Exiled

Chapter Four

By Lina

"MAX!" I heard them call from behind me, they had taken off and were trying to follow us. But, at 1000 miles per hour, and no idea where I was going, they didn't stand a chance.

We reached the cave in about 3 minutes. Amicia was excited to see me as Eferus played it cool and he and Cali just did head nods. Their smirk gave away that they really did miss eachother, just didn't need to jump all over each other as Amicia and I did.

We decided to set up camp at the cave. Cali left to get firewood and I stayed with Amicia and Eferus who were getting to know each other pretty well. I flew up to the top of the mountain which the cave was on. I climbed up to the top of a tree and saw the most beautiful view. It made me feel so small and insignificant. I heard a twig snap from below me. I quickly looked down and saw a boy, around 16 or 17 I think, dressed in all black. Crap, it's Fang.

"How did you follow me?" I muttered to myself. He looked up and I quickly flattened myself against the tree. However, I had a feeling that he could just sense I was up in the tree like I could sense he was on the ground. As I suspected, when I peeked over the side of my branch I saw him climbing up the tree. Silently, I stepped from branch to branch so I was on the opposite side of the tree. Then, I made a quick jump into the next tree over, and jumped to a tree behind that one which was full enough that Fang wouldn't be able to see me, but I would be able to see him. I lay flat on a branch, watching as Fang reached the top of the tree I'd been in only seconds ago. I was sure he wouldn't be able to see me so I allowed myself to let my eyes wander over him.

He looked the same as he did when I left. Still dirty clothes, hair cut the same way, but his eyes seemed empty. Like he was missing something.

It's you Max.

What do you mean by that?

The thing missing is you. He is in L-O-V-E with you.

Then why would he exile me.

Maybe he hadn't quite realized it then. Oh, and by the way, he knows where you are.

At her last comment, I looked to see where he was and didn't see him. I pulled in my feet so I was squatting on the branch. I turned around to find an open area of the tree where I could jump out. The only problem was, all I could see was black. Looking up, I realized I'd been caught. It was Fang.

"Shoot." I muttered as I quickly started to back away. Only, I forgot I was on a tree branch and I went right on off, and fell on the ground.

I feel extremely stupid right now.

The only answer I got was hysterical laughter echoing in my mind. Thanks Cali.

No problem.

I could tell she was still laughing. I lay my head down on the ground and groaned.

"You okay Max?" Fang was kneeling next to me, looking at me worried with one hand extended towards my head.

"Absolutely fine, " I sighed.

He raised an eyebrow at me. "School," I said. He gave me a quick nod, but in his eyes I could see that he wanted to know more, and he felt like a jerk for kicking me out. Scratch that, more that a jerk.

More like a *insert dirty swear word of choice here (make sure it is extremely insulting)*.

I just lay on the ground, looking at the sky. I didn't really want to run from Fang. I'd matured at the school, and now I realized that though people are untrustworthy minus the select amount that are, you should hear them out if they seriously regret something.

"Are you sure you're okay? I mean, you haven't taken off yet," Fang said, worried.

"I'm going to hear you out, okay? Now just tell me what you want to say before I DO leave." I was getting a little bit irritable, so I hoped for his sake he'd start talking.

He nodded, then lay down on his back next to me. I felt a buzz in my stomach and frowned. I'm not sick am I?

"Well, for starters, I'm so so so so so sorry," He was genuine with his words, and seemed to be trying to choose what he was going to say next carefully. I was already forgiving him though. I mentally did a facepalm, if that's possible. I'm supposed to be the tough Maximum Ride.

You are Max, but I'm pretty sure… no, I KNOW that you love him back. You guys are soul mates, you know it and that is why you can't hate him. Not for a moment. You just think it's hate, but it's not.

I digested what Cali was telling me and decided that… she was having problems. I mean, really? That's like, incest almost. I mean, I consider him to be my brother, for real. So, it would be wrong for something to happen between us. You agree, right?

No. You are not brother and sister. Not in any way, just that you are good friends and get along well. Get along VERY well.

I could just see her raising her eyebrows suggestively right now, and rolled my eyes. Then, I noticed Fang had been talking the whole time.

"… and I just feel so bad because it's almost like we kicked someone out who had been with us for so long, just because you seemed a little disconnected for a few days. But that's it really. I'm sorry Max. I should have never thought bad of you." He frowned as he finished the story which I hadn't really listened to nor really needed to hear. I forgave him.

"It's okay Fang, I forgive you guys. I really do." He looked at me and smiled, a full blown smile. I had only one choice, return the smile.

Then, I frowned. Who says this won't happen again? And, if I really cared about the flock, would I go back to them? I'm top wanted by the school, and I don't think they'll be able to keep up. I stood, whipped out my wings, and took off at top speed to find Cali.

"Max? Where are you going? Was it something I said?" Fang yelled after me.

Cali and I had some serious decisions to make…