Chapter 15~ Of New Beginnings
PREVIOUSLY, ON BECAUSE OF A FIGHT, BELIEVE IT OR NOT
So it was then that I had decided: forget it. I wanted to be anywhere but here. Little did I know that a certain person had a similar idea. When I saw the flash of blond in the forest, I knew I had to see her. I didn't have to talk to her, but just seeing her face again would be enough for me.
Now it was officially time to leave.
Colorado Springs, I bid thee adieu.
MAX POV
The sunlight peered through the window as I woke up and glanced the calendar on the wall facing me. It was June 14.
Graduation day.
I know, right? Who knew that I, Maximum Martinez would actually graduate?
...
Yeah, me neither.
What was especially hard to believe that it had been a year and a half since Fang died. We all tried to move on and forget him, but he continued to have a place in our hearts. His death didn't sting as much as it used to, long ago...
I gave a sigh against my pillow. Everything was going to change after this; I'd start college, get a job, maybe even get married and start a family. Nothing would ever be the same. Time to grow up.
Stretching my arms, I yawned loudly. Time to get ready, I thought. Getting up, I took a green pen, walked over to my calendar, and drew a big green circle on tomorrow's date.
There. That would symbolize tomorrow as a special day. Tomorrow was going to be a beginning of a new adventure.
When I think about it now, I laugh. New adventure; I never meant it literally. But, oh, how the Fates began to gamble with my life.
"Everyone, please move your tassel to the left." There was a rustling of hats in the audience as people did so. "Congratulations, Colorado Springs High School's graduating class of 2013!"
All the students, including me, cheered and screamed, throwing their hats in the air. The feeling I had was indescribable. I finished high school and I'm going to college. I graduated. I actually actually graduated.
Oh my stars.
"Max!" A voice called my name and I turned around to see Nudge running towards me. "We did it! We graduated! Ohmigosh, I can't believe it! NYU, here we come!"
I laughed at her excitement. "Calm down, Nudge. You wouldn't want to forget the after-party at your house?"
Oh. I forgot about Larry-The-Butler-Who-On-Multiple-Occasions-Tried-T o-Get-Me-Banned-From-The-House. Let's just say we don't have the best relationship. "Yeah, well, sorry everyone else doesn't have parents who are both surgeons."
My friend waved it off. "Psh, how would I forgot that? Besides, it starts in an hour. We have time."
"Did you get everything ready?"
She stared at me like I was missing something. "Max?" Nudge raised an eyebrow in disbelief. "Did you forget I have Larry?"
"Jealous!" Nudge sang. "Anyway, be sure to punch someone's teeth in! It's the last time you'll have the chance to do it and not get arrested."
Instead of elating me, I felt bittersweet about this piece of information. "It really is, huh?" I sighed heavily, blowing my bangs up.
"Hey." Nudge's voice softened when she noticed my tense posture. "Don't worry, you can find some guys to beat up at college."
I chuckled, "Yeah, I guess." It wouldn't really be the same, but I tried to remain positive. "Alright, I'll come to your party and stay the whole time under one condition: no indie music."
Surprise, surprise. When Nudge wasn't listing to Beyonce or Shontelle, she was all about Foster The People and The Black Keys. Stuff like that.
She huffed dramatically, but I could see her trying not to smile. "Fiiine. I still don't see why you hate indie music. It's actually really good and isn't as distracting as that disgusting rap singer you listen to."
I mock-gasped and raised a hand to my heart. "How dare you insult Liam Rooney?* He is my inspiration, my reason to be, my-"
Nudge cut me off, "Your muse, your saving grace, I know, I know. You've said it a million times, I've memorized your praise. It's disgusting, the way he's the only artist you listen to."
I smiled sheepishly. "Ah, well, you can't compare to that Irish miracle from God. He's the one and only."
Nudge made a gagging noise and clutched her throat. "Can't...breath," she choked. "T-too...much...flattery!"
I shoved her playfully, rolling my eyes. "Shut up and let's head over to your place."
"Tonight, we are young, so let's set the world on fire, we can burn brighter, than the sun..."
Music pounded throughout the living room when I left to the kitchen to grab a drink. Unfortunately, it was soda and not alcohol. After I filled my drink, I leaned against the counter and sighed, feeling déjà vu and remembering what happened the last time I drank punch at one of Nudge's parties. My heart squeezed at the memory and I shook my head rapidly, trying to push it away.
My mom approached me in the kitchen as the party continued at Nudge's house. "Max, congratulations, I'm so happy for you!" she said to me excitedly.
I gave her a warm smile. "Thanks, mom. I find it so surreal that I just graduated high school," I commented as I sipped my punch. "Can you believe it?"
"I know, it felt like yesterday when you first entered preschool," she sighed. "But I have great news!"
I arched an eyebrow, curiosity raised. "What?"
"You know how Tía Cita lives in San Francisco, right?"
"Yes..." I trailed off. Where was this conversation going?
The smile wrinkles on her tan face became more prominent as a grin spread on her lips. "Well," Mom began, "She agreed to let you, Iggy, and Nudge spend the summer at her house!"
I froze, not expecting this. "No way, you've got to be kidding!" I set my punch down and ran my hands through my hair in sheer disbelief. "Really? We get to go to San Francisco?"
My mom gave a tinkling laugh. "Yes, really! It's all settled with Tía Cita, too. You'll be spending two months there. Think of this as a graduation present, alright?"
"Yes!" I shrieked in delight, unable to contain my excitement. "Two whole months of sun and surf, hallelujah!" Then I stopped in my tracks. "Wait, wait, wait- when do we leave?"
"Two days. You better start packing as soon as we get home, young lady," Mom warned in a teasing manner.
I wrapped my arms around her. "Thank, you, thank you, thank you! You're the best mom ever, I don't deserve you at all."
She put a warm hand on my cheek. "Honey, tell me something I don't know."
FANG POV
One year and a half earlier...
I walked out of the building and stood at the edge of the sidewalk. Raising two fingers to my mouth, I whistled loudly. "Taxi!" I waved my hand in the air.
Ten seconds had passed when a yellow cab reached me. I opened the door and climbed in, handing the driver a few bills. "16th and Bryant, please."
He tipped his hat but while revving the engine, asked in a thick accent, "Sir, outta curiosity, why was you in such a dangerous neighborhood? Everywhere ya look, there're gangs, drug dealers, and all tha' nasty stuff. Even I was reluctant ter drive through here, and I used ter live in Queens of all places."
I gave him an absent glance before turning away. "None of your business," I replied coolly.
The driver said nothing more and made a turn. I hoped he took a hint.
My head bent to look at the newly lamenated identification card in my hands. There was a picture of a boy, no older than seventeen or eighteen. He had dark brown hair with light brown highlights and owned a pair of green eyes. A pair of rectangular glasses adorned his face. At the right was his name and his personal information.
I looked up at the mirror facing me and saw the picture of the boy in my reflection. Frustrated, I shoved the ID deep into my jean pocket. Nick Walker existed no more.
From now on, it was all about Alex Ride.
A man in dressed in black sat at a table, face hidden by the absence of light in the room. It was too dark to see clearly; the only light was from the small window, covered by thin, shabby curtains.
On the table laid a chess set with the pieces strategically placed on black and white squares. The chair's owner raised a calloused hand and moved a black knight two spaces horizontally and one space vertically.
Anyone else would have thought that playing chess with oneself was absolutely absurd. He, on the other hand, was one of the few that knew that some of the world's greatest generals used this method.
Soon enough, the white king was captured. The man chuckled in triumph. Works every time.
Author's Notes:
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ALiza chapter 14 . 16m ago
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