Chapter 8:

||Max's POV||: When it became 8:45, I asked Melissa, "Do you want me to take you home now?" She shakes her head and says, "I'll just text Alexandria I'm staying over at Holly's place. She'll help take undercover."

I nod my head and out my arm under her neck to protect her. I then see in the sky, Holly, yelling out, "Got it!" She then flies away. Melissa giggles and nudges right next to me, cuddling closer.

When I find her asleep, I carried her bridal-style and call the flying carpet. I step onto the carpet, with her still in my arms, and fly back to her place.

I land on the terrace and gently carry her to her room. Alexandria comes in and puts the blanket over her. She then quietly mouths, "Thank you." I bow my head to show that I'm saying, "You're welcome!"

I leave and jump back onto the red flying carpet. I notice a gold chain, which seems like a bracelet. "This must be Melissa's," I say to myself, "Eh, I'll return it to her tomorrow! Now, magic carpet, DESCEND!" I then fly away home.

||Alexandria's POV||: I walk back down the stairs and see Ian with his arms crossed. He sighs and asked, "Who's the boy who broke Melissa's heart?" I tilt my head in confusion, even though I know who he's talking about.

Max Russo, the guy that is purr-fect for Melissa!

"Oh you know," He says, "The one with the sister who changed the clock half an hour before 8 the other day! Also the same person who was walking down Waverly Street, asking the boy how he broke Melissa's heart!"

I begin to stutter and say, "She-She-She could be referring to another Melissa!" Ian said, "True true! But if it's him, we're going to have to talk!"

I sigh and just shrug. I then go upstairs, pretending as if I will go to my room but once I reached the second floor, I quickly ran to Melissa's room.

I shake her and say, "Melissa, Melissa! Ian knows about you and Max!" She immediately stands up, bumping her head to mine. "OW!" We both say. "What?" She asks.

"Melissa, she knows about Max!" I restate. She widens her eyes and starts to freak out. "How?" She asks. I shrug and say, "I don't know. When are you going to tell him?"

She shakes her head and says, "I don't know!"

I wrap my arms around her and sisterly rub her back saying, "Ah, Melissa, it's going to be okay! I think you should tell him now!" She nods her head and walks downstairs.

A few minutes later, she comes back up, frozen like an icicle. She said, "He needs to see him first!"

I say, "Well that's a good thing then!" I say. She smiles slightly but unsure. "Really?" She asks. I nod my head and say, "Yea.. I think."

She gives me a huge hug and says, "I don't care. Thanks, sis!" I smile and say, "Oh, you're very welcome!"

She then changes into pj's and goes to sleep.

||Melissa's POV||: I thought it was sweet of Max to drop me off at home. I wake up and open the curtains. I check my phone and see a cute text from Max.

Max: Good morning, beautiful 3

I reply by texting: Come to my house ASAP! Love u 3

I change into a tropical striped tank, tucked inside a red high-low skirt, and a big brown belt. I then turn on my iPod and put on a pair of brown heels. I start breakdancing to the music and take a small rest. I then hear a doorbell ring and hear Max's voice.

Alexandria and I peek from the staircase and listen to them talk. Alexandria whispers to me, "It's working!" I overhear every single word and each of it is pleasant.

Ian said, "And you promise not to break her heart again?" He nods his head, putting his hand over his heart, saying, "I promise." Ian then gives a smile and pats him on the back.

He said, "Welcome to the family then, Max Russo! Keep her safe." Max nods his head gratefully and finds me on the staircase with Alexandria, watching us act like sneaky spies that are just horrible at camouflaging, and our hands folded together, except our index fingers, creating fake guns.

Alexandria and I then pretend to act casually, as if we saw nothing. Ian comments, "Nice acting!" We both roll our eyes and just walk the rest of the way.

I immediately walk to Max, with his arms around me. I lean my head on his shoulder and smile at Ian, saying, "Thank you!"

I grab my bag beside the couch and leave with Max. As we walk, he asks me, "Where do you wanna go? I don't have a shift today so I'm off for the morning." I reach into my bag and show him my paint brush.

I think he should know where I wanna go!

We headed down to the alley and I start spreading out the colors. I take out a shade of blue and started painting. I ask Max, "Do you want to paint too?"

He shrugs and says, "Well I don't know! I don't want to ruin your beautiful creation!" He then walked behind me and out his arms around my waist.

That beautiful creation of mine is a picture of a bird soaring through the sky, high above the clouds.

"What is this painting about?" I ask. She strokes the wall, finishing the picture of the bird, and answers, "It shows how much I want to be free and just let go, do whatever I want and not get into trouble! Everywhere I go with my family, it's just too serious, too formal! That's why I hide mostly in my room so I can dance, let loose, and just have fun!"

I chuckle and say, "Yeah I saw you dance when I was at your terrace that one time."

She opens her mouth in disbelief and nudges me in the chest. She said, "I can't believe you! I hate you for that!" I grab her hand and twirl her around. I then give her a gentle kiss and ask her, "Do you hate me now?"

She pauses and smirks, "It's hard to be mad at you..." I laugh and then help her paint. She strokes gray for clouds and said, "Almost done!"

"So this represents independence?" I ask. She looks back at me and says sarcastically, "No, I just like to paint birds!"

She then said, "It's hard to show the real me around people but until you came along, I get self confidence! I get to act who I really am around you!"

I smile and my cheeks turn bright red. I'm just actually glad she gets to show who she really is to me, and not acting to be someone she's not. She then exclaims, "Finished!"

I applaud and come up from behind her, holding her in my arms. I comment, "It's beautiful! It shows your independence." She looks up and kisses my whispering, saying, "Thank you!"

Author's note: I know I haven't updated in a long time and I'm sorry. But anywhoo, r&r, at least I'm back! Much love