All right, I just have to say. I got the perfect song for this next chapter and that it will switch between Max and Fang's POV. I know I normally switch between chapters but this is so perfect. I forgot I even had this song.

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My Own Worst Enemy

It's no surprise to me that I am my own worst enemy.

I was completely stupid for being so weak.

When I wake up, I'm sleeping with my clothes on. Perfect, now I looked like an idiot. I just passed out right on my bed after I came in through the window last night.

That's me.

Graceful, not-ridiculous Max. (Please note that I am in a sarcastic mood at the moment).

God, and when I woke up to realize that I hadn't dreamed about kissing Fang but I had actually kissed him. I felt like one of Gazzy's experiments. Broken into disgusting pieces. Stupid, stupid Max.

And all because of some jerk who was drunk. I ran my hand through my hair and picked up my cell phone. There was one message and it was from Bobby. I might as well hear it.

I pressed a few numbers and then held the phone to my ear. I could hear him now, "Can we forget about the things I said when I was drunk. I didn't mean to call you that. I can't remember what was said or what you threw at me."

Then I hung up cutting off his voice.

Idiot didn't even realize it was my fist that had hit him.

Oh well, at least I had today off at school. Tomorrow, I can avoid him and I can avoid the flock. I'll just skip lunch- which will be difficult but manageable.

Hey- I use to live on desert rat remember?

***

It's no surprise to me that I am my own worst enemy.

Abraham had pretty much confirmed it. All the doubts that I had pushed aside in order to be with the flock, well, they were back.

I shouldn't have run when Max had opened the cage to my dog crate. I should've stayed where I was. Max thought she was the monster. She had no idea.

I leaned against the bleachers staring at the school. I kind of felt like one of the addicts that hung in the shadows. I had to get my head straight though. All day in class I couldn't focus. I thought Max might sit with us because I knew she had gotten in a fight with Bobby over I didn't know what. Instead, she avoided everyone, especially me. Yesterday, when there was no school, she didn't even leave her room.

Because I pushed her aside and had to pretend that she was nothing.

I still had to do that.

"Yeah man, Max was good." I tilted my head hearing the familiar annoying voice of that jerk, Bobby Greene. "At first she sort of hesitated but she eventually gave in." I took a step around the corner to see Greene's back facing me.

He was bragging to some dude.

About Max.

Oh God, she slept with that bastard.

Before I had time to control myself I pushed Greene in the back. He turned to face me. "What the hell man?"

"What did you say about Max?" I pushed him and his back hit against the brick wall of the school.

"I said she was good," he gave me a smirk. I grabbed his coat with my fists and pushed him against the wall. I stood over this guy by only an inch or two but I had bird-kid strength.

There was a cigarette still burning on the asphalt. I figured Bobby had dropped it because his breath was revolting. He laughed to see my anger. The only time I ever showed emotion is when it came to Max. I had lost control.

"That's right," he whispered. The other guy had run off by now. "I fucked Max." The way the words curled with amusement as he said it. I slammed him against the brick wall and he just laughed some more.

Max wouldn't be with this guy in a million years.

Or would she?

Maybe that's why she was upset.

"If you hurt her, I swear that I will-" but my voice cut off. Max could've killed this guy without the use of her hands. She hadn't been drunk or I would've tasted it when she kissed me. Maybe the ass was just lying. Or maybe Max really had been with him.

Bobby glared at me, "I should've known that you and Max didn't act like brother and sister Jonas." I growled, I hated that fake last name. Max had chosen it as a joke because my fake first name used to be Nick. Put it together- yeah, she thought it was funny too.

Well, the names had been dropped after everyone realized it was us, the flying bird kids.

"That is none of your business," I yelled back. I grasped his coat tighter and lifted him off the ground a few inches with his back still against the wall. I was trying to do anything but hit him.

"I fucked Max," Bobby said in a taunting voice that made me growl with anger. "And after, she said I was the best she ever had." He laughed, his brown hair falling in front of his eyes.

"Fang!" Her voice was sweet, beautiful. It was after school, she should've been home…unless she was avoiding me. Or here to talk to Bobby? I didn't want to find out really.

I dropped Bobby on the ground and the smug ass began straightening his jacket. "Hey baby," he said triumphantly when I turned my back.

"Don't call me that ass," she said just as I turned to punch him hard in the face. Greene easily fell over and he stared at me with a bloody nose.

"Geez, that red-head was right. You're a fucking physco!" He lifted his hand to his nose and observed the blood. He sounded funny with his nose broken that way.

I smiled.

It felt good to hit that ass hole.

Then, I watched as he ran off before I could realize what he had said.

Red-head, oh fuck.

And Max had heard.

"Max, I don't think he meant Brigid. It was probably nothing. There are a lot of red-heads in Running Springs." She sent me a glare.

"Just go away Fang, I think you've done enough." I could tell by the hurt on her face that she had heard Greene before I even knew she was there. Maybe she even misunderstood what had happened. Maybe in her eyes I was confronting Greene about letting it slip that I told him about Max and I.

But I hadn't. I wouldn't.

Even if my life depended on it, I would never reveal that to anyone.

"What are you still doing here?" Max demanded, her wings were flared out and her eyes were harsh, cold. She kind of reminded me of- me. She was so close to emotionless but I knew her too well. I saw the sadness, the anger, and the confusion all right in her big, gorgeous eyes.

I raised my hands. "Gone."

I turned and flew away.

***

It's no surprise to me that Bobby said all those things.

I understood him completely.

It all made sense.

Brigid was back and she had told him about Fang and I.

Although, I was pretty sure she only knew about us on a hunch.

Damn good hunch, which I stupidly confirmed last night.

I sat against the wall and leaned my head back as soon as Fang was gone. I closed my eyes and wondered why he still protected me? He didn't love me.

Here it was again, the moment that was going to send me back to Maximum Ride, saving the world mode. If Brigid was back, then so was the strong Max that everyone needs.

It will only take a few minutes of me complaining with myself. New rules were placed, one including the phrase, "Stay the hell away from Fang…and other boys." That would solve that problem for the moment.

You may be wondering why I had to do this.

Give myself a little pep talk.

It's cause every now and then I kick the living shit out of me.

Just to make sure I understand what is at stake here.

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Song is "My Own Worst Enemy" by Lit.

Please Review! It makes me feel good and then write more!

I'm still taking any offers of songs if anyone is interested.

I'll try to make them fit in the plot.

Or do a one-scene.

Thanks for all that have read so far.

More to come!! =)