Well hello, there. I'm Joey. I'll do my best to keep these short, but whatever is written will be update related, so you might wana check it out :P

I screamed and my eyes flew open. I jerked upright, looking around frantically, only to realize that I was in my own room. I shook my head. I hated that dream. Being chased by… werewolves? Flying? I don't know. I just didn't particularly want to see it again. I sighed and shook my head. There was no way I was going to be able to get back to sleep… I checked the clock and groaned. Four o'clock in the freaking morning. I rolled out of bed and made my way to the shower.

I'm not sure how long I was in there. Long enough for all of the hot water to run out…

When I got out and got dressed, it was five thirty. I typically didn't even wake up for another few hours… Well, maybe I could try to do something productive.

I laughed shortly afterwards at the absurdity of the thought.

I sighed and looked out the window. The ground was covered in a blanket of perfect white snow… Not the best driving weather, but it would be way too freaking cold to walk. I shrugged and headed to the garage where my slightly-less-than-used car awaited. Christmas was only two weeks away… two more weeks, then all the hype would go down. Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Christmas itself, but everything is just a little too perfect around Christmas time for me.

I backed out of the driveway and went into town. There was a bookstore with a coffee shop that I really liked… It sounded like a good way to start the day.

I scanned the fiction section before ordering my coffee. The girl behind the counter seemed grouchy… She was probably thinking something along the lines of, "It's six o'clock. What the hell is anyone doing up?"

I found a chair in the back of the store. I selected a book at random, warmed my hands with my coffee cup, and sat contently as I began to read. Winter break would be starting soon…

"Excuse me," said a voice. I looked up from the book. A boy about my age dressed in all black was standing in front of me. His hair was overlong as it hung in front of his obsidian eyes. "That's not the last copy of that… is it?"

I paused and thought back to taking the book. "I think it is, actually… Here, you can have it." I held it out to him.

"That's alright," he sighed. "I'll get it somewhere else."

I almost laughed. "Sorry, this is the only bookstore within a fifty mile radius. Just take it." I stood and pushed the book towards him.

He sighed. "Thanks."

"You're not from around here," I commented. He nodded.

"Just moved here. In time for Christmas." He didn't sound particularly thrilled. Then again, there wasn't much emotion there at all.

I sat back down in the chair and pulled my knees to my chest. "Sounds… fun?"

He shook his head. "Well… Thanks. I better go," he muttered.

I half smiled. "Have fun with that."

He left and I sighed. Damn, that had been a good book, too. With that, I stood once again and debated where to go. A smile made its way across my features as I wondered how annoyed Iggy would be if I showed up at his house this early… I grinned and left the store, only to see the guy from before hanging around his car. I was pretty sure he hadn't noticed me, so I didn't bothering reacting. I sat in the drivers seat and started the ignition…

Nothing.

I turned the key again.

Nothing.

I groaned and stepped out of the car. This was not happening. I felt my pockets for my cell phone, but to my demise, realized I had left it at home. So much for calling Mom or Ella. I kicked the tire in frustration and looked around. The guy was looking at me now, a puzzled look on his face.

I blushed and looked away. And I'd been hoping no one saw that…

"Need some help?" he asked, walking over.

I sighed. "Car won't start."

He looked at it thoughtfully. "Maybe the battery is dead. If that's the case, I'll just jump it."

I nodded at him and he headed back to his car. He parked closer to me and got out jumper cables.

After getting everything set up, he told me what to do to hopefully get my car started.

After nearly seven failed attempts, he sighed and stepped out of his car. "It's not the battery. Do you need a ride somewhere?"

A ride? With a stranger? Hell, why not? "If it's not too much trouble, it would help…"

"Sure," he said, smiling for the first time since I'd met him. I wondered if it was something he did often.

I gave him instructions to get to Iggy's house. I knew neither my mom nor Ella would know what to do about my car, but Iggy was a different story.

"So, what's your name?" he asked.

"Max," I said simply.

"I'm Fang," he said.

"That's a strange name," I said. The sky was grey and contrasted with the blindingly white snow. Was it going to snow again?

He shrugged. "I guess. Here we are…" he said, pulling into Iggy's driveway. He pulled out a piece of paper and jotted something down. "Here's my number in case you need something. See you around."

I smiled politely and thanked him. He drove away and I hurried to Iggy's doorstep to ring the doorbell. A very grouchy Iggy still dressed in pajama pants and a long sleeved t-shirt answered the door.

"What do you want?" He growled.

"I need help," I snapped back. He gave me a tired look.

"What could you possibly need help with at this hour?"

"My car won't start. It's parked at the bookstore."

A blank expression crossed his features. "Then how the hell did you get here?"

"I got a ride from someone. Now help me." I sighed. Iggy was much livelier when he was fully awake.

"Max… My parents aren't here. I'm in charge of the kids…" he looked torn.

"They can come too," I said. "Or you can drop them off at my house."

He nodded. "Sure… come in, I'll get dressed. Wake 'em up, will ya?"

I stepped inside the all too familiar home. Iggy retreated to his room and I went to find Angel and Gazzy.

Twenty minutes later, a very grouchy Iggy and two sleepy little kids along with me hopped in Iggy's truck and we rode to the bookstore. Iggy had decided against taking them to my house first, hoping he would be able to fix my car on the spot and go home.

That, however, was not the case. He tried everything he could possibly think of and more, but my poor car wouldn't budge. A sour feeling set in my stomach. It looked like I would be needing a ride to school tomorrow…

I used Iggy's phone to call my mom. I explained everything quickly and she simply said to come on home and she would call a mechanic.

"Well… this sucks," I said, snapping Iggy's phone closed. He nodded.

"I know, it's seven in the morning and I'm awake!" Angel yawned sleepily and I scooped her up in my arms. She was small for an eight year old. Ever since I'd moved in here and met Iggy, Angel had always been my baby. She put her arms around my neck and I smiled.

Iggy rolled his eyes and gestured to the car. It was cold outside, and a warm car suddenly sounded wonderful.

Ella was waiting for us and ushered us in, shivering as the door closed behind us. Seeing her, Iggy smiled, but said nothing. The kids ran to her and she happily took on the job of entertaining them. My mom was on the phone when Iggy and I walked in the kitchen.

"That bad?" she said, sounding a little upset.

I exchanged a worried glance with Iggy as my mom said, "Thank you, have a nice day," and hung up. She glanced at me. "Maximum Martinez, your car is busted. There's nothing to do now but start saving up for a new one," she sighed.

I groaned. "Wonderful." Iggy shrugged.

"It could be worse." Well, wasn't he the ever optimist. What happened to his mood?

I glared at him. Why did this always happen to me? I shoved my hands in my pockets, enjoying the warmth. My fingers wrapped around a small piece of paper. Paper? Oh, right.

Fang.

I was going to add more. But I didn't want to lead you into a false sense of security where my chapters are nice and lengthy. Unfortunately, my chapters are short. But I promise I do try to make them as long as I can…

With the exception of this one.

Well, I hope you like it. I thought I'd do something a little Faxy, and what better way to achieve that than a cliché? The voices in my head say there are many ways. But… That's irrelevant. I enjoy clichés.

So, review?

The more you review, the faster I update. True statement.