Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride or any of it's characters. I do however own Carolynne, Nick, Derek, Harshad, Tabitha, Raina, and Avel.
Chapter 8: The Joys Of Meetings And Waitressing
All in Max's Pov
"My name is Anne and this is my flock, Nick, Ariel, Tiffany-Krystal, Zephyr, and Jeff. As you might already know, we have wings and we want to talk to everyone. We want to be your friends."
She seemed to smile at this. "My name is Raina, and I am not the leader of my group. The other members are Carolynne, our leader, Nicholas, Harshad, Avel, Tabitha, and Derek."
Max hmm…ed. "How did you know we were here?"
"Harsh is a telepath. Come upstairs, we have breakfast." That is so cool, just like Angel.
She went halfway up the stairs, and then motioned for us to follow. I nodded and we all followed her to the dining room. She sat us all at the large table, and there were two extra chairs left over. I guess this is where they normally eat. Then a girl with brown hair (blonde highlights) and light blue eyes. She must be Tabitha; Angel said she has telekinesis. She walked a walk full of pride, confidence and most of all, energy.
"Hello, my name is Tabitha. It was very nice of you all to visit us." She smiled as she paused to take a look at us. I noticed she had a slight UK/British accent. I think that is where her name Tabitha comes from. Her name is very pretty. "We are treating you to breakfast this morning and we are having bacon, eggs and pancakes. A very nice American breakfast that I am sure you are used to."
We weren't used to this kind of breakfast but I wasn't one to argue about free food. We all mumbled unanimous "thank you's" They set the food in front of us and we ate it. It was very good and it reminded me of Iggy's cooking. Iggy is a good cook! Maybe by just taking things slow I can remember everything. When I was done, I was still hungry but I didn't complain and I glared at my flock to do the same and they understood. This food was good enough for now. We could show them Ig's cooking skills at lunch and tell them about our high metabolism and calorie needs. We still did have some food left from the inn.
After breakfast everyone sat in the living room. I could see the room was divided in two. One side is for my flock, and the other side for Lynne's fl- group. I sat on the right side right near the middle. On both of my sides were Iggy and Fang. On Iggy's side were Angel and Nudge and on Fang's side was Gazzy. Across from us her group sat down too.
"Hello, everyone. My name is Carolynne; you can call me Lynne if you want. We are a group of psychics and by the way, I'm fifteen. This is Nick, he's sixteen." She pointed to an Italian-looking boy who was sitting next to her. He had light olive skin and dark hair but his eyes were odd. Instead of the normal brown they were very light. They weren't hazel either but even lighter than that. You could call them gold. She stood up and walked to the end of her group and named them in a line-up.
"This is Avel, Ave he's turning thirteen in a few months." I could tell he was the youngest of the group. He had regular brown hair and those same golden eyes, except his were a tiny bit darker. Now that I see him, he looks a lot like Raina. If she was a younger, and was a boy. I was pretty sure Raina was my age.
"I am sure you already know Raina, you can call her Ray; she's sixteen. Ave's her brother." She was right; I did. Raina was the one who I saw Fang with this morning. I wonder what happened?
"This is Harshad, or Harsh. He is fifteen years old." Harshad was, you can kinda guess from his name, Indian. His face is adorable; he looks like a young male model. His hair was black, he had long sort of bushy eyebrows and his lips were full but his eyes weren't that unnatural gold color. They were just light brown. She passes Nick and moves on to Tabitha.
"This is Tabitha. She's already introduced herself at breakfast but you can call her Tab and she is sixteen years old." She then, leaned on the last guys shoulder and brushed his hair with her fingers.
"Last but not least, this is my big brother Derek. He's seventeen." He was tall and had some built up muscle and had the same dark hair that Carolynne has but; it stopped at his shoulders. He caught me starting at it and put it in a short ponytail. A few stray hairs fell out. His eyes were a light blue color and I didn't know better, someone could mistake him for being blind. Carolynne sat in her seat and looked at me.
I took a hint and stood. I introduced everyone in the same matter. "Okay, I think I can trust you guys so here our real names. Sorry for lying Raina. My name is Maximum Ride but you can call me Max. I am fifteen years old."
I walked to the end and started with Nudge. "This is Nudge and she's twelve."
"This is Angel. She's seven."
"Iggy. He's fifteen too."
"Here's Fang who's fifteen and The Gasman, also known as Gazzy. He's nine."
I sat back in my chair. Raina then spoke up. "I remember you said you have wings. Can you show us?"
I looked at my flock for an answer and they nodded. We all stood up and spread out our wings. I saw smiles spread across their faces. This made me trust them a little more because they didn't, of course, freak out and jab a needle into all of our arms. God, I am so paranoid. When they got their eyeful, I pulled them back into my back and sat down.
"Hey, um, guys? Do you have powers? I know Max does; she almost suffocated us with that tornado- -by the way, don't do that again- -but is she the only one with anything like that?" Tabitha was smiling so hard that it was making it hard for me not to think she was not on sugar pills. Her amount energy was so nauseating to the point I wanted to puke on her.
"Yeah, we all have things we can do. I can run fast, as you just stated but I can also fly abnormally fast too. Oh, and I have gills." I decided not to tell them about the voice, in fear of being deemed as having lost her mind. I glanced at the flock and Nudge stood up.
"Um, I can attract metal, feel the past of clothing- I'm not sure what that's called- and I am unnaturally good with technology."
Angel went next. "I am a telepath, a shape-shifter, have gills and can control minds*." She is really getting scary.
"I can only feel colors." Across from me they were all looking puzzled and whispering across each other's laps. They looked utterly confused.
"Are you blind?" This question came from Nick. I totally resisted the urge to say things not so polite. I have to be a smart and mature leader.
Now, that is the right way to be thinking.
What was that expression in my Voice? Was it approval? It was a rare feeling from the voice. Its advice was usually along the lines of angry and sarcasm. I felt the old Max shine through and a mumbled, "Shutup" rolled from my lips. Everyone's head turned to me. My hands flew to my mouth. I played it off as a cough. Eh, cough-cough. "I think I may be getting sick." Well, Rome wasn't built in one day.
Everyone turned back to Iggy, except Angel. She knew what was happening. Max, I thought you were going to listen to it.
It was being irritating.
"Yes, I have been for a while now." Iggy launched into a not-very-detailed story of how he became blind.
He was giving you a compliment, Max. Don't be rude.
I can't believe it; I'm being lectured by a six year old. By the way, I'm seven and you should know that. Be nice because the voice is right, this time anyway. Hmm. When he was done Derek spoke up. "We thought that he was psychic like us because we usually have really light eyes." He pointed to his eyes.
I couldn't help but notice that he looked at me when he said that. I didn't mean to do that. I hope no one else heard me. I could feel my face heating up and there was a silence. It was one of those ones where you all appear to be thinking.
"It seems that you can adapt." Raina commented. "You adapted to being blind by developing the ability to have a sort of sight with your hands." When she was done she signaled to Fang to go.
Fang stood up. "I can fly fast, and turn myself invisible."
"I can mimic voices," said Gazzy.
"Can you tell us your powers?" Gazzy says in my voice.
"Stop that." He could tell that I was serious and started to stare at the ground. Ah, Max you.
"Okay, what are you guys's powers?" They went on and told us their powers. Harshad was a telepath. Carolynne has half of all possible psychic powers but all she has mastered is the visions. Derek had the other half and he's mastered so far are slight necromancy and controlling energy and matter. Nicholas is a full psychic and has mastered reading auras and seeing the future. Tabitha only has telekinesis. Raina is clairvoyant and has normal-strength necromancy and Avel can control the elements and is good with technology, like Nudge.
We stayed in there and talked. It felt like only minutes had passed by when in my heart I knew, it had been hours. As the time went by I grew towards friendship and away from the warily nervous feeling that had settled in my stomach. I feel like I have grown closer to them. At first the whole meeting was pretty awkward but now everyone was casually chatting. I was in a conversation with Tabitha and I think I know why Carolynne likes her. She is very fun and full of energy. Just one conversation with her can make you feel happy and unnaturally giddy. It was a new feeling for me.
The pressures of being a leader can drain your energy really quick. Lyn likes her because she will make you feel happy, keep your spirits up and give you the strength to go on. I think I judged her the wrong way before. She may be happy and eccentric, but she seemed like a true friend. Don't let those unnaturally cute shoes and trendy outfit fool you. "You've been to Paris? That is so cool, Max. Did you see the Eiffel Tower?"
"Yeah, it was really pretty but how's Russia? Is it … …"?
I talked to nearly everyone and learned pretty interesting things. Carolynne has a club at her school called Natural Occurrences. It's supposed to be a nature club but she uses it as a way to get together and practice with her group. That is so sneaky. Derek has a girlfriend back at school named Angeliqué. I immediately thought, "Ooh secret French girlfriend!" but it turns out he really loves her and they've been going out for two years. What is wrong with me today? I think Iggy is infecting me with his sexist-pigness. How about three cheers for young love? Aww, So sweet. Oh, and I also learned that they are a part of saving the world.
And I here thought that my flock and I were so special. That we were going to save the entire world and have a special part in it. My flock is going to save the human world but their job is to save the supernatural world. Next thing we know were going to need someone to save the animal world. I am so not going to start running around with PETA. Not a good idea. They are a good organization and all, but I don't think the best way to save the world is to fight for animal rights. It blows my mind thinking about how much saving this world needs.
Carolynne glanced at her watch. "Oh, guys um, … we have to get to the café. The lunch rush is coming real soon."
As if those were the most important words in the world everyone sitting across from me immediately sprang to their feet and headed upstairs. That was about the coolest thing I ever saw. Only Tab stayed back. "We have to go work at the café now." She paused and her face was at a loss for words. "Do you want to come or uh, just hang at the house? We just really met and all but I don't think Car would like you just sitting around our house all day. Umm, I think you should just come with us."
We started for the basement but she stopped us. "You can leave your stuff here. I guess you can stay with us for a bit but you'll have to help us out at the café. Max and Nudge you can be waitresses. You look old enough to work, even older than me. Forget I just said that."
I can't do waitress. The thought of just wearing any type of girly outfit made me eternally cringe. "Oh Tab, we'd love to! Max, this is going to be so much fun!" Nudge said. Then she made the highest pitched squeal I think is ever possible. I tried to argue but she gave the cutest bambi eyes and somehow I ended up working in the café for the remainder of the workday. I thought bambi eyes were Angel's thing; who knew Nudge would steal her trick?
So the flock is working in the café that two or so days ago, they were running from. Nudge, Tabitha, and I were working as waitresses. Iggy, Derek and Nick were cooking in the back. Angel and Gazzy couldn't technically work (not old enough) so they went grocery shopping with Avel. Fang, Raina, and Carolynne were taking down food orders in the front. That was what we had to do. I wanted to do something else but Tab said, "Everyone will love you!"
I wasn't sure what she meant and didn't want to find out either. Right now everyone was bored. We had opened the café around eleven and were waiting for customers. It was discovered that Iggy was a good cook so to attract customers they put out a sign. It said, "New food creations! For today only!" They made it really pretty and colorful and set it outside the shop. Until the lunch rush started I sat down with Tabitha and Nudge. "One more thing!" Tabitha ran into the back room and a few seconds later she came back with two plastic nametags. She wrote "Anne" on mine and stuck it on my dress. Yes, I was wearing a dress. You must be thinking, "Oh, Maximum Ride what have you come to?" Well don't because I'm not sure myself. She asked Nudge which name she would want on her tag, Tiffany or Krystal? After a moments consideration she chose Krystal. Tab quickly scrawled down her name stuck it on her dress.
After talking for what seemed to be hours a customer came in. I so don't want to do this. He was a guy about twenty-five years old and came in for lunch. It turns out that a lot of older people come in the morning and for lunch. He asked for today's lunch special and a piece of cake. He took it and left and that was mainly what lunch consisted of: lots of working people grabbing lunch to go. It was okay but I was insanely bored. Pretending to be perky all of the time was draining. When lunch was over, I sat at a table near the counter.
The lunch rush is over. Oh, joy. I sighed and smoothed out my dress. "Everyone, time for lunch!"
I circled the counter and headed into the kitchen only to be shooed out. Iggy. "I'll bring it to you."
While feeling dejected, I leaned against the front counter. To my surprise, everyone was just sitting around. I decided to chill out and take a pause on my quest to save the world. I watched and listened. Is this what it was like to work here all summer? You work all morning to come together for lunch. Then work some more and come together for dinner. I could see why they came here for the summer. This place is really peaceful and if you get bored you can always work at the café. I would love to just do something like this for the flock. I would love to disappear. I would love to get away from it all and have a vacation. A time away from Erasers and Itex and the dad I don't know whether to trust. And I have a feeling that I will get to do just that, soon.
I don't know how I knew, but I just did. "Time for food everybody!"
Iggy came back from the kitchen with a plate of food in each hand. He placed one in front of me and gave me a smile. I whispered a "thanks" and headed to a table to eat. I got out my fork and started to eat. Mmm… this is good. My dish was a very skillfully made plate of mac and cheese. It was so delicious I swear I could feel my taste buds exploding in my mouth. One minute I'm enjoying my mac, and the next I'm surrounded by people. They must have migrated from the counter to my table. How delightful. Last to come over was Lyn. She was holding a steaming hot plate of hers and she had another one in her other hand.
The smell wafted into my nose and was very familiar. I sniffed the air once more. Chocolate chip cookies, she shouldn't have! But she did! "Mmm… how'd you know we like these?"
"Psychic, duh. And for some things, you just have a feeling." She set the plate down in the middle of the table, and sat next to Derek. I grabbed a cookie with each hand and delightfully bit into each one. These were amazing. They tasted like how a cookie would taste if Nestlé's cookies and mom's cookies had a baby. How many times did I say cookie? Ah, well; these are too good to think about. After a few more cookies I forced myself to stop. I am not a cookie hog. I finished the rest of my mac and sat back in my chair.
This is heaven. Soon enough Nick stood up. "Hurry up and finish lunch because we have more work ahead of us."
I almost forgot. I am a waitress for the day and I must get back to my waitressly duties. We didn't get another customer until a little after three-thirty. I noticed that the customers were a lot younger and more around my age. I heard a whistle coming from a few tables away, directed at me. No one whistles at Maximum Ride. I had to practically restrain myself from punching him in the face as I took his order.
He was so cocky looking; it was asking to be labeled sexist-pig. "Hey, you're cute. How come I've never seen you here before?"
So many witty replies could have been said at this moment such as: "because I was scared of your face", or many more. This is Lyn's restaurant, uh, café so I will restrain myself. I sure have to do a lot of that today. Maybe this is what Tab was talking about. They'll love you. I hope not. I took a deep breath. "I'm a friend of Lyn's. A bunch of friends are working here today."
"Will you be here tomorrow?" He flashed me a smile and I admit; I threw up a little in my mouth.
"Uh, no. Lyn told me this is the last day the shop will be open this year." I thank her, because I will never see you again.
"I want to get you know you better." Fake smile activated.
"Sorry but I'm leaving with them."
"To that fancy boarding school place?" he asked.
"Mm, yes! New school year and all." I punched at the air, like a whoop.
"Too bad."
"Yes, too bad. What would you like? We have a special cook today." My perkometer was way through the roof.
"I want a some Sprites and whatever the desert special is for today."
"Yes, right away." While I was leaving he started talking to his friends about how smooth he is with the ladies. Boys are such idiots. I wrote his orders down. He wants four Sprites and a platter of chocolate chip cookies. I gave the paper to Fang and he gave a silent nod. I scanned the café for any new customers. There weren't any so I headed to the bathroom. Their bathroom was very clean and I know because, believe me I've seen worse. I didn't need to go, so I washed my hands. I splashed some cold water on my face too. It always helps me feel better when I feel overwhelmed.
I hurried back out of the bathroom and rescanned. Great, I get a small break. I walked up to the counter and started to talk. "Fang, how's working at the café so far?"
"It's pretty boring being behind the counter." I glanced at him. He did look bored. "At least I get to see you in a dress. It's one of those rare once in a life time experiences."
Hahaha. That was a good one. I let out a small laugh. "Shutup. Just wait, I bet you wouldn't have anything to say if you had to have conversations with all these people."
He chuckled. Wow, a Fang chuckle ;one of those rare once in a lifetime experiences. "I know. I think I would die of boredom."
I smiled and stared at the café. I bet they will all be so sad to leave this for school. I would never because when have I ever needed school? I tried it once and it never did work out. I think I have too much world saving to do. So, what am I doing at this café? What will I do when I get back to their house? Will we stay, or go? I know we have to save the world but how? We recently have been destroying Itex branches and working for CSM (Coalition to Stop the Madness) but I don't feel like I'm making a difference. I feel hopeless. What's the point?
Am I having a mid-life crisis? Is this even my mid-life? If so I would be scared but whatever. I need to do something. These past few days have been a peaceful period (sort of) and some part of me wants to let it go. The other part just wants to just run away but what am I running from? Destroying these branches is useless; I need to get to the heart of it, of the problem. How can I do that? I have the feeling that the answer will come but I don't want to wait. The world is dying now! The problem is now! I just need the answer. I am at a loss.
The rest of my day is in a haze. I don't know what to do. I serve table after table and endure dumb pick up line after the next. I couldn't wait for the day to be over, and soon enough it was. I went to the changing rooms in the back to go change into my regular clothes. I pulled the dress over my head. Arrgh, I hate this feeling. I just want to cry my eyes out but tears would not come. I quietly put on the rest of my outfit back on. It felt good to be back in my clothes. I felt like me. We shooed anyone left at the café out and closed the shop. On the way back to the café I couldn't bear to talk to anyone.
Everyone was jittery and talkative from sitting around all day. I felt drained but at least I knew why. When we finally walked those few blocks back I just wanted to fall asleep but I was hungry. I needed something to do until I could just crash. As Derek opened the door I felt a presence behind me. As paranoid as I was, I turned around. It was Nudge but I could see someone in the distance, someone familiar. Hey, this was the house that was next to Ameile's. The house with Sam. That was him on the lawn with a bunch of scary looking guys. I hurried to Iggy's side.
"Iggy," my voice was raw and anxious. "Sam is across the street."
Derek unlocked the door and everyone headed inside. Only Iggy and I were left standing alone on the porch.
He turned around. "Don't turn around. He'll see you." I whispered.
"Jeez, Max. I was just trying to hear what they were saying."
"Don't I just want to get through this day without getting into a fight, Ig."
"Okay, okay. Calm down." I think I should.
"It's just that he is bound to be mad that you beat him up. I don't want to see you get hurt." His face softened and he gave a small nod. He touched my cheek and I could feel it reddening from his touch. Or maybe I was just blushing. I never knew which.
Everyone had already gone inside and we were the last people standing on the porch. Iggy, realizing that said, "Let's go inside."
