Alright, guys. So this is my second Maximum Ride fanfic, but if I were you, I wouldn't try my other one! I wrote that a while ago...anyways, peeps, if you're reading this...thanks!

Um...here we go!

Disclaimer: If I owned Maximum Ride, then there wouldn't be any of you out here. All rights go to James Patterson, the man who brought you the best story in the world!

Yeah...

"Maximum Ride! Get up, now!" Echoed an ugly, hoarse voice, interrupting my sweet dreams.

Lara.

"Maximum Ride!" Her shouts grew louder and louder as she rushed to my room. All of a sudden, there she was, holding a spatula. Her hair was still in curlers, her mascara and eyeliner smudged from sleep. She had a burning cigarette in her mouth and her eyes were trained on me like red-hot coals, branding deep into my brain, telling me she meant business.

She came straight at me, waving her spatula like a madwoman. She tried to swat me with it, but I had been ready for this. I was quick, she was not, I was skinny, she was not. I could make it.

I was out of my room and down the stairs, speedy like a rabbit. I headed for the front door, all the while trying to get more room in between me and Lara. The farther I was from her, the longer I had to open the door and find sanctuary. I streaked across the living room, almost running over her very fat cat, Big Mac. Yeah, that's what she named him. A fattening type of food for a fat-enough old woman. Just what the hag needed.

"Maximum Ride, come back here! When I catch you, so help me!" She called as she practically tumbled down the steep steps. But it was too late for her. I had made it. Thank God.

Reaching out to feel the cool metal of the knob, I caught one last glance behind me and yanked. And yanked again. I watched the witch's face turn from lethal anger to cruel joy. Her smile was wide enough to show her cigarette stained teeth. Her nose wrinkled and she snarled as if she were a wolf just catching up to its prey. I was her prey.

I fumbled with the lock, my clumsy hands shaking too much to do any good, still desperately trying to save myself. But it was of no use. She advanced slowly, knowing she had me. I turned my back to the door, covered my face with my hands, and braced myself for the worse. She made her way to me and raised the wooded kitchen utensil. My muscles tensed as I let out a horrendous scream. And then it all went black.

XXXxxxXXX

"Wake up, Maximum!" Lara barked pouring ice water over my head. I sputtered as I came to.

"Time for school. If you don't go, they might suspect something. Get ready. And if anyone sees your scars, you're in for it," Lara sneered, turning on the T.V. and sitting down heavily on the couch. The furniture gave a low groan, grunting its disapproval.

I got up slowly, feeling the burning pain in my stomach, upper legs, and back. Lara was always careful to keep the bruises and scars out of sight, unless there was a large amount of time for me to heal. If her secret was ever let out, she'd be arrested.

My stepmother glared at me as I slowly made my way up the winding stairs. I rubbed my butt, feeling sorer than hell, and hopped my way up to my room.

After getting dressed and sorting through my backpack, I put my make-up on, trying to cover the black bags under my eyes with some concealer. I tried to practice smiling in front of my mirror. A new school, a new shot at friends. I had to look cool, or normal at the very least. I needed some social status here. What else did I have to live for? Once I thought I had gotten the hang of it, I walked to the front yard to wait for the bus.

XXXxxxXXX

"Miss Ride? Are you paying attention?" Mr. Patina asked as I slowly drifted back to reality.

"Yes, Mr. P." I said, trying to cover for my obliviousness. I tried to read the board to see what the history lecture had been about, but Mr. Patina followed my gaze and stepped in front of the writing.

"What was the question I asked Mr. Martinez?" He inquired sternly. While I tried to search my mind for any snippet of remembrance, he tapped his foot.

"Um, if he needed to…use the restroom?" I guessed, giving up. The class as a whole started chortling, and Mr. P. sighed.

"I had asked him to classify governments according to limited and unlimited forms and rule by one, few, or many. Pay attention, Miss Ride." He said. Even though Mr. P. was already pissed with me, I could tell he was a really good teacher and a really nice guy.

When class was over, I started packing up, putting my things into my backpack. I was almost out the door, when Mr. P. called me over.

"Maximum…this is not acceptable. You need to pay attention, or you're never going to pass! I know you're new, but the evaluation from your last school…your grades are already so low. I may have to move you to an alternative class. This daydreaming business is killing your grades. I'll have to pay your parents a visit. Maybe I could stop by after school tomorrow…?"

"No!" I said, a little too quickly, startling him. "No," I repeated. "I'll pay attention. I promise." I swore solemnly. He knit his eyebrows together, looking younger, like a little boy. His chocolate eyes locked on mine, focused on finding out what secrets lay hidden in my mind.

"Alright then. I expect better from you, Miss Ride. I'll see you tomorrow." He said, dismissing me. I nodded and shuffled out of the room.

"Hi!" A high-pitched bubbly voice rose over the low buzz of the crowded hallway. I didn't turn, knowing that she couldn't be talking to me. I was new. No one wanted to hang with the new kid.

"Hello!" The voice said again. I turned around, finding a small, super-model looking figure trying to push through the crowd, coming in my direction. She was wearing a purple tank top and purple skinny jeans. Her black flats scuttled towards me.

"Yes, you! Oh, hi!" She called, her eyes sought mine out as she caught up, stopping right in front of me. She shook my hand excitedly. "My name is Monique, but you can call me Nudge. What's your name?" She asked, looking deep into my eyes. Her pretty white teeth were showing in a big, huge, real smile. Her deep chocolate skin glinted in the fluorescent light, which should've made her look even worse, but apparently, she could work it.

"I'm Max." I mumbled. Her smile grew wider.

"Hi Max! It's so freaking nice to finally meet you! Me and Ella" my scowl deepened. Ella and I. "have been waiting for you. We heard rumors about a new girl, and I just had to say hi!" She laughed, then continued, not stopping for air. "Yeah, Ella couldn't wait! Neither could I, but I mean, Ella has been waiting for another girlfriend for forever! And we need another member of the group! I mean, there's me, Ella," she began to count on her fingers, "Iggy, Gazzy, and Fang. Five is such an odd number, don't you think? But now, we're even, huh?" She asked, finally stopping long enough for me to take it all in.

"Um…yeah?" I asked, hoping that would satisfy this pretty - and most likely popular - girl. Her grin was still brilliant, but she took it down a notch. For the first time, I noticed that this girl was being totally and one-hundred-percent unbiased by my looks and clothes. She was truthful about wanting to be my friend. And her Ella might like me for me too. I guess we'll have to see.

"You know, you're really pretty." She said, with absolutely no warning. I furrowed my eyebrows and gave her a confused look.

"T-thanks?" I stammered, taken aback by her sudden kind words. She smiled genuinely, and turned.

"Nudge!" Another female voice called. I turned my attention to a girl in a pink, pink, pink tank top and blue skinny jeans. Her long, long black hair was waving out in back of her like a sail. She had a huge beam on her face, which grew even bigger when she saw me.

"Hi! Oh, I'm Ella!" She said, throwing herself against my side in a hug. I almost yelped from the already forming bruises on my stomach, but I just bit my lip. If any other person had touched me in any other way, I would've slapped them silly. But the girl was…I don't know, but I couldn't do anything but just stare down at her.

"You're a very…bold girl, aren't you?" I asked. She dropped me and nodded.

"Sorry, just very, very excited. I'm so happy to meet you, finally! I've been waiting and waiting for forever!" She squealed.

"I'm Max. Hi." I said.

"Max…" she said, throwing it around in her head, trying it out. "Cute!" She decided, smiling dazzlingly. I was dumbstruck. These two girls had just met me, yet they seemed to accept me almost instantly. Huh. I didn't know humans were so capable of "love".

Hope you all liked it! If you did, tell me in a review! The button is right there. Push it...you know you want to! Anyway, I had fun writing it, and I hope you had fun reading it!

If I get 5 reviews, then I'll continue...thanks! BYE!

[Edit: This chapter is now considered revised. If you see any mistakes or a break in the flow of the story, then please tell me, and I'll try my best to fix it immediately. Thanks!]