I edited this because I just felt the need to... I think it's a lot better. I also edited the last chapter and cut down on the AN's. They were way too long, and I'll try not to rambled. :) Buuuuuuut. Has anyone read the first 17 chapters of Nevermore? If you have and you're a Fax supporter, PM me so we can rant. (And yeah. I did change the summary for the second (or third) time. Hope it draws in more people.) Btw, sorry for reposting this and maybe getting some people's hopes up...
¤ All New ¤
An Old Friend
Flashback
The dark-headed girl in front of me was sitting on a porch chair that seated two people with her hands in her lap and her legs slowly swinging back and forth.
She was shy. I could only guess that much. She wouldn't meet me in the eye and spoke in such a soft voice that I could barely hear what she was saying. I strained my ears as much as I could, so I wouldn't have to ask her, "Can you repeat what you said?" after every answer she gave.
"So… Tallia…" I said, drifting off. When she didn't do anything to acknowledge my attempt at talking with her, I closed my eyes tightly, racking my brains for something that could start up a conversation. Since I couldn't think of anything meaningful that could create a long and engaging discussion, I went for the first random thing that popped into my head.
I blurted, "What's your favorite super hero?" Then, I bit my lip in hope of some reaction.
I got one.
She lifted her head, and her light grey eyes looked at me in surprise. That is a reaction. Not one the one I was looking for, but at least it was something. I leaned forward a bit in anticipation of some actual words to follow.
I withdrew my torso, my shoulders slightly sagging in disappointment once I realized that she wasn't going to talk. When she did reply after a long moment of silence, it completely caught me off guard, and I had to ask her the question I was desperately trying to avoid. "Can you repeat that?"
Tallia looked back down at her lap, and I almost smacked myself, thinking that I lost my only chance at continuing the conversation.
"Iron Man," she whispered, twisting her fingers together.
While I was mentally fist-pumping in jubilation, I saw her eyes quickly glance up at me, searching to see if I had heard her.
In return, I gave her an encouraging smile and a question to further our chat.
"Why is that?"
She gave a small shrug. "He can fly," she stated as if that was the only reason needed.
"But what about Superman? He can fly too," I challenged, raising an eyebrow. I don't mean to sound like a comic book geek, but I needed to keep this going.
She pulled up her head again and, for the first time this night, met my gaze. I could now see that her light grey eyes, bordered with long lashes, also had darker flecks in them.
Tallia clucked her tongue. "Iron Man can shoot electric power from the palms of his hands," she said in a strong voice.
I almost let out a huge smile at her reply, happy that she responded and didn't just leave me hanging. I expected her to give it up, but I can now see that she's a stubborn one.
"But Superman has laser vision." I smirked, crossing my arms. I leaned against the railing of the porch as I waited to see what she would come up with to retaliate.
Her nose scrunched up as she thought. "Robert Downey Jr. is hot," she said after a moment, giving me an earnest look.
I laughed in surprise, not expecting that out of this girl. She isn't as quiet as she appeared. I guess the statement, 'Don't judge a book by its cover,' is true.
A small smile was on her lips as she watched me.
"Well, I guess I can't argue with you there although Iron Man's powers just come from his suit," I said nonchalantly. I looked at the lawn with a blank look in my eyes, but a sly grin wormed its way onto my face in knowledge that she would fall into my trap.
She sputtered incredulously, eye widening. "Are you kidding me? At least he invented it using his brain while Super Man just felling into some radioactive crap!" she defended in an indignant tone. Her reaction was just what I was hoping for and somewhat expecting.
I turned back to face her with an eyebrow raised. "At least that radioactive crap is in him forever while Iron Man's suit comes off every day," I retorted.
She scoffed, "Who would want to be a super hero every second of the day?"
"I would of course," I said with a fake gasp, holding a hand to my heart. Now that she's lightened up, I can act like myself and not make awkward small-talk, but a real conversation with easy-going banter.
"We'll if you were a super hero, I guess you would be called Super Max," Tallia teased with a bright smile.
I beamed back at her and put my hand on my hips, puffing out my chest. "Night or day. Weekday or weekend." I paused, thinking. "Well, unless Mom made me cookies, then 30 minutes after," I added, making Tallia laugh before I continued. "Whenever, wherever, if you need Super Max, I'll be there," I finished, winking teasingly at her.
After we finished laughing, Tallia stated bluntly, "Alright then. I have need of your services. Now."
I blinked. Well, that was fast. What problem could she possibly have this instant?
Then she stood up and walked a little.
Oh my…
I almost fell back and over the porch railing since my body was being wracked with laughter. I dropped down onto the floor in a heap and pointing a shaking finger at her scowling form.
"You waddle like a freaking penguin!" I hooted hoarsely, pounding the wooden floor with my hand.
"Shut up. Now, save me from these heels," she grumbled.
I looked up to see her pouting with her arms crossed angrily. While holding onto the porch railing, I stood up unsteadily.
Tallia sat back down with an impatient huff as I tried to stifle my laughter.
"Okay. Okay," I managed to say while taking deep breaths. "I'm done now."
She raised an eyebrow asking, 'You sure?'
I bit my lip and nodded.
"Finally," she muttered under her breath, but I've always had good senses, so I was able to hear. I shot her a wry look which she ignored. "Alrighty then," she said while clapping. "I don't have any other shoes here since my step-mom forced me to wear these things for today, and said that she'll send the others tomorrow. I was thinking that maybe I could borrow-" she rambled until I interrupted.
"Since you're going to call me 'Super Max,' can I call you 'Waddles?'" I whispered before cracking up all over again.
She threw a porch chair cushion at me in frustration.
I held up my hands. "Alright. Alright," I agreed compliantly, biting on the inside of my cheek to keep a huge smile from overcoming me. "I won't call you Waddles."
"Good," she said coldly, holding the strap of one of her killer heels in her hands. She was armed and ready.
I looked nervously at her twitching fingers that seemed a bit too eager to hurl the object they were holding, straight into my face. "You- er- mind putting those weapons down?" I asked hesitantly.
She rolled her eyes and placed them beside her on the chair. "Okay. Do you have any sneakers I can bor—"
"Can I call you Tally Wally instead?"
-cue the sound of two loud thumps-
End of Flashback
"I can't believe it's really you," I murmured, ruffling her hair fondly as we sat down onto the same two-seater porch chair.
She smiled largely, exposing her even, white teeth. "I can't believe it's you either, Super Max."
"You know," I said, fake-seriously. "If you say that in front of some guys, they might ask for my services. In the wrong way."
She blinked cluelessly. "Then can I say that your services are for me only?"
I burst out laughing, tears pricking at my eyes. "Tally. That would make things a bit worse. Oh, Tally. Same old, naïve Tally," I replied in a breathless voice.
"What? What? How am I naïve? Why does everybody say that?" she cried, throwing her hands up in the air.
That only made me laugh harder. "Other people say that too? How you stay innocent for so long is beyond my knowledge," I chortled, shaking my head in wonder. Oh Tally. How I've missed your purity. There's no one else like you.
She crossed her arms and pouted. "Well aren't most things beyond your knowledge?" she muttered, slightly annoyed.
Oooooh. Tally's grown a backbone. Let's see how she reacts to this.
I gasped and gave her a hurt look. I opened my eyes and blinked them quickly to emphasize my 'shock.' I always thought I was a pretty decent actor.
"That," I whimpered, "was really mean." I sniffled and turned away, looking at the arm of my side of the porch chair. Is she as gullible as before?
"Maxine. I'm sorry. I didn't- I mean- I wasn't trying to- I was joking- Sorry," she stuttered, putting a hand on my shoulder. She truly sounded panicked which made me mentally laugh.
Yup. Definitely as gullible.
Though, I guess my chuckles weren't so mental since my shoulders started to shake, but Tally assumed that I was crying and started freaking out even more.
"Oh gosh. Awh man. I made her cry. Crap. I see her for the first time in 4 years, and this is how I treat her? I'm such a bad person. She'll never forgive me for this. I'll lose one of my best friends, and- oh my gosh," she rambled deliriously, not noticing the fact that I had turned around to look her with a face that showed no signs of crying.
I raised an eyebrow at her questioningly. "Have you always talked this much?"
Her grey eyes blinked quickly, and she reeled back once she saw me. "You- you weren't crying?" she asked disbelievingly.
"You think that Super Max would break down into tears after a small retort like that?" I scoffed. "You underestimate me, Tally Wally." I sniffed and lifted my nose snottily at her.
She let out a relieved giggle. "I guess I should have known. You're always one to joke around," she admitted. I gave her a devilish wink.
"So. How's life been for you?" I asked her cheerfully while flinging an arm around her shoulder.
She responded by doing the same to me. "Life couldn't be better. I made awesome friends."
I wiggled my eyebrows at her. "Any boyfriends?"
She mimicked me once again, and then said something that I would never have expected out of her.
"Why? You interested?"
My mouth gaped open as she laughed loudly. That was the most perverted thing I've ever heard her say. She was always a bit shy around guys when we were younger. Whenever a 'that's what she said' joke was told around her, she'd ask, "Who's she?"
"Come on, Max," she playfully nudged my shoulder with her own. "You really didn't expect me to be completely innocent, did you?"
"No, but it's still a surprise," I shrugged, feeling a twinge of sadness. I wasn't there to see her change and mature. It started to weigh on my mind, the guilt of leaving her with only a sad goodbye and vague rumors of my reason for leaving.
"That's true," she said agreeably, snapping me out of my thoughts. "Now. About your life-" she tried to say before a girl interrupted her.
"Tally, Tally, Tally, Tally! Oh my gosh. That is like the cutest formal-yet-casual outfit I've ever seen! You're really talented in the art of fashion. Oh my gosh. You have to, like, be my mentor or something. You also totally work that vest. It shows off your curves. Then the jeans. They make your legs look longer too! You're going to be so popular at school! I just know it! Wait, are you new? Do you go to a different school? Oh no! You have to go to Shoreline High School! I mean like, we would be like the bestest of friends and-" rambled a mocha skinned girl. She was bounding up the porch steps as she talked, also using extreme hand gestures.
Throughout the girl's whole speech, I was staring at her with wide eyes and a mouth that was gaping open. How does a person say so many words in such little time?
"Oh my gosh!" How many times will she say that? "I never even got your name? I bet it's really sporty and cool sounding! So? What is it?" the girl smiled energetically at me, batting her big brown eyes.
"Uhm. I- err. My name-" I stuttered, completely caught off guard. She had broken me down mentally with her word attack, and I couldn't even remember my name nevertheless how to speak full sentences.
Tally just snorted and rolled her eyes exasperatedly. "Nudge. You rendered her incapable of speaking already. Congratulations."
"Oh no! That must be horrible to not be able to speak! I mean, I love talking even though it bugs some people! Wait, why am I here in the first place? Oh yeah! Tally! Ella's going to be here too in a few," she said, looking at Tally.
Meanwhile, I was still staring at the girl name 'Nudge,' blankly. I shook my head and tried to get my thoughts together. Okay. Name. My name is Max. Maximum Ride.
"I'm Maximum Ride," I stated slowly, making sure that I didn't miss a word or something. "And yeah. I'm going to be going to Shoreline. I'm Tally's neighbor," I said, picking up speed as I talked. I feel like I'm back in pre-school, learning how to speak. Yup. This girl must definitely have a super power.
"Maximum Ride?" Nudge and Tally chorused in question.
I nodded.
"But, I thought your name was Maxine?" Tally's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion.
"Maximum Ride is such a cool name! I knew it would be cool!" Nudge beamed at me. Was she always so hyper?
"She probably just had coffee this morning. She does ramble, but doesn't always squeal," Tally explained, probably from watching my facial expressions. "And about your name changing?" Tally gestured with her hands as if saying, 'get on with it.'
I shrugged helplessly. "I honestly don't know how my friends in New York came up with Maximum, but they did, and now it's my name. Since it has Max in it like Maxine, I deemed it alright." Well, I guess they thought I did everything to the 'maximum' of my ability. It sounded corny before, but then I realized that it fit me perfectly since I was a hard worker, always putting my all into things I did.
I watched as the two nodded in understanding.
"But why'd you change it in the first place?" Nudge questioned, sitting on the armrest on Tally's side of the porch chair.
Involuntarily, I winced as I remembered.
"I wanted a new name. A new beginning. I moved to New York where my dad lived from Cali for a reason. It was a chance for me to start all over. I wanted a new name to help me get over some memories," I explained. Some memories of him. Actually, all memories of him.
I saw Tally's jaw clench. "It was him. Wasn't it?" she asked me in a bitter voice. Her knuckles were white because of the tight fists she was making.
Blinking in shock, I ask her, "Who?" How could she know him?
"Nick," she spat, shaking her head in what seemed like disgust.
I shuffled through my memories for anyone named Nick. No one. "Er. Who's Nick?" I asked hesitantly.
She let out a breath. "I guess you only know him by the nickname you gave him. He doesn't use it anymore by the way," she said, watching me with careful eyes.
I tilt my head in confusion.
"Nick is Fang, Max. You know, my brother? And now your neighbor?"
Yes, there is a reason for Max's inability to remember some things. You'll see. ;)
Truth
