A/N: First I want to thank you all for checking out my story. It's going to be mostly From Fang's point of view. I kept trying to get the beginning right and in all honestly I'm still not entirely happy with the way I'm starting the story but I'm pretty happy with what I already have written of it. So please read!
I try not to judge. I try not to Judge a Book by its Cover as I agree with its message. After all, if people were to judge me on my appearance then I would be labeled as emo. When, in reality, I just like to wear dark colors because it makes it easier to match in the early hours of the mornings before school. However, I do believe in listening to instincts. Right now my instincts are telling me that this girl is trouble.
She strolled in ten minutes late, on the first day of school. Nothing about her appearance was inviting, but she was absolutely gorgeous. Arrogance radiated from her making it known that she was one to not care about others.
"I see nothing is going to change this year, Miss. Ride." Our teacher, Mrs. Torres, said in a drained voice. All of her energy seemed to fade from her being and go straight into the girl's bright brown eyes that screamed trouble, if her appearance didn't already do that. It wasn't her outfit choice that tipped me off. She was wear combat boots, a leather jacket, a white tank-top. I noticed that she also had some bracelets on and two necklaces. Basically she looked like a normal teenage girl with a tad bit of an edgy style. It was something else that tipped me off. It was the way she held herself. It was the energy she sent out into the entire class. When I looked around every boy in the room had their eyes fixed on the girl with a look of want, amusement, and anger. All the girls looked at her with jealousy and yet they all seemed pleased to see her. I could assume that the girl was probably the type of kid to give teachers a run for their money and put on a show, so for the kids in her class, her presence meant entertainment.
"Probably not," the girl answered simply.
"Did you get a pass from the office?" Mrs. Torres asked in a monotone. The girl seemed to notice Mrs. Torres' tone, and soon, a satisfied smirk grew on her face to reveal perfectly white teeth. She may be trouble but any boy would be lucky to call her their girlfriend.
"Yeah, one sec," She said and then swung off her backpack and threw it down on the teacher's table in the front of the room. I heard a few chuckles from the students around me. Mrs. Torres sighed and rolled her eyes.
"Max we have things to do," Mrs. Torres said in a defeated voice.
"Oh don't you worry Mrs. T, I'll be done real quick," The girl, Max I guess, replied. Nothing she said was disrespectful but her tone implied otherwise. She spoke with a sense of sarcasm and in a condescending tone. Max then proceeded to shift through her empty backpack slowly.
After about five minutes Mrs. Torres held her hand up to stop Max's slow and tedious search for a pass that probably didn't exist.
"Just go sit down," She said tiredly pointing in the direct of the only open seat on the opposite side of the classroom from me.
"Who is she?" I asked the kid next to me who had introduced himself as Sam earlier. He looked like a preppy kid but for the most part he had proved to be pretty cool.
"That is Maximum Ride," He said under his breath as we both discreetly watched Max give a kid a high five while taking a seat next to him smirking a smirk that would make any man fall to his knees.
"Who does she think she is?" I asked a little angry that she was that arrogant.
"Maximum Ride," He scoffed. I shut up after that because I didn't have a reply.
"I will say this," Sam said a couple minutes later, "I would steer clear." I looked over at Sam who was leaning closer to me so we wouldn't be heard. "She's awesome from a distance but she's pretty bad temper and does some shady things, not to mention she's broken more hearts than I ever thought possible. She's like the girl version of a player, no commitment, but she'll tell you she wants to be with you just to mess with you and get what she wants whether it's sex, entertainment, or a chauffeur."
Then Max's voice broke in asking Mrs. Torres if she could go to the bathroom.
"It's first period, Max. How could you possibly already have to go to the bathroom?" Mrs. Torres asked tiredly.
"I had a coffee this morning," Max answered.
"Well, learn from this, maybe tomorrow a coffee isn't a good idea." She said looking very satisfied even when Max glared at her with more hatred than I thought possible. "Now as I was saying," Mrs. Torres continued looking away from Max, "We're going down to the assembly in ten minutes. I was told it was about paying class dues, goals for the year, and events coming up for you guys. Now, you're all almost adults now so I expect you to behave as such. That means no funny business." She looked over at Max, but Max just rolled her eyes and looked away annoyed with her already.
An announcement came on calling us down to the auditorium so we all stood and left. Once we got into the hall I was overwhelmed. Sam stayed next to me and appeared to be calm, but today wasn't his first day in a new high school and he wasn't surrounded by strangers. However, Sam's calm attitude took a turn for the worse when she walked up to him. That's right Max strolled right over to us with an award winning smile. Sam instantly tensed up and looked weary of her.
"Sam, chill dude," Max said calmly, chuckling. Her voice was smooth and level, like music to my ears. Her chuckle was calm and flowed like a stream. Everything about her drew in attention, made you trust her, made you want to be with her. However, there was also that edge to her that made me remember to think rationally and remind myself of what my own instincts as well as Sam's words had told me. Sam didn't relax he just watched Max. She must want something and he knows that, he also probably knows he'll give in.
"What do you want?" Sam asked nervously.
"You," She said smiling. I watched as she calmly wrapped her arm around Sam's waist. Her hand dipped lower and lower until her hand was positioned inside of Sam's back pocket. "But," She said smiling sadly, "I know you don't want me." She said tapping his chest with her free hand before pulling both hands off of him. During their entire interaction she had yet to introduce herself.
"So I was hoping that maybe after school we could hang out and maybe just talk. I want you Sam, I really do." She seemed almost sincere but I knew she wasn't. Sam however, looked fully convinced.
"What did you have in mind?" Sam asked. There was something in his voice, something like hope. Max had all these guys wrapped around her finger and she knew it. The only question was what she wanted from Sam.
"We could just hang out after school. You can come over." She said calmly. "No one is going to be home so we can do dinner and hang out." Sam looked over at her and seemed be trying to decide if she was serious.
"Ok," I guess he decided that she was being serious even though she wasn't. She wanted something I just didn't know what.
"Awesome, I'll meet up with you after school," She said smiling up at him and giving his arm a squeeze.
"Max!" A boy yelled across the hall. Max looked over at the tall boy with light red hair.
"I'll see you later," She said sweetly and then cut across the flood of people to catch up to the boy.
"Who's that?" I asked Sam gesturing towards where Max had just run off with the boy.
"Iggy Griffiths. They're just friends, actually one of Max's only real friends." Sam answered calmly although I could see he was excited about what Max had said still. I thought he was actually smart after he told me about her earlier, but now he was doing exactly what he told me not to do.
"Where are they going?" I asked curiously. They had headed out a door that I had assumed lead outside.
"You ask a lot of questions," Sam said smiling. I just looked at him without returning the smile to make sure he knew I wanted an answer. Normally I don't care what other people do but it's my first day here so I don't even know what's normal and what's not.
"They probably went to go smoke or something. Max never wastes time at assemblies." Sam answered. Max smokes? I can't say I'm that surprised but I am a little confused considering her teeth were so nice and she was so pretty.
"I'm going to run to the bathroom, I'll meet you down there," I told Sam. I turned before Sam could answer and headed in the direction I saw Max go in. I was going to figure this out. Even though I wouldn't consider Sam and I friends yet he had helped me so far today and I didn't want him to get played.
I made my way to a door labeled for the courtyard and popped it open a crack. When I turned my head I could see Max and the boy, Iggy standing a couple yards down smoking and talking together.
"Why bother with him?" Iggy asked Max as she climbed up on one of the benches and started to walk across it. She paused and took a drag of her cigarette.
"Why not?" She asked Iggy quizzically. She looked back down at her feet as she walked calmly across the bench.
"Because you get nothing out of it." Iggy pointed out.
"Eh, he's kind of cute. He'll be something fun for a couple days." Max said calmly. They were probably talking about Sam.
"Do whatever you want, but I think it's stupid since you really get nothing from it." Iggy said leaning back against the wall.
"I get a challenge. Sam is the only boy who isn't kissing at my feet although he may be pretty dang close."
Iggy didn't respond and they both just stood and took a couple puffs before Max dropped her cigarette on the ground and stomped it out.
"Hey, who's that new kid that was with Sam?" She asked Iggy.
"What new kid?" Iggy asked confused clearly. Max just smirked and shuffled closer to me at the door. My heart started to pound. She couldn't possible have noticed me.
"Oh you know, the new kid that doesn't respect other people's privacy. The new kid that's spying on us right now." She said angrily ripping the door open so I was left open to them. Max glared at me while Iggy just walked over calmly looking me up and down.
"Hey man, the name's Iggy." Iggy said sticking his hand out to me. Max just shook her head at him.
"Nick." I said sticking my hand out and deciding not to give them my nickname since it would need and explanation.
"And this is Max," Iggy said dropping my hand and pulling Max over. She just glared at me and cross her arms. "Now that we're all acquainted you can tell us why you were spying on us and we can explain anything you might be confused about before you go around spreading rumors that aren't true." Iggy's voice held the same sarcastic tone that Max's had but he was goofier.
"I was there when you were trying to talk to Sam. I think it's really fucked up that you're going to mess with him like that." I told them but turned my glare on Max. Max just snickered and turned away from Iggy and I. She reached into Iggy's back pocket and pulled out a circular container that I quickly recognized as chewing tobacco. Max does dip now too? Iggy didn't even flinch instead he just shook his head at me.
"I don't know what you think you're going to accomplish. Sam's a big boy he can take care of himself." Iggy said with a warning tone that surprised me slightly after his friendly welcome. From the middle of the courtyard I could hear Max's spit and then there was silence.
"Regardless of Sam's age, you guys are still messing with him and I don't think it's right. He's a good kid." I told them sternly. This time it was Iggy's turn to snicker and turn away. Max strolled over angrily. She's so pretty, but these habits are really unattractive.
"Listen, I know you're new around here so I'm not that mad about your stupidity, but I will tell you that I won't be as understanding next time. You don't know anything that goes on around here so why don't you just shut up because you're making yourself sound like a full blown idiot."
I straightened up. Maybe I was making myself sound stupid, I wouldn't have a clue. I nodded at her understanding that she was actually being nice considering I was angry about something I knew nothing about.
"Ok," I said simply. Max nodded and spit again down by my feet.
"Want one?" Iggy asked. When I looked over he was holding out a pack of cigarettes. I shook my head quickly. Iggy just shrugged and pulled one out for himself.
"Max, light," Iggy demanded. Max threw him a lighter that he caught with ease and lit up. Iggy closed his eyes and took a deep breath before letting it out calmly.
"How can killing yourself feel so good?" Iggy asked quietly. When Iggy opened his eyes he looked at me instantly. "You play hockey Nick?" He asked smirking.
I shook my head, "basketball and lacrosse."
"Well I play hockey," Iggy said smirking as he leaned back against the wall. Max just shook her head but she was smiling at him. Maybe I didn't know something. "I like it so much that I play a couple times a day, all day on the weekends. It's a nasty habit but there are some things I just can't get enough of." He pulled out the same container Max had gotten her chew from earlier and took some out for himself. "Just can't get enough." Max let out chuckle before falling silent again. She was watching my face with amusement written all over hers.
"Iggy's just messing with you," She said simply, "He thinks he's all cool saying that he plays hockey as some sort of code for chewing." I realized they must be thinking I'm some idiot and would be fun to mess with. They think I'm just like Sam and all the other boys Max has tricked.
"The assembly just ended, we should get going," Iggy said staring at the clock in the courtyard. I didn't want to go back to class but even going back to class seemed better than staying with Max and Iggy.
…
I soon found out that I live on the same street as Max. Sam and I had parted ways at school only for me to find out that I was following him all the way until he turned into a house that must be Max's house while I kept going to my new house.
I wasn't quite adjusted to this new house. We've been here for about a month now but it still felt weird calling it my own. When I walked through the door to the large kitchen area my mom was standing there already making dinner.
"Hi honey," She said smiling. "How was your first day of school?"
My mom is young. I was a mistake and she had me when she was seventeen. I give my parents credit though; they both turned their lives around and have been able to give me a really good life. My dad got a promotion so they took it and that's why we had to move. My mom works part time now since he makes triple the amount of money he used to.
"Weird," I answered grabbing and apple from the basket on the counter.
"How so?" She asked turning away from the oven and giving me her full attention. Having young parents is kind of nice because they still remember high school very clearly.
"It was just weird not knowing anything. A lot of the kids are nice but there are some jerks," I told her.
"There are always going to be jerks, Fang. You'll adjust soon enough. Just think, tomorrow you will know more than you did today and the longer you go the more you'll learn." My mom always saw the positive side of things, I think that's why my dad loves her so much. He calls her his sunshine.
"Yeah I know I'll adjust but it's still weird," I told her. I took a large bit of the apple only to find that it was insanely sour. I made a face but chewed it anyway. My mom giggled at me.
"Just think sweetie, when you go to college you'll already be used to making an adjustment like this. You'll know how to handle everything while the other kids won't. This is a wonderful learning experience." I just nodded knowing better than to remind her that at college everyone else won't know anyone either while here they've all known each other since kindergarten if not earlier.
"There's this girl," I said remembering Max. "She's bad news." My mom just smirked at me as I took another bite of my apple, but this time I was prepared for the sourness so I could control my face.
"I had this feeling that she was bad and then I heard people confirm my suspicions all day," I continued while mom just looked at me knowingly.
"Why are you mentioning her? She must've made an impression if you're talking about her," Mom said that knowing smirk still planted on her face. "Does this girl happen to be pretty?"
"Oh yeah," I said and knew my eyes widened. "She's the prettiest girl I've ever seen in my entire life, besides you." I kissed her cheek and smiled when I saw her smile. "But she smokes, and chews, and does god knows what else. And she's been with just about every guy in the school just for ha-ha's. She's not a slut she just likes to mess with them and break their hearts or get something out of it. It's cruel." Mom just nodded. "She's like a girl version of a bad boy player." I said using Sam's words.
"And you like her," Mom stated.
"No!" I said quickly.
"Ok," Mom said holding her hands up in surrender. "I didn't mean that you really liked her, as in had a crush on her, although you might, I meant that she interests you. You want to figure her out. You like to figure people out Fang and you can usually do it easily, but this time you couldn't."
I thought about this for a minute. Part of the reason why I spied on them this morning was for Sam but the other part was my own curiosity. I asked questions about Max all day. She did interest me and I am annoyed that I can't figure her out. I nodded at my mom to tell her that she was right.
"But Fang, just be careful. Don't hurt yourself while trying to figure her out. If everything you've told me is true I don't want you to get played or start to smoke or anything like that."
I nodded and she turned back to the stove. I will figure her out. After all it can't be that hard.
A/N: Please review to tell me if you loved it or hated it or think I'm the worst writer you've ever seen. I really want to know if I should continue. Criticism is welcomed.