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 13: Yellow


Fang

I woke up to find Iggy holding Max. His arms were still wrapped around her and somehow hers had too. The first thing I thought was: does she even like me? She is just full of mixed signals. Jeez! I had doubts about anything and everything. Then a flight attendant passed by to tell us about the flight. "We are currently landing at our destination, Moscow, Russia. Please stay seated and we will be with you in a moment," her voice was that fake kind of cheery.

At the sound of her voice, Iggy woke up and remembered where he was. He looked a little confused as he remembered. Max woke up too, and started blushing. I thought it was pretty funny. Her face was like a tomato. This made Iggy start blushing too. He played it off and turned to Gazzy, not wanting her to see his pink face. Max looked surprised but started talking to Angel too. "Hey sweetie. Have a good dream?"

It looked like that was all Iggy but I'm not sure. Yesterday he had been holding her, but today she was holding him too. I hated all this relationship stuff. It seemed to come easily to him. I didn't care; I am going to win Max's heart no matter what. Iggy can't win. Max and I were together before so all I had to do was get her to remember me. How can I do that? I need to know. How can I jog her memories?

The plane slightly rumbled as it landed. I felt my ears pop too. It hurt too. I ignored the pain and tried to focus. Why had Max been crying yesterday? What bothered me more was how Iggy knew how to make her stop. Had they been hiding things even before the accident? I knew something was happening. I have the instinct, or whatever. Next to me Angel whimpered. Did she not like being inside this tiny, crowded plane as much as I did? Nudge put her arm around her and whispered things into her ear. She calmed down a bit. I think Nudge is getting more mature.

We landed and the flight attendant started again. "The plane has landed; please take your belongings and exit to your left. Thank you for riding with Metro!"

I grabbed the packs and handed one to both Angel and Nudge. We silently exited the plane and couldn't help wondering why Iggy got to sit with Max. How did he get so lucky? If I got to sit with her maybe I could have woken up with her. We were in the airport once again but this time in a whole new country. I looked around and saw lots of different people. Some were in vacation clothes, some were dressed casually and some were even on business in suits.

Max started out of the airport and soon we were standing in the crisp, cool Moscow air. I breathed in deeply and exhaled sharply. This felt right. The first thing we did was ask directions from an old man selling things outside the airport. The man didn't know English so we were discouraged. Angel let go of my hand and started talking. She was holding my hand?

"Do you know where St. Xenia Petrova's is? We are starting school there this year." It was all said in perfect Russian, accent and all.

He replied, "Yes, it's in St. Petersburg. All you have to do is take the train six stops, walk three blocks and you'll be there. That school is very big; it can't be missed."

"Thank you, sir," she smiled sweetly. She was leading us to the train station as she explained.

"I got help from Raina. She knows perfect Russian because she was born here." We all nodded as if to say, "go on"

"I asked directions. We have to take this train six stops northwest and walk a few blocks. The school is big; we wont miss it." We all seemed content with that answer. We hopped on the train and rode in silence; there was nothing to say. The trip took about an hour and a half so we were there at about six-thirty in the morning. I would never get up at such an hour. It's so taboo as an American. I guess I could be looked upon as lazy. I know I can be, a lot. The train ride was uber boring. We were squished up in seats and had to use our money to go. I had to sit next to Nudge and Angel again. I don't want to sit next to girls anyways. Call me childish if you want.

We got off the train and started towards the school. It was cold outside and I was freezing. Living in places like California and Arizona has done me no good. I remember Lyn was wearing summer clothes in Michigan. I thought she was crazy. Maybe living in a cold place makes you better prepared for these situations. I wanted to change but had to endure it for these last few blocks. I was so cold I thought I was going to die of hypothermia. Autumn in Michigan was just chilly. Autumn here was just plain cold. The only thing that was missing was the snow and icicles.

After a minute of walking the school was vaguely in the distance. It was big alright. Was it a boarding school? Maybe that's how they are going to sneak us in. It was early morning and no one was awake. We tiptoed into the school and it was dead quiet. Suddenly a small figure appeared out of nowhere. It turned out to be Tabitha. Why would she send her? She was the total opposite of stealth mode. Not far behind her was Derek. What an odd pair.

"Welcome to school! Early in the morning we are quiet but it gets livelier later…" she quietly explained things to us on the way. A useless thing like "this is the main building oh and this is chem. Lab." Stuff I so didn't care about. I tuned out and looked around. So this is a snooty rich people school, it's just like in movies.

We stopped in a hallway and she motioned us to stop and wait. She went to the wall and slid a part of the wall to reveal a tiny keypad. Cool. She typed in a long number sequence and a small door opened in the floor, revealing a small staircase. She motioned for us to go. This day is getting much better by the second. My toes had defrosted and I was feeling warm again.

"This is where you'll be staying until we get you real rooms…" okay, I can do this. "except you Fang. That's what Derek's here for. He's going to alter your appearance."

"What?"

"Yeah, we need someone to fill in for him and you're our closest match."

"No, I'm not. I don't look like him."

"Yes you do." She said in a no-duh tone. Maybe this is what they were whispering about the other day. How come they wouldn't tell me!

Because you wouldn't have agreed.

How do you know?

You're stubborn.

Am not!

Yes you are.

No, I'm not!

See?

Tabitha continued. "You're both Italian and skinny. We have to change you're appearance because Nick is taller than you, has more muscle than you, has a broader face, a longer nose…" She looked like she could go on forever.

"Can you stop pointing out my flaws!" I snapped.

"Don't get snippy with me Fang. Do you not want your girlfriend to hear it?"

I stood there, awestruck. "Don't think I didn't see you two snogging the other day."

Max interrupted our conversation. She had been standing next to Iggy. "Snogging?"

I was thinking the same thing. Snogging sounded so dirty. "Oh, sorry. I meant kissing."

Nothing was said. It was so silent that you could hear a pin drop. I heard Iggy's teeth gritting. Fang: 1 Iggy: 0. Tabitha went on. "So as mentioned before, we are going to change you. Der, go!"

Before I could say anything, I could feel my face changing. My body was tingly all over as I undergone the change. I could feel my muscles growing, my nose elongating, my face growing bigger and getting taller. All of a sudden it stopped and I had changed. I looked like Nick. "So what do I do now?"

My voice was deeper and I gasped. He was good. "Nothing. I just wanted to see how that would work. Der, you can change him back."

She turned to leave. Some people can be so heartless, just playing with this gorgeous face like that. That sounded self-absorbed. It can't help to like your face. Changing back was better; I wasn't tingly at all. I was just uncomfortable. I don't know which is better. Just think about it. Would you rather be tingly all over or uncomfortable? Your decision. Before they left she said, "Ah, I almost forgot. We'll be back in a few hours to pick you up. We need to show you to the headmistress. Harsh had to do a lot of persuasion to get him from being dropped. Enjoy a few hours of peace. ta-ta, love." and with that they were gone.


Max

"Ah, I almost forgot. We'll be back in a few hours to pick you up. We need to show you to the headmistress. Harsh had to do a lot of persuasion to get him from being dropped. Enjoy a few hours of peace. Ta-ta, love."

Ta-ta love? What was that? It was probably another England thing. Her accent sure is thickening. I shrugged it off. Now what to do in a room for hours? The room was a meeting room. There were tons of chairs and a shadow from where a table used to be. There were small low-lying beds laying around. Derek probably made them from the table. A bookshelf covered one wall and the opposite had the stairs and pictures on the wall. The other ends had closets. Yawn . I looked at the pictures; one was a picture of Lyn and Nick smiling all goofy with their arms around each other. That is so cute. I couldn't help but smile.

Others were the whole group crowding around and smiling. Another picture was of Raina and Harsh smiling and holding hands. I didn't even know. I guess I'm clueless. Other pictures consisted of brothers and sisters and best friends. I even saw a cute picture of Lyn on Derek's shoulders, being carefree. I wish we had pictures like this. It helps you to remember that even in hard times you had good ones too. I smiled and went back to the flock, which were talking. Fang was being his usual quiet self and Iggy was staring at the ceiling, occasionally commenting.

"What are we going to do?"

Every one was didn't know what to do and I couldn't blame them. I was lacking ideas too. Suddenly Nudge's eyes lit up. "I noticed there was some sibling rivalry going on between you three, so I suggest we end it with glee."

"What are you getting at?" I was utterly confused.

"While at Lyn's house I saw a television show called Glee. They sung out their problems in song. I think that would help; it's like a fun version of venting."

"I don't know." I didn't want the flock to know about our problems. It would stress them out; I don't want that.

She quickly added. "You don't have to share them; this is all about venting."

Her smile was a little too sincere and bambi-like. Was this ulterior motives or just maturity? I gave in. "All right."

"Great." She handed Fang his laptop and handed Iggy and me some laptop computers she found laying around, charging. Did she have this planned? I totally think so. It took me about ten minutes to find a song for each of them. I had them in mind and waited. Fang finished first, me second and Iggy last.

"Now you have to exchange them. I want um, Fang to go first. Go sit in the closet and listen. I want to see your expression when you exit." She looked so happy, I was afraid she might explode from it.

Fang in the Closet
This is so juvenile. Whatever. I opened Iggy's first, save the best for last. Iggy's song was called Love's not a Competition by a girl band called Paramore. I listened to it and it was so gloating. I was thoroughly offended but commended him for his song choice. It was acoustic and soft. I thought it was short from manly but this is Iggy. That was mean. I pressed play.

Love's not a competition but I'm winning x2

Max's song was a little more confusing, more like mixed signals. She chose a girl song called Got Dynamite? By Demi Lovato. Why'd she go Disney star on me? I don't care. I pressed play and her voice blasted through my ear buds.

I can't take your hand and lead you to the water

I can't make you feel like you don't feel but I know you wanna

See what I mean? MIXED SIGNALS.

Underneath the surface there's so much you need to know

You might feel like you're drowning but that's what I need to let go

This song is extremely contradictory. I have absolutely nothing to respond to that. Max, when did you become so complicated? I know, when you got hit in the head. What really bothers me is how she remembers everything except things about me. It's not fair.

Tell me what I got to break down the walls

I think I need dynamite, yeah

This is enough I am officially confused. I didn't want to give Nudge the satisfaction of my face so, I came out with a blank expression. She looked a little disappointed but I didn't care. I was confused. Did Max even like me? I am open with her and don't get what's she's feeling, at all. I'll find out; I just need to understand more.
End.

Fang sat in the chair next to me, and leaned back. Iggy got up to go. Nudge was getting impatient. "Well…"

He just shrugged and I think she got angry with him. He can be such a jerk. "What do you mean? You've got to be feeling something."

He sat up and thought about it. "Mixed emotions."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"The songs were contradictory and I didn't understand," he whispered. Stop being a jerk; just answer the questions with straight answers. I want to hear what he thought about my song. It took me a while to decide what I wanted to choose. I normally don't listen to her but it gives across the message pretty well. I think I was just mad and wanted to confuse him. Yeah, that's it, that's exactly it.

"I give up with you!" Nudge sat in her seat and crossed her arms across her chest. I think she's getting tired of his lack of emotion. To be truthful, I am too. Would it kill you to smile or laugh or something that doesn't incriminate yourself?

Iggy in the Closet
I placed my hands on the screen and could feel the black letters under my fingers. The first song was called Know Your Enemy by Green Day. I pressed play and loud drums and guitars assaulted my ears. It was a pretty good song except for it's meaning. Fang is calling me the enemy since he thinks I'm moving in on Max. I was but it was still mean.

Do you know the enemy? x2
Well, gotta know the enemy, wah hey

His song choice was just like him, loud and unruly.

Vioelce is an energy against the enemy
well, violence is an energy, wah hey

I've had enough of this. I already know he doesn't like me talking to Max so there's no point to listening to the rest of it. He sent his message loud and clear.

Max's song was called Stop this Song by Paramore. She's a Paramore fan too? This is another thing we have in common. I've never heard this one before so I think it should be good. What worried me is that most of Paramore's songs were about heartbreak and angry feelings. Is that what she wanted to tell me? That she likes Fang, and not me? Pressure began to build in my chest and I had to know. I hurriedly press play.

You say the sweetest things and I can't keep my heart from singing
Along to the sound of your song my stupid feet keep moving

This was okay. You say the sweetest things had to be in the good category. One thing I didn't get was how she said it was stupid. I'm getting mixed signals; I don't get it. Is this what Fang meant? Did he get the same song?

(Someone stop this)
I've come to far to come back again
But you don't have a clue
You don't know what you do, to me

This is confusing. It feels like she does like me but she doesn't know what to do. It seems like she does love me but can't do anything about it. Why wouldn't she be able to? Maybe she doesn't think I love her back. I was the one who didn't let her kiss me that time ago. She probably feels rejected and is going to Fangs side because of it. I'm such an idiot.

It creeps in like a spider
Can't be killed although I try to
Well, don't you see I'm falling?
Don't wanna love you but I do
I am the dumbest kid in the world. I think I may have killed the whole thing. I wanted to have kept kissing her but I was loyal to Fang. I wish I hadn't. I wish I would've kept kissing her and maybe I would have her now. Maybe she wouldn't have kissed Fang. Maybe she wouldn't have fallen for him.

(Lovesick melody) Can someone stop this song, so I wont sing along?
(Lovesick melody) Can someone stop this song, so I won't sing?
Your lovesick melody won't get the best of me tonight
But you wont get me, no
You wont get to me 'cause I won't sing!
End.

Iggy exited the closet and he looked well, depressed. Did my song do that? I just wanted to use it to put an end to it all. It was obvious Iggy didn't like me so I wouldn't dwell on it. I'm not even sure why I used it. It just felt right. Stupid reason, right?

Everything happens for a reason. There are no coincidences.

Yeah, yeah whatever. I'm getting a little sick of your riddles Voice. It didn't respond. "Max, your turn. I decided to ask you tomorrow about your feelings, when you've had time to process them." I entered the closet.

Max in the Closet
I slumped to the floor, computer in my lap. I decided to listen to Fangs song first. It was called Use Somebody by the Kings of Leon. Odd name but nonetheless, I will listen to it. I'm a little reluctant though. I don't know why but I don't think I'll like it.

I've been roaming around
Always looking down at all I see

So far it sounds depressing. It sounds like a mopey love song. I'll listen. It just doesn't have flavor or that thing that'll make you hum it as you walk. I wanted something bold and interesting. I wanted something that would make me think. I want meaning behind the lyric.

You know I could use somebody x2

Someone like you and all you know and all you speak

I like how it mentions things about me. It makes me think he really thought about it before choosing it. It's sweet but not romantic sweet.
I hope it's gonna make you notice x2
Someone like me x3
Somebody

This song is a bit repetitive; that bothers me a bit. If you knew how you felt then you could find a song that represents it perfectly. That's what I did. How come he couldn't do that for me? I found a song that would make me thing and question thing. He gave me this, whatever this is! I don't want to hear anymore. When I talk to him he is a while other person with lots of feelings. He is very romantic sweet. How could he not pick something decent? I angrily look at Iggy's choice of song. My expression softens as I look.

It's called Yellow by Coldplay. I love Coldplay! They are so awesome! This may be a new song because I've only listened to the old ones. In the past year I have rarely had time to relax and listen to new ones. My favorite song from them is called The Scientist. It's so cool. Smiling at the recognition I pressed play.

Look at the stars, look how they shine for you
And everything you do yeah you were all yellow

That's so sweet. I like it the song may start off slow but I have faith; I need to be hopeful. I'm not so sure about Fang anymore. I want to be sure about someone. Can I be sure about you?

I swam across; I jumped across for you
Oh, what a thing to do
Cause you were all yellow

This was like when he rescued me from drowning. I still don't know why Fang wasn't there. I remembered the Voice, just a minute ago, told me. Everything happens for a reason. So was there a reason Iggy saved me? Was there a reason why I kissed him? This is confusing. Was there a reason why I kissed Fang? I wish I could get straight answers for once. If there is a reason my song must have made Iggy sad. He thought I shot him down.

Your skin, oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
Do you know, know I love you so?

You know I love you so

In a way I didn't. I told him I liked him but I couldn't because he didn't want to. So he thinks that's over. I'm such an idiot! As the catchy chorus filled my eardrums I couldn't help but feel a tear roll down my cheek. I only talked to him because I felt obligated. I was with him before and couldn't give him the cold shoulder. He thinks I remember him now. I don't completely but I don't love him. I can't even remember him. I have warmed up to him these past few days, but I'm not sure. I don't know what I want. I'm such a hopeless romantic.

Your skin, oh yeah your skin and bones
Turn into something beautiful
Did you know for you I'd bleed myself dry?
For you I'd bleed myself dry

That part was a little morbid but I smiled at the thought. I'm so stupid. I cant do anything right and I smiled at the mention of bones. I'm a sadistic child.

It's true, look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for

Look how they shine for you
Look how they shine for

Look at the stars
Look how they shine for you

And all the things you, do
End.


A/N: Review?