Nothing Sinister but High School

A/N: Wow. So many story alerts after only one chapter… I'm flattered guys, thanks. Though, none of you have actually told me what you thought of it. sigh Anyway, on with the madness.

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Max's POV

The House

I don't know how he did it. He had a 'Normal' government job, Mom was a vet, and there was no way they could have afforded this place. To call it a house, was kind of like calling me a songbird. This was bigger and so much cooler than a house, just like how I'm bigger and cooler than a songbird. (No one would read three books about a song bird's life.)

Then I remembered. Jeb had worked for Itex, for, well since before I was born. The company had its name on more things than China. So I guess working for a multinational super-company with foreign funding had its perks.

Anyway, that was pretty much my thought process as a walked through the house. It had two master bedrooms downstairs, an economy sized kitchen, three living room type areas, and an indoor hot tub. And that was just downstairs. Once you reached the top of the spiral staircase, it was all about us. There were eight rooms and two monster bathrooms, all arranged around the stairs. In the center area was a huge flat screen TV and a wrap-around couch. Each of the rooms had access to the wraparound porch, and open sky.

I must say I was speechless, until the rest of the flock and Ella crowded up the stairs after me. We scrambled for rooms, and ended up dividing the house, boys v. girls. My room was on the corner, with lots of windows. Angel's room was on one side of mine, Nudge's next to her. Ella took up residence between me and Iggy. Fang took the opposite corner room, and Gazzy the one opposite Angel.

Soon Mom and Jeb came upstairs to check on us. And to tell us that a truckload of our new bedroom furniture was here. Of course this incited more excited whoops of joy.

After a day of unpacking, picking out furniture and paint colors, and settling in, we had a rather interesting dinner conversation. Jeb wanted us to go to school.

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The Decision

"You want us to do what?!" Fang and max blurted at almost the same time. Jeb sighed,

"It would be preferable, if you all went to public school, as home schooling is next to impossible, and no schooling is out of the question." Jeb apparently had developed a habit for talking with his hands, and was waving his dinner fork around. Max thought it must be an attempt to communicate with the aliens he was obviously related to.

"Uh, Jeb? I'm sure you remember the last time we tried school? It didn't work out so well." Iggy interjected. Nods came from around the table.

"That was a test. This time none of Itex's people are involved. They don't even know where you are, or care, I should think. And this time, you don't have to hide anything." All the last statement got was confused looks, not the relief it had been intended for.

"I've informed your principals of your 'unique' physiology. They have also been informed that if they attempt to alert the authorities and or press, that they will be dealt with in a less than humane manner."

"Guess it pays to have an ex-murder for a dad, huh Max?" Fang whispered near her ear. She answered him with an elbow to the ribs.

"You said 'principals' as in plural. Why?" Fang asked, quickly recovering.

"You, Max, Iggy, and Ella will attend the local high school, Nudge, Gasman, and Angel, will go to the K through eight school, just down the street."

"This is sounding, less and less optional as the conversation goes on. Am I right?" Iggy put in.

"I'm afraid so, but it's part of the deal, you all wanted normal lives, didn't you?" that got nods.

"Good. Then you all start next week, on Monday." Max hadn't felt this trapped since the incident in Germany.

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"Don't worry, it's not that bad." Ella said later that night. She and Max were sitting out on the porch, looking out at the reflection of the moon in the black-bottom swimming pool.

"I don't know Ella. Last time really sucked." Max sighed, then sat up straight as she heard a door shut. Fang appeared from the other side of the house. When he saw them, he turned around and when the other way. Moments later, the door shut again.

"Odd." Ella noted, "Hey, are you two still together?" she asked. Max looked off in the direction Fang had disappeared.

"Today, No. Next week, maybe. Who really knows?"

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A/N: Ok, Ok, I know, not too exciting, but it gets better I swear… I think.

Anyway, if you want to see the house, I'll be posting a picture of the upstairs on Deviantart soon. (also under EnigmaNox …no space)

Please let me know what you think, I do better with input.

E'Nox