MAX'S POINT OF VIEW

I shut my eyes tight, willing myself to keep going. My feet smacked the tarmac as I ran, even though I couldn't hear it. Two breaths in, two breaths out. Almost there, almost there, I told myself, my destination coming into view. There was a small park three miles away from house, the perfect place to run to. I came every morning I got the chance.

I slowed as I reached the park, plopping into the nearest bench. I leaned back, trying to catch my breath. The bun I put my hair was drooping and I was overheating. After catching my breath, I stood up and walked around while simultaneously redoing my bun. I decided to take a break on the wide hill near the park's field. When I got there, I noticed someone in the field. They were waving their arms every which way and I thought I could hear music.

After studying them for a minute did I realize who it was.

"Ella!" I called, hoping not to startle her. the girl froze, slowly lowering her hands. She smiled warmly to me and motioned me over. Only when I got within a few feet did I notice what she doing. She had an easel propped up in front of her and she was painting the park landscape. She had changed all the colors to make it look like a sunset, the trees around that were currently green were just black contours on her easel.

"Wow, Ella that's amazing," I said, my voice hushed. It truly was. Ella smiled a bit wider, turning to her painting and back at me again. She patted the grass next to her, inviting me to sit.

"Thank you Max! I am quite fond it of myself. I have been working on it for some time. Fang tells me at this rate I will be an old woman before I finish," she laughed, a certain gleam in her eyes.

"He said that? All at one time? Are you sure?" I asked, teasing. Ella laughed again, her shouldrs shaking lightly.

"I'll let you in on a little secret," she said mischievously. I nodded eagerly.

"Fang is actually quite talkative. I know he may seem a bit shy, but he is more than meets the eye. Once, he even used to sing."

"Sing?! Are you serious?"

"Very. He would not be happy I told you, but I assure you its the truth. He would sing to himself, sometimes with me even."

"You're kidding! Why did it change?" I asked, completely in rapture. Ella's face got darker, and I felt I already knew the answer to the question, making me regret asking in the first place.

"I suppose he changed," she said. She gave me a half smile, "or he was afraid it wasn't cool. You know how boys are." I thought about that for a moment. I didn't want to alarm Ella, but I thought she should know.

"Speaking of boys... Your friend Iggy was involved in a bit of a skirmish yesterday," I confided. Ella looked at me, searching my face.

"Did he now? I wonder why. He is such a kind person," she thought aloud.

"It was about a girl. He was defending her."

"Who?"

"They didn't say...but I thought it was about you, actually. Iggy was really upset with them." Ella smiled fondly, staring into the distance.

"Ah, yes. He has a certain protectiveness of me-he's always been that way. I would not like to get him in trouble on my behalf, though."

"Ella, he looked more than happy to do it, trust me."

We sat in silence for a few minutes, Ella tentatively adding a few more strokes onto her easel. She chewed her bottom lip, thinking. It was obvious something was bothering her, but what, I had no idea.

"Ella are you-"

"How much do you know?" She interrupted, looking at me earnestly.

"Know about what?"

"Fang." I swallowed, not knowing what to say. But I figured Ella deserved to know what I knew, especially if it was about her family.

"Fang...he fights. I didn't know it was him, honestly. He fought me," I admitted, hating the way Ella's eyebrows went up. "So we fought, and he started to bleed. A lot. I called it off and helped him. He was cut up, his stomach was. He told me he was hit...with a vase, by your father. I uh, y'know, glued him back up and took him to Iggy's house. He told me I couldn't tell anyone. I haven't seen him since."

Ella was good enough to keep her face careful blank while I spilled. She waited what felt like forever before responding.

"Well. I didn't know you were aware. I...I'm sorry you have to burdened with such knowledge. But Max, I must agree with my brother. You cannot tell anyone what you've seen and heard. It would be best that way."

"I don't feel the need to tell anyone, I swear...I just wish I could help in some way." I said, mostly to myself. What could I do? I knew for a face Fang was not willing to 'talk about his feelings' and that crap. Wait. Who was I kidding? I didn't want to talk about anyone's feelings! Ever!

Okay, that's not true. I've matured a bit, people. I did take care of my siblings, and trust me, Nudge has enough emotion for about 8.3 people. It was enough to make me spit. Granted, even through that I didn't talk about my feelings very often. I didn't need to. Who would want to hear them? Ella seemed oblivious to my thoughts and took my offer very seriously.

"Max, I do not mean to obligate you, but there is actually something you could do." Intruiged, I caved.

"Oh yeah? Like what?"

"Well, through the course of our...trials, Fang as you have no doubt come to understand, is very reserved. He is doesn't want to get anyone hurt, of course. But he is lonely. I can tell. He has Iggy and I, and we do what we can, but I do think he needs more than that. I am confident you could help fill the gaps in his heart."

"Gee, Ella. You sure do have a lot of faith in little ol' me." Ella smiled proudly.

"I consider myself an excellent judge of character."

"Well then. I dunno Ella, he seems pretty wound tight."

"Indeed. He is hiding behind a wall. I myself have experienced what it's like, as we are very close. I am sorry for bringing it up. I shouldn't try to make friendships like that. My apologies."

"No, Ella... I get it. I'm just afraid it won't work. But I'll try, okay?"

"Really?"

"Really."

What am I getting myself into?