Chapter 28 - Expect the Unexpected

They sauntered forward with a dark gleam in their eyes. Okaaaaay, that wasn't eerie at all. Who knew the jocks here were such creepers. Now even closer, I could feel their body heat radiating in the small space between us. They were about to turn me into a Max sandwich.

So this is the game they wanted to play? I thought to myself, raising an eyebrow. Fine. They had no idea who they were messing with. I was Max Ride, and no guy ever uses me.

"You asked for it," I muttered under my breath, and I was about to snap my hand out to pop the closest jock in the nose when—

"Yo, Max." I paused with my hand halfway extended, the three of us turning toward the sound of the voice with dumbfounded expressions. I had to admit I was shocked but a little peeved at him for getting involved.

Fang strode silently toward us, appearing literally out of nowhere. The jocks jumped a bit at the sound of his voice, which had a sinister edge to it, and seeing him now made them tense up even more. His face was expressionless, but I noted he had the same tight lines around his eyes as he had earlier today, the slight twitch to his jaw when he was angry. He appeared like a dark ghost come to life, and I had to admit it was pretty hilarious at first to see the idiots freaking out at the sight of a skinny kid like Fang. Then again, if I didn't know Fang, I would have been terrified, too.

"Dude, what's a Goth doing here?" one jock wondered, causing both Fang and me to roll our eyes.

Fang was next to us now. He slipped in between the older guys, shouldering them out of the way so he could get close to me. It was a little too close for my immediate comfort since I was reared up. His left side brushed up against me as he wrapped an arm around my waist. I let out a little gasp, wondering what the hell he was doing, when he murmured in my ear, "Play along." I squelched my immediate desire to throw Fang off of me, punch the jocks, and run away, deciding I was going to let this little display slide for now. He would pay for this when we got home. I plastered a fake smile on my face as Fang announced, "What? Can't I see my girlfriend?"

The jocks raised their eyebrows in disbelief. "Isn't that sweet?" one of them scoffed with feigned affection.

"Yeah, the hot girl goes for an Emo, probably trying to keep him from cutting himself again," they laughed as they noticed the cuts on Fang's arm, which were now thin pink scars. To those who didn't know, which was everyone except me, they would have assumed them to be knife marks, too. I still wasn't entirely convinced about the wolf-hybrid story, but then again he believed me when I told him I had a voice in my head. That's about as crazy as a person can get.

Fang tensed up, his arm clutching my side in an uncomfortable way — as in, his grasp was getting tighter. I knew it took a lot of effort from him to stay calm. "We need to catch our bus," he said in a carefully composed tone, one that sent a shiver through my back. He nodded toward the street where, lo and behold, a yellow bus rumbled unsteadily to a stop.

"Yeah, boys," I added in an obnoxiously sweet, sarcastic voice. "Gee, it's been real fun."

Fang and I were going to make our escape when two bulky arms blocked us. I stifled a groan. These guys could not take a hint that we were saving their sorry asses from a beating. But of course, I was still twitchy from not releasing my frustration earlier. Maybe I'll get a few punches in before we leave after all.

"You don't really think we'd fall for that, did you?" the one closest to me asked. I glared at him but kept a level expression.

"What are you talking about?" I challenged. "Did you think he was lying? Fa— Marco's my boyfriend." I couldn't believe I almost slipped! The only people who knew Fang's nickname were me, my family, and James. It was unnatural calling him by his real name.

Fang shot me a terse look which I interpreted saying, "Way to go, Ace!" Really, you had to read between the lines.

"Fmarco?" The jocks busted out laughing.

I sighed, getting real impatient with them. "C'mon," Fang murmured, releasing my side to grab my hand. I looked out and saw that all the students had boarded the bus. The sliding door was about to close, so we had no time to get over there unless someone had been kind enough to tell the driver to wait. Which of course, probably wasn't the case. He tugged my hand toward the street. We were going for the bus when a hand clutched my jacket and pulled me backwards, breaking my link with Fang.

"I don't think so. Why don't you run along and we'll drive your girlfriend home, show her what a real men are like."I was pulled into the chest of one jock, my back against his abs. My eyes widened as his hands snaked around me.

Okay, I may have a high level of self control, even when Fang touched me in a way that wasn't brotherly, but you see I had a tiny flaw when it was someone who wasn't particularly on my good side that was touching me in that same fashion. It also didn't help that these jerks were restraining me.

So you figured that I snapped.

So fast, that no one saw it coming, I bent my elbow at an angle and rammed it into Jock 1's chest. Pain shot up my elbow, similar to the sensation of hitting your funny bone, but I didn't let it hinder me. He had the wind knocked out of him as he let go, gagging from the impact.

Their last comment also sent rage blazing through Fang, too, but unlike me he was a lot calmer about it. He retreats into this silent, lethal state that would send the smartest person running for their lives. Of course I didn't consider these particular jocks as smart. I didn't feel too bad for them. I mean, they called Fang out for not being a man, when it was obvious they didn't know the first thing about treating girls.

Fang, also moving at blinding speed, decked the other jock with a blow to the face. Jock 2 fell to the floor, clutching his face and writhing around, moaning like an idiot. I hope Fang hadn't broken the kid's jaw; if they tattled we were going to be in tons of trouble.

I was going to join Fang in sprinting for the bus, when his eyes flashed to something behind me. I spun around to see Jock 1 directly over me, about to pounce. I didn't have time to react, or do anything to protect myself. My body involuntarily tensed for impact. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Fang charging toward us.

But of course, since this was my life we were talking about, the unexpected happened.

Jock 1 passed right through me.

Holy. Freaking. God.

My eyes were as wide as Texas, and even Fang nearly tripped over his feet in surprise. I was so stunned I couldn't move; I just stared at my hands in disbelief. How did he go through me? And Jock 1 was as dumbstruck as I felt as as he looked at me with his mouth hitting the floor.

But of course, out of everyone here, Fang was the only one who had recovered enough to react. He bent low and swiped his leg behind Jock 1's knees, causing him to fly backwards in a Japanese-karate-flick fashion. He hit the floor, not looking like he'd get up any time soon. Jeez, I had no idea Fang was that strong. And even myself, for that matter. I worked on a farm my whole life, thrown the occasional punch in Middle School, but I'd never done damage like that before. Was this a new development too?

Fang wrapped his arm around my shoulders and ushered me quickly away from the jocks. "You okay?" he asked in a low, tense voice. His adrenaline was still high, and he scanned the area around us anxiously to make sure no one watched.

It took me a moment to find my voice. "Yeah, I'm good. What the hell happened?"

He shrugged. "New power? I don't know. He went right through you like you were a hologram or something."

That was the only logical answer either of us could think of, and of course the Voice didn't chime in to suggest any other option. "You know you're dead for that scene earlier."

He chuckled and rolled his eyes.

"And Fang?"

"Yeah?"

"Get your hand off my shoulder."

That was the only warning he needed; he knew me by now. His arm dropped immediately.

When we looked up, about to rush to the street, we both groaned in exasperation. Or at least, I did, but I totally imagined Fang groaning just then. It was our mental connection. Either way, we were both bummed, and I bit my lip to keep from yelling. I even wished Fang's arm was still around my shoulder in case I went back to pummel the jocks while they were defenseless and needed to be restrained. It was their fault, anyway.

The bus had left.

Okay, seriously, you guys are the most awesomest (yes, that's a word in my mind) reviewers I've ever had!!! 23 reviews last chapter?!?!? That's breaks previous records by a lot!! I'm sorry I couldn't get this out sooner. I was working on my essay for Defining Twilight, and then I wanted to work on Ghost of me. Again, virtual cookies to everyone!!! :D But, okay, time to get to some reviews.

Madeline Cullen, I appreciate that. I definitely enjoy doing things differently, and I intend keeping it that way throughout the series. Dt, tisk, tisk, get your mind out of the gutter! :D Jacob Black Ooft... Phitt, thanks! I hope I pass it, too. I've had my permit for too long. She wants to move, thanks for the offer. If I ever need to give someone a sneak preview, you'll be the first one I contact. ;) And thanks again everyone for the encouraging comments! And all the support, too. It always seems that you guys are on the same page as me, cause I had this chapter planned before I got all the suggestions, but now of course I have no idea what I want to do for the next chapter. :P

Umm... yeah, I just posted a poetry corner that I'd like everyone to check out. I don't claim to be a poet, but neither did Max and I thought her poem was awesome in The Final Warning. So do that, and a new chappie of Ghost of Me is up for those who haven't already seen. Poll, review, check for updates on my profile, and uh... review!

Review Please!!