I am late again. One the first day of term and I am late. I have never been one to focus on my appearance so I just quickly put on a tank top, a pair of jeans and my boots before I charge down the stairs, grab my bag and then I head outside, locking the door behind me. I waste no time as I run to the bus stop. Much to my relief, my sister Ella and a few other students are still waiting at the bus stops, the bus must be running late. I slow my pace and walk over to Ella. She turns to face me and smiles, 'good morning, sunshine,' she beams.

I glare at her, 'why didn't you wake me up?' Ella was about to respond but the school bus pulled up in front of us. I followed Ella on. Our mother used to take us to school but her job demanded her to start taking early shifts so now we have to ride the bus like everyone else.
Ella steals the window seat before I can sit down and I drop down beside her. 'I tried waking you up Max, I really did but you were out cold.' Ella shrugged and rested her head in her hand as she gazed out of the window. I nodded and stared at the seat in front of me. Since I am free of 'the School,' I have become a very deep sleeper.

I blinked as a hand was waved in front of my face, 'Max, did you even look in the mirror before you came out?' Ella was asking me. I stared at her in disbelief and smiled. Ella sighed dramatically and started to brush my hair for me. I didn't have the energy to argue so I let my sister brush my thick dirty blonde hair. I looked down at my outfit. I don't think I did to bad considering I got dressed in under 30 seconds. I was wearing a red and black stripped t-shirt with black jeans to match. I had put on a baggy black jacket to cover up my wings as well, school was hard enough with out everyone knowing I am a hybrid mutant and that I have the DNA of a bird inside me. I smiled to myself, my choice of outfit means that I have saved myself a lecture from Nudge about the importance of what you wear.

Ella nodded her approval at my hair and outfit before putting her brush back in her bag. 'this is your last year at school Max, have you decided if you're going to college yet?' she asks. I thought for a moment about this. It is all new to me, the possibility of college, it is unbelievable. In my old life on the run, I did often dream of having a normal life, going to school and planning college but I never would have guessed that it could happen for me. I haven't decided what I want to study but I have a full year to decide. Hell, I don't even know if I want to go to college at all yet, with my grades the way they are, I could probably get a job.

I turn to face Ella and I am about to respond when a familiar voice silences me. Nudge was ranting about her latest boy band obsession to Fang. I continued to stare at the seat in front of me and I tuned Nudge out. It was too early for her ranting and I was getting a headache already. They approach and Ella smiled at Nudge. Nudge paused in her rant and greeted us before dropping into the seat behind us. Fang didn't say a word and sat beside her. Fang and Nudge always get the bus together because they live pretty close to each other.

'Nudge stop, you're making my ears bleed', Fang stated and Nudge just stuck her tongue out at him before continuing her conversation with Ella. Those two have become best friends, practically joined at the hip. I continue to stay quiet and I glance out of the window over Ella's shoulder. We will be at school in about 15 minutes, this is going to be a long ride.

Fang rests his arms on my seat and rests him chin on his arms. When I don't look at him, he taps me on the head and I wince. I tilt my head up at him and glare. He gives me his rare half smiles and it makes my heart leap. I smile back and return to staring at the seat in front of me. I wrap my lands up in front of me and close my eyes. Ella taps me on the shoulder a few minutes later, 'hey Max, will you swap seats with Nudge? I am getting a cramp from turning my head all the time.' Since Ella asked me nicely and I am too tired to argue, I get up and swap seats with Nudge. Fang doesn't move so I squeeze past him and I sat down in the window seat.

Nudge and Ella are renting about some new top that their latest role model wore last night. Me and Fang sigh at the same time and sink into our seats. I take a moment to look at Nudge and I frown, she is wearing a gold top that compliments her skin tone but her top has a really low back and the there is the proof that her wings are gone. I quickly turn away and pretend that it doesn't bother me but Fang noticed my reaction, Fang always notices. He grabs my hand and squeezes it. I look over to him but he is scrolling through his phone, probably checking his blog and thinking about his latest update.

I continue to look out of the window and watch all the buildings wiz past. Man, I can fly faster than this. I promised my mother that I would limit my flying mainly to the night when people are less likely to see me. My mother knows that this is my chance at a normal life and she encourages me to get the bus to school like every other kid my age. So here we all are, riding the bus to get to school. I bet you never would expect me, Maximum Ride, to say something like that.

Fang and I have been dating over a few months now. We were flying one night and he asked me out while we were miles above the ocean, it was pretty perfect. I am still not used to this whole girlfriend thing so our relationship mostly consists of silence in public. Some people may not understand why we don't act like every one else and show endless amounts of public affection to each other but at the end of the day, we don't see the point. I know Fang loves me and I love him so why should we brag about it to people around us, what do we gain from that? Exactly, nothing.

I guess I zoned out because Fang starts shaking my shoulder. I look at him and I see that everyone has cleared off the bus and its only us two, we must be at school. Fang helps me up and we get off the bus together, 'are you okay?' he asks me. I nod and walk up Ella and Nudge.
Nudge looks my way, 'you know Max, you're zoning out a lot these days.' Ella nods in agreement and I sigh. 'Just a lot on my mind I guess,' I reply and I shrug. I start to make my way into through the gates and my friends quickly follow to catch up with me. I head straight to my locker to put my bag away and sort out my books. Nudge and Ella walk off to their class and I tell Fang that I will meet him in English, he nods at me and also walks off. I check my watch. 08:55. I am ten minutes late on my first day back at school, this is just fantastic. I slam my locker shut and I jump when I see Mrs Ryan standing in front of me with a girl I don't recognize standing next to her.

Mrs Ryan speaks first, 'well, well, Maximum Ride, late for class again I see?' I was about to explain about the late school bus but she cuts me off, 'that isn't important at the moment. This is a new student, she has just transferred and I would like you to show her around. She is in the same classes as you so I suggest you both get going.' Mrs Ryan doesn't say another word and walks off, leaving us alone.

I turn to the new girl, she looks really sweet. Her brown hair is tied back in a loose bun. She is really pretty actually. I offer my hand to shake and she takes it before quickly letting go, 'I'm Max,' I smile at her and gesture for her to follow me. She catches me up straight away and we both start walking down the halls. 'I'm Sarah,' she replies.