Hey again~! :D Another chapter!

I've been thinking…. you know Dylan, right? And do you all remember Devin from the book, 'Max'? He was kinda in the prologue or something. It was before Max started narrating her part of the story. The evil crazy guy, with the weird robot arm that can shoot bullets or something? You know how Devin was supposed to kill Max? And then he failed and died too? Remember Devin had the superpower to see long distances which is how he spied on Max and the Flock? Doesn't Dylan also have that same power? To see long distances? Plus, Jeb said that he was made from another 'Dylan' who died 'not quite so long ago'. Do you think that these two are linked? And plus their names are really similar… I was wondering whether whoever made Dylan (I forgot the name T.T) was also the creator of Devin and made Dylan so he can target Max saying he's the 'perfect other half' for her. So he can get close to her, make her trust him (hopefully not fall for him), and then kill her brutally in the end. And if what I'm thinking is wrong, then why would James Patterson, a well-experienced writer, keep an unnecessary prologue with an unimportant character? I mean, there are a lot of people who strongly WANT to kill the Flock, why separately mention one and dedicating it to have the prologue? I was thinking about this thought a LOONGG time ago, but I kept forgetting to mention in the chapters. I have the book 'Max' and so I was rereading it (again xD) and got that thought. I just thought I should mention my….'theory' I guess.

Anyway, let's get on with the thanking! :D

Thanks:

SliverStar121 (Haha, neither can I? xD(first review). And yeah, I know right. The girls are too mean for words (second review), Thanks for alerting and favoriting :D)

boxtoplad999 (Seriously? That's sooo cool! I wish my name was Isabelle. I don't know why, but I like it soo much :D Thanks for reviewing, favoriting and alerting :))

FloridaGirl11 (I know right! I guess I'm too mean xD and thanks for alerting the story :D)

(Glad you liked it :D)

Isabelle (LOL, ikr xD Thanks for being the most dedicated reviewer eva~! :D)

hikari (aw, sorry you didn't like it :((( Truly sorry. I'm still inexperienced, I guess. A LOT. D: But hopefully, as I progress more into the story, you'll see a variety of emotions soon~~)

BookWorm2011 (Gracias! Ur too sweet for words. :DDDD)

SingleNinja (thanks for favoriting~! :D)

Rikku3198 (GREAT MINDS THINK ALIKE! I had the same thought too, you took it right out of my mind~! And thanks! :D and oh…haha, to ur question, you'll see ;))

PatonxJulia (Wow, I like that song! Thanks for reviewing :D)


Isa POV

I straightened as the girls came closer.

Girl 1: Wow, she is striking up close….But I'm prettier.

Girl 2: Even is she's hot, I can't believe why Luke would pick her. She must be like a dumb brunette or something…

"I can read minds, idiot." I muttered under my breath.

"What? Did you say something?" Mary asked.

I shook my head and crossed my arms.

"Natalie Cross, huh?" Girl 1 asked.

"Congratulations, you have a good memory. I'm impressed." I said narrowing my eyes.

"Don't act like a bitc— witch. Why are you, like, dating your own cousin? That's like disgusting beyond words."

Talk about 'like'

"Does it matter to you in any way?" I said raising my eyebrows.

"First, ditch the stupid attitude. And oh nothing, it's just that Luke deserves someone totally better than you."

"Liiike?" I said cracking a small smile.

"What's it to you? She can like whoever she wants." Girl 2 said giving me a dirty look.

.Girl 2 sounds nastier than Girl 1.

"Okay, let me get one thing straight. What makes you think I'm going out with Luke?" I said releasing my arms taking a step closer.

Girl 1 and Girl 2 stepped and almost collided with the locker.

"He was flippin' winking at you! He's just like your brother, Alex Cross, and the other guy, Matt Bell, not talking to anyone and keeping to themselves. And then you come along and he's all glittery and ecstatic. That's like so obvious." Girl 2 spit out.

Seriously? For winking? Can't cousins wink at each other?

"You don't have to explain to her, Katie." Girl 1 scoffed looking at me.

"Don't mess with Jamie. Once she set her eye on someone, she has to get him and she will." Girl 2, Katie, warned.

"Can you just shut up? Man, some people can never shut their mouths these days." Girl 1, Jamie, scowled.

Katie flinched, "I…I-I was just saying."

"Well shut up. You talk way too much." Jamie said fixing her hair.

Katie flinched again, but fixed her hair too. Jamie had dirty blonde wavy hair, a shade darker than Iggy's and Katie had brown/blonde hair like Max, except it was straightened to perfection. The two had the same hairdos and were still perfecting their already perfect hair.

Just then, the lady who loaned me the gym uniform blew her whistle like her life depended on it.

"YOU GOT TO GO!" She said repeatedly pointing to the door.

The girls stopped staring and finally left along with Jamie and Katie. I walked slowly digesting what she said.

Wow….the guys each have a fan club with too many fan girls. And it's only our first day here!

"Hey," A voice called out from behind. It was the girl, Mary. She smiled sadly, "Don't be thinking of what Jamie and Katie said. Just like how their names rhyme, they're attached by hips. Katie follows Jamie around like a homeless puppy no matter how harsh Jamie treats her. You saw what she just said to Katie. Jamie currently has more boyfriends than she can count on her hand. Slightets mistake and she dumps even the perfect guy and gets the lousiest guy in a second. I don't know if you're dating Luke or not, but what Katie said about Jamie, 'Once she set her eye on someone, she has to get him and she will.' It's true. It's pretty disturbing. If anyone's in her path, she'll seriously do something bad. Just stay out of her way, I know what she might do cuz I…kinda experienced it."

"I'm not….dating Luke. I don't even….like him." I lied.

Mary nodded, "Good. You won't exactly get hurt if you just keep out of the way."

BUT I DO LIKE 'LUKE'!

I stayed silent, but inside my mind I was screaming nonstop.

"Thanks." I nodded and smiled.

Mary looked dazed for a minute, "….Yeah, no problem."

We entered the gym and boy, it was huge. It made me feel…..I don't know, bird-sick? It was a long time since I last flew. The last time I flew was in the mission when I was getting Cái's mom and Nudge. Since then, no wing movement coming from moi. Iggy saw me and made a beeline for me.

"You already have a fan club, y'know that?" I said as I walked to a random spot in the gym.

"Well, I do have the looks, y'know?" Iggy said mimicking me.

I gave him a dull look. Jamie's words were still ringing from my head.

What can Jamie possibly do that's sooo bad? Send a bunch of people to beat me up. I can beat up Erasers which are three times of whatever size they are. She can't possibly do anything to me.

With that, I tried to gain some confidence, but it always died out by the following thought.

But then, we'll attract a lot of attention and that's not good. We have to lay low and attracting attention is not going to help.

"Hey….Did something happen?" Iggy asked.

"Huh? Oh nothing." I replied.

"Is anyone suspicious of anything?" Iggy asked.

"On the," I started to whisper, "fire drill, whoever started it, no one. But whether we're cousins or not, yeah."

Iggy cringed, "How?"

"You kinda winked at me."

"What?" Iggy screeched quietly, "Can't cousins wink at each other? It's a free country."

"Tell me about it."

"But then again, we're not cousins."

"Free rounds today! Jog, run, play basketball, skip, kick a soccer ball, walk, do something, don't just stand there." A gym teacher said into a microphone.

Iggy and I started walking around the gym and I saw Jamie give me dagger eyes. I gave her the Maximum Ride Look. It always works though Max always does it better. She glowered at me and someone pushed me from the back. I staggered, but Iggy held onto my arm strongly.

"Hey, are you oka— Hey, watch where you're going." Iggy said to the person who pushed me.

I steadied myself and looked up to see Katie turn around.

"Oh. Oops." She smirked as she went on her way.

"Do you know her? The color of her aura isn't exactly a pretty color." Iggy asked.

I shook my head.

I don't want to get Iggy tangled into this mess. I can handle them.

"Are you sure?" Iggy asked.

I nodded.

Kate: She's still with him.

Jamie: That…uh!

Is every girl and guy in this school like trained to fight for every small thing or what? They're so quick to bullying or fighting. Geez….

"Want to race?" Iggy asked already smirking.

"No, Iggy."

"Jog race?"

"No."

"Walk race?"

"What? Walk? Race? No."

"Whyy?" Iggy whined.

"If I were a normal person and saw two new kids running at the speed of light, I would be suspicious. If we have a collision with someone, they can get seriously hurt due to our Max Ride Do trained bodies."

Iggy gave me a flat look and grumbled, "Did I ever tell you are such a goody-two shoes?"

"First time actually." I nodded looking all-knowing.

Iggy gave me a duller look and I laughed.

"Why does the bad guy always get stuck with the good girl?" I heard Iggy mutter.

"Consider yourself lucky." I chuckled.

Iggy smiled and we walked a bit faster.

"Hey Is-Natalie?" Iggy called out.

"Yeah?"

"Can I make a teensy-weensy distraction? It'll be very fun to watch."

"A firework? In the gym? Heck no."

Iggy groaned dramatically, "You're turning me into a non-pyro. Gazzy will be ashamed of me."

"Didn't you already make a 'teensy-weensy' distraction? That's enough for today. You can do as many as you want when we get home. Just not here."

"Max will get mad…" Iggy mumbled to himself.

"When did that ever stop you?" I laughed.

"Touché." Iggy chuckled.

Katie: Just a bit closer…

I felt something softly push my back and I immediately bent down and switched to the side. Katie fell over and met head first to the ground. Everyone abruptly stepped a meter away from her as she was sprawled on the ground groaning in pain.

"Oh my…" I said as I stared at her.

A whistle was blown and the gym teacher came. Several students came to see what happened causing a quite big circle around Katie who was writhing in pain as she clutched her ankle. The other gym teachers shooed them away.

Iggy: Isa? What happened?

It was quite long Iggy and I shared a quiet conversation.

I seriously didn't do it. She tried doing something and when I moved out of the way, she fell. Really, I did—

Iggy: Isa, calm down. I know you didn't do anything. I was right next to you.

Katie tried doing something which I didn't know and got hurt herself. Her ankle was in a painful-looking position. Katie was almost close to tears and Jamie just looked at her.

Katie: Oh crap! It hurts! How did she move so quickly?

"Natalie pushed me cuz I accidentally pushed her when I was walking. She did this. She wanted to get back at me." Katie wailed.

What!

"No, I didn't." I said.

"Did you do this intentionally, Natalie? It's not even the second day you've been here and you're already causing trouble?" Another gym teacher asked me as the other teacher helped Katie up.

"No, I didn't. I just moved out of the wa—" I tried to say.

"She's lying! She did this to get even with me despite I bumped her accidentally." Katie cried out.

"No, I didn't! What the hec—"

"Go outside."

"What?"

"Go outside. Don't make this worse, Cross. It's your first day, so I'm going easy on ya." The gym teacher boomed.

"This is unfair!" I said.

"Go."

I felt searing anger inside of me as I glared at Jamie and Katie. If I wanted to, I could change the gym teacher's mind in a snap, but I didn't bother. I shook my head, but still went for the door. Katie slipped a small smirk and I scowled at her. Before I went out, I saw Iggy looking at me in spite of Jamie walking and talking cheerfully next to him.

Iggy: I'm talking to the gym teacher.

It's alright. I think he'll let me go. Don't cause any commotion, 'kay?

Iggy: I'll try not to.

He smirked and I smiled even though I was punished for something I didn't do. I sighed as I sank to the floor putting my back against the wall. I felt the small lump of my tightly-packed wings. I sighed once again.

If I didn't do it, what should I be reflecting on? I swear, if I get into deeper trouble than this cuz of Jamie and Katie, I'll be so mad and will do something about it. Plus, this trouble won't help the flock either.

I just sat there bored out of my mind.

Jamie, if you mess with me, I'll mess with you more. And if you mess with me more than that, then a heck load of trouble will come at you. Consider it a special gift from me.

Fang POV

If anyone, anyone mentions the word function and graph, I will kill them. How the [insert any swear word] are functions going to help save the world? And what the heck is the vertical line test? Problem 7 is turning out to be a bigger problem than global warming. Geez…

I stormed out of the classroom with the bathroom pass and just wandered in the hallway wasting as much time I could.

"'It's only ten problems, Alex.'" I muttered rolling my eyes.

I wish I had my laptop. I could at least work on my blog.

It was super-hot inside and outside and wearing the suit was a big problem. It clung to my skin making it feel so tight.

Don't you only wear a suit to weddings and funerals? Why school? The girls can wear a skirt, they're lucky! Why can't we just come in skinny jeans and a lightweight shirt?

I walked near the gym and something caught my attention. Something really shiny. I walked closer and saw Isa sitting down with her back against the wall with the blazing sun shining on her. I quietly walked over and sat next to her and she didn't even notice. She was looking out the window dazed in some thought. I waited silently as she finally noticed.

"Oh. F-Alex." Isa said surprised.

"Oh great. First F-Nick, no F-Alex?"

Isa laughed, "What are you doing here? What happened?"

"Functions. Functions happened." I muttered.

"We're doing slope now. We're doing functions next. You're more advanced than us." Isa nodded.

Splendid. They threw me into an advanced class. But you gotta have the brain to do it.

Isa chuckled.

"Well, I got kicked out." She said her voice cracking a bit.

I looked at Isa. Her face was twisted with a variety of feelings. It looked pretty scary along with the sun shining in her face and the expression.

"My good-two shoes of a sister got kicked out?" I asked trying to make her remove the striking expression.

"One thing about this goody-two shoes of a sister is that she can roundhouse kick you. And it'll hurt," She smiled and winked, "And this girl said I kicked her on purpose and now she has a sprained ankle."

"So did you?"

"What?"

"Sprain the girl's ankle on purpose?"

"Of course not!" Isa replied, "Why would I?"

I shrugged, "Max influencing you?"

Isa smiled and I smirked.

"You look good in the uniform by the way." Isa said looking at the suit.

I rolled my eyes, "You don't know how many people told me that."

"A lot?"

"Times that by Pi."

Isa laughed, "Got a lot of popularity on the first day. Overachiever."

"You should be talking. So many guys asked me for your number."

Isa laid her head on my shoulder and sighed. The air felt soft and I sighed. Her cold hair felt good under the scorching sun.

"What was that fire drill thing?" I asked.

"Iggy."

I smirked, "Good one, Ig."

"Max looked like she was going to downright murder him when I told her."

"That's how she always looks at Iggy and Gasman." I shrugged, "Did he get caught? Yet?"

"Nope. Hope not."

"Bonne chance."

"What?"

"French. Stands for 'Good luck.'"

"I have Spanish. Speaking of languages….how was English?" Isa chuckled.

"If she says the word 'preposition' one more time…" I said clenching my hand.

The teacher wouldn't shut up. I wondered how an old woman can talk so much. Holy cow.

"Mhmmm."

"Mhmmmm, picture perfect. Does anyone have a camera here?" A voice behind us laughed.

We looked up to see Ig in faded sweatpants and a baggy shirt.

"F-Alex, what are you doing here?" Iggy said smirking.

"Getting a tan." I said deadpan.

"Uh huh, you don't need it. Eh…..Natalie, I talked to the gym teacher, he said he'll let you off the hook."

"See ya, I-Natalie." I said going my own way.

"Bye F-Alex." Isa winked as she waved.

"Yo Luke?" I said.

Iggy came out.

"What, F-Alex?" He grinned.

"Nice job in pulling the thing. One of the best you did." I said giving him a thin smile.

Iggy smirked, "Thanks."

Isa looked at me flatly, "It's not a thing you should congratulate."

I smirked and she smiled shaking her head at me. Iggy and Isa left and I started walking back to math. Ever since Isa joined the flock and it was discovered we were siblings, I always wanted Isa to always have a smile on her face. I felt like I kinda… accomplished something when I made her smile. If anything bad happens to her, I don't know what I would do. There used to be only one real blood relation in the flock which was Gazzy and Angel. Now there's another one: Isa and me. Does Gazzy feel the same way towards Angel? When I heard Isa was my sibling and actually confirmed it, I grinned. I didn't control it; it just came on its own. It felt awkward to smile so big, but I got like a little dose of happiness every time she called me her brother. It just instantly improves whatever mood I'm in. I don't know what this feeling is called and often got pretty confused by it. I shook my head and sighed.

I guess I'll have to figure it out sometime later.

I slipped into math class and nobody noticed. I sighed and just sat there.

"Oh Alex, when did you come back?" the math teacher smiled with the too much lipstick.

I shrugged.

"Let's work on these, 'kay?" She said heaving a big packet onto my desk.

I widened my eyes.

#% no. Why didn't I stay outside loooonger?

Max POV

Got out fourth period alive. Biggest overachievement eva. I headed to the gym and raced to the bathroom. I saw Isa come out of the bathroom and she smiled when she saw me.

"Almost got into trouble." She murmured her smile instantly disappearing, "But don't worry. Everything's fixed now."

I took a breath of relief, "Thanks, Isa."

"No problem. Have fun with Fang." She winked.

I closed the green bathroom door before she could see my reddened face. As I was changing clothes, it made me wonder how the rest of my day would go.

What's next period? LUNCH! YES! Finally!

And then a dark, sinking feeling plunged into my stomach. It made my stomach growl in protest.

I didn't make any lunch….

I screamed covering my mouth with my hand. I clutched my head as if I was going crazy.

WE'RE GOING TO STARVE!

"No, no, no, no." I whispered to myself.

Wait, calm down, Max. Fang…he must have made something! He's smart! You can rely on him. He's my right-hand man. He musta have done something or the other.

With that calming thought, I calmed down.

Fang POV

I changed pretty quickly and felt so relieved.

Finally…. Air.

I tugged on my baggy shirt and felt the cool air go inside my shirt. I sighed in comfort. Then my stomach growled.

Feed me….

Then a horror-filled realization dawned onto me.

Did anyone pack lunch?

"No way. Oh no, oh no." I murmured rapidly to myself.

Iggy's the flock's cook. He surely must have packed something. Yeah, he did. I'm pretty sure.

I sighed in relief.

Iggy POV

"This student ruined the entire classes' percentage on getting this question correct. 98 percent? Is that the best we can do? So what if you're not a high level class, you still got to strive hard in life. What the student did was so illogical. Who places a comma there? Someone was sleeping in my class. I'm pretty sure. In all my twenty years of teaching, I never saw this. What is that su…"

I tuned the English teacher out rolling my eye.

Does anyone get a word she just said? Please raise your hand. Yeah, I didn't think so either. I swear, if this gets any boring, I'll pull the fire alarm again. Anything to escape this.

My stomach grumbled and I grumbled with it.

Yeah, yeah, shut up.

I then froze and widened my eyes.

Who made lunch? I didn't make it. Then who did? This is so not good.

"We're officially screwed." I muttered under my breath.

"What?" A girl with a cast on her leg next to me, Katie or something, asked.

I shook my head.

Isn't that the girl who blamed Isa for 'pushing' her?

I rolled my eyes.

Isa won't do that. Something's happened and she just won't tell me. She's so stubborn like Max.

My stomach growled again and I cried silently and then brightened up.

WAIT! I GOT AN AWESOME IDEA! Maybe Dylan made lunch! Like how he's Mr. Perfect and everything. He couldn't possibly forget. He's smart for a bird-kid.

I sighed in relief.

"I have no idea who pulled it." A guy near me said to another guy.

"Whoever did is so dead by Principal Franklin." Another guy laughed.

"She scares the hell out of me." Another guy said.

They both laughed.

Maybe I shouldn't hav— BUT I WAS BORED! That's perfectly logical of a person to do when he or she is bored. Even Gazzy would do it. That's a logical excuse and besides, no one saw, so ha ha.

I sat like a statue for a few seconds and banged my head on the desk.

Max's gonna kill me. I don't wanna die. Why'd you tell Max, Isa? I'm screwed even more if there's no lunch. I don't wanna die on an empty stomach, that's no fun. No fun at all.

Dylan POV

I remember there were seven World Wars. There were only two? Neva mind.

Isa laughed as she read my mind.

"Whoever knew?" She smiled.

"I know right." I laughed.

"I can't wait to go home." Isa murmured rubbing her forehead.

I nodded, "I wonder how these kids did this for nine months."

"Must have gone crazy."

The bell rang and Isa and I got up and walked to the cafeteria.

"I'll come in five minutes. Wait for me." Isa said.

"Yeah. Sure." I said squirming in my uniform. It was very uncomfortable, but good-looking.

Why do nice-looking clothes have to be so uncomfortable? They're crushing my wings like crazy.

Isa came back and we continued to go to the cafeteria. Once we reached there, it was like those big grocery stores. Messy and busy. Now times that by ten which equals Blue Sky High's cafeteria. When we walked inside, we got some stares and looks. It was a bit weird with all the staring. It's like we're fairies or something, but boy, we're far from that.

"Hey, are you Natalie and Matt?" A pretty girl with green eyes smiled as she approached us.

Isa and I looked at each other and slowly nodded.

"Come eat with us. Maddie, Luke, and Alex are eating with us also. Plus there's no other place to sit. Oh and by the way, I'm Lily Jenkins." Lily smiled.

"Oh….. okay." Isa said smiling afterward.

Lily Jenkins looked a bit dazed and then snapped out of it. She quickly nodded and led us to this table in the back and finally the entire flock was together at once. Along with three other people. I only recognized one who was Mike from my English class.

"Hey M-Maddie." Isa smiled.

We sat down.

"Hey." Max smiled back.

"I'm Lily Jenkins. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Mike. Mike Erwin."

"I'm Erin Sherman." A girl with thin glasses smiled.

"The name's Chris." A guy with a funky hairdo said.

"So….um, Alex, you made lunch right? Where is it?" Max asked Fang.

"Why are you asking me? I thought Luke did it. After all, he is the cook for us."

"What do you mean me? I didn't do anything. I thought Mr. Per— Matt did it." Iggy said nodding to me.

What? Me?

Everyone diverted their looks to me.

"Ehhh…..umm…..uh…."

The silence was loud as everyone literally drilled holes into me. If that made any sense in silence being so loud.

I finally get what the expression 'Landing in hot soup' means now,

I looked at Isa for help.

HELP ME!

Isa POV

I smiled quietly to myself and saw Dylan looking panicky.

"I made lunch."

Everyone turned their heads to look at me. I slowly kept the brown sack I kept behind my back on the table. Everyone looked incredulously at the brown sack.

"Life saver, huh?" Mike grinned.

I smiled and Iggy grabbed the bag. He looked at the contents and sighed happily. He looked like he was melting into a pile of relief.

"You're the best, Is-Natalie." Iggy said catching himself.

Thankfully, they didn't notice and Max grabbed the bag and removed five sandwiches I made beforehand. Erin, Chris, Mike, and Lily laughed to themselves and went to the lunch line. Once they left, everyone heaved a sigh of pure happiness.

"Is that ham?" Fang breathed the second they left.

I nodded slowly slightly smiling.

"I officially love you more." Iggy said lunging for a sandwich.

"This. Is. So. Good." Dylan and Fang said taking deep breaths between their monstrous bites.

"We still lack in the manners, don't we?" Max muttered as she ate the sandwich.

"Come on, Max. You know you just want to swallow it whole." Iggy laughed.

Max looked hesitant as if she was trying not to give in and then shook her head, "Shut up, Iggy."

The guys made a big show of munching their sandwich in front of Max.

"Om nom nom nom nom." Iggy taking big bites of his sandwich.

"Taaaaaaasty." Fang said.

"Mmmm mmm." Dylan said rubbing his stomach.

Max gritted her teeth, "If you all don't sit down right now, I'll shave off all your pretty hairs in the middle of the night."

One scary glare from Max and they all sat down pretty quickly.

"I'm done, but still hungry." Dylan grumbled.

Max snorted, "Well, that happens if you eat too fast."

"Oh, I made more. Two for each." I said pointing to the bag.

Everyone grabbed another one.

"Ican'tthankyouenough." Max said inhaling a sandwich.

I laughed, "I have no idea what you said, but you're welcome."

Fang smirked, "I won't say 'I told you so.'"

Max gave him a look while already three/fourths done with her second sandwich, "You just did."

"A second sandwich? You must have been starving." A voice, Mike's, laughed.

He sat next to me and I smiled.

"We were." Max said matter-of-factly.

"We only have two more periods left." Lily said getting started on her food.

"Less torture left to go." Erin said digging into her salad.

"You can say that again." Fang muttered.

"Oh yeah, do you know who pulled the fire alarm?" Chris asked us.

"It's like all over the school. I guess things spread preeeeetty fast in a quiet and small school." Lily shrugged.

"Eh…..yeah." Iggy said nervously edging away from Max.

"Oh yeah, about that….." Max smiled at Iggy.

Normal people will be charmed by the smile, but it actually means 'You are writing your own death certificate, right?' to the flock only.

Everyone was looking at Iggy as if they were drilling holes in him like they did to Dylan. Iggy chuckled nervously.

"I seriously wonder who has the guts to do it. Maybe Ryan Briggs." Erin suggested.

Or maybe Iggy Griffiths.

"No, he wouldn't." Chris said crossing his arms.

"You can't be so sure." Mike shrugged.

"Anyway, let's change the subject," Lily said. I saw Iggy calm down, but was still squirming cuz of Max's intense glare, "So why'd you guys decide to move from Michigan?"

I stopped mid-sandwich. Actually everyone did. We looked at each other.

"We….um….wanted a change in…scenery." I quickly said.

"Do you all live together? Since you're cousins?" Erin asked.

"Umm…..….yeah." Dylan said.

"Do you like Maryland? I personally hate it. Can't wait to get out of here." Chris asked.

"S'okay." Max shrugged.

Don't ask so many questions!

"Hmmm….. Did you like your old school or here?" Mike questioned.

"I hate it here." Lily muttered under her breath.

We shrugged. Then a small bell rang and almost everyone got up to throw away their trash.

"Iggy, we should talk. Y'know, talk. Just plain talk. Privately of course." Max smiled glowering at Iggy.

"I was bored! That's a perfect excuse! That's reasonable. Am I right, guys?" Iggy said keeping his hands up to say 'Whoa.'

"Nooo." The entire flock said.

Max sighed rubbing her head, "Isa, did you pack lunch for Nudge, Angel, and Gasman?"

I nodded, "Yeah, I told them."

Max relaxed.

Max: Good, I didn't want them to be hungry...

I smiled at Max.

She really is like a mom to the entire flock.

The students came back and settled down in their seats.

"Hey Natalie, word's going around that you pushed Katie and caused her to have a sprain." Mike said looking surprised.

I stiffened, "I didn't push her."

The entire flock looked at me in disbelief. My face was turning hot from embarrassment. I looked down and away from the flock. I twitched and smoothened my hair back.

"Serves the bitc- child right." Erin smirked.

Iggy and Fang snorted.

BUT I DIDN'T DO IT!

"Spreading rumors about you too." Chris added.

What?

"Like?" Fang asked having a serious expression on.

Then the bell rang.

"I'll tell you later." Chris nodded.

THAT'S IT. There's a limit to everything. She officially pushed it.

I scooted far away from the lunch table and walked swiftly to the two most prissy girls I ever met.

Iggy POV

Right before the bell rang, I noticed Isa's face twisted with emotions. She instantly widened and then quickly narrowed her eyes to slits when she heard the keyword 'rumor'. She looked like she didn't even know what was happening to her.

Uh oh.

Then the bell rang and she got up and started walking fast to Katie and the other girl. I got up not even bothering that I stumbled over a seat and rushed to Isa. I saw her speaking rapidly to Katie whose expression was not pretty. I saw Katie's anger on her face and she almost slapped Isa, but Isa grabbed her arm right before it hit her face. Katie's face started to feel the intense pain of Isa's grip and the other girl, Jamie, was looking at Isa in disbelief. Katie tried to pull her hand away, but Isa wasn't budging. I finally got there and I quickly pried Isa's hand from Katie and Katie clutched her hand as if it was going to break off. I noticed Isa's entire body shaking. Jamie was breathing hard as she looked at Isa.

Oh shit. Isa was too strong….

"What's with her? She almost broke my arm! You little—"

"You're the one going around spreading stupid rumors about me!" Isa said going at Katie again until Max stopped her.

"Natalie! Snap out of it!" Max said.

Katie and Jamie quickly left and after that Isa calmed down. That crazed look in her eyes vanished and her body stopped shaking. Thankfully there was nobody left in the cafeteria.

"What was that, Isa?" Fang asked quietly.

"Oh no…..…..what did I just do?" Isa whispered to herself.

"This is not good." Max said running her fingers through her hair.

"I'm…so sorry… I was just really angry about the rumor thing. I…..didn't….even know what I was doing." Isa murmured.

It was quiet and then the bell rang.

"We all have biology together. Let's go. We're already late." Dylan said.

Fang stood next to Isa trying to support her. She just stared at the ground as we walked to the biology room.

If Katie gets Isa in trouble cuz of this, people will start noticing us more. What we're doing and how we're doing. It's like a mobile security camera. And if anything is figured out, it will be a straight giveaway to the scientist who's tracking her down. Heck, now I realize I shouldn't have pulled the fire alarm. I almost put the flock in trouble. Damn….. Then we might have to be runaways again and find a new home. Damn, this is filled with problems.

Isa flinched and I swore to myself.

Crap, I didn't close my mind.

"Is that really what's going to happen?" Isa asked me.

I didn't say anything, but then nodded.

"I ruined everything." Isa murmured.

"Let's go, Isa." Max said quietly, "If we just lay low, nothing will happen."

We entered the science classroom and twenty something kids looked up. Some of their looks stayed too long for comfort.

"Ah, all the new kids are in my class. Nice to meet you. You must have lost your way or something. I'm Mr. Trace." A very old man smiled shaking Dylan's hand energetically.

We all nodded.

"Natalie Cross? You sit next to Paige on the second table form the back. Madeline Race and Luke Anderson, you sit in the back in the table next to Paige's table. Matt Bell and Alex Cross? You guys are paired up in the table behind Luke's table." Mr. Trace smiled.

We almost sat in our seats until the P.A. system came on.

"Mr. Trace?" A voice from the ceiling said.

"Yeees?"

"Can you please send Natalie Cross to the office?"

Just then, I felt the flock's hearts skip a beat.

Oh crap…

Everyone turned to Isa and she slowly got up. She looked down so I wasn't able to see her face.

"She's on her way!" Mr. Trace said cheerfully.

Isa squeezed her eyes and left without any expression on her face.

"Ummm…. Can we do the buddy system?" I asked Mr. Trace.

"I would suggest raising your hand next time, Mr. Anderson. But yes, you may."

Max, Fang, and Dylan gave me a cautious look as I raced out of the room. I caught up with Isa hallway.

"I got us in trouble." Isa murmured covering her face.

I didn't say anything; I just didn't know what to say. We got inside the office and waited in the chair. The lady there told us to wait and so we did. Finally after twenty minutes of panicking and not calming down, Isa went inside the Principal's room. Just before the door closed I saw Katie in there.

Oh no….

I waited for a very long time and the bell eventually rang telling us to go to eighth period. I decided to ignore and just sit there. Obviously, the lady behind the desk didn't really care. All she cared about was the coffee cup in her hand.

Please don't do anything. Please. We can't afford the unwanted attention. We might have to be runaways and I don't want to be a runaway. I've been one for majority of my life and we just finally got settled into a house Jeb made for us. Please don't make us have to leave the state.

Finally the Principal's door opened and out stepped out a tall, slender woman with glasses on. She gave me a look and then turned around.

The guys in English were right. She is intimidating…. Please tell me she didn't do anything too bad.

"But Principal Franklin," Katie said.

Principal Franklin kept a hand up to silence her and I saw Isa behind her. Katie gritted her teeth as Principal Franklin.

"What both you did was wrong. I'll give a warning, but if this continues, there will be a lot of calls going home." Principal Franklin thundered.

Isa nodded looking relieved. Principal Franklin left.

"She went easy on you cuz you're pretty." Katie sneered.

"Or it's just not your day. Both ways, you're very unlucky." Isa shrugged.

Ouch. Wow, Isa can be so cold when she wants to be.

Katie stormed away muttering a lot of stuff under her breath. I got up and we started walking out of the office.

"Did you enchant Principal Franklin?" I asked suddenly wondering how she can just let it go with a warning.

"What? No, of course not. She just left me with a warning." Isa replied, "You should have gone back. It took quite long until Principal Franklin told her 'verdict'."

"Do I look like I want to go to science and Spanish? No, so let's go." I said smiling a little plus relaxing.

We don't have to leave…yes!

Then the bell rang announcing that it was time to leave. We had nothing to carry so we just stood there. Max, Fang, Dylan came rushing down.

"Did you get into any major trouble?" Max asked Isa rapidly.

"Nope. Just a warning."

Then the flock did a silent 'phew'. This high school was filled with trouble for us bird-kids.

Back At The House

"It was so boring! Even History was so boring!" Gazzy exclaimed as he flopped on the couch.

I collapsed on the other couch.

"Dominique was pissing me off. So rude!" Max grumbled pushing me to sit on the couch.

"Don't push." I grumbled back.

"Who gives homework in writing class?" Fang muttered.

"Writing? Who gives homework in Tech Ed?" Dylan complained.

"A girl said she didn't like my shoes!" Nudge wailed.

We all gave Nudge a flat look.

"Shoes? Really?" Gazzy said rolling his eyes.

"Shoes matter! Second most important thing in life next to makeup!" Nudge argued.

We all sighed.

"We had a party in my class." Angel said with a cute smile.

Everyone turned their heads to look at Angel.

"A party? What kind of party?" Isa asked tensely.

"A pizza party to welcome me. Teacher's treat." Angel giggled.

Max's eyes flashed, "Did you…."

"…No? The teacher really liked me so I—" Angel said putting an extra dose of cuteness into her smile.

Max had pretty scary look on her face as she scooted Angel to the side to talk to her.

UH OH. Max ain't in a good mood. Maybe I should just slip into the kitchen and make something.

I slowly got up and almost tip-toed into the kitchen until I felt a too strong hand on my shoulder.

Mommy!

"Where are you going, Iggy Wiggy?" Max's voice crooned.

HELP!

Exactly Thirty Minutes of Hell Later

After Max's rant/lecture, I dragged myself to where Isa was sitting doodling in her homework.

I collapsed on the carpet and sniffled, "You could have stopped her. I'm mentally scarred for life."

Isa laughed, "I bet you'll never pull a fire alarm ever again."

"I will have to think about that." I said muffled by the carpet.

Nudge laughed she poked me on the head.

"OW." I said sounding as if my nose was broken.

"You still dye your hair ends black, Iggy?" She laughed.

"Mhmmm. It makes me look sexy." I muffled smiling thinly into the carpet.

"I'm rolling my eyes, Iggy." Nudge said.

"Yeah, yeah, I get it. Fang's got all the looks."

"True." Isa said.

"Hey!" I said loudly making it sound like a snort in the end.

Isa and Nudge laughed.

"Hey man, I got the things you told me to get. At least the science lab was useful. Mr. R didn't even notice I got these out of the closet. I got the sulfur and the—" Gazzy said.

"Seriously? You got it?" I said springing up, "But why'd you have to say it here?" I screeched in his ear.

"Oops?" Gazzy said nervously scratching his head.

FACEPALM.

"Maaaaaax?" Isa and Nudge called.

"DON'T SAY ANYTHING!" Gazzy begged even keeping the pose.

I crossed my arms and refused to keep that position.

I can't lose my dignity.

"Iggy!" Gazzy said.

I instantly followed Gazzy's position.

Isa and Nudge laughed.

"That's better." Nudge said crossing her legs.

Isa had a smile on her face and then she sadly looked away.

I wonder what's wrong.

Isa POV

I can't get the flock into any more trouble I already did. Katie and Jamie will only mess with me if I'm talking or being anywhere close to Iggy a.k.a. Luke. So to avoid trouble, I'll have to…...avoid Iggy.

I looked at Iggy and Gazzy begging Nudge to be quiet and failing. Nudge got up and they increased the begging.

This'll be hard to do, but I can do it.

I didn't even know what got into me in the cafeteria. I let my emotions control me. I acted out of anger and almost broke Katie's arm. Though that might have sounded satisfying to me when I was angry, I'm shocked about it now. I couldn't believe I almost hurt someone intentionally. I got even more scared when I was called down to the office, but thankfully, Principal Franklin let me go with a stern warning.

I'm never going to do that again.

I looked at Iggy almost pulling his hair out as Nudge tapped on Max's shoulder. She turned around and Iggy covered his face. Gazzy ran away.

But avoiding this guy is going to be so hard. I kinda like him too much.

I turned red at that thought.

Oh gosh, what am I thinking? It'll be easy! And it'll be over in a snap.

I didn't know I was so wrong about that.


Please review! And we surpassed my goal of 212! Thank you so much~! We're at 216 and I would simply love it if we reach my new goal of 222. Thanks and please review! And if you can, please include in your review your opinion of my theory at the top. Thanks and I'll see you next time! :D

In the next chapter, it's gonna be Nudge POV, Gazzy POV, and Angel POV in their own schools. Stay tuned~!

~Swahili :3