me: I'm sorry about the long update!

Angel: She actually forgot about this story.

me: No - Yeah, I did.

Total: Tsk, tsk. Sham.

me: I know! *cries* Anyway, enjoy!

-line-

Alright K.C Lanton made a good point. I forgot this the first two chapters:

Max and Fang: 19

-Max POV-

"Are you ready?" the Governor asked. Ella squeezed my hand, her wrist rubbing the shackle. I swallowed, wishing I could disappear, but nodded.

Governor mimicked my nod, as if to make sure it were real, and opened the huge and heavy double doors.

Since the North has so much more then the South, they are required to come down here, instead of the South's Competitors going to the North, for what's called a Meet and Greet, or a M&G. It was required for the Contestants to meet in the M&G, instead of in the Ring, or even Debt, starting seventy years ago. Something about nerves.

Personally, I don't think it's a good idea. I don't mind meeting my Competition ahead of time - I don't let it phase me - but when M&G began is when the North started their winning spree. The South thought they knew their Competition good enough and put their guard down. The North took advantage of that. How do you think that... what's his name... Fang guy has survived so many? The South forgets Governor's words and let their guard down. Fang. The North has such ridiculous names.

Ella is the only family member ever to be allowed inside the M&G.

-flashback-

"Please!" I begged Governor. "I'm terrified! I need someone to be with me!"

It was my first time in a M&G. I volunteered to be entered early at ten, since at that time, teenagers were almost extent in the South. Legally I wasn't allowed to Compete. I wouldn't be able to for several more years. I was only seven at this time, and Ella was four.

Governor seemed sick and tired of my begging. I had gone on and on for hours. Mom and Dad were right beside me, but I wanted a family member with me during the M&G.

"Fine!" she almost screamed over my sobs. I immediately stopped out of fear. "I'll go in with you."

This was the first time I had ever met this Governor. It was a different one then now. This Governor was an older woman, her hair gray and skin whithered. I only knew her from the badly programmed radio broadcasts that I couldn't understand. At ten, I didn't know about the Competition. So when Governor asked for volunteers, I didn't know what I was doing.

I slowly shook my head. "No! I want Momma to go with me!"

Governor crossed her arms. "Parents are not allowed in the Meet and Greet. So..." She reached forward and plucked a three-yea-old Ella from Mom's arms. "She will go with you."

-flashback end-

And ever since, Ella has gone in the M&G with me. And to repay the favor, I will go with her if she's ever so unlucky to be chosen.

-Fang POV-

"How are you so relaxed?" Iggy asked. I was feet away from the door that leads into the M&G, but it could have been a magical land of sweets for how nervous I was. "If I was chosen, I'd be worried sick!" And there is the difference between me and Iggy.

I shrugged. I wasn't even nervous the first time I had a M&G. I didn't know what it was at eight. Since I was supposedly 'too young', they don't have to shackle your wrists like they do now. Since the first M&G ended with a full out punching fight, it's now required for all Contestants to have security shackles to 'keep all violence in the Ring.'

I don't know what I'd do without the M&G. Even at age eight, I was able to talk my way onto their good sides and catch them off guard.

"Fang!" said the Governor, walking up to me and clutching my arm. "Come on." He pulled me towards the double doors. Until now, I didn't feel nervous about meeting Max face-to-face until I saw the doors, knowing she was right behind them. That stalker Lissa girl's website came flooding back.

Maximum Ride - The South's Favorite Competition Winner!

Maximum "Max" Ride lives with her three little sisters and father, who chooses for the Northern Contestant.

That sentence just hit me. Great, and I was grinning when I found out I was going against Max. He probably thinks I'm a jerk. Well, so is his daughter.

Her mother died during delivery of her youngest sister. And, with her father's work, she mostly raises her siblings by herself. When they can, the sisters try to leave for neighbors and friend's houses, because they say Max is 'bossy and has every second of our lives planned out, and it includes the Ring in the middle of Debt.' In addition to bossing her sisters' lives, she is rumered to be bossing everyone else's. I've never met Max and don't want to, so I would't know.

What has her father done about it? Nothing! Maybe the girls were too afraid of their older sister to tell him, or maybe he didn't believe them because Max denied it. Or, maybe he's just as big of a jerk as Max. Don't believe me? Meet her for yourself!

mride at gmail . com (As far as I know, that is not a real email address. If you want to talk to 'Max', email me at fnick . fwilliam at gmail . com)

Then it showed a picture of Max. In her room. From bushes. If that doesn't say stalker, I don't know what does. But she's pretty hot.

Anyway, I'd emailed 'Max'. Too bad Lissa forgot the picture she posted on her website, because the profile picture was a different girl who favored Max. I found Max's real email later, and it was the girl on her website. I'm pretty sure the second one was Max, but I'll see in a few minutes.

I closed my eyes as the doors opened.

-line-

me: I will not take so long to update next time! I promise!

Angel: You will.

me: I will not!

Total: You always do.

me: *slaps* Anyway, I'll update faster if you review!