I apologize for the wait! I'm really sorry guys! I've had this sudden desire to watch Supernatural from the beginning in time for season 11 to come back….So my eyes have basically crusted over. I'm on season 8 so almost done! I decided to just flash forward to the day of the performance. I'm anxious and I just wanted to get there. My timing is all screwed up anyway. Hope you guys don't mind the time jump!

"You haven't even thought of what you were gonna wear?!" Ella yelled.

JJ sighed. "You've said that three times now, Ells."

"Well, it's a bit much for even Max." Becca observed.

"Max, if it was any ordinary performance it wouldn't really matter. But this is Nevermore's image. You guys have got to look good." Alex frowned at me.

"I've been a bit preoccupied." I snapped. I really had. We'd spent every waking moment rehearsing and practicing. We'd come so far in only two days and we were beginning to enjoy ourselves while practicing. Mistakes were minimal if not not at all and even the mistakes itself were hard to notice. But even when we had begun to really enjoy how we sounded the last thing we were thinking was about how we looked.

Hence, the current argument.

"It's going to be really hot tonight. I vote crop top." Angel wiggled her eyebrows at me.

I raised my eyebrows. "A crop top? I was already planning to wear shorts."

"Even better." Brigid giggled.

I frowned. "Are you sure it's not too much skin?"

Nudge walked over to my closet and plucked dark denim shorts. Ella scrounged through my shirts before emerging with a black loosely fitted crop top. They walked over and held them out to me.

"Let's see it."

I shrugged before going into the bathroom to change. The shorts hugged my bottom and accentuated the curve of my hips nicely. The tank top showed off my tanned shoulders and the fringe covered the piece of exposed stomach. It was a crop top but it created the illusion of not being one. My long hair almost reached my waist and cascaded down my back acting as a shield to the bit of skin showing back there too. My stomach looked flat, toned, and tan and so did my legs. I envisioned my feet in the classic black and white converse and grinned at myself in the mirror.

Ok, I'll admit it. I looked pretty hot.

I opened the bathroom door and the girls all smiled.

"You look hot, Max!"

"Damn, girl!"

"You are so wearing that tonight."

Tess squinted at me. "I feel like something is missing."

JJ nodded her head. "She's right. I think it's the hair. It needs something."

Isabelle jumped in her seat. "I GOT IT!" She rummaged through the bag at her feet before emerging with dye in her hands.

"Woah, I'm not dying my hair." I backed up.

She rolled her eyes. "Chill, it's temporary. And we don't have to do the whole thing. We can do the tips and some edges."

"What color is it?" Tess asked.

"Ugh, it's blue."

Nudge shook her head. "We need more than one color. Let's do black, blue, and fuschia."

"Fuschia?" I wrinkled my nose.

"It's pink."

"I'm not putting pink in my hair!" I recoiled.

"Don't be a drama queen. It'll look good. I'm gonna go out and get some . Who's coming?" Nudge asked.

"We'll go." Angel, Brigid, Isabelle, and Ella stood to follow Nudge.

"You have the dye?" Isabelle jiggled her bag in response.

"Cool, let's go. We'll be back soon. We still all have to get ready too." Ella said.

The door closed after them. I groaned and rolled over on my bed.

"Cheer up, Max." JJ giggled. JJ BECCA ALEX TESS

I propped myself up on an elbow. "I don't even know what I'm doing anymore."

"I know Dylan leaving was a huge blow to the band but you guys have Fang." Alex smiled sadly at me.

"We all know he's leaving soon." I whispered.

"You guys will get through it. Nevermore is was too good to end now." JJ smiled.

"Things will work out." Becca promised.

"And maybe Dylan leaving was really for the best. I just can't believe he would do this to you guys. We've all known each other for so long…." Tess frowned.

I sighed. "I know."

We sat remembering how it all went down. His betrayal still felt fresh and I swallowed the lump in my throat. I didn't know if he was going to show up tonight and I didn't know how I'd react if he did.

Or if he didn't.

"Well, it's done. He's not coming back."

"Even if he did, I doubt Iggy and Gazzy would let him back in." JJ laughed.

I laughed at that. "They'd probably bludgeon him to a pulp."

Tessa giggled. "I think Gazzy regrets not getting a punch in."

"Well, it's go-" The doorbell echoed throughout the house. I looked at the girls before sliding off my bed and going to answer it. I ran through who might drop by but not even I could guess who was standing on the other side of that door.

"Mr. and Mrs. Ride!" I exclaimed. I hadn't seen them in so long but it was hard to not recognize them. Fang's dad looked like an older cleaner cut shaven version of Fang but his eyes were a warm brown. His mom was a bit paler and shorter but Fang had her eyes and smile. I leaned forward to hug them both before stepping aside to let them in.

"Hello, Max! It's been so long." Mrs. Ride smiled.

"I know! How have you guys been?" I beamed at them. During all the times Fang had visited, his parents never came with him. I guess his Dad could rarely get time off of work and his mom decided to stay with him.

"We've been wonderful. But tell us about you! You've changed so much. You're even more beautiful now." Mr. Ride sat down on the couch and Fang's mom situated herself next to him. He looked to me imploringly. I blushed before sitting down across from them.

"I've been good. Things have been hectic lately but Fang has definitely helped." I smiled dryly.

Mrs. Ride's expression turned grim. "Nicholas told us about that boy in your band."

I looked down. "Fang has been great enough to fill in for him."

She smiled fondly at the thought of her son. "He's always been a nice boy."

"That hasn't changed even after all these years." I smiled to myself.

"I forgot how much I missed him." I whispered. I looked at his parents. "You guys raised a great son. Fang is incredible. Have you heard him sing?"

Surprise flickered over their faces. "Fang can sing?"

"You guys didn't know?! He's incredible! We're not having him sing tonight because we don't want our fans to think his position is permanent but if he can sing. He's super talented. You guys really didn't know?"

They looked at each other. "We had no idea." Mrs. Ride frowned.

Fang's dad stood. "We're going out to grab some food for them. We thought we'd surprise you before seeing him." He helped his wife off of the couch before walking to the door.

"It was really nice seeing you, Max. We can't wait to see you perform tonight!" I waved good bye before closing the door behind them.

I glanced at the clock and my stomach lurched in nervousness. It was already 1:30. I turned from the clock and braced myself against the wall. I breathed in deeply and tried to calm the sudden assault of nerves.

You got this, I thought. You've done this a dozen times before.

I shakily leaned upright and shook out my nerves.

"I got this. I'm Maximum freakin' Ride." I spun on my heel and determinedly marched up the stairs to my bedroom.

We were going to kill it tonight.

(Fang P.O.V.)

My fingers flew furiously against the strings. The sounds erupted out into beautiful symphony with the sound of Iggy and Gazzy. The chorus of That's What You Get was almost over and I hadn't made a single mistake. Gazzy was bobbing his head to the beat next to me and Ig was going crazy on the drums.

When it was done we looked at each other and grinned.

"You're better than Dylan." Gazzy whistled.

"I wish you didn't have to leave. You're perfect." Iggy whined.

I bit the inside of my cheek to keep from grinning. I shrugged in response.

"Sorry, guys." I didn't want to let on exactly how sorry I was. I really liked these people and easily felt more at home here in less than a week than I did in Arizona for nearly all my life. Sure, I'd made friends over there and they were cool but I didn't feel the bond that I felt here. Max and all her friends were insanely close and they were all so nice and cool.

But above all else I didn't want to upset Max.

She was doing a great job at hiding exactly how panicked she is but we could tell. She was barely keeping it together. I didn't want to think about their conversations behind closed doors about the band. I was more than happy to fill in for the time being and I wish I could stay to become a permanent member.

"She blames herself." Gazzy rubbed his eyes tiredly.

I shook my head. "She shouldn't."

Iggy opened his mouth to respond but was interrupted by a knock on the door. Iggy glanced at us before moving to open it.

My parents stood in the doorway. I stood up surprised to see them.

"What are you guys doing here?" I had told my mom all about Max and the band but they didn't tell me that they were coming down.

My mom rested her hand against my cheek. "You didn't think we'd miss your performance?"

"It's only for tonight." I looked down. She smiled, her eyes twinkling.

"A lot can happen in one night."

My dad looked to the boys. "And you are?"

Iggy stood and moved to shake hands with my dad. "James Griffiths. And this is my friend Zephyr." Gazzy rose and greeted my parents.

My mom looked at the instruments. "Practicing without Max?"

"We didn't want to overwork her voice. Saving it for tonight." Iggy explained.

"We can't wait to hear you tonight. Make us proud, Nicholas." Fang's dad clapped him on the shoulder before exiting with his wife.

"You look like your dad." Gazzy commented. Iggy nodded his head violently.

I'd never performed in front of my parents.. They knew I had a piano and guitar but they'd never heard me play them or sing. It's not that I was hiding it, it just never came up. I bought them both with my own money that I had saved up. I didn't really think about seriously pursuing it but the idea of it intrigued me after Max was becoming more involved with it. The idea of playing music never seemed like a serious option until it became real seeing her have a passion for it.

I breathed out through my nerves and glanced at the clock. Almost three.

"We're leaving at six, right?" Gazzy asked.

"I'm so nervous I could poop myself." Iggy nervously giggled. Gazzy smacked him upside the head.

"NO! ANY SUDDEN MOVEMENTS AND IT COULD COME OUT!" He started to wiggle.

I smirked. "Go to the bathroom, Igiot." Iggy hesitated before taking running to the bathroom.

Gazzy rolled his eyes. "He's got issues." He flopped onto my bed.

I nodded in agreement sitting next to him. I gently played with the strings on the guitar in silence.

"I don't know what we're going to do."

My fingers stilled.

"Losing Dylan was a loss. A serious loss. We started this band together and have stayed together for almost two years. We were used to each other. What we had worked."

My mouth had become dry listening to him. Despite working with the band continuously, discussions about me filling in for the band happened when I wasn't around.

"Then you come like some knight in shining armor. Perfect timing exactly when we needed you. You fit better than Dylan ever did. You're twice as talented as him. Just perfect. But you'll leave too." Gazzy whispered.

"I wish things were different." Gazzy stood from the bed and moved to the door.

"I'll catch you later. I'm going to go get ready. Tell Igs for me." The door slammed shut.

I sat on the bed frozen with the things he said. Max's determined voice rang through my head.

I refuse to let it end here.

I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding.

"I wish things were different too."

I stood in front of the mirror admiring my newly dyed hair. It took a little convincing but Nudge always gets what she wants in the end.

Honestly, I was glad this time. It looked pretty awesome paired with the crop top and shorts. I slipped on my ring, bracelet, and converse. (AN: I have a link to Max's performance outfit on my profile! Check it out)

"Everybody ready?" I called out to the girls spread all out my room. There was a chorus of agreement.

"The guys are waiting downstairs. Let's go." We all piled out of the room and down the stairs.

Iggy, Gaz, and Fang stood waiting around the door. I took a deep breath before walking to join them.

"You guys ready?" I asked.

Gazzy let out a deep breath. "Ready as I'll ever be."

Iggy wrapped an arm around Fang's neck. "How 'bout you?"

Fang looked to him then me, a smile on his face. "I'm ready for anything."

Nudge stepped forward with her hands behind her back. "I have something for you guys."

She held out her hands to us. Nestled inside were four identical leather bracelets with red and silver beads along with a silver clasp. (AN: Horrible description but it's the bracelet Max is wearing in her performance outfit! ↑ )

"I know you're signature way of ending a performance is the bird symbol so I thought that it'd be cool if you all had matching bracelets that everybody could see." I gingerly picked one up and admired it.

"Thanks, Nudge." I hugged her.

"Gender neutral. I dig it." Iggy grabbed one.

"Amazing and considerate as always." Gazzy gently touched her cheek before taking one. Nudge blushed hard before looking to Fang. He made no move to take one.

"I'm temporary. I don't think I should." He uncomfortably shifted.

I regarded him softly. I took the bracelet from Nudge before walking to stand in front of him.

"We wouldn't be able to do this if it wasn't for you." I whispered softly. I took hold of his hand before clasping the bracelet around his wrist. His eyes held endless thanks. I squeezed his hand in reassurance.

"Let's go guys." Alex held the door open for everybody.

"Time to rock it." Iggy shouted.

"You guys go on in five." Alex told us. I felt my stomach erupt in butterflies. Although I was sweating from the humidity, goosebumps erupted along my arms. I shook out my nerves and accidently hit Iggy in the stomach. I grimaced at his oof.

"What are we gonna say when they see Fang?" Gazzy exclaimed.

"We'll tell them what really happened." Iggy winced rubbing his stomach. I sent him an apologetic look.

"We'll say he's no longer in the band due to unfortunate circumstances. Yada yada yada. We'll wing it. I don't think all of them loved us because of his looks."

Well, I hoped they didn't.

"And not all of them will be here for us. New crowd means potential fans. We just have to impress them."

Iggy flipped imaginary hair. "That'll be like, so, easy." Despite my nerves I laughed.

I nervously tugged at my hair before reaching for Iggy and Fang's hands. They linked hands with Gazzy. We huddled together.

"There's no one I'd rather be doing this than with you guys." I looked each of them in the eyes. I swallowed the lump in my throat.

I'd never been this nervous before going on ever. The only moment that rivaled this was the very first time I sang in public. That had been terrifying but this still beat it. I was so nervous about what would happen with Dylan gone, how we'd replace Fang, or even continue on with just the three of us. I was unsure if we would get noticed or if what we were doing was even making a difference.

All I knew was that I had never wanted anything to work out more than right right now. I wanted this with a fiery need. Performing gave me life. The addictive high the crowd gave me, the feeling of sweat coating my skin, and the beat of the music pounding in my ears… And seeing my band members enjoying themselves, us doing what we loved together, fueled me.

"Let's do what we've always done. Let's have fun." I shakily laughed.

Iggy grinned. "Is Miss Martinez giving us permission?" I playfully nudged his shoulder.

"It's time, guys." Alex ran up, eyes wide.

"Let's do this!" I began running through backstage toward the stage. Gazzy howled like a wolf racing ahead me into the dark. He hopped up and down and Iggy howled in answer right behind him.

I laughed and looked behind me to Fang. His eyes met mine in the dark and he smiled. A full smile with all teeth. My smile spread across my face in answer and I turned back to race up the stairs.

Soon we were on stage getting into out position. I stood in front of the mic in complete darkness. I could feel the energy of the crowd as well as my bandmates anticipation. feeding into my excitement.

The stage lit up with our symbol. A bird in flight. The crowd roared in answer and my smile stretched so wide I thought my face would split.

"WE ARE NEVERMORE."

Showtime.

So, here is chapter six! Ideally I'd like to have three chapters up before I have to go back to school. KEY WORD: IDEALLY. I happen to be extremely lazy but I'm trying to get out of that. Or at least, not lazy concerning this story. So please review! REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! People have followed and favorited this story so I'm pretty sure people are reading it but only a couple people have reviewed. Thanks to all those people! You're love is greatly appreciated. Getting feedback is definitely eye opening and gives me more motivation to get more chapters done!

Until next time….