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-Wise_yet_harmless

MAX'S POINT OF VIEW

"Well?" I asked, looking at each one of my friends in turn. Iggy looked sheepish and shrugged, his sightless eyes focusing at a point above my head. Ella looked at me with blank eyes, being in the dark just as much as I was. It was Fang, however, who wouldn't meet my gaze.

"Come on, guys. Spill it," I urged. I was desperate to know how we had ended up here. The boys, the smoke, and the anger I saw in Fang's eyes when I was trapped.

"Your little skirmish yesterday got around fast. They wanted revenge. We found out and stopped it," Fang explained calmly, like he was discussing the weather. No big deal.

"How did you find out?"

Iggy raised his hand, shrugging. "That was me," he explained, motioning to his ears. "I've got a very sensitive set of senses, besides my sight, of course. I overheard a couple of girls talking about it. Fang told me we needed to intervene, and what can I say? I've got a knack for things that go boom. I'm a 'pyro-enthusiast' if you will. I was able to set that smoker up pretty quick. Fang here planted it in the cafeteria and viola. Success."

I sat, dumbfounded. Didja hear that, folks? They just overheard about a fight, then set a bomb and then let it go off. In a freaking cafeteria. Could you get any more risky? They could have just told an authority or something! Wait.

"Why didn't you just tell someone?" I asked, totally confused. Ella gave me a sympathetic look. Fang shook his head, looking up at me.

"You think we wouldn't if we could? Those boys are all sons of the district boards. You can get 'em in trouble, but it won't do anything. They'll get a lecture, a slap on the wrist, maybe. People are too afraid about upsetting their parents, so they're almost untouchable." By the way Fang was talking, his voice low and full of contempt and the way he clenched his fists while speaking told me he was enraged by the thugs who tried to attack me. I mean, please. That was probably the most I've ever heard him say.

"Wow. Well…it was pretty out there, with the uh, bomb. But…thanks. Really," I stuttered, not wanting to give away just how grateful I was. I didn't like getting mushy. It just wasn't me, not really.

But I was thankful to them. I would have been much worse off if they hadn't come to rescue. I would have given it my all, sure, but I wasn't used to such a crowd. My record is beating four people at once. It wasn't easy either, they were four furious wanna-be's hanging out in an alleyway. No weapons, just me and them, our fists and a setting sun. I ended up winning, leaving them all unconscious. But I did suffer a broken arm, a black eye and enough bruises to last me a couple months. Ah, but the glory of winning was enough to last me a good while.

That being said, the embarrassment of losing to those punks probably would have lasted me a lifetime. It's not like I had a reputation to keep up here, or anywhere really, but hey. If I had come out on top, I would have a pretty awesome rep. No one would have messed with me or anyone around me.

I sighed. That wasn't how it was going to end. I probably would have been able to fend off most of them, but I could hardly keep up with all the lightning fast offenses. The only thing keeping me focused was the adrenaline coursing through my veins. Especially after Ella got shoved next to me, I was absolutely furious and absolutely terrified. I was ready to take them all apart, one by one.

Yeah. That was more me, somehow. Go figure.

We sat around for a few minutes, Iggy giving the basics of how the smoker worked. I was a little shocked he knew so much about explosives. I hoped Gazzy never met him. I wouldn't want him getting into anything more than the 'homemade fireworks' he had been making. Those were bad enough.

My thoughts were interrupted by the phone ringing. I slid off the couch and walked into the other room to answer it. It was a recording of the school, saying they were planning to shut down the school for the week to investigate the 'setting off of an explosive'. Anyone with information was urged to inform the school for a reward.

"Well," I said, addressing the guys "looks like school's cancelled for the week." Iggy grinned wickedly, getting a reprimanding nudge from Ella, who looked a little amused, laughing softly. Fang, of course, didn't look very concerned. Iggy assured us there was no way they could trace it back to him and slid it off as a triumphant feat, his face showing smug satisfaction.

After they left, I picked up my siblings from school, telling them about the 'mysterious smoke machine' at school. I lied to them because it was best that they not worry about it or accidentally spill the truth to someone. We had a calm evening which included me attempting to make food, homework, Nudge tearing apart her closet for clothes, Gazzy and Angel attempting to go bungee jumping out the second story window (I caught them before they jumped, thank Heavens) and lots of spacing out by yours truly.

I was able to finish dinner, get Nudge to calm down, reprimand the twins, tuck everyone in and do the dishes before Anne got home. She walked in, her hair slightly frazzled. She walked in on me putting some things away and smiled at me casually.

"Hey Max," she said, dumping her things on the kitchen table that I just cleaned.

"Hey Anne. How was work?"

"Fine, I guess. How are the kids?"

"Good," I answered, knowing she probably didn't want to hear about them if they weren't, anyway. Anne nodded, satisfied, and headed upstairs to crash. She would be gone again before the kids were up. I doubted she really worked this long, I think she just didn't want to be in the house. Higher being(s) forbid she have any responsibilities. She just wasn't around much; not for me, not for the younger ones, not for herself. She wasn't a mom. Just a stranger in our house, a paycheck twice a month, if she still had a job.

Speaking of which, I needed a job. I wasn't going back to the arena; last time sorta freaked me out. I needed a real job somewhere, with flexible hours. I'd look into it tomorrow. I needed sleep, and some quiet time to myself. I lumbered to my plain bedroom, flipping onto my bed.

I learned two things today. One, that Iggy was not only scary with his fists, but also his weird interest in freaking pyrotechnics, which, frankly, worried me. Two, Fang cared about me. Well, cared enough to try and stop a gang of overzealous teenage boys from pummeling me and, eventually, his sister. He had everything to lose, frankly, especially when he sets off a 'smoker' in a high school. Not only that, but I had seen his expression when the fight had actually begun. I could see the rage there, though he tried to hide it. But I could also see deep set…fear. He was afraid what would happen to us, what would happen if his device didn't go off right. Then he jumped into the middle of it to find us and help us escape, to pull us to safety.

I felt confused about why he went to such lengths to protect me, embarrassed I had hardly thanked him, but mostly I felt happy. Not many people looked out for me, if anyone. Why would they? I'm the indestructible Max! I should be able to hold my own, right?

Wrong. I hated, hated admitting it, but even I had my weak spots. Being helpless when there was something at stake? That was a big one, definitely. But Fang had pulled me out, even if he knew he'd probably get burned in the process.

I laughed to myself as it dawned on me that we were even now.

FANG'S POINT OF VIEW

My father wasn't home that night, no small miracle. Even still, I stayed in Ella's room for a good hour, talking quietly with my little sister.

"Max is something, isn't she Fang?" she asked, a small smile on her lips. I nodded, agreeing. She was pretty different.

"She is beautiful, isn't she?" Ella asked, smiling. I nodded, lost in my thoughts before catching myself and looking at Ella. She chuckled at me, teasing me. But she was right, not that I would ever admit it. Max didn't try so hard to look good like most of the girls around here. She also didn't have the natural grace and soft features like my sister had. Max was had a raw type of beauty. A confidence found in real accomplishments, not pride. Her bleach streaks came from outdoor labor, I was sure, not from a salon. She was just…Max. I wasn't sure what always sure what to expect from her, but I was never disappointed. She had seen more of me than most, but she didn't resent or pity. She took it in stride, like she was used to seeing the underside of life. I had seen her weakness, her fears come to life as well, I supposed. I had seen her eyes change from hard as stone to open and honest with terror not inches from my own as she discovered how hurt I was. I had seen the fire in her eyes as she faced the thugs, hiding the fact that her fingers were trembling.

After today, perhaps, we were finally even. I didn't owe her anymore, like I did hours ago.

But I didn't want her to go.

"It looks like we are bound to see her a bit more often, doesn't it Fang?" Ella asked, as if she could read my thoughts. She could almost always read my small expressions, which was basically the same thing.

"It does. Does that bother you?"

"Not in the least. We may turn out to be good friends, she and I," Ella explained honestly, her expression wistful. I felt a pang in my chest. Ella didn't have many friends; she was just too proper and reserved. It wasn't a bad thing, but it made her seem distant. She tried to be polite, but people just saw as her indifferent. It killed me to see my little alone so much, though I accompanied her every time I got the chance. Then again, people really didn't like me, so I probably didn't help.

But with Max, and with Iggy, Ella seemed more herself. She laughed more, her smiles reaching her eyes. I almost felt bad I was her family. Well, the only real family she had. I was stoic and a bit dry, not the role model she needed. She needed someone carefree and happy, I guessed. Maybe Max could be that person to her.

"I hope so, El. I do."

I hugged Ella goodnight and went to my bedroom, pulling my obsidian hair into a ponytail and lying down onto my bed, sighing in content. I had a few days off school, my sister and I were safe for now, Ella was happy…heck, so was I. I shook my head, ginning sheepishly.

I was happy. Such an unfamiliar feeling.