A VERY, VERY, VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO SUPER ELLIE.'D WHO GAVE ME THE PUSH I NEEDED TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE THIS STORY. GO ELLIE! (And I like your name, even if the only Ellie I know I hate. It's just a cool name!)

This first part there was kind of connected to the introduction chapter, but when the part right after the flashback ends and you see that line, that's the actual ploty part that's starting.

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*_*_*Fierce, Different, and Priceless*_*_*

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(MAX POV)

I don't know how I got them. I don't know where I got them. I don't know who gave them to me. My first memory is playing on the swings in the park with my dad when I was four and when I stupidly jumped and began to fall these giant wings just went POOF! and I was flying. But I know I didn't just wake up one morning with a pair of wings on my back. That would be kind of creepy.

Over the years I've learned to deal with the struggles of being an Avian-American. I can't change in locker rooms. Always having to wear semi-bulky clothes to cover them up. Getting constant wing cramps that hurt immensely. And constantly being hostile around others who could just give me a pat on the back and expose my biggest secret.

As you can see, I don't live the easiest life. It never has been and never will be. It's even worse now that I'm starting at a new school. New people to stare at me as I walk through the halls and wonder whom the new girl is. And every single time my chin lifts and my eyes darken, staring each one down until they turn away, unable to stand it.

I guess if I tried enough I would be able to get through it and maybe even make a friend. Someone to rely on, someone to laugh with, someone to maybe even tell my secret to.

I know, I know, not happening. But every girl's got a dream, right?

So today when I actually got the nerve and talked to that boy, it was a whole new experience. For once I felt noticed and not frowned upon. In fact, it felt great.

And, no, don't even expect to see me saying, "And now I'm going to give a worthless shot and make friends!" Because if I did I'm almost positive it would end very, very badly.

And I'm not that stupid.

Cue mental scoff.

Now, despite my mildly happy mood, my life will soon become very messy, and very complicated. And you know how that happened? That's right, me, Maximum Ride, was stupid.

Very stupid.

*Flashback* (I really hate flashbacks but it feels necessary)

I streaked through the now night sky, my wings making hard strokes, each sounding with a loud SWOOSH. They carried me at about eighty miles per hour, making my eyes sting slightly and my hair flail around from the wind. Despite the discomfort, I was grinning. Something about flying was exhilarating, making me feel devilish and free.

Maybe it was the speed, maybe it was the height, but flying was definitely the one crucial thing that made me happy.

Take the thing you love most in the entire world.

Now, take that thing and multiple the happiness it brings you times ten.

Then twenty.

Then thirty.

Then forty.

That's how awesome it is.

It seriously can't get any better.

But that happiness gets you distracted. It crumbles your walls to pebbles and makes you careless. Reckless.

And tonight, that may have just cost me everything.

I angled my wings, soaring down towards the slightly familiar cluster of houses bordering a forest. Soon, I was within 50 yards.

I brought my feet below me and landed not-so-gracefully on the roof, my feet slipping on the step slope. I tumbled backward, and over the edge.

But at the last second, almost like a movie, my fingers flexed and grabbed hold of a shingle. I exhaled in relief, hanging there limply.

With a grunt I brought my other hand up and over to grab hold of the wood support of the roof and hauled myself up. Silently, I slipped through my window, and with one last, longing glance at the nighttime stars, slide it closed and walk away.

*End flashback*

(Omniscient POV)(For those of you that don't know what that is, please get a grammar lesson.) During that time though, Max had missed the almost inaudible gasp from that oh-so-sacred-tree. In that tree sat a boy very similar to her. He was dressed in all black as always, staring with wide-eyes at her retreating figure. He saw her wings; saw how she landed onto her roof after a long flight.

He sympathized for her. He knew what it was like. Heck, he had wings too.

How she missed it, with her raptor vision and excellent senses was a mystery, but it doesn't really matter. The point is, that one event will soon lead to many realizations, a heart-brake or two, and a whole lot of awkward moments.

(Max POV)

Today my friends, is a very stressful day. No, I don't have a test. No, I'm not going to talk to the councilor about whomever. No, I'm not going to throw myself in front of a train.

But, it's something way worse than that.

…It's Tuesday.

Tuesday is not the first day of the week when you get to talk about whatever the heck happened over the weekend, and it's not the last day where you go and hang out downtown or at the mall.

Instead, it's the day teachers feel they're not being mean if they schedule tests; it's the day where you aren't happy to see your friends for the first time in a couple of days; it's the day you know you have to suffer through the rest of the week.

But most of all, it's the day that people start to get over the initial shock that there's a new kid and start to want to…I can't say it…ugh…socialize.

Today, I was walking in the front gates of the crowded gates, and although nobody was openly staring as they had yesterday, eyes lingered, and when I passed, the gazes would turn and whispering would start. Suddenly I felt very uncomfortable.

Phase one of Tuesday: Stalker staring. Check.

Next were the two girls whose heals clicked as they ran coming up right behind me. I turned to look but only made it a few inches until their arms were suddenly encircled mine, looped together.

Phase two of Tuesday: Elbow cramp. Check.

They both grinned with their cherry-lip-gloss-covered lips, and stopped me. They simultaneously unhooked their arms from mine and jumped in front of me, their large smiles reaching their eyes.

Both looked the age for high school, tall and defined, beautiful bodies and blemish-free faces. The one on the right looked to be half Hispanic and half Caucasian, her make-up covered skin darker than the average Californian. Her hair was a light brown, cut short to frame her face, but at the same time looked spiked and adventurous.

The other was a slightly shorter girl, with mocha skin and black, curly hair up in a ponytail. She had less make-up then the other but still had too much for my taste.

The mocha one only seemed to smile brighter as she introduced herself, "Hi! I'm Monique! But most people just call me Nudge. I really don't know why, I think it was something that happened when I was little. I asked Fang to tell me but he just laughed! Then I asked my mom and she laughed too! It was so mean! Could you imagine your family laughing at you for an un-known reason! It was horrifying! Oh! Wait, I was supposed to be telling you my name, huh? Well, hi, my nam-"

The other girl rolled her eyes and nudged Nudge, who shut up immediately. She winked at me. I inwardly smirked, getting it. The way you shut her up is by giving her a nudge.

"Anyway, my name is Ella, "she gave Nudge a pointed look, "and this is Nudge. We saw you yesterday at lunch and were wondering if you wanted to sit with us today?"

She looked at me with such hopeful bambi eyes, and before I knew it, I was nodding.

Phase three of Tuesday: Those damn bambi eyes…Check.

She squealed, making me cringe and take a step back, "Oh! You're like Fang. He hates it when I do that."

I stared at her, "I can guess why."

She furrowed her eyebrows, looking genuinely confused, "Really? Because, I don't really get it…"

I laughed, a small smile playing at my lips. Don't do it Max, don't start liking them. You'll scare them eventually.

My smile dropped and I shuffled my feet anxiously, "Never mind. So, lunch right? I'll see you then."

I began to walk away but Nudge suddenly squealed. What is with that?

She grabbed my arm again and spun me around. My new textbooks I had just collected from the office spewed from my arms and onto the ground. I sighed and bent to pick them up, pulling them hastily into my arms. I stood back up, fully expecting to turn and walk away, but instead froze in my spot.

Standing there with his hands shoved deep into his pockets was Fang, staring at me intently. His dark eyes shone with secrecy, the soul emotion that seemed to show. Otherwise, his face was blank and blocked off, only seeming to intensify his stare.

Nudge smiled and said, quite shortly for her, "Max, this is Fang, Mr. Emo."

I smirked, a silent laugh, and looked at him straight on, "I know. We've met. More than once."

Fang nodded, "Hey Max."

My head tilted slightly, "Hey Fang."

We were still staring at each other, almost challenging each other to look away. It wasn't uncomfortable, but at the same time it was weird. Like I was staring into a pit of…nothing.

I was the first to look away, "Okay, well, I've got to go to class now. Bye."

One more glance at Fang told me he hadn't dropped his stare, his obsidian eyes still glued to me. They seemed to shine with curiosity, like he knew something crucial, and was aching to know more.

I furrowed my eyebrow and turned away, walking off towards my first class. I was vaguely aware that Fang was following me, as he had the same first period, and his eyes stayed locked on me.

Next phase on Tuesday: Class.

Whoo-pidy-do-da-day.

For anyone who might- by a speckle of a chance- go to Granada High School in Livermore, I know there really isn't any woods close by, but for the sake of the secrecy both Max and Fang need, I kind of thought that was a little necessary. I once had a colorguard competition there, and the campus was so beautiful I couldn't help myself!

For anyone else, I'm pretty sure that a lot of people will yell at me for not updating soon. And, I'm not going to make up the excuse of, "My life is so hectic and I can't get it in!" because, although I know some people have absolutely no time, I'll admit, I spend half of my time after school conked out on the couch.

That's right people, I'm lazy and I admit it. What has the world come to?