Hey ya'll. You have shiningwaves to thank for this chapter. Sorry about not updating! School will do that. :)

Disclaimer: me no own Max. Me own storyline though!

Enjoy!

Pranks, Mistakes and Doughnuts

"Up and at 'em, Max! We are getting you out of the house today. Get up, you lazy bum."

I squinted my eyes against the bright light that flooded the room.

"What?" I mumbled. "Why?"

"Because," Ella told me, pulling my covers off. "You've been hiding in here for too long."

"Mm…" I hummed. "Not long enough. Go away."

I rolled over onto my stomach and clutched my pillow.

"You've been in here for a week," she told me. "It's time to face the world."

"Ella. Seven days ago I was on the cover of every tabloid in America. I would rather not shout out HERE I AM to the world by going out and being social."

I opened my eyes slightly and took a look at my unwelcome visitor.

She wasn't buying it.

"Do I need to get Iggy?" she asked.

I gasped. "You wouldn't.

"Oh, I definitely would. Especially since—" she looked out the bedroom window. "He just got here."

Giving me an unholy grin, she raced out of the room.

"I'M UP!" I screeched. "I'M UP!"

I ran out of the room after her and thumped down the stairs.

"DON'T DO IT IGGY! I'M UP!" I yelled, skidding to a stop.

Ella looked at me smugly.

I looked around in confusion. "Where's Iggy?"

She rolled her eyes. "Sleeping, duh. In bed. At his house." She laughed and walked into the kitchen. "Who spiked your juice box, Max?"

Suddenly all the pieces fit together. "Ella!" I shrieked into my hands. "You dirty birdy!" I yelled, trudging into the kitchen.

She shrugged. "It worked didn't it?"

I pulled out a chair and sat down at the island. "You're a meany."

"I know," she said with a smug smile.

I stuck my tongue out at her and she did the same to me.

Oh, yes. We are very mature.

"So…what do you want to do?" she asked, cutting up a peach. "Mom's gone for the week. She had a business thing in Paris or something. She offered to take us along but I said no. I hope you don't mind. I wasn't really in the mood for France."

This is what I loved about Ella. She had practically everything a girl could ask for; rich, happily married parents; a big house; designer clothes; a car; traveling opportunities…and she was still completely grounded.

"When's your dad coming home?" I asked, getting up to grab a bowl.

"Same day as mom."

"And she's still cool with me hanging out?"

She gave me a look. "Max. I live alone for half the year. She's ecstatic that you're here."

I bit my lip and she patted my back comfortingly. "It's fine, Max. Really."

I nodded and poured some cereal. "Yeah…okay."

It had been a hard week. Fiona called the day after I left and said I wasn't welcome back.

Which, of course, was fine. I left with the intention of never, ever going back. But it's totally different to be told you can't come back, rather than choosing not to. I could hear the smile in her voice over the phone and the smugness of her tone. She had finally gotten rid of me and she made no attempt to hide her joy.

So now I was officially alone. Of course, I said that when I left, but now it was completely official.

"But anyways," Ella said, bringing me back to reality. "Where do you wanna go?"

"Honestly?" I asked. "My bed."

She shook her head. "Not an option."

"Okay…how about the living room?"

She gave me a look. "Max! Get a grip! It happened a week ago. They aren't even talking about it anymore."

"But what if I see him?" I insisted.

"Max. When have you ever just seen a celebrity walking down the street? 'Oh look, there's Rihanna!' Yeah, no."

"Well, excuse me for being a little paranoid," I told her, taking a bite of cereal. "He only kissed me."

"Yeah that was weird," Ella admitted.

"My point exactly. What would happen if I saw him again?" I asked, pointing my fork (yes fork...) at her.

"Invalid question, considering you AREN'T going to see him."

"That's what you think," I huffed.

"That's what I know," she corrected me. "Now go get dressed. I'm in the mood for a doughnut."

I made a face but got up and trudged to my room.

Unfortunately (as you will remember), I left pretty much all my clothes in my former bedroom. So I just threw on my newly washed holey jeans and a white tank. Looking into the mirror, I quickly put on some eyeliner and mascara. Then, running my fingers through my hair, raced back down the stairs.

Ella glanced at me enviously. "How come it only takes you ten minutes to look like a hot tamale and it takes me a half hour to look half way decent? Not fair, I tell you. Injustice!"

"What are you talking about? You're gorgeous."

With her pale green shorts, pink flowy tee and hair up in a messy bun; she looked like a model.

She didn't look convinced, but grabbed her keys and shades, and we walked out the door.

3

"See, Max? What'd I tell you? No celebrities." Ella looked at me proudly.

It was true. The coffee shop was completely Hollywood free.

I huffed. "Whatever."

We were at the Caribou, sitting down at a table.

"Are you sure I'm not in the tabloids anymore?" I asked nervously, looking around the shop.

"Max," Ella sighed, exasperated. "Get a grip! Yes, I'm sure. Here, I'll even go get one. I'll be right back."

I watched her walk across the street and head into a store. She came back out with a magazine.

"Well?" I asked when she approached the table.

She had it behind her back and had her "I'm so dead" look.

"Um…I've actually decided to only let you see it after we get home."

My eyes widened. "No freaking way."

I made a mad dash for it.

"No, Max, just wait, okay? Let's get in the car and we'll go home."

"Not until I see the tabloid," I persisted.

She hesitated for a second but slowly handed it over to me.

I grabbed it and looking at the cover read: Nick Walker's Insight on Mystery Girl Read Now!

I made a mental note to kill Nick Walker.

He was going down.

So! Hope you like it! Things get interesting soon! I can't wait to write it! So much fun.

Also, if you haven't already seen it (if you haven't…you MUST change that) look up Christina Grimmie and Sam Tsui Just a Dream….oh my word. Perfection. To the max (sorry foreverFAX for not getting that during the game!). LOOK IT UP!

And review. Please. And sorry for any mistakes. I didn't really proof read this one that well. Oopsies? Anyways! Review! Thank you and good night! Oh yeah, and kudos to anyone who can tell me where I got the idea for Max using a fork instead of a spoon…hehehehhehe

PEACE OUT PEEPS!

d-and-s86