Genesis

by Marowren

When Maximum Ride's mom decides to drop everything and hightail it out of Arizona to start a new job, dragging her two daughters with her, Max and her half-sister Ella are forced to start over again. New school, new friends, new loves. A fresh start... What could be wrong with that? From Max's point of view, everything. FAX, EGGY. AU, AH. My own OC's from Flee.

2. Chapter 2

"Let's blow this popsicle stand." I said, slamming the passenger side door of the van we had rented.

"Finally," Ella said. "I thought we were never gonna leave."

"Yes, Max, you took so long I was beginning to think you had decided not to come." My mom teased. I rolled my eyes but smiled at her. We both knew I had no choice.

So here's the deal. I'm Max. Maximum Ride. I'm 15 years old. I don't have a favorite color. Just in case it was in your head to ask me.

And until recently, I had lived in Tucson, Arizona, in a small but cozy house on a quiet street, with my mother and half-sister, Ella.

Okay, I'm done with all this introductory stuff, so let me give you a piece of advice. If your mom sits you and your sister down in the living room, hands you a plate of warm cookies, and says, "There's something I need to talk to you about, girls," … RUN AWAY. I mean it. Whatever happens, do NOT let her have that chat. Because I'm gonna tell you, the outcome isn't pretty.

Three weeks after The Talk, my mom had found a small office to operate her own business in (she's a veterinarian) in freaking CALIFORNIA. And about 20 blocks away, our new house. One month later there I was, sitting in the passenger seat of a large white moving van with my cheek pressed up against the window, watching our old neighborhood roll by.

I thought about my old friends and what they were probably doing at that very moment. Aurelia was probably at soccer practice, along with Jessie and Cass. My old team mates. Did Californians even play soccer? I made a mental note to ask Ella. Knowing her, she had probably researched the entire history of whatever city we were heading to. I blinked back tears and scrunched my stupid stinging nose, because I don't do crying. I just don't. Call it a fatal flaw, whatever you want. I'll just remind you of that when it saves my dignity for the millionth time and breezes by yours.

"So, where are we going again?" I asked the general vicinity (the car), still scrunching my nose.

"California, Duh Brain." Ella said from the backseat. I rolled my eyes.

"I know that, Ells. I mean what city."

This time, it was my mom who replied. "Los Angeles."