Chapter Nineteen: Totally Not Ready For This

MAX'S POV

I can't do this. There is no way in hell I'll pull this off.

I swerve around a lamppost, landing softly underneath it. The sun has just set leaving behind a soft pink glow. The street is quiet, only the soft chirps of crickets can be heard.

I take a deep breath, folding in my wings and putting on my leather jacket to cover them up. I look down at myself, making sure I look presentable.

I run my hands down my jean skirt, smoothing out a few wrinkles before pulling on the zipper of my light pink heeled boots. I readject my jacket, smoothing out my white shirt underneath. I fiddle with my hair, placing bits in front to frame my face.

Here goes nothing. I walk towards the front door. The Admiral's new house is on the corner of a newer neighborhood. As I walk up the stairs, I pause. From here I can see through the window because the curtains happen to be pulled back.

Shit, I'm the last one to arrive. I take a deep breath, nervous energy spreading throughout my body. I've got this. Just act natural.

This is going to be hell. I ring the doorbell, stepping back slightly. I rub my hands together before wiping them on the front of my shirt. I can't shake the Admiral's hand with a sweaty palm.

I hear laughter from within as the door opens. The Admiral's wife is the one who answers the door, smiling warmly at me.

"Max-" She stops, remembering that Max is no longer my name. "Sorry, dearie. Dani, it's so nice to see you. Come in, come in. My grandson, Simpson, and his friends are upstairs. His parents are just helping to set the table."

I nod, smiling. The entrance is brightly lit but nothing has been placed on the walls yet. Several unpacked moving boxes are stacked against the wall. "It's a lovely home."

She laughs lightly and motions around the room as we walk down the hall. "Why, thank you. We still have lots to do, though, I'm afraid."

The conservation drifts off as we enter the kitchen. The Admiral is making drinks at a sidebar while two younger adults set items on the table.

The Admiral looks up as his wife walks over and whispers into his ear. He nods, setting a glass down and walking over to me.

He extends a hand and I shake it. "Dani, so pleased to see you. How is everything?"

I smile, still looking at the food. "Great. Everything's great."

He seems to pick up on my nervousness for he places a hand on my shoulder and leads me down the hall back to the main entrance. I lean against the railing of the stairs. I briefly pick up on chatter coming from upstairs but I ignore it, feeling slightly nauseous.

You're fine, Max. Completely fine.

"Are you alright?"

I nod, slowly before slumping my shoulders and sitting down on the bottom step. He kneels down so we're eye level, concern crystal clear on his face. "Just a little nervous, that's all. I haven't had much interaction with kids my own age in years. But, it'll be fine."

He nods but it's clear he doesn't believe me. He expects that there's more at play but doesn't press it. "Of course. It's just a mission so think of it like one. It could be over in a few months or even weeks. Just focus on the goal."

I nod, feeling slightly better. It could all be over soon. I stand up, straightening out my clothes. "Let's get this over with."

He smiles and we both walk back to the kitchen. Everything has been set on the table, the Admiral's wife and the two other adults are all sitting down, chatting quietly.

I walk over to the two younger adults, the Admiral introducing me. "Dani, this is my daughter, Tina and her husband, Joe. Tina, Joe, this is Dani."

They look at me wearily but shake my hands politely. They no doubt think I'm trouble since the very reason I'm here is because I got into trouble and I'm paying the price. Well, Dani is paying the price. Max is here for an entirely different reason.

"It's a pleasure, Dani. We've heard a lot about you." I nod, sitting down at the end, opposite of the Admiral. Both of them are hesitant as I fill my glass with punch, watching me carefully.

Right, okay, Max, it's time to become Dani. Bubbly, obnoxious, straightforward, Dani.

"Alright, shall I call down the others for dinner?" No one responds as Tina pulls out her phone to probably text her son, Simpson. My knee starts bouncing as I impatiently wait to see Fang and Iggy.

I'm not ready. I'm not ready. I take a shaky sip of my punch as I hear footsteps coming down the stairs.

First, a nerdy boy with curly blonde hair and emerald eyes enters the room. He takes a seat next to the Admiral's wife, on the left side of me. "Howdy." He seems like the type that does care about your opinion but will be a bitch if it's rude. Why would Fang and Iggy hang out with someone like that? Oh, he's going to be a great joy to hang out with.

I nod, feeling awkward. He pours himself a glass of water as a tall girl with flaming red hair flaunts into the room. I glance over at her as she greets the Admiral and sits down, examining the food on the table. She seems like she's pretty friendly but my fake personality will probably crash with hers.

Another girl walks into the room and I already know that we aren't going to get along either. Her silky brown hair bounces as she walks. She's stunning and somehow, it makes me uneasy.

I take a sip of my punch to wash out the feeling. It's not like she's competition or anything.

Competition for what? Sometimes, I don't understand my own brain. I would never think such thoughts.

Well, you aren't who you used to be. Jeb made sure to break you.

She sits next to the other girl, exchanging a glance with her as they both look at me. They realize that they're staring but don't seem to care that I'm well aware of it. The message is clearly written on they're faces. We don't like you. You don't belong here.

Well, I don't like you either. Max and Dani both.

I down my punch, pouring a second glass as a boy walks into the room. I almost drop my glass, holding on to it with dear life. I set it down with shaky hands, only the Admiral noticing. He gives me a questioning eyebrow raise but I don't respond. I'm too busy staring at the boy I hardly recognize.

The last three years have hit Iggy hard. His hair has turned darker and his eyes seem to be slightly more alive than they used to be. Muscles stick out from underneath his shirt, telling the world that he's been working out. He's grown a lot since I last saw him and it makes my heart hurt.

I've missed so much.

He sits next to the stunning brown haired girl, completely unaware that I'm in the middle of a crisis. He radiates nervous energy, though. I can tell that he's paranoid, remembering the feeling that always hung around the flock when we were on the run.

Oh, that's not good.

I force my eyes away from him, so as to not seem weird. I'm still gripping the pitcher of the punch and the others' have noticed. I give them an embarrassed, weak smile and set it down. I hear more footsteps and a voice I recognize all too well rings through the air.

"Sorry to make everyone wait. I had to use the bathroom."

I look up and it takes everything in me not to leap out of my seat and run to him. He's also grown up a lot these last three years. He cut his soft black hair short, his eyes seemed to have grown darker -if that is even possible- and he's grown taller. Muscles also peak out of his shirt, slightly more defined than Iggy's.

Fang stalls in the hallway, staring directly at me. He does a double take before coming back to his senses. He takes his seat next to me and everything in me is screaming Shit, Shit, Shit!

He continues to stare at me, fighting an internal battle.

I squeeze my hands underneath the table, looking anywhere but at Fang and Iggy.

Oh, please don't recognize me. Please, please, please.

The Admiral clears his throat and we all look at him. He points at me, everyone's eyes shifting toward me. I shift uncomfortably in my seat. Max hates attention but Dani craves it.

Why oh why did I have to make Dani so outgoing? And like totally opposite of the real me?

Who is the real you, Max.

Oh, I don't have time for questions like that.

I focus my gaze ahead but I feel Fang and Iggy staring at me. I feel the tension, hesitation and paranoia radiating off of them. The other's aren't able to pick up on it but I know it all too well. The Flock and I wore it like a glove for years while on the run.

This really can't be good.

You're fine, Max. Just breathe. You're here for Jeb and your freedom.

The Admiral smiles. "Everyone, this is Dani Hart."

Iggy smiles at me as Fang continues to stare. The brown haired girl gives him a weird look before glaring at me.

I sit helplessly at the end of the table with all the attention on me.

I'm so not ready for this.