Behind The Curtains

Chapter 6- I can't be falling for her

Act Two, Scene 1 (Fang)

[Nick's apartment. He received an invitation in the mail and is sitting on his couch reading it. The envelope it torn and laying on the ground.]

~.*.~

You're invited to the cast of 'Maximum Ride' get-together!

Auditorium

4:30-6:30 pm

~.*.~

He sighed, reclining into the black couch even further, letting the leathery sound and texture surround him. Nick couldn't believe how quickly Maya had gotten replaced, though he was relieved there would be no more "alone" practices that she insisted on.

Having Max replace Maya wasn't a bad thing, in any means. It was actually quite good.

It just disturbed him, how Maya didn't care if she ruined her sister's life, as long as she got what she wanted. Nick always knew that Maya was a selfish person, but never would he have imagined that she'd go to that extent.

Nick glanced at the clock on the wall, only to find it was already 4:00! He grabbed his jacket and headed out of his apartment to the auditorium where the get-together was being held.

[Auditorium. Nick is the last to arrive and there are several tables full of food and refreshments. Someone has put up balloons, as well.]

"Hey Nick!" Anne said. He nodded towards her, spotting his manager, Camellia Love, chatting next to Max and Maya's father, Jeb, as well as Lissa, the producer. She caught his eye, smirked at him, and then returned to her conversation with Jeb and Lissa.

The 'Flock', consisting of Nudge, Angel, Iggy, Gazzy, and now Max, came up to greet him. "Hey, Fang!" Iggy called out.

He saw Max's eyebrows raise at the name "Fang", and he was quick to explain. "They've gotten so used to the script, that's what they call me now."

Max nodded, hesitantly smiling at him. "Oh, okay… Fang." She didn't know what to think; he had been such a jerk before, but now, he was so sweet and nice. Not to mention he practically saved her from jail, or whatever Maya's wicked mind had planned for Max. It wasn't possible that her… her childhood crush was making it's way to the stage again; was it?

Nick smiled at Max, before he made his way over to the refreshment table to pick up a cup of Coke. What did he think of Max? She looked so similar to Maya, yet they were both so different. He decided he'd not hold Max accountable for all the things Maya had done, ruining his life in the process.

It was nearing the end of the get-together — it was about 6:15 — and people were starting to leave. Soon, it was only Max, Jeb, Lissa, Anne, and Nick.

"We're going to leave now," Anne said, as she and Lissa stood by the exit of the auditorium.

"Are you sure you don't need help cleaning up?" Lissa asked.

Jeb shook his head. "Thanks for asking, but I think we've got it under control. Have a good night ladies!" They waved and walked away, leaving Nick and the Batchelder's.

"I can stay behind and clean up," Nick offered, already gathering the single-use cups and tossing them into the plastic bag. "You two should go home, it's been a long week for both of you."

"It's alright Nick, I planned this, I think it'd only be fair if I cleaned it up," Jeb argued.

Max patted her dad's back. "I'll stay behind and help F-Nick," she assured. "You should go and rest." Jeb agreed to his daughter's wishes, gave Nick and unreadable look, and left.

"Rehearsal is bright and early tomorrow morning, Maxie!" he reminded, leaving.

She nodded and began cleaning up.

They returned the auditorium to its previous state in silence, only saying a few phrases such as, "Can you get that for me?", "Thank you,", or "Sure." When it was all clean, the trash bags piled outside, Max wiped her hands on her jeans.

"Thanks for the help, Fang," she said kindly, grabbing her bag as she prepared to leave.

"Wait, Max!" Nick called before he could stop himself. She paused, mid-step, and turned around to face him.

"Hmm?" Max wondered, confusement spread across her face. "Did you need something?"

He cursed himself inwardly. Why did he call her back? It was stupid, yet Nick continued with what he was going to say. "Um, well, Maya and I had private rehearsals, since we're the main characters, and all… Did you, uh, want to practice some?" Why was he stuttering? Nick Davidson does not get nervous, and he sure as hell does not stutter.

Max blinked at him. That is definitely Maya; wanting to get some alone time with Fang, she scoffed internally. Well, since I'm late, might as well get some extra practice in… "Sure; where'd you leave off?"

Nick sighed in relief; Max hadn't blown him off as if the thought of spending time with him was ridiculous. "The part after 'you' try to talk Nudge into going to South America. In the desert." This was the normal composure Nick had — calm, cool, and collected — as he recited the part he and Maya had left off last.

"Oh. Okay."

"Do you know the script?"

She looked at him oddly. "I wrote the script, dude. Of course I know it." Max took a breath, before beginning. "Then she said that she is a total freak and that she's staying here. After everything I came up with, everything I could think of, she said she's staying here."

Nick frowned, rubbing his forehead. "She's confused. She's just a kid."

"You know we have to go. What if she really won't come with us?" Max asked, worry inflected in her voice. She noticed the dim light of the stage shadowing certain parts of Nick's face, his eyes dark like the night sky.

"How can we force her?"

"Even if we made her come, she'd just hold it against us. She'd be mad." Max let out a sigh.

He nodded slowly. "You have to want to be with someone, or it doesn't work. You have to choose."

Max's brown eyes searched Nick's impassive face, as if she was confused about something. "Uh yeah," Max stuttered awkwardly. "Um, and she…" she trailed off, eyes locked with Nick's intense gaze.

Nick leaned in closer, and Max finally realized the scene they were doing. So stupid! It's the —

"I choose you," Nick said softly, still leaning closer, his hand cupping Max's face. "Max."

He leaned in even further, his long eyelashes slowly closing, as his mouth crept closer and closer to Max's.

She began hyperventilating as he came in. It's too soon. Too confusing. Too wrong, Max thought wildly as her eyes narrowed in on Nick's approaching lips. I can't like Fang, I can't! It's just a show!

Right as Nick's lips grazed Max's, she jumped back. "INSERT HUGE, MIND-BLOWING MAKE-OUT SESSION! Uh, sorry Fang, I have to leave, Dad — I mean Ari, I mean — Nudge! Yeah, Nudge is expecting me. See you at rehearsal tomorrow!" she shouted, grabbing her bag and sprinting out the door.

Nick's last thought as Max ran out of the auditorium was, I can't be falling for her.

[Blackout]

Author's Note: MWAHAHA! We love you!

Fluffy: I bet when you all read "The part after 'you' try to talk Nudge into going to South America. In the desert." You all went "EEK!" or something along those lines. Ah! Another scene: "INSERT HUGE, MIND-BLOWING MAKE-OUT SESSION!" *teehee* I wrote that.

Bubbles: *BUBBLES' A/N*

Anna: *ANNA'S A/N*

=) SACA BAF (=