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.
IMPORTANT! I added a bunch of new characters. In this chapter Angel is trying to make friends with the school mean girl, Vik (Viktorya a.k.a. Lyn's ex best friend). The rest of the pairings i will tell you later.
Also, i am writing a new story called The Source. It's about a girl named Charlotte (Char for short). She's not a bird-kid, but she does have power. You can look at it on my profile if you want, just remember to review. How bout' it?
Chapter 15: New Friends
Fang
Flashback
"That's all for today. Class dismissed!" the man said, jump-starting the movement of students out of his classroom.
After class I met Lyn; she had something to tell me. During class I wondered what it could be, but came up with nothing. I silently left the classroom, the chairs and desks behind me. I could feel his stare on the back of my head. She was waiting for me, a bored expression slapped on her face. When she saw me, it lightened, but only a bit.
"Nick, we need to go over some things."
"What?" I said, my voice wet with irritation.
"Well," She paused to choose her words. "Number one, you have the easiest assignment. Be Nick, that's all. Understand?"
"Okay, that it?"
"No, I'm not done. This means you cant interfere with the flock's missions unless they ask you to. In other words, you can't mess with Max's assignment, at all."
"Why not?"
"Because, it's not your job. The rest of them are finding information, gathering clues. I know you like her and all, but this is serious. This is business. I can't have you screw anything up on a whim." She exhaled loudly. "This is serious. In order to carry this out you need to sacrifice that, for the moment."
I didn't respond. This is just perfect. How can I make Max remember me now? I can't, is what she's saying. While I'm here playing Nick, she'll be out with Iggy. Is my luck screwed, or what? I want to help, but I want to get Max back too. Let me weigh my options: if I don't help her she'll hate me. If I do help her, she spends a lot of time with Iggy and my chances with her plummet to the fiery realms of hell (pessimism). Oh, where is the justice in this? Where is it?
"Fang?" her eyes were pleading.
She's been using tricks from Angel, I see. She's just making me feel bad, through and through. I give up! "Okay. I'm sorry."
Her eyes lit up and I noticed they weren't their unnatural blue. Did she wear contacts? Probably to hide those almost clear looking eyes. Normally, they looked like Iggy's; someone could mistake her for blind. Or they could scare someone half to death. "Thank you so much!"
She gave me a hug. Her grip was like death. That was enough; I pushed her away. "That's enough. You're going to squeeze the life out of me Lyn."
She let go and recognition swept over her. "Oh, that reminds me." She stands on her tiptoes to whisper into my ear. What could this be about, I wonder? "We need to talk about our fake relationship."
End. (Three Cheers For Fake Relationships!)
That was just about the most painful talk I had ever received in my entire life. She told me I have to sit next to her at lunch, act really sweet and cheerful around the rest of her friends and act friendly towards the people in my dorm. Be just like Nick. Sometimes I wish that Nick wasn't so much of a social butterfly, because I really don't want to be nice to complete strangers. I don't even know what I want to do; I just know that it's not this. I found myself thinking about that on my way back from classes.
That was the worst school day I have ever experienced. I didn't understand a thing that they were talking about. History was okay because I thought of it as telling a long story, a memory. After that, I had to endure hours of science, and math. The formula's caused my brain to fizz and by the end of it my brain was ready to explode. So much information. Meanwhile, Car (I have to call her that), Tabitha, Harsh and Raina weren't even breaking a sweat. That is why they are in this school; this is why I needed to get out of it. Just thinking about my day exhausts me.
I liked my electives; I had Art and Wrestling. Such an odd combination, I thought. In Art that week we were working on conveying your feelings. I took a big clump of clay and started to absentmindedly mold it. At the end of class, the teacher pulled me aside. "Nicholai, what a promising start to the year. Your art is wonderful."
I glanced down at my artwork, only to find that it was a sculpture of Max. I messed it back up and promised myself that I would start again tomorrow. I don't want people to see that I use my free time to mold girl heads. It's embarrassing, to the Max. Get it? Ah, never mind. After that I had wrestling. I learned at lunch that they all took wrestling to make sure that they don't get rusty on our whoop ass fighting skills. Since it was the first day we didn't fight, or wrestle. We just had an introduction. What ever happened to wrestling? I wanted to vent. This was the first class so far that hasn't just gotten started.
It was an okay class but the teacher was a woman. I'm not being whatever it's called when you are against women doing a role that is usually done by a man. I'm just ranting. This woman angers me so much. I went into class and after a long introduction; (man, can she talk) she weighs every one. I step on the scale and my weight, sniffle, is a wimpy 114. She doesn't laugh, no, but she goes and says the most embarrassing thing. "Nick, you lost some weight! Can I get your secret?"
Damn it, why am I so light? I thought that the stuff Derek put on me would make me heavier. Apparently not, because I originally weigh 110. It only added four pounds! Four pounds! I am officially the wimpiest bird kid ever. I step off the scale and go sit on the bleachers, with the rest of the class, for the rest of the period. Does it help that she added this? "I was just kidding, Nicholai!"
And here's the worst part: when I got back to the bleachers some girl asked me a question. "Do you really weigh 114?"
She was amazed. This is humiliating, is what I thought. "Yes." She started chatting with a friend. I was silent the rest of the class. Stupid teacher.
I faced more challenges during Language class. Since there were so many different students, we had to learn the most common languages in the world. This week we were working on English. I really bombed it. How do you fail English, when you speak it? I'll tell you. Mr. Mikoto didn't know parts of what I was saying. This teacher was ready to kick me out, when I was speaking perfect English. He said I sounded like a fool. What's the point of teaching a language when you can't recognize the slang? You'd do so well in America. Here's what sent me over the edge was this: "If you say the word 'Yo' one more time, I will fail you." I was quiet. He thought I was speaking Spanish?
It was the end of the day and I was tired. When I entered the dorm, two guys were already in there. "What's up, Nich?" The first one pronounced the ck part like a spitting sound. I didn't care, as long as none of it flies onto me. I later learned that his name was Joseph, or Joe. He had light brown hair, a long nose and was a regular height. He wasn't too tall, or too short, a real norm. After greeting me he went to the bathroom.
"Hey, Nick, how you doin'?" The other kid was named Antonio, or Tony for short. He loosely stuck his hand out and I shook it. I liked Tony; he was more like me. His was African-American; he was really tall, and had dark hair. His eyes were darkly hazel but his hands fingers' were long and skinny. He was like me, in a non-bird kid way. I replied, "Hey," and retreated to my room.
It was surprisingly small. As massive as the school was, I couldn't imagine why the room was so tiny. It was a small space with three beds crammed into it, and a few shelves and boxes. It was barren. There was another room next to it that was closet space, I think. There was a note that said there was supposed to be another student here, but he couldn't make it. How come they didn't just put two beds in one room? Faculty…sigh. I peered in and saw that someone had already taken the initiative to move their bed into the room.
"You don't mind if I take the room? It was a little too crowded in there," Joe, called from the bathroom. I could hear water running in the sink.
I mumbled a response. I figure it wouldn't be too bad. I had wanted to be by myself. I went back into my room and found a closet. It was pretty small; I couldn't even stand up in here without hitting my head. It's not fair. He got the better room. Mid-thought, I noticed there was a suitcase leaning against the wall. I took it out, and unzipped it. Inside there was a note among the clothes and shoes and things.
Dear Fang,
If you are reading this, it means you found Nick's suitcase. Good job. That means you have completed step one. After getting his things unpack it and make the room looked lived in. This is important because we are using your room as a meeting room for the remainder of our mission. There's no arguing because everything is already set up. Let's just say Harsh is very persuasive. We hate to do that, but in this situation it is necessary. The toothbrush and other things are new so, don't worry yourself about that. Just make the room really tidy by tomorrow because the whole gang is coming over to compare clues. Okay?
Now that ive got that out of the way, there are a few more things you need to do:
1. Take the single room; I made it like that so the group can get together.
2. Rip up this note when you are done reading it.
3. Remember to make this room look nice.
case number one doesn't work out, we are still coming, so make space.
5. Don't interfere with anything; I mean it.
Hopefully, Carolynne B
P.S. Get up by 7:00 (on the dot!) and meet me in the cafeteria for breakfast in ten. Be there, or I'm coming to get you!
She sure knows how to be mean when she wants to. I folded up the note and tucked it into the front of my uniform. I quickly shoved everything into drawers and put things into the closet. The only way you would know it was messy was if you looked inside of them. I was really tired and wanted to go to sleep. What else did she want me to do? I put some of his books on the shelves, and put pictures on the walls. I put my other things in the bathroom. Lived in, check. I ripped the note up into negligible pieces and threw it into the little trash bin in the corner of the room. Done. I took a shower and changed into some pajamas, lying on my twin bed.
Angel
The loud stepping down the stairs woke me up. It was Lyn, Derek, Tab and Fang(as just Fang). I sat up, sobering up from the excitement swelling in my stomach. This is so cool! I feel like a secret agent! Everyone soon got up, Iggy being last. He looked straight depressed. I bet he's just tired from waking up so early. I'll read his mind later; I didn't want to miss out on this stuff. I stood up and the mattresses started to deteriorate before my eyes. That is really cool. I wish I could do that. "Hello, everyone. Have a good night's sleep?" Tabitha cheered.
How could she be so happy in the morning? There were assorted mumbles from across the room. Max was combing through her hair, trying to get her bearings. Her bruises were mostly healed now. There were just a few ones on her arms, throat and legs. I'm sure they would be gone by tomorrow. She would just need some long-sleeved turtlenecks, for another day or two. I glanced over at Nudge and she was ready to go, except was rubbing her stomach. This was universal Nudge language for: "I'm hungry."
"Good. I am giving out your assignments. As said before, Angel has Viktorya Yurah. a junior. Find out what she knows." She paused because Lyn started whispering in her ear.
You said we weren't using her!
We needed to use her because whether you want to believe it or not she had something to do with this!
We can't use her! She's still suspicious of that time I came back in the dorm with those bruises.
Do you still have a room with her?
Yes! Do you see my reason?
Of course, but you have Angel. She's their telepath; she'll read her mind.
Doesn't that mean she could be listening to our conversation right now?
They stopped whispering and their gazes shifted to me. I gave them a weak smile. I am determined to do this, for the flock and answered before my position was revoked. "Okay; I got it!"
"Great! Max has Lucas Green. Iggy has Janica So. Nudge has Audric Martin, and Gazzy has Emma Wells," she passed out small pieces of paper with our objectives on them. She handed mine and I pondered over it. It read:
Viktorya Yurah
Age: 16
Objectives:
-Become friends
-Find out about Nick
-If possible, ask about Matt
Helpful Info:
-To get onto her good side:
-act independent
-don't hang out with her all the time
-make her want to talk to you
P.S. Your alias is Ariel Saunders (Gazzy a.k.a. Zephyr [Saunders] is your brother). O.K.?
I smiled. I've got it! By the look of this paper Viktorya is what a movie would call a mean girl. I could do this; I've done things much harder. I even have my shape shifted look together. There was one thing that confused me though. Who the heck was Matt and why did he matter? I searched their minds but found nothing. They must be purposely keeping me out. I returned to my overly hype thoughts. Ariel Saunders, so sophisticated, so American; I like it.
She handed us tons on uniforms to wear the entire time. They were so lacking in the color department. I sound like Nudge. We had to wear knee length navy blue skirts, with either long stockings or long burgundy and navy boots. The other shoes were like flats but they had grips on the bottom and one thin strap across. I got a navy jacket too, since it was getting colder and a burgundy and navy vests with the school logo in the corner. It came with a plain white button up shirt and two different ties. This was so much stuff just for school. Tab told us we had to wear the ties too. This school has a strict uniform policy.
We then split up into groups. Lyn and Tab took Max, Nudge and I to go change. Derek and Fang took Gazzy and Iggy to change too. I emerged from the bathroom with my very cute and stylish look. I wore the flats, stockings, long skirt, the tie and the short sleeved white shirt. It looked very school, me but also looked like something a popular kid would wear. I smiled, feeling very pleased with myself. Nudge came out next. She was wearing the same thing as me except she wore the vest and a long sleeved shirt. Max came out last. She wore the boots, figures. I also couldn't tell which shirt she chose because she was wearing the jacket. It looked really good on her though.
"You guys look awesome. Before we go to breakfast, we need to get your room keys," Lyn replied calmly.
We quickly made our way to her office. It was very tedious; we had to walk up stairs and through many halls. We finally got there and she gave us a quick run over of what to expect. "Her name is Miss Serafima also known as, Miss Sera. Don't talk unless she speaks to you. Don't question her actions. Umm…"
"Don't talk while she's talking." Tab added quickly.
We entered the room and no one was there. However, I could hear the woman's thoughts through the door behind her desk. She was thinking about ways to improve the school. She was a real goal setter. She walked in and looked us up and down. Her gaze filled with disgust but I could feel her good intentions. She gives off a lot of mixed signals. She was very tall with long brown hair hanging freely around her shoulders and in a small bang to her eyebrows. Her glasses were clear rectangular frames that suited her nicely. You could see her lively grey eyes with ease. I immediately liked her for a reason.
"Hello students." Her tone was menacing and was used to scare children into not bugging her. She figured it was easy that way.
Everyone shrank back at the tone of her voice but I stretched my hand out. "Hello, my name is Ariel Saunders. It's very nice to meet you, Miss."
Her expression softened and she shook my hand. "You too, Arial."
She looked pretty uncomfortable after that and wanted to shoo us out of her office; i could tell from her thoughts. Beware of the all knowing telepath! I'm so scary, boo. "It's been nice to meet you all but I have other things to do. So," she handed us all our room keys and schedules. "go on to breakfast before it's over."
We all took our keys and were on our way to breakfast. In the cafeteria, there were bunches of students and many varieties of food. I took some bacon and eggs and piled them onto my plate. I heard a pig noise coming from across the room. Someone thought I was being fat. It was coming from Viktorya and company. Wow, that didn't take long to find her.
Max, found Viktorya. I'm gonna go make friends with her.
Be Careful.
I went to their table and greeted them. "Hi, I'm Arial."
"Hi, I don't care," there were snickers all around the table and I knew how to get her now.
"It's okay if you don't like your name. I mean, I wouldn't say mine either if when I said it, everyone would die laughing," I smirked.
"Well, jeez Arial. If you wanted to know my name that much, I'm Viktorya." Viktorya was a tall, Russian brunette with bright green eyes and an oval face. She was very pretty.
The rest of them introduced themselves. "I'm Janet." Janet was a tall, African-American girl. She had long limbs and slender fingers. Her skin was a really pretty cocoa. She had brown eyes, a button nose and long, wavy hair.
" I'm Akira." Akira was a Japanese, raven-haired girl. Her hair touched her shoulders and she had big brown eyes and full lips. She was shorter than me.
"I'm Sonya." Sonya was a little shorter than me, but taller than Akira. She was Russian with shoulder length long auburn hair. Her eyes were brown and she had a very small, cute face. She just made me want to go "aww" and squeeze her cheeks at the sight of her.
"Nice to meet you all," I sat down at their table and no one cared. They started talking about their new classes and electives. I wanted to be their friend; I joined in the conversation.
"I hate my schedule. They didn't listen to what I wanted at all. I got Art and Free write when I wanted Dance and Choir. What did you get?" Viktorya asked.
"I got Choir and Art. It seems like they're trying to stick everyone into art these days," Akira responded. "I had wanted Free-write and Photography."
"I got Art and Dance when I asked for Art and Drama," Sonya said. She was interested in Drama; that is very cool.
"I got Art and Wrestling," I added. They looked at me like they learned that I just caught the plague.
"Wrestling? That's harsh; I would hate to have to do that," Janet says.
"I'm actually okay with it. I can wrestle pretty well. Plus, if you take a sport, you don't have to take gym," My argument was pretty reasonable.
"What about when they weigh you for your weight class? Won't you get embarrassed?" Sonya asked.
"Of course not, my weight is under control." I say with tons of pride.
"What do you weigh then? I know it ant be good considering all the bacon you've got there," Viktorya asks, a second away from a throaty laugh.
"Um," Let's see. I usually weigh fifty-five when I am seven. So, if I make myself look seventeen, I should weigh just about, " Ninety-six."
"Ninety-six! How'd you manage that?" Akira asked, bewildered.
"I have a great metabolism." I smugly answered.
"How could you when you're eating all of that bacon? You're gonna gain weight." Janet replies.
"I haven't before, so I eat what I want."
"Wow, that's amazing," says Janet.
I smiled back. Maybe winning them over wouldn't be so hard. Viktorya was getting angry with me. Probably because they liked me already; After all, I was a pretty likable person. "Prove it."
My eyes flashed with happiness at the sign of a challenge. "Sure. Meet me in Wrestling class. You can see my weighing for yourself." She smirked, thinking she's already won. Let me tell you, you haven't already won. I am going to win Vik over and then I am going to learn your secrets.
The bell rang and I had Science first hour, according to my schedule. I quickly made my way to the classroom and saw that I had this class with Akira and Max. I sat next to Akira and Max sat behind me. I don't think she has found Lucas yet. I was looking straight ahead when Akira started talking to me. "Arial, were you telling the truth about your weight?"
"Yeah, I have no reason to lie," I replied with confidence.
"I just wanted to know, because Vik doesn't like you."
"Why not?" I didn't get it. I thought that was the way I had to act to gain her friendship.
"She thinks you're threatening."
"I'm not! I was just trying to make friends with you guys."
"Why us?"
"Because, you have character."
She smiled. "No really. We are not the best characters in the bunch. Plus, I thought you came with a bunch of other exchange students."
"I did, but I wanted to meet some students that go here too. I came here to be socially adventurous and learn new things."
"Awesome. Now, what's your favorite subject?"
That was random. "Why?"
"It's the ultimate question to get to know someone with."
"Okay, Science." It was true. I liked how everything could be explained. It could also be called irony that i am scientifically engineered, but am not a science hater. Am I weird or what?
"Good choice, Arial. That's my favorite too. Friends?" She held out her hand.
I shook it. "Friends."
I turned around and listened to the formulas and laws. It was very comforting. I loved how everything could be explained with science. I understood it all. I could even feel Max's frustration behind me. She had no clue what this was. That's okay; I could help her later. After that, I went to History, which was really easy. Then, I went to math. That was a real challenge. I was confused the entire time. After that we had electives.
I was happy about that because then I could actually relax with some pastels. I stepped into the art room and saw that it was composed of everyone I knew. There were so many people. Let me name them. I saw: Max, Iggy, Fang, Lyn, Tab, Nudge, Akira, Vik, Sonya, Janet, Gazzy, Ave, and Harsh. Plus there were other students I didn't know. They really do stick everyone in art. It seems that everyone had found his or her groups. Max was with Iggy for some reason; I knew she was irritated and on edge. Fang was with Lyn's group. There were a few people there that I had never seen before, two boys. Iggy was with a bunch of mean-looking people; he was bored. Nudge was with a bunch of emo people; it's finny how she's with her polar opposite. Gazzy was with an English girl; I figures from the name but they were all alone. I was sitting with Vik's group.
"Hello, class. This is Art Class with Mrs. Thomas. Today we are doing groups of two to make mirrored images. You have two minutes to choose someone to mirror. Remember, groups of two people."
I wanted to get Akira, but Vik took her before I could. Instead grouped with Janet and Sonya grouped with a guy named Kyon (Key-un). "I will give you a sheet of paper and you have to fold it symmetrically. Then you must use colors to make it the same. Nicholai, help me demonstrate."
Fang got up awkwardly and helped her do the art. You had to copy what the other person was doing. He looked so nervous. It was really funny. I didn't know you could become a teacher's pet so quickly. I laughed. "What's funny?"
"Nick looks so uncomfortable."
"You know him?" I nodded.
"From where?"
"We met this summer."
"Oh, I remember. Vik told me they were vacationing in America. It seems a little coincidental that you too were in the same place."
"Yeah. I met everyone else in his group too. We actually became pretty good friends."
"What about your friends you transferred with?" Janet asked.
I folded the paper and I began to mimic Janet and her movements with the thick, acrylic paints. They were sleek and smooth. I think she had taken art class before. Mine were thick and wavy in comparison. I was getting a little frustrated. We were using the same brush. "They're in this class too. I'll point them out."
I showed her everyone. Max, Iggy, and Nudge. "The last one over there is Gazzy, my big brother."
"How come you're in the same grade?"
"We were born ten months apart."
"Cool, but how come you're not hanging with them?"
"We all wanted to meet some new people. I can introduce you all at lunch if you want."
"That's okay."
"What's your favorite subject?"
She chuckled softly. "Akira?" I nodded.
"It's Art."
"Very cool."
We finished the painting in silence, smiles worn on our faces. It came out pretty good. It was the same except my strokes were larger and shakier. She told me the problem was in my wrist. I needed to keep it still in order to prevent the shaky lines. When we were done, Ms. Thomas came over and complemented our artwork. She said she loved how it was symmetrical but you could tell it was by two different artists. Mrs. Thomas took our paper and took it to dry. Shortly, art was over. I had befriended two of them so far, and in a few hours. I had two more to go; I was on a roll.
