I apologize for not updating. I'd like to explain why...

But I can't.

Truth is, I totally forgot to update.

SO! I'm so incredibly sorry and I'd like to invite you all to tell me I'm a horribel person and flame me and call me names. And as a special apology gift, I'm doing something I wasn't going to yet.

Lissa's POV!

Hey! Drippingly Sarcastic! This is your fault too! You were supposed to get on to me if I was being a bad author!

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MAX

Things were getting increasingly worse at school for Fang. I was starting to worry about him. We'd come back from winter break to a school poisoned with bogus from Sam. Rico helped me try to clear it up, as did the girls, but there were just so many rumors circulating right now. Kids were pushing Fang around in the halls, annoying him in class, tripping him at lunch. I tried like a guardian angel though, I tried to be there at all times. But sometimes I just couldn't be there, and that was when things were bad for him.

Mostly it was Sam. He, for some reason, hated Fang. He was picking on him every chance he got, and it was escalating to new levels.

Fang hadn't spoken more than a few words at a time before shutting down, but I thought maybe he would open up soon. I don't know.

LISSA

"MAX!" I screamed, running up. "MAAAAAAAAX!"

She spun from Claire and Kayley to face me. "Sup?"

"I NEED HELP!"

"With...?"

"I CAN'T FIND MY HAIR PICK!"

She sighed and reached up, pulling something out of my hair and handing it to me. "You mean this hairpick?"

I took it and feebly muttered, "Nevermind."

Fang snickered and I glowered at him. He hid his smile. "Shut it," I snapped, sniffling.

"Sorry," he sshook his head.

"Uh oh. We've got bigger problems than your incompetence with hairpickery."

"Hair-what-ery?"

"I'll explain later. Turn around."

I glanced back. Ah crap! It was Estelle and her minions Catara and Tish. Estelle came up and stood close to Fang. "Hey there girls and guys."

"Can I help you?" I snapped.

"Does it look like you can?" she retaliated. "Actually, I came to talk to Nick."

"Fang," Max snapped. "He goes by Fang. Do your research."

"Fang," she purred (or tried to). She laid a hand on his arm. "I'm having a party next Saturday. You should come."

His eyebrows raised. "Uh..."

"Say you'll come."

"I...I...I don't know." He pulled away.

"Well, then you can answer me later in history. See ya," she winked and walked away.

Immediatley, Claire said, "You shouldn't go. They brainwash people there."

Fang didn't say anything. Max put a hand on his shoulder in a completley different manner than Estelle had. "You don't have to go. You don't have to not go. It's up to you Fang. If you want, I'll walk you there, or Mom can drive you."

"Why should he? She's a –"

I cut Kayley off. "Max is right. Fang can do what he wants. Besides, maybe nothing will happen. It's just a party. It might be a good experience for him."

Fang shrugged. "I guess I could...I mean...maybe..."

"Do you want Iggy to go with you?" Max offered.

"Or Max could go," Iggy retaliated. "I've got a date with a hot chick that night."

Max shook her head. "Girls are by invite only. Guys can go all they want."

"Oh for pete's sake!" I cried. "I'll go if he wants! Just say if you are or not!"

He shrugged. "I guess...if maybe someone came with me...I could try."

"Who do you want to go?"

And that was how the entire gang got roped into coming. He wanted Iggy or Max, but Iggy wouldn't go without Claire and she wouldn't go without Max, who wouldn't go without me. I refused to enter without Kayley because I would be the worst sufferer if she didn't.

So that Saturday, we all piled into Kayley's mom's van and drove to Estelle's house. She didn't look happy to see most of us, but she wanted Fang and he came with a price she'd take gladly for a fresh guy.

The music was too loud, the food was too mature for any kid to be interested in, there was alchohol going around, not our scene by far. We left early.

But not before Estelle had gotten her hands on Fang.

We were getting into the car when Max stood in the doorway and said, "Uh, did you forget Fang?"

She and I went to find him. Estelle had him backed up against a wall, kissing him. He had his hands on her waist, but I couldn't tell if he was trying to get her off of him or get her closer. But that posture, that look...

Oh god.

Sam had been with Estelle at the party. I just realized it.

Gross. Who knew Sam liked ah...provacative girls?

At least I didn't say any of the better words to describe Estelle!

But at that moment, I realized something, even as Max cleared her throat and they broke apart, as we headed for the door and got in the car. Something I wasn't sure I could deal with.

I loved Fang.