Storm Gray Skye has asked me to dedicate this chapter to them. So, since I was so politely asked, I guess I am dedicating this chapter to Storm Gray Skye :) Sorry it's kinda short, but I've sorta got a bit of Writer's Block.

Also, what are your favorite athletic games to play, I need one for the next time they have Gym. I had a few ideas, but I'm not sure about them, so help would be much appreciated.

Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride, nor the intellect required to come up with a clever, witty, original, and fun disclaimer.

We watched TV for about thirty minutes, and I was beginning to wonder where everyone was. I glanced at Fang. He seemed immersed in whatever show was on, which surprised me. He didn't really seem to the type to be absorbed by a television.

He was so much different. Not so much that I didn't know him anymore, but I suddenly felt like I'd missed something, or everything. I missed all of the little things that made up Fang for two years, and I felt out of the loop.

He'd gotten taller, of course, and now he stood a few inches taller than me. I knew he noticed too, because I used to call him pip-squeak, and now, every time I reached up for something on a high shelf, he would get it for me and smirk that annoying smirk of his. He'd fleshed out more too. He'd always been athletic, but I couldn't ever remember him having a six pack like that.

I blushed lightly at the thought, and tried to pull my jumbled thoughts together. He blinked, grabbed the remote, and sent a sidelong glance over at me. I blushed harder, knowing I was caught. He smirked again and I rolled my eyes.

"I know it may be hard for you to drag your eyes away from my stunning good looks but-umph" I cut him off with an elbow to the gut. "What's up?" He asked seriously, rubbing what was sure to be a bruise in the future.

I didn't know how to ask. I stared at him for a moment, trying to work out how to get my question across without actually asking. How do you ask someone where everyone is without speaking? I pointed to the front door with a questioning look. Fang stared blankly at me for a moment, then glanced at the door. I sat that way while he puzzled through it in his mind for a moment.

"You wanna go somewhere?" I shook my head no. He thought for another moment, then scowled in what seemed to be the frustration of confusion. "You're waiting on someone?" I sighed, but so did Fang. "Max, why won't you talk to me?"

I looked down at my knees. I wanted to answer him, but it was almost like I couldn't. I opened my mouth, but no sound came out. No matter how badly I wished to be ready, some silly fear was still holding me back. What was I even scared of?

"Look Max, I'm not trying to rush you." Fang started in a softer tone. "I just- I missed you." My head shot up in shock, but Fang wasn't looking at me anymore. In fact, he seemed to be avoiding my eyes at all costs. "I missed you a lot. I...and I blame myself for not figuring it out sooner."

"Figuring what out sooner?"

"Figuring out-" We both looked at each other in surprise. Fang's eyes widened. "Did you just?" I shook my head no. For a moment, I too thought that I'd voiced my thoughts aloud, but I hadn't.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to eavesdrop." Angel said sheepishly walking in from her hiding place on the stairs.

"Hey Angel." I could hear the concealed annoyance in Fang's voice, but Angel didn't pick up on it.

"Why didn't anybody wake me up?"

"Well, they were going to the movies, and Nudge said that you didn't want to see whatever it was..." Angel nodded in agreement, "so when you fell asleep, they decided to go ahead and let you nap."

"Oh." She looked disappointed, but I knew it wouldn't last long. Angel usually had one major goal in mind. That goal would be food. "Is there any food?" Just in time.

"Oh yeah, my sandwich." Was Fang's only answer before he hopped up and jogged to the kitchen. Angel and I stared confusedly after him.

"Hey Max, guess what?" I raised an eyebrow. Fang walked back in, eating a sandwich, and met my eyes for a moment. "Today, at school, I met these three really cool girls. They were really nice. Meredith and Courtney said that I could eat lunch with them everyday! Then I met Kayla at recess and she said that I could come to her birthday party next week. Can I go? Please? Kayla's really nice, and so is Courtney, and Meredith! Plus, they told me that I could hang out with them at recess too! Can I please go?!" She stopped to breath for a second, and her face started returning to its original color.

I laughed, aloud. Angel's eyes widened. I slapped a hand over my mouth in surprise. What was Fang doing to me?

"Max? Did you just...laugh?" I nodded in embarrassment. "I...you never laugh. You never even make sound. That's the first sound out of your mouth since...since..." she trailed off, trying to remember.

"Actually, it's the second." Fang tattled on me. He was obviously trying to hide another one of his really annoying smirks. Boys and their egos, I thought, rolling my eyes. "I got her to laugh earlier."

"Wow." It seemed to be all Angel could think of. "Wow," she repeated, looking a tad dumbstruck. "So can I go? Please?" I nodded, and she jumped up and down excitedly. "Yay! Thank you! I'm gonna go call her, right now! Thank you!" She gave me a forceful hug and then ran upstairs to call her friends.

Someone knocked on the door. "So you were expecting someone?" Fang raised an eyebrow. Was it me, or did his jaw tighten just a little? I shook my head frantically, and headed to the door. Fang was a couple of yards behind me. I opened the door to someone I'd forgotten to expect to see.

"Max." Walter's face had the sickliest sweet smile on it, but I could hear the rage burning under his cool tone.

My brain shorted out. This was it. Everything was over. I was leaving, and I wasn't ever going to see Fang, or anyone ever again. Back to perpetual punishment. Back to watching my sisters live in fear day in and day out. Everything blanked. My arm pulled back, and I smashed my fist into his nose with all the force I could muster.

Ta-da!!!!!!!! Readers meet Cliff Hanger, Cliff meet readers :D Sorry guys, I couldn't help myself. Anyways, don't forget to give me ideas for Gym class. Sorry I took so long to update, but it's Christmas Break, so I'll probably update sooner. We'll see.

YourMoosyFate

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