Chapter 6:
I woke up to the gentle rustle of wind against my window and soon discovered the earth had been covered in a soft, white blanket of snow during the night. As November passed, the cold days of December were now upon us bringing the joy of Christmas spirits, snow, and freezing cold weather which I, Maximum Ride, do not like. But anywho, I get up to look out my window and memories come rushing back like a flood.
****"Mummy lookie at my snowman! He's really isn't he?" Mommy smiled at me with a gleam in her eyes.
"Oh yes, he is very tall." I turned back to admire him once again but unexpectedly felt something hit the back of me. I whipped around but saw no one there except mommy.
"Hmm..something fishy is going on around here," I said very seriously. I notice mommy cover her mouth after I say that. Hmm she must be sleepy or something. (she's laughing and trying to cover it up obviously) I again turn only to be once again hit but this time when I look at mommy she is bent over in laughter.
"Mummy! That was you wasn't it?!" I asked with a pout.
"Aww sweetheart I'm sorry..come here," She said with her arms open. I started to make my way over there but suddenly stopped when I saw her hand full of a glob of snow. This is war! Our snowball fight lasted a whole twenty minutes before my hands were so numb I couldn't feel them anymore so mommy said we had to go inside. We both dressed in our matching pj's and then drank the hot chocolate she made us.
We laid on this couch together for quite sometime after that simply enjoying the feeling of having the other next to us, knowing what it feels like to be love completely and endlessly***
I smiled thinking how my mum loved Christmas time. She always was the mother who did everything she could for her child to ensure they had a wonderful and magical Christmas they would never forget. She did just that for me that year and every year before. My spirits fell with the realization that this would be my first Christmas without my mum…if we even celebrated Christmas. Jeb was obviously not the touchy- feely sort but he was the only family I had left- except for my flock but I wouldn't barge into their lives and family just because I didn't have one. Sighing, I pushed the thoughts away and readied myself for the day.
A an hour or two later, my phone lights up and begins to dance around my desk until I snatched it up to see a text from Iggy (in bold)
Waz happenin girlfriend? I quickly texted back then awaited his response.
Ig you seriously need a life- and a gf. Anyway nothing, hbu?
Same. Angel and Gazzy want to know if you want to come sledding with us later 2night. Say about 5?
Sure! I would love to, who else is coming?
Me, Nudge of course, Dylan, some dude Nudge is in love with at the moment…and Ella.
Ok cool..who's Ella?
Uhh just some girl.
Just some girl huh? Iggy you totally like her! Admit it dude.
I do not! Ur crazy Maximum
Ur so lying! So who is she?!
…
Iggy tell me!
5 2night at the north brooke bridge, don't be late!…you'll find out later ;) xoxoxoxoxo Iggy 3
I stare at his response and do a face palm. That boy is SO strange. He's like the brother I never had but at the same time..I dunno, he's simply not. What can I say? He's Iggy!
So five finally comes rolling around and I slip out before Jeb either comes home drunk or with some gold digger dame and drive down to the north side of the Brooke bridge. Although its only the first day of December, it is really cold which explains my apparel which consists of: first a sweater, then a hoodie, then finally a winter coat topped with boots, a scarf, gloves, and earmuffs- so I'm a freeze baby, I can't help it!
"Yo Max, going to Antarctica or sledding?" Joked Iggy when he saw me.
"Hahaha Max you like a giant marshmallow!" Snorted Gazzy through his muffled laughter.
"Thanks you two," I growled already freezing.
"Zomg! Max I love the jacket! It so fits you and the coloring omg perfect! Where did you get it? And your scarf?! So pretty! I got mine from Forever 21 for like 5 bucks last weekend! Such a deal considering they wanted 10 last last weekend, I mean that is so totally way too much for a scarf, but I mean it is pretty don't you think so? I do ha but that's why I bought it isn't it?! Oh and-"
"NUDGE!" We all yelled making her instantly shut up.
"…sorry guys," She muttered as blush crept up her neck. Was she embarrassed by the rambling I'll never know because at just that moment, Tyler Hallings stepped out of his car and strode towards us. I shot a glance and Nudge who was completely enthralled by his very presence. Ohh brother. This is gonna be good.
"Hey guys! Nudge, hi, looking good," His voice was smoother than silk to Nudge but what I heard was rocks trying to be grinded in a meat grinder. Ohhh Nudge- why him of all guys?! But I guess people never see these warning signs, they are too wrapped up in the other person to notice they are about to fall in a deep deep hole. Love is so over rated. Me? I am so totally done with guys. Sam was making breaking point…but then again…Dylan's eyes sought out mine and I felt warmth swim through my body…uhh what was I saying about being done with guys? Yeah scratch that.
"Hey Max," Now HIS voice was smoother than the best silk in the world! And his eyes, my God, I had never seen blued eyes than his. And just think Max, he's in your band! Xoxoxoxo!
"Hey Dylan, s'up?" Keeping it cool, that's how I roll. Just as he was about to answer, another car pulled up and I saw Iggy visibly perk up. This must be Ella. A girl about my age stepped out of the car and strode toward Iggy and pulled him into a hug then timidly walked toward us. Everyone shrank back when they saw just who Ella was. Why don't they like her? I mean she looked nice enough, she was pretty too. Her hair was raven back and her eyes where a dark, deep brown. She was a little shorter than my 5"8 but her cheery look made up for everything..until she saw the reaction of everyone. Feeling bad for her I stepped closer and notice her skin- tinted tan-ish mixed with an olive tone..familiar.
"Hey, you must be Ella. I'm Max," I said sticking my hand out to her feeling kinda of awkward breaking the silence between us.
"Uhh hi, it's nice to meet you finally. Iggy talks so much about you..although I was expecting ..well someone completely different. You seem so..nice," She said timidly. I turned to Iggy who shrank back only partially laughing.
"Iggy," I growled in a warning tone then turned back to Ella, "You'll find Iggy is quite..different sometimes and always has the knack for lying at times."
"No matter," She said with a soft bubble of laughter, "I think you are swell! I hope we can be friends though."
"I would like that..but uhh why won't we be?" I asked. She suddenly became very interested with her snow boots, Iggy as well; in fact everyone did even Nudge surprisingly. Only Dylan had the courage to step forward.
"Because she is the sister of Nicholas Martinez," He spat out saying Nick's name as if he was the devil himself. Ella was that jerk's sister? I recoiled but stopped myself when I saw the pained look on her face.
"I know my brother has done some bad things..especially to you guys, but please understand I am not him," She pleaded.
"Hey we get that, you're just related to him," Gazzy retorted.
"Sister like brother," Dylan added in.
"Guys!," I yelled, "C'mon! She is Nick's little sister not his evil twin! Loosen up a bit! Give her a chance like you gave me one. Besides, if Iggy who has taken a liking to her, which he obviously has, then you guys should too! I mean look at her- completely harmless. It's her brother we despise not her." She smile and bowed her head in thanks.
"Thank you Max, it mean the world to me to hear that."
"You're welcome Ella. Now c'mon people! Let's do what we came here to do!" With that yells broke out as did the sleds- let the sledding begin!
Going two to a sled (Ella&Iggy, Me&Dyaln, Nudge&Tyler, and Angel&Gazzy) we all razed up the hill to come flying back down on the sled.
"OMG again!" Nudge squealed.
"Race you up!" Shouted Gazzy at Angel who was struggling to run I the snow.
"Wait for me Gazz," She wailed up at him. Iggy and Ella shared a smile and took their time walking back up. Now me psh I was reverting back to my childhood so I was right with Gazzy…ok correct I was wayyyy ahead of Gazzy literally pulling Dylan along behind me. This went on for about another 15 minutes then a full fledge snowball fight broke out between our little teams. Laughing, Dylan and I sought protection behind a small snow bank and quickly made as many snowballs as we could. Iggy and Ella were going brave..or stupid because they we the only ones darting back and forth, tree to tree out in the open. Gazzy and Angel were nowhere to be found and Nudge and Tyler were crouching behind a bush assaulting Iggy with snowballs. I hadn't felt so happy in the longest time and I cherished the feeling hoping it would never fade. Just then, feeling mighty brave, I hopped up from my safe spot and flung a snowball, a very large one that I had just made, at Iggy which missed….and hit a tall, dark figure- a very angry-looking figure.
I abandoned my snow bank to see what or better yet whom I hit to discover something very unpleasant- Nicholas. He was, like always, wearing all black but this time he was speckled with white snow that I had just accidentally thrown at him.
"Maximum," He growled barring his teeth making it look like he was some sort of beastly animal.
"Woahh Fang, down boy," I mocked him which only resulted in him clenching his teeth and making his jaw twitch like it did very art class. I feel so accomplished!
"You do realize what an immature little brat you are, don't you Ride?" He grounded out, "It's no wonder you have no boyfriend, no guy could put up with you. It's a wonder how you even have friends..if these losers can be considered that."
"And do you Fang realize what an ass you are?! NO! I don't think you do. And did you ever consider I don't want some stupid guy mooning over me? Cuz I don't! I would say the same for you, but it seems you go snogging with every girl in the school!" I yelled back at him.
"Every girl except you Ride."
"Thank the Lord! I'd rather-"
"Enough with the theatrics Max, I just came for my sister," He stated cutting me off sounding very bored. This angered me even more.
"That's another thing! Where did your parents go wrong? Ella is a sweetheart, but you-"
"I could care less what you think of me Maximum!" He roared making everyone shrink back expect me.
"Well you should Fang cuz-"
"Stop calling me that stupid name!" He yelled exasperated.
"Aww what's wrong? Doesn't Fangy like his nickname? You're right; I think jackass fits better don't you?"
"I'm warning you Max, cut the crap! Ella! In the car-NOW!"
"Don't you dare speak to her like that you jerk!" Ignoring me, he settled his gaze on his sister.
"Now Ella. Mum is worried about you, it's nearly dinner time and you never called or texted." He said in a slightly more tender voice. She looks down then waved goodbye and jogged off to his car without saying bye.
"God help her," I muttered but from the shooting death glare I received, I think Fang heard me.
"Go home Max," He said sternly, "Better yet why don't you leave."
"Hey don't talk to her like that man!" Jumped Iggy. I felt better knowing he was standing up for me, but when fang turned his scowl towards my flock I turned cold.
"Go home guys." I said slowly.
"But Max-" Angel started.
"Now," I started firmly. "I'll catch up later. Iggy, drop Ella off." They slowly began to scattered and within moments it was just Fang and I.
"What's your problem dude?!" I asked irritated, "Why do you have to act like suck a-"
"Dick?" He asked, "Cuz I have to deal with people like you Max- that's why."
"You arse, I don't even bother you! Wth?" He scowled his eyes dark and cold. They seemed endless, so uninviting.
"Leave Max, just leave. No one wants you here," This didn't bother me at all, I hear it from Jeb all the time.
"I would but I have not where to go. Guess you're stuck with me."
"You live with your dad I heard. Go live with dear old mommy then," He said coldly, "Or doesn't she want you either?" I froze, hurt stabbed me and it only intensified when his lips upturned into the Fang version of a smile. "Aww Maxie has no come-back? Must be true then, psh go figure," He mocked. I stood there trembling then burst out at him.
"She is dead you jackass!" I screamed at him with all my might then closed the distance between us and backhanded him hard across the cheek. His head jerked to the side from the impact and slowly revealed the red imprint of my hand. Feeling rage, I swung back again, but Fang was ready for this time. He grabbed my wrist, took his weight against mine, and threw me back. I fell harshly on the ground..or so I thought it was ground.
I heard a sharp hissing sound then felt the earth crack beneath me. Whaa? What's happening?
The last thing I saw was the shocked face of Nicholas Martinez above me.
Then I submerge beneath the ice.
The last thought that crossed my thoughts was a panicked one-
I can't swim!
Then I blacked out...
Dun Dun Dunnn... Like or no? Comments please, i love comments XD and a thank you to those of you that do comment- i love reading what you have to say! keep it up! and a really, really big thank you to my regular comment..-er- i luv ya! thank you for taking the time not only to read my stories but review them to! seeing you want another chapter motivates me to write another an another an another! thanks :)