I realized it was my birthday half way through my shower. Wow, am I stupid or what? I went down stairs and my mom and Ella had made me pancakes and even gotten a Happy Birthday balloon. I laughed, even though it was pretty cheesy.
"Happy Birthday," Fang, of course, said stepping out of the shadows, as only he could manage to do.
"Thanks," I said grinning. Fang was always here and it was great.
"So, I'm taking you down to the city for your birthday," Fang came over and sat next to me at the table. It'd been about 3 weeks or so, since we'd made it back from Utah. It was probably the best week of my life, and I would love to relive it. But from the sounds of what Fang had just announced, this was gonna be another kickass day too.
"Happy birthday sweetie," my mom said kissing the top of my head. "I'm going to work, and I'm dropping Ella off at Nudge's in a few minutes. Sorry we couldn't be here on your birthday."
"It's fine," I replied, I was gonna be with Fang anyway. I was a little surprised that my mom had to work since it was a Saturday, but with her being a vet and all sometimes hours were a little funky. She usually just worked whenever they needed her, which happened to be most of the time.
Fang and I hopped on the train, since he'd bought tickets in advance. "Anyone else coming?" I asked once the conductor had punched our tickets.
"Nope, thought we could spend the day just the two of us," he replied with his lopsided smile.
I grinned, "Sounds good to me." After about 20 minutes, our train pulled to a screeching halt at the final stop in Chicago. We both got off, and I pulled my North Face a little tighter around me as we exited into the chilly February air.
"Let's go slowpoke," Fang teased, gesturing for me to follow him. I wasn't exactly sure where he was going, but he seemed to know. I hadn't been downtown Chicago in forever, since I was little kid visiting here with Jeb and Ella. That seemed like forever ago, even though it was probably only 2 or 3 years. I never would've guessed I'd be walking around with my best friend since I lived only 20 minutes away. We walked around Millennium Park, and had our picture taken at the Bean. He'd casually thrown his arm over my shoulders, so I put my arm around his back, and had some random person take a few pictures while they were standing near us.
"You guys are a really cute couple," the woman told us, handing our phones back to us. Fang smiled and I couldn't help but smile too. We got that so much, even though we were just friends. I changed my wallpaper on my phone to the picture the lady had just taken. My old picture was Fang, Iggy and I all suited up, skies on at the top of Jupiter Peak. Before that it was Gordon and I at homecoming, but we all know how that ended. I noticed Fang's wallpaper was the one that we'd taken at homecoming of just the two of us. He'd never kept any of the pictures of him and Marian, and they hadn't talked since the dance. He changed his wallpaper to match mine, and we continued on.
We kept walking, and it seemed like we were walking towards North Avenue Beach, but I could be wrong. I was a little confused at why we would go to a beach in February considering the water would be freezing. Well it would be pretty I'm sure, but that's about all I could think of.
After about 15 minutes of walking, we approached the entrance to the beach. I was still confused but followed Fang onto the beach. All of a sudden he stopped walking, and my breath caught in my throat as I looked at the sand.
In the sand, there was a heart drawn with my name written in it. It looked like he'd used a stick to carve it into the wet sand. Underneath the heart, was written in the sand: Happy Birthday! You are the greatest person I know. I hope you will consider someone like me. Go out with me? I looked over at Fang, and he was intensely watching me.
"Go out with me?" he asked me quietly, waiting for my reply. I'd been trying to ignore the growing feelings I'd been having since Gordon and I broke up. I felt that I could at least admit them to myself without feeling guilty now that Gordon and I were over.
I instantly nodded, and Fang's face lit up. His eyes sparkled and he did his real smile. You've heard me describe it before, the one that makes the sun stop in its tracks. I'd never seen him, let alone anyone, look so genuinely happy. Especially at just me nodding my head.
He came over, so we were standing really close, "Really Max?"
I nodded again, "How many times do I need to tell you?" I smiled up at him, and his face was still shining.
"Well, this is probably the best thing that's ever happened to me, so quite a few times would be nice," he said chuckling.
I rolled my eyes, "Come on Fang. You don't have to be all cheesy with me. I'm not just gonna leave you."
He widened his eyes, looking innocent, "I'm not. I'm just stating the truth. But really Max, this is probably the best thing that's ever happened to me."
"Yeah, I'm sure you said that to all your previous girlfriends too, am I right?" I expected him to agree with me, and then say something else cheesy, but he didn't.
"Oh, I haven't had other girlfriends."
"You've got to be kidding me. Have you looked in a mirror?" I asked, and then realized what I said and blushed.
He just grinned, "Nope. You're the first, and hopefully the last for me too. I've never even liked someone like this before, so congrats. You're the first."
I was really surprised. I mean okay let me just throw this out there, Fang was hot. I'd noticed that right away, but it hadn't really registered until now. And he could sing and play guitar. And he was sweet and the best friend anyone could have. I probably didn't even deserve him.
Then he leaned down, and before either of us knew what was happening, his lips were on mine and we were full out kissing. As his lips moved with mine, every synapse in my brain shorted out. By comparison, this kiss was at least 10 times better than I'd ever had with anyone else. Better than Gordon, and better than Dylan. He slid one hand around my waist, holding me close and one hand cupped my cheek as we kissed. After a few seconds, I remembered I could breathe through my nose too, and that helped. My hands were around his neck, and we were, what's the phrase? Stuck to each other like glue. And I loved every second of it.
I'm not sure how long we stood there kissing, probably not as long as I thought, but he finally pulled away. We both looked at each other in basic awe, realizing how much had just changed between us in the past few minutes. I laughed, looking from his eyes, still shining bright (like a diamond for all you Rihanna fans) to the ground, where the heart and note was still engraved in the sand.
"Best birthday ever," I whispered to Fang, as I leaned against his chest.
"It's not even over yet," he whispered back, something sounding mischievous in his voice.
And then I heard, "SURPRISE!" Almost from out of nowhere, everyone came out smiling, laughing and I even heard a few whistles, which were most likely from Iggy. Iggy, Gazzy, Angel, Nudge, Ella, Ben, Alexis, Colin, Lauren, a few of my other friends and my mom all came out onto the beach.
I heard a variety of voices call out "Happy Birthday!" and I grinned.
"Thanks guys," I exclaimed loudly, and then more quietly to Fang, "You set all this up?"
"Yup. Well with Iggy's help. Oh, and he had to draw that note in the sand. I told him what to write and stuff, but it was the only way without giving the whole surprise effect away," he explained. He still looked happier than I'd ever seen him and it made me so happy. Speaking of happy, I was beyond happy that I was finally Fang's girlfriend. And so far, nothing was awkward at all between us. Well yeah, it'd been like 15 minutes, but wouldn't the first 15 minutes be the most awkward ones?
"Get it Max," I heard a familiar voice call, and I turned and Ella was standing next to me with the biggest smile plastered on her face. She was holding Iggy's hand, who mouthed 'Romeo' at Fang who just rolled his eyes. "Finally!" she squealed with delight motioning to Fang.
I blushed and smiled, "Yeah." It was all I could say to not laugh since I was still so happy and excited.
"Told you that you guys were perfect for each other," she said with a laugh.
"Sure, but it's been 15 minutes," I replied laughing too.
"It'll be at least 15 years Max, trust me. You guys are like soul mates."
I grinned, "You really think so?"
"Of course I do. Why else would I say it? Besides, I'm always right about this kinda stuff. You should just listen to me more," she began, her genuine smile still lighting up her face.
Fang and I were talking to Iggy and Ella, when someone brought a huge stereo system out and started blasting music. Nudge grabbed Ella, who was holding Iggy's hand and they ran out to where the music was playing. Ella and Nudge started dancing, and Iggy the naturally good sport, of course joined in.
Fang put his arm around my shoulder, sending warm tingles through my body. "Thanks," I whispered. "For everything."
"I'd do anything for you Max," he replied with such sincerity I couldn't help but smile. I turned around facing him, and this time it was me that leaned in for the kiss. This one was just as breathtaking as the first, and his hands pulled me to him and then rested at my waist. I never wanted it to end, but then a sweet little voice broke us apart.
"Yay! Max and Fang are together! Happy Birthday!" cried little Angel coming up next to us. I bent down, and gave her a huge hug. She was still one of the most adorable little kids I'd ever seen.
"Thanks Ange," I crooned, still at eye level with her. Then the song changed to a slow song, and everybody danced with someone.
Iggy started it but then everyone else soon chimed in, "Max and Fang. Max and Fang. Max and Fang."
I laughed but then Fang and I started dancing along with everyone. I hadn't realized it but everyone here was dating, except for Fang and me, until today. Iggy and Ella. Nudge and this guy named Blake. Ben and Alexis. Colin and this girl Casey had a thing. Lauren and Kevin. Carrie and Bryan had a thing going too. I was friends with Colin, Ben, Alexis, Lauren and Bryan and they had kinda just brought their dates, as per instructions of Iggy.
We danced for a while, and Fang told me that this was our homecoming, since we didn't actually go together. It was around 4, and the sun was starting to set. Just imagine standing on the beach, at sunset, with waves lapping near your feet (well not really but let's not quibble) and the outline of the city against the horizon in the background. You're with all your friends, and your best friend is now your boyfriend, and it's the best thing you could ever ask for. Explain to me how to top that.
As if reading my thoughts, Fang came over and slipped a hand behind my back, and then leaned over me, kissing me deeply. Everyone clapped, but instead of pulling back as I usually would've, I just closed my eyes and kissed Fang with everything I had. Inhaling his scent, my hands were wrapped around his neck and his hands were holding me up by my back. I hoped my mom wasn't gonna freak out and like not let me and Fang spend time together. I mean I know she totally loved Fang like another son, but would we have to spend less time alone together? I ignored the thought, and just focused on kissing Fang now. My life was unbelievably perfect. The three times we'd kissed so far, had felt incredibly, earth-shatteringly right. I don't know how to explain it if you've never had the feeling, so sucks for you and I guess you'll understand someday. Fang's soft lips were pressed against mine still, and the longest pieces of his dark hair rubbed against my forehead.
I could have stayed kissing Fang like that, on that beach, forever, but I knew this had to end eventually. I pulled back and Iggy applauded, but Ella shoved him. He found her hand, and they entwined their fingers. Fang's eyes still had that sparkle and they shone, despite the Sun setting behind us. He looked right in my eyes, and then smiled. You know the one. Not his goofy lopsided smile, or smirk, but his real smile. The one I love. I grinned back up at him, and I swear I heard someone sigh romantically, unless it was just Iggy again. Probably Iggy.
"Happy Birthday," he breathed one last time.
"Thanks. You made it amazing. I loved everything," I looked up at him. He just seemed so much lighter and happier.
"Anything for you Max," he whispered. Just him standing so close to me sent chills down by spine. I didn't say they were bad chills.
"Birthday sex," Iggy sang with his goofy smile, giving Fang a wink.
"Shove off Iggy," Fang muttered under his breath.
"Boys," Lauren said laughing as she walked by, hand in hand with Kevin. She gave me a wink, then went back to talking with Kevin and Bryan. She was in a few of my classes, pretty smart and really funny. She wasn't someone I'd wanna be with one-on-one, but she was cool enough.
I felt a warm hand, linking their fingers into mine and smiled. Gordon and I had only gone on like 3 real dates, and we kissed maybe once each time, but nothing like what I'd just experienced with Fang. And I'd thought I'd had something more with Dylan, but apparently not. But I was well over him, and Fang was a hundred times better than him. Scratch that, a hundred thousand times better. He was sweeter, cuter, a better singer, better athlete, and no one could be a better friend than him.
We rode the train back with a few other people, some rode home with their parents who worked in the city. Fang and I were sitting on the train and I leaned my head on his shoulder, which happened to be the perfect height. After a few minutes of smoothly rolling over the metal tracks, I was fast asleep, leaning on Fang.
FPOV
I was still in shock, and more happy than I'd ever been. In my whole life probably. I had Max. I had to tell it to myself a bunch of times, and I still couldn't believe it. I looked down and Max's brown hair fell over her face as she slept soundly on my shoulder. She was adorable awake or asleep, and I still couldn't grasp the fact she was all mine. I didn't want to wake her, so I just leaned back and put my arm around her, holding her to me.
Just this morning someone was telling us we were a cute couple, and now we actually were. I wondered what it would've been like if she had turned me down. Awkward much? But then I threw that thought out the window, realizing how irrelevant it was.
My mind then wandered onto the 3 amazing times she'd kissed me. They'd felt just so right. I know, I know it sounds weird. Yeah we're 15, but she'd just felt right. I guess I wouldn't even know since I'd told Max the truth that she was my first girlfriend. Sure, I'd liked other girls before but this was different. Even before we were dating. Those last few words kept repeating in my head, and I never wanted it to stop.
Max's eyes fluttered open as the train slowed to a halt when we had finally reached our stop. Still leaning against me, she slanted her glance up to meet my eyes and smiled.
"You're almost as cute awake as you are asleep," I joked. She rolled her eyes but blushed all the same. The only bad thing was that if she ever left me, I'd be so crushed. But that wasn't happening anytime soon so I pushed that thought out of my head.
"We have to go to school tomorrow," Max groaned, still leaning against me. I inwardly groaned, realizing the same thing. I think we both had the same reason to not wanna go tomorrow, we couldn't spend any time together. Well besides passing periods, which are like 6 minutes each.
"I know, but at least we have lunch. And well classes don't count, but passing periods do," I replied with a small smile. I don't really get it, but everyone thinks my normal smile is lopsided. I'll be the first to admit that I don't smile much, but I wouldn't call it lopsided. Just to clear things up for ya.
"That's true. And maybe Lissa will finally back off," she replied giving me a slightly evil little smirk. Great, now my girlfriend was possibly evil. Wonderful. But it was okay, she was way worth it.
I chuckled, "Hopefully. But thanks to you, she's left me more alone this year."
"Wait, so like you mean she's left you alone this year?" Max asked appalled, jolting straight up.
"Well compared to last year yeah. She tried asking me out, and would sit with me and Iggy almost every day for a month until Iggy made her leave. Freaking obnoxious if you ask me," I explained.
"That's gross," Max muttered looking somewhat disgusted.
"Well you sit with Iggy and me every day," I joked. "It can't be that bad."
"You know what I mean," she said pretending to shove me. I grinned and she just rolled her eyes, still smiling. But she was basically spot on when it came to her comment on Lissa. Yeah, sure I mean I didn't mind Lissa as much in the beginning, but once I saw the way she'd throw herself after every guy…it kinda made me lose respect for her. And especially after me, she'd never leave me alone. It got really old, really fast. Especially since I had found around zero attractive features about her, especially after Max had come.
I bet it sucked to be a girl at school now, once Max was here. Even though she didn't try and mostly focused on being avoided by new people, everyone seemed to know her. It was slightly amusing in the beginning, but then it started to make me jealous. Just a little though, since I'm not as much the jealous type. But I'll have to admit I was so jealous of Gordon having Max for Winter Formal. But I was glad she had gone with someone who was sweet like him, but none of that mattered anymore since she was all mine now.
Once we'd walked to Max's house from the station, we both stood on her porch talking since her mom and Ella weren't home. I kissed her goodnight, right? Of course I wanted to kiss her but I didn't wanna freak her out anything. I tried to think back to anything I'd heard, some from Iggy or other guys and friends or movies.
But before I'd had time to even form any concrete thoughts, she leaned in and put her cute little soft lips right on mine. It wasn't one of those long slides in mindlessness as it had been on the beach, but it was still great.I got a little, okay big, thrill every time we kissed. It wasn't long either, but short and sweet and coming from Max. Something I'd gladly taken any day.
"You can't forget to kiss me goodbye," Max laughed and her eyes seemed to shine more than usual. Her eyes always shone when she was happy, but this was even more.
"I could never forget your highness," I pretended to bow, and she just laughed.
"Night Fang. Thanks for everything. This was the best birthday ever." She looked so genuine and serious, I almost blushed. Almost.
"Night Max. I'm glad. And oh, before I forget, happy Valentine's Day too." I gave her one last hug, which sent chills through my body, and then walked back to my house. It'd completely worked out that her birthday was on Valentine's Day so I could tie in the asking her out thing on her birthday and Valentines.
- LINE BREAK -MPOV
I woke up this morning thinking that yesterday had been a wonderful, yet unrealistic dream. But as I turned the alarm on my phone off, I saw the picture of Fang and I at the Bean. So everything had been real. Even better. And he'd reminded me that it was Valentine's Day. I'd completely forgot, but that'd made the even better, if that was at all possible.
I dressed for school the next morning, throwing on a pair of jeans and a black V-neck. Nothing too complicated, and added a simple necklace just for kicks. I hadn't bothered to do anything special with my hair, but fortunately it fell in loose natural waves which I just pushed behind my ear. But let's be realistic here, when did I ever do my hair? I threw on my usual hoodie, and slipped into my Toms then grabbed my backpack heading for the door as I heard the knock. Mom was gonna drop Fang and I off at school today since it was strangely cold this morning.
"Hey beautiful," Fang said after I'd let him into the house. I blushed and muttered thanks. "You are Max," he continued, his deep eyes innocent as he pushed a strand of hair out of my face and back behind my ear. Must've slipped out. Stupid hair.
We arrived at school, and Fang walked me to my locker, not that he wouldn't have on a normal day. We leaned against my locker, and I figured the first bell would ring in about 45 seconds or so.
"Well I guess we better go soon. Got math." I pushed the stupid few strands of hair out of my face, that kept falling out from behind my ear.
"Not quite yet," Fang whispered. He quietly slipped his hand behind my back, and I stepped closer as he pulled me to him. He leaned down, tenderly holding my face in his cupped hand. My hands were rested on his black t-shirt (just happened to match, we're not that weird) as his other hand still lay at my waist. I slowly angled my chin so I could kiss him better. I didn't care at all that we were in the middle of the hallway. Most of the people had cleared out to go to class and all of the teachers were gone so it's not like we were gonna get in trouble or something.
As Fang and I kissed, out of the corner of my eye, I saw a flash of red hair turn the corner and then grow larger as she stomped over. Lissa. What a surprise.
"Geez, Fang. This is kinda low, even for you. I mean, like I thought you had standards," none other than The-Red-Head-Poop-Wonder said with an expert hair flip.
I pulled back glaring at Lissa. What the hell was her problem? Couldn't she just live Fang (and me) alone.
"Sorry that's why I never liked you. My standards kinda get in the way sometimes," he replied coolly. I smirked and Lissa's nostrils flared. I couldn't tell what she was madder at, the fact that Fang was finally standing up to her himself, or if it was me that was who he liked. Either way I was so glad that she was getting to him.
"At least…at least…" she stuttered, not being able to come up with something to say. I couldn't help it and I snorted at her face. Yeah that's me, suave Max. I'm mature, couldn't you tell?
"Come on Fang, let's not waste our breath talking to garbage," I replied brushing past her. Fang followed closely, and slipped his hand through mine. Okay I admit, that was kinda mean, but just saying it was totally needed. It was past overdue. We walked into math, still holding hands and we received a few stares and glances but not too much disturbance.
By the time Fang and I had walked home from school, yeah we're some tough cookies walking in that February air, I felt like I was suddenly famous or something. Everyone had found out, one way or another, that Fangster and I were officially a couple. Since we all know that Fang was basically legendary when it came to girls, even upper classman, this news came as a major blow to them. Especially since I was just, well me. In case you hadn't noticed, I had a tendency to make enemies. Lots of them. And it appeared I had just made some more today.
"I've gotta go. See you later, Max," Fang said, placing a kiss on my forehead. He smiled down at me (unfortunately just his typical lopsided smile, which believe me was still great) and gave me a hug. I wrapped my arms around him and thought of all the girls who probably hated my guts right now. All in all it was a pretty successful day.
Okay well here you go! First FAX chapter! Hope y'all liked it. Sorry it was such a fluffy chapter, but tell me if you want MORE or LESS or what I should add! Thanks! Please RnR on how your first taste of official FAX went!