AN: Hey, guys! I have some chapters written, I'm halfway through number 7. Also, look at my profile if you have time. I just updated it, and I think it's pretty spiffy.
Chapter Two
Max's POV
Present Time
Have you ever felt like your life was perfect? Like, maybe you should go play with puppies or look at some spectacular rainbows or ride your pet unicorn over the moon? Like it's your birthday every day, and everybody loves you, and nothing in your life ever goes wrong?
Congratulations, then.
SLAM! A whitecoat drops my dog crate onto the cold cement floor of the School— the lab I was raised in. You know, 'cause I'm, like, one of those secret avian-human hybrids the government's been hiding from the public for sixteen years.
No, seriously.
I wince as my hipbone presses against the side of my dog crate. It's the same one I've lived in since I was ten, because I stopped growing right around then, so I guess it's accurate to call it my dog crate. Whoop-de-doo. I own a dog crate.
It's a few hours later when Jeb comes to talk to me.
Let's get four things straight here: One, Jeb is my father. Two, I hate him, but I'm pretending not to so he'll help me get out of the School. Three, Jeb is a whitecoat, and is not part of the "experiment" that involved Lexi pretending to be me. Four, Jeb hates Lexi and is trying to get me out of the School. Now that we've got that cleared up…
"Max!" Jeb says excitedly, once he reaches my crate. He plops down next to me, ignoring the other whitecoats giving him strange looks.
"Yes, Jebalicious?" I ask. It irks me a little, to look at him. We have the same blue-gray eyes and hair that looks brown sometimes and blonde other times.
He gives me a look, but doesn't comment. Instead, he just leans in closer and whispers, "You're getting out tomorrow."
Now it's my turn to give him a look. "Yeah, Jebby, and the whole world is actually just a giant gerbil with three noses, who is biding his time before he opens his enormous mouth and eats us all."
Jeb pinches the bridge of his nose and sighs. He looks exasperated. I tend to have that effect on people. "No, Max. The Erasers found Lexi and the Flock. They'll bring them to the School tomorrow."
"And I believe that because… Why, exactly, Jebster?" What can I say? I'm an optimist.
"Max. Do you think I would lie to you?" Jeb still looks exasperated.
"Yes, actually. But don't worry; it's not personal," I say snarkily.
"You're a pain in the ass, kid. You know that, right?" Jeb asks. But I know he's just teasing me.
I put my hand over my heart, and stare at him. "Ouch, Jebicatious. I'm going to go home and cry now."
He smiles. "Your heart is on the other side of your chest, Max."
I look down. Oops.
"Okay," Jeb says. He's back into planning mode. "Here's what you're going to do…."
