Disclaimer: I don't own Maximum Ride, but a girl can dream.
BTW: This chapter is dedicated to all of the friends I canceled my date with to finish this chapter. I love you guys!
"Wanna go for a ride?" Fang asked. I had been here for three weeks, and still haven't worked up the nerve to ask him out yet.
"Sure," I said, standing up. "Fang and I are going out!" I called to my mom.
"Be back before dawn!" she called back. That was one thing I loved about her. Unlike Jeb, she cut me some slack, just wanting me back before breakfast instead of before sun set.
"Nope," I called back, laughing.
I grabbed my boots as we walked out the door. "Where are we going?" I asked.
"A little place I like to call my hide out," he said, grinning.
"Hide out?" I asked dubiously.
"Yep. A little cave," he said. He drove his car out of town to an old, rarely used road that led out to a small lake. He pulled of road half a mile from the lake.
He pulled up on the edge of a small cliff, getting out of the car. I got out after him, looking out at the lake. He began walking to the edge of the cliff, and slid off the edge. I ran to the edge, and poked my head over. "Fang?" I called.
"Yeah?" he said, his head peeping out from the rock. He smiled at me, and beckoned me down. I slid over the edge, and landed on a little ledge. I turned and saw a small cave that over looked the lake.
"Wow," I whispered, staring at the view.
"Yeah. I used to basically live here, when my parents kicked me out the first time. I slept here and ate at your mom's house," he said, leaning against the cave wall.
"How did you find this place? I mean, you can't see it from anywhere else," I asked, turning my head to look at him.
"I like to explore," he said, shrugging. I looked out at the lake again. Little ripples started to form on the water, and small droplets gently tapped out a peaceful rhythm on my face and arms.
"It's raining," I whispered, smiling to myself. I loved the rain, it felt like home. It reminded me of my first day here, when Fang and I had dance for hours in the rain.
"Yeah," Fang's voice said, right next to me. I leaned back into him slightly, and he took my hand in his squeezing it. I let out a sigh of contentment, and closed my eyes, enjoying the peacefulness of it all.
Then, of course, my phone rang, ruining the moment. I grabbed it from my pocket. "Hello," I growled into the phone, mad at anyone who ruined my moment.
"Hello, Max. It's been awhile since we've talked. I've missed you," Jeb's voice replied. I let out a squeak.
"Dad!" I exclaimed. "What's up?"
"I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but we need you back in Hollywood. Now. Unless you want to be in a movie in the next three months," he said.
"Fire her. Fire her and I'll see you tomorrow," I said, snapping the phone shut.
"What's wrong?" Fang asked, taking my hand again.
"I need to go home for a week or so. My manager majorly messed things up, and now I need to fix it," I sighed. He gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. I let out a groan. "I don't want to go back there. I'll miss all of you guys too much. Even Dylan," I added as an afterthought.
"Then don't go," he replied simply.
"I have to. I wish there was some way I could bring all of you guys with me," I said glumly. Then it hit me. "Would you come with me?"
"Sure. I know Nudge'll wanna come. She's always wanted to see Hollywood. And your house," he said, giving me a small smile. I smiled back, and led him out of the cave.
"Help me up," I said, squinting my eyes against the rain. I felt hi warm hands place themselves on my waist, tighten, then lift me up. He placed me on the edge, and pulling himself up next to me. I pulled off my now drenched hat, and let the rain drop on my head.
"Our plans?" he asked, looking at me with his dark eyes.
"Go back to Mom's house, invite everyone to my house, and spend a few weeks, soakin' up the California rays," I said, shrugging.
"Good plan," he said, standing up, and pulling me with him. I squeaked, and giggled, a rare thing for me, as he picked me up and carried me to the car. If it were anybody else trying to carry me, I probably broken their nose, but with Fang, I let him.
He set me down when we reached the car, and opened my door. He went to his side, got in, and we drove back home. When we got back, Nudge ran out to greet us, telling me about her time at the mall with her new boyfriend, Sam something-or-another.
When she stopped to take a breath, I popped my question. "You guys wanna come to Hollywood with me for a few days?" I asked, looking around the room at my friends.
Iggy made a face that vanished the second Ella squealed a very sharp, "Yes!" right in his ear. He nodded, while Gazzy slapped his hand over both Nudge's and Angel's mouths to stop outbursts like Ella's. Dylan calmly nodded his head, but I could tell that on the inside, he was fangirl screaming yes!
"I wish I could, sweetie, but I am gonna be the only one on call for the next three weeks," Mom said, bringing in a tray of her cookies from the kitchen. "Please tell me you'll be coming back."
"Yeah, Mom, I'll be back. My tour doesn't start until spring, and I'll convince Dad to let me come back until I need to go," I said, flashing her a smile as I grabbed a cookie.
"Good," she said, trying to give me a stern mom look, but failing utterly, and broke out laughing.
"When are we leaving?" Angel asked sweetly, after biting Gazzy's hand, which he was cradling to his chest, muttering about his sister.
"Tomorrow. Pack up your bags, we're going by private jet in the morning," I said. The moment the words left my lips, everyone scrambled away, running to go pack their bags.
"Wow. I guess people really want to see Hollywood," Fang said, watching Ella drag Iggy around the house as she jabbered his ears off, packing her bag.
"I know, right?" I laughed.
Sorry I took so long to update. I've been stressing over finals. But they're over now, so I was able to finish this! Anyway, R&R!
~Isabelle~