Yay! I got another review!

To my last reviewer: you are amazing! :)

So anyway this chapter is going to start off with Max's year in 8th grade, and I might add in after something about Fang's life, I'm not sure yet.

But I hope I do a good job with this chapter and that you guys enjoy!

Chapter 8 – Birthday Present

The first few weeks of 8th grade were really slow. And boring.

I had no classes with neither Nudge, Ella nor Logan. And to make it worse, I had the most boring teachers too. So everyday was like a nightmare. Sometimes I would even pretend to be sick in the morning, just so I could miss school.

Did I succeed? A big fat NO.

My mom was too smart for me, so she would threaten to throw my iPod, cell phone or computer in the pool if I was not out of my bed in the next 5 minutes. And I listened.

School wasn't even in for 1 whole month, and I was ready to die. The only thing I was looking forward to was my birthday.

September 17th, and it landed on a Saturday.

All summer long I had been planning what I was going to do. This was a big year for me, I was finally going to be an official teenager, 13!

I was pretty excited, and I knew I wanted to celebrate with my friends. I was deciding of just staying home and having like a mini party, or just hanging out at the mall or something. I couldn't decide.

So almost 2 weeks before the big day, I still hadn't made up my mind. And I was getting impatient.

So one Sunday morning, I woke up like at 5 in the morning. I was completely shocked; I never, ever wake up this early.

So I stayed in bed, under my warm covers and tried to go back to sleep.

But I couldn't.

So I finally got out and tiptoed down to our den. I love coming in here during the winter, it always stays so warm. I found our case with all our movies and picked the movie, Burlesque. This is like my favorite movie ever.

Just as I sat down and got comfortable, my stomach growled. I rolled my eyes and looked down at it. "Really? Just as I got comfortable?" know I sounded dumb for talking to my stomach.

Well I got up and went to the kitchen. What was I in the mood for? I opened the fridge and found nothing that interested me.

I opened the pantry and saw the bag of mini marshmallows. Hot Chocolate! Perfect I thought to myself as I got out my favorite mug. It was light green with white polka dots and my name in the middle.

Lori had given it to me on my birthday before they felt. I smiled and thought of the day Fang and I made our hot chocolate together. And then got busted and had to do the Christmas Cards.

So as quietly as possible, I poured the milk and chocolate powder in the mug and popped it into the microwave. I put it for 2 minutes, and then I opened the marshmallow bag.

When the chocolate was done, I poured in a handful of marshmallows. As I was walking out of the kitchen, I noticed a plate covered in tin foil at the end of the counter. I stopped and stared at it, there was my name written on the top.

Curiosity got the better of me, so I set down my mug and peeked under the tin foil.

My mom's Chocolate Chip Cookies!

My smile was so big; it probably would have broken my face. She must have made them last night after I went to bed.

So I went to our cabinet, took out a plate, and loaded it with cookies.

So there I was Maximum Ride walking into our den at 5:30 in the morning with a mug of Hot Chocolate and a plate full of Chocolate Chip cookies.

And I smiling like I just won the lottery.

So I finished the movie at around 7 and my cookies and chocolate was gone. Man, I ate like a pig.

Once I put the movie away and was about to put my dishes in the sink, I heard footsteps walk into the living.

Iggy, I thought, he is the only one who wakes up this early. Crazy teenager.

So I slipped into the kitchen, put my dishes in the sink and peeked around to the living room.

He was slumped on the couch and was flipping through channels. I smiled.

Perfect time to show him how much I love him.

I opened the sliding door to the backyard, making sure not sound the alarm. I stepped outside, and practically died. Walking outside at 7 in the morning, wearing P.J. shorts in the middle of September was not a good idea.

I could feel the cold bite at my nose and feel the wind's icy fingers crawl up my back. Oh, God I was gonna become a popsicle.

I opened the door really fast, and this time the alarm went off.

So here I go racing in, screaming, and the house alarm blaring. I ran into the living room, and saw Iggy jump off the couch and scream as well. I ran into him and we both went plummeting to the floor.

"What the…? Max what in the world are you doing?" Iggy asked getting up. I was still shivering on the floor, and I just looked up at him and worded "Help."

He looked around, got a blanket and covered me. "Stupid sister…" I heard him mumble as he rubbed my arms. Then I heard footsteps running down the stairs and skidding in the living room.

Great my parents.

I looked up and saw a bat in my dads' hands and my mother's mouth almost hit the floor.

When I could finally feel my body, I got up, "Hi mom, hi dad." I said weakly, pulling the blanket closer to me.

"What in God's name is going on?" my dad asked harshly as he set the bat on the wall. My mom looked from me to Iggy with questioning eyes.

"Ask her." Iggy pointed to me. Then I had 3 pairs of eyes looking at me. Jeez, rude much?

"Well…um…I heard Iggy get up, and I wanted to surprise him by going out through the back to the front door and ring the doorbell. But when I got outside, it was really cold and then I came running back in." I said, trying to make it sound like it wasn't a big deal.

When I finished, I heard Iggy laugh and then saw him fall on the couch.

"Wow that was pretty stupid, and even if you had made it to the door, I wouldn't have been surprised." He said through fits of laughter.

"Iggy, quiet." My dad snapped at him, and then he looked back at me.

"Max, that was very dumb of you to do." He started, "You knew we have an alarm, and yet you risked it. Now me and your mother look like idiots running down here thinking someone broke in." he sounded really serious and angry.

"And I almost fell down from the top of the stairs because your fathers big feet were in the way." My mom added.

We all fell silent and looked at her.

And then we all broke into a laugh attack. Iggy fell on the couch again, with me landing on top of him.

My dad was bent over at his knees and my mom was leaning on his back, laughing.

Once we settled down, my dad looked at my mom, "Really Val? I had just finished my good speech, and you had to ruin it?"

"Well, it was true, I did almost fall because of you." She looked at him, with a smile playing on her lips.

"Although you did an amazing job scolding Max, she really deserved it."

I rolled my eyes and then my dad looked at me again, "But really Max, that is the lat time this is ever going to happen, understood?" he asked sharply.

I nodded my head, "Well there goes my plan for sleeping in late." He added before sitting next to Iggy.

My mom walked into the kitchen and looked under the tin foil of the plate with the cookies.

"Did you like them?" she asked me, getting her cup of coffee ready.

"There were really good, thanks." I said, smiling at her.

So later that day, when we were eating dinner, my mom asked about my birthday.

"So, Max, have you thought of what you want to do for your birthday?"

I shook my head, taking a sip of my drink.

"Well, maybe, having just something small, here at the house with Nudge, Ella and Logan." I said, making it sound like a question.

My dad nearly choked on his water, "Logan?" he asked, clearing his throat.

"Yeah, that's her boyfriend." Iggy answered. "No!" I shot back and gave him a glare, and then looked back at my dad.

He raised both eyebrows and looked at me questioningly. "He's just a friend honey," my mom answered, "I've already met him. He is a very nice boy." She looked across the table at me and winked. I smiled and continued my dinner.

So the rest of the week went by, with the same routine.

Wake up, brush teeth, go to school (Unwillingly), try not to cause trouble, come home, do homework, go to sleep. And then start all over again.

Gee, what I love doing everyday! (Note the sarcasm)

It was the Saturday before my birthday, and I still hadn't thought of what I was going to do for my birthday.

We had just finished lunch and I was going to go up to my room. As I passed the kitchen, my mom had just gotten the mail. She went through the stack, and then threw the pile onto the counter.

I just happened to look at the pile when I saw a note card. It caught my attention so I picked it up. In big bold letters on the top said: Come to New York!

There was a picture of the Statue of Liberty, and city buildings in the background.

I flipped the card, and there was a big list of popular places to go, and activities to do. I thought to myself, it would be really cool to go, and it's not that far from here.

The second I finished thinking that; I knew what I wanted for my birthday.

I ran into the living and started jumping up and down in front of my parents who were sitting on the couch. "Omg, I know what I want for my birthday! I know, I know!" I started yelling like some little schoolgirl.

"What do you sweetie?" asked my mom. I handed her the post card, smiling like I've never smiled before. She looked at it, then at me, and then at my dad.

My dad took the post card from her and looked up at me. "This is what you want? You want us to buy you New York City?" And that just killed my mood.

"Um yes dad, I want New York City to mine. Can you put in the backyard while you're at it?" I asked harshly. "Of course I don't want you to buy me the city! That's ridiculous! I want to go there, for like the weekend or something." I finished, sounding annoyed.

He looked over at my mom, who just shrugged her shoulders. I then went down on my knees, put my hands together, and put on the best sad face I could muster.

My dad looked at me and then rolled his eyes, "Alright fine. But only for the weekend. And only with these 3 other friends of yours." He answered. I jumped up and hugged him so tight; I might have cut off his circulation.

"But only in one condition." He stated, "Logan sleeps on the floor, as far away from you girls as possible in the hotel room." I smirked at him, "Yes dad, cause three 8th grade girls wouldn't have thought of that already."

Well that week went by actually really fast, and there were no problems! That's always a good sign. So now Friday came and school just finished and all four of us are walking to my house, so we can leave to New York later tonight.

"ZOMG, I cannot believe we are going to New York City for your birthday Maxie!" shrilled Nudge.

"Well it's my first time even being this close to New York. Coming from California, well it seems like 1 million miles away, and talk about actually going!" Ella almost yelled, she was very excited.

"I know, I've lived in New Hampshire all my life, with New York only a few hours away, and I have never been there." I replied back, sounding just as excited.

"It is gonna be the best birthday I've ever been too." Added Logan. I looked over at him and smiled.

When we finally got home my mom had just gotten off the phone with someone. "Hey mom!" I announced after she hung up.

She turned around, "Hey kids! So is everyone good with his or her parents? All your folks know you are going to another city for the weekend?" We all laughed and nodded our heads.

"Alrighty then, our ride should be here in 2 hours and we will be on our way." She said smiling and then went up stairs to finish packing.

Our ride? I thought my mom was going to be driving us?

All of our suitcases were already lined up by the door, ready to go. Just then Akila came racing down the stairs, and almost bumped into us.

I guess she's in a hurry…

We then went to my room, and just talked about our trip. We all decided we wanted to go on the ferry to Liberty Island. Definitely go to the Empire State Building, and walk down Times Square. And if we had time, go to Central Park.

After an hour of arguing where we should go first, we came downstairs and ate dinner. As we were getting our things, I heard a really loud honk come from our driveway.

What the heck? I opened the door, and there parked on our driveway, was a huge party bus!

There was a giant banner hanging on the side that said Happy Birthday Max!

And around Nudge, Ella, Logan, my parents and Iggy all wrote something to me. My mouth was touching the floor.

Then I had 10 arms all wrap around me into a tight hug. "Happy Birthday Max!" they all yelled at once.

"Omg, you guys knew about the bus?" I asked, astonished. Ella nodded, "Yeah, when your mom called our parents to see if it was ok, she asked if we could write something to you on the banner."

I looked to my parents, who were both smiling. I ran up to them and hugged them both, "You guys are the best!"

"Ok, now Max, I want you to have an amazing time." my dad started, "But don't get to carried away, and please, for everyone's sake, don't get lost!"

He said with a smirk.

"I promise." I stated, and crossed my heart. "Alrighty, well let's load this bus and get going." My mom said, walking out.

I hugged my dad once more, and he kissed the top of my head. "Love you." He whispered.

I got my luggage and loaded it onto the bus. "And Iggy wishes you a good time too!" he yelled from the door. I waved and the door closed.

I walked down the aisle and sat down next to my mom on the couch. We both looked at each other and smiled.

Suddenly I felt something. I pang of guilt? Loneliness? I thought of Fang, he should be here, next to me, celebrating this special day with me.

Just then the song "Party Rock Anthem" blasted through the stereo. We all looked at each other and then got up and started dancing.

Every once in a while I would see flashes, and I think my mom took pictures of us. The first 2 hours, we did not sit down, every new song seemed to bring us more energy, and we just kept dancing.

When we were about half way through Massachusetts, we finally settled down. The bus was completely stocked with all kinds of junk food. So we pigged out and watched movies the rest of the way there.

At some point we must have fallen asleep cause I woke up from the floor, with Logan lying next to me. I look over the sofa and saw Nudge asleep on top of Ella, and my mom is curled up on the other side.

I check my phone and groan 1:00 a.m.! Just then Logan turns over and opens his eyes. He opens them slightly and looks at me.

"Max? What are you doing in room?" he asks, confused. I started laughing; he sits up and looks around. "Um this isn't my room." He states.

"No, remember we are going to New York." I say getting up. He scratches his head then smiles, "That's right, it's your birthday."

"Yeah. I'm finally 13!" I squeal. "You finally caught up to me. Although I am still older." He smirks.

Just then we hit a bump, and I go flying, and land on him. He catches me just in time before my face hits the floor. "Thanks." I breathe, staring at him. We are pretty close, his face only inches from mine.

Then there is a cough behind me, I turn and see Nudge. She has a questioning look, but I just get up and walk to the bathroom.

What the heck was that Max? I ask myself in the mirror. I splash cold water on my face and then walk back out. By then everyone is awake, and I look at my mom, "I got great pictures of you guys." She said smiling.

Then we all take turns changing in the bathroom. When we are all ready, my mom takes another picture of all us making a funny face.

Then we stop, the bus driver opens the door and says, "Welcome to New York!"

Alrighty, there's my latest chapter. I hope you guys like this one, I really liked writing it!

And this time I promise it's one my chapter and then I bring back Fang in chapter 10.

The next chapter will only be about their trip in the city, so it should be short.

So please review! And thanks for all the people who are reading this and have added me as their favorite author our favorite story.

You guys rock!