Chapter 4 – Fang and Max

I was pissed. Really pissed.

I was hoping so badly that we wouldn't see the girls, and I thought I was going to get my way, just this once. But when do I ever get my way? Never, which is exactly why as we approached the front desk in this building, the girls were standing there happily talking amongst themselves... and then I saw Max and it felt as if I'd been bitch slapped by karma. Why? Well, she couldn't just come back some obese, ugly monstrosity could she? No! She had to come back looking even more heart breakingly beautiful than when she left five years ago.

Even though she wasn't wearing anything special she still managed to look amazing in it. All she wore were black apple bottom jeans, a striped black and white tank top, red high waisted belt, and matching red platforms. Her hair – which was now light blond with bleach blond highlights – was tied in a side ponytail that curled at the end. She also was wearing Gucci sunglasses, which I hoped she couldn't see me through otherwise she'd notice how much I was staring at her.

But she didn't (well, I hope she didn't) as the others started walking ahead, leaving me to walk next to her in one of those really awkward silences. We didn't say anything, and she didn't look at me, but probably noticed the almost constant staring as I took in her facial features (since when were her eyes Hazel?). However, it wasn't that that pissed me off; it was the reactions of all the men we passed that drove me crazy.

Well, me and Max weren't exactly standing close as we were walking, so it was pretty obvious we weren't together either, but still. I mean, some just outright gawked open mouthed at her, others tried to be more sly by eyeing her up and down, but this one guy just REALLY PISSED ME OFF. He was obviously friends – or acquaintances at least – with Jeb as he stopped to say hello, then as he walked past Max do you know what he did? He wolf whistled. WOLF WHISTLED AT MY... at Max. Maximum Ride, who would kindly kick your ass if she wasn't busy at the moment. I mean, I don't know why I was so angry, but I just was.

It was only then that I clocked someone was looking at me, and turned my head to find it was Max, which seriously surprised me. She was looking at me, with what could only be shock and confusion on her face and she opened her mouth slightly, as if to say something—

"Max, Fang we're here" It was then we noticed the others had stopped, and were all staring at us. Max quickly shut her mouth again and walked ahead of me, quickly entering before I could even say anything. I couldn't help but glare at Iggy who interrupted us and he mouthed a "sorry" at me before following the others inside. I sighed and headed through the door, taking the empty seat closest to it.

-----MAX-----

Do you how hard it is trying to style out something? Like buckling when you're walking, or trying to hide a huge stain on your shirt, or when you're caught eyeing up someone. Yeah, well right now I was basically trying to style out how my eyes seemed to be permanently glued to Fang. At first, he hadn't noticed my glances towards him; but then he happened to look up and catch me looking at him earlier... that was embarrassing. I don't think he noticed how red my face was as I walked away, but now were in the middle of the conference so I couldn't finish what I was about to say.

"Good evening Mr and Mrs Batchelder, and the Flock of course. Today is going to be a briefing of the recent events as well as a mission we plan to send you on, if you are willing. We're going to be starting with..." I kind of lost interest, half heartedly paying attention to the man speaking; his voice was way too monotonous. I did however find my eyes wandering to the guy sitting opposite me, closest to the door...

Okay, but can you really blame me? Every girl (and some guys of course) who has common sense realises that Fang is GORGEOUS. Heck, that's pretty much the understatement of the decade already. So you can't blame me for gawking at him in the meeting; I mean the way the shirt clung to his muscular chest, the jeans which hung low on his hips, or his incredibly soft dark fringe which stopped just above his eyes, which help accentuate those long eyelashes... Jeez Max stop it! I was practically undressing him with my eyes, okay, maybe I shouldn't have used that phrase since now my mind was wandering in the general direction...

MAXIMUM RIDE CONTROL YOURSELF! ANGEL IS ONLY A FEW SEATS AWAY! And right on cue I heard a quiet giggle from the other end of the table, I felt my cheeks heat up as I looked forward trying to pay attention.

"...we've found that this new threat has five bases located on the planet. One in America, another in Japan, another in Russia, another in Britain and the last Egypt, where this whole mess started all those years ago. Your mission, if you choose to take it, is to visit each of these bases in the given order and shut them down; finding out as much information as you can about their other bases along the way. Do you understand?" We all nodded in silent agreement. "Very well, I'll give you a few minutes to decide amongst yourselves." And the men left, closing the door quietly behind them and leaving us in a pretty awkward silence.

"I say we should go" Said Gazzy, breaking the silence with an excited voice,

"Me two" added Angel, and everyone ended up agreeing with Fang just nodding in agreement (no surprises there).

"But where would you children stay?" Asked my mom, obviously worried about the Flock's eagerness;

"Don't worry mom, we can stay at my place in London, and I have some friends who live in Russia, Japan and Egypt, which is kind of convenient." I added, smiling reassuringly. I pretended not to notice certain dark eyes boring a hole into my head.

Then the men entered and we all agreed that we would leave in a few days time. The conference was over, and I left only knowing the basics, I also made sure to walk ahead of Fang this time and stick with Nudge as she rambled on about something. But it wasn't until we got to the cars that I faced my next problem. My parents had already jumped into mom's car with Gazzy and Angel and I started to head towards it before Nudge stopped me.

"Where do you think you're going?" I frowned, confused,

"My mom's car?"

"Nope! You're going to the town with me, Iggy and Fang!" my eyes widened, and before I could react I listened as my mom's car roared into life and pulled out. I watched in silence as it drove away, feeling betrayed as my phone began vibrating in my bag. I pulled it out to find a picture of puppy dog eyes and a message underneath.

SORRY! GD LUCK WIT FANG! X-D

Why wasn't I surprised it was from Angel? I groaned quietly before reluctantly following Nudge. Before I realised what she was doing Nudge sprinted to the car and jumped into the front seat, leaving me to realise I would now have to sit in the confined back seat with Fang for God knows how long. I groaned inwardly, before sliding into the back seat.

This was going to be a long ride.

Why do I have the feeling the story gets worse and worse with each chapter? Anyway, for everyone who didn't know a the word "fringe" in the UK is what they call "bangs" in America. I thought to right that because Max has been living there for the last five years - and typing bangs just seems to weird to me (the girl who grew up in Britain). ANYWAY R&R people