Ride of a Lifetime
"So what did you think of them?" Ella asked, plopping herself onto Max's bed uninvited.
"Nick and Monique? They're okay, I guess. Nick doesn't talk much, but Monique definitely makes up for it." Max was beginning to doubt Nick's claim that Monique only babbled when she was nervous-either, he was lying or she was always nervous. Max wasn't sure how Gazzy put up with it all evening, or how Angel managed to follow what she was saying and reply.
Ella rolled her eyes. "What did you think of Nick?" She asked, as if it was obvious that was what her first question had been asking.
"He seems…nice?" Max offered.
"Yeah, right. 'Nice'. I'm your sister, Max. Admit it-you're totally into him."
Max prayed that Ella didn't notice her cheeks heating up. "I mean, he's cute, I guess, but…" she trailed off slowly.
"But you don't date." Ella filled in. Max nodded. "Seriously, that's ridiculous. I mean, if you like someone you should be with them." She smiled dreamily. "Just look at how happy Iggy and I are." Max resisted the urge to gag at her sister's gooey expression. "And you and Nick would be such a cute couple!"
"Um, thanks for the advice, sis, but, I think I'll stick to my no-dating policy."
Ella frowned. "Fine. Be miserable. See if I care." She huffed dramatically, sweeping out of the room.
"I'm not miserable! I'm just sensible!" Max shouted after her, listening to Ella's laughter echo in the hall.
* * * * *
Fang and Nudge listened to Anne ramble on about Dr. Martinez's dinner party and the Griffiths all the way home. It was big, bigger than anything the two siblings were used to, but they weren't happy there. Anne was controlling, and wanted them to live 'normal' lives- enroll in school, meet other teenagers, make friends-all of which was difficult when you're a mutant with wings. Not to mention the fact that Fang and Nudge were just not used to having someone telling them what to do and expecting they obey. Usually it was just the two of them, flying free (literally). Fang was technically in charge, since he was older, but most the two of them made all their decisions together.
That was why they were so close, much closer than you'd expect a brother and sister to be, especially when there was a three year age difference. It didn't matter that they weren't actually related.
"Fang?" Nudge's voice came from outside his window and he immediately threw it open and let her in.
"Nudge, shh. Anne will freak, and we don't want her knowing our real names." He paused, looking at her shivering, tawny wings open, and asked, "Why are you here, anyways?"
"I had to talk to you without her knowing." Nudge whispered. "About them."
Fang raised an eyebrow. "What about them?" he asked. They both knew they were talking about the kids they had met- Dr. Martinez's four children and their friend Iggy.
"Didn't they look…different to you?"
"Different from each other? Hell yeah."
Nudge sighed. "No. I mean- they're tall, like us. They're all super-thin like us too. And did you see how much they ate? Their appetites are out of control, and you know we need tons of calories-"
"No way, Nudge." Fang cut her off. "I know what you're thinking, but it's not possible. Do you think Itex would have left them alone this long?"
"Itex doesn't know where they are, Fang. They lost them. Remember the files!" Nudge whispered urgently.
"Itex would have found them by now if they were all living on the same block, four of them in the same house! It's crazy."
Nudge sighed again. "Maybe you're right. I just want to find them so badly, to warn them. They shouldn't have to go through what we went through- we need to find them."
"I know, Nudge. We will. But I seriously doubt it's Max and her friends."
Disclaimer: I don't own the characters! But the plot is all mine! *evil laugh*
A/N: duh-dun-dah! The plot thickens. And some Fax for y'all, because I love Fax! *smiles* Again, thanks to everyone who reviewed/added this story to their Story Alerts/favorite this story, because I appreciate it so much! And extra thanks to Arin Blaire for beta-reading. Interesting question: AmY ! asked do Fang and Nudge know Max, Ig, Gaz, and Angel already or have they been brainwashed? Answer: they don't already know them, and they haven't been brainwashed. This is an alternate version of the flock discovering Itex from the School. More will be revealed later!
Anonymous Review Reply: AmY ! – Thanks for reviewing! Glad you liked the chapter :) I answered your question, and Total was mentioned briefly in the previous chapter as Angel's dog. He'll be with the flock though, don't worry! Thanks again, -rowena
)( *wings* )( - Thanks for reviewing! Glad you like the story :) And I updated now, I'm trying to update as frequently as I can! –rowena