We get home and I unlock the door. The first thing I notice is the lack of alcoholic beverages not littering the floor. I usher Angel and Gazzy up to their rooms to keep them safe and start to clean up even if there is nothing to clean. The door opens and I lift my head up in time to see Jeb walk in the room wearing a tie and button down white collar t-shirt. He looked down at me disgusted, "Get dressed and wear something nice." He practically spits at me. I smile sweetly and get up. Fuck you Jeb, I think to my self, Fuck you in the ass.

I go upstairs and debate on what to wear, on one hand I could totally disregard Jeb like I did once, lets just it was not my best stroke of brilliance. And then on the other hand I could just do as he says and actually wear one of those…vile things. I choose the latter and figure it will save me some pain. Not much but some. I look at my self in the mirror letting myself admire my outfit a little of a perfectly matched dark blue blouse with light wash blue jeans. Jeb doesn't exactly get me nice clothes so I have to work with what I have. I get Angel dressed in a white dress with a tinted pink waist band that you tie in the back. Now the next one I had to get dressed wasn't nearly as willing. Like, "I'm going to hate you forever since you made me wear something this fancy" not willing. Let's just say he will be getting talked to once we get home.

We arrive at the neighbor's house and a Hispanic woman no more than forty opens the door for us. She has brown kind eyes like my mother's with long black hair. "You must be the Ride's!" She exclaims happily to us. I nod my head, "Well my name is Valencia but you can call me Val." I smile what I hope for is a genuine looking smile. We stand at on the porch a few moments longer and then she says, "Oh silly me! Please come in, come in!"

We step inside and I look at the walls covered in happy family photos, I give a silent inaudible sigh because I know our house will never have happy memories again. I look up when I see two boys and a girl come down the stairs. The girl looks like a younger version of Valencia while the other two look nothing like her. One of the boys has strawberry blonde hair with foggy blue eyes and deathly pale skin. Creepy, I mentally shudder. The other boy has black hair and black eyes that I can't see the pupil in, and guess what he's wearing. If you guessed the colors of the rainbow…you really should work on your guessing! But if you guessed black…you win an all expense paid trip to Hawaii! Note the sarcasm my friends note the sarcasm. And besides if I had all that money Gazzy, Angel, and I would have been out of here before you could say: Supercalifragilisticexpialid ocious from Mary Popins.

"Ahh," She says, "And these would be my lovely children Ella," she says and the girl waves. "Iggy my adoptive son,"

"Hey," the strawberry blonde boy says.

"And Nick my other adoptive son," she concludes, the guy wearing all black nods at us.

Jeb steps forward and starts our introductions and pretends to be the perfect father, so unlike how he really is. "I'm Jeb these are my daughters Angel and Max, and my son Zephyr."

Val goes in the kitchen and Jeb trails after her. I look around at everyone and my eyes land on Nick. "So," I start, everyone looking at me. "This is awkward." I say. Everyone laughs except Nick who only gives a smirk. "What?" I say throwing my hands in the air. "It is!" This sends them into another round of laughter that I join.

"Well it's a weird way to start a conversation." Ella says. I look at her she looks about 14 and has the same kind eyes of her mother.

"Yea," Iggy chips in. "You should have just blurted out 'Gay babies.'"

"What?" I say trying to contain even more laughter. This must be the first time I've laughed in years. "Why would I say 'Gay babies'"

"Because it breaks the ice and starts a conversation like this one." He says then adds. "How did we get into this situation anyway?" He asks.

"Je- I mean my dad wanted to meet your mom or something like that." I say. I can't believe I almost slipped up with saying Jeb's name I mean it wouldn't really do anything but it would kinda go to say that I hate the guy with a passion.

Ella nods and Iggy asks her a question that we can't hear. She whispers something in his ear and he nods. I give them a questioning look, "Oh, Iggy's blind if you haven't noticed." Ella says. I nod like I knew it all along but how the heck did he know where everything is?

"Kids!" Val says. "Dinners ready."

We all walk into the dining room where our seats are I pull out a seat and help Angel in, I sit in between her and Gazzy and we all start talking about random things like what's so-and-so's favorite color. And I bet you can guess what Nick's was: black.

We finish dinner and I start to dread going home. Please, please, please don't let Jeb be too angry. I think and then I remember I am the great Maximum Ride. Jeb is the douche bag excuse of a father. That doesn't even care that I raise his kids. Their his. Not that I don't love them with all my heart it's just I'm still a kid myself and—STOP! I'm turning into Nudge.

We get home and Jeb locks to door behind him. Wait- locks? He never locks the door unless… I mentally freak out and rush to get Angel and Gazzy into their bedroom as fast as I can. "Angel, sweetie don't unlock the door no matter what happens." I say looking at her.

She nods her head, "Max I'm scared," she says her voice trembling.

I grab her into a tight hug that only last a few seconds, "No matter what you hear don't open the door." She nods and sniffles. I go to Gazzy my little trooper. I don't want to have them listen to this; they shouldn't have to listen to this. I bend down on my knees and tilt his chin to look at me, "Gazzy, I need you and Angel to lock the door." He nods, "Then go in the closet and hide there until I get you even if I don't come up later please stay until I get you. And no matter what Jeb threatens stay in there." He nods his head. I grab him into a bear hug. He hugs me back. I get up and grab a few things being speedy about it only grabbing a blanket, two pillows,

Celeste –Angel's first bear, Hunter –Gazzy's first bear, and a flashlight.

I give them each one quick kiss on the forehead and walk downstairs to my Hell on Earth…

Okay. I hate author's notes. A LOT. But I have to say I won't be updating as often because of school, homework, and sports. But... because I AM absolutely horrible at volleyball and only 18 people out of 7th and 8th grade make it. The odds aren't really in my favor. R&R?