Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride.

A/N: Sorry for the late update. I accidentally closed the chapter without saving it first (Well . . . maybe it's not like that - the computer shut down on its own before I could save the chapter)

Chapter 11 - Gym and . . . Past Friend?

Max's POV

After that terrifying and yet thrilling (can you believe it?) note of having an assignment (a musical one, no less) with Fang of all people. I mean sure he's a great singer, but . . . in order to choose the perfect song for us we have to discuss. And I am definately sure that a discussion has talking involved. Lots of it.

Anyway, after that exciting (sarcasm, people!) note of assignment, my so-called faithful friends left me alone (to God knows where) with a certain partner of mine. Which is also emo, annoying, cocky, hot-

Wait! Let's just forget I even said that alright? That was just my damn hormones talking. 'Cause Maximum Ride does not think that a cocky, emo, arrogant boy is hot. Well . . . maybe he is a little . . . urgh! Damn hormones!

'Umm . . . Max?'

The voice broke me from my inner battle with my hormones which I seemed to be on the losing end and I faced the speaker, which is the subject of my battle in the first place.

'Yes, Fang?' I asked.

'You getting to class?' he asked looking at me oddly. Not that I blame him anyway. I've been thinking irrational thoughts about him all day . . . not that I'll tell him that.

'Sure, what's next?' He looked at his schedule.

'Gym.' he replied and walked in the opposite direction. Great! Back to the one word answers. Oh well . . .

'Hey! Are you really that embarrased about your English?' I called out to him. He ignored me and kept on moving. Eh . . . can't say I didn't tried.

'Wait up!'

...During Gym...

You know, there's only one thing I love about school and it's none other than Gym period. Why? Well, first, not to brag or anything, but I'm pretty damn atheletic. You see, I have a very fast metabolism. I eat servings of food worth for six people and I'm still fit and healthy. See what I mean? And trust me, I've tried that before.

Another thing I love about Gym is that there's running. I mean, it actually feels like flying. Like escaping from the pain and sorrow during all the foster homes I've got to. And now, I'm totally beating the boys' asses.

'Catch me if you can, slowpokes!' I yelled back gleefully as the boys are all panting, a few metres away from me. As I reached the end, I'm not even breathing hard. And the comical sight that greeted me was worth it. The coach's mouth was like a fish's one when out of water. His mouth was gaping wide open.

'Close your mouth or you'll get flies.' I joked to him and he closed his mouth with a snap. After blinking a few times, he finally got back to his senses.

'Wow! You have got to join the track team!' he exclaimed getting excited. A little too excited if you ask me. He was grinning like a doofus and wringing his hands together.

'I'll . . . think about it.' I replied.

Soon, I heard pantings behind me.

'Damn Max, you run fast.' Iggy panted as he tried to catch his breath.

'Yeah, I've never seen someone run that fast.' a girl who looked a little familiar. Iggy looked between us.

'Oh! You've never been introduced.' No kidding!

'I'm J. J.' she said putting her hand out. I like her already.

'That's a funny name.' I shook her hand.

'I know, but it's better than Jessica Joy anytime! What were my parents thinking!' I grinned wondering why does that name sound familiar.

'But then again, my name's Maximum Ride. So, I'm in no position to judge yours!' I confessed. She looked at me in surprise.

'Maximum Ride? Are you from the Day Care Orphanage?' she asked. I stared at her in surprise.

'Yeah . . . how do you know?' I asked curiously and she suddenly grinned. I'm starting to wonder if she escaped the mental hospital and used her free time stalking me. Don't blame her though, I'm that awesome.

'It's me! Jessie J! Your first best friend!' J. J. exclaimed hugging me and I started to remember.

*FLASHBACK*

'Hey there, I'm Jessica Joy!' a chirpy voice broke me out of my grieving state.

'Go away!' I mumbled before walking away. Hey! You can't blame me! I just lost my parents.

'Hey, want to be friends? What's your story?' I stopped at that question.

'Parents died in car accident.' I said emotionlessly. Here comes the sympathy.

'Well, my dad left me when I was born and my mother died of a heart attack 2 yaers ago.' she said with a look of sadness which went away just as fast. I stared at her. How could she be so happy? It was then I realised that I can't wallow in my own self-pity.

'So, you still want to be friends?'

*END FLASHBACK*

'Jess!' I cried out as I hugged her back. Iggy was looking at us with confusion.

'You knew each other?' he asked, stratching his head.

'Yeah, why didn't you tell me you were adopting at the Day Care Orphanage, I used to go there.' she said.

'But Nudge told me she did tell you.' Iggy replied and J. J. groaned.

'You think that I would listen to Nudge's every single word? I'ld have gone crazy! You know how much of a chattermouth she is!' she cried out and Iggy scratched the back of his neck sheepishly.

'School's over.'

I jumped and turned to see . . . Fang.

You know, I almost had forgotten about him being there at all. Hey, can't blame me, my long-lost friend turns out to be in the same school as me and Fang ain't really the attention-getting ty-

Did he say what I thought he said?

'School's over?' I asked and he nodded.

The day had just gotten better.

Finished . . . after about 3 months or so and still such a short chapter . . . yeah, I know. I just wanted to publish it soon before I got too busy.

Anyway, here's the story . . .

Walking up to a department store's textile counter, a pretty girl asked, 'I want to buy this material for my dress, how much is it?'

'Only 1 kiss per metre.' a bold and cheeky male said said.

'That's fine,' the girl replied, 'I'll take 10 meters.'.

With excitement written all over his face, he hurriedly measured the amount and gave it to her.

The girl snatched it, pointed to an ugly old man standing beside her, smiled and said, 'Grampa would pay the bill.'.

How was it?