Hey everyone!

I cannot tell you how so very sorry I am about this super long update.

This summer I thought I was gunna like update every week, ya, change of plans.

So here I am updating, hope you all forgive me and I haven't lost too many readers.

PS – When I switch to Fang's POV, it's when we leave off after the scene from the 7 Eleven store in the last chapter. So it's after Max comes out with the 'restroom hottie.'

Enjoy!

Chapter 6

I looked at my roommate, not really sure what to do. What do college roommates do? Do we bond? Exchange life stories? I probably looked like a freaking stalker person, checking out the girl in front of me.

Scarlett had a short black pixie haircut, with bangs covering just the corner of her left eye. Her nose and cheeks were spotted with light freckles and her eyes were a stormy grey that looked mysterious and curious. The top of her left ear was pierced with a mini black hoop earring, and she had black and silver bracelets. She was wearing a light pink tank top and white shorts with sandals. Her necklace had a small heart dangling from the end, with some sort of crystal shining on the back.

Overall she seemed like a pretty cool girl, who I knew I would get along with.

Maybe college won't be so bad after all.

Suddenly Ari bumped my hip and left me staggering to the side as he took my position.

"And I am her younger, but more awesome, brother. The name is Ride, Ari Ride." He put on a huge smile and put his hand out, waiting for Scarlett to shake it. Instead, she giggled loudly (which was very annoying) and pinched his cheeks.

"Well aren't you the cutest little boy ever! Aw, so adorable, look at the chubby little cheeks." Ari's eyes went wide and he stood there frozen, probably in shock.

Don't get me wrong, my little brother is a good-looking kid (and yes, I am allowed to say that people!) and he usually had girls chasing after him. Guess not this one.

She finally let go and he put a hand to his right cheek, the tips of his ears turning pink. He stepped behind mom as she came forward, hugging Scarlett.

"It's so great to finally meet you, Max! I am so excited for school to start, SO EXCITED!" She was practically bouncing off the walls, her voice ringing in my ears.

Please remind me to never let her get hold of caffeine – like ever.

"It's really great to meet to you too. Max is also very excited. She couldn't wait to get out of Florida." And there goes my mom, talking for me like I was three. And I'm sure tears will be soon to follow.

Scarlett's eyes widened, "You came from Florida? Omg, that's amazing! I went there once for a vacation, but ended up throwing up, 'cause I ate too much cotton candy. It got all over my dad, but it was super funn-"

Suddenly our door opened, and in walked a woman carrying two cups of what looked like coffee. "Yes Harold, the meeting is next Tuesday, as in not this Tuesday but next Tuesday. Joann knows about the new clients and she is going to have a meeting on Monday," she sighed exasperatedly, into her phone.

There was a pause as she stood in the doorway. "No, I told you I am at Arizona State."

Another pause as her face twisted in frustration. "Not for me, you idiot! I am here for my daughter! Jesus, Harold I'm too old for college, just make sure the meeting goes smoothly, and I'll be there by next Saturday." She ended the call and let out a long sigh. Looking up, she saw us all staring and her eyes widened.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry you had to hear that. My new intern still doesn't understand the whole 'next week thing'. He started yesterday."

She stepped into the room, and set down the two cups on the desk. She stepped towards me and smiled warmly, holding out her arms. I hugged her quickly, and stepped back, not wanting to mess up her expensive looking beige work suit.

"So you must be Scar's new roommate. How nice to meet you, I'm Elda Mayfair." I mirrored her smile, all this hugging and mush getting to me.

"I'm Max Ride." I introduced my mom and Ari, and we all sorta just talked.

Elda said she owned some real estate company back in Michigan, where they lived. I gave some of my background info, hopefully breaking the ice and not making anything awkward.

"So valedictorian huh? Very impressive. Hopefully you can give Scar some advice on being a good student." Elda looked at Scarlett who was putting some books in an empty bookshelf near the window. Scarlett rolled her eyes, but ignored her mother's comment. "And my husband is a sports reporter back at home - that's why he wasn't able to make it here. I'm sure he would have loved meeting you all." She continued talking to my mother as Ari helped me unpack my clothes and hang them in my closet.

"Your roommate is cute, think I can get her number?" Ari whispered quietly, as he hung some shorts.

I rolled my eyes and folded a pair of jeans. "First of all, she is way too old for you. And secondly, I don't think she dates nerdy teenage boys like you." He mumbled something under his breath and I laughed softly. "Unless she likes adorable little kids who have chubby little cheeks." I suppressed my laughter as his face reddened and he glared at me.

"Shut up Max, that's not funny." He angrily stuffed my socks in a drawer.

"Oh but it's hilarious actually. You should have seen your face, priceless!"

"I said shut up!" He hissed, looking ticked off.

I shook my head and hung my last shirt, closing my closet, and going to my bed. I unpacked my comforter and sheets beginning to start fixing my bed. Scarlett came over and helped me with other side.

"So what are you into, Max?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "Nothing really, except I love swimming. That's how I got my scholarship to come here. Swimming is my life and I hope to make it to the Olympics one day. That's my dream; getting a gold medal."

She chuckled and adjusted the top sheet, "Well if you do make it, you better take me. I would kill to meet Ryan Lochte in person; he is gorgeous!"

I laughed with her. "Yeah, he is pretty good looking."

Once again, our door to the dorm opened, and someone stepped inside.

"Who's good looking?"

I froze; everything in me stopped working with just the sound of his voice. No, no, no, NO! He can't be here! He's supposed to be in New York!

The room went deathly silent, all I could hear was the thumping of my heart, and blood rushing in my ears.

"Jeb?" My mother's voice pierced through the silence, unfreezing everyone. I turned slowly, facing the front of the room.

There he stood, wearing an Arizona State t-shirt, jeans, and his glasses. He looked the same except for the now graying hair, small wrinkles near his eyes and the slight bulge of a stomach.

He smiled brightly at me, like as if nothing he did was ever wrong.

Like leaving us for some young reporter wasn't wrong.

I clenched my jaw and stared at him.

Stared straight at my father.

Fang's POV

My fingers absently drummed on my knee as I looked out the window. The big 7 Eleven sign flickered every now and then, and I sighed. What was taking him so damn long? He was only stopping to use the bathroom.

The sun was just starting to set, the sky turning different shades of red and orange behind the mountains. If only I had my camera with me, all the great pictures I could take. But unfortunately my camera was in the trunk, under all the baseball gear and school stuff.

I sighed loudly and looked out the front window, finally seeing my cousin outside the door with a girl.

Of course.

The girl laughed and she almost dropped her soda. I groaned and leaned my head back closing my eyes. This could take a long time.

A few minutes later, the driver door opened, and my cousin sat inside, handing me a Root Beer and a bag of chips. "Dude, that girl was smoking. Did you see her?" He closed the door and started the engine, glancing at me quickly.

"No, I was too busy gagging at your pathetic attempt at flirting." I opened the Root Beer and took a long drink, feeling the bubbles slide down my dry throat. We pulled out of the parking lot and continued on the freeway.

"Psh, yeah right! You would die for my flirting abilities. I have the ladies bowing before me and kissing my feet. I'd like to see you do any better."

I swear, you couldn't walk ten feet near my cousin, or else you would run into his ego.

"Honestly, that sounded totally wrong about them kissing your feet, and secondly, I wouldn't have to die for your flirty abilities, since I already flirt better then you."

He chuckled and relaxed into his leather seat. "Oh, Nicky, I guess you only learn from the best." I shook my head and looked out at the passing cars.

I remember her so clearly – "And I'm Max, by the way."

Those big brown eyes she had, that dress that hugged her waist perfectly. The way she smiled at me. The way she lau-

"But she was hot right?" I groaned loudly and turned to the blond next to me.

"Yes, fine, she was hot. God Chris, you speak of every girl like she's a piece of meat. One day, it's all gunna come back and bite you in the ass."

He looked over at me; his blue eyes in slits and his hands clenched the wheel. I glared right back, knowing I would have a bigger effect on him. And it did; he finally looked away and relaxed his grip.

"Dude, I told you when it's your time of the month, tell me. You can warn me, ya' know." His snide remark bothered me, but I would never let him know he could get to me, 'cause then, I would never hear the end of it.

I had nothing else to say to my hotheaded cousin. Instead I finished my soda and put in my earphones, blocking out everything else.

Except for a special someone with the name that's starts with an 'M'.

I know, it's short, but I feel like this chapter is kinda important. This is where you guys need to start making connections with certain characters. So hopefully you understand what's going on, especially with what happened during Fang's POV.

Make the connections people!

Hope you liked, and don't forget to review! :D

Hopefully we can reach 40 with this chapter!