Thank you to everyone who's reviewed (56, whooo! It think), subscribed, faved, author alerted and author faved (I still can't believe that I got and author fav! *squeal*) once again. I dedicate this chapter for all my readers and future readers. If it wasn't for you, I probably wouldn't have continued this story.

Flight at Midnight - for all your support, advice and help

SharpestSatire - Damn it, I should've made Fang say that!

Izzy - for saying it's the best MR story she's ever read

Babiixilyx3 - for always reviewing

Asidill - for your help with the driving and dances

SharpestSatire - a regular reviewer

Nighthawk21 - also a regular reviewer

xXPheonixWingsXx - for favourite authoring me

LOVEvamps - for favourite authoring me

Alyssa12334 - thank you for reading and liking Life Before

And pretty much everyone else.

If I haven't mentioned you and you would like a dedication please tell me, and I'll type it next chapter.

Oh and, can someone explain to me how College works in America. I know it'll vary where you are, but just tell me how it works where you live. Like, who can your "room" with, same sex or can it be mixed. when do you usually start, like how many months after high school. For the purpose of this story, Jen and Iggy and everyone else have until Autumn until they start. Oh and can you name a random college and courses for Jen? Thank you so much.

Anyway, on with the show...er...chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride. Enough said.

Growing Up

Chapter 9: Jen's Story

MAV POV

I pressed the doorbell once and waited. No one answered. I pressed it ten times more.

Fang's hand pulled mine from the bell. "I think they get the message."

I let my hand drop on my side, tapping my leg impaitiently.

The door opened cautiously, revealing Jen's mum, Tina. "Hello Max." She looked over my shoulder. "Hi Fang."

"Hi Mrs. Pearson." Fang greeted.

"Fang, how many times do I have to tell you, you can call me Tina." She looked nervously over Fang's shoulder. "Is it just you two? Or is Iggy with you? Jen doesn't want to see him."

"No, it's just us." I looked at Tina, she looked so distressed. I knew she was very fond of Iggy and I think she imagined them to get married and everything.

"Okay, that's fine. I think Jen won't mind if it's just you guys. She's in her room." Tina finally opened the door wider to let us in.

I immediately went upstairs, Fang following me as he didn't know his way round. I skilfully navigated through Jen's house, finding her bedroom door closed. I knocked softly, hearing small sniffs and small voices.

"Who is it?" A familiar voice called, though it wasn't Jen's.

"Max and Fang." I called out, opening the door just a crack.

"Just you two?" The voice asked, suspicious. I looked inside the room to see Anna, Lea and Kelly's back.

"Yep." Fang answered, his head popping up behind me.

"You guys can come in." Lea got up, opening the door, stepping aside to let us inside.

We stepped inside, taking in the scene and sitting on the floor. Fang sat next to me uncomfortable with the situation. Though he didn't show it. I mean, the last thing he wants to do is be a part of a girl session.

"Max? Fang?" Jen's voice called out weak. She turned around to look at us. Her eyes were red and bloodshot from the tears and lack of sleep. Her hair was a mess and her curls weren't as bouncy as usual. She was clutching a tissue, all scrunched up in her hand.

I moved over to us and I stood opening my arms. She fell into them, though the movement was awkward. She cried into my shoulder, her sobs shaking through her body and mine. I almost cried at the sight of Jen like this. Lost and broken. It was such a shocking thing to see, Jen transforming from her happy and optimistic self into a sobbing wreak.

"It's okay," I rubbed her back. "Let it all out."

I looked over Jen's back to see everyone's expressions. Fang couldn't believe his eyes, at Jen, Anna had tears streaked down her cheek, Lea looked just as distressed as Jen's mum and Kels looked like she was going to kill the next boy she saw. She looked at Fang ready to tear his limbs off. Fang stepped away. I would've laughed if it wasn't for the seriousness of the situation.

"Jen? You're going to have to let go, because I want to talk to Anna, Lea and Kels okay?"

Jen shook her head fiercely. "No, no, no, no." She chanted, griping me tighter.

My heart broke at the sound of her voice. Like she was going to die if she didn't hold someone. I motioned for Fang to take her. He nodded, but was hesitant.

He stood beside me, trying to take Jen's hands from my neck. "Come one Jen."

Jen let go, only to fall into Fang's arms. She wrapped her hands tightly around his back, as he was taller than her now, clutching him like a life line. Fang patted her back, at first awkward.

I joined Anna, Lea and Kels, who were talking in hushed voices.

"Hey Max." Anna sniffled.

"Hey." Lea and Kels said in monotone.

"Hey guys. So what's the story?" I asked, in a whisper. I could hear Jen's sobs and Fang's gentle voice comforting her.

Kelly was the only one able to answer me. "Well, you heard Iggy's side yeah?" I nodded. "It's basically that."

"Who do you believe?" I asked.

"I don't know." Lea sighed. "I mean, I'm on Jen's side, but I can't seem to get my head around the whole idea. Iggy would never do that to Jen, he loves her too much."

"I know," Anna agreed. "Iggy would do anything for Jen."

"I believe Iggy." Kelly stated, surprisingly. "The 'girl' he supposedly cheated with, I hated her. Iggy would never cheat with someone like her. Or with anyone actually."

"How is Iggy?" Lea asked.

"He's terrible. He told me what happened, but his voice...it's like there's no life in him. He's been bumming around, doing nothing. Not even talking about how excited he is about his football scholarship, and he says he's even thinking about dropping out."

Kelly gasped. "No he can't, he's too good."

"I know," I continued. "He won't go out with his friends, and he pushes them away, and they're really worried."

"Yeah, Joey was telling me that Iggy wouldn't even come to a hockey game. His favourite team was playing."

We all looked down at our feet, unable to look at each other. I sighed, hoping that Iggy and Jen would pull through.

"Hey," Fang said glumly, joining us.

"Where's Jen?" Lea asked, finally looking up.

"Her mum finally convinced her to eat some thing. She looks terrible." Fang ran a hand through his hair, and sighed loudly.

"I know. I...just..don't know how to fix this." Lea shoulders sagged.

Kelly wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Lea, you can't always fix things."

"I know, but I want to." She wrapped her arms around herself, looking much younger than she really was. Lea was very young looking for her age, people still mistook her for a freshman sometimes.

"So where's this photo?" Fang asked suddenly. I totally forgot about the supposed photograph.

Anna dug around for her phone. She loaded up the "cheatee's profile" and showed it to me and Fang.

"It's a little grainy." We looked at it, squinting.

"You mean a lot grainy." Fang leaned into the phone. "All I see is black blobs."

The image was obviously taken by a mobile phone, one with horrible quality.

"Whoever took it, needs a new phone." I commented.

"That's what I said." Lea joked, no humour in her voice.

"It's more clear on the computer, and you can blow it up. But, I don't know." Anna's face crinkled in concentration.

"Don't know what?" I said looking up from the photo.

"I don't know, just the way Iggy is in the photo. It's weird. look, don't take my word on it, just look at the photo, do some digging around and get back to me." Anna grabbed her bag. "I'm gonna say bye to Jen, cause I gotta leave. I have to get things ready for next week."

"That's right. You and Joey are leaving us for college aren't you?" I asked, remembering. Jen and Iggy were going to college together too, but now, I'm not sure.

"Yeah? But, we're thinking of not leaving yet. We do have a few more weeks left, we could stay a nother week or so, for Jen and Iggy." Anna sighed, and gave everyone a hug and a pat on the shoulder for Fang..

"That reminds me, I've gotta get home." Lea grabbed her things. "Kels, do you want a ride?"

"Yeah, hold on a sec." Kelly moved around the room, gathering used tissues and chucking them into Jen's bin. "There. See you guys."

I hugged Lea and Kelly, and Fang waved them goodbye.

I turned to him, "We should get going."

"Yeah." We left and headed downstairs.

"Jen, we're going okay?" I called out to her. She was in the kitchen, a half empty plate in front of her. She was holding a mug, it's contents undrunk. She was thinking deeply, staring holes into the wall opposite her. She was biting her lip and looked as if she was going to cry, if you disturbed her. She had stopped crying, but looked really tired.

"Jen?" Fang stood beside her, his hand gently on her shoulder.

She jumped, as though we scared her. "Oh, hey guys."

She talked as if it took every cell in her body to say each word. She breathed, her whole body getting into the act.

"We're going to leave now, is that okay?" I asked, unsure to leave at home without company.

"Yeah, that's fine guys. I don't want to keep you guys here. You probably have things to do." She took a deep breath. Even when she was at her lowest point she was thinking of others.

"You sure?" I asked, still unsure.

"Yeah, go." She put her mug down, and continued staring at the wall.

"Okay, bye." She didn't hear me.

I turned to go, Fang lingering. "I just don't like seeing her like this." He told me, when he finally left Jen. She was like an older sister to him.

"I know what you mean." We left her house, my body feeling drained and my heart empty.

I don't know if the last sentence made any sense at all, but whatever. This is now probably my longest chapter, so I hope you guys are content. Probably not.

Just something random stuff I have to say:

- I just realised I skipped Freshmen Year, and the cheerleading. I wanted to write more about Anna, Lea, Kelly and Jen and Rachel.

- Jen was based and inspired by one of my long-time friends

- Lea was based on me :)

So, yeah if random stuff about the story and the characters.

If you could, could you guys please tell me your favourite parts of each chapter and what parts you didn't really like. If you could do that I would appreciate it greatly.

Peace Out

FlowerChild22

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