This is it.

DISCLAIMER: Thirty-nine chapters, and I still don't own MR. Sigh.

Two Years Later

After that morning, I started counting time.

Twenty days. I had twenty days left to make things different, and back then, right after I met up with Tess, I started wondering, would something happen between Fang and I on those twenty days? Would he come back here so we could settle things? Would that work, even if I was still going to leave?

Would twenty days be enough?

A week later, Tess told me that his parents went to Tennessee to visit him and to return his phone. I started spending every waking hour alone dialling his number and waiting for him to pick up. But he didn't. Tess tried to call him on her phone, but when she went around to mentioning me he didn't say much. It happened over and over again until I left for Paris. And when I arrived, I tried calling him again. Still no answer. I gave up after a few weeks, since I already sounded too desperate. I distracted myself by trying to improve my French and exploring the city and studying.

But that didn't hide the fact that he didn't answer my calls.

Later on, Iggy told me that he had changed his number, with no reason having to do with me whatsoever. He gave it, but I had already given up on calling, so instead I made an attempt to text him. He replied, and we made regular conversation. Actually, it wasn't that regular because of the time zone differences. Like if Fang had nothing to do in the afternoon, I might've been in class. If I had time to kill in the evening, he might've been busy working on something. But there were times that either of us stayed up late or shoved aside homework to text each other for an hour or two. We never made calls. And we never talked about what happened.

At first, I was itching to insert it into conversation, and then I got a bit mad when Fang refused to make any reference to it. But I understood what he really meant. A topic like that was one that just couldn't be done over phone calls and chats and texts and Skype. It had to be in person.

So when were we going to see each other again?

The summer after my first year in college, I was recommended for a program that my mom even insisted that I stay there and attend. I heard that Fang went back, of course, and we continued texting each other. But now? I have a flight booked. Although that didn't necessarily change anything between us.

I thought back to that one time two years ago, when Nudge, Ella and Angel came up with crazy plans to get Fang and me together. Nudge had asked me all about what happened when I let him down in a not so gentle way. When she asked me on why I didn't tell him that we could still be together. I still remembered what I told her:

What if in those three months, something happened- not just to him, but to me, too- that would change everything?

Maybe a lot might have happened, but then I'll never know. My guess is that Fang still liked me then. Maybe he was willing to wait those three months, probably like he waited for four years to tell me he loved me. But this was different. Two years in my book is really long. And if a lot could happen in three months, then everything might've changed in two years.

I'll never know for sure.

"Ladies and gentlemen, you may now unfasten your seatbelts. But for your safety, we recommend that you not undo them and keep them loose."

I looked out the window and saw the bright lights of Paris grow smaller in the distance. It was night time and the cabin was dimmed. A few reading lights were turned on, but the rest of the passengers were getting their rest, preparing for the jet lag that was to come when they arrived in the States. I was trying to be part of the latter, yet I couldn't put my mind to rest.

Honestly, there wasn't much to worry about. All the stuff I had bought for my friends and family back home were safely stored somewhere. The Gasman, who was going to spend his summer with dad, also asked me to send over some things for him. Those where also stored away. I triple checked everything before I left, and I didn't forget anything important.

The only thing on my mind was Fang, but he took up more space than was available.

What was I going to do when I got back? Would I just wait for some chance that I would bump into him? Would I invite him for some coffee and more catching up? Would he be inviting me for coffee and catching up? Would he ignore me? Would he even know I was already here? I didn't even have any idea if he got back from Tennessee yet. For all I know, he was planning to spend the summer with his friends far away or something.

In my mind, I made scripts, planning out things I might eventually forget for the next time I encountered him. When a couple tells each other their feelings, and then suddenly moves apart, it's not like they'll be all over each other when they reunite. Okay, maybe they will, but that would be more likely in the case that they hadn't had contact with each other. With the two of us, you couldn't exactly apply the "absence makes the heart grow fonder" thing. We were like two friends who had a fling and were trying to forget about it, only without the latter, I guess.

I tried staring out the window again. This time, the lights were completely out of sight, and the plane was among the clouds, blocking any possible view of anything, except more clouds. I considered reading a book, but I didn't want to possibly disturb the woman sleeping beside me. So I inclined my seat, and closed my eyes, hoping that would be enough to will myself to sleep.

But that didn't happen. That didn't happen at all.

"Max?"

I knew the voice well enough to not turn my head. But I wanted to find out if it was real, so I did. And it was. There he was, standing at the aisle directly at my row, silhouetted by the dimmed lights.

Yes I was expecting to see Fang soon. But not this soon. Suddenly, my words long ago came flooding back into my head.

What if in those three months, something happened- not just to him, but to me, too- that would change everything?

But when I looked at him, it seemed like nothing happened to him, too. His face was a picture of surprise and delight, like a kid opening presents on his birthday or Christmas.

"Max? Max, is that you?" He asked again.

"What are you doing here?" I whispered softly, the same kind of emotion flowing through my veins.

"Wait, you're coming home?" This time he smiled, a little hope radiating through him.

Yep, things probably didn't change between us.

"I'll be spending my vacation there. What are you doing here? I mean, were you in Paris? What were you doing there?"

His eyes met mine, and I knew he wasn't kidding when he said, "I was looking for you."

After ten minutes of attempting to wake up the woman beside me, and another fifteen getting her to switch seats with Fang (he used the long lost lover excuse. Actually, it does sort of have a huge ring of truth to it), I got to sit beside the one person I had been thinking of, for the rest of the flight. And it was a really long one.

What are the chances?

The way Fang had looked at me, well, he looked really happy, but at the same time he also looked like he'd seen a ghost. He may have hunted me down in Paris, but it was obvious that he least expected to see me on the same plane. In fact, I'm pretty sure he wasn't thinking of seeing me on any plane. After all, did I not go back the previous summer?

"So, we meet on a plane." I started.

"I never did think of that as a possibility." He said.

"You we're really looking for me?"

"School ended early, and I thought about going to Paris, since we haven't talked to each other in a long time. And by talk, I meant having a conversation on the phone, too."

"You could've just called me."

"But we never call each other. And it's summer."

I sensed the conversation was quickly steering towards those twenty days I had and after, when I kept dialing his number. "So, catching up?"

He nodded. "How's school for you, anyway?"

"Well, I never told you about why I didn't come home last summer. That was because there was this program for photography and one of my professors recommended it. Both my parents insisted that I attend. How about you?"

"Well, you're I switched my major from Math to English."

Him writing words. Me taking pictures. It was a definite match. "Minor in Music?"

He nodded again. "What're your plans this summer?"

"Catching up with the rest. Not everyone can give me a slot in their busy schedule, like you would."

"Even a call? That would've taken minutes."

"That's what I told them."

"You, know, you never called me."

Well, he finally opened up. "And you never answered my calls, either."

"You didn't call me, so I couldn't answer them in the first place."

"No. What I'm talking about is before I left. And several days after that. You do know that I called you a lot but you never answered them."

He was silent, but he looked at me with a face that said there would be an explanation.

"Give me a good reason." I said.

He took a deep breath. "It was because I didn't want to make things more awkward."

"How?"

"Because we were a thousand miles from each other. If it was the beginning of a good thing, then I was too afraid to lose it over a long distance relationship. I didn't want our conversations to get more awkward with each passing day." His voice wasn't loud, and he didn't sound mad. Maybe 'scared' was the right word. Like he didn't want to get dumped by me again. And I didn't.

"But I wouldn't want it to end up like that. I don't care if a lot of these long distance relationships don't work. I mean, didn't I tell you I was in love with you even if I knew I was going to leave? And I don't care whether our conversation would be awkward or not." I replied. And in a quieter voice, I added, "I wouldn't want to forget your voice, even if I have the CDs."

"I'm really, really sorry if I never answered your calls or tried calling you. I swear I am."

"I missed you."

He looked at me like he was about to kiss me. "I missed you, too."

But he didn't.

And then we spent the rest of the flight in silence.

Nudge, Ella, and Angel weren't that hard to spot. And I say that because they were the only ones in the terminal who couldn't contain their excitement and had resorted to jumping up and down. Not to mention, the huge sign with "Maximum Ride" written in hot pink marker was very hard to ignore. As soon as we had three feet left between us, Nudge ran and hugged me, possibly lifting me an inch or two off the ground.

"Max, Max, Max, Max!" Nudge squealed, once we traded hugs and hi's and I missed you's.

"Well, you guys changed a lot." I said, eyeing them up and down. Nudge was tanner, but not the type that would be classified under the color orange. It was more of a healthy bronze glow. Plus, her hair was straighter. Angel was taller and her skin glowed, too. Ella's hair was now straight, decorated with streaks of assorted colors.

"Where's mom, by the way?" I asked.

"Oh, we let her rest." Angel said. I quickly did the math. Since my flight had left close to midnight Paris time, and took at least seven hours, then it was still too early to be actually bustling with activity when I arrived. "By the way, she told us to tell you there's going to be a sort of dinner party tonight."

"Really?" I asked as we made our way out to the parking lot. "Who's invited?"

"The 'gang', of course." Ella said. 'Gang' usually referred to the four of us plus Iggy, Fang, and Tess. "And the parents."

"Anyone serving?"

"If I'm not mistaken, Dr. M asked Iggy to help her a bit."

"Hey, I heard Fang just got back from Tennessee about the same time as your plane landed." Nudge said, giving me a knowing look. Little did she know, Fang did not get back from Tennessee, nor did he arrive about the same time my plane landed.

"Yeah, sure." I said, trying to act nonchalant.

I was still wide awake when we got to my house, but I tried my best to fall asleep and get along with the time zone. Fortunately, I did, and I woke up late, which was my usual schedule. I helped my mom set up the arrangements and go through ingredients.

There was neither call nor a text from Fang.

"Would you get that Max?" My mom asked when someone knocked. Seeing that she was busy measuring ingredients, I opened the door and was face to face (face to chest? Face to neck? Face to chin?) with Iggy.

"Hey!" He exclaimed, and pulled me into a friendly, platonic hug. "We missed you."

If only I knew that it actually meant "We missed putting you and Fang together."

"Well, I couldn't survive without your cooking, either." I said, and let him in. I was on table setting duty while they cooked in the kitchen. After finishing, we all got ready and mom welcomed our guests. Fang's family was the last to arrive.

"Hello, Fang." My mother greeted. "It was a long drive back, huh?" She asked, noticing his eye bags. He nodded. I glanced at Iggy and Tess to see if they gave Fang knowing looks, but they didn't.

Was it possible that he went to Paris without anyone knowing, and it was just to look for me?

Polite conversation took over the dinner, with the parents asking us all about our college life. The seven of us didn't get much time to talk on our own, even after the meal when we all sat down at the living room to rest for a bit.

At one point, Fang stood up. "Um, is it okay if I leave early? I think I should catch up on my sleep." He said. Her mom said something related to approval, and he glanced briefly at me before leaving. Was he trying to send me a message?

My phone vibrated, signaling a text. It was from Fang:

I think you know where I'll be later.

Midnight

In contrast with my assumption, Fang was not at the big tree in the middle of the clearing when I arrived.

I remembered the last time I had been here. I was listening to a CD from Fang, who I had hoped was still there, waiting for me. But he wasn't. All he left was a post- it with a tiny heart.

So I'm pretty much hoping that he'd give a bit more than that this time.

I carefully scaled the tree and sat down on a branch, the same one where we first kissed and the same one where I found out that he felt the same way as I did. What was going to happen tonight?

"What are you doing there?" I heard someone ask from below. Of course, it was Fang.

"I couldn't sleep, what are you doing here?" I asked, and by the look on his face, I knew that he remembered how we both ended up in this tree the first time.

"I couldn't sleep, either. Care for some company?"

Like he did three years ago, I shrugged, smiled, and said, "Why not?" Pretty soon, he was right beside me, staring at the night sky.

"You know, I listened to your CDs on this very branch." I started.

He looked at me with a small smile. "You liked them, didn't you?"

"Well, give me a reason not to."

His smile slightly grew, and I went on.

"You know, I've been thinking about what you said. You were sort of right. I wouldn't want something this good to end just because we're a thousand miles apart."

"But if we tried this time?" He asked.

I shrugged. "Maybe."

I looked at Fang, and thought of everything we had done and everything he had done for me in those four years. How he offered me guitar lessons because he was in love with me. How he performed with me in front of the class because he was in love with me. How he taught me how to dance better because he was in love with me. How he beat up Dylan, who was harassing me, because he was in love with me. How he was willing to play Christian for a bit, because he was in love with me. How he kissed me in the tree, and in the park bench, and in the water, and in the hospital, and in the diner because he was in love with me. How he made CDs and left me a note because he was in love with me.

But was he still in love with me? I never got to ask that. Was that question out of curiosity, or was it because he still loved me?

"Are you still in love with me?" I suddenly asked. I swear I did not intend to say that out loud.

He looked at me, his expression serious.

"Are you still in love with me? Because I'm still in love with you."

He grinned. "I am. Very much."

And then we kissed.

This was different. Unlike the ones we had during high school, Fang wasn't leaning towards me just standing there, nor was I leaning toward him while he just stood there. We both moved forward, meeting each other. And when we broke apart, we weren't embarrassed or shocked. We just stood there, gasping for breath, grinning at each other.

"I have something to give to you." He said, and dug around in his pockets before handing me a worn piece of paper folded so many times you that it was easier to rip apart.

"It's the actual list." He said when I looked at it quizzically.

I remembered one of the last things Fang told me in his letter: Maybe then I can show you the actual list.

And there it was. Fang's list of reason's why he loved me.

I smiled. "Maybe I'll make one for you, too."

#

WHO WANTS TO SEE THE LIST?

(Can this get to 600?)

To be honest, I had a though time writing this. Because it was so fun doing this that I didn't want it to end.

(That's what she said. Or not.)

(And you know, I can still change some parts if you're not happy with it.)

Thank you to everyone. Thank you to Xx-Twitch-xX, who helped me get through several parts of this story. To TheCatWithBrownEyes for helping me with Part 2. To MPHknows for being more than glad to allow me to use one of her OCs. To the people like . and desperatelyobvious and Sierra156 who helped me swim through the sea that is writer's block. To everyone who answered my questions. TO EVERYONE WHO READ AND REVIEWED AND PUT THIS STORY ON THEIR FAVORITES AND STORY ALERTS AND TO EVERYONE WHO PUT ME IN THEIR FAVORITE AUTHORS AND AUTHOR ALERTS.

(Cut me some slack on the dramatic acknowledgements. It's my first story, and I always sort of wanted to do something like this.)

*Bows*

*Curtain Closes*