A/n My goodness guys I haven't updated in forever. I felt really bad it has been so long. Even though I am really tired I am updating for you guys who reviewed or read or favorited or followed this story (thank you for that). Although it isn't a very reasonable excuse I have had writers block and I finally figured out where I wanted to go. This chapter may feel like filler but it is important for where I want to go with my story. Also I have felt like my characters have been OOC so I tried changing that in this chapter. Please tell me what you think or if you feel like I made any changes in the characters. Without further ado here is the chapter.

Disclaimer: I am not James Patterson therefore I do not own Maximum Ride.

"Will you please come?" yup, you read it right I ,the incredible Maximum Ride, am pleading, more like begging, someone for something. Now to help you understand my predicament let's back track to a couple hours ago, before I needed to stoop so low as to beseech someone.

Here I am gliding, not so gracefully, around the ballroom when my mother dearest drops a bomb on me that first elates me then sends my spirits soaring to the moon then plummeting back down to earth. The news she tells me would enlighten anyone in our family's hearts, but the announcement that goes with it made my smile falter and fall faster than you can say 'ball'. Actually a ball was my issue.

"Max, honey," my mom begins.

Uh-oh I think those two endearing words mean one of two things. Either she is going to tell me I no longer have to take lessons with her because I'm just that awesome or she will explain something to me I wish I wouldn't have to hear. Unfortunately it's the latter.

"Your father will arrive today," she continues. Well that isn't bad news but here comes the terrifying part.

"In honor of his return we will throw a ball and you must have a dancing partner. No ifs ands or buts this is an absolute requirement. I will not allow any one of my daughters who is of age to show up with a proper companion," she ends her rant looking into my eyes as if challenging me for an objection. Usually I would try to find a way around her 'requirements', but I can tell this night is important to her. I suspect it has something to do with the fact that she wants to prove to my father she can manage on her own. Knowing any complaint would be ignored I comply with a simple "yes, mother."

And that is the story of why I am in front of Fang urging him to come to the ball with me. To be honest I don't like any of the suitors mother and father would like for me to have. So with that in mind mom tried to make up for the ball by agreeing to let me chose my own guest. Quickly I came to the realization I didn't have anyone to bring I didn't really mix with any of the men other than my patients. Which brought me to Fang. He was in my age range, polite enough for my father, and handsome enough for my mother. overall he was a decent person and I didn't mind is company either.

"So Fang, will you come?" I ask for the umpteenth time.

"Hmm."

He looks as though he is weighing his options on a scale trying to decide which way is the best to go. "Fine" he complies to my request. "When and where?" he questions. Wow it wasn't even in a full, decent sentence but I understand. "Meet me at the doors to the main hall before dinner," I inform him. Before stalking off I add "try to look decent."

"Ouch, ouch! Nudge, not so tight you are hurting me!" I whine (man I'm doing a lot of that lately) as Nudge pulls tighter on my corset strings.

"Well Miss Maximum you don't want to look slouchy tonight. My goodness you will actually look quite marvelous. Your dress is stunning and the rest of you will look so also. I wish I had such-"

"Nudge please just hurry" I cut her off before my ears fall off. With that demand she shuts off and is back to squeezing the life out of me with this tormenting device they call a corset. When she is done with my hair and apparel she steps back to let me look in the mirror.

As I glance at my reflection I wonder if all the agony was worth it. Truthfully the gown is stunning, a light blue with sliver stitching embroidering my the light pink and green floral bodice. My hair even though it's a simple shade looks elegant in its fancy updo of complex braids I cannot even begin to describe. Although all that looks wonderful I can't help but get tripped up on my face.

'Am I pretty' is all I can think. While staring at my reflection I can't help but wish my eyes were different. At least for blue eyes people can compliment how they look as blue as the sky or sea, but with brown eyes what can they say 'your eyes look like a pile of shit'? normally I don't care how I look. Today though is no ordinary day and I can't help but ponder my beauty.

When I arrive at the door Fang is leaning against the wall waiting for me. He is well enough that he can stand on his own for a few hours which accounts for the absent crutches. Frankly I believe he looks better that way. Actually he cleans up pretty well overall.

His dark obsidian eyes meet my brown ones as I approach. Swiftly I lengthen my steps to reach him sooner. When I stop right in front of him he gives me a curt nod and reaches up to place his hand on my back. Before his hand touches me I give him a glare accompanied by my open threat "If you touch me, Fang, I will rebreak your leg and not care." As if in surrender he throws his hands in the air and we walk in together.

In the hall we make our way over to the long table that my family sits at. Pointing to each person in turn I begin introductions "Fang, this is as you already know Jeb my father, Valencia mother, my older sister Lissa, her fiancé Dylan, and little Angel. Everybody this is Fang." With that we sit down and the awkward dinner begins.

About halfway through the dinner I am condemned to my doom. In the beginning Jeb, Dylan, and Fang get along nicely talking about the weather and such. Around the time the mutton is served they have warmed up to each other and my father inquires what they think about the war. Before answering Fang catches my stern look telling him not say anything foolish. So instead he sucks up to my father and replies with a fake smile plastered to his face " I believe you are doing a fine job, sir. Despite my injuries I was fine with the assignment. And look, you have almost conquered the Gunter Hagen kingdom."

"Ah yes, we have," my father pauses before continuing "in fact I feel it is safe I will let my daughter to go horseback riding, as I know she loves, as long as she has a trustworthy man such as yourself with her."

Ya'll are probably thinking oh my goodness she must be so excited this is what she always was saying she wanted I bet she is over the top happy. Well if you thought that you are wrong. It's not so much the fact I don't want to be with Fang he's actually not that bad I just am not happy about the fact my dad believes I should be babysat. Fang catches my distress and gives me a cheeky grin knowing what I am thinking. "Oh father that sounds delightful" I lie through my teeth with a fake smile forced on my face.

The rest of the night we spend dancing away and I can't help but sense a hint of triumph when before leaving Fang says "See you tomorrow as your accompaniment for horseback riding." Well I ain't settling for having to have a guard I am determined to show them I am capable on my own.

A/n And that is the chapter. I would like to clear up I do not actually think brown eyes look like a pile of shit. Brown eyes are quite gorgeous and I am a sucker for them. So do not take offense if you have brown eyes. Like always please review they actually make me really happy! I love to hear your feedback even if you just want to review to say so much as "Stupid" I am still happy to hear what you think. So please review. Now I am really tired so goodnight.

MusicIsAllYouNeed