Okay, Chapter one coming atcha!
Chaptero uno!
Max's POV
" Ssh- don't wake her up!"
"I won't! Do you think I'm stupid!"
"Do you seriously want me to answer that?"
I heard a thud and then-" Shut-up freak."
Fang and Iggy. I knew it was them from their voices.
They had been acting really weird lately. Sneaking away from camp bright and early in the morning, and coming back two hours later- with nothing in their hands.
It had started four days ago, after our last run-in with the bad guys. The Erasers had pinned our location-once again. Don't ask me how they do it- they just do. And that's all I know- all I really care to know.
We've been on the run for three years. Ever since we were 11, Fang and I have been the leaders of the others. I guess you could we're like their parents in a way- but in reality, we're just their older siblings. And I like it that way.
Anyway, before our last mishap with the Erasers, we had just barely escaped the Academy for the umpteenth time. I know- we're idiots for continually going back there, but we needed info. And I felt really bad for those kids still stuck there.
We had been them once, but we were freed by our "ally". Chyea right! We found out that our "ally"-our "friend" was really a scum-sucking, back stabbing, piece of-
Whoa, calm it down Max.
I opened my eyes, mumbling as I sat up-" I'll show you calm-"
I looked around our makeshift home- one of many.
Angel and Total were curled up next to the remains of last night's fire, with Gassy not far.
Nudge was- actually I didn't see Nudge anywhere!
I stood up saying her name.
" Nudge?" I called, trying not to wake up the youngest members of the Mix.
I turned around, looking everywhere.
" Nudge, this is not funny! Get out here now!"
I heard a crunch of leaves under someone's boot- and whipped around- to see Nudge come out from behind a tree.
I sighed and stared at her.
" What? Jeeze Max."
I sighed again and sat back down, watching Nudge lay down to go back to sleep.
Iggy and Fang still weren't back, but that wasn't a surprise. They wouldn't be back for another hour or so.
Where do they go anyway?
That's for them to know and you to find out.
Yeah? When? ' cause all this sneaking off is really starting to bug me!
With patience, you'll get very far.
But with impatience, you'll get there faster! Ha!
Silence. I just love it when the almighty Voice doesn't have a comeback!
I laid back down, still wondering where the guys were going- and why they kept it a secret- not a very good one, since I knew about it!
About five minutes later, I drifted off to sleep.
1 hour later:
The next time I woke up- it was by an oddly dark dove landing right next to me.
It started to change- to morph into the familiar figure of Fang.
You could always tell when a certain animal was a certain best friend of mine because it was always slightly darker than it should be.
Fang- now looking like Fang again- stood up and stretched his back.
He turned to me and offered his hand- never saying a word.
"Come on Max- I've got something to show you."
I reached out and took his hand so he could help me up.
"What about the others….."
I trailed- because I realized, they weren't there- they were gone!
I looked back to Fang- who was trying, unsuccessfully, to hide a grin.
I guess I looked pretty stupid-' cause Fang started laughing, making the world a better place.
Ha! You do have feelings for Fang!
No I don't! Shut-up!
" For someone as fast as you- you sure are slow!"
I rolled my eyes and playfully punched his arm- which just made him smile more.
He tugged my hand, pulling me toward the trees.
" Come on slow poke."
He lead me through the trees, never letting go of my hand.
" Fang?"
" Mmhhmm?"
" Where are we going?"
" You'll see…"
I started to worry- 'cause that's what I do- that we were getting too far away from camp.
I mean- I trusted Fang with my life, mainly because he's saved it a few times before.- but he was leading me pretty deep into the forest.
Fang started to walk faster and faster, until we were running.
" Come on Max- keep up!"
I laughed, picking up speed-" Me? Keep up? You forget sometimes that I have super speed sometimes!"
This time he laughed, slowing down to a stop.
He turned me so I was in front of him. He stood behind me, and put his hands over my face- guiding me slowly forward.
Two more feet and we stopped again.
I heard leaves rustling and- water.
" Fang, where are we?"
He pulled his hand away- revealing the most beautiful waterfall I had ever seen.
It flowed down into a deep ravine. The sun shown down on the water, making a rainbow.
I was speechless.
Fang came closer behind me- and whispered in my ears-
" Happy Birthday Maximum Ride"
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAX!"
Iggy, Nudge, Gassy, Angel, and even Total came out of various places surrounding the ravine, each one-except Total- holding a sign that Read happy birthday or throwing confetti.
Each one- except Fang, who stood off in the back. But I could see the smile in his dark eyes.
That's not just a smile Max…
Yeah? Then what is it?
Oh, now that's the question isn't it?
I ignored the Voices annoying comments- just letting myself enjoy my birthday.
To be honest- I had completely forgotten it was my birthday. So this was even more special- because it meant my family had remembered.
" Actually- we forgot too Max, sorry. This was all Fang's idea."
" Angel!" Fang and I both said this- for different reasons though.
I looked over at him and met his eyes. He held my gaze and smiled- only for me to see though.
" Yeah- that's why we've been sneaking off. To get the confetti and find the best place to surprise you. That was all Fang though too."
I heard Iggy say this, but I was still looking at Fang.
" Really?" I said quietly.
For some reason- the idea of Fang doing all this for me, made me feel- weird. But in a good way. I don't know how to explain it- but I like it.
Fang nodded- never moving his eyes.
"Thank you- all of you. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday."
They all smiled-or were about too- because right then our favorite person dropped by-
"Oh, I think you could have Max."
Ari- Happy birthday to me.
This is Chapter 1- the other one was the prologue. Yeah- so...your thoughts?