Hey everyone, remember how I was sick a while ago? Yeah, well that was stomach-ache/sore throat sick. Now, I'm full-blown cold sick. My nose is so stuffed up I can barely talk. -_-

Ch. 9:

Max POV

With Ari's convertible, Iggy's reckless driving, and my helpful directions, I was able to get home with time to spare.

I raced into the bathroom, changing quickly into my work clothes. I threw my dress into Iggy's arms as I exited, putting our plan into motion. Iggy winked at me before racing outside to his car and driving off, leaving no trace of me ever being at the dance.

I turned to Ari with a grin. He had left the house spotless- a job well done.

"So, what happened, Maxie?" Ari asked me playfully.

"Nothing." I said immediately, trying to push Cla- Fang from my mind. He was everything I expected him to be, but not at the same time.

Ari stepped toward me, wrapping an arm around me and rubbing his fist into my head in a noogie.

"You do know that unlike Nudge, I am not afraid of messing up my hair?" I asked dryly as I crossed my arms.

"Well, damn." Ari said, shaking his head in amusement and letting me go.

I giggled a bit, the way I only could when I was around Ari. "So, what really happened, Maxie?"

"I met the guy." I stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world, effectively avoiding the real meaning to his question. Ari quirked an eyebrow, his blue eyes twinkling in anticipation for my answer. "It was Fang." I muttered under my breath, only hoping Ari couldn't hear me.

"Head football jock? In most of your classes? Dating Ella Martinez, that Fang?"

"Yes, that Fang." I snapped. "But he isn't dating Ella anymore. He was different than normal tonight, Ari. He was sweeter and… different. He was exactly how I had expected Clad to be except in Fang's body."

"Is that a bad thing?" Ari raised an eyebrow questioningly and I smacked him on the arm. He rubbed it, as if it had actually hurt him. "Ow. Anyway, Maxie, what did he say when he found out it was you?"

"He didn't." I bit my lip, preparing myself to say what I had been thinking all night. "And I'm not sure if he should."

"Oh come on, Max. I'd never be with Chelsea if I hadn't taken a few risks." He said nonchalantly, referring to his girlfriend of at least a year.

"Ari." I rolled my eyes. "It's not that simple. He's expecting exactly who he saw, the beautiful girl in that dress. I'm not her and you know it."

"But Max, you have to-" I cut him off with a raised hand.

"Just give me the list and go." I said quickly.

Ari frowned, a look of confusion sweeping over his features. "What list?"

"The list of chores…" I said, referring to the list Anne had given me before the dance.

"You never gave me a list. You only told me what to do."

I stared at him, gauging whether or not he was telling the truth. What-the-heck was written all over his features, so I figured he was telling the truth.

We said our goodbyes before Ari sped off in his convertible. I frowned a bit before re-entering the house.

I wonder what happened to that list.

Fang POV

"She just… left?" Dylan questioned after I recounted the tale. "That sucks, dude."

I nodded in agreement, not having the strength to contradict Dylan's statement.

"Did you see them when they left?" I asked hopefully.

Dylan and Sam both nodded. "They ran through here together- Cinderella and Pirate-Boy, that is." Dylan began recounting his tale of Pirate-Boy and Ella, and Sam helpfully added the part where Dylan had tripped and face-planted, but even that only slightly brightened my mood.

"You okay, dude?" Dylan asked, causing me to shoot him a glare. No, I was not okay. Lost had just left me alone, never even telling me her name.

"Well, maybe this'll cheer you up." Sam said, digging through his back pocket. "Cinderella dropped it." He pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to me.

"And you didn't tell me earlier?" I exclaimed while snatching the paper from Sam.

Clean out the fridge

Check expiration dates on all food in pantry and write them down. Throw away expired food.

Take out all the trash.

Scrub the floors of every room.

I stared down at the supposed to-do list in my hand. This was what I had to go on? No, I couldn't have gotten a shoe or a cellphone or an iPod or something that would actually lead me to Lost, but a to-do list.

"You okay, dude?" Dylan repeated his earlier statement. I nodded this time, though. At least I had something to go on, right? I could be left absolutely clueless, not even a single lead to go on.

"Fang." A voice snapped behind me. I turned around to see Ella standing there, surrounded by her wannabes.

"Um… yeah?"

"Well, I just have to say that I'm glad you broke up with me. I found the perfect guy tonight. I'm sure he's ten times better than you'll ever be. He's so mysterious and dreamy." Ella sighed.

"Good?" I asked, not sure how to answer.

"Yes, good. For me, not you. Let me guess – you're miserable without me?" Ella smirked. Conceited, much?

"No. I'm good." I let a small smile escape my lips. "I just have to find my girl now. She's a bit… Lost."

Sorry for the shortness, but I'm off to sulk in bed now.

~Cake.