Chapter 1
I woke up gasping, my heart thumping in my chest. What happened? Is the flock okay? But then I remembered we had split up 3 years ago. They didn't need me anymore. And then the flashback starts.
"Max, what are you doing?" Fang asked me as he walked into my room, brushing his jet black hair out of his eyes. I was digging out everything from my closet and dresser that we would need on the run. We were in an old cabin up in the Appalachian Mountains, but I was getting really weird vibes off the place, like something bad was going to happen, so I decided we needed to leave.
"Packing," I replied, not looking up from my work.
"But we just got here 2 days ago. And the flock wants to rest for awhile."
"Yeah, and I feel like something bad is going to happen here, so we're leaving."
Fang sighed in anger. "You are so paranoid! We never get to stay in one place for more than a couple of days. The flock is tired of it. I'm tired of it!"
I glared at him. "And my paranoia has saved your sorry ass too many times to count. Go pack. I'm going to tell the others."
"No."
"What did you just say?"
"I said no. I think it's time we start to settle down somewhere. We haven't seen any Erasers in months."
"Fine," I shot back. "You be the leader. I'm tired of everyone not liking what I say. I'm leaving." And with that, I stormed out of the room, not looking back once.
This is the typical morning in the fiasco I call my life. I rolled out of bed, stretching in the warm sunshine. Even in October, here in California it was still gorgeous out. At least I got to live somewhere warm now. That, and the Voice was gone.
I like to move it move it. I like to move it move- my cell rang, and I picked it up.
"Yello."
"Hey, it's Lark."
"Oh. Hey. Now why the hell are you calling me at this ungodly hour? It's only-" I checked my alarm clock. "Eleven in the morning."
"Well hello to you too," my best friend Lark, and other lead singer in my band, Broken Streetlights, laughed. "I just wanted to tell you that Shay signed us up for the Beach Blast contest tomorrow at Redondo Beach." Shay is our lead guitarist. He's the older brother of our drummer Ben, but he's like a perverted older brother to the entire band. And then there's our handy man, Jake, who plays keyboard, bass guitar, electric guitar, drum set, and sings. He basically fills in for anyone if they can't make it. He's also Lark's younger brother.
"Tell the guys I said hi, and then tell them I have 4 new songs I want to do at the competition, so they better be ready for something new." And with that, I hung up. I am not the most pleasant person until I've had breakfast and showered.
Two hours later I was dressed in denim short shorts with suspenders, white tank top, and my blue Gucci sunglasses. I know what you're thinking, Maximum Ride, the least girlish girl to ever live, knows a fashion brand name? I didn't buy them, Lark did, and I read the tag. Plus, the band makes a ton of money performing, were just that good, and I shop a little more often than I used to. I still hate malls, except for the food courts. Those are still these best things ever invented, aside from Twinkies and doughnuts. And vending machines.
I gulped down a couple packs of pop-tarts, (I still had an inhuman appetite) brushed my blonde hair up into a ponytail, took a quick look in the mirror at my tanned reflection, grabbed my songs, guitar, and car keys, and ran out the door. I hopped into my new silver Mustang (and I really do have a driver's license, I didn't steal it) and pulled out of the drive way, the top down and the wind blowing in my hair. God, I love California.
Right now he's probably slow dancing with a beach blonde chick and she's probably getting frisky
Right now he's probably buying her some fruity little drink cuz' she can't shoot a whisky
Right now he's probably up behind her with a pool stick showing her how to shoot a combo
But he don't know
I dug my keys into the side of his pretty little supped up four wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seat
Took a Louisville slugger to both headlights
Slashed a hole in all four tire
Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats
Right now she's probably up singing some white trash version of Shaniah karaoke
Right now she's probably saying I'm drunk and he's hoping he'll get lucky
Right now he's probably using all 5 cents worth of that bathroom polo
But he don't know
I dug my keys into the side of his pretty little supped up four wheel drive
Carved my name into his leather seat
Took a Louisville slugger to both headlights
Slashed a hole in all four tires
Maybe next time he'll think before he cheats
I might have saved a little trouble for the next girl
But next time that he cheats
Oh you know it won't be on me
"Great job guys! That's gonna be a hit tomorrow," I said as we finished up rehearsal.
Shay whistled loudly. "Smoothies at Orange Julius are on me. Cuz' we are going to win tomorrow!" He pumped the air with his fist, and we yelled encouragement. What can I say, we like our smoothies. We piled into our cars and drove to the mall.
"So Maxie," Shay asked, yelping as I elbowed him, even though he knew it was coming. That name still reminds me of Ari, even though he turned good at the end of his life, and then died.
"Geez, I was just wondering where that last song came from. Anyone we need to know about?" He wiggled his eyebrows in suggestion, and I laughed.
"You know I don't date. That song just came to me last night, like a lot of songs do."
"Well it was really good," Lark said sincerely. "And guess what else? We're going shopping!" I groaned. Lark was as crazy about shopping as Nudge and Angel were. At least she doesn't ramble as much.