was always there for me. My steady rock.

"Thanks, Fang. For being out here with me and everything." I expected him to say something snarky about my tacky statement, but he didn't say anything sardonic.

"I'll always be here for you, Max."

Wow. And I thought that I was being cheesy. But I actually liked what he had said. It felt good to know that Fang cared for me and looked after me like that. My heart did a little flip at the thought and I had to steady my breathing. Wait, what? Why was I reacting this way? I had always felt at ease around Fang, never worrying about how I looked or if I were embarrassing myself. But now, I was wondering what he thought of me, seeing me like this. But this was Fang. He has already seen me at my worst. Why the sudden nervousness now?

And as I was embraced in his arms, I couldn't help but relish in how comfortable it felt. I hated to admit it but I loved the feel of him around me with those strong arms. I loved the feel of being pressed against his hard chest. Wait, why was I thinking this? He was my best friend. I couldn't have anything more than brotherly love for him…. could I?

I pulled my head away from Fang's chest, but wrapped my arms around his waist. I looked up to study his face, trying to see if anything else about him has changed. What was so different about him now?

His dark, shaggy hair fell a little past his ears and looked unkempt, but it seemed to suit him. He had flawless tan skin that I was sure anybody would kill for. But then I noticed that Fang actually looked good. As in, he was attractive. Had I always overlooked this, thinking nothing more?

I saw that Fang had been watching me study him. His eyes were watching me with speculation, questioning me. "My good looks just now dawning on you, Max?" he asked, giving me that smirk of his.

I blushed, thinking how his statement actually seemed more accurate than he could have accounted for. But seeing him smile almost took my breath away.

I couldn't seem to form any coherent thoughts, so I simply shook my head. I had the sudden urge to lean forward, closer to him, to…. kiss him? But then what would he think? Would he push me away, recoiling in disgust? Or would he maybe reciprocate my actions?

Fang raised his eyebrows in question at my silence. "Why are you looking at me like that?"

I shook my head again, wanting the butterflies in my stomach to go away. "Never mind. Let's go back inside." I released my arms around him and tried to move away from but he only tightened his arms around me.

"What's wrong?" Fang looked down at me, worry harboring in his eyes. He was always able to see through me so well. I was never able to hide anything from him.

I averted my eyes. I didn't want him to see that my discomfort was coming from him. What would he think? I didn't want to ruin our friendship. He was my best friend; I couldn't lose him.

"Is it Dylan? If it helps, I took care of him for you," Fang said in a comforting voice.

My head snapped up, but a slow smile spread across my face. "Why? What did you do?"

Fang smiled, seeing as I was smiling now. "Let's just say he had to go home a little early tonight."

I gasped in mock horror and pushed him back, still smiling. "Fang! I can't believe you would do such a thing. I don't think we can be friends anymore," I said with a dramatic voice.

Fang caught on and smirked, taking a step towards me. "You might want to take that back, Maxie."

"Or what?" I asked innocently, taking a step back.

"Or I might have to tickle you." Fang grinned knowingly. My eyes widened. He knew how ticklish I was and how I hated being tickled; especially by him.

Taking another step back, I said, "Not if you can't catch me!" I turned around and ran. Good thing I had taken off my heels earlier. I heard Fang take off after me and I giggled, exhilarated by the feeling of being chased. Dylan was long-forgotten.

I felt he was gaining on me as we weaved our way through the parking lot. Not too many cars were here since many people had arrived in limos or other fancy rides.

Suddenly I felt Fang's arms wrap around me as he slowed to a stop. I turned around to face him and try to push him away, but he was too strong and started to tickle me on my sides. I burst out in laughter. "F-f –fang! You," I let out a laugh, " you j-jerk!"

Eventually he stopped after I had attempted to swat at him. My laughs settled down and soon we were engulfed in silence.

I looked at Fang and noticed that I didn't even think about Dylan. Fang just made me laugh after I had seen my boyfriend making out with another girl. How did he do that? He always seemed to make me feel better whenever I was sad or depressed.

"Thanks," I said, knowing he would understand what I meant, and I leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. Then I froze, realizing what I had just done. Fang and I were close friends, but we had never done anything like that before.

I stared, gaping at Fang, as he lifted his hand to his cheek and looked at me. I looked down at the ground and started stuttering, "I – uh – crap! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that, I just– "

I was interrupted when I felt a pair of warm lips on mine. My eyes snapped up to Fang and saw that his eyes were closed. I would have jerked back in shock if it weren't for the fact this his arms were wrapped around me.

I froze, not knowing what to do. This was Fang, my best friend, kissing me. And surprisingly, his mouth felt good on mine.

All too soon, Fang pulled away, his face practically glowing. But then it dimmed when he saw my shocked expression. Fang sighed. "Shit. I shouldn't have done that." He ran a hand through his hair and looked away.

I put my hand to my lips, still feeling the tingling feeling. I almost felt disappointed that Fang had pulled away. I nearly wanted to go up and kiss him again. But I held back at the moment, confused as to why I was feeling this way about Fang, and why he even kissed me in the first place.

"Fang…. why did you do that?"

Fang took a deep breath and looked at me. His eyes looked… sad. Dejected. Was it because of my reaction?

"Just forget about it, Max. It was a mistake. I should probably go." He stepped away from me and started to walk but I quickly grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Wait, Fang. Don't go." I wanted to sort out whatever this was. I didn't want to ruin my friendship with Fang. And now, even though I was confused about how and why I was reacting to Fang the way I was, I still needed him. Maybe I needed him now more than I ever did. It was as if I were seeing Fang in a completely new light, one I had never even thought to see before. (GAH, MY EYES!)

Fang turned to me with raised eyebrows, waiting for me to say whatever I needed to say.

"Fang… I don't know what to do." I dropped his hand and looked away. I couldn't look at him now, or else I would maybe start freaking out. I needed to be calm. "You're my best friend. You always have been, and only that. But now, I don't know. I don't know what to think now, or what to say. I'm just confused about you. About us."

Fang grabbed my chin and softly pulled my head up to look at him. And I once again noticed how deep and dark his eyes were, looking right through me. His expression was understanding and sympathetic, not sad like it was moments ago. "Okay. So what do you feel when I do this?" He glided his thumb over my cheek, caressing it. I instantly felt something in the pit of my stomach and I blushed, not used to Fang's being touchy like this.

I gulped. "It feels… weird. Something I've never really felt before." And not even with Dylan, I noted.

"What about this?" Fang bent down and kissed me on my cheek. I felt my stomach get even queasier. How was it possible to hate this but love it at the same time? I didn't even understand.

"Still weird," I commented, averting my gaze. I couldn't even maintain eye contact with my own best friend! Why was I feeling so uneasy around Fang? I didn't know what to think.

Fang gazed at me, as if looking through me and understanding how I was feeling. How I seemed to almost yearn for him, even though I've never even remotely felt like this around him before. Could he see how I was battling with my emotions?

"Or what about this?" He gave me one more meaningful look before cupping my cheek with his hand and kissing me on the lips. A sigh escaped from me unintentionally and I closed my eyes. I felt an overwhelming desire for Fang and I suddenly got it. I finally understood why I was harboring all these thoughts and contemplations about Fang. I liked him. And I was too narrow-minded to have realized earlier.

And he liked me back.

Now knowing what to do and not having the urge to panic anymore, I wrapped my arms around his neck and brought myself closer to him. Fang froze for a second, and then wrapped his other arm tightly around my waist.

We stayed like that for almost a minute, but then I pulled away, needing to breathe. I looked over at Fang and saw his gratified face. I smiled, feeling content myself.

"So is this new for you, too? The feelings, I mean." I wanted to know. Did he have feelings for me, when I was going out with Dylan or even before? Or was realization just now hitting in like it was for me?

Fang shook his head. "I've always known how I felt about you. I just didn't want to tell you, in case you wouldn't want to be friends anymore."

I instantly felt guilty. All this time? He had been there for me, whether I was telling him how hot I thought Ryan Gosling was, or telling him how Dylan has asked me out and then how amazing of a boyfriend he was. But Fang took it and maintained the role of my best friend.

"Fang – " I started, but Fang interrupted me.

"Don't worry about it," he said, smiling. "I was happy as long as you were my best friend. And you still are my best friend. What we do now is up to you."

My heart tugged. How I had always overlooked him? Dylan had nothing on Fang. And then I realized, Fang was perfect for me. He had always been there for me. And now I knew what I wanted.

"I want to still be best friends." Fang nodded, accepting this but looking disappointed. "But I also want to be more than friends." His head snapped up, and then he gave me a breathtaking grin. Nothing ever looked more beautiful.

He took my hand and squeezed it. He then got down on one knee and kissed my hand. "Be my girlfriend?" he asked, giving me that look of his.

I pretended to think about it for a moment and looked to the sky as I tapped my finger against my chin. Shrugging, I replied nonchalantly, "Sure. Why not."

Fang shook his head to himself, still smiling, and got up. "Typical. You had to ruin the romantic moment."

"What? That was supposed to be romantic? Could have fooled me." I felt more comfortable going back to the easy talk, the bantering, that we always had. Feeling confused about your own feelings was not fun.

Fang took a step closer to me. "Don't make me tickle you again."

I gasped and took a step back. "You wouldn't again…. would you?"

"Oh, I would. So you better start running. Like now."

I hesitated not one second and took off. If he kept threatening to tickle me like this, I didn't think that I'd be able to keep a relationship with him, I thought to myself. But deep down, I knew that wouldn't be true.

Fang finally caught me. Instead of tickling me, he turned me around and kissed me hard. I could get used to this. Dylan long-gone from my mind, I knew that Fang was it for me.

He would always be it for me.

And we lived happily ever after and all that shit. The end.

~* O *~

Eh… I don't know about you guys, but this chapter was boring to me. After reading over it, I was like 'geez, this crap is even more agonizingly painful than usual!' I swear the idea for this chapter sounded a lot better in my head. What did you guys think?

Thanks to everyone who reviewed! You guys make my day! :D

Any ideas about what I could do for a chapter? Give me your thoughts!

~ aalaal