Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride
I Promise – Chapter 10
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MAX POV
Yeah, so, where were we?
Oh yeah. I'm stuck in the middle of a kiss with Fang Walker - the guy I promised myself I would never fall for - not sure whether or not to pull away or return the kiss.
And you know what I did?
I pulled away. I can't believe I didthat. I mentally slapped myself silly. Really hard.
If I was going to listen to JJ and break a promise, wouldn't that mean I don't have to pull away?
The kiss felt so right.
And yet... so wrong.
As I pulled away - very slowly, as though I didn't want to stop - I stared up into his eyes, gazing deep into the depths of his very own night sky. I whispered one word.
"Sorry."
And I ran. I can't believe I ran. But all I knew was that I needed to find JJ. She would know what to do. Hopefully.
But what I was real pissed at myself for was for looking back at Fang one last time. Even with the long distance I had passed in the few short seconds, I could practically see the pain from my rejection shining in his eyes; radiating off of him.
I turned away and felt a tear slip down my cheek. Damn.
...
Fang shouldn't have kissed Max. He had surely driven her away forever.
But at least he knew now.
Fang Walker was in love with Maximum Ride.
The pain from her rejection was almost too much. He could feel it swallowing him whole. Fang could feel it pulling him away from the world; all from one kiss and one rejection.
It was like that all through the night. When Fang entered school the next day, he was practically shining with happiness when Max approached him. Besides the fact that she was pretending that nothing had happened.
But she still came back. That was what mattered most.
...
JJ wanted me to meet her mum after school. The few times I had entered JJ's home, her mum had been at work. So I was finally going to meet her.
But JJ thought it might be a good idea to bring Fang because he was my "second best friend, and any friend of mine is a friend of hers" – that's one special quote from JJ.
So I asked him. And he said "okay."
You may be asking - like JJ had - why I'm quoting everyone today. Well, I guess it's just one of those moods.
After school, Fang, JJ and I were walking down the street, almost there when JJ blurted, "So... you guy's work out all the knots? After... you know."
I mentally face palmed.
"Shut up, JJ," I whispered hurriedly just as we reached her home. We walked up the driveway and JJ let us in.
"Mum!" she screamed at the top of her voice. "I'm home! I've brought friends, so come and met them!"
A woman tripped down the hallway towards us - an older version of JJ, though she looked drunk. She looked at me and smiled. "You must be Max. I've heard so many things about you." She glanced behind my shoulder at Fang. "And is this your brother, Max?"
I choked on my own saliva. "N-no," I stuttered, freaked at the idea that she thought Fang could be my brother. You know, 'cause he kissed me.
"JJ's boyfriend? Your boyfriend? Or just a friend." she winked at us two girls on the last word and we both blushed bright red.
"Okay, Mum! Go away now! You've said enough!" JJ yelled and ushered her mum back down the hallway.
Leaving me in an awkward silence with Fang.
"So..." I trailed off, back into silence.
"So..."
My god, I just realised how much I hate awkward silences. And I think now would be a good time to express it. I hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, strongly dislike, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, hate, and continually really HATE awkward silences. And if that isn't enough to convince anyone, I think I'll just continue... I sure as hell freaking HATE, HATE –
"Max?"
I opened my eyes and saw how close Fang's face had become. But instead of pulling away, I just stared right back into the depths of his eyes, which were swimming with concern.
"Yeah?" I whispered very quietly, as though I was trying not to shatter the moment. My breath caught in my throat.
"I wa–"
"I'm back!" JJ cried happily.
Moment shattered.
JJ saw our close proximity and her smile faulted. "Oh... Am I interrupting something...?" and if my hearing is correct, I may have heard her add, "Shit," under her breath.
And now that the chance was gone, I really wanted it to come back. But Fang, who had still been reasonably close, pulled away and replied, "Not at all."
Chance completely gone. Disappeared in a poof!
I almost sighed dramatically like a love-sick girl. Shit.
But then I decided that I didn't care. That I just wanted to feel that feeling again. So I grabbed a hold of Fang's shirt, pulling him towards my lips. Surprised at my sudden movement, Fang could do nothing against my strength.
I kissed him passionately, completed with the wonderful touch of his hands on me.
Promise broken, and I was in pure bliss.
"Wow..." JJ whispered to herself.
I deepened the kiss.
"Whoops! I just need to grab somet–" JJ's Mum stumbled back out of the hallway and suddenly stopped, staring wide-eyed at me and Fang. I pulled away slowly. I turned to look at JJ's Mum. She winked at me. "Just friends, all right."
I smiled slightly and blushed.