Okey-dokey, this is my first attempt at a multi-chapter Maximum Ride story. I got some good feedback on my oneshot for the series, so I decided to try my hand at an ongoing story for these books. I love Maximum Ride so much, and think James Patterson is a total genius for coming up with this.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Maximum Ride. I really wish I did, though, so if you're reading this JP, please let me buy the series from you. I can pay you! Let's see what I have to give you... *rummaging through pockets* Hmm... would you take a gum wrapper and a dollar bill?

So, yeah, I don't own Maximum Ride. Wish I did, but I don't, so I'll stick to writing fanfictions for now until I can save up enough money to buy it from JP.


"Max!"

I heard my name practically being screamed into my ear, but I didn't so much as flinch. I was way too tired. Besides, I was used to Nudge's loud voice.

"Max, wake up! Do you know what day it is? It's Christmas! I love Christmas! There are so many presents, and I love all the lights! Do you like the Christmas tree? I think it's too red this year. We should've put more purple decorations. I love purple. Ooh, I wonder if I got anything purple for one of my presents. I bet I did. One of my top wish list items was this shirt I saw at Old Navy. It was purple and had sparkles all over it. It was soooo cool. Hey Max, what do you think you're going to get for Christmas? Do you think you're going to get something special? I bet you will. I mean, it's going to be your Sweet 16 soon, and you deserve something special. I didn't have much money, so I couldn't get you something big, but I hope you like what I got you. Max, aren't you up yet? Get up! Maaaax!"

She shouted the last part, and I pulled my pillow over my ears. I did not want to get up. I'd been up until midnight last night getting the rest of the Flock presents, and it was only six in the morning.

"Go away," I murmured, pulling the pillow tighter in preparation for Nudge's next onslaught. "Leave me alone."

"Come on, Max. Get up already! Jeez, it's already six in the morning. It's so late. Aren't you going to get up at all? I saw some presents under the tree with your name on them."

I pulled the pillow off my head and propped up on one elbow, looking at her. It was time to have some fun.

"Nudge, how would you know that? Were you peeking under the tree again? You know what the punishment for that is, right?"

Nudge actually looked scared. "Um… no. What is it?"

I grinned evilly. "Well, you'd be locked in a closet with Gazzy after he has a few tacos with Iggy's special hot sauce." She turned pale; it was common knowledge that Gazzy's farts were especially disgusting and smelly after a dose of Iggy's hot sauce. "But that's only if you peeked," I continued, winking lazily at her.

She ran from the door, and I smirked. There was nothing more effective at scaring off Nudge then the threat of being locked in a confined space with the Gasman. Ah… sometimes living with a bird kid that had digestive problems had its advantages.

I sighed and swung my legs over the side of my bed, stretching. There was no point in trying to get back to sleep; Nudge was probably telling the other younger kids about how I wouldn't get up, and they'd probably come pounding down the hall any time now. Grabbing a pair of jeans and a hoodie, I locked myself in the bathroom across the hall from my room and changed, tossing the dirty clothes into the laundry basket. The basket was filling up; I made a mental note to do the laundry later.

When I finally trudged downstairs, I saw that everyone else was up. Except Fang; he was probably still asleep. I don't think any of the younger kids, not even Iggy, had the courage to mess with him when he got up in the mornings after a sleepless night. How did I know he hadn't slept last night? Well, let's just say he came with me when I got the presents, and surprisingly he stayed up later. Why? I don't know.

"Hey Max! Looks like you're finally up," Iggy said, coming in from the kitchen while he wiped his hands on a dishtowel. My mouth began to water as I smelt the delicious scent of Iggy's eggs and his special orange ham. (A/N: My dad makes this recipe. It's soooo good. You cook ham in orange juice, and the orange flavor soaks into the meat. It's utterly delicious)

"Yeah, I guess I am. Though not by choice," I muttered under my breath as I leaned against the doorframe. The kids looked ready to snap; they kept looking at the Christmas tree, then at me, then at the hallway that led to Fang's room. They knew they couldn't open their presents without him, but none of them wanted to wake him up.

"Okay, guys. Here's the deal. I'll go wake up Fang, but I'll need a helper. Any volunteers?" I looked at each of them; they all seemed willing now that they'd be able to blame it on me later. Figures.

"I'll go!" Angel said, hopping up off the chair she had been sitting on. She followed me as I made my way toward Fang's room, tiptoeing so I didn't make any noise. Seeing as I was going to be blamed later, I might as well enjoy it.

When my hand was on the doorknob, I looked at Angel. "One…" I whispered. She caught on to the plan and grinned widely.

"Two…" she whispered as I began to turn the knob slowly. I could hear Fang snoring quietly inside. This was going to be hilarious.

"Three!" I flung open the door, and we both rushed inside.

"WAKE UP!!" we screamed together.

I think Fang's reaction was probably the most hilarious thing I've ever seen. As soon as we barged in the door and screamed, he went toppling off his bed, his wings unfurling on their own accord and a small "Oof!" could be heard when he hit the ground. His face was priceless; his eyes were wide, his expression completely surprised and startled as he fell off the bed. He'd probably tried to assume fighting position before realizing that he was actually sleeping in his bed and in practically no danger.

I peeked around his bed to see him lying on the floor, rubbing his head with his wings lying limply on the floor on either side of him. He glared up at me, and I couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped my lips. It was hilarious to see Mr. Tough sitting on the floor, rubbing his head in the manner of a five-year-old who had just fallen off the swing at the park.

"You okay?" I asked, offering him a hand. He begrudging took it with a scowl.

"Yeah, I'm fine. That wasn't funny." He straightened his shirt and dusted off his pajama pants by habit. I guess sleeping in the dirt for a few months when you're on the run from evil scientists makes you develop all kinds of stupid habits.

"Yes it was," Angel piped up, giggling as she came over to us. "That was so funny!"

"Yeah, for you." Fang glared at me. "I'll get you for that later, Max."

I held my hands up in surrender. "Blame it on the little kids. They wanted me to get you up so that they could open their presents. It's Christmas, remember?"

"And you know the rule," Angel practically sang, skipping to the door. "We can't open presents on Christmas without every Flock member being present."

"Exactly. So drop it for now and try to enjoy yourself. It's Christmas! Be happy!"

"Yeah, that's really one of my defining traits." Fang rolled his eyes, and I stuck my tongue out at him. I know, it's not very mature, but hey, I'm only fifteen! Give me a break!

"Seriously though," I said over my shoulder as I followed Angel to the door. "Hurry up and get dressed. I'm not going to save you from the wrath of the little kids if you don't show."

He smirked and grabbed a shirt from his closet, closing his door behind me as Angel and I went to the hallway. I heard movement from inside, and satisfied that he was going to come down to the living room I went back to the others with Angel.

I swear, those kids were crawling the walls. I mean, even Iggy was completely siked. Sure, I was excited and looking forward to opening my presents, but these kids were practically vibrating with apprehension. When Fang finally came down, brushing his shaggy bangs from his face, three over-excited bird kids tackled him, sending him sprawling on the floor.

"What took you so long?" Nudge wailed, scrambling to her feet after untangling herself from Gazzy, who had landed on top of her in the heap of four bodies that was the majority of my Flock. Iggy was chuckling on the couch; Angel had probably sent him a mental picture of the four of them on the floor. Everyone one of them was laughing, even Fang; even I was laughing, and I wasn't even involved. I was clutching my stomach, tears flowing from my eyes as I laughed my guts out. It was just so funny, watching all of them trying to untangle themselves and get up; Angel tripped as her shoe caught on her brother's legs, and Nudge in turn tripped over her. Fang was the wise one; he stayed sitting on the ground until everyone else was up and stable, and then he rose and sat on the couch next to Iggy.

"C'mon, Max," Gazzy whined, hopping up and down on the loveseat beside Angel. Both of them looked ready to just dive under the Christmas tree in the corner and tackle the boxes of presents. "Can we open them? Pleeeeease?"

"Since you said 'please'," I said, grabbing a box with a tag addressed to him and throwing it toward him. He caught it in midair with a loud whoop, his grin huge.

"Present time!"


I know the Christmas theme is a little out of season, but when I got the idea for this it started with them getting their presents at Christmas, and I developed it from there. Hope you enjoyed, and please review!