Warning; first fanfic I wrote. It's hilariously shit but keep it up cause it's funny so see how far I've come in writing. Enjoy at your own risk !
Full Summary:
Average tomboy teenager, Maxine Martinez, is transferring from an all girls to a mixed gender school, running away from her troubled past. It isn't going to be easy, but even after her gloomy childhood she manages to find the sorts of friends she thought she never would.
After recieving a homework assignment, and purchasing a series of novels called Maximum Ride, Max starts to find that things could get complicated - as everything around her gains a new meaning. Secrets are unveiled, one by one, and the mysteries of iTex appear darker then ever.
With the pressure of school, a hell of lot of enemies, a certain black haired best friend, the constant danger of imminent death, that wonderful thrill of being hunted, and probably having to save the world; getting through everyday life can be interesting.
But with new feelings being realized, surprise attacks being launched, getting lost in the music, a few words about 'magical' destiny being passed around, and some seriously sick people out there, it's one hell of a ride.
When the world's against you you've gotta sour to survive.
(Fax, Eggy, possible others.)
Disclaimer:
(I'm going to do this now, and not do it in every single chapter, but it will be effective for every chapter)
I DO NOT OWN ANY SONGS, CHARACTERS, COMPANIES, OR MERCHANDISE MENTIONED OF ANY KIND!
Songs:
She likes (bitter sweet love) by Forever the sickest kids (mentioned)
Your Song by Kate Walsh
If you've been bothered to read the fine print up there, then well done; and patient or otherwise you've made it to the chapter - hope you like...
M
Prologe
Jo POV
The rain pounded on every side of the car and I glanced sharply over my shoulder; getting a final snap shot of the girl lying across the back seat. The matted curly blonde hair was trailing down the back of her hospital gown, and her bright brown eyes moved under their lids as she sleept. I turned my attention back to the road just in time to jerk the steering wheel violently to the left; avoiding the on coming car by inches. My heart swayed with the truck as it wobble on and off the pavement, unable to grip the road as well with all the water, but I got it going steady again. I spotted the house up ahead and eased my foot of the accelerator ever so slightly.
I slammed on the brakes and the van skidded violently, making the both of us lurch forwards abruptly. Maximum was strapped to the seat with her seat belt, as I was, but we both flew forwards as the back wheels left the ground for a second. As soon as we'd bounced back onto the tarmac I jammed my fingers into the seatbelt release and flung my car door open. I dropped down with a splash, standing up straight as the thunderstorm growled at me from overhead. The rain was so heavy I could barely see a few feet in front of me, and the icy wind shaped the sheets of rain into shards; all slashing randomly as I felt my way around, to the other side of the truck.
Already soaked to the bone and shivering, I wrenched the back door open and fumbled for her seat belt release. I found it and pulled her tiny body out into my arms, noticing dimly her tiny chest rising and falling rapidly. I kicked the door shut and ran over the road; Maximum still blissfully unconscious in my arms.
The gravel on the driveway took flight under my footfalls, as I ran around to the back of the house. I kicked on the door, as by way of a knock, and the door handle moved very slowly. The plastic door opened to a crack before being flung back by a familiar middle aged hispanic women. She gaping at me, trying to grasp some form of speech, but I started speaking before she had the chance to start on any introductions (yelling over the rain),
"I haven't got time to explain! I found her; Maximum Ride! Hide her, give her a normal life. They gave her the avian DNA but not enough, she looks normal! She's got to save us from it, save the world from it, but until then you must keep her hidden! They will search for her! It will search for her!" Valencia didn't say a word, so I promptly pushed past her - Maximum's limp form now breathing raggedly in my arms, shivering from the cold. I lay her skinny form on a kitchen worktop, being as gentle as I could in my haste.
I took one last look.
Stroked her hair as by means of farewell.
And before anyone could say another world I pushed past Valencia and jumped back out into the storm; running back down the driveway. Not checking if she was following I leapt into the truck and turned the key in the ignition - not bothering with the seat belt. I revved the engine and the wheels squealed in pretest as I sped away.
My side mirrors showed only the grey rain spattering onto the tarmac behind me, concealing all that I'd left behind. I turned my attention back to the road and gripped the steering wheel anxiously. I just hoped I'd done the right thing, that I'd given her the best chance. I hoped I hadn't just completely sabotaged GPS' plan for saving the world...
Chapter 1:
New Beginnings, New Start, New Friends, New Crap That I Have To Face Every Day
MAX POV
BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. *headbutts-snooze-button*
Why, oh why, oh why, does my alarm clock have to be so freaking LOUD! At 7:00am (according to the ear splitting, beeping, device on my bedside table), I curled up under my duvet in the newly blissful silence; wanting more then anything to fall back asleep. Only, as it was my first day at a new school, Mum told me/ordered that I would have to be on time (so, just for today, I'd have to make an effort).
I blew a long sigh, screwing up my eyes and trying to resist the tempting singing from my dream. I mean who wouldn't want to watch helplessly behind the eyes of someone who;
1)Was finishing a small scale fight, then turned to smile at a dark, shaggy, scrawny little 5 year old boy (with a gapped toothy smile).
2)Was carrying a small girl through the rain and handing her to my Mother.
It's more interesting then anything I've ever learnt at school and, considering it's me, just the idea of a non-toturous nighttime wondering is pretty attractive - taking into account the fact that I don't dream. I just don't. My head too fond of freaking me out with nightmares every night (for as long as I can remember). Talk about crazy.
BUT NO; dearest Mumsy doesn't see that as an excuse to let me sleep in a little - even when one completely ignores my 'impossible' degree of laziness. Knowing Mum would get me to school (whether I had to be dragged or not), I forced myself out of my warm covers - motoring along as quickly as my sleep-driven brain could race at on a Monday morning.
With a lot of mumbling, grumbling, and a huge amount of effort, I lumbered over to the shower; all thoughts of my dream sadly slipping through my fingers, and washed down the drain by the steady flow of water that rushed out the shower head. I turned the water up, to the hottest setting available, and yawned loudly. Still bleary eyed, and almost tripping over my own feet, I stepped under the steady jets of water.
I spent over half an hour just standing under the blazing rain coming out of the hose above me, partly because: I LOVE HOT SHOWERS, and partly because they always help delay the days (destined for all things dark and ugly) by half to three quarters of an hour - providing your mother doesn't have a habit of switching off your music, whilst you're provaricating.
Just as my skin started to wrinkle into to a semi-prune like state I heard a yell, belonging to Mum drift through the crack in the bathroom door (half drowned out by my music). Unable to make out what she was saying I shut off the water and got out of the shower - briefly catching something about leaving with or with out you right now. I reached for my towel, having the intension to go and shout (inquisitively) from the top of the stairs, but heard the back door open then shut. that was when I realised I had just missed my ride to school - making me around half an hour later, then I'd originally thought. Nice one Maximillion.
I dried off, brushed my teeth, and got dressed; shrugging the stupid school uniform on, and catching a brief glance in the mirror to pull my hair off of my face - trying to fasten a hair tie around my ponytail. The hair tie and I struggled with all my undecided streaks of brown and blonde (what with the 'lion-shild' qualities wavy hair came with) but after a while I gave up and let it hang down loose; lingering long enough to glare back at the 14 year old, irritated, muddy brown eyes in the mirror. Sighing I grabbed my new back pack (zipped my iPod and phone inside) and made for the stairs...
Our house is quite high up, plopped near the very top of a massive hill - just out of reach of all the noise (coming from our tiny town in the middle of nowhere). We have quite a few rooms over the two floors (but it's all small enough to be cosy); all surrounded by a large garden which seems to always be filled with flowers - seeing as my Mum's into gardening when she's not working at her veterinary clinic. Upstairs is where we all sleep (Mum, my sister Ella, and I), and if the colour of our rooms doesn't tell you how different we all are then our music will. One of us likes Justin Beiber, one of us likes the very informative BBC radio stations, and one of us likes My Chemical Romance - I'm sure you're all clever people, so I'll leave it to you guess who's who.
Our family of three is close but one of the smallest in the neighbourhood. There's been no men in our ranks since Ella's Dad died and I don't know my Father. Mum never exactly went into detail about Ella's Dad, or mine for that matter, (and every time either of us prodded her for answers, she always seemed to end up in tears - so we never brought it up). It's not like I need a Father anyway; my Mum's the best parent in the world, and you don't exactly miss what you've never had. Still, it didn't stop me wondering sometimes; part of me just knew that Mr anomalous was the I wasn't currently at Hogwarts.
I jumped the last four steps of carpet and jogged along the hallway to the wash room - ignoring one of Ella's soup programs, still blaring from the TV in the lounge. Chucking my pyjamas into the wash basket, I strode towards the kitchen. Checking the time on my wrist I hastily grabbed a banana, stuffed my pack lunch into my backpack and was out the door. I locked it behind me, stuffed my keys in my new school blazer, and dragged out my iPod. I rammed my headphones in my ears and started walking down the driveway to the sound of my forever the sickest kids album. She likes (my bittersweet love) came on and I sped up to walk to the beat, eating a bananary breakfast...
I decided to at least try to be optimistic about today; trying to convince myself that transferring to Ella's school couldn't possibly be that bad. I suppose the only difference was that there'll be boys at this school; having just attended an all girls school (that wasn't all that great), I had no idea what similarities they'd have between them - I've never even talked to a boy my own age, and I don't listen to many of Ella's rants (mostly concerning boys), so I couldn't really even have an 'educated' guess.
I slipped on the side of the pavement and winced as my ankle twisted painfully. Stamping my foot a few times, getting it to support my weight again, I carried on down the street; shaking my head in frustration as I glanced at my watch (and picking up the pace again as I realised my renewed lateness). God I wish that I hadn't stayed in the shower for so long! If Mum had driven me I could've even taken my acoustic in as well - seeing as we tend to arrive with an hour left to kill before registration (or so I'm told by sister dearest). Playing always helps uplift my mood anyway (or as Ella poetically puts it; music is my escape, it silences the world).
I didn't want to carry it in (on foot) because I wouldn't have enough time to play by the time I'd get there, and I wasn't prepared to lug it a mile and then some (up a hill). I'm a hell of a lot stronger then I look; but it's still pretty darn heavy and it's still a pretty steep hill. The case was made of acrylic; heavy duty and complete with metal, lockable, latches. Virtually indestructible (as the shop keeper told me himself), yet of course I'd managed to break it - a small crack ran along the bottom where it'd been dropped so many times; due to my self-diagnosed butter-fingers infliction (hence why I don't have a light case = bye, bye, guitar).
I usually end up playing for hours on end; probably because it's one of, if not my only hobby (other then sleeping but I'd like to think of that as more of an activity). I've had to teach myself from scratch because I don't respond very well to instructions; especially when it comes from a condescending adult (and musical or not, teachers are no exception). I guess it's just a part of my quirky personality.
I tried to drag back the memory of what Ella had told me about her school. I think she mentioned a music school...yes she did...from what I can remember it had some practice rooms...somewhere...at least I think that's what she said; honestly I rarely listen whey she rants to me (because it'd take some extreme skill, no matter who tries, let me tell you). You see my little sister can speak quicker then she can run and is known as a 'gossip girl' for a very good reason. Therefore I only managed to work out the basics with some extreme concentration.
From what I could tell it's like high school but a hell of a lot smaller and less rough. Obviously that meant it was also less fun - if I accidentally kicked some ass I could be in seriously trouble. But then again; this is England (the kingdom of cups of tea and all things posh) = no high school, no squeals of excitement, no girl/guy next door just the constant bad weather of the British Isles 24/7, 365 days per year - I assure you it's as exciting as it sounds.
My walk started to tilt upwards, as I came to the bottom of many hills and steps. I'd just finished walking down my hill but the school also happens to sit on top of two hills = twice the fun. But these were two incredibly steep hills. So steep in fact that it took me just under 10 minutes to cover around 1/4 of a mile - doing wonders for my ankle and bad mood...not.
When I finally climbed up to the top, where my new school stood, it was completely deserted - as I was (surprise, surprise) late. I looked around for some sign of where I was meant to be going and saw a map on my left; hanging above a sign that read 'the office' with an arrow pointing up hill. I gritted my teeth and continued to climb...
I reach a door marked 'office' at around 9:20am; a whole 20 minutes late on my first day - way to make an impression, ay? I grasped the door handle and pulled it open, but recoiled as a wave of antibacterial cleaner burned my nostrils. I screwed up my eyes, breathing heavily, telling myself to block it out and ignoring all the hairs that had now stood to attention.
I shook my head and took a great gulp of cool autumn air from the outside world, behind me - trying to calm down. I was never sure why this always happened, but whenever I sensed anything to do with a hospital all I wanted to do was run and never look back - it wasn't a fear of needles or anything, although I defiantly had that down to an art, but I just couldn't face it. It's just one of my many terrifying yet completely irrational fears, that makes up the psycho that is moi - such is life I s'pose. With shaking hands I pulled open the door again and walked inside. I gagged a little, feeling shaky, but forced myself to walk up to the desk marked with another sign saying 'Reception'. I caught the receptionist's attention,
"Hi I'm Maxine Martinez. First day here..." The handsome women looked up at me and smiled a wonderfully fake grin,
"Ah Maxine Martinez? Yes, could you please go and see Mrs Griggs in here office? Out that door, turn left and it's the second door down". She pointed towards the door sharply, with another forced smile (ruined by her clenched jaw). Her eyes looked slightly maddening; telling me that if I didn't walk out right now, and leave her the hell alone, she'd go a little berserk. As tempting and funny as I thought it may be, my sensible side took over and (resisting the urge to roll my eyes) I said quickly,
"sure," then rushed towards the door and, for once, did as I was told - even if it was mostly to do with wanting to escape the suffocating stench of an operating theatre.
I reached the door that the receptionist had told me about and opened it; breathing in the light fragrance of air freshener (a huge relief after the sanitizer overload outside). A tall, pretty lady (dressed in a shade of lavender that matched the wall beind her), sat behind a large wooden desk. She smiled at me warmly,
"Ah you must be Maxine?" I closed the door behind me and tried to smile sincerely,
"Just Max, thanks" She gestured to the seat on the other side of her desk,
"Of course, sorry Max. Would you please take a seat". I sat down and dropped my back pack at my feet. She brought out several papers from a desk draw, and handed them over, "Right; I have your homework diary, calendar, timetable and anything else you'll need right here. There should be someone coming to collect you in a few minutes; they'll be your guide for the week and they'll probably be in most (if not all) of your lessons. Is there anything you want to ask me beforehand?" I stayed silent figuring that if I opened my mouth I'd say something sarcastic - adult+Max = hello?
She took my silence well and nodded, still smiling gently, going back to her computer work. After a minute of sitting there in silence, I opened my bag and searched for the piece of paper showing my timetable; unfolding it to see what I they'd thrown at me,
Monday
Period 1&2: Chemistry
Period 3: Maths
Break
Period 4: Maths
Period 5&6: Art
Lunch
Period 7&8: English
It wasn't bad; Chemistry (I'd get over it), Maths (I get some sleep), Art (I can do fairly well), and English (is...well English). I folded it up and zipped it back inside my back; dropping it back on the floor as someone knocked on the door (causing Mrs Griggs to call out cheerily),
"Come in!" You'll never guess what walked through the purple door? A boy. Yes a boy. I'm talking something I've never come up against before (not like this anyway). Just my luck to get one as my guide for the week, ay? *facepalm*
Kill. Me. Now.
I looked at him, sizing him up, instinctively switching from sleepy to alert. He looked fairly sporty, being very tall and skinny, but had a loosely guarded posture. His shaggy black hair fell to his eyebrows, and I saw a few freckles dotted here and there on his emotionless features.
GREAT! So not only is it a boy, but he's also a bit of an emo - still, could be fun; I could see how much conversation I can get out of him before he calls on the devil for my eternal damnation (or something of the sort). The boy looked at Mrs Griggs, who looked at me, so that he'd follow her gaze. I saw his eyes widen a fraction (looking me up and down in a typically judgmental way) but they resumed their normal position so quickly I wasn't ever sure if I'd just imagined it. I flicked my gaze between him and Mrs Griggs, she flicked between me and the boy and the boy looked between me and Mrs Griggs.
I felt like we were in a disney movie and were meeting each other for the first time; and we could've had a group hug, followed by radical dancing, and a little sing song (that would surely come along at one time or another). Then again the only reason my imagination went down that road was because how opposite it was to the currant situation; awkward turtle moment; yes I'm sad to say that I speak of 'the awkward turtle' that Ella is so fond of - along side the 'awkward giraffe', the 'awkward tortoise', the 'awkward platypus', the 'awkward peacock' (and all that jazz).
When I rejoined reality again I saw that Mrs Griggs was fixing the boy with a pleading look - probably hoping that he'd introduce himself, with some help from her telepathic powers. From his expression, I don't think they were working very well, and apparently neither did Mrs Griggs; because she sighed a almost inaudibly,
"Nicholas, this is Max; I need you to take care of her for the week. She's new here and needs to be shown the ropes. Can you do that for me please?" He nodded but didn't say anything - moving only to tighten his jaw slightly when she mentioned his name. Mrs Griggs looked kindly, if not a little pityingly, on me as I stood up. I slung my school bag over my shoulder, and followed him out of the office. The last thing I heard before the awkward silence set in again was a slightly shrill, "good luck Max" and a another quiet sigh...
We walked down a corridor, up a flight of stairs and onto a long landing leading outside. When we got outside he cast me a look, that told me he wasn't looking for conversation. I decided, since he didn't want to talk, I might as well try to make him. You never know; it might make the day a little more fun - annoying anyone and everyone around me is my speciality,
"So Nicholas...?" His expressionless face turned slightly cold, and he let out a small sigh, before saying in a deep voice,
"Call me Fang". I stammered a bit out of nerves, looking up at his careless face - not only because this was first contact with a boy I've had (in living memory), or because I'm freaking out slightly (emphasis on the word slightly), but also because I felt like I recognised him (and that worried me a little),
"W-w-what's it like here" He smirked slightly as if pleased with himself - probably thinking it was because I like him (as almost any other girl undoubtedly would), rather then because I'm too busy trying to remember why he was familiar to concentrate on the trivial things like speech.
"S'alright" he said, almost under his breath, running a hand through his already messed up hair. I raised my eyebrows,
"That's it? 'S'alright'. That's your entire opinion of this whole school...wow. Must be an exciting place, I'm glad you made so much effort to elaborate". I saw his forehead dip in annoyance as his jaw tightened, and I just managed to resist smirking - oh I do love having the power to be the most annoying person on the planet, as and when the opportunity arises, it's so much fun (yeah, it gets me in a few fights; but it makes life a little more entertaining). Looking dead ahead, and trying to keep the calm expression glued across his face, he cut back,
"What do you want me to say then?" I shrugged, going with the over the top approach,
"I dunno; what are the people in our year like, or teachers, anything/anyone I should avoid, when's lunch (most importantly)?" He raised his eyebrows looking ever so slightly surprised and stalled a little,
"Well..." After a few seconds of silence I looked at him, to see him looking back at me; but as soon as our eyes met he concentrated on where he was going again, and rubbed the back of his neck with one hand. He sighed,"just over half the girls in our year aren't all that great - good luck with that. The teachers...well there are loads of bad, but a few pretty cool ones. Avoid cheese at all costs in the lunch hall. And Lunch is quarter past one". His expression looked triumphant, and I couldn't help smirking - I wasn't even getting started,
"Do you have any hobbies?" He frowned and looked up at the sky for a moment, a calm look on his face; he blinked purposefully and the expression vanished with a cold breeze, as he turned his attention back to where he was going,
"Sports that we do in games; I play in the teams. I play electric guitar. Bit of art. Forced on to the maths team. Running..." The corners of his mouth twitched but so quickly I wasn't sure I'd seen it; and he was soon looking back at me as expressionless as ever - waiting for my answer. I nodded,
"Cool. I play a bit of acoustic, I like art as well, sleeping - even thought I don't usually get a lot of it; but it counts. And...actually I think that's...it." He nodded then actually started some form of conversation (yep, you heard me; the emo's making convo),
"Why'd you move schools?" I smiled as a slight frown creased Fang's forehead (knowing how painful it must be for him, using up 4 of his daily 100 word limit - granted I don't know if all guys are this quiet or blocked off, but I'm pretty sure this is the silent type). I shrugged, shoving my fists into my blazer pockets,
"Well my sister goes to this school, she's in the year below. It's easier if we go to the same school...so." I mentally shoved a few memories back under the DO-NOT-CROSS tape in my head and tried to smile. He bought it, nodding slightly, and we started walking in a moderately comfortable silence; Fang proud he'd achieved some mutual conversation, and me proud that I had the will power not to piss him off - because if he's my guide for the entire week, I do not need to be adding him as an enemy of the state (Maxtopia), not at this early stage anyway.
We ended up surrounded by the science blocks (from what the signs told me) and Fang led me up some metal stairs to chemistry. He opened the door and I took a deep breath before stepping inside...
From personal experience, I know that I can do pretty much anything that sounds impossible (accept maybe fly - but I'm not that stupid). After an hour of Chemistry, I decided it must just be too logical for a Monday morning - because, frankly, electrons could be orbiting my head, but I still wouldn't get what Mr Keinsberg was trying to say. And it wasn't entirely my fault either just me; because I'm pretty sure anyone, stuck in a school in the middle of nowhere, would wonder why anyone in their right mind lets a German Einstein/evil scientist teach Chemistry to small children - classmates not excluded.
After a while, I decided me listening to him wasn't doing my mental health (and or education) any good; so I drifted away from his (and I quote *cue strong German accent*) 'words of wisdom.'
Words of wisdom my ass.
Having nothing better to do I scoped out the classroom; starting with my class mates. I was sitting at the end of the back row bench. My only neighbour was a girl sat on my right - very pretty, shorter then me, with long very dark hair trailing down her back (that matched her eye colour). She wore a glazed expression (telling me I wasn't the only one not listening) but soon refocused as she sensed eyes on her. Before I could look away her eyes found me and she smiled - probably realizing that I'm the new retard that walked in late with, oh god what's his face?...Oh yeah; Nicholas - no wait, Fang. She leant over slightly and said in a quiet but bubbly tone of voice,
"Hi I'm Monique but my friends call me Nudge, your Max right?" I nodded but didn't she seem to wait for my approval before adding in a very fast whisper; "Your first day, huh? I remember my first day but I started in 1st year not 4th year, it was a really great day! Today's quite nice to, for your first day I mean. The suns out, unusual but it's nice and warm. Are you having a nice day?" I nodded, a little taken aback, as she rambled on and on and on; it was strange to come across someone who talked at a similar speed to Ella so close to home - I'd always imagined that their friends might've killed them off sooner rather then later (as they gave up looking for an off switch). But as nice as she seemed, I couldn't help tuning out after 30 seconds - it's kind of an instinct for me.
I zoned back in just as she asked me if I liked sweetcorn and Mr Einsberg told us to pack away quickly - having over-running the lesson by ten minutes, despite there being four clocks in the room (like I said; psycho teacher). I practically jumped out of my seat to get to my bag. I shoved my books away, gave Nudge a quick 'nice to meet you, see you later' flapdoodle speech, then walked over towards Fang. He held out his hand, palm up, asking in his own special way to see my timetable. I retrieved it from my bag and handed it over. He scanned it once, handed it back to me, and motioned with his head to follow him. Great, we're back to the emotionless brick wall, again...
We trudged towards the maths class rooms situated in a long corridor (ironically) named the maths corridor. Fang opened the blue door of the first classroom we came to. It smelt funny, had a few lockers in it, a couple of sports bags shoved into one corner, and one very pissed off teacher by the white board.
"NICHOLAS! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN! What gives you the right to be TEN MINUTES late for my lesson? Who's that behind you?"Fang stepped into the room to reveal me in the doorway, and said calmly,
"This is Maxine Martinez Mrs Ellis, she's new and I'm showing her round." I smiled brightly at her, feeling a little more upbeat - electrons I'm not so good with, but I can defiantly take a pissed teacher,
"Hello, I'm Max! Nice to meet you!" I'll admit...I probably shouldn't have said it in an over enthusiastic way, and given her a wave like you would to a small child - but I've been by myself for most of the summer and this opportunity seemed too good to miss.
My comment seemed to send her over the edge; as her face went from a deep red to purple, in one angry huff of breath - just that one colour away from being able to excrete steam through the ears. It gave me the impression that she was just a round, human sized, chameleon - rippling through the colour scheme before our very eyes. You get the idea, she wasn't a happy bunny.
She took a deep breath in and out before saying in a sickly sweet voice,
"I think you'll find, that you have an attitude problem, Miss Martinez. Please fix it." I tried not to smirk as it would ruin my cool fácade,
"I don't mean to be rude miss, but (in the nicest possible way) I don't have an attitude problem. You just have a problem with my attitude, and I'm not sure that that's my problem." I shrugged gently as her piggy eyes bulged, and Fang sensibly dragged me over to the back of the classroom - pulling me down into a seat next to him, so that I was out of range of her ham-like fists. Mrs Ellis took a good few seconds to resume a healthy purple skin tone, after momentarily dipping into a selection of blue, then said in a sugary voice,
"As this is your first day Maxine I will forget our previous conversation, but your next offence will result in extreme consequences." I nodded, sporting a guilty until had turned her back. I kept my head down as I got my pencil case out of my bag but couldn't help smiling behind her back - it had been such a long time since I had won my last completly unnecessary verbal fight, and it gave me a nice little adrenaline rush. I felt Fang's eyes on me, and turned to him to see his quizzical gaze. I dropped the smile and raised my eyebrows in a 'what-you-looking-at' expression. He shrugged and I thought I saw the shadow of a smile, before we both turned to face the board.
Honestly, I was going to try to listen to what Mrs Ellis was saying about this pythagorus dude but (as Fang's only going to have to repeat every word anyway) what's the point if it's just going to confuse me anyway...
We were still hemmed into the window lined corner of the classroom when Mrs Ellis finally released us from the clutches of right angle armed triangles, so we could go to break.
"Can you show me where the Music School is?" I asked Fang. He nodded with a slight crease in his forehead again, and lead me through the hallways.
I followed him, down the hill this time, to the very bottom of the school site.
"Can you find your way back?" He asked, still looking slightly puzzled, and I nodded (giving him a brief smile),
"Yeah, sure." I turned away from Fang, restraining myself from running the short distance to the door; I needed a guitar in my hands, now. When I'm stressed, annoyed, angry, happy, sad there's always a song waiting to make it all better - terms and conditions apply.
When in doubt, sing your heart out...
I opened the door to be met with the new building smell of carpet and wooden instruments. I took to the stairs, in search of any school instruments, and found the room marked guitar store - simple enough. I opened the door to be met by a walk in wardrobe sized room, lined on one side with wooden shelves. I spotted a shelf labeled school equipment and I picked up the only acoustic guitar there, along with a capo. I found an empty music room across the hall, and entered.
I tuned it all up, thinking about what I felt like playing; plucked random strings and finding two familiar notes. I smiled at the sound and decided to try and calm down with a slower song. I picked out the notes, gently and quietly, running it up to the first verse,
"Haven't you heard?
I'm stuck on a verse
I'm stuck on a boy who fills me with joy
I knew I was wrong to
jump straight on into this picture so pretty
But he is so pretty to me"
I closed my eyes and relaxed, sinking into the music;
"And he doesn't know just how far I would go
Just to kiss him
He doesn't know how I pine"
I smiled, smirking at the lovey-doveyness of it all, and changed the pattern to a more complicated scale;
"So I make whirlpools
And watch him sparkle
And we'll make love make magic"
I changed back to the original tune and started swaying slowly;
"And haven't you heard?
I've fallen head first
And he loves me so
We're two in a row
Just look in his eyes
They're blue as the skies
a picture so pretty
but he is so pretty to me"
I felt myself sink into the music and the world around me vanished as I picked out the tune;
"So I make whirlpools
And watch him sparkle
And we'll make love make magic"
I changed the tune and concentrated on strumming;
"But I couldn't tell you
Just how love it takes you
'Cause words don't make
what I make with him"
I picked out the tune quietly, crescendoing a little, then quietened it down as I kept playing;
"Haven't you heard?
I'm stuck on a verse
I'm stuck on a boy who fills me with joy
I knew I was wrong
to jump straight on into this picture so pretty
but he is so pretty to me"
I finished it with a final strum and left the sound open to fade away. I stayed there for a few moments, not wanting to move, not wanting to open my eyes and be met by an unfamiliar world that would undoubtably cave in on my like the last time. I shook my head, determined to forget about it all and opened my eyes - it was a new dawn, a new day, a new life for me, and it's gonna be better. Trying to think back to to the tune, I stood up to put the guitar away...
I meandered back to Maths taking my own sweet time, floating up the hill and feeling a little dopey - the tune still weaving it's way in and out of my head. When I reached the Maths corridor I was met by the sight of a girl hanging over/onto Fang. His eyes found me and gave me a look that said 'help me now or I swear to God your week with me will be hell' I considered it; a week in hell sounded better to me then actually helping Mr Brick-face, but I feel too gooey to watch him suffer after one love song - it's sad, it really is.
I walked over to them both and the red headed girl looked up. Her hair was obviously died several times to reach it's dull reddish-brown colour and it looked overly straightened. She had muddy green eyes (lighter then mine), freckles on her nose, and a professional bitch look going on. She gave me a cold faced look and said in a forced, sickly sweet voice,
"Oh Fangy who's this?" she gave me a glare to plainly say 'back off', but (unbeknown to such a helpless being) it was a glare, that I was only too used to. I switched from 'Puppy Max' to 'Mother Bear (attacking the predator) Max' in 2 seconds flat and imitated her shrill little laugh, one hand over my heart jokingly,
"So sorry, I'm Max, new here. Obviously." I held out my hand, " I don't think I've had the pleasure to meet the admirable King of the Sluts. You go by the name of what exactly?" I smiled at her in the same way she did me and she glared back,
"It's Lissa to you bit-I mean...babes" I mentally face palmed as she cast a quick look at Fang's face, hoping he hadn't noticed the slip up - amateur. Fang attracts some really wierd attention; a stalker that doesn't even insult other people in front of him - that's just embarrassing,
"Well I'm sorry...I need 'Fangy' right now Lissy" I put quotes around 'Fangy' with my fingers, then walked past them both - clicking my fingers and clicking my fingers in the air as I sang; "Come along Fang!"
"Wait a second-" she started to snap back, and I turned back around to find Fang trying to disentangle himself gently from Lissa's clutches. But before she could say another word every scrap of my patience vanished and I cut across her, glancing sarcastically at the watch on my wrist,
"Oh well would you look at that, talking time is up for today! Such a shame! You're going to need to leave now..." I slouched my shoulders in fake disappointment, sighing in dismay, then straightened up and switched to an automated voice, "Please exit the area, please exit the area, please exit the area, please exit the area, please exit the area..." I carried on as she opened her mouth; raising my eyebrows and crossing my arms in a classic 'go-on-try-me' posture. She shut her mouth, tried again, and failed for the second time. She tried for the third time and (seeming to realize that she wasn't going to win this one) closed it and released Fang from her acrylic tipped clutches. She flicked her hair over her shoulder dramatically and made a big scene of stomping off.
I carried on saying "please exit the area" and staring at her until she rounded the corner; just for added effect (and, yes, it makes me look crazy - but I don't really give a damn). Once she was out of sight I stopped, cleared my throat a little, then turned on Fang asking in an accusatory tone of voice, "So who the hell was that?" Fang opened his mouth to tell me but someone standing beside him stepped into the conversation,
"More importantly who the hell are you?"
