okay...sorry for not updating. this will be a slightly boring chapter, I think, unless you're really into girly stuff. It's a filler, for sure, but read please!

Disclaimer: I'm totally not James Patterson. If I was, I would've made the Maximum Ride series longer! :(

Lissa doesn't text me. For the first time in, like, ten million years. She doesn't reply to my texts immediately. It hurts me, and I don't want her to hate me. She's my best friend, and we've been through so much together.

So I decide to focus on Fang. I know the point of dating him was to break his heart, but how can I when he wrote something so sweet? The popular girls may find entertainment out of breaking the heart of a guy who was this sweet, but I don't. These are real people, damn it. And I just couldn't bring myself to break up with him...because there is a tiny piece of me that just might like him as more than a friend.

I try writing a reply on Fang's blog, but everything is so stupid and sappy. I sigh, settling for nothing. I would just have to talk to him later.

My phone rings. Lissa. I start to end the call, but I hesitate. It wouldn't hurt to talk to her. I answer. "Hey, Lissa."

I hear her take a deep breath on the other line. "Look, I'm sorry for freaking out on you. You're my best friend, okay? If you don't want to be my friend, then don't. It will hurt me a lot, but it's fine if you decide to stop being my best friend."

I sit down on my bed, shocked. "Seriously? Gosh, I thought I was the only one! I missed you, Lis." I reply. I can practically hear Lissa grinning on the other end. "So...friends? BFF's?" She asks. I grin. "Do you have to ask?"

"Let's watch a scary movie today. Just us two. And then go to the mall and then our favorite cafe. Oh, yeah, we still didn't get dresses for Brigid's big party." I roll my eyes. "Brigid has a party, like, every month. It really isn't a big deal anymore."

"Uh, duh! This is her New Year's party. You know how crazy her and her brother go during New Year's. It is theparty of the year. Their parties are freaking famous! Everyone goes even if they're not invited just because it's so big," Lissa says. "Dude, I already know this. I'm not an idiot," I tell Lissa, organizing my desk.

"It also means Maya will probably crash the party," Lissa continues. I freeze, eyes narrowed. Something inside of me boils and rises to the surface. Once I pinpoint it, I'm stunned.

It's jealousy.

Maya likes Fang.

But why would I be jealous?

"Wait, Lis, do you still want me to play the Game?"

"Oh...it's okay, Max...but it would make me feel so much better. He broke me heart. He played a trick on me. He was the one I loved so much, Max. You must know how I feel." Her voice brings on a soft and honey sweet tone that coaxes me to obey her.

"Oh my gosh, Lissa. I will, but if it becomes too much, it's not happening."

She's silent for a moment. "All right," she relents, sighing. I smile to myself. I'm sort of glad we had that argument. Now, I know that she really does want to be my friend, and this time, I won't let her push me past my limits.

"So...I'm basically done with my homework. When should we meet up?" I ask. "I'll pick you up from your house to go to the mall at around two thirty. Wear something cute, okay?"

"Yeah, yeah...see you later, bitch."

"Back at you, total bitch."

"Mega bitch."

"Bitchy slut."

"Bitchy opium addict."

"What the hell, Max? Ha, see you later."

"Bye, bitch."

Lissa snorts on the other end.

The call ends, and I look at the clock. It's one thirty. I eat some salad in the fridge before checking on Nudge. I like salad as long as it has ranch, and it is the only thing edible. She's on video chat with one of her friends. They are debating what to wear to Brigid's New Year party. "Hey, Nudge, Lissa and I are going shopping today, so I'll be leaving in an hour," I say, poking my head into her bedroom. Nudge turns. "Oh, yeah. Okay, have fun!"

She turns back to her computer, talking.

I call Mom who is at her office. She sells really expensive, multimillionaire houses, so my family is actually pretty rich. "Hey, Mom, I'm going to the movies with Lissa in a bit. Is that okay?"

"It's all right. When are you coming home? Are you eating outside with her?"

"I'm getting home...at five? Six? Not sure, I'll call you, though. And, yeah, I'm eating at the cafe. I already told Nudge that I'll be leaving," I say.

"Good. Enjoy your shopping spree, Max," Mom says, a smile in her voice. I laugh. "Thanks. Bye, Mom."

"Bye. Love you."

"Ugh...love you, too," I say rather reluctantly. She laughs and hangs up. I go upstairs and change quickly.

I grab dark blue skinny jeans, a simple white t-shirt, and a trendy green army jacket that Nudge bought for me a week ago. I place a pair of designer sunglasses on my face. My hair has been twisted into a bun the whole day, courtesy to Nudge, so now it comes down in curly, brownish-blond waves. There's some chunky silver bracelets on my wrists, too.

It's girly enough for me, and that's as close as I get to girly and cute.

"Hey, bitch! I'm here!"

I take a messenger bag and head downstairs, seeing Lissa lounging on a sofa from pottery barn. "Okay, let's go! Ooh...love the jacket. And the hair. Casual, and it flows. You can totally work that look with your hair color. The best thing is how tall you are. Nice outfit, Maxie. You're learning."

"Thanks." I put on silver and black laced-up high-heeled boots.

Of course, Lissa's outfit is a lot more fashion-forwarded. Her fiery red hair was up in an elaborate hair-do with dark brown streaks in it. She wore green skinny jeans, a light turquoise blazer, nude pumps, and a beige-colored scarf. And a whole lotta bracelets.

"You look nice, Lissa."

She wasn't dressed in shorts and tank tops today!

"I know. Now let's go!"

I followed my best friend into her pink monster.

that was it! hOW WAS IT? I actually like Lissa and Max as friends. I'm sorry if you don't but I'm keeping them friends, and FAX will live! It is possible, even if Lissa sucks so much in the books...

Hate on Lissa and Brigid! Dylan may be okay, but he just sucks with Max. Blond puppy that follows her wherever she goes. Not even funny!

okay, sorry about the rant.

bye guys! I hoped you liked the chapter.

REVIEW AND/OR PM ME!

-flyingconverselol