Chapter 12
MAX POV (Four-years later)
I'm taking orders from a couple, when I hear an interview that makes me want to scream. After I take the couple's orders I shout the orders to the kitchen and clip the paper on the spinning wheel with the notes of orders. I started to work at "Ellen's Stardust Diner" when I graduated Berkeley University. I studied writing and music at the same time. My sisters and I own an apartment. Ella and Nudge. The boys own the one next to us. I'm an author of fiction books but I also sing sometimes here at the diner. We all work here. The cafe is pretty full. It's full with mostly girls. They like to listen to the interviews with Fang Walker. My ex. Yeah you remember him. I turn my attention to the screen.
"Well Fang, is there a special girl you want to give a shout out to?" asks the woman next to her. He smiles and nods. Fang became a singer. I mean he has a great voice. A lot of girls start giggling. Iggy is cooking in the kitchen and winks at me. I roll my eyes. Nudge stands next to me.
"Yes there is. I actually fell in love with her the moment I met her. I still am. She probably hates me though. Her name is Maximum Ride Martinez. The most beautiful girl in the world," he says. He gives the woman a sad smile.
"Why would she hate you?" she asks. He closes his eyes and talks.
"I, uh, kissed another girl, while I dated Max. And Max is special. I mean she couldn't hear or talk. But a few months before graduation, she got her voice and hearing back. She's my one and only. I plan on looking for her. I'm going to start my search when I leave tomorrow," girls sigh and they squeal.
"We all hope you capture her heart," said the woman. He nods.
"I actually have a message for her. I know she likes to write and she sings a little. At least that's what her younger sister told me." I do sing, but here at the diner.
"My message comes from my heart," he says and girls giggle. I roll my eyes and Nudge laughs.
Fang turns to the camera and says, "Max when I find you… I'll make you mine again. I haven't stopped loving you. And I never will stop." After that I heard some girls scream. I rolled my eyes and got the tray with food. I gave it to Nudge, she smiled and went over to a table with a redhead, a blond one, and a blond guy. I couldn't help it but I went over to the table. I asked them if they needed anything. They all shook their heads. They were the ones that would tease me. Lissa, the redhead stared at me.
"You're Max. The girl Fangy cheated on," she said. I turned on my heel and walked away. I grabbed another tray and took it to another table. Ari's the bus boy, he looked at me and smiled. I smiled back. I love my job. I mean I get to sing. The restaurant is fifty's themed. Cool. Today's not my turn to sing. My siblings and I created a band and we do gigs. Today we're singing at Central Park. And I wrote a new song, I hope everyone likes it.
FANG POV
After I finished my interview I went back to my hotel. My band was already there. I just can't stop thinking about her. I sigh and close my eyes. Just then my phone rings.
"Hello?" I answer.
"Fang? It's me Ella. Remember?"
"Oh hey Ella. How are you?"
"Good… I have great news!" she shouts. I stare at the phone and shake my head.
"What is it?"
"I know where Max is," she whispered. My heart started to beat faster. I smiled and asked her where. She said NYC. That's where I am right now.
"Max is singing tonight. Wanna come?" she asks.
"Hell yeah! Where?" I respond. Central Park. Today at 8:00. I hoped she's still not mad at me. We'll find out, won't we?
-LINE BREAK TO 8:00-
I'm with my band, walking through an enormous crowd. We have to wear hoodies and sunglasses. There's a huge stage in the middle of the park. Everyone looks excited. I smiled. Ari, Nu dge, Ella and Iggy are already on stage. Ari's sitting by the drum set, Iggy's gonna play the keyboard, Ella has an acoustic guitar and Nudge has a bass guitar. (A/N: Outfit pictures are in my profile)The boys are wearing jeans with white button up shirts. Nudge's wearing a blue short dress with layers of the same color. Ella's wearing a black sparkly dress with pink silk tied around the waist. They look beautiful. I want to see what Max is wearing. She comes out. Oh. My. God. She looks like a goddess. She looks hot. She's wearing black jeans, a black shirt, black leather jacket, black combat boots, and her hair has colorful highlights instead of red tips. Like she used to have it. And she's wearing some make-up. I came up close so I can see her perfectly. She smiled at the crowd and they all cheered madly. (A/N: Outfits are on my profile) Max is so perfect. I can't believe I ever hurt her.
"Hey guys we're The Flock and I wrote a new song. I hope you guys like it," she said. She nodded to the guys behind her. Ari hit the drums first.
(A.N. Bang, Bang, Bang by Christina Perri)
All my life, you know I haven't been very love strong
There's been so many fights that I fought I've never won
So I decided that I should just give up on trying to right your wrongs
And word on the street is that she did to you what you did to me
She pointed her finger up to the sky and sang. She looked amazing. I looked to the others and Ella winked at me.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Bang, bang, bang, boy
You're going down, down, down, boy
To the ground where you left my heart to bleed
Bang, she shot you, karma tastes so
Bang, bang, bang, boy
You're going down, down, down, boy
To the ground where you left my heart to bleed
Bang, she shot you, karma tastes so sweet
She closed her eyes and clutched the mic.
So unfortunately, for girls like me there are more like you
Bending and breaking the rules and we're making exceptions too
But how does it feel to swim in your own tears?
You lied and you lied, and I died, and I died and now you know why
5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Bang, bang, bang, boy
You're going down, down, down, boy
To the ground where you left my heart to bleed
Bang, she shot you, karma tastes so
Bang, bang, bang, boy
You're going down, down, down, boy
To the ground where you left my heart to bleed
Bang, she shot you, karma tastes so sweet
She got a bass guitar. She looked down and looked at the crowd, smiling.
Bang, bang, bang, boy
You're going down, down, down, boy
To the ground where you left my heart to bleed
Bang, she shot you, karma tastes so
Bang, bang, bang, boy
You're going down, down, down, boy
To the ground where you left my heart to bleed
Bang, she shot you, karma tastes so
Bang, bang, bang, boy
You're going down
To the ground
Ooh
We all clapped and cheered. She smiled and looked down at me. She didn't recognize me because she smiled. I smiled back and she furrowed her eyebrow in confusion. She shook her head and started to play her bass.
MAX POV
The guy who smiled at me, looked familiar. Anyway, this song is for Fang. I wrote it on my journal when I was deaf and mute. And when we were together.
"This is for someone I fell in love with," I said into the mic. Everyone cheered.
(Cool Rider by Michelle Pfeiffer)
If you really want to know
What I want in a guy...
Well, I'm lookin' for a dream on a mean machine
With hell in his eyes.
I want a devil in skin tight leather,
And he's gonna be wild as the wind.
And one fine night, I'll be holdin' on tight...
To a coooool rider, a coooool rider.
If he's cool enough,
He can burn me through and through.
Whhoa ohhhh
If it takes forever,
Then I'll wait forever.
No ordinary boy,
No ordinary boy is gonna do.
I want a rider that's cool.
I looked at the sky, thinking about his smile. I grinned at the crowd. I shook my shoulders.
That's the way it's gonna be,
And that's the way that I feel.
I want a whole lot more than the boy next door,
I want hell on wheels.
Just give me a fine motorcycle,
With a man growin' out of the seat.
And move aside, cause I'm gonna ride...
(Chorus)
I threw the guitar to the backstage guys and swayed my hips from side to side, while snapping my fingers. The boys whistled.
I don't want no ordinary guys,
Comin' on strong to me.
They don't know what I'm lookin' for,
They don't know what I need.
They're gonna know when he gets here,
Cause the crowd will be shakin'.
I'll do anything to let him know,
That I'm his, his for the takin'.
I want a coooooool rider,
A cool, cool, cool, cool rider.
I want a coooooool rider,
A cool, cool, cool, cool rider.
I want a C-O-O-L R-I-D-E-R.
I need a C-O-O-L R-I-D-E-R.
(Repeat)
Everyone cheered harder for his one. The boy wasn't there anymore. He had shades on and a black sweater with the hoodie over his head. I shrugged and continued the show.
(Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield)
I am unwritten
Can't read my mind, I'm undefined
I'm just beginning
The pen's in my hand, ending unplanned
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
I break tradition
Sometimes my tries are outside the lines
We've been conditioned
To not make mistakes, but I can't live that way, no
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
Staring at the blank page before you
Open up the dirty window
Let the sun illuminate the words
That you could not find
Reaching for something in the distance
So close you can almost taste it
Release your inhibitions
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
Feel the rain on your skin
No one else can feel it for you
Only you can let it in
No one else, no one else
Can speak the words on your lips
Drench yourself in words unspoken
Live your life with arms wide open
Today is where your book begins
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
The rest is still unwritten
The same boy's backstage and he's staring at me. He walks over to me. On the way he takes off his hoodie revealing familiar jet black hair and a muscular body. He took of his shades and I gasped. Fang. He smiled at me and grabbed my hands. I pulled them away and the crowed went, "aww." I turned to look at my brothers and sisters. Ella had a smirk on her face. I narrowed my eyes at her. Fang cupped my chin and leaned in. I couldn't move. He placed his warm, soft lips against mine. His moved slowly against mine. Everyone sighed and girls squealed. I pushed him away and he had a sad smile on his face. Everyone groaned. He grabbed the microphone and turned to me.
"Maximum Ride. Are you happy to see me?" he asked in his husky voice. There's probably two hundred people here. Waiting for a damn answer.
"No," I responded. Everyone went, "oooh."
"Why not?" he asked, with amusement in his voice.
"Because you're… a cheat, a player and I hate you," I said. Everyone went, "burn!" or "ohh!" With that I walked down the stage. Behind the stage I took off running.
"Max stop!" shouted Fang. I turned around. He caught up to me.
"Just, please, let me just..." he whispered grabbing my hand. I pulled it away quickly and slapped him. There are tears running down my cheeks. He winced and stared at me. He still looks the same as he did in high school.
"I hate you and I wish I never met you," I said. I took off running. I ran toward our apartment. It's not far from here. When I ran to the elevator doors, I quickly got inside. Through the crack I saw Fang with tears in his eyes.
"Come on, come on!" I whispered furiously. I got to the last floor. The terrace of the fifty floors. I walked toward the railing and leaned against it. There's a lot of wind coming from the west. I can't hear a thing. Two strong arms wrapped around from behind me. I pulled away and almost fell to my death. The railing isn't that high. I turned around and leaned my back against it. Fang was standing in front of me with his hands on either side of me.
"I'm tired of playing games Max," he said leaning closer. I turned my head sideways and felt his lips on neck. He ran them up and down. I let out a sob and he pulled away.
"Why can't you just leave me alone?" I whispered. He tucked my hair behind my ear and cupped my cheek. I closed my eyes. No matter how much I try, he won't give up.
"Because I love you Max," he responded.
"Yeah, right," I said. Staring at the colorful buildings. He turned my head so that I could stare into his black eyes. He fell to his knees, looking up at me. He grabs my hands and kisses my knuckles. He closes his eyes and thinks for a moment.
"Max I haven't stopped thinking about you. Those songs I've written...They're for you. I wish you can forgive me. I want to kiss you and hug you. And I want you to be mine again," his voice sounded hoarse. It started to rain now. How ironic. But he waited for an answer/ Har fell into his eyes. I bit my lip and brushed it away. He closed his and caught my hand. He kissed my fingertips. I can't stay mad at him anymore. I wrap my arms around his neck and kiss him. He's surprised but kisses me back. Kissing in the rain. How ironic. I pull away and his mouth moves down to my neck. I pull the collar of his shirt closer. He groans and pulls back. I lean my forehead against his.
"I'm still in love with you," I whisper. He grins and helps me up. I lead him to our apartment. I close the door and fall with him on the couch. I grab a blanket and snuggle up against him. He smiles and kisses my forehead. I lean my head against his shoulder.
"Aren't you gonna go on a tour soon?" I mutter.
"Hmm?" he mumbles. I sit up and ask him the same question. He hesitates then nods.
"Oh," is my only response. He tilts my chin up and kisses my lips. I pull away.
"I'm serious Fang," I said. He nods.
"But that doesn't mean I can't take you with me," he whispers. I close my eyes and laugh.
"I don't think I can handle a lot of crowds," I said.
"You perform many times, love. I don't think it's any different."
"It's different from hundreds of people to thousands of people," I said.
"Maxi is afraid?" he teases. I glare at him and grab his arm and twist it. He yelps out in pain.
"What did you call me?" I snarl.
"Nothing," he wheezes. I smile and release him. He grumbles something.
"What was that?" I ask, smirking at him. He looks at me rolls his eyes. I lean down again, with my head resting on his shoulder. He covered us with the blanket.
"You're never gonna guess who I ran into today at work," I mumbled.
"Who did you run into?" he asked.
"Lissa, and the blond dude and the other blond girl," I respond. He stiffens and I look at him. His eyes are closed tight and his jaw is clenched. I sigh and get up.
"What is it?" I sigh. He looks up at me and takes my hand. I pull it away and cross my arms over my chest. He frowns.
"Spill it," I say.
"Lissa..." he bites his lip.
I sigh and say, "Good night Fang. The door's that way. When you're ready to talk, call me."
He looks at me and rolls his eyes. He shakes his head and stands up. I walk over to my room. Each apartment has three bedrooms. Since Iggy and Ari have a spare, it's our music room. I don't look back at him. I close my door and change into my pajamas. I hear footsteps coming to my room. I open it before he gets to knock. I raise my eyebrows.
"Lissa… is my girlfriend," he sighs. I stare at him and I pinch the bridge of my nose and close my eyes.
"Why?" I ask.
"She wouldn't stop bothering me… I'll call her right now and break up with her," he said. He took out his phone and dialed her phone number. He pressed it against his ear and waited.
"Lissa? Yeah I'm calling you to tell you we're done. Bye," he says and hangs up. I grab the phone from his hand.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"Erasing her from your contacts," I mumble.
"Aaand… done!" I say, smiling. I hand it back to him and he smirks. I shrug my shoulders and smile, innocently. He pulls me to him and buries his face at the crook of my neck.
"You're so adorable when you try to act innocent," he mumbles and I giggle. He laughs.
"And you're cute when you giggle," he breathes. I nudge his stomach and he wheezes.
"Max!" I hear Nudge and Ella shout, as they open the door. They shut it and run to my room. Fang still has has his face buried in the crook of my neck. My sisters squeal and jump up and down. Fang pulled away with a smirk. I blushed.
"So you and Max are together now? That would be soo cute! You guys are so romantic! I wish that someday I could fi-mmhphmhm," mumbles Nudge. Ella put her hand over Nudge's mouth. She slowly took it off and NUdge giggled.
"Sorry," she mumbled.
"Yeah," Ella breathes. Ella smiles at us.
"I was the one who told Fang where you were," she said. I glared at her and was about to pounce on her, until Fang grabbed me by the waist. I huffed and blushed.
"Mmm, you're so adorable when you're mad," he whispers in my ear, making me shiver.
"Shut up," I mumble. I look u-p at him and smile. He smiles his crooked smile and my heart leaps.
"We have an interview tomorrow, Max. On live TV," says Fang. That did it. I pounce on him, making him fall and I have my hands glued to his neck.
"I hate you," I said. He smiles and winks at me. I'm on top of him and Nudge and Ella are trying to pull me off him. They succeed and Fang gets up.
"Wake up tomorrow at six o'çlock," he says and leaves, running. I roll my eyes and go to bed. Avoiding my sister's exciting squeals.
