A/N: I'm going to dedicate this chapter to JealousMindsThinkAlike because they were my inspiration to write another chapter. I was really thinking about giving up on this story but then I read a comment on another one of my stories from them and I was touched, so thank you :) I hope that this was somewhat worth the very long wait. R&R Tell me if I should continue this story, I kind of want to now :)

Max's Pov

Mom never found out that I was lying and I was glad, but deep down I wanted her to figure it out, I wanted her to blow up on me, because then it'd show that she actually paid attention sometimes. I guess I'd feel more loved if she did, but she didn't so nothing's changed.

It's been a week and I haven't been able to get out again, meaning I couldn't see Mr. Mysterious again. I didn't even know his name. Next time, if there is a next time (hopefully there is), I'm going to ask him. I mean, surely he knows mine. Mom couldn't stop screaming my name.

I sat on the couch, reading one of the books that I was allowed to read, but my mind was preoccupied, a pair of dark eyes staring at me in my thoughts. I let out a frustrated sigh and dropped my arm, my book flopping onto the seat next to me. I looked out the window and saw the workers. I saw his black hair in the backyard and suddenly wondered if mom would notice me gone for a few seconds, but then I shook my head ridding the thought from my mind. You can't disobey them, she told you to stay in the house while the workers are here, so you are going to stay in the house until they leave. I sighed at my conscious, it was right, what's wrong with me? I shouldn't want to be with him, he's lower than me; I should want to date someone like…like… like Dylan! Not the mysterious boy working outside.

Speaking of him…there has to be a way to talk to him again. I shook my head and grabbed the book beside me with a new determination. I was not going to think about him, he's going to be out of my life before I can say 'What's your name?' and then life will go back to the boring ol' days. I nodded sharply and opened the book to the page I was at…page one. Wow had I really just been aimlessly flipping through the pages thinking about him? What's happening to me?

Time passed like a snail walking a mile. It was like watching oil paint dry. It was horribly boring and knowing that he was just outside, so close yet so far away, was torture. I had to reread sentences, pages even, just because my mind had started to wander and my eyes slid over the words like water on oil and I realized that I had skipped a page and had to go back. It killed me.

Then Rosa told me that it was dinner time. I was released of this horrible torture. I smiled at her, trying to hide my relief and excused her. I stood up and used all my will-power to not throw the book at the wall. It was boring and I don't even remember the title of the story.

Then Rosa popped her head in again, "Sorry ma'am, but I was just informed that dinner will be served in the formal dining room. Your mother told me to tell you that you do not need to change into more formal wear." I nodded at her and smiled.

"Thanks Rosa, you may go now." Rosa and I could be best friends if she wasn't working for me and was thirty years younger. She bowed her head and left the room. I glanced once more at the workers before sighing and walking out of the room.

I waltzed into the formal dining room to see my parents seated at the very far end, discussing something quietly. I walked over to them and took my seat across from my mom.

"Max," She nodded a little, "So glad you could grace us with your presence." I nodded dully, my happiness crushed. Why was I so happy to be stuck in a room with them for an hour or so? Because I didn't have to read that god-awful book.

"The feeling is mutual," I smiled politely at her and waited for someone to hand me my food. Within seconds someone had placed a hot stake and mashed potatoes in front of me. I politely thanked them before slowly starting to cut my stake. I wanted to just stuff my face and do something to piss off my parents. I think I'm going through a phase of rebellion, because all I wanted was to make my parents mad.

Only after my first bite did I realize that my parents were staring at me. I froze and gave them a look, biting back a retort. "Yes?" I asked, trying not to sound awkward.

Jeb cleared his throat and shifted in his seat a little, "Max, we have to talk." I slowly put my silverware down and straightened my back, giving them my full attention.

I nodded, telling them to continue. Mom sighed and gave Jeb a look, "Your father and I have been thinking…" Oh great, only bad stuff happened when they started thinking, "There are too many eh… distractions at school."

"Distractions meaning Nudge?" I asked out of anger. I always knew that they hated Nudge, that's partially why I befriended her, because it was something they couldn't control. Or so I thought…

Mom gave Jeb a distressed look, "Of course not, sweetheart," Jeb said just a little too sweetly, "You know we love Natalie, but-"

"NO! You guys hated it when I came home with her!" I said raising my voice just a little.

"Max," Jeb's voice held so much warning it was comical. I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. They wanted a proper young lady and they named me Max. To make matters worse, it's not even just Max, it's Maximum as in Maximum fun or Maximum rebel, definitely not Maximum young lady.

"Dad," I hissed through my teeth. I glared at him, not being able to keep it in.

I heard mom sigh and turned my attention to her, "Let us finish…" I waited, my silence telling her to continue. She gave Jeb a look then continued, "We're going to have someone home school you."

"WHAT?" I shrieked, standing up, my chair scraping the floor behind me. HOME SCHOOLING? Is she serious?

She nodded, "You know Christopher," I nodded, not bothering to hide my anger, "Well he knows someone who can home school you and we jumped. We don't like the influence at school, so we're making a hard decision and we're taking you out." I glared at her then at Jeb before letting out a frustrated scream and storming out of there. My little diva scene probably just added to their list of reasons but I needed to get it out. There was only so much a girl could take and hide before it all bursts. It was like stretching a rubber band, pull to far and it retracts.

"Let her go," I heard Jeb whisper defeatedly to mom as I stormed out.

I had one destination in mind and I like to think that the place wasn't influenced by the mysterious boy, but if you dug deep enough most of my thoughts at the moment weren't about the school, sure some of them were, but his dark eyes were still plaguing my mind.

I stormed out the back door, knowing that I was probably getting some stares but I didn't care. The back fence wasn't too hard to climb and the walk to Nudge's house wasn't too long, they'd let me stay for as long as I needed…

I walked over to my spot by the little river, the little spot where I met him, only this time I went back further. Now I was fully hidden by bushes. I stared up at the gate and realized there was no way I'd be able to climb it without a boost. I let out a frustrated scream and pounded my fist on the gate, tears filling my vision the conversation finally registering in my mind. I was being taken out of school. My one freedom was being snatched away from me; the one thing that I thought they couldn't touch was smashed by them. The one place I was me was shattered, destroyed, I was going to go crazy if I'm not crazy enough as it is.

I slumped to the floor, leaning my side against the white brick wall, the tears silently sliding down my cheeks as I sobbed. How long until they send Rosa to get me? They don't even care enough to go themselves.

I didn't hear the steps behind me, not until someone spoke. "What's up?" I've been thinking about that voice for one week, it's been engraved in my head, I'd know it anywhere. I suddenly wished that I was one of those people that didn't look horrible when they cried; they made it look fashionable, I, on the other hand, made it look like a rotting, dead pig.

I looked up at him, wiping my eyes and shook my head, "Nothing."

He let out a soft chuckle and sat down in front of me, "It sure looks that way." A bubble of laughter escaped my lips and I rolled my eyes. I sniffled a little and shook my head.

"Stupid stuff." I shrugged a little and wiped my nose.

He leaned back a little and gave me a look, "You don't seem like the type of person to cry over stupid stuff, or cry very much at all." Wow, we've talked once and he already knew me better than my mom. That's sad.

I let out a sigh and looked at the bushes concealing us. "They took it away," I sighed, "They took my last freedom away." I hadn't expected to say it, but it just came out…

He chuckled a little and I glared weakly at him, "You didn't see it coming?" I opened my mouth, ready to argue my case, but then I realized he was right and shut my mouth.

He gave me a quizzical look and I shrugged, "I guess I just hoped that they wouldn't be that cruel." He looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it.

We were silent, then he said something, "Have you ever thought about going against them?"

I nodded, "Of course, what sane person wouldn't!"

He laughed at my reply and I gave him a wry look. "So why haven't you?"

I looked at him closely, trying to read him, but it was like staring at a blank page waiting for the words to suddenly appear. I shook my head, "Put yourself in my shoes and tell me would you?"

His eyes flicked to my shoes, "I don't wear flats." I laughed and rolled my eyes.

"You're such an idiot," I muttered shaking my head.

He raised an eyebrow at me, "Oh am I?"

I nodded, and said in a very (non) serious tone, "Absolutely." He gave me an evil look and my eyes got wide. What was he going to do?

In seconds, he had me tackled to the ground, "AH!" I yelled out of surprise before I burst out laughing. I put my hands on his chest and pushed him a little. He rested above me on his elbows so not all of his weight was on me.

"Am I still an idiot?" He asked leaning down closer to me, his lips brushing my ear a little. I bit back a shudder and nodded.

"Absolutely, forever and always." He pulled back and rolled his eyes, muttering something under his breath. It sounded somewhat like 'so stubborn' but that might be me.

I heard a door close and let out a breath, just great. "MAX!" I heard someone yell. I closed my eyes for a brief second before opening them again.

I gestured for him to get off me and he quickly got up, mumbling a sorry. He looked away for a second, but I saw the small tint of pink in his cheeks and then he turned back to me, his demeanor calm and collected. He stuck out his hands and I grabbed them, holding down a blush, and he pulled me up.

"MAX!" The voice sounded closer and more irritated. I let out a shaky breath and nodded at the boy. I ran a hand through my hair and dusted off my jeans.

"Back to hell," I muttered and he chuckled. I walked out of the bushes and ran to meet Rosa. She gave me a hard look and I smiled innocently at her.

"Hi Rosa." She turned on her heel and walked back to the house. I walked a few steps behind her and at the house; I turned and saw the boy walking out of the bushes. I then realized that I still don't know his name.

A/N: I was watching War Horse (AGAIN) with my family while I was writing this and we got to the part where the wife and husband were talking so that's going to be today's quote because I thought it was cute. Oh and not to be mean or anything but if anyone out there wants to see that movie here's my advice: DON'T! It was OKAY, but it progressed way too slowly and I wanted to fall asleep. They ruined a good movie with stupid Character Building, it would've been better with out it. And that was my rant for the day. :)

~.* Dream Beyond Infinity *.~

"I might hate you more but I'll never love you less." - War Horse