Chapter 2:
The minutes ticked by like hours. Very long hours, like when there's a mosquito flying around your head when you're trying to sleep, long hours! I didn't know what to say to him – well I did, I had a dang lot I wanted to drill into that boys thick head – it's just that I couldn't force the words from my brain out my mouth and form any audible sentence that didn't just sound like a drowning cat!
I cradled my injured hand, now wrapped in a piece of old cloth I found, smiling sadly at it at the realisation that I had just paid myself out. I guess I was the only one who could get away with such treason.
For those of you who are new to the whole 'Max, Fang love hate relationship thing', let me break it down for you! A few months back Total got married (and don't even get me started, people with gills weird me out enough, let alone canine weddings!) don't get me wrong, it was great, one of the best nights of my life infact (and I can count them on one hand let me tell you!)
Have you ever heard of the saying that if something is too good to be true, then it probably is? Well I wish someone told me that beforehand. I learnt that little life lesson the hard way, like one of the worst nights of my life, hard way (and trust me I need a lot more than two hands to count that little tally) Anyway, Fang left the wedding early, said he was tired or sick or something, to be honest I was only half listening, and didn't think much of it – it was just Fang being Fang, he didn't like large crowds that much so I presumed he was lying to cover that fact up, didn't really read anything into it... maybe I should have.
For that was the last night I saw my best friend. And the last night I saw part of myself.
And now a memory of the past was sitting across from me, so life like yet somehow... different. Like a strange sense of déjà vu, or that feeling of dizziness when you head butt and Eraser –or is that just me? It wasn't the fact that Fang himself had changed – he was exactly the same from what I could tell- It was more of the way I felt, I was different, and I know what you're thinking, the old 'It's not you, it's me' chestnut, but that's not what I mean. Fang and I always had each other's back, thick and thin you know? When the one person you rely your whole life on decides to pack up and ditch you...
"How's your hand?" Yep, way to ruin the moment Fang, as usual!
"Like you care" And with that, all tranquillity we had managed to obtain suddenly jumped ship and headed towards the fire escapes!
"Oh that it is Max!" So Mr Cool had finally cracked, bout time. Looking pleased with myself at the fact that he was at least reacting to what I said, I settled down on the floor and began to watch his little tantie unfold.
"I'm sick of this childish game you are so obsessed with winning! Your always yapping on about how YOUR the leader, how everything is YOUR call, well why don't you step up for once and accept the situation for how it is instead of being stupid and childish and... and, lame!
"Good comeback, I'll have to write that one down." 3,2,1 Que Round 2!
"Shut up max! You always have a bloody snarky answer for everything and I'm sick of it! You can hide behind all the sarcasm you want it doesn't fool me, I know how well trained you have Dylan, tucked right up under your wing, cosy warm! I came here to apologise ok, heaven forbid, and what do you do? Almost rip my bloody head off about it!
You know what I said about me settling down on the floor, watching passively? How long do you honestly think that lasted? A minute, minute and a half? Bye Bye! Within a split second I was on my feet again, arms folded and a scowl on my fact that only Fang would mess with... and Iggy, but he's blind so it doesn't count. If he could see it, he wouldn't mess with it!
"Oh there you go again, trying to turn everything around like this whole situation is my fault! I really don't know how you are managing to keep that little band of yours intact, you don't have any clue about what you're doing, about responsibility, what it takes to look after this family! And don't you dare say a foul word about Dylan, at least he makes an effort, at least he sticks around!"
Maybe that was a bit too far, judging from Fangs reaction – he looked like he had just been really stung. In a moment of complete anger he lashed out his fists sending a whole into wall behind him. I always knew he was strong, I mean we all are – genetically enhanced genes remember! But this hole was a few inches deep and showed how much pent up anger one little Fang contained! Let's all take a minute to be thankful that it was me they decided to clone and not Fang!
"Are you done yet" said a smaller, but equally as angered voice.
"Depends. Are you done redecorating my room?"
Pretty sure that was the last snarky remark Fang was going to allow coming out of my mouth, for in few strides he closed the gap between us, smothering my mouth with one hand and taking a firm grasp on my elbow with the other.
"Ahh, that's better" He managed a smile, one of his cheeky, lopsided smiles, trying to shrug off the distaste between us I guess.
"You hear that Max?" My eyes narrowed but I shook my head playing along, trying to see where this was going.
"That's because you have finally stopped talking" ... I could figure he'd say something like that! Trust Fang, good ol' reliable Fang, to come into a situation, make me pissed, make me cry, make me cut myself with a freaking knife, make me sad again, then pissed once more, think of crying, before concluding with yet another round of me being pissed. The boy was persistent, I'll give him that!
Suddenly his playful grin faded, and his face became more serious, far older than fifteen years. Without letting go with either hand he spoke very softly, intending to get his message out uninterrupted.
"I don't really know how to say this, or where I should start from... I haven't really thought about planning it." Well what a shocker Folks! Fang, not thinking things through? Never!
"Ok , so it's like this see... For the past few months...since the wedding...since that night...since the letter, I feel...I feel" Oh for god sakes Fang get on with it!
"When I wrote that letter, I made a promise to you that we would meet again in twenty years. Truth is I made that promise to myself more than to you. I promised that I would stay strong for twenty years; not let my feelings for you cloud my judgement, alter my views when the time came that I needed to fight. I couldn't be near you anymore because it made me weak... it made you weak Max, as much as you would hate to admit it. I tried to bargain with myself that after all of this was over I would give in... I would come back, to you. And I thought I could do it you know, be the leader a new group needed, a strong leader, who follows through... a leader like you"
It felt weird to see Fangs lips moving but hear 'Days of our lives' come out... but I admit, I blushed a little when he mentioned me.
"But who was I kidding Max, I couldn't last twenty years without you, I couldn't even last one year without you! How could I... how could anyone?"
Yet again I felt the urge to forgive him enter the back of my throught, that feeling of weakness I had momentarily given into when he kissed me. Now I was beginning to battle with myself whether or not to give into it again.
"I couldn't do it Max. I just couldn't, plain and simple. When I'm around you, your all I think off, and so you distract me when we need to be on our game. But when I'm away from you, your all I think about, I can't bloody win! Constantly worrying if your ok – I mean, of course your ok, your Maximum Ride for heavens sakes...but thats not what I mean."
Gently I worked my elbow out of his grip and eased his hand off of my captive mouth.
"Then what do you mean?" I asked softly.
"There...ball's in your court now Max."