AN: I know I'm not suppose to take up a chapter just for an author's note, but I'm willing to take a chance. And I know I've updated late but I'm having a sort of writer's block, and stress from the end of the quarter and an upcoming tournament at UC Davis and friend/boy troubles. Depending on the course of the story, I'm unsure of whether I'll keep it going or not. I'm just not feeling the plot yet, and I'm trying to add some excitement into the story so it's not just Max and Fang in school doing school things. If I don't update, it's probably because of a writer's block. Thanks so much for the support so far, and I'll try to improve from here on out!
-Bobcat
Disclaimer: I don't own Maximum Ride because if I did, Max and Fang would have been making out at least in the third book.
Max's Pov
Well, that was totally unexpected. It doesn't take Sherlock freaking Holmes to figure out that Fang had just un-friended me in real life. Hot tears burned in my eyes, and I blinked them backed. I shoved the note and pin in my pocket and sped off on my bike. I had no idea where I was going, and honestly I couldn't care less. I thought Fang of all people would be ecstatic to see me back, but it turned out to be the exact opposite!
I rode straight, following the sidewalk. When it turned, I turned. After about an hour, my front tire hit something on the sidewalk and my bike flipped. Of course, I went with it. I crashed down a (convenient) hill, tumbling head over heels until I splashed into a (very convenient) stream.
"Shit!" I swore as I leaped onto the sandy bank. I did a quick mental sweep of myself. My jeans were torn, and my knee was gushing out blood. I had a thorn stuck somewhere on my arm and cuts on my hands and I'm pretty sure I was sitting in poison ivy. I could feel a split in my lip and a cut on my cheek stinging. My helmet did little to shield my head, and I was very aware of the pounding in my temples. I tossed the helmet in the stream and yanked out the thorn on my arm. What next? Oh, yeah, where was I? From my position on the ground, I took in my surroundings. In front of me, there was a little stream, where I had fallen in. I looked right and saw the stream flowing off into the distance. Ivy and thorns lined the stream, with an occasional sandy bank. Further downstream was a small dam made of rocks. Behind me was the steep hill where I had fallen down. I was covered in grass, weeds, and thorns.
I staggered to my feet and made my way slowly downstream to where my backpack was. Next to it was my bike, and from what I could see, the front tire had been popped. I fished my backpack out and dumped its contents out on the shore. When my backpack was empty, I tossed it on the ground and took inventory. All my homework papers were soaked, and my phone was shorted out. I pocketed some granola bars, a package of fruit snacks, and my Swiss army knife.
"Lost?"
I leaped back at least ten feet and spun around. Standing behind me was boy about my age. He had sandy-blonde hair that fell across his face like a curtain of gold and his eyes were bluer than the Pacific. He was a head taller than me and looked like he was made of all muscle. His shirt was pulled tight across his broad chest, and his biceps filled the shirt sleeves. He was wearing shorts, so I could see his well toned calves. I suddenly became very self-conscious of my hair.
"Are you lost?" he repeated, his expression worried. I noticed he had a faint accent, which only improved his hotness.
"Um, yeah," My voice squeaked, and I cleared my throat awkwardly. "I mean, yeah, I'm lost."
He nodded thoughtfully and pointed up the hill. "Didn't you fall from up there?"
"Yeah," I said, blushing. Gosh, I must look like a total klutz.
He grinned and chuckled. "Don't worry, you're not a klutz,"
Did he just say what I think he just said? Who is this guy?
"Yeah, I did. And I prefer to be called Dylan, not 'this guy'."
"OK, what is going on here?" I exclaimed. Thunder sounded overhead. We looked up just as rain began falling slowly.
"C'mon, let's get out of this rain!" he yelled and reached for my hand. I pulled back quickly.
"Why would I run away with a complete stranger I just met? And what's going on with the whole mind reading thing?" I demanded.
"We're not complete strangers, Max," he said, exasperated. " About the mind reading thing, I'll explain when we get to my house. Now, c'mon, before we both catch a cold."
Before I could protest, he grabbed my hand and we raced off into the forest.
