So…second chapter… I really have nothing to say except for sorry about updating!

Beta's note: Hi! Winged Quill here, just wanted to say hi! Oh, and if you like Harry Potter, Maximum Ride crossovers check out my story Not the Same, Never Again. Shameless bit of self-advertising aside, read on and review people. Or I'll send Muse with her frying pan to join Sarah with her spork and you won't stand a chance!

Max's POV:

I stirred with a groan, trying to slip back into sleep. However, old habits die hard, and I shot up when I heard the house creak. No Eraser, no Eraser, just the wind Max. Jeez, jumpy much?

I would have to get used to that. Sigh...

Well since I'm already up… I thought. Something from last night pushed at my mind, but I dismissed it, thinking it was just a dream. I showered quickly, still thinking Erasers or Flyboys would come to get us. As had happened every time we got some freaking peacearound here. Let's hope it doesn't happen again. Knock on wood. Twice for good measure.

When I made my way downstairs, I discovered the source of the creaking I heard earlier was Iggy, making us the celebratory bacon he promised. Mmm...bacon...

"Hey Ig," I muttered, sidling past him and stealing a piece. He glared at me. Well, my shoulder, but whatever.

"Just for that, you get no more bacon," He said.

"What?" I gasped. "No, anything but that!" I begged, falling to my knees and holding my hands out emploringly. Not that he can see me doing so but... Iggy smirked, tapping his chin in mock thought. Don't laugh; we take our bacon very seriously.

"I'll give you bacon if you go wake up Ella!" He exclaimed. I gasped. You may think it's a small price to pay, but Ella is a MONSTER if you wake her up. I don't know how Mom's survived all these years. Maybe if I do it quickly then run…

"I'll do it," I agreed. I need my bacon.

For the bacon, for the bacon.

I enter Ella's room.

Bacon, you need the bacon...

I tiptoed over to her bed.

"Um...Ella...time to get up.."

She didn't stir. I sighed in relief. I can tell Iggy that she wouldn't wake up, leaving out the fact I barely tried. As I turned to go, I accidently knocked over Ella's water glass.Crap.

My life flashed before my eyes. And I briefly contemplated why she would put her water glass on her headboard. Right over her head...

Splash.

"MAXIMUM RIDE! I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

I ran out of the house, my legs pounding. A laugh tore it's way out of my throat, and I could see Ella hot on my heels. The only way to fix this… I snapped out my wings, doing a running take off. I turned around in midair, doing a flip just to show off, and stuck my tongue out at Ella like the immature mutant bird-kid I am.

From the house, I could see Mom, Iggy, Fang, Nudge, Gazzy and Angel watching. Everyone but Fang was laughing, who was simply chuckling. Mom gestured for me to come back, and I saw that Ella was already walking there, shoulders slumped. I felt kind of bad for her. I mean, she suddenly gets the sister she always wanted, and I have wings. An idea popped into my mind, and I swooped low behind her. I picked her up and she shrieked and laughed at the same time.

"Max! Put me down!" She yelled through giggles. I didn't say anything, just flew her to the house and dropped her in front of Mom. It took everyone a minute to talk, they were laughing so hard. Except for Fang, of course. When she finally composed herself, Mom beckoned us inside.

"You're going to school tomorrow," She said when we all settled. I spluttered at her bluntness, although I was glad she didn't try to sugar coat it. I would have argued, but the tone of her voice told me not to challenge her.

"What school?" Fang asked quietly.

"Mine!" Ella squealed. She'd obviously gotten over her anger from this morning. She can be borderline bipolar in the mornings. Not kidding.

"I can't wait for you guys to come! It's a kindergarten through high school, so even Angel and Gazzy will be there!" I nodded, not really paying attention. School…

"You start tomorrow," Mom said. She tossed me a backpack, and my hand subconsciously sprung up and caught it. She did the same to everyone else.

I sighed, flopping down onto my bed. Who knew packing for your first day of school could be so tiring? Probably a bunch of kids knew that. What was with that expression anyway, who knew?I mean, obviously someone, somewhereis gonna know it, and if perchance you're the only one in history that has ever known something, then you know! You'd be the who...did that even make any sense whatsoever?

I heard a soft knock on the door, snapping me out of my exceedingly random train of thought, and got up to unlock it. Surprisingly, Gazzy was the one who was at my door.

"Max?" he asked, and I could see him bravely trying to hold back tears. He was scared.

I'm so stupid! Even my little trooper gets scared.I reminded myself. I guess the last time we were at school wasn't too fun for him. I gently gathered him in my arms, and he buried his head in my shoulder. I almost cried myself. Gazzy had fought Erasers, Flyboys; he'd even survived The School. I guess since he'd done all that, I'd assumed school was no big deal for him. He had no experience though, and the thought of meeting new kids that could find out about him was daunting.

"Gazzy, sweetie, listen to me," I said. He lifted his head, his tear-streaked face the perfect picture of misery. I swallowed.

"Don't worry about school. It seems scary, but if you can beat up Flyboys and come out unhurt, you can do anything."
"Really?" He asked, and his voice was vulnerable and upset. I smiled and wiped the tears from his cheeks.

"Really."

He grinned and ran off, all fears forgotten. I sighed and wiped a tear from my own eyes. Seeing Gazzy like that, scared, brought reality crashing down on me. No matter what I pretend, he's still just a nine-year-old kid. The same goes for Angel and Nudge.

"He's strong," Fang said from my doorway. I whirled around, trying to get the tears out of my eyes. He smiled, and I hugged him. No matter what emotions I may be feeling, Fang is still my best friend. I cried onto his shoulder, and I was mortified but couldn't seem to stop. The tears just kept coming, and I vaguely felt him rubbing my back. After a while, I managed to stop, and I detangled myself from his arms, not meeting his eyes. He forced my face up to look at him.

"You can trust me with anything," He whispered. I nodded, suddenly unable to talk. He started closing the distance between us, and I couldn't move. Our lips brushed for the shortest moment, and then he left with a smile.

What just happened?