-Max's POV-
Ella took me to Dylan's house in her car. I felt ashamed with all the tears running down my face and the red puffy eyes. I looked horrible when I got to Dylan's and to add to all the inconvenience, it was eleven thirty. So Dylan's parents were asleep when I knocked on the door. Dylan's five year old sister answered the door as Ella backed out of the car park. May, Dylan's sister, thought I was a zombie. She told me she wanted to run upstairs, get her cricket bat and smash my face in. I liked May. She was really smart for a five year old. I don't know what she was doing up at eleven thirty but she offered me milk and cookies that she said she reserved especially for Santa, and went up stairs to get Dylan.
The injuries weren't that serious she said, and he forgave me too...so that was nice. But I still felt horrible, especially now that what he said was true. I felt the tears threaten to escape but I blinked them back and drank some milk.
Dylan walked down stairs with May holding his hand. He had a bandage over his nose, across his face and one over his chest wrapping around his shoulder. My eyes softened as they met his.
"I'm so sorry" I murmured "I thought...I was just...I'm so sorry."
May gave me a big smile and Dylan sat across the table from me. She tugged on Dylan's shorts. "She said sorry, big brother. I told you she no hates you."
Dylan blushed. He told his sister about me? Well...that's sweet I guess.
"Go back to sleep, May" He told her. She nodded and gave Dylan and I hugs before skipping up the stairs to bed.
We sat in silence.
"So" Dylan said quietly, not looking at me. "Why are you here so late?"
"Just wanted to say sorry"
"For waking me up?" He chuckled.
"Oh that too..."
"It's ok, really, but I gotta say..." he pressed his chest and winced "You throw pretty strong punches for a girl."
"I'm really sorry, Dylan. I swear if I could do anything..."
He shook his head. I hated owing people.
"Just one thing" he said
"What is it?"
"I'm kind of thirsty...and you and your cookies are making me hungry."
I got up and poured him a glass with some cookies on the side. I walked over to his side of the table and put them down in front of him.
"Why aren't you at Nick's formal?" he asked "I thought he might've asked you or something..."
I shook my head as his betrayal threatened to make its way into my memory. "He wanted to go alone" I said.
"Are you okay? You sound a little strange."
"I'm fine"
"Sure?"
I nodded.
"Ok well...not to be rude or anything, but have you got a ride home?"
"Actually I was thinking maybe I could stay the night?"
He smiled "Hell, that'll be awesome! Like old times" He chuckled and got out of his seat. "There's a spare room just two doors from mine. You could stay there."
"Thanks"
We walked upstairs and he showed me the room. It was pretty plain, just a bed and a few rows of drawers. I smiled and put my bag on the bed as I searched for my night clothes.
Dylan lingered at the door. I turned to him "Can I change here or in the bathroom?"
"Anywhere"
He still stood beside the door. I got nervous and I wasn't really my assertive self tonight to tell him to leave, so I picked up my clothes and tried to walk past him to the bathroom.
"Max?" he said quietly as I tried to brush past him. I turned to him and he shocked me by engulfing me in a tight hug. I thought maybe it'll hurt his chest to have me pressed tightly to him so I tried to pull back, but he held me tighter. "It's ok, it doesn't hurt if it's you I have in my arms" he whispered.
I gasped at his statement. He knows I'm with Fang doesn't he? And then I caught myself. Fang and I...what were we now? I melted into Dylan's comforting arms. They were the strong protective shield that Fang once provided. The thought of him hurt and I nuzzled deeper into Dylan's chest. Maybe he wasn't as good a hugger as Fang, but I was at a tender stage tonight and the feeling of his arms so similarly positioned on my back as Fang's, well, my chipped heart couldn't take it and so big strong Maximum buried her face into Dylan's chest and cried.