I know, I know, I know, I know; I never update two days in a row. Well, I did leave you guys without anything for ages. And according to fanfiction I only have 6 chapters up when yesterday I put up the seventh. Don't know what's up with that... Anyway, Max and Fang actually have a freaking conversation in this chapter so . . . yea. On with the story!

Disclaimer: I don't own anything. HOW MANY TIMES MUST I SAY IT!

Chapter 8: You know things are bad when your enemy is nice to you.

Max POV:

As soon as I walked through the door to my science class I almost fainted. Yea, that kind of makes me sound like a 13-year-old girl meeting Josh Hutcherson doesn't it? Well I didn't meet any famous people in my Biology class so that could only mean one thing... Dissection day. I know what your thinking; 'Really Max, that almost made you faint?' Well, yea! It did! I hate the thought of some poor innocent creature being born into this world just so we could rip it apart and check out its insides. But there it was, clear as crystal, written on the board in big fancy letters: DISSECTION PARTNERS. And then a huge list of names next to another huge list of names therefore making a huge list of pairings. As I took my seat I scanned the list for my name. I almost went past it, and then automatically wished that I had. I had been partnered up with none other than Fang.

Fang POV:

As I walked into class I momentarily thought about walking back out. It was dissection day. Oh joy. I hated that this was a compulsory thing as well. I didn't particularly want to cut an animal into pieces and then see what was inside. I'm just not like that. But then I saw who I was partnered with... Max. I looked over to her usual spot at the front only to see her with her head down on her arms, which were resting on the desk. She looked as though she were asleep. But I knew better.

Ever since we started at this school she has been freaking out about Biology class for this exact reason. When we were still friends she told me of her plans to fake sick off school or maybe through a fit in the middle of class. I always thought she would do one of her ridiculous plans but now... I'm not so sure.

After managing to get away from Lissa and Brigid, who were complaining that they weren't paired with me and instead were paired with each other, I walked over and took the empty seat next to Max.

"Are you okay?"

Max POV:

My head shot up to look at Fang. Did he just say something to me that wasn't an insult of any kind? Oh my god he did! The only people who have done that in the past few weeks are the Flock and the teachers. No one else has sent a shred of kindness my way. I decided not to make anything from and instead answer his question.

"Yes...ah...no." I said reluctantly. He would be able to tell if I was lying anyway. When I didn't elaborate he took it into his own hands to keep this conversation going. "Where did that bruise come from?" I asked gesturing to my face. My hand automatically went to covert it from him. Crap! When Jeb punched me this morning some of my make-up came off. I have a huge black-eye.

"I tripped." I blurted. Great excuse. "On your face? Come on Max. We both know that's not true. And it obviously wasn't a fight. You wouldn't be afraid to admit that." I just had a few things to say about that: 1. When did he start talking like that? 2. Why does he care? 3. Why should I tell him! But it surprised me that I didn't say any of those things. What I did say was much more...nice. "Look, this isn't the time or place for this conversation." I thought that would be the end of it but I was wrong. What he said next confused and shocked me more than ever. "Well, it is a Tuesday. How about we meet at the park? And I promise, I won't bring anyone this time. What do you say?" And my answer shocked us both more than his question. "Alright. So long as you promise."