What time is it?! No, I'm not going crazy High School Musical 2 on you guys. (I don't like that movie at all.) I was going to say that it's time for another update. So you can all chillax. I wouldn't torture you guys. (Unless you happen to like High School Musical in which case I'm sorry if I just offended you.) Well, anyway I was in a writing kind of mood (When am I not?) so I thought I'd treat you guys to a brand spanking new chapter. Yeah, I know it's early but I didn't go to band camp today because I'm sick and I was just itching to update. Okay, I decided to skip all of the flying stuff, so Mel, Skye, and Jewel are resting. Now time for my usual announcements. Read 'NeoFlock' and 'Deadline' by Talon666 and 'Dark Blue' and 'Maximum Ride: Wings vs. Wands' by Madeline Cullen. They are the two most awesome people ever. Okay then, I suppose I should get on with the chapter. Read my Twilight story 'Solar Flare'. Okay, now we can get on with the chapter. Hope you like it.

Night. In my opinion, the best time of the day. A peaceful time when the stars are out and the crickets sing. A time when a normal person would be asleep. But, not me. I was up in a tree with the laptop, watching Jewel and Skye sleeping down below. Yeah, it was my turn for watch. Yippie.

I let out a loud, long yawn and stretched back so far, I almost fell out of the tree. My wings were really stiff and all I wanted to do was go to bed. I was so tired I didn't even care that the ground was probably not anymore comfy than the tree.

Max had always said watch was her favorite thing to do. It gave her time to think about things. Well, that was all fine and dandy for her, but I didn't want time to think about things. That was the absolute last thing I wanted. I'd rather have Tanner come and beat the living crud out of me then think, so if that doesn't tell you how much I hated it, then you may need your head examined.

All thinking got me was a headache. My thoughts tended to wander. One minute, I could be thinking about my family and the next, I found myself thinking about Skye. Yeah, that's when the headaches started.

I usually didn't let people bother me too much, but Skye had burrowed deep under my skin and I knew he wasn't coming out anytime soon. I'd think to myself: How could one guy be so infuriating? Then I'd remember the person that aggravates my mom the most is Dad and that Fang is about the only one who can get Max really worked up. Did that mean that I was meant to be with Skye?

Gah! It was all too confusing. See? That's why I hate having time to think. I didn't want to think about Skye. If I fell hard for him, then I'd most definitely be hurt. But had I already fallen hard for him? No, no more thinking.

I opened the laptop. No new comments. I'd gotten two on my latest blog post, but I'd already read them both about a million times apiece since I'd been on watch. That had been hours.

Suddenly, I heard a noise down below. I snapped the laptop shut as quietly as possible and I immediately went on full alert. I held my breath and my eyes scanned the ground.

Huh. Skye was up. Very suspicious. I checked my watch. Or maybe not. I must have lost track of time because my shift had ended about fifteen minutes ago.

I watched Skye for a minute. He stayed still, looking around. He shook his head and I faintly heard him mutter, "Hmm. She's gone. Wonder where to.". Well, I couldn't have him think I was up to something.

I tucked the laptop under my arm and dropped straight out of the tree. I hit the ground without so much as a thud. (I inherited my mother and uncle's quiet ninja-like nature.) I stayed crouched behind Skye for a second (he had no clue) and then straightened myself up saying, "Is it your turn for watch already?".

Skye did a complete 360. The expression on his face made me laugh so hard. "Where in the hell did you come from?" he asked, out of breath. Well, I sure scared the crap out of him.

I smirked and pointed up to the tree. "From up there. After you fell asleep I decided I'd keep watch from the tree. Better vantage point."

Skye raised his eyebrow. "No way. I would've heard your wings beating when you flew down."

I smirked again. "I dropped down."

He shook his head. "I would've heard you fall."

I shook my head. "My mother and Uncle Fang were quiet. We think the whitecoats designed them that way for stealth. Anyway, sometimes not even my dad can hear them come up behind him."

He sat down on the ground and crossed his legs. "And your dad's blind right?" he asked. "He has heightened hearing senses."

I nodded and sat down next to him. "Yeah. A mosquito couldn't come within a mile of him without him knowing. He also has a sensitive touch. He can even tell people apart by their finger prints."

Skye nodded, not wanting to admit that he thought it was cool. I could tell by the gleam in his eyes. His beautiful, deep, dark, ocean blue eyes. Oh no. Here we go again. Why? Just why?

I had to do something, fast. I sighed and said, "I also have heightened hearing senses. Not as strong as Dad's but…" I paused. "I heard what you said about me. Both times. At the gas station and just a few minutes ago."

Skye made a face and swore under his breath. "Yeah, well it's no secret that you think I'm a spy!" he whispered loudly.

I heard Jewel moan from her sleeping spot and held my breath. If she woke up I'd murder Skye. Thankfully, all she did was roll over. I breathed a sigh of relief. That was a close one. If she heard us fighting again, she'd be ticked.

I frowned hard at him. "Yeah, well you're the one who's had all those meetings with the Director. I've only had two. It was like every other day you were gone." I retaliated.

I scowled at me and said, "Yeah, well I'm not the one with motive!"

I scoffed. "What motive?"

"You'd do anything to get home wouldn't you?"

I clenched my jaw. "Not that. No matter what, I'd never do that." How dare he suggest such a thing? I could have killed him.

"And what makes you think I would?" he practically growled.

"Hmm. Well, could it be the fact that Tanner was your best friend? How do I know you didn't finally give in?" I retorted. He wasn't going to win.

Skye's lip curled in a snarl. "Was. Tanner was my best friend. The traitor joined the Director and then had the gall to ask me to join when he damn well knew how much I hated her."

Ooh. I guess I accidentally struck a nerve. I stared at him for a minute and then sighed. "Look, suspecting each other isn't going to get us anywhere." I stuck out my hand and he stared at it, confused. "Truce?"

He continued to stare at it. "Under what conditions?" he asked, slowly.

I rolled my eyes. "Why are you so frickin' paranoid?" I asked. He didn't answer so I sighed. "Ok, if I find out you're lying or vice-versa I'll rip your head off and vice-versa."

He nodded and shook my hand. "Deal." He dropped my hand and stared directly into my eyes, no expression on his face. "This doesn't mean I like you at all." he informed me.

I got the message loud and clear. "Same here." I growled back, but on the inside I was sick to my stomach. I stood up. "Good night." I said coolly. I went over to my patch of ground and laid down on my side. I put my back to him, so he wouldn't see me cry if I lost control and the tears fell.

There it was. Laid out plain as day right in front of my face. Skye truly did hate me. The only reason he even stayed was because Jewel liked me and wasn't going to leave.

And that was the thought that did it. The tears that were stinging the corners of my eyes fell one by one, white hot. I prayed that I wouldn't start shaking. He'd know then. I could never ever let him know.

I sucked in a deep breath and bit down on my bottom lip as hard as I could until I broke the skin and I tasted blood. I put my hand to my lip and healed it.

I was angry. Angry at myself for falling for Skye (I now knew I had), angry at him for being such an… ass, angry at the Director and the whole freakin' School for taking me and sticking me with that jerk, and angry at my parents for having me. Didn't they even think about the consequences of having a kid? Didn't they even think what it would be like for me? How hard it would be for me?

It was unfair! I hated it. I hated my wings. I hated my parents. I probably would've been better off rotting in the School. Maybe being dead would be better. Hell, it couldn't be any worse than living. It was a nightmare.

No. No. I wasn't going down this easily. I wasn't going to let him break me. He wasn't going to get to me. To hell with him. I'd show him. I'd show everyone. I was Melody Smith, daughter of Iggy and Elisabeth Smith, niece to Fang and THE Maximum Ride. I didn't know the meaning of the words 'give up'. I'd been to hell and back. I wasn't going down without a fight. No, even then I wouldn't go down. I was going to win this fight and every other fight I was in.

I sighed and wiped the few remaining tears from my face. I wasn't crying anymore and I didn't feel the least bit angry. What I felt was dead tired and soon I had drifted off into sleep.

Well, what did you guys think of that? Another filler, but it was still very good. Tons of emotions in there. What will I do with Skye? He's just a trouble maker. Oh well, what can you do? Okay, leave me a nice long review and keep watching for another update. One will be coming soon. Adios!