Hi everyone!

Sorry for the super long update, but I've been kinda busy.

I was going to update for you guys last weekend, but my friends/family threw me this huge amazing surprise b-day party! It was so awesome, I can't even find words to explain it! :) 3

And thanks for:

Hunger-Games12, Insecure-Invisible-Shy-Lonely, dopeycookiemonster, boxtoplad999, jamy, Kate Skye Ride and MaximumRideFan6 for giving me shout outs for my birthday! You guys r amazing!

Everyone else, you guys r too!

And the song is "Pretty Pretty Girl" by Stephen Jerzak.

So, on to my next chapter!

Chapter 28 – Thanksgiving

"Fang?" I turned my head to the right and saw his face inches from mine. "Yeah, Max?" We were both lying on my bed, trying to find pictures on my ceiling. I know, dumb right? Well since we weren't allowed in the kitchen, we had to find another way to entertain ourselves.

I shifted my head again, staring up at my bare ceiling. "I have to ask you something very important." He shifted his weight, lying on his side watching me. I had just found a picture of a small bunny holding a pitchfork. "What is it?" The picture vanished and my eyes searched for a new, random shape. I didn't see his eyes, but I could tell he was studying my face. I turned onto my stomach and rested my head on top of my hands.

His hair was messy, sticking out in every direction. His eyes were dark, and the light glinted off of them, making the gold flecks dance. I smiled at him, and saw his lips tugged into a smirk. My smirk. "Come on Max, what's the question? I'm not getting any younger."

Chuckling to myself, I sat up and crossed my legs Indian-style. "I hate it when you say the truth." His smirk turned into a full smile, something very rare. "Alright, well the question is. . ." I stopped for affect. "Where do peanuts come from?" I was smiling and he blinked in surprise.

"What?" he questioned, trying to find any hint of humor in my voice. "You heard me, where do peanuts come from?" He looked down and his eyebrows were creased.

I waited for his response, but he never answered. In honest truth, I was curious as to know where peanuts came from. I mean, do they come from a tree, a plant, the ground? I always wondered, and since Fang was Mr. Smarty-Pants, I figured he would know.

After about 2 minutes, I sighed and fell back on the bed. My hands rested on my stomach, and my eyes were closed. Did any one have an answer? "From elephants butts."

My eyes shot open, directly finding Fang's eyes. "Excuse me?" This time, I was the one surprised. "I said, they come from elephants butts." His face showed no emotion, was he playing with me? "Stop lying, they do not come from butts. If they did, then that's just disgusting."

But still no emotion. I sat up again, my longish hair falling to the side. "Fang are you serious? Don't lie to me, you know how I love eating peanuts." He shrugged his shoulders and laid back down. "I never lie Max." I looked off in the distant, trying not to picture the image in head.

Oh my gosh, I've been eating things that have come out of butts!

I made a retched scream and ran to my bathroom, opening my cabinet drawer. Pulling out the toothpaste and my toothbrush, praying that I didn't get some butt disease. I brushed my teeth for a good ten minutes, then rinsed with mouthwash like five times.

I still felt disgusted, even after all that brushing. When I shut off the water, I hear laughter coming from my room. I pushed my door aside, and see Fang rolling on my bed, holding his sides. I frowned and walk over the side of the bed.

"What the heck is so funny?" He answered by shaking his head, and rolled onto his stomach. Still laughing like as if someone told him the funniest joke in the world. It was ticking me off.

I crossed my arms and stared at the back of his shaggy head. When I couldn't hear any more laughing, he rolled over and stared at me with a serious face. I gave him the 'What the heck is wrong with you?' look.

The corner of his lip twitched, and then it was the same scene all over again. Only this time he was laughing harder, if that were possible. And I had had it with him. I turned on my heel and marched out my room to the stairs. I was fuming.

I walked into the kitchen, finding my mother cooking for tonight's Thanksgiving dinner. It smelled amazing, my mouth started to salivate. But I had to deal with other things right now, like the fact that I had a two-year-old in my room peeing in his pants.

Grabbing a large cup from the cabinet, I filled it with ice-cold water. "Max, what's with the water?" My mother had a questioning look as she brought out some biscuits from the stove. Smiling sweetly, "Oh, um Fang was thirsty, so I am taking him some water." She set the tray down and wiped her hands on the towel that was hanging from her shoulder. It was such a cliché scene.

"And you're taking him faucet water? We have perfectly fine drinking water in the fridge." She gestured to our fridge that was half open, some brown stuff sticking to the door. "No, he said he preferred faucet water. Said it makes him. . . smarter." I smiled again and walked by her, already up the stairs.

"Then you should drink that too." I clenched my jaw. "I heard that!" In return I heard her chuckle. When I opened my door Fang was still holding his sides, but he wasn't laughing anymore. He was facing away from me, looking out the window. I walked over and loomed over him, a snide smirk on my face.

I grabbed the back of his black shirt and dumped the whole cup down his back. He squealed like a girl and jumped about a foot in the air. Now that is something to laugh about. He jumped off my bed and glared at me, his body stiff.

I could see goose bumps on his neck, his eyes looked murderous. I almost flinched at the intensity of the glare, but didn't want to give him the satisfaction. "What the hell was that for?"

The vein on his neck was sticking out, I could see it pulsing. Honestly, I didn't have an answer; I don't even know why I had done it in the first place. My shoulders slumped and I looked down, not wanting him to see the embarrassment on my face.

Finally I looked up, into those pitch black eyes of his. "Well, why were you laughing at me?" My voice had some edge towards the end, making me feel slightly more confident. He finally relaxed his body and sighed, his eyes softening. He smiled slowly,

"Because you're an idiot, that's why." My shield went back up and I got defensive again. I got so annoyed when he changed my attitude like that. With just a dang sentence. "And why is that, Mr. Harding?" Acid dripping with every word.

He sat on the bed, flinching from the big wet circle on the back of his shirt. "I can't believe you believed me when I told you peanuts come from elephants butts. Who believes that?" Suddenly I felt stupid, just wanting to crawl under a rock and never come out again. But I wasn't going to let him see that.

"Well, I did believe you. I believe every word you say." My voice was softening. "And I can't believe you let me believe it for so long. I mean I brushed my teeth!" I was shouting at him, feeling a little hurt. He knew I would make a fool out of myself.

I set the cup on my desk and waited for his response. He stared at my carpet, not looking at me. He got up and came over to me, standing right in my face. The top of my head was just below his chin, so I was staring at his Adams-apple. How romantic.

Then he engulfed me in his strong arms and held me there. It took everything for me not to hug him back, but he makes it so annoyingly impossible not too. I gave in and wrapped my arms around his waist, resting my head on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Max, I just never thought you would fall for it. I didn't think you were that dumb."

I pulled back and watched his lips turn into another smile, I hated him. I laughed too, "Yeah, that was pretty stupid of me. But you just sounded so truthful." His smile grew wider and he let me go. He grabbed his backpack and hoisted it over his shoulder. "It's just a natural talent."

He grabbed his cell and stood by me again, looking down at me. "Sure, whatever." He chuckled and then swooped down and gave me a quick kiss. Then we both walked downstairs. There was a loud banging in the kitchen, and then some colorful words.

"Mom?" I asked, standing in the kitchen doorway. She stood up, her hair a mess, face red and apron dirty. Fang and I both laughed as she grabbed a pot from the floor. "Well, bye Val, see you guys later." My mom waved and then Fang walked out the back door.

"Max! Get your butt in here and help me." I cringed at the word 'butt'. I am pretty sure I was going to have nightmares tonight. I walked back to the kitchen and sat on the counter, looking around at the mess. "Um mom, do you know who you are talking too?"

She grabbed some things out of the cabinet, and looked at me. "What?" I rolled my eyes and jumped off the counter. "Max plus cooking equals disaster." She sighed heavily, "Max, stop being lazy and help me with dessert. I need three eggs, milk and sugar." I gave up and did as I was told, there's no use arguing with my mom.

I grabbed the ingredients and watched as she mixed everything together in a big steel bowl. I knew she was making her famous apple pie, the one Lori loved. Suddenly I remembered about her, I haven't thought of her in a long time. This would be our first Thanksgiving without her.

"I miss her too." Startled, I looked up at my mom, she was stirring. "Miss who?" Although I knew 'who' she was talking about. "Lori, this was her favorite. She said it was a tradition, that we had to have it every year." We both smiled, remembering our very close friend. "Well, everything's, ready. The pie just has to bake, and then we can feast!"

We both laughed and started cleaning the kitchen, I couldn't wait for tonight.

. . .

I stepped out of the shower, and heard voices in my room. "I think she'll look good in that one." I leaned my ear to the door. "No, that color looks better on her tan. Omg, and these shoes too!"

Yanking the door open, I saw Angel and Marilyn standing over my bed. "Max!" They both yell, and then they both start talking. "You have to look nice. . . wear this shirt. . . needs to get hair done. . . don't forget the make-up. . . and wear heels!" What, did I hear heels?

Then I yelled so loud, Angel covered her ears and shut her eyes, tight. I wrapped the towel tighter around my freezing body. "First of all, no heels, I repeat no heals! Second, I choose on what I am wearing, it's just Thanksgiving people." I swear, they think the President is coming too. They both crossed their arms at the exact same time, it was kinda freaky.

Angel turned around and picked up a gold, shiny top. "Angel, where did you get that? And Marilyn, stop going through my closet." Marilyn stopped, one high heel in one hand, and some leggings in the other. "But Max, you need to look nice! For Fang!"

My cheeks burned and Angel wiggled her eyebrows at me. "What do you mean for Fang?" I asked, sitting on my bed and ringing out water from my hair. "Please Max, we all know. Stop pretending like it's some huge secret." Marilyn said the last part, and I couldn't argue with her. "Alright fine, but you have to promise me something."

I looked both of them in the eyes. "If I let you get me ready," they both started jumping, "You guys can't tell anybody about Fang and I, got it?" They both nodded so fast, I almost missed it. "I'll go set up the curling iron, Marilyn get her changed." Angel skipped to the bathroom and I heard her rummage through the drawers. Curling iron? Lord please help me.

"Ok, so this top with those leggings. No, this top with these shoes, Max do these colors blend alright?" I groaned and fell back on the bed. This was going to be one heck of a Thanksgiving.

. . .

Angel finished the curl and put hairspray on it so it won't fall out. Then Marilyn did a small braid on the side, and connected it with the other braid. "Angel, can you put the last coat of mascara please, I'm going to get the shoes." How an eleven year old knows how to put on mascara, don't have a clue.

The mascara tube opened and Angel swiped the wand across my eyelashes. "Done." She said all giggly. "Not yet." Marilyn returned with some black flats that had like a small bow laced from the back. They were quite pretty, and simple. I slipped on the shoes and stood up, walking out to my room.

I looked in my mirror, completely amazing by my 'transformation.' I had a maroon top that stopped just before my knees, almost mid-thigh. Then I had black leggings that were semi-sparkly, but popped with the top. My hair had big, soft curls that fell loosely down my back. I had what you can call 'Smokey eye'.

I smiled despite myself and my two friends also smiled with me. "Max, you can be like the prettiest freshman girl!" I chuckled at Marilyn's' comment, but was wondering if it were possible. Angel hugged me tightly, and said that I looked like a princess, all I could do was giggle.

That's when I heard more voices downstairs, and I knew the rest of the Harding's had arrived. Show time.

As I came down the stairs, I knew all eyes were on me. My face was like a huge, red tomato. We all said hello, hugged, *cough* kissed *cough* in secret though. And it was finally time to eat!

We all gathered around the table, my dad, my mom, Iggy, Marilyn, Gazzy, Angel, Fang, me and Jeb. But before we ate, we always said our prayers. Jeb went first, "Well, I wanted to say thank you Valencia for all this wonderful food. For both our families to know one another. And also to Lori, who should be here with us." I looked at Fang and gave his hand a squeeze.

"She loved every single one of you, never could stop her from talking about you guys." We all lightly laughed. "And that I miss her greatly, as I am sure you all do too. So thanks God, for everything you have done for us." Next was Gazzy, who prayed for good food, his family and for being awesome.

"Well, I am thankful for pretty clothes, my family and friends. And for Max, who is amazing and that I love you like a sister." Angel glanced at me and I smiled at her, blushing. "And also that Akila is going to be a mommy, can't wait for all the puppies!"

Followed by Iggy, "I am thankful for this amazing food, awesome friends and family and for my amazing girlfriend." We all clapped while the couple kissed. Next my dad who was grateful for dessert. My mom said the same like everyone else, and Fang skipped his turn, then it was me. I swallowed and looked at the faces of my loved ones.

"Well, I am thankful for love. For every single one of you who is in my life, because without you, it would suck. I have amazing friends, family, you guys are amazing. I truly believe that when God was creating us, he envisioned for us to be together. And I know some people are not here with us today, but we love them too. So thanks for everything, for being my family." I finished and everyone clapped, Fang even hugged me.

Then it was dinnertime.

We all, how could you put it? Stuffed our faces.

Once the main courses were done, my mom brought out her pie. And it smelled amazing. She cut a slice for everyone, Iggy ate his first. After the second bite, he made a funny face.

"Mom, did you do something different this time?" he asked, we all looked at my mother. "No, why?" Iggy shrugged, "It tastes way too, weird. Like if there's salt, a bunch of salt." We all took bites, and all spit it back out.

There definitely was way too much salt. "Mom, what the heck. . . ?" Then it hit me. Me and my mom both looked at each other and knew what had happened. "Maximum Ride!" she yelled. I tried hiding under the table, but it was no use.

"You gave me the salt! I put like 1 1/2 cups of salt." Everyone's faces turned white, and they pushed their 'dessert' away. "I told you I was a bad cook. But you made me help you!" She couldn't blame it all on me!

She told me to help when I said no. Then everyone started yelling, at me.

. . .

After my "accident", Fang and I both went up to my room. Everyone else was downstairs playing a trivia game. Boring. Fang brought his guitar and we sat on my bed, I felt so cozy.

"I, um, am going to play you a song. And with the way your dressed tonight, it fits perfectly." I smiled at him and he started strumming.

You are on the top of my list of things to do

Oh, wait, that's not what I meant to say

I blushed, and looked down. Then he smiled and continued.

I'm sorry , please forgive me

There I go again saying the wrong thing

You are the amazing, incredible, wonderful type

And I am just another boy in your eyes

Oh well, I guess I'll have to settle for something less

I wish I had what it takes to make her my own

She's a pretty pretty girl if you ask me

And I really, really, really, really want her to be with me

I hope she knows who I am, if not I'll show her around

She's a pretty girl and I'm pretty in love with her

You are on the top of your game when it comes to this

And I don't wanna lack the confidence but that's just who I am

I hope I find some way to tell you

That you are the prettiest girl in the universe

Oh wait, the universe isn't big enough for me to explain

The way your face could brighten up anybody's day

I wish I had what it takes to make her my own

She's a pretty pretty girl if you ask me

And I really, really, really, really want her to be with me

I hope she knows who I am, if not I'll show around

She's a pretty girl and I'm pretty in love with her

She's a pretty pretty girl if you ask me

And I really, really, really, really want her to be with me

I hope she knows who I am, if not I'll show her around

She's a pretty girl and I'm pretty in love with her

I really feel like I'm starting to pull myself together

So maybe I will be able to hold a normal conversation

I'm really feelin' like I'm finally knowin' what to say

In situations where you look at me and steal my breath away

She's a pretty pretty girl if you ask me

And I really, really, really, really want her to be with me

I hope she knows who I am, if not I'll show her around

She's a pretty girl and I'm pretty in love with her

She's s pretty pretty girl if you ask me

And I really, really, really, really want her to be with me

I hope she knows who I am, if not I'll show her around

She's a pretty girl and I'm pretty in love with her

Yeah, I'm pretty in love with her

I'm so in love with her

He ended the song and my heart swelled with love. How could I not love him? It was inevitable, but still it felt like the tide was about to change.

But for better or for worse?

Ok, well this was long (patting myself on the back)

Hope you guys liked it, I really did :)

So please review!

Thanks!