Hey guys!! Thanks for all your reviews they make me want to cry, so thanks. This chapter was not easy to write but I had fun writing it =P Special thanks to sugar-coated fangs for giving me an idea about this chapter's complication XD..so guys keep reviewing and tell me what you think of the chapter.

P.S. I forgot to write the disclaimer in the last chapters so here: I do not own Maximum Ride, James Patterson does.

I sighed tapping my pencil against my desk, replaying the events that happened yesterday. I smiled and immediately cursed myself. It's not that I'm always this girly and stupid, it's just that Fang was probably the only person who made me feel happy and irritated at the same time. Huh, isn't that something?

We stayed on the mountain until we could see the sun go down. After that Fang followed me home and we stayed talking about, well anything really. I mostly did all the talking though, which is not very surprising.

He was actually interested in my childhood and even though I never did actually have many friends, I was always doing something naughty, which eventually got me grounded. Then I'd ask him about his childhood and his smile turned into a grimace.

"I never really got one," was all he'd said. I'd waited for him to elaborate but he didn't. We had been sitting on the porch and then I'd realized nobody knew where he lived or with who. I didn't even know his mom or dad or if he had siblings.

Just as I was going to voice my thoughts, he'd stood up and said, "I should probably head home Max, glad you came with me today."He'd sounded sincere and when he'd turned to leave I stopped him.

"But wait Fang; don't go through the forest, its dark out there you'd get lost."

I had stood up and I grabbed his arm. He was surprised at that but his eyes softened and all he'd said was, "I'll be fine, Max."Then he was gone and just like yesterday I'd stayed there looking at him.

So today, as I was sitting here, chewing on my pencil; Fang walked in. Speak of the damn devil. He quickly studied everything and then his eyes found mine. Almost involuntarily, my lips turned into a slight smile and to my surprise, his lips gave me the hint of a smile too. Then he shocked everyone and me by sitting next to me, instead of his usual place next to the window.

Suddenly the room broke out into whispers and I could see girls giving me evil glares. Fang looked oblivious to it all and then he turned to look at me.

"Why aren't you sitting by the window?" I raised my eyebrow and questioned him with me eyes.

"Thought I could sit next to you today. "His voice was quiet and out of the corner of my eyes I could see some girls gasping at hearing him speak for the first time.

"Oh," that was my intelligible answer. I guy tells you he wants to sit with you and you say oh. God, I suck! I was acting as dumb as a school girl being asked on her first date. Talk about pathetic!

The rest of the day went by in a blur; it was basically boring lectures, essays and homework. During lunch Fang sat with me, but unlike yesterday we didn't fight, instead for once he did talk. He told me he lived with his dad and that he had siblings but they weren't here with him or his dad.

"So you're basically alone too," my voice sounded nonchalant, as I ate my mashed potatoes.

"Yup, basically, but I don't mind though, I like being alone..."His tone was indifferent but I could tell there was more to it than what he was saying.

"I guess, but sometimes it makes me wonder what's it like to have someone real close to you, who you can talk to, who you can be with."

Fang looked at me but didn't say anything; we continued eating in silence like that, none of us saying anything. It was he, who finally broke the silence.

"Does not having someone around make you feel alone?" His voice was soft and quiet; I could tell he honestly wanted to know.

"It used to bother me a lot but, not right now," I answered him 'cause the truth was as clear as day, with him being here I didn't feel alone. And that's saying a lot about someone I barely knew.

After school Fang walked me home, as usual the forest was peaceful and quiet. I could hear the sound of the trees being blown by the breeze, the sound made me relax and sigh. I still couldn't get why Fang insisted on walking me home, sure I didn't mind, but I still couldn't put the puzzle pieces together. It was like something was missing, but I couldn't figure out what.

He never answered a direct question. He was always wary of everything and everyone, not that I blame him; I mean I am like that but still, I am not what you call "normal".

It was while I was daydreaming like this that I became aware of two things. Fang was very edgy and his pace quickened. The hairs on my neck prickled and I knew something was wrong. Fang was looking everywhere and he stepped closer to me and clutched my hand. Instead of it feeling warm and comfortable like yesterday, it felt cold and hard, which told me something was very wrong.

"Fang what's wrong?"

"Nothing," he said, but his voice was troubled and alarmed. "Just keep moving, Max, quickly."

Instead of doing what he told me, I yanked my hand away from his and I stubbornly replied, "No, tell me what's wrong or so help me I will not move from here." I was nothing but stubborn. I was tired of his riddles and his games. I wanted straight forward answers and he was going to give me some, whether he liked it or not.

"Max please…"

He couldn't get past that because at that moment I heard the indescribable sound of a growl. The sound was deep and it made my skin crawl. The sound of it was so terrifying that I gripped Fang's hand and started running as fast as I could. The trees blurred as we went through the bushes together. I got scraped by tree branches, but I didn't care 'cause my mind was screaming " run, Max, run!!!!"

I heard a few more growls; growing closer, coming from our sides. My grip on Fang's hand tightened and adrenaline made me run even faster. I was panting and I needed to catch my breath, but I knew better than to stop.

We finally reached my house and we ran through the porch and into the house in about 3 seconds. I was gasping for air and I struggled to control myself. I was a little shaky and my heart was pounding loudly against my chest. I wobbled slightly but Fang steadied me.

He was breathing a little hard but not nearly as badly as me. He was composed, but his face was set as stone and his eyes were emotionless. He sat me down on the kitchen's chair and got me a glass of water.

"Are you okay?" He asked me in a strained voice, his posture was rigid and stiff. He sat down on the floor next to me and he was watching me carefully.

"Yeah, I am. I've never heard those growls before, Fang. What were they?"

"I don't know, but I'm going to go check it out now." There was something about the way he said it that wasn't very convincing but before I could say anything, he stood up. I snatched his hand and gripped his arm in a tight hold.

"No, you are not going to face, God knows what, out there by yourself," I glared at him and didn't take my hand from his. In a way it was because I didn't want him to go off running and also just because I wanted to take his hand.

"Max, I'll be fine," he said, slowly removing his hand from mine. I didn't let go, instead I clutched to it tighter.

"Don't be stupid, Fang." Did he have any brains? How in the world was he going out there?

He ignored my statement and said, "Look do me a favor and stay here, don't go to the forest," this time he did pull his hand out of my firm grasp.

I stood up and blocked his way out by putting myself in front of the door. I was nothing but stubborn, and being told what to do made me annoyed and angry. He let out a frustrated sigh and shook his head, heading for the window.

"Look Fang, if you want to leave, go ahead but that won't make me stay here."

He stopped in front of the window and glared at me. He didn't look too happy about what I'd said. But I could care less of what he thought. I was not going to play the role of a damsel in distress, if he was going out there so was I. He walked up to me and looked at me in the eyes, for the first time I saw he was angry, really angry, at me.

"Max.." He said each word distinctively. He looked dangerous and mad; his voice had an edge to it. He was very close to me, the closest he has ever been. I looked up to his flashing eyes burning into mine.

"No," my voice didn't shake or quiver. I was determined not to let him leave. He was staying here whether he wanted to or not.

His closed his eyes and his hands clenched and unclenched. I didn't know what the big deal was. I mean why did he have to go, like right now?

"You can't make me stay, Fang."

He looked at me then, suddenly he took my face in his hands and tilted my chin, willing me to stare at his smoldering eyes. I was so surprised I couldn't even breathe for a moment.

"Promise me, you won't follow me, Max."All traces of anger were gone from his face. His voice was gentle and persuasive and his eyes pleaded mine to understand.

I stood there mesmerized by his eyes, by him in general. I couldn't speak because I was afraid my voice would betray me.

"Nothing will happen, I promise."

I wanted so hard to believe that but I knew better. You can't say "everything will be alright" when you know nothing is right. You can't lie, you have to be realistic, keep your eyes open. If you blink or miss anything, you're dead, just like that. The fact is I face things the way they are, I'm no hypocrite.

Yet here I was, nodding reluctantly, transfixed by his alluring gaze. Slowly his hands traveled down my arm and took hold of my hands.

"Do you promise to stay here?"

I nodded not saying anything, looking at out entwined hands, and avoiding his eyes. He didn't say anything, but he stepped away from me and was soon out the door, disappearing from my view. For the first time in my life I felt truly alone.

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