New ch! Sorry about not updating. I have no excuses.

Disclaimer: I definitely don't own Maximum Ride. :(

"Max, can you scoot over?" Alex arrived at the scene, sporting a fluffy white bathing robe. I nodded and moved over, trying to keep my distance from Fang's cousin. She was upset about how I 'rejected' Fang for Dylan, and at the same time, Maya was pissed at me for actually dating Dylan.

I had my reasons why...no matter how unbelievable.

"Well, this is nice...just us girls hanging around," Kate said nervously, flashing an uncomfortable smile. The rest of us shifted in discomfort. Maya crossed her arms, brooding. After a few moments of silence, Maya broke it, saying with a flushed face, "Why are you dating Dylan? Or do you not believe me when I say he's an asshole?"

I returned her angry gaze. I wasn't really surprised. Maya was like me in some ways. We were both pretty predicteable. "Yeah? And how? I'm pretty sure you were lying about the thing you posted online," I guessed. Maya's eyes darted to her purse. "Wh-where did you hear that?" She asked.

The others were silent as they listened to us argue. Maya's mouth opened and closed. Her eyes narrowed. "Fine. You got me. Now, who told you that?"

I resisted looking at Nudge. Maya had only told Nudge the whole story about the whole Dylan thing and how they broke up. All I knew was that the things Maya had posted on the internet about her break-up. She just wanted to keep her reputation. I may have been acting like a complete bitch, but she would have to deal with it.

The only reason why I was dating Dylan was to make Fang jealous. It wasn't one of the things I wanted to do, but Nudge insisted it would work like a charm.

"No one. I just guessed. You're the one who revealed your big secret. So, what exactly happened?" I asked.

Maya got up and ran out of the spa. "Nudge, you are the worst friend EVER."

Stunned silence filled the room. Star cleared her throat. "Sorry, girls, but we should go after Maya. Apologize for what you guys have done." She sent a pointed look in Nudge and my direction.

Star left. Kate smiled sheepishly. "I'm sorry things ended this way. I need to make sure Maya's okay. Her ego's been ruined, I think." Kate ran after Star.

The door thudded closed.

"Max! You screwed up, again! Couldn't you just let it pass! C'mon?" Alex asked in an exasperated way, throwing her hands up. I sat perfectly still. Tilting my head, I asked hollowly, "I did screw up, didn't I?"

Nudge crossed her arms. "Look, I didn't tell Max what happened. Do you even know what we're talking about, Alex?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. Alex stayed silent. "Exactly. Maya was telling me exactly what happened, and Max was smart enough to find out that Maya had been lying about what really happened on their date. So don't snap at Max just because you hate how she 'rejected' Fang. That's not even true," Nudge said.

Alex and Anika watched us. "Yeah. So you better not tell anyone that dating Dylan is just a way to get Fang jealous," I warned. Alex let out a huge sigh of relief. "Oh, I thought you really gave up Fang to that red-haired goody two shoes. I swear, Fang is starting to follow the rules now! That means no more pranking games," Alex said, pouting.

"Which can't happen. We've got to keep the pranking games going. Everyone looks up to us because of it. They love seeing their teachers get pranked."

I grinned wickedly. "Or...we could just decide to bring everyone into the pranking games."

They were pretty worried about what was up my sleeve.

"Hey, guys! This is the pranking game gang here. We've decided that we're going to have a raffle. Please e-mail 'prankinggameseason ' if you would like to become a member of the pranking games! We're having a welcome party and everything. Hope you can join! We'd love to have you around. Make sure to check your e-mail tomorrow and see if you become one of the members of the pranking games!" I said into the mic. Everyone at school heard this. Then, I high-tailed out of the bathroom after an all-clear from Alex and Anika. All of us met up outside in the cafeteria, out of breath.

"Phew. That was close. You think anyone's going to join?"

Ping. Ping. Ping. Ping! Ping!

I grinned. "That's the sound of my phone...and my g-mail's are all connected to my phone...which means we got e-mail!"

"Yes! Okay, so for the raffle, whoever's number ten and fifty-eight will join," Anika said, naming numbers off the top of her head. I skimmed through my phone, looking. The first person who had emailed us was some kid who probably had nothing to do. There were many e-mails, and more and more were getting sent in by the second. I silenced my phone so we wouldn't have to hear it. "Okay. Sure." Alex replied. Nudge came running out of the teachers' lounge. "Hey, guys. So, that's it. Now, let's go to Max's and my dorm to get a laptop and check it out!"

We ran back to our dorm and immediately logged into my laptop. Everyone crowded around me. "Okay, ten and fifty-eight. That's...Ratchet, apparently. And then there's..." I stared at the screen, a lump forming in my throat. I stared at the screen, willing it to say something else. Anything besides that name.

"Who is it, Max?" Anika asked anxiously, leaning over. I gulped and opened my mouth. Why, why, why did the world hate me so much?

"It's our very own Fang."

sorry for the incredible shortness...please don't hate me.

anyone watch catching fire? I loved, loved, loved it! It was exactly like the book. :)