The Secret of the Stars

A Maximum Ride FanFiction

I own nothing.

Chapter 1: Every time I don't

I sat on the low tree branch, my Alvarez guitar in my lap. My white sundress was wavering in the gentle breeze, my bare feet swinging slowly. The leaves created a sweet, soothing rhythm and I strummed along to it.

I stared out across the horizon. The sun was setting, painting the sky shades of orange and purple and pink. The notes I played on my guitar were carried off by the wind.

Then I began to sing.

I bet this time of night you're still up.

I bet you're tired from a long hard week.

I bet you're sitting in your chair by the window

Looking out at the city.

And I bet sometimes you wonder about me…

And I just wanna tell you,

It takes everything in me not to call you.

And I wish I could run to you,

And I hope you know that

Every time I don't, I almost do, I almost do.

I bet you think I either moved on or hate you

'Cause each time you reach out, there's no reply.

I bet it never ever occurred to you

That I can't say hello to you and risk another goodbye.

And I just wanna tell you,

It takes everything in me not to call you.

And I wish I could run to you,

And I hope you know that

Every time I don't, I almost do, I almost do.

Oh, oh, ooh

Oh, we made quite a mess, babe.

It's probably better off this way.

And I confess, baby,

In my dreams you're touching my face

And asking me if I wanna try again with you.

And I almost do.

And I just wanna tell you,

It takes everything in me not to call you.

And I wish I could run to you,

And I hope you know that

Every time I don't, I almost do, I almost do.

I bet this time of night you're still up.

I bet you're tired from a long hard week.

I bet you're sitting in your chair by the window

Looking out at the city.

And I hope sometimes you wonder about me.

Yeah, yeah. I know what you're thinking. "Why such a sad song to start with?"

Well, there's a long story about this guy I used to date and am still in love with. He was everything I wanted, everything I needed. I loved his long messy hair in its shade of black, the way it fell in his eyes.. Oh, his eyes. Those magnificent, beautiful deep black orbs that I seemed to get lost in constantly. It was as impossible as it is for me to breathe underwater, how deep I could look into those eyes that held so much emotion, but so little at the same time. But with him, nothing was impossible. He could make me dance on air and move mountains across the wide Pacific. The effect he had on me was crazy. His name? Nick Reid Warren. Or better known as Fang.

Fang wasn't just my boyfriend; he was my best friend. He was the only one I could really talk to about everything. And he would listen. When things were great, he'd be happy for me. When things made a turn for the worst, he'd lend me his shoulder to cry on and whisper encouraging words in my ear. He'd fight my fears away and wipe away every last tear that streamed down my face. He's the one I could share my secrets with and I wouldn't have to worry that he'd tell anyone. And even when we fought, we always found ways of making up.

But then his dad died. That's when he had to leave for San Francisco to live with his mom, since 16 was still too young for him to live alone. I cried myself to sleep every night for a month after that. I had just lost the one person on whom I knew I could depend. Like footprints in the sand when the tide gets high, he was gone. I thought I'd never see him again. He would call me every day for a while, but as time went on, the calls were less and less frequent until there were none at all. And I never answered a single one of those calls. Looking back on it, I wish more than anything that I had.

The last two years were the most painful. Without him, I had no one to protect me from the bullies at school. No one to protect me from Jeb's abusive nature. No one to protect me from Dylan. I was alone, and I had no safe haven. Everywhere I went, they seemed to follow. The bullies would be at the park. Jeb would be at the coffee shop. Or Dylan would be in some alley when I decide to go for a stroll. I'm not sure what hurts worst, the other kids' words, Jeb's fists, or Dylan's sexual harassment, but without Fang it's impossible to make it all stop. There's no way to make the pain go away.

So what did I do? I wrote a song about it. It's what I'm best at. It's my one way to get away from it all.

My name's Maximum Ride, and my life sucks.


I rushed through the doors of the school, trying to block out the whispers that I knew were about me. I could feel them staring. I put my hood up in an attempt block them out further, but I probably looked ridiculous wearing this jacket in the 90 degree weather. But how else was I going to hide the bruises that Jeb left on my arms this morning?

When I got to my locker, I stuffed my backpack in it and grabbed my physics book, a notebook, a folder, and my pencil. I closed the door to my locker and turned the lock, and I was about to walk to class when two arms strangled me in a hug.

"Hey, Max," I winced from the pressure that was on my arms and tried to pry him off.

"Hello, Iggy," I said, slightly painfully. Ever since Fang left, Iggy was the closest thing I had to a friend. But he was only ever around at school. I never see him anywhere else.

He let go of me and leaned against the lockers casually. "What's with the jacket? It's like the Sahara Desert out there." I gave him a look that said 'You know.' He shook his head. "Again?" I just shrugged my shoulders. "I told you to call me the next time it happened."

"I know. I'm sorry, it's just…" My voice trailed off.

"Look, Max," he said, putting his hands on my shoulders and giving me a worried look. "I gotta get to class. But seriously, the next time he hurts you, call me up. I'm always available when you need me." He hugged me, more gently this time, and then he walked off.

I started towards my class, but I only made it two steps when something pushed me against the lockers. I drew in a breath and closed my eyes tight as my arm made forceful contact with the wall, and my books fell out of my hands and scattered across the ground. I opened my eyes to see a girl in a low-cut shirt and Buckle jeans walk away laughing. Glaring at her, I knelt down and started gathering all the papers that had fallen out of my folder.

I felt a hand on my back and I looked behind me to see Dylan. "Let me help you," he said, a mischievous look on his face.

"Go away, Dylan. I don't need your help," I snarled, continuing to gather my papers.

He laughed at me, "Oh look, she talks!" he exclaimed. That's when I elbowed him in the groin. He doubled over in pain. Growling at me, he raised his fist and I watched it come down. I closed my eyes, waiting for it to hit my face.

But it never did. I opened my eyes and saw Dylan being pushed away by a boy dressed all in black. I couldn't tell who it was because his face was turned away from me. "She said go away," the boy said in a quiet yet intimidating voice.

"This isn't over, Ride," Dylan said over the boy's shoulder. Then he stalked off, holding his crotch.

I turned back to my books and stuffed the papers back in the folder. Grabbing my notebook and pencil, I noticed a pale hand giving me my textbook. "Uh, than-" I looked up at his face, and my mouth dropped. It was the boy that had just driven Dylan off. "Fang?"

"The name's Nick." That was all he said as I took my book from him. Then he left, as if he didn't even recognize me.

As if he didn't even remember the best four months of my life.