"Everyone, get in position!" I yelled.

All of my students hushed and stood on the risers, ready to sing.

My name is Max: Maximum Ride. I'm twenty three and the choir teacher for World High. It's the only school in the country that's not named after a person. A couple years back, maybe two, the school was going to go under because the funding was really low. I was just started teaching but I already considered this place a home to me.

I wasn't the only one who fought for it. Teachers, students, parents, coaches- everyone. Anyway, I had uncovered a Board of Education secret: they had been swindling money out of the school funds for personal gain. They were all fired and arrested. I had saved World High and almost everyone in the district knew me or knew OF me.

I ran through the singing warm-ups and told everyone to take out Hey Santa. Christmas was coming and all the choir groups sing at benefits and fundraisers this time of year.

This song was originally done by Straight No Chaser, an all man a cappella band. But, since we had girls in choir too, we adapted it for us.

Everyone started as one. The basses were singing "Bop Bad up Bop Bad up Bad up" while the altos were singing another version of that. There were a lot of solos. I loved this song because it brought everyone's talents. I stopped them after a while.

"I know that Thanksgiving break just ended and we haven't sung in a whole week but I know you can do better." I informed them, sitting down. "Where's the emotion, the excitement? When you sing an upbeat song, you are upbeat and need to show it."

Iggy shifted at the piano, wanting to add to what I had just said. He was twenty four and my older brother. He had blonde hair and light blue eyes, being really tall like me.

"Yes, Iggy?" I brought him into the lesson. He was our accompaniment.

"I just wanted to add," He stood and faced everyone. "Everyone, you're all normally so cheerful and energetic. But today, you all look like Max on a date with the Anatomy teacher: bored as hell."

"Iggy!" I blushed, surprised by what he said.

That seemed to stir everyone up. Students talked and giggled, imagining me on a date with Professor West. Sam really liked me and tried to hit on me every day. His tactics never worked.

I frowned at my blonde haired brother.

"Don't worry," The boys sang, snapping their fingers.

"Be happy." The girls sang as well.

"Okay, okay!" I laughed, quieting everyone. "Now, for the concert, you need to practice. Practice the song but also the movements and emotions. Would you rather look amateur… or professional?"

Everyone started singing energetically, Iggy playing the piano and laughing.

--!--

The classroom door opened and in came Ella clad in baggy pants and a baggy sweatshirt with the hood up. She was one of my senior students and it was her fourth time being late to class. And class was over. Students were leaving through the door and Ella tried to sneak out.

"Ella, get back in here." I ordered, arms crossing over my chest. She sighed and came back in, walking into my office. I didn't have anymore classes for seventh and eighth period so we were alone with Iggy getting food in the cafeteria.

She sat down on the couch and pulled her hood down as I sat next to her. She had cuts, bruises, and blood was crusted on her face. I started wiping the blood off with a wipe and put band aids on the cuts. "Ella, you can't keep getting into fights. And I can't keep bailing you out. This is the fourth time you've been late this month. And we're only one week into it." I fixed her up and leaned back. "I'm sorry but you have detention."

Ella was neutral, having heard that statement many times before. "Fine. Can I go now?"

I nodded and she left, me alone in my office. I turned to my desk and grabbed my phone. I dialed a number as Iggy sat next to me.

"You sure you want to?" His eyebrows drew down as he handed me a PowerAde.

"I don't want to, I have to." I sighed before taking a sip. "I can't see her getting hurt anymore."

"Hello?" A deep, smooth male voice came over the phone.

"Mr. Wolf, this is Ms. Ride, Ella's teacher. I need to speak to you in person, could you come in?" I was calling her uncle since her mother died four years ago and her father was in jail for robbery.

"Uh… sure, when?" He asked, uncertain.

"How about now, maybe?"

"Sure."

"Thank you. Goodbye."