Chapter 1

I remember the way the wind blew against my face; the air fresh and pure. The fields shone golden in the distance, the warm sun bringing them to life. I remember the days that were calm, when the fields blew gentle. I remember the storms; thunder and lightning crashing down.

I didn't want to leave this place.

It reminded me of her; the way she laughed, the things she loved.

Confused? Let me enlighten you. My name is Maximum Ride. I'm 16 and I've lived in a small town in Wyoming for my whole life. I have blond hair with dark brown and red streaks from the sun. I have a little sister; Angel. We've been home schooled all of our lives together. I also have an older brother; Ari. He would've been 21 today, but he ran away three years ago. He never came home, either.

My mother died two months ago giving birth to what would've been my new brother.

My father was a farmer. He loved the land, he loved us-and he loved my mother. He was also a recovered alcoholic. After my mother died, he was so depressed he started drinking again-all morning, all day, and all night. I tried to comfort him for a while, but he just pushed me away. Eventually, Angel and I only had each other.

My father started abusing me a couple weeks ago. The only time he physically abuses me is when he's really drunk. He doesn't touch Angel though, because I take the hits for her.

He doesn't have the heart to farm, so he's selling the land and the animals. He got a job offer in Phoenix, but I'm guessing he'll get fired anyway. Angel loves all the animals and is heartbroken over it all. I had a horse I loved, and now we are selling them all.

But most of all, I'll miss my mother. This place reminded me of her, everything did. We had so many memories here...And we were just leaving it all behind.

Moving day was today. We were currently helping the movers load things into the huge vehicle we were using to haul our stuff to Arizona. Ya, that's right; Arizona. The hot, hot state filled with people I don't know, and don't want to know. Especially since we are moving to the city, with a bunch of people and buildings. I could hardly bare the thought.

Once we were finished loading up the stuff, the movers took off and we jumped in our father's vehicle. I got my license before my mom passed away, thankfully, so I'll be the one driving all that way. My father is in the back seat sleeping, and Angel is sitting by me. I watch her carefully as tears roll down her rosy cheeks.

"Say goodbye, Maxie," she says softly, making my heart break. I start backing up, still not taking my eyes off of the house and the land. Why would this happen to us? Why did my mother have to leave?

I kept one had on the steering wheel, gripping it tight with white knuckles, and the other held Angels small hand.

I knew that as we drove away, I was leaving a few pieces of my heart behind.

Fang Pov:

So we were getting a new girl? Hopefully she's decent looking. The whole schools already making a big deal about it. Lissa, my current girlfriend, makes sure the news gets spread around fast.

What's to say about myself? I'm the football captain, insanely hot as told by the girls, and the boy that every girl wants. I've pretty much dated every girl in the school. Some people would call me a player, but that's just me. What else are you going to do? There isn't much to life, honesetly. So when I go around breaking hearts, no, I don't feel guilty. And no, I don't regret it.

Every girl is the same. Obsessed with boys, caked in makeup, and the list goes on. I might as well have some fun. This girl wouldn't be any different then the rest.

So...what do you guys think? Like it, Hate it? PLEASE review!