(Fang PoV):
3 years ago, I moved to a small town in Arizona, called Lake Morose. 8th grade was nearly over – I knew no one, and no one cared to learn who I was. Everyone already had their yearly friends, most of whom they would discard over the summer. Meanwhile, I was too quiet to really try to meet anyone else. It didn't really matter to me - I was used to having to be my only friend. It'd happened before, at a bunch of the other towns I'd had to move to. I assumed this would be the same, stay for three months and leave, so I didn't try to make friends with anyone.
And here I am, 3 years later, still stuck in this damn town, with no company but myself.
Life really sucks.
I admit, I constantly regret staying to myself back in 8th Grade. To think that one insignificant action would impact the rest of my life.
–––––––– *flashback*–––––––––––––––––––––––
It was homeroom, the first period of my first day at the Lake Morose school district. There were seven tables, with four seats at each. Six of them were already fully occupied, so. Had no choice but to sit at the empty table. Nonetheless, presented the option, my decision would have been the same.
Some girl walked up to me. She was the first and only. She was definitely pretty.
Her name was Maxine "Maximum Ride" Martinez.
I guess some of the girls thought I was cute back then. She must have been one of them.
She walked over to me and sat at my table. Unlike most of the girls in homeroom, she was wearing a casual tee, and a pair of ripped jeans. She was staring at me, waiting for me to initiate communication. She was annoyed when I didn't, but she tried to hide it. "Hi, my name's Max."
I gave her a short nod, not even facing her. "Nick."
I made absolutely no attempt at small talk, and that pissed Max off. I refused to look at her, so she got up and threw her chair to the ground, and stomped back to her table. No one else tried talking to me.
I regretted that day more than any other in my life. I became instantly hated and disliked. Now, in high school, Max is one of the most popular kids in school.
And to be honest, I've had a crush on her ever since.
And to this day, she hates me for what I did to her in 8th grade.
(Max PoV)
That loner Nick kid was absent today.
Not that I cared or anything. Maybe I would have a few years ago, when he first moved here, but not anymore. Not after he blew me off like that.
–––––––– *flashback*–––––––––––––––––––––––
It was homeroom, first day of 8th grade. I wasn't especially popular, but a couple of the girls I was sitting with were pretty well known.
There was this new kid. Almost everything he was wearing was black and he had long black hair down to his eyes. Everyone at my table was giggling and saying how cute he was. I wasn't really into guys, but I have to admit, I could see what they were talking about.
Everyone was trying to convince each other to go up to him and start talking. Everyone was just reissuing the challenge to someone else, and I was starting to get annoyed. So, without even being challenged, I got up and walked over to him.
I sat down at his table and waited for him to say something.
He didn't.
I was annoyed. Who the hell does he think he is?
I tried to hide my annoyance. "Hi, my name's Max."
At first, he didn't say anything. He wasn't even looking at me anymore! I was ready to punch him or something. God, that arrogant, stuck-up bas-
At last, he gave me a small nod and simply said, "Nick." That was it. He didn't acknowledge me, or make any attempt at small talk.
That was it. I got up, (violently) tipped my chair into the ground, and stormed back to my table. When I sat down, the rest of the girls at the table were giggling and suppressing full-blown laughter.
At me.
It was official. I hated that Nick kid.
Finally, one of the girls at the table, Lissa, asked, "Did he tell you his name?"
I nodded. "Barely."
"Then what is it?" everyone asked curiously.
"Nick."
At the time, they all thought it was just me. But later, when they all tried talking to him, he wouldn't say anything at all. My few hours of embarrassment were over, and the popular girls began idolizing me, for:
1) Being the first to talk to Nick, and
2) Being the only one to get a response out of him.
After about a month, nobody cared about Nick. He was just some emo loner. Somehow, I went on to become one of the most popular kids in school. Sure, it's because of Nick, but I still haven't forgiven him.
And I didn't plan on it anytime soon. I rarely forgive, and I never forget.
I definitely didn't care about his absence. Besides, I already had a boyfriend - Dylan. He'd been the captain and starting quarterback of the varsity football team since freshman year. And best of all, he was all around a great guy.
So I did not care about Nick.
(Fang PoV):
I came to on a hospital bed.
Wait, what?
Let's see. Last thing I remembered was sitting at the desk in my room, doing homework. Then...nothing.
My voice wasn't working right. When I saw my mom, I tried to ask, "what happened?" but it came out more like, "wu habend?"
My mom, visibly relieved, began crying. "You passed out. Again," she choked out in between sobs. When she finally calmed herself, she said, "that's the second time this week. The doctor agreed to do some scans to make sure you're okay."
Great. If there were two things I hated, they were doctors and needles.
I barely remember what happened next. At one point, I almost passed out. Before long, I was about to get an MRI. I slid into the machine, and it lit up. Then it was done. I was escorted back to my room.
I was sitting on the bed when a man in a very professional looking white lab coat entered. He smiled as he shook my hand, and introduced himself as Dr. Gunther-Hagen.
"So we just finished looking at your MRI, and I'm afraid we have bad news, Mr. Walker. You have an inoperable brain tumor. You have maybe 3 months to live. I'm sorry, but there's nothing we can do to help you. We are releasing you, as you appear to be able to conduct yourself. However, if you're condition worsens, it is in your best interest to return here."
I wanted to look around for the other Mr. Walker, to find out that this was a mistake, that he had the wrong patient.
But I knew he didn't.
He continued on and on about what I had to do, but all I heard was "inoperable brain tumor," and "3 months to live."
I was going to die.
(A/N): So that was the first chapter! I have up to about chapter 6 already written, so updates will be every few days. After that, I'll try to update whenever I get the chance, but I can't promise they will be quick or long. As a forewarning, most chapters I write are under 600 words. I may try to combine a few, to get the length longer, so if you feel they don't flow well, that's why.
Oh, by the way, I kidnapped Fang a while back, so you might hear from him every now and then.
Thanks! Review?
-MaximumX