If I Wasn't Meant To Fly

Pamina Rose

Disclaimer:I do not own Maximum Ride. WOW!!! This is getting much easier to say! ((pats on back and grins))

A/N: I'm reeeeeeeeeeeally sorry that my fan fic has pissed all my reviewers off, but I like it, nevertheless. Please keep reviewing so you can find out what happens next! READ AND REVIEW!!! Thank you.

Chapter Eight: What Normal Feels Like

Eight Months Later

((Max's POV))

I was running; fast and hard through the forest, Erasers at my heels. I had the feeling that I was running away from something – something big, something important. Some place I never wanted to be again. Then, I heard the baying of bloodhounds on the hunt, and I tried to run faster.

Then I saw a lightening of the trees ahead, and thought with hope that there was a clearing, for a clearing could save me.

I burst through the trees, and backpedaled as fast as I could. No clearing – a cliff

I had two options: jump, or be killed. Both options stunk. And I made my decision in the split second that I had: I jumped.

The Erasers screamed in anger and the dogs howled, and it was so peaceful for a second, then – I opened my powerful, hawk wings and flew up, up above the cliff and an Eraser pointed a gun straight at me and a red laser pointed appeared on my chest. I veered into the sun, so it would be in his hate-crazed eyes.

I wasn't going to die today.

I woke up with a gasp, hand over my heart, breathing heavily, and thought, what was that about, and why does it feel so familiar? I had no idea.

I jumped out of bed and got dressed, then,

"Maxine! Hurry! You're going to miss the bus!" screamed my mother from the bottom of the stairs.

"Coming!" I called back, fastening my heart necklace on, standing in front of my mirror. I shrugged on my fluffy winter coat and leaned down to grab my insanely heavy backpack and slung it over my shoulder. I grabbed my iPod off my dresser and ran down the stairs, and sprinted out the front door, only to see the school bus pulling away from my corner bus stop.

"No! Wait! I'm here!" I called, and began to run after it. Even being the fastest girl in my grade, I couldn't catch up. I slowed down to a walk, breathing heavily and sighed. Great. I'll have to walk. Again. I thought in a huff and began to walk towards school. Thankfully, my house wasn't that far from there.

Gosh, some days I just wish I could fly, I thought as I walked. All my lateness problems would be solved then.

It was cold outside, as expected in December in Cornwall, Connecticut, and I crossed my arms over my chest, tucking my hands away from the cold. I hadn't expected to miss the bus, so I wasn't prepared. But, even missing the bus I got to school just on time, and made it to homeroom without being late.

I looked around the room as I walked in to 206 and caught the eyes of Ryan Fisher, my boyfriend. He smiled wide and patted the seat next to him and I hurried over, conscious of the jealous and awed stares of my classmates as I went to sit next to him.

"Hey, baby." He said, and kissed me sweetly, just as the morning announcements came on.

"Good morning West High, today is December, fifteenth, two-thousand-and-seven, please stand for the pledge to our flag." Said our principal, Mr. Candale

We all stood and said the pledge then sat back down in silence to listen. Our homeroom teacher, Mrs. Birch, was strict about being quiet during announcements, and wasn't a teacher you wanted to cross.

"Today is a White Day, have a great day everyone." Mr. Candale concluded, just before the bell rang, sending us off to class.


My classes went by slower than usual, and I was happy to get to sixth period lunch – to take a much needed break from my studies.

Ryan, Claudia, Abby, Jake, Sandra, Michael, Robert and Lindsey were already there, sitting at our usual table. I went over and took my seat next to Ryan and opened up my bag lunch of hummus and crackers, and a diet raspberry Snapple.

I sat in silence listening to everyone's conversations:

Abby, Jake, Michael and Sandra were discussing the upcoming basketball game, in which Jake and Michael were playing, and Abby and Sandra cheering.

"It's going to be an awesome game!" Abby squealed. "I just can't wait! East High! Wow, we'll cream them again this year for sure."

Jake nodded and went into strategy with Michael, because Jake was captain and Sandra fell into a conversation about the routines they were going to do with Abby.

Claudia and Lindsey were talking about the upcoming Snow Ball next Friday, trying to figure out where to get their dresses.

"I think I'll go to Deb, or Mandee." Claudia was saying.

"Definably Mandee," Lindsey said. "Let's go together! I was in the mall last week and I saw this gorgeous periwinkle one…"

And Robert and Ryan were talking about their video project they had to do for their English class.

"I don't know, Ryan. Don't you think that's kind of going overboard?"

Then, something caught my eye: there was a tall guy with dark hair, wearing black, staring at me, alone, two tables over, in the corner. I stared back, caught off guard, until he got up and walked out of the cafeteria without a backwards glance.

What? I thought.

Then the bell rang, and we all gathered our stuff and walked off to our classes. Lindsey caught up with me.

"Hey, Max, why don't you come with me and Claudia. You can get a dress too." She said with a smile.

I smiled back, "Sure, Lindz. When?"

"Tomorrow. We'll meet you at the mall, okay? At the food court?"

"Yeah, see ya there!" I waved and walked to my history class.


Later that day, I didn't feel like taking the bus, so I decided to walk home. As I was one street away from my house, something caught my eye on the other side of the street,

It was that guy from school.

I stopped walking and looked at him intently, trying to see if I knew who he was, but I'd never seen him before. Then, he stopped walking, and noticed me looking at him. Some emotion crossed his face that I'd didn't recognize.

Suddenly, he stepped off the curb and walked across the street to where I was standing.

"Max?" he said.

"Yeah?" I replied hesitantly, "Do I know you?"

"You should," he said, and there was a horrible sadness in his voice. "You don't remember me, not at all?"

"No." I said.

"Max, you know me, you've lived with me your whole life. You love me! Don't you remember?"

"Ummm, no," I said, backing up. "What are you talking about?"

"Max –" he began.

"I got to go." I said, and walked past him.

But he followed me.

I walked faster, and took my shortcut through the woods towards my house, but still he followed. "Max!" he called, "Just wait, okay!"

"No!" I yelled, and began to run.

Then, suddenly, there was some rustling in the undergrowth behind me, and then, a gun shot.

I spun around, and screamed.

The guy was sprawled on the ground, his shoulder gushing blood.

I ran to him, almost hyperventilating, and yelled, "HELP!!! SOMEONE!!! HELP!!!"

"No, Max," he gasped. "No, just get me to your house. I'll be fine. I've had worse."

"What! You have to get to a hospital!" I screamed.

"No." he said with such finality I didn't argue.

"It's a good thing my parents left this morning. Otherwise, they'd kill me."

GAH!!! I'm soooo evil, and the next chapter is going to be awesome! I have it all planned out! Fang's POV by the way. PEACE LOVE AND FAX!!! Now, REVIEW!!!!!!!!