A/N: Blah, Blah, Don't own maximum ride, Blah, Blah, but steal my OC's and I'll shoot you... JK

Join the club

Max's POV

I knew this kid was trouble the moment I saw him. I'm talking about the new kid. What was his name again? Fred? No... Philip, that was it. He's about as tall as me and Fang, and that's saying a lot because we're really tall.

Your probably wondering how the hell I know about this new kid. Well, we go to the same school. Yes I said school, I'm 17 now and finally got around to starting my education. It really wasn't hard after I saved the world and all, you know because I didn't have Erasers chasing me around anymore.

Anyway, so he comes in on his first day looking really nervous and all. He must have noticed Fang and I staring at him because he turned away and tried to ignore us. So, on the first day he had bright green eyes all full of innocence, like nothing had ever happened to him in his life.

Then he disappears for like a week, no note or anything, and no one knows where he is. Yesterday he came back with dark red eyes, and I don't mean they were blood-shot, his irises were freaking maroon. Now we were starting to get suspicious, plus he looked really scared like he had just woken up from a nightmare or something.

I remember looking like that before, but my nightmares were real. I really hoped this kid hasn't gone through anything like what I have. I cringed as I remembered years of shots, tests, and living in cages day after day.

I glanced over at him to see how he was doing, he noticed and stared back. I quickly turned my head away, I didn't want him to get any funny ideas. When the bell rang I quickly got up and left the class with Fang hot on my tail. The kid didn't look like someone from Itex, but looks can be deceiving.

--

Philip's POV

That girl had been staring at me again.

I couldn't remember who she was but she seemed nice, didn't talk much though. She hung out with that goth guy who sits next to me, I've never seen her with anyone else though. Maybe they were siblings or something? Maybe we could be friends...

I immediately brushed that thought away as I remembered last night, the wings and all. I doubt I'll ever get any friends with my red eyes and my wings. I shuffled out of the class still thinking about that girl, I pushed her out of my mind and headed for the lunch room.

I didn't make it to the lunch room though.

--

I practically ran headfirst into a couple guys blocking my path. I moved to the side and they followed, still blocking my way. I glanced up and recognized the guys.

Crap, there were three big guys standing there staring down at me. These guys were known for their tendency to beat the crap out of kids who were different. I think having bright red eyes and wings qualified as being different. Well, at least they didn't know about the wings, yet.

"Where are you going in such a hurry, Freak?" One guy said, glaring at me.

"Lunch" I muttered.

"Oh? And what makes you think we're gonna let you get there?" The other guys snickered.

"Listen, I don't want any trouble with you guys," I said desperately.

"Well that's to bad, 'cuz you got some!" the leader said, he looked like he was getting ready for a fight. Maybe I should ru-

"Hey!" someone called to the guys.

they looked up and I saw the girl from my class and her goth friend come up behind me. Were they defending me?

"Leave this kid alone you jerks," the guy's face reddened.

"You two will stay out of this if you know whats good for you," the big guy snarled.

"hey, if you mess with him you mess with us" the goth guy said.

this must have made the guys rethink what they were going to do, because a couple minutes later they stomped off muttering to themselves. The girl exchanged a glance with the goth guy and they both turned to face me.

"Hi, I'm Max and this is Nick," the girl said, "we're kind of outcasts too, and you looked like you could use a friend."

"I'm Philip," I said with a smile and the girl- Max- smiled back.

"let's go grab I bite to eat," Nick said.

I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I followed them off to the lunch room.

A/N: Haha! told you they would get longer, but chap 5 will probly be the longest so far. R&R please:)