Chapter 2

I would've fallen asleep on that drive if it weren't for Angel. She stayed up with me the whole time, so when we finally arrived at the house, I thanked her and told her to go to bed. She was exhausted, as I could see in her eyes, but seemed guilty about making me do all the unpacking alone that needed to be done tonight.

"It's fine," I assured her lightly, ruffling her beautiful blond curls. Giving her my best smile, I led her into the new house we would now be living in.

Kill me now.

We were surrounded by a bunch of other houses, and I felt like I could barely breath. Taking Angel to her room, I plopped her down on the nest of blankets and pillows I had made for her. I still had to help the movers hall in beds and such.

Tucking her in with a quick peck on the cheek, I darted back outside, where Jeb sat on the porch watching the movers and me me unload.

He made me sick, but at the same time, I felt terribly bad for him. He was still my dad. The real him must still be in there some where. Soon, however, my father went inside the house onto the couch he hadn't helped hauled in, and passed out.

When we finally finished unpacking every thing, I told the guys thanks and watched them drive away. I wondered if they thought it was strange a sixteen year old girl was the only one out there helping.

Tired and sweaty, I knew I needed to take a shower, but I also felt incredibly restless, so instead I sat on the long porch and looked off into the sky. Sunset. It didn't look the same as it did back home. I wasn't where I belonged. Instead, I felt that cold feeling run through me, you know, the feeling of being completely and absolutely alone.

Hearing soft footsteps on the pavement, I did a quick 360. A older boy who looked around my age stood on the road in front of our house.

WTF?

He started slowly approaching me, waving what a hand. "Hi. My family and I are your neighbors, and my mom made me bring these over." he gestured to the plate of cookies in his hand. As he walked closer, I couldn't help but notice how cute he was. Jet black hair, dark, midnight eyes, and tanned skin. He was also wearing all black, so I guess this means he could possibly be emo. Or goth.

Standing up immediately (You know, just in case this guy was a serial killer and I had to defend myself or something) I noticed how tall he was. I was 5'7 and this guy must have been around 6'1.

"Thanks, I guess," I said quietly, taking the cookies but still eying him suspiciously. Was this a normal thing to do in neighborhoods? Hell, I wouldn't know.

"So," he says, stretching out a muscular arm. "My names Nick Martinez, but you can call me Fang." he flashed a brilliant white smile at me as I took his hand.

"Max. Maximum Ride." I say simply, biting my lip.

"Huh," he said, looking kind of puzzled for a moment, "What an unusual name."

I crossed my arms. If there was one thing that ticked me off, it was when someone criticized my name. Not that this guy really did, actually, but still I found myself feeling offended. "Sure, sure." I mock, "Like Fang is normal. Whatever."

Walking up the stairs, I felt his gaze on my back. "What do you want?" I asked, slightly annoyed.

"Your acting so strange..." he murmured, almost to himself. I saw his eye brows scrunch together, staring at me thoughtfully.

I shrugged, being the social person I am, and opened the door to the house. I look back one last time at the sky, and I feel a bit of sadness overtake me once more. I wanted to go home. With the animals, with the wide open spaces, with my mother and family. I hoped I didn't show any signs of what I was feeling as I tried to cover it up.

"Wait," Fang called, just as I was about to close the door. He gave me another award winning, cocky smile. "See you around."

I slammed the door in his face.

Fang Pov:

When my mom asked me to bring over cookies to the neighbors house, I was naturally pretty happy. This way, if this girl is hot, I get first dibs on her.

"Bye!" I yelled to my mom as I walked over to the neighbors house. At first I thought that no one was out, but then I saw a girl on the porch looking across the sky. Standing on the road, I checked her out for a minute.

She was beautiful, to say the least. Blond hair with natural looking streaks, trailing down past her shoulders. Dark, large hazel eyes that had no make up on them, and lightly tanned, clear skin.

"Hi. My family and I are your neighbors, and my mom made me bring these over," I said, gesturing to the tray of cookies in my left hand. She looked at me for a moment before standing up cautiously; a slim but muscular figure, reaching around 5'7. She was so mine.

"Thanks, I guess," she said in a pretty, clear voice, before hesitantly taking the cookies. I flashed her my best smile, introducing myself. When we shake hands, I can't help but notice how soft her's were, but also how strong. I had never really met a girl that wasn't a total tooth pick.

"Max, Maximum Ride," her sweet voice replies. A unique name, that's for sure. I hold back a chuckle. Max bites her lip and avoids my gaze; she looks cute.

When I comment on her name, I see a spark light up in her eyes. She kind of looked mad, as she retorted, "Sure, sure, like Fang is normal. Whatever."

Shocked with her reaction, I stare at her as she walks up the stairs to her house. No girl has even acted like this. By now she should be swooning and willing to give into my every command. What the hell was happening? I was even more confused as she spun around and asked, "What do you want?" in a agitated voice.

I thought about how strange she was acting and realized I had been talking out loud. Smooth Fang, smooth. I continued to watch her as she walked to the door and opened it. I saw her turn around and look one last time into the sky, and this time I couldn't help but notice the overwhelming amount of sadness in her eyes. As soon as it appeared, however, it was gone just as fast. I watched as she stepped inside her house and was about to close the door.

"Wait!" I called, hoping that with one last dazzling smile I could catch her attention. "See you around."

The door slammed shut in my face.

What the hell just happened?