Man has it been a while since I added anything to this collection!

Here's something I just had laying around on my computer-I figured, why not post it? Pretty sure this takes place after the kiss in the fourth book.

Enjoy!

This sucks. It feels like she ripped my heart out. Again.

I know she has good reasons, in her mind, but can't she see what she's done?

No. I can't believe I just thought that. Am I really that selfish? Am I so naive to think she doesn't notice everything, but has to make decisions for the whole Flock, not just some teenage guy that happens to be in love with her?

God, why am I such an idiot?

Fang clutched his head in his hands, too many thoughts to comprehend rushing through his head. It felt like he was drowning, because of all the sharp insults towards himself that were sinking his ship. Why did he even try and kiss her again? He could tell she wasn't ready. But... He had to get her to understand. He needed her to know...

What? Exactly what did he need her to know...

He wasn't sure anymore. Or, he was and now was in denial. Can one too many rejections do that to you? Make you blissfully unaware, a defense mechanism so you don't waste your life trying to get someone to love you?

Well, he didn't like it, being unable to access his feelings (inwardly, at least.) He loved being in love with Max. He loved knowing she loved him back. It felt like flying, it felt better than flying, and anything else he'd ever known that was good in his horribly screwed up life.

But what can I do? She won't give in. Maybe she doesn't love me. Or not in the way I love her, at the very least. Now that, that thought was painful. It felt worse than when Ari had sliced him up like a steak. Worse than when they split, and worse than when Max chose Ari over him. But I would know, I'd be able to tell if she stopped loving me.

...Wouldn't I?

(Fang POV)

I slowly stood and walked back towards land. Flying was too fast, and I needed to think a little bit more.

She kissed me back. Both times I'd kissed her. And then on the beach that one time, after Ari kicked my butt before he almost killed me.

But, then she either ran off or completely ignored it. What was I doing wrong? It wasn't something petty like bad breath, that much I was sure of. I mean, she showered once a month at the most, and she never complained about it.

She is in love with me, or at least likes me. Maybe she's in denial. (Having a mind-reader helps.)

Was she thinking about the Flock again, like she always did? Putting the whole Flocks needs first before any one-or two-individuals?

It must have been that.

Or maybe she's just scared. It would be terrifying for me to find out I was in love with my best friend... Wow, that would be creepy.

That's it!

...So what do I do about it, to help her get over it? I can't let her stress over something like this, something as easy as breathing...

Let her get used to the idea. A voice whispered to me, but I knew it wasn't Angel. After all, she's been asleep for a few hours.

But, enlist Angel, if you can... A mind-reader helps. It echoed my thoughts from earlier.

This plan means more waiting. A lot, if I knew Max at all.

But it means I just might win Max's heart.

A/N: Aww, cute, Fang.

If you enjoyed this, please feel free to leave a review with comments or critiques! And please check out my profile for other fics in various different categories, especially the one I just posted for Stranger Things, if you've seen that! I'm a big fan-can't wait for the new season to come out in less than two weeks :)

Thanks for reading!