A/N: Hey guys! This is my first Fanfiction, so tell me what you think (:
Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride.
Max POV
"Max, are you listening?"
"Huh, wha–?" I asked and snapped out of deep thought as my Toyota slowed down at the stop sign. I was taking my dad to a physical therapy appointment and he's been talking ever since we got out of the driveway a minute ago.
"You weren't listening," he said, crossing his arms over his chest with accusation written on his face.
"Yeah, I was," I lied while looking both ways before turning the steering wheel. Outside was already dark and the sky was cloudy.
"What was I saying then?" his voice expectant.
"Labs, your co-workers, how you want to work again but you can't, experiments, your old life, yadayadaya." Although I wasn't even listening to a thing Dad said, I'm pretty sure it was one of those things I just listed. Ever since he got paralyzed from the waist down because of a lab incident, he was never able to work in the laboratory as a scientist that week on, Dad always talked about one of his discoveries and such.
He smiled at my response and continued talking as I zoned out again. I sighed, returning to my previous thoughts about how much things have changed in my past high-school year.
This was my last year and looking back at everything gave me a bittersweet feel. From losing someone who was important in my life to applying my first college application. The major events that occurred to me in high school never were easy to deal with.
"…and Dr. Gunther-Hagen created this experiment which was a total breakthrough! And Max, I wish you could've seen…"
Fang POV
One thousand, four-hundred and ninety-seven days (and counting) since Max last said a word to me. I took my eyes off the road, sighed, and glanced at the "peace offering" I made last night sitting neatly on the passenger seat. Chocolate chip cookies. I remember her facial expression when she first ate them. I couldn't help but smiled as I recalled the scene.
"You made these?" Her eyes bulged at the rows of fresh baked cookies placed perfectly on the baking sheet. The vanilla and chocolate aroma filled the kitchen, giving the room a homey feel.
"Yep," I grinned at my accomplishment. "Try one."
But she didn't. At first, Max eyed at my creation suspiciously. "What did you do to them…"Her finger stretched out and poked one. The chocolate oozed at her touch.
"I didn't do anything!" Irritated by the lack of trust, I tried to shove one in her mouth, but she stepped back. Rolling my eyes, I took the cookie in my hand and bit. I could taste the hint of vanilla and the trace of maple syrup in my mouth. I almost moaned at the goodness.
"See?" I said through the bits of cookie that stuck to my lips. "No poison."
She pondered for a moment. Then, she carefully grabbed one and took a small bite. Her eyes widened at the taste. She took another bite except this time, the intake was bigger. I waited for her verbal response.
"Well?" I asked expectantly with arms crossed against my chest and a spatula in my left hand for a more sophisticated affect.
She just nodded her head as an approval. My stomach did a flip turn. She was speechless; and it was me that made her react that way.
I glanced at the peace offering again. It took me a lot of courage to do this. And I did it… well, 'cause I missed her. Her raucous laugh, dazzling smile, sarcastic-slash- annoying comments, the light punches she threw towards me when I teased her, and most of all, her face.
I turned to the familiar neighborhood and drove towards BluKeive Street. The engine hummed below me and I tried to ignore the anxious knot forming in my stomach. I remembered her house being at the very end of the block.
It was getting dark and I almost couldn't see the shard of ice blocking my path. I steered jerkily away, flinging my steering wheel desperately to avoid the ice. My vehicle skidded, probably making marks on the road, and my tire smashed into the curb hard. I made another sharp turn, and as if fate decided to throw something at me for entertainment, I crashed into a red Toyota.
The shock jolted through me as my seatbelt dug into me. The window glass broke with an earsplitting sound. Some of the broken pieces sliced my skin, but I felt nothing due to the blow. I shut my eyes, unafraid to look at the mess, and swore.
A few minutes later, I opened my eyes and unclenched the steering wheel. It now had my nail marks embedded into it, I realized. I looked up to see a streak of blond hair on the driver's side of the Toyota, flashing behind the window screen. A man was on the passenger seat.
Crap, I thought, hoping this wasn't what I actually thought it was.
I brushed some debris away and fumbled with my seat belt. I tried to steady my shaking fingers. With a click, I climbed out of my car and walked briskly over to the Toyota. I tried to ignore the pain in my left leg, which would definitely form a bruise tomorrow. The cuts on my arms felt numb to the cold.
The girl looked shocked and started to panic. My stomach knotted in recognition. She shook the man next to her and started to scream out his name. The man's face was planted against the headboard with blood trickling down his bald head.
What have I done? My brain shouted.
He lay limp as the girl cried out, telling him to wake up. I stood there, unable to take action as thoughts raced in my mind, chest constricting and blood seeming to freeze.
Max looked up and saw me standing there.
Then, she spoke to me for the first time in four years.
"I hate you," she spat, venom packed into every syllable.
Those words weren't the ones I wanted to hear.