Chapter 41

Ok so in the previous chapter Fang told Max how he feels yay!

I sat up in my bed in shock. Did I just hear that right? Did Fang just say that he had a crush on me? Did I believe it? Why wasn't I freaking out? Why wasn't I saying anything? What was I supposed to say?

"I… don't know what to say," I finally managed to get out.

"I've had it for a while. I just didn't know how to say it. I didn't want to screw up my friendship with you." Fang spoke slowly.

"It won't screw it up, that's a promise. What made you tell me?" I asked him.

"I felt guilty when you said that you knew I was hiding something and I kept lying to you. I just couldn't go any longer with you not knowing," Fang sighed.

"It's ok," I told him honestly.

"Phew," I so badly wanted to tell him how I used to feel about him but I didn't want to give him false hope or hurt him. "I'm not expecting anything to come of this. I just wanted you to know. I've liked you since year six but if people at school found out they would never let it go," It seemed like everything was jut pouring out of him.

"There's something I want you to know," I told him.

"What?" He asked me.

"I should've told you sooner and I don't know why I'm so desperate to tell you know but you're my best friend. You're the best friend I've ever had," I admitted.

"You're my best friend too," Fang told me and I felt like I was glowing with warmth.

"Wait, is this why you were acting so weird with Sam?" I asked him suddenly.

"Yeah, I was a little jealous that he asked and that you said yes," Fang admitted.

"Oh my god, I just realised all of the awkward positions I must have put you in last year and this year," I gasped.

"It's alright, you didn't know. Look I know you don't date and all that I just thought you deserved to know," Fang continued.

"Thanks it means a lot to me," I smiled even though he couldn't see it I was pretty sure he could hear the smile in my voice.

I couldn't explain the fluttery feeling in my stomach, shouldn't I be freaking out and why did I want this conversation to continue forever? I had heard him loud and clear, I was just having trouble believing it. Fang liked me, not Lissa, me. My head just kept spinning over those words 'I have a crush on you.' I felt like I was floating on a cloud and just put it down to flattery.

As I spoke to Fang I remembered that I would have to guard this secret with my life, I had promised him and while Mum would kill me if she ever found out I'd hid it from her I owed him. Talking about his feelings isn't easy for Fang and yet he had managed to summon up the courage to tell me how he really felt about me.

Much to my disappointment after talking to me for an hour Fang had to go. I reluctantly hung up and put my phone down with a sigh. I felt closer to Fang for some reason. I ended up putting down my weird feelings to flattery. I so badly wanted to tell him how I used to feel but that would just confuse everything. Whenever I thought about Fang a huge grin formed from my lips. I don't know why I was so happy to have him feel that way since I didn't like him like that anymore and even if I did we could never be together.

It was my weekend with Dad and this time Ella was coming with me. Dad called me almost right after Fang did to ask if Ella and I wanted to have Nudge over for Saturday which Nudge accepted enthusiastically. I loved my Dad and I loved how he made an effort to get to know my friends and to make them feel welcome.

Ella and I spent a lot of time with Nancy and Dad on Friday night and I began to wonder if there was anything going on between the two of them. I love Nancy and I love my Dad but the thought of them together made me ache. I decided to try and leave subtly with Nancy to give Ella and Dad some time alone.

"Nancy, can you quickly help me with my posture in a canter on Midnight, I'm having trouble with it?" I asked her.

"Sure, Max," Nancy agreed.

We left the room and Nancy stopped me.

"What's going on, Max?"

"Huh?" I asked her.

"I know that you don't need help on your canter," Nancy said to me.

"Fine, I just wanted to give Ella and Dad some space, I know he's been trying to get to know her better," I admitted.

"You wanna go for a ride?" Nancy asked me.

"Yeah sure," I agreed and we headed out to the stables.

"So hows the riding school coming along?" I asked her.

"It's coming along well, I just need to find the staff and I'll be all set to open in the spring," Nancy told me.

"What about the horses?" I asked her.

"I all had that planned I just needed to figure out the barn before I got them in," Nancy explained.

"So how's the staff thing going?" I asked her.

"Fine, I suppose," Nancy shrugged and she placed the saddle on Dad's horse.

"Hired anyone yet?" I asked eagerly.

"Why all the questions?" Nancy laughed.

"Just curious, I'm in a talkative mood," I smiled as I mounted onto Midnight.

"Well I've seen a few people that look good but the problem is I don't know how many people I'll need. I'm only starting off small," Nancy sighed. "I know I'll definitely need one extra person but I'm really specific on who I want to hire. I want to be really close to the person that I choose," Nancy explained.

We reached the gate that blocked off the main back yard and the more forest like trail type thingy. I had travelled on the trail on the left with Fang. That trail was the open one that led to the lake next door. Nancy decided she wanted to take left trail since she didn't want to risk it getting dark whilst we were out.

"So how's Fang? She asked me after a while. I had to use all my strength into not blushing.

"He's good," I nodded.

"Ella said something about you being mad at him," Nancy told me.

"Oh that, just a little disagreement, it's all sorted now," I explained.

"Good, because I like that kid," Nancy smiled. I could really connect to Nancy and I desperately wanted to tell her all about how Fang really felt about me.

"Nancy, is there room for volunteers at you're school?" I asked her hopefully.

"I suppose I could make room for you if you want to help take care of the horses," Nancy smiled at me.

When Nancy and I got back Ella and Dad were playing a game of Scrabble so we grabbed something to drink.

"This is really good of your Dad," Nancy whispered to me.

"I know," I agreed.

"I suppose Ella's never had a fatherly figure before," Nancy realised.

"No, I don't think she has, Mum never got into a serious relationship after Dad." I realised. Before Nancy could say anything more Ari came running down the hall and almost tripped me up.

"Oh, look who's up from their nap," I said to him.

"Maxie, I rode Midnight yesterday," He told me. I looked up at Nancy automatically assuming that she would know.

"Your Dad took him in a circle," Nancy laughed.

"I was still on the horse!" Ari insisted with a scowl.

The five of us sat down together and watched a movie… well they watched a movie, my mind was on Fang and those six words that he had said to me only a few hours ago. I started freaking out, I had no idea how I was going to act with him at school on Monday and I couldn't even ask for advice.