Hi! Sorry it took so long, I was busy. (Like you guys have never heard that one before...)

Happy 5th of July!

-Line-

You know, I like to think of myself as a unique individual. So, you can imagine my annoyance when it turns out I'm just a regular girl with daddy issues.

Ella and I were sitting on the couch watching the credits to the masterpiece that is Pretty Woman, when I hear the front door open. My dad appeared in the living room and opened his arms wide, looking expectant.

"I'm back!" He announced. Ella gave a polite smile, and then gave me a gentle shove. I nodded towards him, and then pretended to be interested in the Executive Assistant Director or some nonsense like that. My father was visibly put out due to our reaction (or lack there of) of his homecoming. He sighed and straightened up.

"Max, where is your mother?" I seethed.

"Like you care. You only show up here when you run out of money, Jeb." He looked hurt.

"That's not true! I even got presents for you guys..." He trailed off, obviously trying to spark our interest. Well, I remained on the couch, but Ella jumped right up. Jeb smiled, and brought out a bag from Abercrombie. Ella squealed and grabbed the bag, ripped it open to reveal a pink tank top that preppies like her adore.

"Oh, Jeb, you shouldn't have! Thank you!" You see, Ella can actually call him Jeb without my mom giving her a stern look. Ella, being the lucky girl she is, has a different father.

He turned towards me, and extended a CD towards me. Nothing Personal it said on the cover. I was genuinely surprised. It came from my favorite band, and it was the only album I didn't have.

"Valencia said you would like it." He said, his face filled with hope. My expression turned stony. Figures. I turned on my heel and walked out the back door. I could hear Ella yelling my name, but I didn't turn around. I whipped out my cell phone and told Nudge to meet my at the park in between our houses. She called me almost instantly.

"Max? What's wrong. Are you okay? Is Ella okay? I-"

"Nudge," I cut her off, "I'm fine. Jeb is here, though, and I needed to get away before I.. just meet me at the park." I flipped my phone shut. I sighed, and realized I would have to go back sometime or another. But it was only five thirty, so I had some time to burn. I reached the park and sat down on the bench. I had played here for years, and I noted that the cracking red slide had seen better days.

For some reason, I thought back to Fang. I wonder why they call him that? Ha, tomorrow I should start calling him Molar or something...

I heard footsteps, and I turned around, but I didn't see anyone. "Nudge?" I called. No response, but the footsteps were getting louder. I get kind of paranoid, so I started to sing, as it generally calms me down.

"Many mumbling mice, making merry music in the moonlight, mighty nice..." I sang, right on key. I'd always loved singing, I just limited myself to my room and the shower. The only one who knows is Ella, and I've got some major blackmail hanging over her head if she tells anyone. I was just getting to the chorus of 'My Happy Ending' by Avril Lavigne when the footsteps stopped. I tensed up.

"Max?'' A voice questioned. I turned around hesitantly, then sighed in relief when I saw it was just Fang.

"Jeez, you could have said something earlier. Are you deliberately trying to give me a heart attack?" He shrugged.

"What are you doing here, anyway?" I questioned.

"Just walking home from my shift." I raised my eyebrows.

"Where do you live?" I asked.

"A couple blocks away." He said simply.

I wonder how far away from my house. I had never seen him or Trixie before, but it's possible that they lived 'a couple blocks away' from my house? Talk about a small world.

"So, I'm gonna go. Are you just going to sit there and sing some more?" He asked with a small smile that made my heart do little flips. I-

Wait, what? 'Make my heart do little flips'? Do I need to make myself a foil hat or something?

"You heard that?" I asked, a little horrified.

"Yep. You are lucky my ears aren't bleeding." I frowned and he chuckled. "I kid. It wasn't so bad. Cya later." He waved, and turned around without waiting for a response. Hmph.

"Max!" I heard a female voice call from behind me. I turned around just in time to see Nudge pull her bike up next to the bench I was sitting in. "Thank God! I've been looking all over this park for you!"

"Well, here I am." Nudge rolled her eyes at me. She squinted at the shrinking figure strolling down the street.

"Is that... Fang?" She asked, incredulous. I shrugged. She smiled deviously at me, and I glared at her. She flinched and continued.

"So, exactly what happened?" Nudge asked. I filled her in on the events that led to my freak out. She scowled in all the right places, and it made me happy to have her. Just before we parted, she mushed me in a ginormous hug. She waved and pushed off on her bike. I stood up and began the walk home, feeling considerably better.

-Line-

I got home and saw Jeb and my mother sitting at our kitchen table, deep in discussion. They stopped talking as I entered the room, and Jeb stood up. He started to say something, when I cut him off.

"Save it." I said simply, and climbed the stairs and turned the knob on my bright red door. The smell of Tuscan Blood Orange (the perfume I get from the local Co-Op) wafted into the hallway. I threw myself onto my purple comforter and shut off the light. No way was I going to stay up til the crack of dawn pondering the happenings of tonight.

As I meandered into the realm of my dreams, my last coherent thought was 'I can't believe Fang heard me sing...'

-Line-

Yes, I know, super boring/filler. But fear not, I shall avenge thee!

Review please...