Chapter Four - Iggy's Speech and Chocolate Chip Cookies

Fang POV

As soon as the bell rang through the classrooms and hallways, Max ran. She seemed to have disappeared into the mass of students with ease. Looking around, I had tried to search for her when Ig-iot, rammed into me with full force.

"Shit, man! What the hell was that?" I shouted, picking him up by the elbow. He just giggled- GIGGLED -like a little girl for a good five minutes. Getting annoyed, I finally smacked him upside the head; hard.

"Fuck! What the hell was that for?" He screamed at me, flailing his arms over his head. I chuckled under my breath and waited for him to stop. After dancing around like a monkey, he finally stopped, smoothed his hair down, and straightened his shirt.

"Okay, Ig-iot. Why'd you run into me?" I asked, annoyance growing in my tone.

"Oh, yeah. Right. Well, Jenna texted Ginny, who texted Margaret, who texted Melanie, who texted LeAnn, who texted Ethan, who texted Michael, who texted Gazzy, who texted me, *deep breath* that you were working on a social project with Maximum Martinez." He finally finished, exhaling deeply as he went. I looked at him as if he were stupid-which he is.

"So?" I asked, clearly confused.

"So? So! So!? I am telling you some classified information and all you say is so?" Iggy shrieked- SHRIEKED -at me, pointing a finger in my face. Swatting his hand away, I looked at him as if he were stupid again.

"Why does it matter if I'm working on a project with Maximum Martinez?" His jaw dropped. Like, litterly, almost hit the floor.

"It matters, because *pause for dramatic effect* Maximum Martinez is one of the hottest girls in school right now. Next to Lisa and her sluts with fake boobs, she's on top!" I shook my head and laughed as Iggy mimicked having boobs on his chest. I smacked him upside the head and he slipped to the ground. I laughed even harder, tears rolling down my face. Iggy got up, glared at me, and then stalked off to his next class. I was still chuckling when the bell rang for my next class. I walked in to find one empty seat left... Max's seat.

~Lunch

"LUNCH!" Gazzy and Iggy screamed at the same time. I watched as they raced to the lunchroom, pushing and shoving each other as they went. I slowly followed, not really watching where I stepped. Suddenly, a flash of red hair obscured my vision and Lisa's green eyes appeared in front of my face.

"Fangy, baby. Please, forgive me. I didn't do anything wrong. He forced himself on me. Come on, let's go somewhere private and talk." She purred in my ear, softly stroking her hand towards my belt. I grabbed her wrist, glaring into her eyes. She flinched but didn't look away. Determined to have me once again.

"You don't get it, do you?" I asked, not giving her enough time to answer. "I don't care for you anymore. You are worthless to me. So why don't you go and prance off with your little friends to a stripper club? I think you'd like it there, you'd feel at home." And then I let go of her wrist, and walked to find my brothers; leaving her staring after me, angry and shocked.

It had felt good doing that. Finally getting it through to her that I was no longer her pet she could drag around. Something that she could claim. I wasn't her slave. Lisa and I were no more, and I was going to make sure that, that got through to everyone at Walker-Buite High School.

When I finally found Iggy and Gazzy, they were sitting at a table talking about stink bombs. I came and sat by Iggy, snatching a slice of pizza off his tray. Being to engrossed in their conversation, didn't notice my presence. I quietly sat there, eating my greasy cheese slice of heaven, and thought about what to do. Just as I finished, an idea came to mind. Tapping Iggy on the shoulder, I waited for his attention. A few more taps and annoying glances later, he turned towards me. I smirked.

"Ig, I need a favor. Can you help me?" He smiled deviously at me, slowly started to rub his hands together evilly.

"What is your need from the Igster?" He questioned in a fake French voice, trying to be cool. I leaned in and whispered my plan in his ear. He nodded and was about to stand up when I saw a flash of golden blonde hair and I stopped him. Looking sad, he waited patiently while I got up and walked over to the other side of the table. As I approached, her voice rang shrill in my ears.

"Listen, Nudge, I am not going to marry Fang. Nor will I ever want to date him, you should have seen how I freaked out in class! I still can't believe Mr. Waltons paired me with him!" She raised her arms in frustration and then dropped them to her sides.

"Ouch. That hurt." I said with mock sadness in my voice. I could see her back muscles tense and she slowly turned her head to look at me. Her brown eyes met mine and I smirked. Her mouth was formed in an 'O' form, her eyes filled with anger, hatred, and... Curiosity? I shook my head to unjumble my thoughts.

"Um... Max, we're gonna go." The mocha skin girl said, picking up her tray and leaving; quickly followed by the others. I shrugged it off and turned my attention on Max. She was now staring at the soda in her hands, tracing the rim of the soda can with her pointer finger. I coughed and she looked back at me.

"So, we're partners." I stated, trying to break the silence. She looked at me like I was stupid.

"Duh." Was her reply. I laughed/grunted, which ended up like a snort. She looked up at me through narrowed eyes and then back at her soda can. Not knowing what to do, I looked around the cafeteria to see Lisa about to leave and Iggy waving anxiously at me. I quickly looked back at Max and coughed again. Her eyes met mine once more.

"You might want to pull out a camera. A show is about to go down." And then I walked away, sending a thumbs-up Iggy's way.

Max POV

I stared at his back as he walked away, wondering what he meant when a familiar looking boy with strawberry blonde hair and blue eyes stood on top of one of the many tables. Before I realized it, my phone was in my hand, and pointed at him, just as he was about to say words.

"EVERYBODY, PLEASE DO NOT TURN YOUR ATTENTION AT THE BOY STANDING ON THE TABLE" -of course everyone looked- "I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT MY BROTHER, FANG, DOES NOT LIKE LISSA. HE IS NOT HER PET ANYMORE. SO SHE CAN GO AND PRANCE AROUND WITH HER LITTLE SLUT FRIENDS WITHOUT HIM. IF SHE PLANS ON COMING NEAR MY BROTHER, ME AND MY BUD, GAZZY, WILL PERSONALY BLOW UP HER HOUSE. THANK YOU, CARRY ON. OH WAIT! TAKE THAT LISSA BITCH, YOU JUST GOT DUMPED! OW-CH!" Everyone was laughed by the time his speech was finished and he jumped off the table, smiling proudly at his twin and younger brother. I smirked, kid's got guts. Kid's. Got. Guts.

~At Home

It was Friday. After that kid's speech, the rest of the week had been as boring as hell. So, as soon as I got home, I collapsed on my bed. The warm comforter felt soft around my body, feeling comfortable and pleasant on my skin. I ignored the voices of everyone around me until the smell of chocolate chip cookies wafted up to my nostrils. Energy zipped through me as I ran downstairs to the kitchen where the smell came strongest.

"Hi, mom!" I said smiling to the wonderful baker of these heavenly delights. She smiled back as me, handing me a plate of cookies. I munched them down, stuffing two or three at a time in my mouth. That's when Nudge, Ella, and Angel ran into the room. Drooling for yummy cookies. You have not lived until you've had a bite of my mom's awesome cookies! In the middle of our cookie eating, the doorbell rang. Angel immediately jumped up and ran to get it, wiping the bits of chocolate and cookie crumbs off her face. She disappeared around a corner, only to reappear with... Fang?

I choked, coughing sputtering cookie crumbs everywhere. I raced to the sink, not caring about grabbing a glass, and drank from the tap. The cold water washed through my system, clearing the cookie crumbs from my throat. When I had finally finished, I shut off the water, and turned to face Fang, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring.

"What. Is. He. Doing. Here?" I asked, turning my glare on Angel. She flinched back but kept her eyes locked with mine. I could tell, she was determined.

"He's here for you guys to start your social project. I called him because I knew you never would and asked him to come over. He agreed and here he is!" Her lips twisted into a smile for half a second, but seeing my expression, they fell into a frown.

"You did WHAT?" I shouted, my mom jumped, startled at my outburst. Hitting me with her dish towel, she glared. I shrugged it off and turned my attention back on Angel. She had now hidden behind Fang, peeking over his shoulder at me. What. A. Baby.

"I only want to help you get a good grade!" Her mouth said, but her eyes told me otherwise. They kept darting between me and Fang, sparkling with mischief. I groaned. So now my sister was trying to hook me up.

"No." I stated, walking past Fang and my little coward. But before I could escape, Fang quickly grabbed my arm. I glared up at him and he loosened his grip but didn't let go.

"What do you mean no?" He asked, staring straight into my eyes. I got confused as the obsidian sea fogged my vision again. Shaking my head, I looked back up.

"I mean, no I'm not studying with you. I don't care if I get an F. So, bye!" The fake cheeriness of my voice made me want to laugh. But I kept smiling at him, telling him with my eyes that he should leave.

"Fine, but walk me to the door." He replied firmly, putting out his arm like the gentlemen he wasn't. I strutted past him, making sure to be far away enough to where he couldn't grab me. When I opened the door, he slowly made his way out. Just when I was about to close it, he slipped back in, and grabbed me around the waist. Pulling me close, so we were almost nose to nose.

"But remember Maxie, I'm rich, and always get what I want. And I want to get to know you." Then smirking, he walked out the door, slamming it shut behind him. I just stood there, frozen, stunned, appalled, confused, and an annoying little butterfly kept fluttering around in my stomach. When I finally pulled my thoughts together, I walked upstairs, leaving the uneaten cookies sitting on the table. And I'm too in love with cookies to ever do that.

I laid down on my bed, staring at the ceiling, and letting my mind wonder. My thoughts finally rested on Fang. What did he mean he wanted to get to know me? What was that weird glint in his eyes? Why did my stomach act weird after he let me go? Did I enjoy being that close to someone? That close to him?

Yes, you did, an annoying little voice said in the back of my head. I groaned, not wanting to deal with it right now.

I did not enjoy it, I replied back. Yes, I talk to it. It's not that weird... Is it?

You know you did, it said to me. I face-palmed, who could know me better than a tiny voice in the back of my head? No one.

Shut up and leave me alone, I snapped at it. There was a ghostly laugh and I bolted up in bed. Did that laugh really come from my head? Why, oh, why do I have this freaky voice talking to me? Those were my last thoughts as I slowly started to fall asleep. But then,

Get to know him, Max, echoed through my head. Drifting out of my sleepy thoughts as darkness enclosed my lids