I went into school, trying to add a little more bounce into my step. Jacob was a jerk, I didn't need him. I am Maximum Ride! Oh yes, that's me, Miss Sexy Sexy Pants, right here. I went up to Bella, shook off those ideas in my head that told me to tackle her to the ground and push her right through the Earth's lithosphere, and smiled.

"Hey," I said.

"Hey Max!" she smiled back. "What's up?"

"Nothing much," I replied. Then I saw Sam Fletcher making a beeline for me. "Oh, I'm going to head to the bathroom."

"Sure, go right ahead?" Bella seemed confused, but then followed my line of perspective, and nodded knowingly to me.

I waved goodbye and rushed as calmly as possible to the nearest ladies room. I threw a glance over my shoulder and saw that Sam was closing in on my trail. Oh, stuff it. And then I sprinted to the bathroom.

I hid in there until the bell rang, signaling five minutes until first period. I cracked open the door a little, and saw that Sam was still standing there. He was just standing in front of the girl's bathroom, trying not to look weird. His back was turned to the door, and I just waited until he finally gave up. Sighing, I grabbed my backpack and went to class.

Sam was downright stalking me. Every time I saw him in the hallway, he would try to catch me. After gym, he would be waiting for me outside of the girl's locker room. During lunch, he would try to get in line next to me.

After school, I looked both ways before running towards the path to my house. I heard his voice behind me. "Max!"

Then I ran, giving Usain Bolt a run for his money. He kept calling after me, and I just kept running. Something was suspicious, and I was not going to get caught in the middle of it. Uh-uh. There was something up with the fact that Sam was being overly attached to me.

Something wasn't right.

I decided to stop for a break, when a large hand clapped itself onto my shoulder.

"Hey, Max," Sam said, slightly out of breath. "I was trying to talk to you."

I froze, not sure what to do. I mean, I ran at almost my maximum speed, and he was still standing next to me!

"You don't say."

"I just wanted to give you these," he handed me a basket. In it were muffins, some bread, and other home-made food. "My mom made them, just to welcome your family to Forks."

I raised my eyebrows. "She's a little late."

"Sorry." He looked genuinely upset that I was disappointed, and I felt bad.

"But tell her thanks anyways."

He smiled at me. "Sure."

Jacob's POV

I didn't know why Max was so weird two days ago. I was just going to peck her lips, I wasn't going to go full out make out mode with her or anything. Sometimes she likes being with me, sometimes she doesn't. Especially when Bella's around.

I wonder why.

I revved up my motorcycle and went to Max's house. When I went inside, it was silent. For a second, my blood ran cold. I expected the worse, to realize that Max was missing, or worse- she would just be lying on the kitchen floor, dead. Then I saw her resting her head on the kitchen table, fast asleep. I chuckled to myself. Why did I think that she was in danger? If she was gone, I would have sensed it.

Her blond curls fell over her shoulders, just the way I like it. Her eyes were lightly closed, and her dark, full eyelashes with her thin, pink lips made her look like an angel. All she needed was a halo and some white wings.

I went over to her side. "Hey," I gently shook her. She stirred, but didn't open her eyes. "Hey," I said again. "Go sleep on your bed, don't sleep here. It'll feel awful when you wake up."

She opened her eyes to a sliver. "Jake?"

I smiled. "Come on, let's go upstairs."

She closed her eyes again. "No."

"Max, your bed's more comfy than the hard table," I coaxed.

"Shut up."

"Your bed's nice and warm, and your back won't hurt when you wake up."

Silence.

"Max?"

More silence.

Sighing, I gently lifted her up bridal style. She was like a feather in my arms. I mean, come on. I got them guns. They aren't just for show. I went up the stairs as smoothly as I could muster, trying not to wake the sleeping angel in my arms. I laid her on the bed, pulling the covers over her, tucking her in. For a while, I was just on my knees, stroking her clear face, when I noticed a semi-deep scar on her cheek. It must have been when Leah scratched her face. She was going to pay for that.

I was going to leave, but her face seemed to lure me in, and soon, I was fast asleep next to her.

When I woke up, I was in the same position on Max's bed. Nothing really changed, except for the fact that Max wasn't under the covers anymore.

I yawned, and went downstairs, assuming she had just gone into the kitchen to find something to eat. But she wasn't there. I checked the living room. She wasn't there either. I searched the entire house, inside and out, and there was still no sign of Max.

Her pink Converse were still by the front door, and her coat was still hanging on the coat rack. Where could she have gone?

Max POV

I forced my tired eyes open, aware that I was no longer at my kitchen table or in my bed. I looked around and saw that I was in a room. A room with white walls, and bright, fluorescent lights. No, I thought, and for once in a long time, I was scared. This can't be happening.

I heard the tapping of expensive Italian leather shoes, a sound too familiar. My eyes darted to the sound, trying to lift my head up but realized that I was strapped down to something. I could only stare at the ceiling in fear.

"Hello Max," a voice said. "It's been much too long since our last encounter."

Looming over me with a sickingly sweet smile was my father.

Jeb.