DISCLAIMER: I do not own Maximum Ride.

Chapter Three – Pity Party

Max's POV

The rest of that week at school was a nightmare. Max couldn't help but look for Fang in every classroom she passed, or every time they had lunch. Even when she did see him in the one class they shared together – History – it was like she didn't exist. His eyes stayed glued to the front, his expression blank. Even when she was asked a question and everyone turned to listen to her reply, Fang stayed still, facing the front.

She wasn't used to being ignored. Her other friends treated her like she was some sort of God. Everyone knew her as the girl who lived on the highest part of the cliffs. She was popular. She was powerful. But none of it mattered because she couldn't have Fang.

"So, the theme is Hawaiian. It's been so hot the last few days that we thought it could be a beach party," Lissa explained as she handed out an invitation to everyone that walked past. Most of the invites had been done electronically through Facebook and email. But there were still some 'nobodies', according to Lissa, that needed to be invited.

Max listened and smiled and nodded at the appropriate times, making an effort to at least appear cheerful. Really, she was trying to figure out how much she'd changed. She remembered having more fun when she was little. Hanging out with Fang, Iggy and Nudge had been what she'd looked forward to every day. When she was finished being a lady for her mother, she would run to meet with them and ruin her pretty dresses because she was in too much of a hurry to get changed out it them. She had much preferred shorts anyway.

Now, she couldn't remember the last time she'd truly had fun. Maybe she hadn't since she'd left two years ago.

Rumours had circled about Maxine Ride all week. People were speculating about why she really left, whether she was pregnant, if she was going to take over Lissa's spot as Queen Bee, etc. Most people believed the story about moving for business. Only one person knew the real reason, but he wasn't the type to spread gossip.

All of a sudden, Max could sense a change in the mood of the hallway. The constant chatter had died down until there was only the buzz of whispering. Max followed everyone's gazes until she saw the cause. Max knew that Fang was good looking, but as she watched him walking down the middle of the corridor with Iggy at his side, she thought that he wasn't just good looking, he was sexy. Every girl watched with lust filled eyes as he passed them. Every guy watched with envy or respect. It seemed that Fang wasn't just another bad boy wannabe. He was the bad boy.

Until that moment, Max hadn't realised just how much the girls desired Fang. She hadn't realised that she wasn't the only one who thought he was extremely good looking. But the thing was, Fang seemed oblivious to all of the stares and whispering. He only looked straight ahead.

She bit her lip as he passed where her group was standing. But she should have known better than to expect anything. He treated her just like anyone else. After all, why should she be special? They'd already gone over the fact that they could never be friends. Why should he waste energy on her?

"Max, you guys are kidding yourselves," Nudge whispered into her ear.

"What?" she spluttered, tearing her gaze away from Fang and focusing on Nudge.

Nudge shook her head sadly. "You're so transparent." Then Nudge walked away and Max was left wondering what she was talking about.

"So, I heard you're having a party," Kurt – a football player – said as he leaned against the locker next to Max.

"Yeah. All seniors are invited," she said, trying not to roll her eyes. She was a lady now.

"Well, I can't wait to see you in a bikini." He grinned a big goofy grin.

Max laughed, wincing at how fake it sounded.

Kurt was the kind of guy her mother would approve of. He lived on the cliffs and owned one of the biggest mansions – apart from hers. He was a football star, earned decent marks (although it seemed unlikely by listening to him speak), and had an acceptable family name.

"Well, you'll have to come and find me," she said, striving for alluring. It seemed to work, because Kurt was momentarily speechless. Then he recovered himself and winked as he made his exit.

Sometimes, she hated herself. What she'd become – her mother's daughter – made her really sad. She used to express herself in her own way. Now, she was constantly biting her tongue. She used to hate people who had relationships –friendship or more – with people they didn't really like. Now, she was one of those people. This was her future. There was no other way for her to act. But right now, she would've rather jumped off a bridge than keep on living this way.

When she looked up from her musings, Fang was looking at her. She was standing against her locker and hadn't heard him approach. Everyone had already left for class. The way he was looking at her made her want to die. The judgement in his eyes was too much. For once, she had no trouble understanding that look on his face. He truly despised her now.

"I'm sorry," she said, before she gathered her books and walked past him. She hated how pathetic her voice sounded.

"I bought you a new bikini for your little party," Valencia announced as she entered Max's room. She was holding the article in her hands. "I also got you one of those grass skirts like you asked. You should find it to your satisfaction."

"Thank you," Max said.

"Everything's ready. The guests should be arriving in an hour," Val continued. "Perhaps you should get dressed now," she prompted.

Max nodded.

Val seemed to sense her mood, because the next thing she knew, her mother was sitting on the edge of her bed and folding her perfectly manicured hands in her lap.

"Maxine, I know that things have been a bit hard for you since we returned. You've been in contact with that boy and God knows what he has said to you. But we moved back because I knew I could trust you to behave like a proper lady. You aren't that wild little girl you were before you left. Now, you are a disciplined young lady that is making the right choices. You will never run in the same circles as that boy, dear. He is scum beneath your feet. He doesn't have the means to be wealthy. You must forget about him and look to the future. Soon, you will find a suitable husband and settle down to be the lady I know you are. Do you think you can do that?"

Max swallowed, digesting everything that her mother had just said. "I think there is more than one way to be wealthy, mother."

"But there is only one type of wealthy that matters to people of our stature, Maxine."

Maybe she didn't want that type of wealth.

"I understand," she said instead.

"Excellent. Now, get changed so that you are ready to meet your guests. Your father and I will stay upstairs, but we expect everything to run smoothly."

"Yes, mother."

"Good," Val said as she exited the room.

From what she could tell, the party was a raging success. Bodies were everywhere. Sounds of splashing could be heard by the pool where most people were hanging out. Waiters had been hired to supply drinks for the duration of the party. They all wore grass skirts and coconut bras. Well, the male servers weren't wearing skirts or bras, but you got the picture.

Inside, teenagers were everywhere. Couples were hanging out on the couches. People were dancing in the middle of the spacious room. Music was blasting from the temporary DJ booth. It was a teenage party through and through.

"Kurt is practically stripping you with his eyes. You going to hook up with him tonight?" Julia asked.

"Umm," she replied, too busy searching faces for the one person she knew wasn't coming tonight. Why was she resolved to hurting herself? Fang didn't want to be with her. It was as simple as that. Yet she couldn't shake the feeling that she needed to be with him.

"I say go for it. He's a hunk," Julia said with a saucy smile.

"Why don't you go for it, then?" Max asked, still distracted.

"Been there, done that," Julia said with a lick of her lips.

Max's eyebrows scrunched together in disgust. But she quickly smoothed them out lest she offend Julia.

"I'm thinking of getting my hands on a real prize this month," Julia said secretively.

"Ah-huh. Who's your prize?"

"Only the most sought after male in the entire school. Fang is so yummy and so mysterious! What I wouldn't give to spend a night with him. And rumour has it that the only way a girl can sleep with him is if they don't want a relationship. It's always a one-time thing. You know – uncomplicated sex; which is perfect, because that's exactly what I want!"

Max stared at Julia for a long moment. "That's true?" she asked, her voice hoarse.

"Well, as far as I know. I'll have to see, won't I? But I'll have to get to him before Lissa does. She wants to snag him as a trophy boyfriend or something like that. If they dated, she'd be unstoppable. It would mean dictatorship far worse than it is at the moment."

"Lissa isn't that bad," Max said automatically.

"You haven't even seen her true colours yet. You're a threat to her, as far as she's concerned. You'll start to see what she's really like and you'll either surrender and become just another lackey, or you'll rise to the occasion and show her who's really boss. She's a real bitch, Max. I know from experience."

Max bit her bottom lip in thought. She didn't like the sick feeling she had in her stomach. Talk of Fang being regarded as some sort of trophy was making her angry. She imagined Lissa's lips on Fang's and nearly growled.

"What should I expect?" she asked.

"Well, she's just scouting you out at the moment. I don't think she expects much of a fight from you. Seriously, Max, you don't exactly have a tough exterior."

I used to.

"But she'll start by testing just how much you'll do for her. She might make you do her homework or stuff like that. It depends, really. She usually finds your weakness; an old lover, maybe a family secret. She's a force to be reckoned with."

Max's expression turned hard. Her mother had tried to teach her to be a delicate lady. Maybe in order to stay on top (of her life and her future business) she had to be tough. Maybe the way Max used to be was better in the long run. She smirked.

"I can see that you're determined to fight. Maybe you just might make it to the finish line. But I've seen people more determined than you meet their social ruin in a war with Lissa. I hope you know what you're doing," Julia said.

"No clue. But I'll manage," Max replied, losing a bit of her edge. She hadn't needed to be tough in so long. She could hardly remember what to do. Maybe this wouldn't be as easy as she thought.

"I think I'll go talk to Kurt," Julia announced with a predatory grin.

Max just laughed and continued to be a great host.

When the party was over, Max didn't feel any better. She'd spent the whole night surreptitiously searching for Fang. But it was all in vain. Fang wouldn't show up to a party like hers. He hated Cliffies.

She sighed in resignation. At least she felt better knowing that it would be extremely hard for Lissa to get her claws into Fang. But she worried about the rumour surrounding Fang's sexual conquests. Did he really just sleep around with people, demanding no commitment or love? The thought made her sad and…jealous? She was probably only jealous that Fang could get anyone he wanted and she couldn't. Yeah, that was likely considering she was seventeen and still a virgin. Not that it was bad to be a virgin; it was just a little frustrating to have no good relationships to boast about whatsoever.

She wondered what Fang would think about that. The closest she'd come to losing her virginity was…

"What are you doing outside, Max?" Valencia Ride called. "It's about to start raining. Come inside before you catch a chill."

"I think I'm going to stay outside for a while longer," Max threw over her shoulder. "I'm going for a drive."

"Don't be ridiculous! It's too late to go for a drive!" Val almost yelled.

But it was too late because Max was already grabbing her keys out of her pocket and heading towards the garage. She needed to visit the place that haunted her dreams. She needed to put an end to her longing for a friendship with Fang. It was unhealthy.

She was going to the cave.

A/N: Have you ever had a particularly bad run-in with a bitchy teenage girl?

I would also like to say that I'm changing the rating to M after I upload the next chapter. It won't be anything graphic or really detailed, but I'd prefer to be on the safe side.