Update June 2022: Hello everyone! A year ago I was really into Maximum Ride fanfiction and this is the first story I ever wrote and posted. I am not as into it as I used to be but I have a lot of unfinished stories and ideas just waiting to be edited, written and posted so I thought I would go through all of my ideas, re-edit and re-upload. I haven't glanced at this idea in forever and my writing style is a lot different now so there will probably be a lot of major changes in this story.
At first, I was just going to do a regular re-edit, adding sentences or correcting grammar mistakes. Then, as I looked at it and started re-reading, I decided to add more detail and split it up into chapters to hopefully make it more interesting and/or longer.
Ok, so I lied. I completely rewrote the entire story and have decided to change the name from Maximum Ride and the U.S. Military to Willingly.
I hope you like it and please like or comment. :)
-Kath
Chapter One: A Perfect Moment
MAX'S POV
I gaze in the mirror and smile. Ella, Angel and Nudge squeal softly behind me, all hugging me from behind. We are all dressed up with our cocktail dresses, professionally done hair and makeup for the annual Sunset Bash in town. For once, I let myself get excited. I am wearing a dress that fits me perfectly, my hair looks amazing and my makeup makes me glow with a radiance that I didn't know I possessed. I squeal with the girls, hugging them back and admiring their beautiful dresses.
My mom enters, beaming with joy when she sees our dresses. She closes the door behind her and the four of us let go of each other to hug my mom each in turn.
"You all look amazing! I'm so jealous." She says, playfully, stepping back to take a picture. The four of us pose, arms wrapped around each other with large smiles.
"Thanks, momma," says Ella, softly, hugging my mom again.
"You girls best be going. The boys are already in town waiting for you to arrive." We all nod, hurriedly grabbing our bags and filing out of the room. I stay a moment longer, hesitantly holding my bag in front of me as I take in my appearance one last time. My mom hovers with her hand on the door knob when she sees me stalling for time. My excitement has fizzled out, now replaced with nerves.
"Oh, sweetie," She walks over, messing with my hair for a moment as we both stare into the mirror. We don't look much alike but in that moment, I could see plain and simple that I was her daughter. We both smile softly. "You look absolutely stunning and I'm sure Fang will say the same. Don't worry so much. You're finally free so go and have fun. You deserve it."
"Max! Are you coming?" I hear from downstairs. We both chuckle. The girls really can be impatient sometimes.
I lean forward, away from my mom's warmth and turn to look at her. I let out a deep breath to help my nerves settle before nodding in response and walking out the door. I head down the stairs slowly, careful not to trip in my heels. Nudge, Ella and Angel are shifting impatiently, waiting for me at the door. I smile when I see them, knowing how eager they are to meet up with the boys and party the night away with the rest of the kids in town.
Once outside, we file into my mom's car because flying will require messing up our appearances and Angel, Nudge and Ella don't want that. Personally, I would prefer to fly but I had lost the argument before it ever really started. I start the engine and drive slowly out of the driveway. I only have my permit but no one in town really cares unless someone gets injured or killed.
The road turns to concrete and we pass miles of trees before we see houses again. Living on the outskirts has its perks of privacy but inconvenience of being so far from everything else. We enter the main part of town already filled with cars and a few groups of kids coming to where the festivities are.
We park in front of the grocery store, walking a short ways before we enter main street. We stop for a second, taking in the beauty. It's a full moon with a clear sky and a light breeze. Lights are strung up, casting the square in a soft orange glow. Booths line the store with games, food, and prizes. In the center, is a large dance floor, tables and benches to sit on and everywhere are laughing kids.
The Sunset Bash takes place once a year at the beginning of summer. It's where kids from the age of five to eighteen come and have fun. It's this town's way of saying It's Summer!
Angel and Nudge squeal as I smile. It's a beautiful night for fun. The four of us glance around, looking for the boys who arrived early to help set up.
Ella places a hand on my shoulder as I do a full sweep of the square. "Where did they say to meet them again?"
I look at her then at Nudge and Angel. "Did they say a certain place? I don't remember that."
Angel looks in our direction, hearing the confusion. "Oh yes, Fang told us to meet him at the fountain."
I look at her confused. "I don't remember that conversation."
She only smiles and points at something that makes Nudge squeal in excitement.
"Fang must have only told us." says Ella, shrugging. That's a weird thing to do.
"I guess. Where is the fountain anyway?" I ask, glancing around again.
Nudge taps me on the shoulder and points in the direction of the funnel cake booth. "It's to the right of that booth. At least I think so. I could be wrong of course."
I smile at her and motion for the three of them to follow me. "Come on, let's find the boys and get some food."
We walk in the direction of the booth, Nudge and Angel stopping to both get funnel cake. As they eat their desserts, I hear the sound of water from the fountain. I step off to the side, looking down at a path that leads to a secluded part of the square.
"Come on, I found the fountain." I walk cautiously down the path. It's harder to see over here without as much light and the trees on either side cast shadows onto the barely lit path. So far, I've managed to be steady in these heels. The last thing I need is to trip over a fallen branch or root that I didn't notice.
The fountain comes into view and I halt. Ella bumps into me and apologies before freezing as well. The munching has stopped and I turn to see Nudge, Angel and Ella all looking on in awe.
Leaning against the fountain is Gazzy, Iggy and Fang dressed up nicely in formal shirts, pants and ties each holding something in their hands.
I walk forward, trying to make out what it is. I stop in front of Fang, obsidian eyes glowing in the moonlight, to see him holding a flower crown decorated with my favorite flowers.
"Oh my god, it's beautiful." He doesn't say anything, just raises his hands and places it on top of my head. I continue to look at him, his hands stalling before finding my cheeks. I smile as he gazes at me.
"And you are beautiful, Max." He says. I cringe a bit, both excited and slightly embarrassed. The words sound weird coming from Fang but it makes me feel more beautiful.
He kisses me softly and I smile against his lips. The moment is perfect. I lean back to look at the others. Ella has one on her head, her hands wrapped around Iggy in a tight hug. Both are smiling like idiots. Gazzy had given one to Angel and Nudge and both are admiring the amazing weaving of the crowns. Gazzy is eating some of Angel's funnel cake. I smile. This moment is truly perfect.
"Come on, guys, let's have some fun." Everyone smiles and rushes down the path back to the main square. Fang and I walk more slowly, hand in hand as we enjoy the peaceful night before the craziness of the party hits. As we exit the path connecting to the main part of the square, I hear some rustling in the woods to the right of us and I freeze, listening.
Fang looks at me with concern before looking in the same direction. My eyes narrow, scanning the trees but they're completely still. I calm, my grip tightening around Fang's.
"Everything alright?" He says, looking at me with concern.
I smile. "Yeah, I just thought I heard something. I guess I'm just a tad paranoid."
He nods, not completely convinced. As we head towards a hot dog stand, though, I glance behind me once more and I see something move. I don't stop, making sure not to alert Fang because I may just be seeing things. But as we order our hot dogs and I glance in the same spot, I know that it wasn't just paranoia. There is something or someone in the trees, watching me.
I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of the rewritten Maximum Ride and the U.S. Military story. I should start posting two chapters every day and be on the look out for my other stories that are currently being re-edited or rewritten.
-Kath