Disclaimer: James Patterson owns Maximum Ride and all these characters. However, this plot belongs to me.
.oO0Oo.
Fang looked panicked. I watched him as he stared at Lissa, an unreadable emotion spreading across his face. Then he looked at me and I saw the muscles in his jaw tighten.
"Lissa, I-" he started. "I just-"
"You don't even need to say it," Lissa exclaimed. "I love you too!" Then she pulled Fang toward her and kissed him.
I didn't see what happened next. Angry didn't begin to describe what I was feeling as I pulled open the door to the basement and slammed it behind me, almost tripping over my own feet as I scrambled down the stairs. My mind was reeling as I tried to make sense of what had just happened.
I felt stupid. I was his second choice, his rebound. He only wanted me because Lissa didn't want him anymore. The basement was dark, but there was enough light for me to find my way into the spare room. I locked the door upon entering and slowly slid down the wall. That's when I heard Lissa's voice from upstairs. She was yelling.
"I don't think you realize what this means!" She was obviously upset.
Fang's reply was too quiet for me to hear but whatever it was made Lissa even angrier.
"I'll- I'll spread rumours." Her voice was quiet now. And colder. "I'll make school hell for you. I'll ruin you."
This time, Fang raised his voice. "Am I supposed to care? It's the middle of April. Everyone graduates and leaves in two months anyway."
I don't think Lissa said anything after that. The front door slammed, probably hard enough to rip it off of its hinges, then- silence.
It stayed quiet. I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself down. Around ten minutes later, I stood up. My hand was on the door knob when I heard a soft knock on the door. I immediately tensed and my hand recoiled.
"Max." It was Fang. "Are you in there?"
I didn't say anything. But I did open the door.
"I'm sorry," Fang spoke again.
"You broke up with her?"
"We were already broken up. She wanted to get back together. I chose you, obviously, but I think this was good closure for her."
"A screaming match that wakes up the whole house?" I almost smiled.
He shrugged. "I wasn't the one screaming."
And then we were quiet again. Fang sat down against the bed across from me and I returned to my spot against the door. It was starting to feel awkward and I was fearing we were back to where we had started during our 'date night'.
"What are you thinking?" Fang asked after a long time.
"I'm thinking that we're being repetitive," I found a spot on the wall and focused on it.
Fang nodded and caught my gaze. "Then we should stop. Being repetitive, I mean. I meant it when I said I love you."
I nodded numbly and Fang went on.
"Lissa's gone now. You're all that matters."
"Okay." My gaze was still locked on him. "Let's give this another shot."
Without saying anything, Fang got up and came to sit beside me. I was about to say something when he suddenly leaned in and closed the gap between us, catching my lips in a hard kiss. The pressure of it made me go stiff in shock but I quickly pressed myself closer to him and folded into his embrace. Fang pulled away, a full-force smile on his face.
"It's getting late," he whispered, his voice low. "You should head to bed."
"And you should too."
Fang cocked his head with another grin. "Fair enough."
.oO0Oo.
After we cleaned up what was left of dinner, Fang walked me to my bedroom door.
"Thanks. For everything," he said.
I smiled as he leaned down to kiss me. We broke apart and I turned the doorknob. I took a step into my room and turned to face Fang.
"I love you," I said, just as he began to walk down the hall.
His grin was priceless. "I love you too. Goodnight, Max." With that, Fang pivoted and sauntered down the hall.
My chest fluttered as I shut the door and leaned against it, my back hitting the cool surface. I looked up at the ceiling and a smile played across my lips. I loved Fang, I loved him so much. And I was ready for whatever else would stand in our way.
"Goodnight, Fang," I whispered to myself.
.oO0Oo.
Author's Note:
I have to apologize for the long and unannounced hiatus. It was mostly unintentional and I definitely didn't expect to be so busy in the new year.
Anyway, this is officially the second last chapter of Playing House. The next one will be an epilogue. Thanks for all the support and nice reviews!
-Pixie Lala XOXO