Hello people!

Thanks for all your reviews! Ok so now to answer some questions…

To: Insecure-Invisible-Shy-Lonely right now Dylan and Fang are the only guys who still like Max. Logan was kinda like a "summer crush" type of thing; his "lady" will be introduced shortly. And I'm not sure where I'm going with Dylan…

*Hope that answered your question dopeycookiemonster! :)*

To: Person 22 sorry for the whole cliché-ness of the track try-out, now that I read it again, yep, it was too…cliché-y. But I appreciate that comment, now I will make sure not to do that again.

So thanks again, and enjoy this chapter, and for all you FAX wanters, you will get some next chapter (maybe this one too) but definitely next chapter…

But this chapter is in Max's POV and right before the football game, then it skips to Max's Birthday. (September 17)

Chapter 18 – A Football Game And A Birthday

"God, I'm so full. I think I am going to blow up." I could feel my stomach expand; farther than I've ever felt it go before. I slouched in my chair and looked at my mom, this was her fault.

She smiled as she took a drink of her water. I narrowed my eyes, "Don't look at me like that, you did this on purpose! Just so I don't wanna go to the football game." I stated.

She put down her glass and shrugged her shoulders, "You can't blame me for being an amazing cook. Not my fault you had four plates of pasta." Fang snickered at my side, and I glared at him.

"Be quiet Fang, you had three plates and like 10 breadsticks." This time Angel laughed, and I smiled triumphantly. He was picking up another breadstick, but stopped and put it back down.

"Yes honey, thanks for the dinner, it was great. But now, if you don't mind, Jeb and I need to work on some business upstairs." My dad said, already getting up.

"And darling, what kind of business is this?" my mom asked, looking at him intently. All the kids turned and looked at them, waiting. My dad looked to Jeb, "Well, you know men stuff." It was quiet for a second and then we all started laughing. The two men chuckled awkwardly and then went upstairs.

We all started getting up, clearing the table. "Well, before we go Fang, I'm going to jump into the shower and get ready." He nodded to me and I walked upstairs.

I was so excited, my first high school football game!

Fang's POV

After I saw Max vanish up the stairs I went into my "bedroom" aka, the den. I lifted the cushion of the sofa and brought out a little purple velvet box.

And no it's no proposal ring you sick minded people. Are you crazy! Max is barely turning 14!

No, this was her birthday gift.

I put into my back pocket and returned to the kitchen. "Do you need some help Val?" I asked, grabbing the last plates from the table. She was grabbing something from the under the sink and she looked up. Her soft brown eyes looking at me, just like Max's.

"Um, sure. Thanks Fang, I really appreciate it. If you can dry and put away the dishes while I wash them?" I stepped next to her and smiled, "Sure." She started washing a frying pan.

I wanted to show her Max's gift, but I wasn't sure if she was going to like it. I hope she did…

She handed me the frying pan and some plates. I quickly dried them and put them in their proper place. "I hope it's not too cold out at the stadium, don't want you guys getting sick." She said handing me cups.

"We'll be fine, we'll take huge snow jackets if that makes you feel any better." I said, hoping she knew I was joking. She laughed, "Yes, I'm sure you guys will do that, well last cup." She handed me the last glass cup.

I put it in the cupboard.

Maybe I'll show it to her now… no I don't think it's a good time… ok fine, now.

She was drying the counter, and a piece of hair fell into her face. She looked just like my Max,

I mean not my Max, it's just I was… I didn't mean to say that… ugh, never mind.

"Hey Valencia, can I ask you something?" she turned and looked at me, kindness in her eyes. "Of course Fang, anything." She threw the rag over shoulder and leaned on the counter. I pulled out the velvet box, holding it tightly in my hands.

She looked at it, and then looked at my face. "This is Max's birthday present. I know she doesn't like wearing this kind of stuff, but honestly, I thought it was perfect." I said, looking down at the box that was getting warm in hand.

"May I see?" she asked, I handed it to her. She opened the lid and stared at what was inside. Then she smiled and sighed, "You're right, it is perfect. I'm sure she'll love it, definitely."

Her eyes sparkled and then she closed the lid, handing it to me. She smiled once more, "You know Fang, she loves you."

Max's POV

I stepped put of the shower and wrapped a towel around me. I could still feel my stomach full. Well, I guess no snacks at the game.

I walked into my room and threw on jeans, a long-sleeve, and then my 'I heart NY' jacket over. That should keep me warm, and maybe my gray knit hat…and maybe my matching scarf.

I quickly blow dried my hair and threw on some sneakers. I so needed boots.

I went downstairs and found Angel and Gazzy playing checkers in the living room. I walked by them and into the kitchen. I found my mom and Fang, "Ok Fang, ready to go?" I ask, excited.

He looks at me, "Yeah, just let me get my jacket." He walked out and I look at my mom. She smiles and then finishes drying the counter. I walk out and sit on the sofa, watching the twins.

Angel has almost all of Gazzy's black pieces, and then I watch as she takes another. It's like she can read his mind…

Fang comes back out, putting on his jacket and he is wearing a black beanie. Jeez, he looks so cute. Whoa, I did not just say that!

I get up and follow him out the door. We get in my mom's car and she drives us to school. "Ok kids, call me when the game is done. Have fun!" she yells as we get out. We walk in through back, following the loud noise of screaming.

We went in through the gate and under the stadium seats. We spot a couple making out in the corner, but ignore them. We climb a small set of stairs and are greeted with screams.

I look everywhere, tons of high school kids screaming like there is no tomorrow. I look to the field and see the band and cheerleaders performing. No football players yet.

Fang pulls me to the left and we find two seats right at the edge. There is screaming, laughter and clamping all around me.

Jeez, it's so hectic! But yet totally amazing!

I see down at the bottom there are some guys with their shirts off and they have spelled the word 'Tigers!' on their stomachs. Each stomach containing a letter.

They must be so cold… oh wait, I think that guy has a 6 pack…

"Here they come." Fang says and I look to the left. There is a huge banner that has our school name and a picture of a tiger covering the tunnel. Then I see three players burst through, and the crowd goes even more ballistic. I too, start screaming, looking like a maniac. Shoot, I forgot Dylan's number… 13? No. 23! His number is 23!

The team starts flowing out of the tunnel and I look for number 23. I scan the line of players, no sign… wait, right there! I see 23, Dylan!

And then I scream even louder. Fang looks at me like I've completely lost it. Then the other team also comes out and we sit. The coaches and players huddle together, talk for a couple minutes and then break.

Then I see Dylan turn his head to the crowd.

Is he looking for me? I get up once more and start flailing my arms. He catches sight of me and waves back. I smile and sit, so pumped.

Then the players head to the field and get in their positions. The kicker from the other team kicks, and the game begins!

The first two quarters, the score is tied, 28 to 28. I am literally at the edge of my seat.

We score another touchdown at the end of the third quarter. Yes! We are so going to win!

By now, our whole school is cheering, even Fang. I watch as Dylan gets ready to throw, number 12 is open I wanted to scream. Instead he throws it to number 9. We all watch as the ball goes spiraling… right into the arms of our opponent. No!

Then without missing a beat, he takes off running. None of our guys can stop him… he's getting closer… closer. And he crosses over the touchdown line.

I put down my hands and watch Dylan, who is standing helplessly on the other end of the field. He hangs his head just as the coach was yelling at him. And let me tell you, the coach did not have any nice things to say.

I felt so bad for him, I wanted to run out to the field, hug him and tell him it's ok. But instead we all watched as he was benched for the last four minutes.

He took off his helmet and sat, his head hanging in shame. I sat down and Fang put his hand on my shoulder, "He's going to be fine Max. It's just one game, they'll win plenty more." I smiled half-heartedly; he always knows what to say.

Just then I heard more cheering… but it was coming from the other side of the stadium. I looked at the field; the other team scored another touchdown.

I could feel the energy drain from our side, some people even started leaving. I sighed and looked at the final score, 35 to 42.

The other side was cheering like crazy, and the team was doing that circle thing where they all jump on each other. It was very devastating.

"We should go, it's getting pretty cold and late." I looked at Fang, but I wanted to stay. I looked at the field again, the teams were shaking hands and Dylan and his team were heading back to the locker rooms.

Then I turned and followed Fang down the stairs. I called my mom and we waited in the parking lot. Suddenly it got cold, very cold. To the point where my teeth were chattering uncontrollably.

I tightened my scarf and pulled down my hat as low it could go. Not even that helped, I think I could even feel icicles forming on my spine.

Then Fang opened his jacket and stood next to me, wrapping the end of the jacket around me. How could he be so warm? I snuggled closer to him, and he wrapped the whole jacket around me.

"Better?" he asks, peering down. I nodded and he rests his chin on top of my head. This is so perfect; I could stay like this forever. I had just closed my eyes when lights flood us.

I opened them and recognize my mom's car. She pulls next to us and we separate, not willingly. We get in, "So, how was it?' she asks. I look down and Fang answers, "We lost. But it was really fun and close." She smiles and turns on our street. "Glad you guys had fun."

We pull into the house and I fly into the house. Thank God it's warm in here! Our dad's are on the couch watching TV, Angel curled up next to Jeb asleep.

Gazzy is on the floor playing with his DS. My mom and Fang follow behind me, Fang going to the den. Suddenly I am exhausted, and feel like I might collapse right here. "Max, you ok?" asks my dad, looking worried. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just super tired, goodnight."

I walk upstairs and peel off my clothes, replacing them with my warm PJ's. I crawl under the covers and curl up. Before I know it, I am asleep.

(Max's Birthday)

I wake up to the sound of my favorite sound in the morning. On a freaking Saturday!

Shoot, I forgot to turn off the alarm clock. I pull the covers back and stare at my ceiling. I shift my head to the right and see a horrible monster on my nightstand telling me to get out of bed. I groan and reach out, hitting my alarm harder than I mean too, oops…

Finally peace and quiet… just then my door bursts open and in comes running a blur of blond. And then this blur of blond jumps on me. I could feel the wind escape my lungs and then the squealing starts. Or singing I should say.

"Happy Birthday Max!" yells Angel, and she wraps her arms around my neck.

Birthday? What… oh that's right, today's my birthday!

I sit up and see my mom with a plate full pancakes and candles. Then in follows my dad, Gazzy, Iggy, Jeb and Fang. Now they are all singing. I smile shyly and blow out the candles on my pan-cake.

Get it? Pan- cake… oh never mind.

"Thanks guys, really. This is so great." Then everyone starts hugging me and all that mushy stuff. Then Fang comes and hugs me. I squeeze him a little tighter, not wanting to let go.

Then Angel grabs my hand, pulling me out of bed. "Come on Max, presents!" Oh, no.

I walk downstairs and see the living room filled with wrapped boxes. Then I look at the clock, 7:15? Really? This early?

But I felt bad complaining, so I just followed Angel to the couch. I sat down and Angel brings me a box wrapped in bright pink wrapping paper. I smiled at her, "Is this from you?" I ask teasingly. She sits, "Maybe."

I open the box and pull out a black hoodie with dark grey stripes running through it. I pick it up, I love it. "Thanks Ang!" I say, and she hands me another box, this one's pretty big.

It's from Iggy and Marilyn. I look up to my brother, "Where is she?" I ask, hoping Marilyn could be here. "She had to take some tests for college, but she says she loves you and Happy Birthday." We both smile and I tear into the paper.

And I come to another smaller box. Then I go through another box, each one getting smaller and smaller. So this is how it feels to open those Russian dolls.

Finally I get to a medium size box, I think it's number 5? "Iggy, so help me if there's another box in here…" Every laughs and he shrugs his shoulders. I open the paper, a new iHome for my iPod! The one I wanted!

I jump up and hug him, "Thank you, thank you! It's perfect." He smiles, "Marilyn is the one who picked it out." I sit again and Angel hands me another gift, this time a bag.

"That one's from me and dad." Says Gazzy, sitting on the floor next Angel. I look in and see a $50 itunes gift card, sweet! Then I pull out gift cards to Zumiez and the Vans store. I hug both of them.

Then Fang comes and hands me a small purple velvet box. He smiles genuinely at me, making my heart flutter. I look down at the box, not knowing what to expect.

I open the box slowly, seeing something silver. I open it all the way, seeing what's inside. I look up and see my mom and Fang smiling at each other. I look down again, staring.

It's a thin silver bracelet with a tiny wing charm at the end. I touch the wing, and then lift it. It is so perfect, simple, but yet it has so much to it. I look at Fang and then run into his arms.

I hug him so tight, "Thank you." I whisper into his ear. I could hear him chuckle. "Well, are you going to put it on or what?" he asks. We pull away and I hand it to him, he unhooks it and then connects it around my wrist. I look at it and can't stop smiling.

It's all quiet, totally comfortable, but then Iggy of course, has to be Iggy. He breaths out a sigh of relief, "Man, for a second there I thought you were going to propose Fang." We all start laughing, and I could see Fang blushing.

I sit again, last two boxes. They are both from my parents. I open the first one; it's a Flip-Cam video! I've always wanted one of these! It was so cool, it was white, touch-screen and can hold up to 4 hour of video.

The next box is pair of Ugg boots. They were the Tall Chestnut originals. Omg! These were fantastic; I could so use them in the winter.

After all my presents were open, I hugged everyone again. So I guess waking up this early… wasn't that bad. I loved all my gifts, I couldn't be happier.

But honestly, the best gift this year was having Fang celebrating with me.

Hope you guys liked it!

Thanks so much for all your reviews, all amazing.

And if you guys still have more ?'s, I will be glad to answer them :)

So anywho, you know the magic word…

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