Story reformation Reformed by: Seraphina Lim
Angel by James Patterson
"Why do only get chicks? I mean, I'm not complaining but still." Ratchet asked, grinning sardonically at Kate.
"Dude. Nobody says 'chick' anymore." Kate retorted.
Ratchet's grin widened. "Fine," he relayed his question to Fang, "Why do we only get babes?"
Fang rolled his eyes and answered, "She's just someone I know from awhile ago and there's another guy coming then that's it." Despite the light tone of voice he kept, he was anxious about seeing her.
"Guys. Stop fighting and work together or you're out." Fang said sharply, face stern.
They stopped instantly.
"So we're straight on that." He said.
"Straight on what?" called a voice from the balcony.
He turned slowly came face to face to Maya. Other than the red dyed strip of hair Maya was exactly like Max, AKA Maximum Ride, physically. She used to be called Max 2, 'cause Maya is a clone of Max, but now she has changed her name, dyed her hair and created herself into someone different since they last met.
"You came." He managed to get out. He glanced at the clock. "A little late but here."
She laughed, "Of course I'd come, I haven't seen you in ages. I'd be crazy to miss this." She tilt her head and asked, "Where's Maximum?"
"Umm...well, I –er- left the flock." Fang looked down when she raised an eyebrow.
"Who are these people, Fang?" Maya abruptly changed the subject.
"Kate, Star, Ratchet. Maya."
Maya walked around the room, her eyes watching the windows for a couple of seconds.
"Can I speak to you for a moment?"Maya asked, jerking her thumb towards the balcony.
"Sure." When Fang and Maya were out he asked, "What's up?"
She didn't answer. Well, not in a way Fang expected her to. She kissed him.
Flight practice turned into a game of flying tag. Max was flying upwards away from Nudge when she saw them. Fang and Maya were kissing on a balcony, totally oblivious to the flock flying outside and the three inside.
Max froze. Flapping and all stoped, even her heart stopped beating as far as she could tell. Angel, Nudge and Gazzy caught Max as she started to fall. Max seemed to snap out of it and grabbed the back of Maya's neck, with a good hard yank pulled her over the railing and into the open air.
Max let go.
Knowing Maya had wings and could fly and would certainly be able to save herself before hitting the ground, Max didn't worry.
She was seething with anger. Hurt and betrayed too but mostly anger. She turned to Fang.
He gaped at her in disbelief, slowly panic, shame and fear rised. I just stared at him until Angel tugged my arm and said, "Let's get done with this 'cause I really don't want to hover here any longer."
"Yeah. Let's get done with this, Max." Maya said behind us. "One on one. I win, you leave immediately. You win, you choose to stay or to go."
I turned and gave her my most menacing, dangerous smile, eyes dark; Max agreed curtly, "I accept the challenge. I am so going to win."
She struck abruptly, throwing a punch at my face I dodged quite neatly. I kicked her with a roundhouse I've done many times but not much in the air, worked pretty well anyway. We trade blows which were simply easy, then I got bored and grabbed her wrist and pressed on the pressure point. Twisting her arm behind her Max spoke to Maya, "You are an idiot, Maya. I told you many times before 'don't start a fight you know you can't win'"
"And I told you, 'never tell me what to do' you aren't my mom or my master, not even someone I like." Growled Maya.
