Maximum Ride: Live For the Song Chapter 4: Max's Solo, a maximum ride fanfic

So….I figured I should update because people were getting all…..impatient….so yeah…here's me updating!

Thank you guys so much for all the amazing REVIEWS! I have gotten so much more than I thought I would. You guys are great! This chapter is in Max's POV again, but the next one is going to be in Fangs. Please review! And continue with giving me songs! It helps so much! It's funny because a lot of the songs you guys say are the ones I was going to use originally, so it makes me feel more confident with putting them up. :)

Review!

Thanks!

-SarahBelle—

Chapter 4

"No. No. No. No. No. No, a thousand times no." I crossed my arms and leaned back in my seat with my "oh, so famous," glare pasted on my face.

"Please, Max?" Fay begged with me, "I didn't know that this would cause so much conflict. I thought you would be happy!"

I shot up, "Happy? Fay how was this supposed to make me happy?" My voice was starting to rise, "He left me! He used me! I thought he loved me! But he just saw the opportunity, toyed with my heart along the way for kicks, and left without a second thought." The life in my voice died away, and suddenly I felt bad for yelling at Fay.

We were in a dressing room in the back, and I was telling Fay for the hundredth time that I would not perform. I can't. If I get up on that stage I'm basically showing him how he's won. There is no more Fall and Rise, he made it to the big shots, and I'm just left in the dust.

"Come on, Max." Asher tried to reason, "I'll even play with you if it makes you feel any better."

Yeah, even Asher had somehow gotten evolved and was begging me to perform.

I sighed and shook my head, "Ash, you don't know the chords to my songs." I fell back onto the couch, feeling defeated, "I just…I can't."

Fay kneeled down and put her hands gently on my shoulders, "Honey, look at me." I slowly raised my head and stared at her gentle eyes through my bangs, "Look at this as an opportunity. Show him what he's lost, and what he can never get back. Show him that you are still strong."

I let my gaze drift down towards my beat up Converse.

Show him, Max. Show him how he's made you feel.

I took a deep breath and rubbed my nose, "Okay, fine."

I heard Asher and Fay let out a breath of relief. "Thank you Jesus." I heard Fay say under her breath.

I ignored them and walked over to a floor length mirror next to the door and studied myself. I was wearing some black skinny jeans, a black, gray, and red checkered flannel shirt with the sleeves rolled up to my elbows, and my Converse. And, as always, I had my Moms ring strung on a silver chain around my neck. My eyes looked hollow. I looked like I was tired and dead.

No wonder people always asked if I was okay…

The dressing room door open and a stage guy poked his head through, "You're on in five." Then he closed the door and left.

I took a deep breath, looked at my reflection one more time, and then turned around.

"Okay," I said, looking at Asher and Fay, "Let's go."

The stage was dark as I walked out on it. People screamed, but they couldn't see me. I wonder if they even knew who it was.

I stood in the middle of the stage with the microphone already waiting for me. I looked out at the thousands of people in the crowd. I felt eyes staring at me, besides the thousands of ones in front of me. These were burning a hole in the side of my head. I turned and saw Fang looking at me from backstage. His face held no emotion and that made my heart beat a little faster, but…not in a good way. Turning back towards the front, I took a deep breath.

You can do this.

A single spot light shone down on me and everyone started screaming again. I licked my lips and stepped up to the microphone. I grasped it between my hands and looked down, hesitating. The screams started to die a little and I knew I had to start singing soon.

Taking another deep breath, I looked back up and started to sing.

(A/N: Rolling in the Deep by Adele. There is no music right now by the way. It's acapella.)

There's a fire starting in my heart,
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bringing me out the dark.

I looked around as I sang acapella. I felt myself start to feel intimidated as I stared at all the faces.

Finally, I can see you crystal clear,
Go ahead and sell me out and I'll lay your ship bare,

I paused, taking a second, before singing again.

See how I'll leave with every piece of you,
Don't underestimate the things that I will do.

I felt like I was fighting something that wasn't even there. Like I had to fight to sing. It was hard, but I was fighting against this unknown force. I could hear my voice shake every now and then.

There's a fire starting in my heart,
Reaching a fever pitch and it's bring me out the dark.

I smiled nervously as I let my voice travel off. I looked over at Fang, who was still standing in the same position, and started to sing almost to him.

The scars of your love remind me of us,
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all.

I shook my head and turned back to the front. You don't deserve my song. Sure it's dedicated to you, but I'm not going to ruin my moment.

The scars of your love, they leave me breathless,
I can't help feeling,

I drifted off again and backed away from the microphone. I heard the confused murmers in the audience as I walked off the side of the stage, and a stage guy threw me my acoustic guitar. I walked back over to the microphone and placed my fingers on the right frets. Adjusting the strap, I felt a smile start to grow on my face. Then I started to sing loudly, while playing my guitar.

We could have had it all,
Rolling in the deep,
You had my heart inside of your hand,
And you played it to the beat.

The crowd went nuts. They were all screaming and jumping. I was getting high off their excitement.

Baby, I have no story to be told,
But I've heard one on you and I'm gonna make your head burn,

I winked and smiled to the crowd. Take that Fang. I'm not scared anymore.

Think of me in the depths of your despair,
Making a home down there as mine sure won't be shared,

You took my love and screwed around with it. You did all of this to me.

The scars of your love remind me of us,
They keep me thinking that we almost had it all.
The scars of your love, they leave me breathless,
I can't help feeling,

I closed my eyes tightly and sang loudly.

We could have had it all,
Rolling in the deep.
You had my heart inside of your hand,
And you played it to the beat.

Could have had it all,
Rolling in the deep,
You had my heart inside of your hand,
But you played it with a beating.

You really did beat my heart. You tore it up. You stomped on it, and walked away without a second thought.

Throw your soul through every open door,
Count your blessings to find what you look for.
Turn my sorrow into treasured gold,
You'll pay me back in kind and reap just what you've sown.

Yeah, reap what you've sown!

We could have had it all,
We could have had it all.
It all, it all, it all.

I started playing stronger and singing louder.

We could have had it all,

Rolling in the deep.
You had my heart inside of your hand,
And you played it to the beat.

Could have had it all,
Rolling in the deep.
You had my heart inside of your hand,

I dropped my guitar and let it swing behind me. I spread my arms out on either side of me and shook my head with my eyes closed as I sang the last part.

But you played it,
You played it,
You played it,
You played it to the beat.

I opened my eyes just as the crowd cheered and screamed.

I smiled, "Thank you." I threw my guitar to a stage guy and grabbed the microphone off the stand. "This next song is dedicated to someone who doesn't know how to keep promises." I had recorded the instrumental for this song and some others so they would sound better. It's hard to perform some songs now since the bands gone. I just have to use recordings…

"It's called Candles." I flashed the crowd a grin and waited for the music to start.

(A/N: Candles by Hey Monday. Love them!)

The power lines went out
And I am all alone
But I don't really care at all
Not answering my phone
All the games you played
The promises you made
Couldn't finish what you started
Only darkness still remains

It makes since. You promised so much and all it was, was some game and now it's just dark.

Lost sight
Couldn't see
When it was you and me

I was blind. You didn't care. I glanced over at Fang once before turned back to the crowd, singing loudly.

Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
I'm beginning to see the light
Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
But I think I'll be alright

Maybe…

Been black and blue before
There's no need to explain

You know what my father did to me. You saw how he treated me. Then you basically do the same thing but just in a different way?

I am not the jaded kind
Playbacks such a waste
You're invisible
Invisible to me

Well, I'm getting to that…

My wish is coming true
Erase the memory of your face

I wish I could.

Lost sight
Couldn't see
When it was you and me

Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight

See how I'm all alone on stage here Fang? Yeah, that's all because of you.

I'm beginning to see the light
Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
But I think I'll be alright

I frowned a little and closed my eyes, gripping the microphone tightly with both hands.

One day
You will wake up
With nothing but you're sorry's
And someday
You will get back
Everything you gave me

Karma is what it's called my dear friend…sweet, sweet Karma.

Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
I'm beginning to see the light
Blow the candles out
Looks like a solo tonight
But I think I'll be alright

I let my voice travel off with the music and then finally opened my eyes. The whole crowd was looking at me with exciting faces, but some of them had sympathetic ones. It's like they knew what Fang had done to me. Well, I guess since none of the band is here, they could kind of take a guess. They all cheered and clapped though and that was very much appreciated.

"How was that?" I asked as I rearranged the microphone on the mic stand.

I got another wave of screams.

I smiled, "Thank you. How is everyone tonight?" I yelled out, and it seemed like the entire stage shook from the intensity of their voices.

There had to be thousands of people. One of the biggest crowds I had ever preformed for. It was exciting and frightening at the same time.

I tried to stall a little to give the stage crew people time to set up for my next song.

"So who all here is excited to see The Fallout?" I tried to keep my voice from wavering when I mentioned the band. After the screams died I spoke again, "Very nice, very nice." I rubbed my chin thoughtfully, "Well, who here is excited to see…oh I don't know…me?" I looked out into the crowd with a hopeful grin.

They all cheered loudly again and I felt a little satisfied with myself.

"Great." I looked back to see that the piano was ready for me. I took the wireless mic off the stand and walked to the piano while talking, "So this last song is called Jar of Hearts." I hooked the mic onto the little stand that was attached onto the black piano. As I sat down I realized that the piano was facing where Fang and his band were standing.

Great.

Just great.

Fang had been turned slightly around, talking to his band members who were sitting around on amps and boxes with their instruments in their hands, but when I finished talking he turned back to me. He just continued to look at me with that blank expression I never had learned to unravel. I stared at him for a minute before speaking again.

"I hope you like it."

I looked down at the black and white keys, positioning my fingers on the right ones, and took a deep breath. Closing my eyes, I tried to imagine myself playing this song in my music room back at home. Not with over a thousand people staring at me, including the one person who needs to hear this song the most. Singing this is a big thing. It showed him how I felt about him, or at least, how I think I feel about him…that I don't want him anymore.

I kept my eyes closed, and then pressed my fingers gently down on the keys, and sang.

(A/N: Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri.)

I know I can't take one more step towards you
'Cause all that's waiting is regret

And don't you know I'm not your ghost anymore
You lost the love I loved the most

I lost myself in the music. I felt like it was just me and the piano, just like I wanted it to be.

I learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time

I'm done with you.

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
So don't come back for me
Who do you think you are

I sucked in another deep breath, slowing my racing heart down some, and then sang again.

I hear you're asking all around
If I am anywhere to be found
But I have grown too strong
To ever fall back in your arms

I never need you again.

And I've learned to live half alive
And now you want me one more time

Too bad…you left and you don't get another chance.

I finally opened my eyes and looked right at Fang. I was almost singing at him…well, I know I was. He just continued to look at me with his expressionless face.

Dear, it took so long just to feel alright
Remember how to put back the light in my eyes
I wish I had missed the first time that we kissed
'Cause you broke all your promises
And now you're back
You don't get to get me back

I shook my head at him. You don't get me back.

I let my gaze drift down from Fang to my fingers as they danced across the keys.

And who do you think you are
Running 'round leaving scars
Collecting your jar of hearts
And tearing love apart
You're gonna catch a cold
From the ice inside your soul
Don't come back for me
Don't come back at all

My eyelids drifted shut as I continued to sing with a powered voice. I could almost feel the song fill me up with emotion.

Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?
Who do you think you are?

I whispered the last line and then opened my eyes. I locked gazes with Fang once more before turning to the people in the crowd. As I waved I couldn't help but picture Fang face in my mind. That emotionless expression that I couldn't unmask. It annoyed the crap out of me.

I walked off the stage, quickly moving past Fang and his band as they stood up to go out on stage.

I could still feel Fang's stare burning a hole through my head as I turned the corner, disappearing from his sight.

So yeah, I feel like this chapter wasn't one of my stronger ones, but here it is!

Review!

Thanks!

-SarahBelle-