Hello ladies and gentlemen. I am Maximum Ride and yes, that really is my name, pretty cool right? If you said yes in your head, I like you already. You could say that I am a regular high school student but do not be fooled dear readers, there is nothing regular about my life. While most girls my age are obsessing over boy bands and the latest fashion item, I am spreading my wings and flying. That's right, I have wings, actual wings and I can really fly. I am an avian hybrid, I am 98% human and the other 2% you ask? Well that 2% is the DNA of a hawk. My childhood consisted of cages, experiments and a lack of human relationships. But I am not alone in this world, there are others like me that I grew up with in the special lab known as 'the School'. There is Iggy who may be blind but that doesn't limit his abilities, the kid is pretty awesome. Next comes Nudge and yes, as you can guess, she talk an awful lot. Gazzy is the youngest male and a quick word of warning, when he releases wind, it is pretty lethal. Angel is Gazzy's younger sister and at first glance, you'd think her name is perfect for her but do not underestimate this girl, she can read and control minds so I would watch out if I were you, she can be quite evil at times. Last but certainly not least is Fang, my Fang. We used to all live in cages together in 'the School' but that was a long time ago. A scientist called Jeb freed us and tried to provide us with a normal life by giving us a home. All good things come to an end and Jeb went crazy and tried to get us back to 'the School' to complete some destiny he had in his mind. Once I found my mother after years of searching, she put a stop to it all and found homes for all of the other bird kids. Angel, Gazzy and Iggy were adopted by a couple who couldn't have kids and therefore welcomed unusual children with open arms. Nudge was fostered by a fashion designer and she often models for her during her free time. A few years ago, Nudge lost it and she had her beautiful wings removed so that she could be normal. While I was not very happy with her decision, she is still our Nudge, wings or no wings, all that matters now is that she is happy. Fang is living with a couple of journalists who are close friends with my mother, it is a pretty perfect relationship actually, all of them rarely talk but somehow that makes their relationship stronger. Finally, what about me you ask? I am living with my mother and long lost sister, I now attend high school and lead a pretty average life, well, as average a life could be with wings. While I don't like that I am separated from my flock, I must admit life is better for all of us. Now that we all have found families, 'the School' are legally not allowed to come after us. Two years have passed since we all found families and I have not seen Angel, Gazzy and Iggy because they live quite far away, but I do have contact with them. Nudge, Fang and myself go to the same high school. Okay, now that you have a bit of knowledge of my background, I think it is time to tell you my story. My story begins with a late school bus.
