AN: So, for those of you that haven't already guessed this, I do not own Maximum Ride. I don't know if these disclaimer things are necessary, but everyone else does them, so…*shrugs* You get the point. And so do I. You want me to shut up now. On with the story!

Chapter One

(Fang's POV)

Don't you just hate those rich, snotty people who feel the need to rub their richness and success in your face? I do. But guess where my mom decided to move us to? One word: Hollywood. The rich, snotty people capital of the world. I mean, yeah, we're rich too, but we don't rub it in others' faces. It's just not right. Plus, it's annoying as crap.

"I can't believe we're moving to Hollywood! Isn't this so exciting, Fang! I hope we get to meet some famous people. OMG! Maybe I'll meet Taylor Laughtner! Do you know how cool that would be? He's so hot and–"

"NUDGE!" I yelled. "Look, I know you like Taylor Laughtner, and I agree with you that the Edwin guy is ugly! And I am a firm member in the Real Men Don't Sparkle Club. But I swear, I'll strangle you if you say one more word about Twilight!" (AN: No offense to Twilight fans out there. I personally have never been interested, but some of you out there have to admit that some people take it a little too far.)

Nudge was my sister. She was adopted, but we adopted her when I was like, three, so we pretty much grew up like normal siblings. With all the bickering included. She had mocha colored skin, and dark hair that looked great, but hated water. Nudge herself was a fashion freak. She was always wearing the latest trends, always knew what was in and what was out, and always was pestering me about my all black attire. Me? I don't get fashion. Like, for example, why can't you wear a white shirt after labor day? I say we should be able to wear whatever the heck we want to. I guess others don't agree. But I digress. (AN: Sorry, but I just recently figured out what that meant, yet I've heard people say it all the time. I know. I'm just that cool.)

Nudge scowled. "Why? You know it's my favorite book!"

"Because it's my car so it's my rules." I growled. Yes, we were driving in my car. My truck, actually. One of those brand new Ford ones. Mom had the oh so brilliant idea of letting Nudge ride with me. I think she just wanted to avoid having to listen to Nudge the whole way herself. She's so evil.

Nudge sighed and turned the radio on. Animal I Have Become by Three Days Grace came on. Nudge reached to change the station. "Change my song and you'll lose your fingers." I threatened. I know it sounds like I'm being harsh, but, of course, the day we move is the same day that every idiot driver is out on the road. We'd almost crashed three times, so I was frustrated and just a little stressed. (Note the sarcasm)

Nudge, (sensing my threatening mood and therefore know she really would lose a finger) quickly moved her hand away from the radio. So fast that I could barely even see it. I guess what my old friends used to say is true. I can make the Hounds of Hell look like cute little puppies. There word choice, not mine.

Suddenly, my iPhone went off. I took it out of my pocket and handed it to Nudge. I may not be one for rules, but I definitely never drove while talking or texting on my phone. Especially when Nudge is in the car. I don't want to be a bad influence on her.

"Hello? Oh, hey mom!" Nudge said. She listened quietly (I know. It's a miracle) for a minute. "Take the next right and it's the second house on the left? Okay. See you in a minute! Love you too. Bye." She gave my phone back to me. "Are you okay?" she asked. "You seem to be in a really bad mood today."

"What was your first clue?" I asked irritably. "The whole reason we're moving down here is because mom and dad got a divorce. We had to leave all of our friends. Every idiotic butthole is on the road today. And to make things worse, we're moving to Hollywood, home of the rich and snobby."

Nudge stared at me. "That's the most I've ever heard you say. I think I'm rubbing off on you!" she said happily. I groaned and smacked my forehead on the steering wheel, skillfully avoiding the horn (We were at a red light, so I could do this without getting us killed). Nudge seemed thoughtful. "Wait, aren't we rich? I think you're being a hypocrite."

"Yeah, but we're not snobby." I defended.

Nudge shook her head. "Come on, Fang. You know mom feels really bad about making us have to move. At least try to be happy. Besides, you'll make all new friends. And you're hot so you'll be very popular with the ladies. You'll probably find a new crush within a few days." Nudge said.

"I didn't even say anything about Brigid. She was a waste of time anyways." I grumbled.

"Then why did you date her in the first place?" Nudge asked.

I shrugged. "She was hot. I liked her when we first started going out, but then she started hanging out with all those popular preppy girls. She just became annoying after that." I replied, switching the radio off as I turned right. "Mom said the second house on the left, right?" I asked, my eyes already on the mansion-like house.

"Yep." Nudge replied.

"I was afraid of that." I mumbled. Our house was big. And (shudder) white. It was about two stories tall. One room had a balcony on it. I could see another balcony on the house next to it. "I call the balcony room."

"Go ahead." Nudge said. "I call the biggest room. They always put balconies on the smaller rooms so they seem bigger."

I shrugged. I didn't care how small my room was. As long as it had a bed and a place to plug in my laptop, I was fine. "Who lives in the house next to us?" I asked.

"A girl about your age, a boy about eight, and a girl about six, along with their dad." Nudge replied.

"No mom?" I asked.

"Nope, something else we have in common. We're both missing one parent." Nudge said bitterly.

I nodded. My mom and dad "officially" divorced a couple weeks ago, but they'd broke it off a few months ago. As soon as Mom learned that dad was cheating on her with one of her work friends, she kicked him out of the house. And Nudge and I helped her. It was wrong of my dad to do that. Luckily, Mom won custody of us.

I pulled into the driveway, Mom parking the moving van on the other side of me. My Uncle Mike drove her car and parked it behind mine. But he instantly hopped out, hugged us goodbye, and took off in a waiting taxi. He had to get to the airport before his plane left him. Otherwise, he'd be saying some very colorful words.

And then the boring unpacking started. I told Mom that I'd claimed the room with the balcony and she didn't have a problem with it. After we got most of the things in the house, me and Nudge took our paint cans up to our rooms. We both thought it would be easier to paint our rooms without all the furniture in the way. Of course, mine would be black, and Nudge's would be pink and lavender.

It was boring as heck. I looked up from my work and saw a girl out on the other balcony. She was beautiful. She had dirty blonde hair and captivating brown eyes. Her eyes were dangerous and threatening, cautious, and…mischievous all at the same time. She was about five-eight, and she was wearing blue jeans with ripped knees and a red T-shirt.

I walked out onto my balcony, not even thinking about the fact that I'd took my shirt off because it was hot in the house. "Hey!" I called. The girl's head snapped around and she looked at me. I noticed that her eyes went to my chest, then up to my eyes where she raised a questioning eyebrow. "I'm your new neighbor." I added, answering her silent question.

She smirked at me. "Welcome to the neighborhood." she replied. "You going to Hell High too?"

I sighed. "Is it really that bad?" I asked.

She laughed. It was a beautiful sound. It wasn't all giggly like most girls', but it was nice and full, like she didn't hold back. "We're the Mayberry Devils. That's why they call it Hell High. It's literally our schools nickname."

"Oh." I said, feeling like an idiot. "Then, yeah, me and my sister will be going there. What's your name?"

"Maximum Ride. Max for short. What's yours?" she replied.

"Nicholas Chance, but I go by Fang." She raised a questioning eyebrow at me. "I used to bite a lot when I was little. Give me a break."

"Maximum! Get down here right now!" someone in the house bellowed. Max turned away from me.

"Coming!" she called back. She turned back to me. "Sorry, I got to go. I'll see you around."

"Alright, see you." I said. I sighed. The beginning of my junior year starts after the weekends over. Two more days. I only had Saturday and Sunday to prepare. But if Max was going to be there, it might be a little better.