To Fall

Max's P.O.V

I froze mid-step, getting ready to help Fang clear the table. Alida didn't notice as she sat down on the couch, digesting the food, while Fang was loading his plates into the dishwasher. We were too lazy to actually do the laborious task of doing the dishes.

Haha.

I'm serious! Fang's the father! I can…

I block out my father's voice, trying to ignore his words. Instead, I help Fang move the dishes. Alida stares gaping at the television as Fang and I discussed the weekend.

"Jack wanted to make Nudge's surprise birthday party set-up while she's at Gillian's house. I agree, but where should it be?" I asked as Fang put the leftovers into the fridge.

I absentmindedly spent the next our making calls and arrangements. All that remained on my mind were Jeb's words. So many times he had lied, yet something told me Jeb wasn't lying.

When the clock chimed 12 o'clock, I looked up. Fang wasn't there and neither was Alida. I was surprised that their departure didn't alert me. It was probably Jeb's words. As I walked into the kitchen to grab a granola bar, I see a note on the fridge.

Angel let me take Alida to her pool. You can join us, or come at 3.

~ Fang

I smiled to myself as I grabbed the granola bar and opened it. I decided to join them. Quickly, I slipped into my green one-piece. On the bottom, right on my hips was a small, white, skirt-like thing. I lathered myself in sunscreen, grabbed my towel, and began to walk towards Angela's tree-house. Even though my digital watch said 12:46, Nudge and her new boyfriend, Jack were already there. Alida was in an inflatable duck splashing Jack. They were both in the pool, while Nudge was attempting to set out some food with Angela. They gave me disapproving looks for wearing a one-piece.

I rolled my eyes at them as I walked over to Fang. He was laying out on a blue beach chair in his black (obviously) trunks. His eyes were shaded under sunglasses. As I dropped my belongings on the chair next to him, Fang slowly sat up.

"What do you think of the girl?" Fang asked, nodding his head towards the pool. "For all we know she can be tracker for Jeb."

Or our daughter.

"I don't know," I whispered.

Jeb was master of trickery. He sent orphans to find us once. Who says he couldn't send my supposed daughter after me. Fang seemed to be unsure as well. He shrugged indifferently.

I drop off my stuff and walk over to Angel and Nudge. Nudge was placing some chocolate chips ( sadly, not my mom's) in a bowl, while Angel struggled to pour lemonade into plastic cups. I grabbed the heavy, see-through pitcher and help her carry it up to the glass table.

"Thanks," Angel muttered, breathless.

I nodded in response as the white picket fence creaked open.

"Hey, guys!"

The Gasman, proud and tall, marches into the backyard. Even at age 12, he had shot up a few inches to be about 5' 6. He was less than a head shorter than me, and about a head shorter than Iggy and Fang. Those two had also grown, but by a few inches.

The Gasman raced across the backyard, in his green trunks. His wings were out before anyone could say 'Hi.' He rose into the sky until his wings tightened against his back and…

SPLASH! Gazzy lands right next to Jack, making a huge cannonball. The water sprayed outwards, soaking me.

"GAZZY!" I yelled, getting up, completely drenched and mad.

"Come and get me!" Gazzy called, resurfacing.

I ran forward and dive swiftly into the pool. Gazzy yelps and Alida and Jack break into a smiles. I gulp in the chlorine tainted water, feeling my lungs fill. Like a shark, I remain barely under the surface, chasing down Gazzy.

My long legs help me propel myself. Gazzy, circles around the pool, desperate to escape my wrath. As I gain on him, he dives down, but since he can't breathe underwater, it was short lived.

"Aah!" Gazzy screamed playfully as he scrambled onto a floaty bed thing.

I flipped it over, taking Gazzy with it. He laughed as I attempted to look mad. Soon, my angry look turned into a smile.

We all exited the pool to have some refreshments. By the time we had gobbled down the cookies (except for Alida, for she savored every bite), the rest of the flock (and extra) were here.

After the pool party, the Flock went to Wild Ginger, a small but tasty Chinese/ Japanese restaurant. We ordered our usual (15 Miso Soups, 5 different sushi sets, 7 green teas etc.) and sat at the bar. Although none of us were of age, it was the only place we could as sit in one place. I sipped by Coke, stuffing more sushi into my mouth as Angel discussed her study plans. Fang sat stoically by me, nodding every now and then at Angel's comments. His hand gently rested on mine under the table. My mind continued to wander, hoping to hear Jeb, but he was quiet. Nothing.

"Well?" Angel asked.

"Sorry, what?" I asked, being shaken out of my thoughts.

"Will you help me study?" she asked.

"Are you sure? You're only eleven," Iggy insisted

Angel stubbornly responded, "Yes. I am."

Max nodded, seeing no way to change Angel's mind. Angel continued to talk about her study plans, but Iggy interrupted her. He was putting our birthday surprise into action.

"I heard that the Reymonds are playing on Friday," Iggy suggested, casually rolling his sweet and sour chicken across the plate. "I got two tickets, so I thought you and Jack should go."

Nudge stuttered, "The Reymonds? Here? Squeee!"

The Reymonds were the One Directions of the mutant island. No paradise would be complete without a stupid boy-band. Woopee.

It was settled at the restaurant that Nudge would go to the concert. After saying our good nights, we went our separate ways. The sun is starting to set when we begin to walk back to our tree-houses. Crickets chirped faintly in the bushes along the dirt pathway. Fang walked by my side quietly. He practically blended into the dark night. His hand gently slipped into my hand. Alida was right behind us, barely on her feet. Fang, as we began our trek up the hill, picked her. We usually flew, but Alida had said she had only flown twice. Once in the school, and once on the way here. She rested her head gently on Fang's shoulder.

Can't you the resemblance?

Jeb?

Of course.

Give it up! This is just one of your cruel experiments. Not my daughter!

Really?

Suddenly, a rush of bright color came out of the dark. I felt me feet crumble and an arm catch me. Slowly, the darkness turned to seemingly blinding light.

Hey readers! Long time no post! Sorry about that, state tests, finals, and projects kept me quite busy. Not many people seem to care about that, but I know some do. Here it is, the next chapter of The New Addition. Go on my friend's new fanfiction. Her username is Cookiemonster2001. Please read her new story! Oddly, she has more reviews in a week then I have in a month. Give me some feedback, and I hope that I can update the Tale of Two Schools soon as well. Anyone have any good Star Trek:2009 fanfiction recommendations? Read on and virtual SOUP. \~~~/