A/N OMG! Thanks so much for the reviews guys I really appreciate them. I'm sorry its taken me a while to update, its my first week back and its been hectic trying to sort everything out and family life aint helping much. But enough excuses and here is the next chapter! Drum roll please…

Chapter 3

My mother wasn't talking to me, she was in a mood and when she was in a mood she acted just like a little kid. She'd ignore you entirely until she decided she forgave you. So that morning I ate my breakfast in peace and quiet for once, crumbling the toast between my fingers as I fell deep in thought.

I didn't think I'd ever have to pay consequences, but I never planned on getting caught. In the private school I had gone too I had help set up fights and make a profit from them, I'd even taken part myself. It was a family think, my father ran fights in the business world, it was a betting game but these weren't fights with rules, in these fights, everything goes. So as punishment for the school finding out what I had been doing I was kicked out and no private school would take me, Dad just told me this was a learning curve and had set up for me to go to a public school till he could bribe a school.

My cousin Iggy goes to a private school, so I would be joining him and it seemed in a sign of protest against my banishment from one of the most stuck up schools I'd ever been to, my twelve year old sister Nudge was joining me at the new school too.

I grabbed my empty plate and took it to the kitchen as I caught sight of Nudge standing in front of a mirror in the hallway, she was eyeing her perfect spiral curls that were a slightly deeper brown to her mocha skin, her light brown eyes were lined with the tiniest line of makeup and she tweaked the edges of her mid-thigh skirt, the black lace ruffling slightly, then she smoothed her top down, some type of gauzy gypsy styled thing with silver chain belt wrapped loosely around her middle. She clicked her black ankle boots before spinning one more time and clicking her heels down to the kitchen and to me.

Even in her heels she had to lean up on her toes still to give me a light kiss on my cheek as I washed the few plates in the sink.

"Morning Fang." She said as she grabbed a glass of juice. "How's Mum?"I shrugged and wiped my hands on a towel. "Silent, which is no surprise. Are you wearing that to school?" I again glanced at her outfit with any disapproval a older brother would give their younger sister.

She pirouetted for a second before laughing and picking up her glass. "The bonus of going to a non-private school means I don't have to wear that stuffy uniform. And this is much more flattering, besides, I don't want to be single for ever. And no don't you dare scare of any boys." She snapped at me as I opened my mouth.

I shook my head and snagged my denim jacket off a chair. "Fine, but if anyone tries anything I don't care what you say, nobody messes with my li'l sister. You ready?"

She giggled as she grabbed her bag from the hallway and slung it over one shoulder. "Sure thing, just behave at this school." She teased as we walked out to my car.

I checked that my pack was on the backseat before I settled in and turned the engine. The purr of the car made me grin, it was a black Jaguar XKR-S, it was slim lined, fast and perfect for me. Nudge slid in and buckled up and I put the car into gear and drove off the driveway of the mansion we lived in, through the high society estate we lived on and in to the town heading to the school I'd only ever seen in passing.

I couldn't stop the chuckle that slipped out when Nudge's face scrunched up at the sight of the school it wasn't as prestigious or clean as the private school but it seemed more…lived in. It had life, rather than a stuck up atmosphere.

"Come on, it wont be that bad." I said turning off the engine and getting out of the car.

Heaving a sigh she followed. I walked across the car park and noticed we drew stares from a few people, it seemed only a few people dressed similarly to us and there were only a very few cars that could match up to mine. Nudge didn't mind the attention, she was use to drawing stares and she easily walked gracefully into the school and up to reception. Once we were signed in and had our time tables we went in our own separate directions.

The day flew by for me, a few guys chatted with me and a few girls flirted, but I wasn't interested, I was too busy cataloguing the people who seemed like they could fight. I had a feeling I could set up another fight club and make a decent profit here, but kids my own age never took it seriously. Unlike the fights my father handled, they were world wide famous. I sat at a table with a group of who seemed to be the popular group in the school, Nudge joined me for a while to tell me she was eating out on the field with some friends she'd made. I didn't talk much and I was glad to leave and head for my last class of the day.

"Yo, Fang how's it going?" Iggy said as he met up with me outside of our English lit class.

"Not so bad, but its boring, have the jocks don't look like they could hold their own in a fight."

He shrugged and pushed open the door. "The jocks may have muscle but they're pansies. They could probably get their ass's kicked by the cheerleaders."

I chuckled and nodded that he was probably right. I slid in to a seat opposite him at the back of the class, the seat next to me had a girl in it. She was wearing scruffy jeans and a ripped black t-shirt with long fingerless lace gloves up her forearms. Her long deep blonde hair with lighter highlights fell down her back in waves. I wasn't sure on what colour her eyes were because her face was buried in her arms and I was betting my money that she was fast asleep.

I nudged Iggy and gestured to the girl. "What's with her?"

Iggy smirked. "That's Maximum Ride, school ice queen and hard as nails. She can hold her own and more in a fight but don't waste your time, she wont fight for no one but herself." he glanced at her and laughed again. "Mr. Simms is going to go ballistic again, those two get on like a enemies in a war."

I raised my eyebrow in question but we both fell silent as the teacher, Mr. Simms walked in. He was in his mid thirties with a receding hair line, but the brown on his head was brushed forward to try and hide the fact, he had shrewd features and sharp eyes that reminded me of a hawk.

"Right class I hope you have studied because for the next two hours I want complete silence as you write me a essay on the Shakespearean theory of star-crossed lovers and self fulfilling prophecies. Begin!"

Just like that the whole class fell silent and hunkered down, pens writing furiously. I started writing myself, I had already studied Shakespeare in my old school, so I was well ahead of this class, I didn't really have to put much effort into thinking about t essay. But throughout the entire two hours Maximum Ride never lifted her head, she kept on sleeping soundly and Mr. Simms didn't notice as he kept his face in the sports magazine that he seemed so focused on. I had a feeling he had given the essay so he didn't have to teach and could sit there reading the paper instead.

When two hours was up he put down his mag and stood. "Pens down people."

The clack of pens heralded his order and he started collecting the essays working his way to the back. After he picked up mine he stood at Max's desk and I saw his hand clench on the papers in his hands. He cleared his throat loudly and the entire class turned to watch would happen.

Max carried on sleeping and Iggy leaned over to whisper to me. "Watch this now."

Mr. Simms reached down and slammed his hand down on the desk, the sound echoed through the room and Max didn't even flinch, instead I saw her heave in a deep breath, sit up, yawn and stretch as she blinked at Mr. Simms.

"You says something sir?" She asked in a voice that instantly had my attention, soft and lyrical, but with strength and demand in it. And her eyes, bright deep pools of melted chocolate that snapped with knowledge and strength form years of a hard life.

Mr. Simms' face heated up. "Miss Ride where is your essay?"

Max glanced around and even checked under her table. "Not sure sir, do they normally appear out of thin air when I sleep?" She said sarcastically.

"You had two hours to write that essay, not sleep through my lesson!"

Max quirked a eyebrow. "Oh please, you sat on your behind reading those rag mags like you do nearly every lesson, besides you should make sure you students are a wake when you give orders. But for the record I like to wake up to the smell of bacon."

As Mr. Simms opened his mouth to speak the bell for the end of the day rang and Max stood and walked to the door.

"Maximum Ride don't you dare walk out of that door!"

Max glanced back over her shoulder. "Mr. Simms my life does not revolve around you and right now I have places to be and one of them is not here. So we'll have to continue this discussion tomorrow. Adios." She waved as she walked and Mr. Simms stormed out after her through the crowded hall.

I turned to Iggy and he was nearly crying with silent laughter. "It's like that nearly every lesson more so the past month, she practically sleeps through every lesson, it makes for great entertainment."

We stood and slung our bags over our backs and walked out, everyone left and somewhere in the school I could still hear Mr. Simms screaming and shouting.

"She certainly has a attitude." I commented.

"She has good reason, word's going around she's a fighter in a gang or something, does what she does for money to keep her family's place. I think her mother works double shifts at the hospital, so they find it hard with the two kids as well. Its like that documentary that was on the other night, some children grow up quicker because of family circumstances but Maximum Ride takes it to a whole new level. I swear at times she's nearly all wild. She took out three jocks once for hitting on Ella."

I blinked, Ella was Iggy's girlfriend for the last five months. "How's she know Ella?"

Iggy shrugged. "After those jocks got to touchy for Ella's comfort Max intervened, and I think there was another situation when Ella was getting beaten up by someone and Max stepped in. Ella tells me some stuff but not everything, ever since they've been friends."

I shook my head. "I swear you make this all sound like a soap opera."

Iggy laughed as he turned off to a different part of the car park. "Sometimes life is just like a soap opera. Anyway I'll see you tomorrow, the family's meeting over at yours, I'll bring Ella." He called as he waved.

I shook my head heading for my car. There was a family dinner tomorrow, more like a party though as boyfriends, girlfriends and friends were invited too. I hadn't invited anyone yet, I wasn't sure if I would. But maybe if I brought a date it would stop my mother from trying to pimp me out to her friends daughters.

Nudge was waiting by the car as I clicked the button to open the car. "Ready to head home?" I said opening the door.

"Well no, I told Ella I'd go dress shopping with her, for tomorrow night. So I wont need a lift home."

I nodded as I chucked my bag in. "What time shall I tell Mum you'll be back?"

"Around 9."

I gave her a quick hug and she walked off, deep in thought I pulled out of the car park and started the drive through the afternoon traffic. I decided to take a back road that would take a little longer but avoided the afternoon rush. I was driving down the quite street that had rubbish and dilapidated buildings that, when I got my second sight of Maximum Ride. She was smiling and had two children with her both young and blonde, her siblings. They looked happy as they made their way home. As I drove by two men walked out from a side street and started walking towards them, I glanced in my rear-view mirror and caught Max shoving the kids behind her and taking a hit to the face.

I slammed on my brakes parked hastily on the pavement, jumping out of the car so fast that the engine was left on. In a few quick strides I was at Max's side and had the man who hit her in a head lock as I started punching him over and over. I could her thumps as Max turned on the second man.

For all I knew these were friends of her alleged gang, or they may be muggers and murderers. I just knew I couldn't drive by after seeing two men turn on Max and maybe turn on her siblings. The thought drove more strength into my next hit so that the flailing man in my grip slumped unconscious.

I was more concerned on how Max would take my interfering. I turned around and barely managed to dodge her fist coming at my face.

A/N Sorry its not as long as the other but I had to rush it, College is hectic but I am working on teh next one should be up by the weekend! r & r PLEASE X