Thanks

"Hey Max, how are you?" Ella was on the phone.

"I'm all right," I answered, lifting my hand up to my forehead to feel the scar.

"I wanted to apologize, I tried calling you before but you weren't answering," her voice was quiet. "Are you mad at me?"

"No," I told her, "It's probably the meds. By the end of the week, I'll be like that doctor who pops pills and walks with a cane—oh, and I'll definitely have the mean persona and witty remarks."

"Don't become a drug addict!" Ella blurted out, actually believing me.

I sighed, "Don't become a sarcasm detector."

Several moments of awkward silence later…

"So, it was really sweet," Ella said.

"Huh?" That was me—the clueless girl.

"The way Fang came to your rescue. That's adorable. I wish I could find my own knight in shining armor. I never knew he was so—romantic and hot. You're so lucky Max."

"I guess," I answered back. "He's coming over for Thanksgiving."

"Really? I thought your mom hated him."

"She hates anyone who isn't a walking bottle of vodka or a stack of money." Woah—harsh, but sadly true.

"Sorry to hear, well, I'm glad you're all right. Tell Fang I say hi."

"You see him in school, say hi to him there."

"Oh right, bye."

"Bye."

Sometimes, Ella is a weird person to talk to.

Thanksgiving

So, I pretty much snuck Fang into the house while my mom was cooking the turkey. Aren't I a genius?

Actually no, I'm an idiot but I'm all right with that.

"So, I'm guessing I'm really not invited." Fang replied, falling on my bed. He was wearing a black turtle neck and black jeans. He rested his hands behind his head and I swear, he could be a model or something. Edward Cullen, Taylor Lautner, or Fang? A million times Fang of course.

I shut the door behind me and sighed, "My dad said it was all right. My mother, however, well, we'll just make sure to keep the sharp knives away from her." Fang raised an eyebrow. "I'm kidding. She'll learn to deal." I lay down next to him and wrapped my hand in his.

"Did you hear that Iggy broke up with Ella?" I lifted my head a bit but then thought about it. Iggy was better off. I mean, I love Ella and all but she just didn't make good choices while in that relationship and Iggy really was a nice guy.

Just then the door burst open, and Fang and I sat up quickly. Ari and Angel stood there with smiles spread across their face. "Fang!" Angel yelled and she ran up to him. She gave him a hug and Ari came and sat next to me on the bed. "Happy Thanksgiving. I didn't know you were invited."

"Technically wasn't," he told her, ruffling her hair. She was dressed in a red gown and on her back was a pair of white wings from her Halloween costume, which she refused to take off ever since. Ari had his blonde-brown hair slicked back and he was dressed in a red sweater and tan pants. I was in jeans and a blue sweater.

"So, when are you getting married?" Ari asked. I almost choked on air when he said that.

"What?" I asked. Fang was watching me very calmly.

"We heard mom and dad arguing and mom said that before they knew it, you two would be getting married. And what does knocked up mean?" Angel said, her face scrunched up in confusion.

My cheeks turned bright red, "Ugh, knocked up means something you don't need to know about until you're older." I turned my eyes to Fang. He was watching me past the top of Angel's head. Sometimes, I hate that I can't read what's going on in his mind.

Just then there was a knock on my door. We all turned our heads to see Jeb standing in the doorway with a smile on his face. "Time to eat," he said and we all headed towards the door. "Max, hold up a second." Fang and I exchanged a look and I motioned for him to move with Ari and Angel.

"What is it Jeb?" I asked.

"You're mom wanted to take a photo of the family for the Christmas cards today." I groaned. "I know you don't like it, but, if you want to make her happy, just a little bit, then you'll be good all right?"

"How can I make her happy Dad? Fang is already here." Jeb patted my shoulder and then we headed to the top of the stairs where Fang, Angel, and Ari were waiting. "Why are you guys waiting?"

A voice suddenly called out, "Where is everyone? Dinner's waiting!" My mother came to the bottom of the stairs. Her eyes shot over on Fang and whatever was in her hands dropped. Oh, it was Angel's dog's food. Total ran over and started eating it up. "What—is—he—doing—here?"

"Happy Thanksgiving Mommy," Angel called out, running down the stairs. "Can we please eat dinner?"

Something about Angel's voice made my mother listen and somehow, I found myself sitting across from Fang with Ari to my right. Angel was sitting next to Fang. Jeb was at the head of the table next to me and my mother was far away as she could be from Fang.

"So, Fang, senior year is important. Where are you applying to college?" Jeb asked.

"I'm interested in the city areas for the most part so I won't need a car because everything will be in walking distance. I got a few scholarships and a trust fund from my grandparents." Fang took a small bite of cranberry sauce. He had never mentioned his grandparents to me before.

"Max," Jeb turned his attention to me, "Are you applying to the same places as Fang?" I heard my mother drop her fork on her plate.

"Well," I said slowly, "Fang's second in our class so, he's got better options." I stared at Fang and I saw he was slightly blushing. Hmm, he was embarrassed and modest. (He was perfect—and all mine—sorry, ladies).

"Nonsense, Maximum, you're smart." I shrugged. My dad continued, "Well, I think it couldn't hurt to try."

I heard something hit the table—oh, it was my mother's fist. "Enough Jeb, why are you encouraging this? Hasn't it occurred to you that maybe they're too serious?" My mother's eyes wrinkled at the corners and she was frowning.

"Mom," I stated firmly, "Can you please just let us make it to desert? I mean, the turkey still has steam coming off of it."

"No Max, as long as you are under my roof, you shall do as I say. Ever since you started seeing this boy, you've been acting out. You've broken curfew, made me a laughing stock among the other mothers, had the school calling me for poor test grades, and you get yourself beaten to a pulp. I no longer want you dating this boy. Ever. That is final."

"Mom," I stared her straight in the eye, "I can't do that. Fang is too important to me. It's Thanksgiving and can't you just be thankful that I'm here. Can't you be thankful that our family is together? I'm your daughter, can't you just be thankful for me?"

My mother shook her head, "As long as you see that boy, you are no longer my daughter. In fact, Max, you're going to chose right now. Be a part of this family or date that boy. As of this moment, you can't have both. Your family or him."

"I'll leave," Fang suddenly stood up. He placed his napkin on the table and pushed his chair in. "Mr. Batchledor, thank you for having me. Mrs. Batchledor, I'm sorry that I've upset you're holiday. Angel, the wings suit you. Ari, take care of Max for me." Fang paused to stare at me. "Max," he ran his hand through his hair, "You know everything I have to say." He bowed his head and started to head towards the front.

My chair scraped against the wooden floor as Fang opened the front door. I stared at my mom, "Fine mom, if you're going to make me choose than I'm choosing the one who never made this difficult for me." I slammed my chair into the table and my glass of water fell from the vibration. I went and chased after Fang.

"Fang!" I called after him. I watched as he turned around with his hands in his pockets. "I'm coming with you." Fang suddenly looked sad as I wrapped my arms around his waist and rested my head on his chest. "I don't want to lose you." He didn't move. His arms stayed at his side. I felt confused, "Fang?"

Slowly, he ran his hand through my hair as I looked up at him. "I don't want to lose you either." He leaned down and kissed my lips. The pressure he applied was almost sad and wanting as if this was the last. When Fang pulled away, he placed his hands on either side of my cheeks. "But I don't want to come between you and your family."

"It's not you," I told him, my hands grasped his shirt. "Fang, please, it's not you."

"Max, it shouldn't be like this. Your family is the most important thing you can ever have. I wish I could have it."

"You're my family—Fang, I'm your family." I felt tears coming and I'm Maximum Ride, this doesn't happen.

"I'm in love with you Max," Fang whispered.

"Then please don't do this," I replied urgently. I placed my hand on his neck and crashed his lips against mine. I felt pathetic and needy but I pathetically needed Fang more than anything else.

Fang shook his head and rested his forehead against mine. His hands wrapped around my wrists. "And I love you enough, to let you go, so that you can work things out with your family. I can't let you leave Angel, Ari, Jeb, or even your mother." Then, he was pulling my hands from his sweater.

"Fang," I shook my head, my entire body was about to crumple over without him there to lean on. But he had turned from me and was walking down the street to where he had parked his car. "Fang, please!" I couldn't run though, I couldn't move, and I could only watch.

Love shouldn't be this hard.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.

Obviously not for Max and Fang however.

Lot in store for the next few chapters, so review if you want to read.

Happy Cranberry Sauce Day (Cause Cranberry sauce so beats turkey),

Flyerac1029

I'd also like to quote Joey Tribiani from FRIENDS in honor of this holiday:

"You are my Everest!"—To a half-eaten turkey