CHAPTER 3 – I'M THE BOSS!

MAX'S POV

I was still sitting in the girl's room when Nudge left, talking to the empty space around me as I tried to erase my total panic. What was I going to do? Nudge was leading the Flock. NUDGE! Sure, she's a sweetie, but the leader role isn't for her.

I couldn't tell Fang, either. He'd panic, even though he'd try to hide it. And then the Flock would be a chaotic mess, not knowing who to listen to. It would be worse that Max II returning.

"Uggggggghhhhh," I groaned, and flopped down into my bed. Or Nudge's. I don't really care all to much. I shut my eyes tight, praying to every god I could think of that when I opened them, I would be me again.

"Hey, Nudge?" Angel's voice asked.

So much for those prayers.

I cracked an eyelid to look at the little girl. "Yeah, Angel?" I asked. "D'ya want to play a game with me? Like dolls, or hide and seek?"

I sat up. Games? I hadn't played games since before Jeb left. I smiled tentatively, trying to remember the simple joy of being young and playing games. "Sure," I said softly, and let her take my hand and lead me off.

NUDGE'S POV

Leader, leader, leader. In charge for a day. I suddenly didn't mind Max getting to the shower first.

I paused right after I left the kitchen, trying to think of stuff the Flock needed. I looked bleakly down at Max's torn clothes, realizing that I had no idea what they needed.

But the clothes gave me an idea. Clothes! The Flock hadn't had new ones in ages. We needed to go shopping. Why hadn't Max thought of that? I figured it was because she had the "saving the world" thing on the brain, but whatever.

I shouted loud enough for the Flock to hear, "GUYS! We're going shopping!"

Fang came up to me first. "Shopping?" he asked softly. "As in mall shopping?" He was looking at me like I was psycho. "Um, yeah," I said as confidently as I could. "The Flock needs some new stuff. We can pay with Ma-MY credit card." Fang was still giving me odd looks, so I turned to the Flock.

"Okay, let's fly!" I said, and we went down to a back alley to take off.

Before we did, Max smirked at me, and muttered, "Having fun being leader?" I nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah, I mean, it's great!" She gave me a wicked grin. "Just try to keep a hold of them in the mall." And with that, she took off.

I swallowed hard before following her, having the feeling that she might be right.

AT THE MALL

"Max, can we go to the arcade?"

"Can we get bomb supplies?"

"Do I really have to go in here?"

"Can I get a new outfit for Celeste?"

"MAAAAXXX!!! I'm hungry!"

BACK AT THE HOTEL

I must have been nuts, thinking this would be fun. I was so beat up from that short trip. YES, the flock got new stuff, but I was dead tired. And it was barely 3!

Max walked by, grinning wickedly. She had complained the most, of course. And I had to obey, or else rouse Fang's suspicions. "Having fun now?" she asked me. I glared sourly, suddenly wishing that this stupid day would END.

MAX'S POV

Oh. My. God. That, my friends, was priceless. Nudge was run ragged by Gazzy's arcade obsession, Iggy's need for bombs, Fang's reluctance to go into a lingerie store, Angel's stupid bear, and of course, yours truly. I made sure to give her every complaint she's ever given me. It's SO time for a little payback.

I, on the other hand, was having the time of my life, with no responsibilities. Maybe being little wasn't so bad.

Just maybe.

NUDGE'S POV

That was a nightmare, that trip to the mall. Max was being especially snide, making remarks that drove me nuts. But I couldn't cave then. As far as anyone but Iggy and Max knew, I was Maximum Ride, the untouchable leader of the Flock. I was the boss, and needed to be strong.

I just wondered how much longer I could last.

YIPPEE!! Nudge is finally seeing just how hard Max has it. So how will she last the rest of the day? And will Max find out being the youngest has its downside? AND, who can Nudge turn to for support? Maybe…Iggy? (winkwink). Review for the next chappie!

Flying-High-9020