My Boarding School

Author's Note

You guys probably really do not want to hear about what I've got to say...after all, I pretty much left you all in the dark with the last scene.. *Evil Laughter*

I truly am sorry for being so inactive with this story and my other Maximum Ride ones. If you read "Girl in the Games", please continue to wait (im)patiently for the new version.

I hope you will continue to follow me despite my idiocy. Like, I had this story in the back of my mind, but I was honestly too lazy and busy to get this done. Sorry. I know you must be wondering what I would have to do during the summer, but I've actually been super busy.

Enough with my rambling. Read on!

The lights were flipped on, and I opened my eyes.

Fang and I stared at each other—quite awkwardly, I might add.

"Here," he muttered, helping out of the net meant for him. I groaned. The prank was a complete and utter failure. And what was I going to do now?

I was caught in a mess—Maya, Star, and Kate were mad at me, Alex hated me, and Dylan would find out I had kissed Fang.

And Fang and I were stuck in an awkward relationship.

"Hehe, sorry, guys," Ratchet said, scratching the back of his head.

I sent him my original Max death glare, and I grinned in contentedness to see him shiver. Nudge, Alex, Ash, and Anika stepped into the room.

"Look, we didn't want to do this, but you guys are seriously not getting along. And it's getting in the way lately. You're best friends. Being a best friend means that you guys fight, but you'll always make up." Nudge said, a small smile on her face.

I took a deep breath, taking a very un-Max-like turn.

"Fang," I said slowly, looking up at him. "I apologize. I disrespected your ideas and I was being immature. Sorry."

He nodded. "I'm sorry, too. I was being a complete jerk to you, and—"

He hesitated, a slow smirk spreading across his face. "That Britney girl's got nothing on you," he finished, smirking devilishly.
I felt myself blush as he said this, and I turned away, unable to meet his searching eyes.

"Yeah, ah, whatever," I replied, humphing.

Everyone in the room laughed, and it felt like some kind of tension was lifted.

I smiled, my gaze flitting to the faces of my amazing friends. My eyes stayed on Fang the longest.

It was the beginning of a new era.

Weeks flew past as quickly as they had come.

Students bustled around in the halls, relieved to have finished the last day of school before break. I sighed, smiling happily as I hugged my Chemistry notes to my chest.

Having just finished my last quarter Chemistry test before the mid-finals, I was exhausted from all that brain work and calculating.

Today was the last day, and I was more than thrilled to know that Christmas vacation was coming up. I couldn't wait to see my family again. Ella had been text messaging me non-stop, chatting about the presents she was giving to Mom and Angel.

Angel and Mom video-chatted with me more often. Smiling wistfully, I remembered my last conversation with my family. Angel and Ella were maturing, and Mom was still in her normal busy Martinez mother mode.

I walked into the cafeteria where most students were after the last class. The cafeteria was brightly decorated with Christmas trees in the corners, tinsel hanging on tables, and bursts of convivial lighting across the entire cafeteria.

"Max!"

Nudge lunged at me, successfully glomping and choking me. "Nudge! Can't... Breathe!" I coughed, trying to unhenge her from me.

"Sorry!" she replied gleefully, oblivious to my reaction.

I raised an eyebrow. "What's up, Nudge? Why are you so happy?"

Of course, with these two questions, the lovable girl launched into a full-blown rant about her opinion of the test and Christmas and cupcakes and Twilight from My Little Pony. How she went from the test to a fictional TV character was beyond me.

"Nudge! Calm down!" another voice interrupted.

Ash appeared with a rather grim expression, surprising both Nudge and me. "What happened?" Nudge asked her sister nervously.

Ash waved a hand of dismissal. "After all of that perseverance in studying the freaking entire Chemistry textbook, I still think I failed," she finally said, an annoyed look on her features.

I smiled sympathetically. "It's totally all right, Ash. I definitely failed that last theoretical yield problem."

"Right? That was so difficult!" Nudge agreed, slapping a hand to her forehead.

Ash nodded, leading us to a table in the cafeteria.

Soon, the others joined us while we conversed about the Chemistry test.

"Hey, so what are you guys doing over winter break?" Gazzy asked curiously.

Nudge and Ash exchanged looks. "We're going to France with our family for vacation!" Ash replied, smiling at her sister.

"Chillin' on campus with Fangster and Alex," Iggy said, leaning back in an accomplished manner.

I rolled my eyes. "I'm just hanging out with family."

"Oh. Gaz and I are going to New York. We saved enough money, and we've got a friend there." Anika said. She seemed happy enough, but there was a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

"Why aren't you guys going to see family?" I asked Anika, Gazzy, Iggy, Alex, and Fang.

Iggy raised an eyebrow. "I'm a pyro and a freak, according to my family. Why would they want me there? I've got nowhere waiting for me."

"Same goes except the pyro part. My parents just don't want me around during their 'happy holiday anniversary'." Alex said cynically, glaring at the table.

Fang sighed. "I'm staying at Lincoln Boarding School just because I don't want to see my parents right now. I mean, they send me here to get a good education, right? And, plus, Alex is doing amazingly well here. And they don't talk to me at all afterwards. Not a phone call, or e-mail. Nothing. Not even a lame text faking concern for me. It's like, you're out of the house, and I don't have to pretend to care."

Everyone at the table stared at Fang in shocked silence.

"You..."

"Spoke..."

"WAY MORE THAN A SINGLE WORD!" I finished, screaming.

He snorted, folding his arms in annoyance. "Whatever."

"Man, that sucks," Gazzy said, patting Fang's back.

Nudge nodded. "It's sad how they don't care. I mean, parents are there for emotional support, right?"

We all agreed, giving Fang our condolences.

"Well, we don't have it as bad as Fang and Igs, but we have slightly the same situation. We wanted to get away from our foster parents, and Gaz rigged one too many bombs," Anika said.

We stayed silent as we reveled in our family issues. For me, it was my dad, Jeb Ride. He had been a jerk, ruining my mother's life. Ella had been too young to remember, and Angel was adopted later.

"Well, we'll all come back in time to study for our mid-finals. But I suppose they'll be a lot like our last quarter tests. I mean, the teachers did write those, too," Ash mused.

"And the Winter Carnival!" Nudge and Anika squealed together. It was a normal carnival, but they were raising money for kids with cancer. I was definitely attending since it wasn't a dance.

"There's going to be a Christmas fashion show to advertise the clothes the student council designed, and we want you guys in it!" Nudge said. She was so happy only Iggy to snap her out of her trance.

I glared at Nudge. "What? No. No, no, no. I wouldn't be able to model out of a paper bag, plus I hate dresses and skirts and girly things in general," I reminded.

"Well, we're going to be in it!"

All eyes turned to the group of girls with Ratchet and Dylan. Dylan and I had solved our problems. Obviously, I was just a rebound for Dylan as he was to me. He and Maya decided to wait it out as friends before proceeding with their previous relationship. They forgave and forgot, just like Fang and me.

Kate and Ratchet had started dating, which was pretty neat considering Kate was a shy and lovely girl with model-looks and Ratchet was a supreme bad boy.

Star had zero interest in boys. She preferred to be a gorgeous and unattainable coquette, dressing for herself and only herself all the way. I admired Star's sense of independence, which had been me once. Now, I wasn't so sure since I had confusing feelings towards Fang.

"Hey, guys," Maya added to Star's previous statement. A smirk found its way on Star's face.

"So, Max, are we going to have to tie you down and blackmail you to get you into a dress?" Maya teased.

Kate laughed as I sent Maya a more than disgruntled look. "You wouldn't dare," I challenged.

"Yes, she would," everyone besides Maya said.

I groaned. The world was against me!

When we were finally dismissed, we headed to our dorms, ready to pack up. I missed my family already.

I stuffed my suit cases full before realizing I was missing my Physics textbook. Of course I would have to study for mid-finals. I really wanted to stay at Lincoln Boarding School. Everyone here was amazing, and my friends were absolutely awesome. I couldn't allow my mom to move me away.

"Hey, Nudge, where's my physics textbook?"

Said girl was busy styling her curly brown hair and dabbing make-up on, lifting different outfits and shoes in the mirror.

"Gosh, don't you remember? You let Fang borrow it for his physics test. He gave his to Iggy." she replied, eyes on the mirror.

Turning to me, she inquired, "Max, should I wear the polka-dot dress or this navy blue one with this white cardigan on the first day to France?"

I shrugged. "To me, you look better in navy blue. Makes you look mature."

She flashed a grin. "Thanks, Max."

I walked out of the dorm, going to Fang and Dylan's. The moment I knocked on the door, Fang answered. "Hey," he greeted.

I nodded in reply. "Um, I'm looking for my textbook," I prompted, nervously playing with my cell phone's home screen.

He nodded stoically. "Yeah, sorry."

I glanced at the book in his hand, taking it cautiously.

We shared a brief look before I high-tailed it out of the room.

Only Fang could turn my emotions into a disarray.

Taking a deep breath, I trudged back to my dorm. I opened the door to see Nudge and Iggy making out.

"Shit, shit! MY EYES!" I screamed, covering them.

Iggy and Nudge separated, looking embarrassed. "S-sorry, Max," Nudge squeaked.

I glared daggers at Iggy, stalking forwards. "You annoying pyro! You better not be indecent to Nudge!" I yelled.

Iggy paled, raising his palms. "I-I—"

Nudge sighed. "See you later, Igs."

I crossed my eyes, facing Nudge. "Nudge, I know you really like Iggy. I mean, he's your boyfriend, and all..."

I paused, eyes flicking to our window. I didn't know how to express myself in a way that left Nudge unhurt. Sighing, I continued, "Look, I don't want you to get hurt. That's all. Oh, and be careful on vacation. I want you back in one piece."

Nudge smiled at me. "Thanks for caring, Max. I get what you mean, and I've been keeping a bottle on my feelings. Don't worry, okay?"

I sighed in relief, glad she wasn't upset with me for calling her boyfriend out.

My phone started ringing. The caller ID read, "Ella".

Pressing the answer button, I listened to Ella scream in my ear.

"MAX! I'VE MISSED YOU SO MUCH! ARE YOU OKAY? YOU WEREN'T BITTEN BY A VAMPIRE, RIGHT?"

I rolled my eyes affectionately at her imagination. "Hey, I'm talking to you, so I must be fine, right?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

Ella stopped. "Oh, yeah."

We laughed together. I took my packed-up suitcases and placed them next to the dorm door. "So, Els, when am I getting picked up?"

There was a knock at the door. Opening it, I saw my family beaming at me.

"...right about now!" Ella cried, pouncing on me with Angel.

"I missed you guys so much!" I said, suddenly feeling nostalgic. I grinned evilly at Ella.

She paled. "Oh, no."

I nodded, smiling wider. "Oh, yes!"

My sister turned around and high-tailed it out of the room, screaming. I chuckled before turning to Angel. "Hey, sweetie, have you been good this year? Don't go following my footsteps, 'kay?" I joked.

She pouted adorably, making my heart melt. "But you seem so much happier than before!"

I mussed her hair up, sticking my tongue out. "Maybe it's because you're here!"

Mom's lips quirked into a small smile, her face saying, "I honestly doubt that's the reason".

I bumped my mom's shoulder. "Okay, I've got a little munchkin to chase! By the way, this is Monique. We call her Nudge."

I turned to Nudge. "Hey, can you keep them company..." I trailed off, watching Angel and Nudge chat about boy bands. Rolling my eyes, I sprinted off after Ella.

"Hey, what's up?" Star asked, trailing me casually.

"Have you seen a short, brown-haired girl running around like a maniac?" I questioned. Star laughed.

"You mean this one?" She opened the storage room next to a plotted plant, giving away Ella. My sister was huddled up in a little ball, her cell phone giving off light. She stared at me, realizing she had been caught.

"Crap!"

It took a while before we finally left for a cozy Christmas holiday at home.

I didn't edit this what-so-ever, so please point out any mistakes. I'll be happy to fix this afterwards.

~flying