Hey Guys!

I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo sorry. I really meant to write up the chapter but I kept on getting sidetracked. On the bright side I handed in my English assessment… on time! Yes I am the procrastination queen, no need to remind me.

Thanks so much for the reviews. Reviews make me happy.

I got a bit more bandwidth so I can actually update, but not enough to watch anime. *sigh*

Hope you like this chapter!

Chapter 5: Sparring

Max POV

Apparently, if you're principal has to call your guardian because you punched some girl, you might get in trouble. Just a heads up.

So now I am grounded. Have you been grounded? It is the most boring thing in the universe. Jeb took away my iPod, my laptop and my sketchbook. Damn him.

I wouldn't have cared anyways, and just ignored him but he also forbade me from going anywhere. Including Iggy's for breakfast. So I'm stuck in this freakin room. I swear, one day I will acquire laser vision so I can burn through walls with my eyes. And kill people. But that's beside the point.

And if that wasn't bad enough, I have to see a counsellor. I'm violent, apparently, and the principal recommended it to Jeb. She just went on to my list. Right beneath gravity and physics. I swear I didn't trip; the ground just hit my face.

So here I am, outside, in my egg chair, watching the sunset, missing out on a perfectly good meal. Grr…

The sun shined on me, and I could feel myself getting sleepier and sleepier…

"I was flying above the clouds as the moon shone down on me, illuminating the wings on my back. I looked back and there behind me were five other figures, flying in a V formation. I thought I could make out Angel and Gazzy's faces but Angel was carrying a dark shape. Suddenly the largest, darkest figure flew towards me. I couldn't make out his face but as he flew toward me I felt an overwhelming sense of l-

"MAX!" a voice shook me out of dream world. I took a moment to curse the person. Always that freakin moment.

"Maa…xxx!" the voice shouted again.

I opened my eyes slowly and was surprised to find out it was night. Fairly late too by the temperature.

I shivered and looked around. Fang was sitting on the edge of his balcony, and he smiled when he saw me awake. Well, more like the edges of his mouth turned up, kind of, just not enough for anyone to notice if anyone was looking. Wouldn't want to ruin his image now would we.

"Max?" he said again. Me being the idiot I am, had stared into space for a good two minutes thinking about nothing. Except Fang. With no shirt on. Wait! Forget I said that.

"Yes?" I asked. He seemed relieved to see me awake and not you know, in a coma like state.

He looked at me for a second before smirking, and then he climbed onto the rail and jumped over to my balcony. And that was not the most amazing thing. He actually made it.

My jaw dropped as he walked over to me. Well not literally of course because that would be letting gravity win.

He sauntered over to me and held out a blanket.'

"I thought you might be cold," he explained.

"And you couldn't have just shouted at me to get my ass inside?" I answered.

"Well, yes. But this way is more fun."

I looked up at him, his eyes were shining. Damn Fang, with his sparkly make-me-melt eyes, and his hot body, and his quirky smile, and his dark and silent attitude, and his thoughtfulness… Ok, listing all the things I like about him? Not Helping.

"Thanks," I said and turned back to the sky.

He sat next to me on the ground and looked at me. I turned to him, smirking.

"What?" I asked.

He shook his head and mumbled an incoherent reply. I budged over and cleared a space for him.

I patted the seat. "Come on, you'll freeze your ass off down there." He chuckled and sat next to me. We watched the stars shine in the sky and listened to the sound of the neighbourhood.

I distinctly heard someone, cough Iggy, shout about how he needed space and if Nudge didn't get out of his room, he would dye her clothes grey. Hah, stole that from Fang.

"So…" I said, trying to break the silence. It wasn't that it was uncomfortable, because it wasn't but because when we didn't talk I had more time to think, and well, sitting next to Fang on the balcony, kinda made me think about him. And I didn't want that to happen.

"I heard you were grounded. That's tough." He said.

"Nah, not really, apart from missing out on Iggy's cooking. The thing that really gets me though is Jeb is sending me to a counsellor. A counsellor. Can you see me sitting there talking about my problems?" I answered.

He was silent for a moment before he started chuckling.

"Oh a pity the person who has to deal with you." He answered.

"What that's that supposed to mean?" I asked with a pout. And I aimed a punch at his shoulder. Now usually when I punch someone, they don't know they've been punched until they're writhing on the floor. But Fang did something that took me completely by surprise. He caught my fist.

I cocked an eyebrow at him jumped out of the seat.

"That's how you wanna do it then?" I said, and beckoned him forwards. Now from what Nudge had told me, or what I think she had told me, Fang had been doing martial arts for a couple of years. That did not however, prepare me for him leaping out of the seat and aiming a kick at shoulder. I quickly dodged his foot and aimed a fist at his gut. Which he blocked and then proceeded to attack me. Now I have never, I repeat never met anyone who can match me in a fight.

So I was enjoying myself immensely as we sparred. I managed to get a few hits in, although they were pretty soft. Well I thought they were soft. Fang also managed to get in a few hits too and I was grinning as we fought.

It was probably the most fun I've had in a long time and we were both breathing heavily by the time we had exhausted our energy. I slumped down against my door to regain my breath, letting the cool glass soak into my skin.

Fang sat down next to me, taking deep gulps of the fresh air.

"That was fun," I said.

"Yup," he answered.

"Are you back to one word sentences again?" I asked, exasperatedly.

"Yup," he replied in true Fang fashion.

I sighed and closed my eyes. I heard yelling from inside my house, and I listened intently.

It sounded like Ella shouting, "MAXIMUM SKY RIDE! If you do not get your ass inside this house right now, I'll… I'll dye all your clothes pink!"

I stood up quickly, and was overcome by a wave of dizziness. Fang stoop up abruptly and caught me, holding me close to him.

I stared into his eyes, getting lost in the black pools. My eyes flicked down to his lips, and I leaned forward in anticipation… only to hear Ella crash into my room and start my iPod.

I pulled away quickly and mumbled a goodbye, before turning my back to him and going inside.

'Stupid, stupid, stupid,' I chided myself, and closed the glass door, only to find myself instantly bombarded with questions.

"Was that Fang? Why are you all sweaty? Did you guys kiss? Do you like Fang? Why didn't you answer when I called you? Why do you have a bruise on your arm? What…"

"Ella!" I shouted, stopping her mid question. "Way to pull a Nudge. First that was Fang, and we were practicing martial arts. I have a bruise on my arm because he actually managed to land a hit. Now if you don't mind, I am exhausted so GET OUT!"

I pushed her out of my room, and turned my iPod off, before crashing onto my bed.

I thought back to how bad I had wanted to kiss Fang, and the pure joy I felt when sparring with him. There was no doubt in my mind that I liked Fang. A lot. But I couldn't afford to like him. I needed to distant myself from him, no matter what it cost.

With that uneasy thought on mind it was a long time until I fell asleep.

Fang POV

I lay in my bed listening to the sounds of my family sleeping. I couldn't get Max off my mind, and I remembered the happiness I felt when fighting her.

It had been a long time since someone could match me in a fight, and according to the bruised on my ribs, she did pretty well.

I remembered after the fight, when she had stood up too fast, and had been overcome by dizziness. And above all, I remembered how it had felt when she had been in my arms, leaning forward to kiss me.

It was official; I was falling hard for Max. I like her bad ass attitude and I was intrigued by her skill at martial arts. I wanted to know everything about her, what she loved and hated, who she wanted to meet, what her favourite flavour of ice cream was.

I didn't know what to do though. I was used to girls flinging themselves at me, but I had a feeling I would have to work to get Max.

I groaned and grabbed my iPod from my nightstand. I chose a random song, and listened to it full blast through my earphones.

This way I wouldn't have to think about Max. Not her smile, or her kick ass attitude, or her amazing style or her total disrespect of authority… I groaned and smashed my face into my pillow, forcing all thoughts of Max out of my mind.

I relaxed under the covers, and was able to fall asleep, with rock music blasting in my ears, and thoughts of Max hovering on the edge of my consciousness.

I actually finished. I' m amazed. Took me much less time than I thought it would.

Did everybody like the almost kiss. Max and Fang are finally realising they have feelings for each other, though be prepared for Max being a total idiot throughout the story.

Next chapter will be Max meeting with her counsellor. That shall be fun…

Anyways, Review please. Pretty please. Pretty please with a shirtless Fang on top :[

Yeh I knew that would work.

Till next time…