A/N: Wow, chapter 12. Didn't think I could make it last this long. Hmm…. *looks at Tramps-like-us* Guess I can babble. My English teachers would be so proud….
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Chapter twelve: Cool
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Normal: Yes, you kids could learn something from that man's example
Sketchy: (coughs) Bite me
Max: Bless ya
-Max, Sketchy and Normal (I And I Am A Camera)
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'I wonder what it's like to be the rainmaker
I wonder what it's like to know I made the rain'
-Matchbox Twenty (Real World)
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Erin sat on the floor against the wall with her arms draped over her knees, her head back against the wall, eyes closed and her things around her. She'd been sat like that for 15 minutes before anyone actually said anything to her which was fine by her, but she knew she'd been spotted. She'd felt eyes on her from the moment Max disappeared with her family into her office. She chose to ignore them.
'I've saved 8 transgenics' Erin couldn't believe it. How the hell did she pull it off? '8 friggin' transgenics! Not only that, but they're Max's family! I made it! I'm in Terminal City! I'm safe!' Erin felt like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. But now she had to pull something else off. She had to lie to everyone and Erin hated lying. What was worse was that she didn't know how long she had to keep the lie up. That's when, above all the noise, she heard Max's voice "Oh my God!"
Erin's eyes snapped open immediately and she looked around her without moving her head. They couldn't see her eyes thanks to the shades Krit had given her.
'Oh it's nothing' Erin thought sarcastically 'just everyone starin' at me.'
"Kid, come here!" Max stood with Josh and Alec on the balcony as Max's family moved down to the ground floor, talking amongst themselves.
'Play it cool' Erin ordered herself as she stood up and walked up the stairs meet them.
Max stared at the girl as she casually walked over to them.
"It's definitely her" she told Josh quietly, giving Alec a look that said she'd explain later.
The girl stopped in front of her, stuffing her hands in her pockets.
"What series are you?" Max wanted to see her face fully but her hair was in the way and she was wearing shades.
The girl shook her head, turned around and lifted her hair to show no barcode.
"Shit guys" Alec grinned at Max's family "you were saved by an Ordinary!"
"Okay…." Max looked at Josh and Alec before turning back to her "what's your deal?" Max narrowed her eyes and folded her arms.
This girl was being very mysterious, she'd been told that she hadn't said a word to her family when she helped them, not one word.
The room began to quieten down at their leaders tone. If this girl was a threat, they'd deal with it.
The girl ignored Max's question and walked back to her things, slinging the bag over one shoulder and the gas over the other. She put the cans on the floor next to a table and the bag carefully on the table itself.
"Hey!" glared Logan "aren't you gonna say anything?"
The girl lifted her head and presumably looked at him but it was hard to tell.
"Can't" she mouthed "don't speak."
Logan couldn't lip read but the transgenics could.
Max's gaze softened "why?"
The girl didn't reply. Frowning, she began emptying the bag.
"I say we shoot her or kick her…." Mole began angrily but was cut off when a box was thrown at him. He caught it instinctively and looked down.
A grin began to form "Cigars….expensive cigars."
He looked up at Max "Let's hear what the kid has to say."
A grey sweater was pulled from the bag next, followed by a pair of roller blades, then a blowtorch, goggles and some papers. The girl handed Dix the papers without freaking at his appearance. This made Max even more curious. Why wasn't she afraid?
Dix eyes lit up "Maps!" He began to sort through them "there's everything here!"
"Where d'you get 'em?" Max asked.
The girl shrugged "stole 'em."
Next, she threw a small black pouch to Alec.
"Hey!" he grinned, opening it "I was missin' these!"
The girl was already pulling more things from her bag. She pulled out a couple of books and handed them to Josh, once again, unafraid.
"Fathers books" Joshua beamed down at them before looking at the girl shyly "thank you."
"You still haven't answered Max's questions" Logan continued to glare.
The girl flicked him off getting a grin from Alec, Mole and Zack who were watching her closely. She then pulled out a laptop and several other familiar items.
"Hey- that's my computer!" Logan didn't know whether to look happy or pissed off.
The girl stuffed the sweater, board and blades back in her bag before walking back to Max.
She definitely had everyone's attention now "Can we talk somewhere without ferret guy interrupting?"
"Ferret guy?" Alec snorted.
The girl shrugged again "the hair." Alec glanced at Logan's hair and nodded in agreement.
"Did she just insult me?" Logan looked up from the computers he appeared to be checking for damage.
"Er, no man" Alec smirked with a wink at Mole who was grinning.
Logan looked at Alec's face and scowled before walking up to the girl, figuratively jumping at the chance to make himself look bigger in front of the transgenic males.
He looked down at her, a hands width between them "Didn't anyone ever teach you to respect your elders." It came out as a growl.
The girl wafted her hand in front of her face, Logan had bad breath.
She slowly looked up at him, with a raised eyebrow and smirk on her face "Yeah, but my elders ain't here dipshit so get outta my face. Or do you wanna find out what it's like to get your assed kicked by someone my size?"
"What did she say?" Logan looked at Max for an answer; he didn't trust Alec to be truthful.
Max didn't answer, she was studying the girl closely as if assessing her.
"C'mon" Max snapped out of her thoughts just as Alec opened him mouth to answer Logan.
"We can talk in my office" Max was smiling.
A/N: Please review. That's it- the tiny ickle button that says Submit Review.
Next Chapter: Truth And Lies….
Erin looked at both of them. "Now I'm here, what are you gonna do about it?"
