Sorry for the long update, but I just finished CST's, and last week was so bad, but now iI am free!1

Hope you all like this chapter, we are finally getting to the good parts! :)

To: cat musketeer – actually, I did introduce Fang, but as Nick during Prom.

To: Minimum Glide – your review mad me laugh so hard, then i checked your profile and laughed even harder. And don't worry, it won't last for long…

So enjoy, review and be awesome!

Chapter 5

Sighing, I looked at my bare walls for the hundredth time. My shelves had been taken down, including my numerous picture frames, medals, and plaques.

All that was left was my empty bed, empty closet, and clean (for once) wooden desk.

My heart swelled, leaving me with an empty feeling inside. There was a light knock on my door as Ari entered my sad, colorless room.

"You ready Max? Mom wants to know if those were the last boxes." I turned to my little brother, his cheeks flustered red from helping me move my junk to the car.

"Yeah, just saying goodbye for the last time." He snorted, rolling his eyes and standing next to me.

"Max, you're just going to college, you'll come back. Won't you?" Suddenly his voice changed and he stared up at me with big innocent eyes; he looked so young. "You are coming back aren't you?" The worriness and sadness in his voice made him sound young and I wanted to cry. I knelt down and pulled him into a hug,

"Of course Ari, I would never leave you, or mom. I'm going to come for Christmas and Thanksgiving." His arms wound around me, suddenly I noticed how muscular, big and mature he had gotten.

"Max, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I don't want you to go. I'm going to miss you, so much." We held each other like that for some time. I would miss my little brother, even though he was annoying as heck.

When we finally pulled away, I ruffled his hair and exited my room. "Max, what about this?"

Ari followed me out, holding a small object in his hand. He handed me a purple shell, that fit into my palm perfectly. It was the shell that I had gotten from the little store when I took Ari to buy his gum.

When Ari fell and cut his foot on the beach.

I closed my hand around the cool shell and followed Ari down the stairs. Our mom was in the kitchen stacking papers in one hand and her cell in the other.

It was a two day drive to Arizona State, my new "home" for the next four years.

"You guys ready? We need to go, Max is all your stuff in the car? Don't forget anything, I am not driving back just for underwear, and Ari, did you brush your teeth?"

Okay, that was weird. As you can tell my mom was slightly freaking out. Key word: slightly.

"Mom, calm down, and yes I do have underwear, and yes Ari did brush his teeth – I hope. Now can we go? I want to get there before Freshmen Flood starts." She sighed loudly, grabbing her glasses and keys from the counter.

"And what the heck is Freshmen Flood?" she called over her shoulder. I just rolled my eyes and followed her out.

I stood by my car, looking back at my house for the past eighteen years of my life. Then, my eyes found the ocean, that wonderful, clear blue ocean. That was probably what I was going to miss the most, of course my family and friends first though. Ari and my mom got into my moms' car, while I started the engine on mine.

So, this was it. No turning back now. I sighed to myself, wishing I can be little again. Not having to worry about all this... stuff. But hey, that's life. You grow up, go to college, graduate and live.

That sounded a lot better three years ago.

I turned on the radio and made out the drum beat of the song, We Are Young. I brought down the roof of my car as we merged on the semi-crowded freeway.

I was imagining what my dorm would like. Big, small, coloress? And my roommate, what would she be like? I hope she wasn't some bookworm who had an eight o' clock bedtime. Or would have her boyfriend over every night, doing God knows what. I shivered at the thought, sure hope she was not at all like that.

My friends are in the bathroom getting higher than the Empire State...

I listened to those words, already picturing drunk college students doing exactly that. I drummed my fingers against the steering wheel, lip singing to the words from the song.

Toni-i-i-ight, we, are, young, so let's set the world on fi-re, we can burn brigh-ter than the sun...

The song continued as we drove down the freeway, farther and farther from home. In front of me, I could see Ari reaching in the backseat for something, then waving to me. I smiled and waved back, acting like I hadn't seem him in awhile.

The sun was directly over head, searing through the car and practically melting my skin. But, being the stubborn girl that I am, I did not put up the roof.

Suddenly my mind drifted to someone that I would never have thought I would think about.

Nick.

I can still see his eyes; those inviting, intriguing eyes of his. I remember them clearly. As if he was standing right in front me. I could reach out and touch them...

My phone buzzed from the passengers seat. It was inside my over-the-shoulder green and white bag. I grabbed my bag and quickly checked my phone,

1 New Message From: Ari

I shook my head and looked up at my mom's car. What did Ari have to tell me right this very second?

It better be important for ruining my image of Nick... I mean, not that I care...

Ari: Hi Max :)

Really? I was going to kill him! He was such and idiot, ugh, all those nice things I said about him.

Forget it.

Me: Stop texting me idiot, ima crash!

I threw my phone back in the passengers seat and switched lanes, coming along side my mom's car. I cruised next to Ari's window, who looked at me and smiled. I flared my nose and shook my head, wishing I can shout at him.

He kept smiling, and then pointed to his cell phone, then at mine. My mom pulled ahead and I fell back behind, again grabbing my phone.

Ari: Mom says hi 2

I just about broke my phone in my hands. Did he really have to say that? Couldn't he just wait till we came to a stop?

But no, he had to be the moron that he is and text me. While I am driving!

I silenced my phone and put it back in my bag, not wanting to get another text from Captian Moron/Idiot Head. Like his nickmane? Came up with it myself!

We continued driving for another couple hours, the sun had started to die down, a cool wind replacing the heat. We had drove out of Florida and were now driving somewhere along the bottom part of Alabama.

And I really had to pee.

We had been driving for almost three hours, no stops included. And if we didn't stop in the next five minutes, I was going to have an accident. So this time, I brought out my phone and dialed Ari's number.

He didn't answer, that little twirp. So I dialed my mom's number, hoping she would pick up. Just as I pushed the call button, my phone flashed and a screen popped up saying my battery was dead.

Are you effing kinding me! This could not be happening!

Stupid phone. I threw in the back seat and turned on my left blinker. Just as I was about to switch lanes, a car pulls forward and cuts me off. I rolled my eyes and wait until it pulls ahead of my mom. But it doesn't.

It stays right next to her, not caring that I am about to have an accident in my frigging car!

So I get behind them and start honking, loud. "Come on! Get out of the way! NOW!" I was screaming at the damn car, hoping the driver could hear me.

But no, the honking doesn't even phase them, and they continue driving next to my mom. I quickly yank the wheel until I'm next to them, and see that it's some eighty year old women squinting out the window.

I honk again and wave my right arm trying to get her attention. Maybe my mom can see me too. So I start flailing my arms, hoping either of them will see me.

Finally the old lady sees me, and get this, she waves back with a dentured smile plastered to her face. I roll my eyes and and make a motion for her to move, but I dont think she understands.

She continues waving and smiling, then looks back to the road. Old people.

So I get behind my mom's car and try Ari's side. He's asleep.

His face is stuck to the window, mouth hanging open and probably snoring. Oh my good Lord!

So I wave my arms again, hoping to get my mom's attention. She finally sees me and I motion for her to follow me. Hopefully she understands.

I speed forward and thank my lucky stars as she gets behind me. A sign comes up along the side saying there is a rest stop a quater of mile out. Could I hold it that long? I sure hope I could.

That quarter of a mile seemed forever, but finally the ramp came up and we got off the freeway. I slightly turned onto a busy street, scanning for any kind of gas station or liquar store.

I spot a 7 Eleven on my right, and quickly turn into the parking lot. I jam open my door and run to the store, leaving my car running. I rush inside and look for the restrooms, my eyes scanning the store.

There, down the end of the third row. I sprint down the aisle, not caring about the funny faces people are giving me. I reach the handle and pull, only to find it locked.

I pull again and nothing, please no! I notice it's a male and female restroom, so someone else must be inside.

But do I care? Nope. I start pounding on the door like a mad animal, clawing at the faded red paint.

"Occupado!" a voice answered from the inside, it was definitely a guy. I continue slamming on the door, not caring if the restroom is "occupado."

Please hurry!

"I said, occupado!" The door swings open and a guy comes out looking slightly ticked off. I look over him quickly, he's about my age, blond hair with the brightest pair of blue eyes I had ever seen.

And then I rushed into the bathroom, pushed him out, and slammed the door in his face.

Hey, I was desperate. And I almost felt bad for doing it.

Once I washed my hands, I looked at myself in the mirror. My hair was a tangled mess, my tank top was all wrinkly and my cheeks were flushed pink.

I dried my hands and opened the door, stepping into the small, stuffy store. My mom is in one of the aisles and I see Ari walking toward her. I go down the aisle and step by my mom, Ari has a hot dog, bag of chips and a Slurpee in his hands. Pig.

"Max, what in the world happened?" I look at her and blush, feeling stupid. "I had to pee."

Ari groans and rolls his eyes, "We did all of that, so you could empty your bladder? Jesus Max, you should have peed before we left."

I rolled my eyes as well. "Jesus Ari," I mocked, "I feel so bad, cause now you have to eat that hot dog if it weren't for me." He looked down at his food and bit his lip.

"Whatever, let's just go." He turned on his heel and walked for the cash register. Me smiling at his head the whole way.

"You're going to miss him." My mom announced as she grabbed a Diet Coke from the fridge.

"Psh, he's going to miss me. All the crap I do for him, he's lucky to have a sister like me." She glared at me as we walked to the register.

"Max, watch your language. And he's also going to miss you too. It's going to be the first time you guys are apart."

"Um mom, I spent my first three years of life without him, I think I'll be fine." We reached the counter and mom brought out her wallet. She payed for her and Ari's food, leaving me to pay for my own stuff.

What a great mom, already making me use my saved up college money. And I wasn't even at college yet.

"We'll be waiting in the car, I'll see if there's a nearby motel for the night." Ari followed her out, but looked back and smiled incredulously. I almost flipped him the bird.

Instead I turned and went down the aisels. I grabbed a bag of Beef Jerky, a ham and cheese sandwich and a Dr. Pepper. I walked to the cash register and reached into my back pocket for my wallet. But it wasn't there.

I flipped to see my pockets, and didn't feel my square wallet. It was in the car, in my bag.

I looked at the guy working there, who had annoyed look. "I'm sorry, but my wallet's in my car. I'll be right back." I turned, but stopped when a voice said, "Here." I swiveled to my left and the guy from the restroom stood there, holding out a ten dollar bill. I looked from the money to him, was he bluffing?

"Here, take it." He shoved the money to me, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Um..." I didn't know what to say, do I take it? My parents told me not to talk to strangers, does taking money from them count? "Are you sure?" I mentally smacked myself, was that the best I could say?

"Yeah, take it, it's fine. I have more in my car."

I grabbed the money from his hand hesitantly. His smirk turned into a full smile, it took my breath away. His blue eyes were gleaming, perfect white teeth shining. He had to be fake. Or a clone of Dylan.

I stared at him for what felt like hours, until the cashier guy coughed behind me, breaking the spell. "Thanks." I mumbled, paying the guy and grabbing my food. He gave me back the change, and I handed it to restroom hottie.

I mean, restroom guy.

"Thanks again, and sorry for the whole scene with the restroom." I was looking down when I heard him laugh, it sounded like angels were singing from the heavens.

"It's fine, when you gotta go, you gotta go." I blushed madly as he held the door open for me. We stood there awkwardly, I hope he couldn't hear my heart pounding.

"Well, um, I gotta go. But thanks, again." I looked up one last time, and saw him studying my face. His eyes searched mine before giving me another heart-stopping smile.

"No problem, and maybe you should learn some Spanish too." I gave him a quizzical look. He chuckled and looked down, "You know, occupado. Means occupied, it might come in handy some day." His comment made me laugh, and I almost dropped my soda.

"Right, well, actually I know what it means. But like you said, when you gotta go, you gotta go." He laughed once more before nodding his head,

"Well, then, um, see you around?" His eyebrows creased for a second, not sure if it was the right wording.

"Um, yeah, see you around I guesss." I smiled before we turned, his footsteps faded behind me. I dumped my 'dinner' in the passenger seat, and slumped into the drivers seat.

Oh my God, he has to be one of the cutest/hottest guys I had ever seen! (Obviously Nic - er, Dylan fell in it too, but whatever.) And I slammed the freaking restroom door on him! Jesus Max, what's wrong with you?

I closed my eyes and leaned against the headrest, picturing those eyes in my head. Then a white light flooded my eyelids, making me blind for a second. I opened them and saw my mom's car pull next to me.

She motioned me to follow and pulled ahead, getting onto the main road. I followed her down the road, the town or city seemed to be empty, not a soul in sight.

The sun had gone down, only the dim street lamps lighting the way. My mom suddenly turned right into a near empty lot. I parked beside her, looking at the neon sign in front.

Motel Paradise Falls, best beds in town!

I laughed at the sign, wondering what kind of people that sign attracts. I got out of my car and grabbed my food, following my mom to the little window off to the side.

The man inside was chunky, dressed in sweats, and needed to shave, badly. "Hi, do you have a room with two beds?" My mom stared at the man as he scrolled through his computer.

"Ya', how long ya'll stayin'?" His accent surprised me, it didnt fit him at all. "Just one night." She started pulling out her bag as the man pulled out a clipboard. "It'll be eighty-five dollars ma'am."

My mom pulled out her wallet, handing him her gold credit card. "Sign here, and at the bottom." He swiped the card as my mom signed the papers. "Room F31, on the second level to the left. Have a nice evening."

We turned and climbed the rusted stairs to our room. My mom unlocked the door and we stepped in, throwing our things on the night stand. Ari sat on the bed, grabbing the remote and drinking his Slurpee.

"Alright guys, we need to be on the road again by seven tomorrow, so no staying up too late." Ari groaned on the bed and mumbled something into the straw. I dressed into my pj's and brushed my teeth in the tiny bathroom.

When I came back out, Ari was sprawled on the bed, fast asleep. I rolled my eyes as my mom covered his legs with the blanket. Suddenly I felt exhausted, like I just swam for hours without stopping.

I laid next to Ari, covering my long legs and kicking his feet to his side. "Night Max, see you tomorrow." I smiled at my mom and turned so that I was facing Ari's head.

I heard the light switch in the bathroom, then the water running in the sink. I closed my eyes, and the last thing I remember was thinking, What if this pillow has lice?

"Max." Someone was shaking my shoulder, but I ignored them. "Max, get up. Max! MAX!"

I jumped, my eyes shot open, probably blood-shot. "I'm up, I'm up!" My mom was looming over me, dark bags under eyes. She was already dressed, I looked past her to the window. It was still dark out.

I rubbed my eyes, yawning, "What time is it?" It was suprisingly really cold, goosebumps covered my tan arms. "Almost six, you need to take a shower." She turned and rummaged through her small purse.

I could hear the shower in the bathroom with Ari singing inside. To some Hannah Montana song.

I climbed out of bed and grabbed my clothes and toothbrush. The shower had stopped, but Ari was still humming iside. He came out a couple minutes later, a towel just covering below his stomach.

"This is the last time I'm taking a shower in the morning, it's too damn cold." I brushed past him, stopping at the bathroom door.

"But that sure didn't stop you from singing to Hannah Montana."

His face was red as I closed the door, snickering to myself.

Once we all changed and stopped to get a complementary breakfast (plastic eggs and under-cooked bacon) we hit the freeway again. Not to bore you with all the wonderful scenery and nearly a car crash, we finally drove into the state of Arizona.

There seemed to be people everywhere, and it was bloody hot. We drove into a small city for lunch, grabbing a burger from some little shack outside a mall. I insisted we take a break and walk around a bit, but my mom was determined to get to the college.

So we continued farther, until everyone was in tank tops, Daisy Dukes and board shorts. It reminded me of home, except there was no beach.

Some miles later, a sign said the University was just ahead. I started getting butterflies and feeling bubbly. Was it nerves or excitement? I honestly didn't know.

And then we pulled in the campus. It was huge, almost like a little city. There were students walking around, carrying backpacks and books. Up ahead was a banner with an arrow pointing to the left that read Freshmen. I'm guessing that sign was for moi.

We turned left and drove down until we came up to what I guess were the dorms. They were three-story high buildings that were a dark red, and already had other students moving in and out. Parents with boxes and luggages were parked in the front, blocking almost the whole driveway.

So we had to park in the way back, and haul all my stuff through the parking lot. "Max, which building is yours?" Sweat had appeared on my moms forehead, seeing she had a box, two bags and her purse.

I quickly brought out my papers from my bag and scnned through. "Building X, Room 11." We walked down the street connecting the dorms until we found building X, which was in the back. Great.

Luckily my room was on the bottom floor, at the end of the hallway. We reached my room and I stopped in front of the door. I sucked in a breath and reached the handle. My heart was pounding, and I felt so jumpy. What was with me?

"Max, just open the door!" Ari looked irritated as he balanced another box on his arm. I turned the knob and opened the door to my new room. It swung wide open and a sickly sweet smell hit my nose.

I stepped in and heard Britney Spears music playing, then a girl popped out from the closet. "Hi!"

I just stared at her as my mom and brother stepped in, dropping my things to the floor. Ari callapsed onto a bare bed, moaning loudly. The girl was still staring at me, a huge smile on her face.

"Hi, I'm Max." I smiled too, and stuck out my hand. She giggled loudly and ran to me, dragging me into a hug. I stood there frozen, flashing warning signs at my mom.

She just smiled and motioned for me to wrap me arms around my roommate. So I did, as best I could. She pulled back and clapped her hands together,

"I'm Scarlett Mayfair, your roommate! Welcome to Arizona State!"

OMG, yay, Max is finally at college!

Can I get a whoop whoop?

Anywho, and for those of you who watched The Avengers, please tell me what you thought about it in a review! (if you read my AN's)