I went straight for my locker. I had walked the halls - no, I had owned them with my two younger sisters and cousin. I was hot, and I believed it. I believed in myself more with this new change. And why? Because of three girls I love and trust. Ella, Angel, and Nudge are the greatest a girl could have. I wish everyone had an Ella, to snap them back to reality. A Angel, to be sweet when things hurt so bad. And a Nudge, to talk your ear so full that you can't help but have a headache, making you focus on that instead of any other crap you could be going through. But everyone had a Max, now didn't they? A girl so stupid that she let another take the guy she loved. Yeah, you heard me. i'm back to thinking about him. About Fang.

My chest hurt as I thought his name.

"Max," Angel looked at me carefully, her eyes full of visible worry, "What's the matter? You don't look too good."

"Nothing," I forced a smile.

She seemed to relax right away. i could lie to a lie detector and not get caught. But if they knew me? Not easy, no definitely not. Especially if it was Ella or Nudge or even Angel. I thought I got her, but she was biding her time, waiting for just the right moment to pounce. Of course, though, I wouldn't know that until later. Like, say, three hours later at lunch?

I sat down by Nudge during third period, so when the bell finally rang for lunch time, the dark princess grabbed my wrist and tugged me until I showed her I would keep pace with her and her swift cheetah feet.

"Hey Nudge, Max," Ella and Angel greeted us.

"Hey," We chorused back as we sat down at the table with them.

"Max," Ella said, a glint in her eye. I knew something was gonna happen. And I wouldn't like it one bit.

"Ella?" I cocked an eyebrow.

"Max," Angel gave me a look.

I sighed, "Okay, fine, fine, I get it. What's up girls? What do you two want from me so desperately?"

"Tell us what's on your mind," Angel said.

Ella said, "Yeah, what's going on with you up in the noggin, Maxie?"

"Please tell us," Nudge gave me Bambi eyes. Damn them. They were too good at that kind of stuff. They could talk the principle into wearing nothing but a miniskirt and heels all year if they batted their eyes at him. Yeah, him. A guy. A guy in a miniskirt and heels, they could seriously make it happen.

"Fine," I relented, cursing myself for being so damn gullible when it came to the three. In one word, one name, really, I told them everything that was wrong and could possibly never be right again. I said, "Fang."

Tears threatened to come up and show my weakest side to them, but I pushed it deep within me, burying it as far as it could go. I wouldn't be weak. Not now, not ever. I was still Maximum Ride. I was still Max. Even under all the layers, I was still me. And I wasn't going to let that change.

"Oh, Maxie," Nudge said, her lower lip quivering and her eyes a little glassier than normal. Waterworks.

"Nudgey, it's okay, really. It's completely fine, so don't. Okay? Don't cry over it," I said and rubbed her back.

She started to sniffle anyways.

"Nudgey," I tried again. This was one big reason why I couldn't be weak. When Angel, Ella, and even Nudge were at their weakest, they had always came to me, knowing I would be there, be the strong Max they knew. So if I became a weak little girl, who would hold them up and help them stand strong? No one. They need me, still yet. And I can't leave them alone when they need me. That just wouldn't be, well, me.

Ella got up from the table. I gave her a questioning glance, still rubbing circles on Nudge's shaking back. Ella just silently came behind us and told Nudge, "YOu know Nudgey, I think we have to do something about this. Wouldn't you think... Angel?"

"Oh, yes, Ella," Angel nodded and came to stand beside her twin, "Yes, I think we do."

Nudge looked up at them, curiosity taking over from the tears, "What do you two mean? Do what?"

"We mean we want to get revenge," Ella stated.

"Yeah, and the certain boy," Angel grinned evilly, "And specific girl we have in mind, well, let's just say they may have a large reason for a, let's say a stand-still, shall we, Nudgey?"

Nudge grinned widely, excitement lighting up her chocolate-colored eyes, "Yes! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, oh, yes! We have to show that bastard that he can have any bitch he wants just he can't hurt our beloved girl Maxie the Princess over here, especially now, because of all that's happened. And, oh, if he disses her, then he is so gonna get it! I an gonna get him to show some damn emotion towards our Maxie here right now! Wait well not now, but you know what I mean. I am, I mean, we are so gonna show him what the hell he is missing by not choosing to be with Max! Oh yes they are gonna -"

"NUDGE!" We screamed.

Her mouth shut with an audible snap.

"We get it," Ella smiled, amusement in her eyes.

Angel held her hands over her ears, frowning slightly at Nudge, "Sometimes you really just hurt my ears by a lot, Nudgey."

Nudge blushed and smiled impishly, "Sorry about that, Angel."

"No," Angel shook her head softly and lowered her hands, smiling, "It's totally okay Nudge. Just slow it down. You're the perfect definition of a motor-mouth. Please quiet it down, Nudgey. Kay?"

"Kay, cool," Nudge beamed.

Ella said, "Now, back to the task at hand, hmm?"

"Well," Angel smiled, "What's the first order of business?"

"As she took a guy who wasn't hers... revenge on a girl with firey-red frizz on her head," Nudge cackled.

Angel looked pale as she whispered, "Please don't do that again Nudge."

"Yeah," Ella visibly shivered, rubbing her arms and hugging herself tightly, "It's seriously freaky and gives me the creeps."

"It's just a bit, err, different," I frowned slightly, looking at Nudge.

"Okay," Nudge said, "But seriously? The first order?"

The twins grinned.

Ella rolled her eyes, "You said it already."

And we all repeated it. Angel and Ella? In mean and iced-off voices. Nudge? Quite harshly. And me? I whispered it.

"Revenge on Lissa."