Me no owny Maximum Ride.

~* O *~

Shutting my eyes, I lay back in my chair and felt the sun's rays wash over me. I could hear the cry of seagulls as they soared above me; the roaring of the waves as they crashed into the sand; the faint hum of people as they walked and chattered all around me. I finally felt at peace, with Fang beside me.

Fang and I opted to drive down to the beach this weekend because the weather was suitable enough. With the stress of senior year and college applications, we felt that this diminutive vacation was necessary for our sanity.

Disrupting my tranquility, strong arms snaked under my knees and back, picking me up. My eyes snapped open and instantly zoomed in on Fang's smirking face. "Fang! Put me down! Couldn't you see I was in my comfort zone?"

"People don't come to the beach to sleep, Max. They come here to swim, play in the sand, party, actually do something fun…." Fang drifted off and started walking to the water with me still in his arms. Comprehension dawned on me as I realized what he was going to do.

"Fang, don't you dare! I swear I am going to kill you slowly and painfully!" I wiggled to try and get out of his grasp, but his arms tightened around me even more.

He gave me an all-knowing smile and stopped walking when the water went up to his knees. "I'd say that's a little too violent for my liking."

"I'll spare your life if you put me down!"

Fang looked off into the distance and pretended to contemplate my request. Glancing back at me, he shrugged. "Put you down? Alright." Suddenly I was flying through the air as he tossed me out of his arms. All too soon I came down and plunged into the cold ocean, seawater effectively entering my mouth and eyes.

I shot out of the water and began coughing, trying to erase the vulgar taste of seawater from my mouth. Instantly I felt chills, with the cold water's dripping off me and the airy breeze's brushing by me. I rubbed at my eyes due to the slight stinging and turned to glare at Fang. "Prepare to die, you piece of scum."

Fang chuckled. "That's not a very nice thing to say to your boyfriend."

I cocked my head and situated my hands on my hips. "Boyfriend? All I see in front of me is a dickwad." Of course I wasn't really mad. I just loved to verbally abuse him.

"Correction. A very sexy dickwad."

"Correction. A very sexy arrogant dickwad."

"So you admit that I'm sexy?"

"Being sexy doesn't conceal your true trait: assholeyness.

"Assholeyness? I'm pretty sure that isn't a real word. And I don't think dickwad is, either."

"Go get your master's degree in English already! I don't giving a flying flip."

Fang approached me and wrapped his arms around my waist. "Aw, is wittle Maxie mad? Is big, old Fang being a meanie-head?"

"No, that's too nice a term to accurately describe you. But since your vocabulary is fairly limited, we can use it just for your sake." I smiled innocently up at him, snaking my arms around his neck.

Fang gave a low chuckle. "Ha-ha. You're hilarious. Why are we dating, again?"

"Because without me, your life would be one miserable void of nothingness." I went on, my voice growing more dramatic, "I am the light of your life! The joy of your existence! The – "

"Shut up, already." Fang rolled his eyes.

I leaned closer to him until my mouth was hovering right in front of his left ear. "Make me," I whispered, and then pulled back. I smirked, having the pleasure of eliciting a small shiver from him.

Fang's eyes darkened marginally and gripped me tighter. The smile fading from my face, I gazed deeply into his eyes and he likewise; it felt as if he were looking right through me.

He bent his head down to be even with mine and crashed his mouth into mine. All I could feel and taste was bliss. I would never get tired of this.

~* O *~

The beach was having a concert that night with a local rock band. A stage was set up on the shore, nothing too elaborate, and people lined up all around the stage in clumps. With the intensity of the music, many people were dancing like they would at a club. And, well, what a lovely picture that was.

The sun had already set and the stars all glimmered in the night sky. The temperature noticeably dropped and a not-so-soft breeze swept through the air. I had only brought a shirt and shorts to cover up my bathing suit, so Fang kindly offered me his jacket for use. Cue the awww's.

Since Fang and I both detested being in close proximity with vast amounts of people, we maintained our distance from the stage but were still in range of the stage and band. Fang stood behind me with arms wrapped tightly around me as I leaned against his chest. With the heat's radiating from his chest, I almost didn't need Fang's jacket for warmth.

"You know the lead singer of that band? He's pretty hot. I wonder if he's single…?" I teased Fang, pretending to stare admiringly at the lead singer.

Fang looked down at me and glared. I smiled innocuously up at him and shrugged my shoulders. "He probably has a girlfriend, though. I guess that means I'm stuck with you."

Fang rolled his eyes. "Yeah, I know, life's tough."

"Yeah, I know right? Today I had to come to the beach with this poser…. I don't think you'd want to meet him. He thinks he's so cool and all this crap. I absolutely can not stand him." My voice was laced with faux bitchiness and attitude. I inspected my nails and looked up at Fang from under my eyes.

"Yeah, I know how that feels. I came to the beach today with the queen of bitches. Total diva, spoiled. You wouldn't want to meet her."

I laughed and kicked my heel backwards against his shin. Psh. Mellifluously, of course. Wouldn't want to hurt my boyfriend dearest.

He faintly grunted, and I smiled triumphantly at his pain. "Don't be a wimp. That wasn't even hard," I told him.

"Whatever. I'm gonna go to the restroom, so I'll be right back." He released his hold of me and took a step away.

"A bit random. Couldn't you have gone, say, ten minutes ago, when we were actually walking right by the restrooms?"

"Yeah, if I actually had to go ten minutes ago. I'm leaving now. Try not to hit on too many guys for my sake." With a wink, he turned to leave. I rolled my eyes after him, even though he couldn't see me, and looked around for a chair to sit in. You're probably speculating why I didn't just walk with him. Simply, I was too lazy. Case adjourned.

I sat down in a nearby chair since my legs were beginning to tire from standing, and I just didn't want to awkwardly stand by myself. I closed my eyes, fatigue starting to wash over me.

A few minutes later, footsteps in the sand approached me and stopped right in front of me. Not expecting Fang to get here so soon, I opened to my eyes, only to meet a dissimilar pair of brown eyes.

I raised my brow and quickly evaluated him, noticing his tortoiseshell eyes, chestnut hair, and tan skin. "Any particular reason you're standing right in front of me? I do appreciate personal space."

"Hey, I'm Sam," he said chirpily and held out his hand to shake, either oblivious to or disregarding my remark.

"Max," I replied in a jaded tone, wondering why he was still standing there. I wasn't in the mood to talk to anyone other than Fang that night. I stared at his hand until he put it back at his side. He still had that stupid smile on his face!

"So, what's a hot chick like yourself doing out here all alone?" His smile and voice were what I supposed were attempts at seduction. Hint: attempts. Gag.

Bitch, please. My seven-year-old brother could come up with a better pick-up line than that one. Good try, buddy. "Chirping." I made a few bird calls and put my hand to my ear, appearing to listen for returning bird calls. He looked at me with a blank expression. "You know, since I'm a chick and all," I justified. Please just think I'm a tad mental and walk away already. Like now.

But to no avail. He crouched down until we had equal eye level, and was still invading my damn personal space. "That's cute. I'm liking you already."

"The feeling's not mutual. Please leave me alone now," I grumbled. Couldn't this guy take a stupid hint? How thick was his skull?

"Aw, playing hard to get, baby? That's cool. I like games." He rested his hand on my leg and started rubbing back and forth.

I resisted a shudder and smacked his hand away. "Dude. Me no likey you. Get the hell away from me and stay the hell away from me. Got it? Now shoo." I made shooing motions with my hand, hoping he would just leave already. He didn't.

He grabbed my hand and jerked me to my feet. His smile had vanished and now he appeared marginally menacing. I wouldn't admit that out loud, of course.

"Listen, babe – " he started, but I interrupted him.

"No, you listen. I'm clearly not interested, don't fucking call me 'babe', and if you would so kindly let go of my fucking arm, that would be wonderful."

Sam glared at me now, and his grasp on my arm only tightened. "You little bitch." He slapped me across the face. I gasped, not from pain, but from surprise. What has this guy been smoking?

I designed to kick him in the balls, but his other arm snaked around my waist and jerked me right to him before I could. The hand gripping my arm let go and grabbed the back of my head instead. He shoved my head towards his head and attacked my mouth with his.

I thrashed and fought to escape his grasp on me, but he ceased to let go and I couldn't move away. His tongue fought its way into my mouth and I fought another gag. His breath reeked of alcohol and tobacco. His arm around my waist squeezed it harder and pain erupted on my side.

It was getting hard to breathe and his attack on my mouth was relentless. Why did he have to be so damn strong? And how the hell hasn't anyone noticed what was going on here? Was the concert really that intriguing?

I bit down hard on his lip, anticipating him to pull back, but he angrily grunted and, if possible, kissed me harder. I was beginning to see stars…. not in the good way, morons.

Suddenly, he jerked back and his grasp on me released. I doubled over and put my hands on my knees, letting out a gasp and trying to compose my breathing.

"Don't touch her, you son of a bitch," sounded an angry voice - Fang's -, and I heard a few punches and someone's hitting the floor harshly. I looked up and saw Fang's standing over a now unconscious Sam, animosity fixed on his face. He looked at me and his countenance softened.

In a few quick strides he approached me and enveloped me in his arms. I wrapped my own arms around him and leaned my head against his firm chest. "Are you okay?" he breathily asked, worry and concern laced into his voice.

Not trusting my voice, still in shock of what had just happened, I mutely nodded. Fang stepped back and placed his hands on my shoulders, assessing me. "Did he hurt you? Touch you anywhere else?"

I shook my head and glanced away, ashamed that he had to see me in such a vulnerable state. I always wanted to be robust and in control. I loathed being weak, being unable to do anything. And here I was, unable to help myself. I felt pathetic.

I felt a hand gently grab my chin and force me to look up. "Hey," Fang said.

"Hey," I said back, sulking.

"You sure you're alright?"

I chuckled without humor. "Just peachy."

"I shouldn't have left you here by yourself... what if something worse had happened? What if I didn't come when I had?"

"I'm not five years old, Fang. I can take care of myself. I was just about to go all ninja on him, but of course you had to ruin my chance. Thanks a lot."

Fang smirked. "That's the thanks I get for practically saving your life? I think you can do a little better."

I dramatically sighed and rolled my eyes. "Fine, you whiner." I leaned in as slowly as I could, trying to annoy Fang. He grew impatient and finally closed the distance between us. Unlike Sam's lips, Fang's were soft, sweet, and gentle.

Beaches. Gotta love 'em.

~* O *~

Yeah, I didn't really know where to end it, so I just stopped it there.

So sorry for the long wait! School has been kicking my butt lately! Especially math and chemistry… I absolutely HATE those classes.

Thanks for all the reviews! :D

Valentine's Day is going to be the next chapter! Any ideas on what I should do? Seriously, I have no idea what to do for that one! I want it to be cheesy to the extreme, making you want to gauge your eyes out!

~ aalaal