Fang's P.O.V
Of course it would get awkward around Max, now that I had screwed everything up, forcing me to keep my distance. I saw Alida at school yesterday, being led by Max. Although Max could be sassy and rude, she had a huge heart. Love flashed in her eyes as she shepherded our supposed daughter into her class. She smoothed her hand over Alida's outfit and gave her a dazzling smile. My heart broke, but I continued down the hall into homeroom. I saw Max in my classes, but avoided her when the final bell rang. Iggy was off with Laney so I met up with the Gasman and Angel, both eager to get away from school. Nudge had also joined them, with a hot pink backpack slung against her shoulder, exposed in a swoop of the collar. She wore neon green jeans and platform sneakers. No wonder boys practically threw themselves at her feet.
I shook off that thought, simultaneously opening my wings. The rest of my family did the same, and we took to the skies. The sun gently caressed us, with no breeze to lift the warm blanket of the heat from our shoulders. We arrived home, and each one of us headed to our separate destinations. I crashed on my couch, willing myself not to peer into Max's tree-house. After several long minutes of internal debate, as well as a snack, I pulled out my textbook and began reading the assigned pages. The history of the Mayans began to blur into the background of my mind. The worksheet going along with it was haphazardly answered and thrown aside. Before I was able to pull out the guidelines for an essay, there was a knock at my door. I gratefully put away my homework and rose from the couch. I neared the door, and my heart skipped a beat, both praying for Max, and anyone but her.
It was Nudge. Her hand was raised to knock again, but fell awkwardly to her side. Changing her mind, Nudge's hands slipped into her jean pockets. "So, the gang is going out for dinner. Iggy, ditched us for Laney." she paused. "Angel told me to fetch you."
"Any chance Max is coming…?" I asked, feigning nonchalance.
Nudge shook her said sadly, fully aware of our recent dispute. She glanced to the ground awkwardly and shuffled her sandal clad feet. Apparently, heels aren't appropriate for trekking across islands. How odd! "Will you come anyway?"
"Yeah," I sighed and pulled on my windbreaker to ward off the chilly, island, night air.
We walked in a comfortable silence, choosing the more conventional form of transportation over flight, until a sudden thought popped into my head (which didn't happen too often).
"Did you ask Max?"
"What?" Nudge asked. "Oh. I knocked on her door, but she didn't answer. I think she wants some distance."
I agreed solemnly.
Dinner was loud, as per usual, but I kept my distance, nodding on occasion. Everyone had brought a friend and/or a date with the exception of me and Alida, who was laughing at some joke Gazzy had told. The food was ordered and the drinks clinked in toasts, but it felt empty without Max. My mind was too full of turmoil for me to make a proper decision. All I knew was that losing her would be the biggest mistake of my life.
I left dinner early. Nudge gave me a sympathetic look, but didn't move to join me. Alida waved goodbye and smiled broadly. I, in turn, smiled weakly. Her eyes shone brightly and innocently. With that, I left the restaurant and flew back to the residential portion of the island. Luxury glass houses built off the cliff face were like street lights, lighting my way home. Max's house had no light on, I grimly noticed. She probably turned in early. I followed her example, and without taking off my shoes or finishing my homework, I collapsed on the couch and promptly fell asleep.
She was there at school. After Max had helped Alida find the bathroom, she headed for homeroom. She looked slightly pale, but other than that, looked as beautiful as I remembered her. This time, I wouldn't hide it, because this time, I would let her know. I made my decision, and it was final.
I confronted her after school. Her backpack was slung over her shoulder, dirty blonde hair draped over the strap. I followed her like a shadow to the parking lot, waiting for Max to notice me. When I wrapped my arms around her waist, she bristled and turned around.
"About time you came crawling back," she growled, her brown eyes brimming with fury. I winced. "Alida needs us. We can give her something we never had: a real, biological family." She turned away, her face hidden by thin strands of hair. "Is that too much to ask?"
I kissed her head and gently cupped her cheek. Her eyes shifted to mine. "I don't want to lose you. And as usual, you're right. This is an amazing opportunity offered to us." She stared at me, as if I spoke in a different language.
"Will you try?" she asked quietly.
"What?" I asked.
"Is this just because I asked? Or do you actually care?" she clarified angrily. "She deserves better than the hell she called a childhood!"
I nodded. "I fully agree. Please, Max."
Max looked into my eyes, searching my face for any lies. She was always good at telling the difference between a friend or foe. It had saved the Flock's lives on countless occasions.
I leaned in and kissed her lips, allowing my senses to be enveloped with Max. At first, she stayed still and her muscles locked up, as if she was in a battle. After a second, however, her hold on me tightened and I angled my head to the right, further deepening the kiss.
"Get a room!" someone yelled from the direction of the school.
We separated reluctantly to be met with a whoop from the Flock, who had taken it upon themselves to follow us. Max smiled widely at each one, but seemed to avoid Angel. Angel, however, didn't notice, too excited to see her two best friends finally get over their differences. Alida would finally get the family she deserved.
Max's P.O.V
Like an animal, Dylan looped a rope around my throat, tightened it, making sure it was tight enough for my lungs to crave more air, but not enough to feel light-headed. I was forced to follow him, my vision still blocked by the stupid bag.
"Is the bag really necessary? Are you worried I might throw up after seeing your face?" I asked nonchalantly.
Dylan didn't respond, causing me to smile in my little prison. At least I was blessed with another opportunity to torment him. If I'm captured, may as well make the most of it.
"Actually, your daddy wants to say hi," he responded.
"Really? That's why you guys had to drug me? I was already getting suicidal thoughts with his constant nagging in my mind and now I have to see him in person?" I faked a heavy sigh. "Can I at least keep the bag?"
A hard yank on the rope sent me stumbling and suppressing laughter. I didn't need to see Dylan's face to realize I was successfully getting under his skin.
Through gritted teeth, Dylan muttered, "You should show some respect."
"Of course I should!" I replied, feigning a gasp. "I mean, he is my role model. My life's dream is to screw up the lives of children and try to knock out half the population of the world. You're right Dylan!"
The silence that followed was quite satisfying. I allowed the rest of our trek to be a silent one, focusing on my bare feet shuffling across the freezing, tiled floor. It seemed no one else was in the hallway. The only sound was the buzz of electricity and the clicking of Dylan's shoes indicating I wasn't in dead space. The brown material of the bag was thin enough to allow light through, but not enough for me to see anything other than faded silhouettes. The feeling left me with the aggravating urge to rip it off.
Suddenly, Dylan's footsteps halted, but I realized that all too late. I ended up high-fiving a door with my face, tumbling into the room in the process. I was forcefully yanked up.
"Alright, alright, I'm up," I growled.
"Now, now, Fido," I heard my father's voice chastise.
"Go to hell."
"I didn't raise you on to speak in such a vulgar manner."
"Well, I learned from the best." I snapped in the general direction of where I believed Jeb stood.
Dylan took that time to remove the bag over my head and force me into a metal chair.
"Fine, without the bag," I sighed
.Hard straps were tightened over my wrists by the blonde jerk. He wore a sky-blue button down, clinging to his toned chest, that would have driven any girl crazy. The shirt was tucked into black pants, accented by dress shoes. He had matured and probably towered over me in height.
"Sit still," he purred, his finger tracing a line across my cheek. I moved my mouth to bit him, but he pulled away and cooed, "Don't be so naughty…"
Dylan's mouth forcefully met mine, pushing me against the chair. I fought the best I could, with all my limbs chained down. I twisted desperately to get away from my captor. When he finally backed, his mouth was turned up in a smug smile.
"So. Face-changing," I off-handedly commented.
"We didn't sit idly by while you and your chicks lolly-gagged in paradise," Jeb countered, pulling up a chair at his desk. Did he really just say lolly-gagged?
It was deep, brown, and made of highly polished wood. Potted plants sat in intervals between bookshelves. The floor was carpeted and looked quite expensive. It looked like every single corporate office on television.
"It must be nice to have enough science to project someone's face onto another, yet not enough to solve any real-world problems. Maybe, oh I don't know, save the survivors?" I asked sarcastically.
"Dear me! I seemed to have forgotten!" Dylan exclaimed, his voice sickly sweet. "We're dealing with Maximum Ride. Well listen. You're in our possession, and you will play by our rules!"
Jeb nodded in agreement. "We have a… business proposal for you."
I remained quiet. Jeb deemed this to be my indication for him to continue.
Leaning back against his leather chair, "You will become the parent generation for our genetic army." I widened my eyes and smiled at the idiotic idea. "And lead the army into battle."
"Parent generation?" I scoffed. "Are you out of your mind?"
"Actually, our parent generation," Dylan said.
"As in…" I asked, gulping as their true intensions finally sunk in.
"Yes, Max. Just me and you…" he whispered suggestively, running his hand across my thigh.
If I ever got out of these binds, my hands' first destination would be around his neck.
"Never," I replied strongly.
"Are you sure? Even on their lives?" Jeb asked.
"What…?" I began.
"Max! Max!"
Fang and Alida were dragged into the room by the same collar I recently wore. My insides coiled and hate seared in my veins.
"Leave them out of this!" I yelled, struggling relentlessly against my bonds. "Fang!"
Dylan's eyes were clouded with hate as I called out his name.
"Max. Don't do it!" Fang begged as tears streamed down Alida's face.
"Well?" Jeb asked boredly, as if this was a meeting he just wanted to leave.
I stared at Fang and Alida in turn, both of them pleading with their eyes. I looked away and closed my eyes. Dylan took the opportunity to smile.
"And… and… if I say no?" I asked weakly, dreading the answer.
"You will be released, but these two will take your place. Alida would make a addition…"
"And if I try to escape?"
"We will keep an eye on your little family. Any attempt at escape will result in a strict punishment."
Fang closed his eyes in defeat. He knew nothing could change my decision. Alida, however, remained stubborn. "Max! NO! Please…."she sobbed. "Please…"
I raised my eyes to Jeb. I stared, my eyes empty of emotion, but my heart pounding in my chest.
"I accept."
The poll asked for this chapter, so here you go, my lovelies! So, Max is in the School and on the island…?
Fang and Alida have dopilgangers…?
Dylan and Max having kids…?
You must have so many questions! I'm sorry, but I'm focusing on my Wholock fanfiction with a Roselock pairing! Yay! Speaking of which, who has seen the Season 3 finale? God, my head is still spinning with the amazing plot I'll try to update at least one story in the next month, probably Tale of Two Schools. Thank you to all my kind reviewers, favoritors, followers and beyond! How about a few questions, hmm?
1) What were your thoughts on the Season 3 finale of Sherlock (if you saw it)?
2) Do you think Peter Capaldi is going to be a good Doctor?
3) Would you rather ski or snowboard?
Enjoy the Olympic Opening Ceremony! Read on for the game is on!