A/N: This is a TOTAL AU. The ages of max and Logan have been switched. Max is just ending her Grade Nine year in high school and Logan is about to graduate from High School and go off to college after they both have a summer vacation. Uhm…also, you should know that Max doesn't have any of her souped up genetically enhanced stuff. Let's just pretend for this fic that's she's a normal girl, living in a normal world. Just because it's what I wrote and any other way it wouldn't work smiles so yea…
Rating: uhm…I'm going to stick with PG-13. I mean there's some swearing,
Disclaimer: well, uhm…let me see… looks at Dark Angel …. looks at self …Get the picture? Good good. I hope you enjoy my story.
Summer Magic
Max sighed as she looked at herself in the mirror. Just perfect, the last week of school had arrived. The week that students could choose what they wanted to wear instead of wearing the otherwise required school uniform . The week where all she had to wear were some jeans and a grey hooded sweatshirt. Talk about making a statement. Max shook her head after eyeing herself. She wasn't tall but she wasn't short, she was just kind of there, and her body was starting to fill out but her face seemed to be left out of the process. She still carried the little girl look with her. She sighed again as she heard the all too familiar sound of Logan Cale's Honda pulling into her driveway. Logan Cale; school rich boy and jock, the guy she was practically forced to drive with to school every day. It wasn't her choice, her parents insisted. Some lame excuse about the streets of Seattle not being safe. Right on schedule she heard the car's horn beeping at her. Grabbing her backpack, Max headed down the stairs and out the front door. As she locked the door, Logan rolled down his window, "Come on brat," he yelled at her, "Let's go, I've got people to see."
Max purposely slowed her pace at hearing her unflattering nickname. She looked up at him and snapped, "Logan, no matter when you get to school that ho Stephanie will be there waiting, just like every other day." Max opened the passenger car door and slid in as Logan revved his engine and backed out of the drive, barely giving her a second to close the door. "Logan, calm down," Max snapped again, "We'll get there."
Logan grunted and turned up the music. Max stared at Logan for a second before turning the music down, only to have Logan turn in back up. Max glared at Logan for a second before turning the music down again. Logan glared right back and went to turn the music up again, only to find that Max had the volume button covered with her hand. "Dammit Max," Logan growled, "Keep your hands off my stereo. How many times do I have to say it? If I have to drive you, to and from school, everyday you're going to have to listen to what I want."
Max shook her head, "I don't think so. This is no joy ride for me either. If I had my way, I'd have a friend drive me to school instead of you. So you better damn well listen to something I want to listen to too or I'll tell your mom how you stayed the night at Stephanie's house last Friday and 'not' at Jake's like you told her."
Logan sighed and gave up, "Max you're such a pain in the ass."
Max look out the window, "Likewise your assness." She mumbled.
"What did you say?" Logan asked.
Max looked at him for a second, "If you didn't hear it the first time, you don't get to hear it again."
Logan sighed, "I'm so glad I'm going to be out of here in a few days."
Max nodded in agreement, "For once, I agree with you."
Logan scoffed, "Right."
Max rolled her eyes and sat back in the seat. The rest of the ride was in silence, not an uncommon occurrence between the two. Max closed her eyes as she waited to arrive at school. After a few minutes Logan came to a stop and Max opened her eyes. She looked around and then glanced at Logan, "What're you stopping for?"
Logan leaned over and opened the passenger door, "Listen up brat, it's the last week of school and I've been forced to drive you to school everyday for the past year. So now you going to walk from here, so I can walk into school with dignity and not have the 'world class geek' at my side."
Max stared at him incredulously, "Logan, fail to be an ass and just get us to school."
Logan sat back in his seat and challenged, "I'll sit here till you get out, and if you don't get out soon the bell is going to ring before you get there and you might be tardy."
Max's eyes narrowed, "God Logan, I hate you." She said as she grabbed her bag and got out of the car to walk the rest of the way.
Logan smiled, "Likewise your royal bitchiness." He sneered. "Now close the door."
Max grinned to herself in satisfaction, as she walked away from the car, leaving the door hanging wide open. Her smile widened as she heard Logan yell more obscenities at her. Finally she stopped and turned around.
"What's that Logan? I can't quite hear you?" she asked snidely.
Logan glared at her, "You heard me, shut the damn door."
Max sighed, "Fine." She said walking back to the car, "You want me to close it ok," she said, as she slammed it shut as hard as she could.
Logan glared at her again but she just smiled sweetly and flipped him off, then turned and began her walk to school. She wasn't too far from the school, only a few minutes walk, but still it hurt to know that Logan was ashamed to be seen with her. Max pushed down the tears she knew she could have shed, had she let them. No, she wouldn't give Logan the satisfaction of knowing he could make her cry. The school came into view and she saw Logan standing with his buddies, the 'Jock Squad' as they were called. All of them played either football or basketball, and all of them had a cheerleader under at least one arm. Max winced as she watched some girl practically swallow Logan's face. Max scoffed, "and he says I'm the embarrassing one." Max sighed again and made her way to her locker, hoping the school day would just pass and then she'd be able to go home.
She continued on to her classes and made it through first, second, and third period the same as any other day. Of course people were livelier this week, due to school almost being over, but thankfully so far nothing drastic had happened. Lunch, however, was an entirely different story. She had met up with her friends; Cindy and Franklin, or as he liked to be called Sketchy. They were an odd bunch. Cindy was tiny but boy did that girl have a mouth, seemed like it was always her that was getting the trio in and out of trouble. Sketchy was the class slacker. His only concern was if he got to feel up some girl or not. Then there was Max. She was the brains of the group. The one who did her homework and usually the other's as well. To the school the trio was known as the 'Freak Squad' but they didn't care. They were friends.
The trio had met up at lunch, as usual and decided against sitting in the cafeteria for the day. Or at least Cindy and Max had decided it. Sketchy's face noticeably dropped as they walked away from the peppy cheerleaders bouncing around.
"Come on Cindy," he squeaked, "how often do I get to watch the cheerleaders? Please, I mean, one might talk to me or something."
Max and Cindy looked at each other and rolled their eyes, "Sketch," Cindy said, putting a hand on his shoulder, "If you stop your bitching, I'll let you feel me up after school."
Sketchy looked up, "Really?"
"No!" Cindy answered smacking up side the head, "pervert."
Sketchy shrugged, "Damn."
Max smiled at the exchange, as different as they all were, she wouldn't trade them for anything. The three continued walking around the hallways, aimlessly talking and laughing when a voice called out, "Hey look, it's the Freak Squad!"
The trio stopped and glanced at each other at their given name. Only one person actually called them that, and it was the only one person the three of them couldn't handle. Zack Evans. He was known as the school terror. Anyone that rubbed him the wrong way or didn't rub him at all, lay victim to Zack and his gang. At least once a week the trio was harassed by Zack and his crew but none of them had thought it would be this day.
Max raised her eyes in question as to what they should do, as Zack continued announcing the "Freak Squad's" existence and quickly closing in on them. Cindy shrugged and Sketchy concluded, "Might as well turn around and get this over with."
Reluctantly the trio turned to face Zack, just as he finished his crude descriptions of the trio "…and little miss bitch I'm scared to get a B, Max."
Max face warmed at the comment, apparently Zack was in the mood for some "fun" as he called it. Zack faced the trio and looked down at them, "Well, well, well, what do we have here. How's it going freaks?" noticing Max's reddening face, he snickered, "What's the matter Maxie?"
Max bit her lip and prayed for this humiliation to be over, people were starting to stop and watch.
"Zack," Cindy stepped up, "Why don't you go terrorize some small bunnies or something and leave us alone." Max stiffened, just as she had every other time, Cindy had opened her mouth in Zack's presence.
Zack glared at Cindy, "Shut up bitch, no one asked you." He sneered. Cindy glared at him for a moment then backed down, "What about you numb nuts, you got anything to say?" he asked in Sketchy's direction.
Sketchy slowly shook his head and averted his eyes to the ground. "Good." Zack boomed, "Real good, cause you two runts don't matter to me right now. But you," he said pointing at Max, "I think it's time you met Mr. Stat, Maxie."
Max's eyes widened as she looked up at Zack, "No, please Zack no! Please, just leave us alone." she begged.
Mr. Stat was part of a three dimensional, geometric shaped statue. At least two freshmen each year, got to know Mr. Stat really well by being duct taped to the cylindrical part of the statue. All freshmen were warned about Mr. Stat when they entered high school and all dreaded it.
Zack's lips curved up in a wicked smile, "Oh, and what are you going to do if I don't?"
Max took a breath trying to calm her nerves, "Come on Zack, just let us be, ok?"
Zack looked around, "Us? Who's us? This isn't for those two squirts, this is for you Maxie." He announced stepping closer to her.
"Zachary, I'm going to turn around and leave you and your pea sized intellect all to yourself now, ok?" she quipped, as she turned on her heel and began walking away. Max hadn't gone one step when suddenly she felt Zack's arms wrap around her chest and drag her in the opposite direction, closer to Mr. Stat.
"I don't get it Maxie," he snarled, "I offered you a chance to come without force but you had to go all bitchy on me. Bad move Maxie, bad move."
"Zack!" Max yelled, trying to squirm out of his grasp, "Let me go dammit!"
Zack only held on to her tighter, "I don't think so, you're off to see Mr. Stat."
Max began to flail desperately, kicking and screaming at him to let her go but made no avail.
Zack continued, laughing the whole time. In no time at all Zack was grabbing Max's arms and yelling for the tape, as she stood with her back to the statue. Tape was passed up from an on-looking spectator and Max closed her eyes, trying to shut everything out. She tried pulling away from him, but she couldn't. Mustering up all the strength she could, she pulled again and got her hands free. It only caused Zack to become pissed and grab at one of her arms and pull her to him, "Listen Bitch!" he yelled, "Get your ass back here and stand still!"
The crowd grew silent and tears began to form in Max's eyes, "Come on Zack, you had your fun, let me go."
Zack pushed her into the statue, "I said stand still." He commanded.
"Zack…" Max began again moving away from him.
"NO!" Zack raged grabbing Max sweatshirt and pulling it so hard it ripped along the sleeve. "stand there now!"
Max's eyes widened when she heard her shirt tear. She was about to give in when the crowd parted and up strolled Logan, "Zack," he yelled, "let her go."
Zack stared at Logan in disbelief, "Logan, stay out of this. Go back to fucking Stephanie or Michelle or whoever."
Logan lunged at Zack, tackling him to the ground, "You shut your mouth and get the hell out of here." He threatened, his fist poised ready to strike.
Zack pushed Logan off of him, "God damn Logan, I was just having a little fun." He said standing up, "I didn't realize you had a thing for little Maxie Pad here too."
Logan stood up and brushed himself off before glaring at Zack, "Shut your mouth Evans, I'm not the one trying to cop a feel."
Zack's eyes hardened, "You son of a bitch!" he yelled, throwing a punch. Logan ducked it easily and landed one on Zack's nose.
"Look man, I don't want to get into this with you, just take off." Logan warned.
Zack stared at Logan, holding his nose, "Shit Logan, you broke my nose!"
Logan stepped up to Zack, "You try anything again with Max or her friends and it'll be more than a broken nose you'll be bitching about. Now leave." Logan demanded.
Zack glared at Logan a second more, then turned on his heal, "You lucked out his time bitch." he said as he passed Max. "Next time you won't be so lucky."
Max looked at the ground, forcing her tears to stay put.
Seeing that the action had ended, the crowd that had once been, dispersed and went back to the norm.
Logan sighed and looked over at Max, "You ok?"
Max lifted her head and smiled weakly, "Yea sure. Thanks."
Logan shrugged, "No biggie, I've wanted to do that to Zack for a while, so really I should be thanking you."
"Glad I could be of service." She answered before she turned to walk away.
"Hey!" Logan called to her.
Max turned, "What?"
Logan held up the part of her sweatshirt that Zack had ripped off, "Here, I'm sure you can just sew it back on or something."
Max walked back to him and grabbed the fabric, "Thanks, and thanks again for stopping him."
"No problem, squirt. Just keep out of his way next time, alright?"
Max nodded and walked away mumbling, "Right Logan, cause this was all my fault." She looked back to where she had been and sighed. She really was thankful he'd stopped Zack from humiliating her, but she wished he wouldn't have been such an ass about it. Max shook her head and walked off to find Sketchy and Cindy.
After the oh-so exciting escapade at lunch, Max's day went just as most others did. Classes were fine, most weren't doing anything that hard, it being the last week of school and all. She sat in her last period class, Pacific Northwest History, staring at the bell counting the last few seconds until it rang.
Getting up from her desk, she walked out of the classroom and made her way to Logan's car. Ignoring all the comments made to her by passing students, about the lunch incident. Arriving in the parking lot, Max looked for Logan's car. Funny, it wasn't there. She walked to the space where he usually parked and then looked around. Cars all around were starting up and students were slowly making their way out of the school to their cars. Logan wasn't among them. She scanned the parking lot for any sign of his Honda. Max sighed, just when things were seemingly getting back to normal, Logan had to go and mess it up. Looking around once more and not seeing him or his car, she started the walk home. It really wasn't that far, a mile maybe but the fact that he hadn't even told her. She really didn't mind, not like it was going to kill her. But of all the days for him to act like such an ass though. Max swallowed back the tears that threatened to fall. She would not give him the pleasure of making her cry. She couldn't.
It took about twenty minutes for Max to get close enough to see her house and when she finally did, she didn't want to venture inside. Her mom would be there, bombarding her with questions as to why she was late and then it would all be blown out of proportion and she really wasn't in the mood. Max looked across the street at Logan's house, his car wasn't there but his sister Nicki's was. Max smiled, 'yeah', she'd go talk to Nicki. Nothing like a little brother bashing, to get her out of a glum mood. She made her way to the front door and rang the bell. When the door opened, Nicki stood there, phone cradled between her head and her shoulder and hands filled with a plate and a piece of pizza.
When she saw Max the phone fell from her shoulder, "Maxie!" she squealed, "What are you doing here...oh! wait!." Nicki put the pizza on her plate and handed it to Max as she bent down and picked up the phone, "Hey, I'm going to have to call you back…uh hu…yea…sure…ok…ummmmm…yea…ok…yea…bye…ok…yea...bye!"
Nicki smiled as she took the plate from Max, "Come on in." She said, motioning into the house, "What're you doing here? I didn't hear Logan's car. Wait a minute, it's like three o'clock, school gets out at two thirty, where is he anyways?"
Max rolled her eyes at Nicki, the girl always had a million things in her head, "Good question. He was supposed to give me a ride home but when I got to the parking lot he was…"
Nicki cut her off, "Oh my god, he didn't! God, he's such an ass isn't' he? Self-absorbed little prick. Mom and Dad spoil the hell out of him. It's ridiculous really, are you ok?"
Max nodded, "Yeah, I'm fine. It's really not that long of a walk, just been a long day."
Nicki cocked her head to the side and motioned for Max to follow her to her room, "Oh, I know that tone. Spill it Maxie. What else did he do?"
Max sighed, "You know Nic, you ever just have one of those days where nearly everything is just shitty?"
Nicki looked at Max over her shoulder, "That bad, huh? Alright, come on, tell your dear friend Nic all about it."
Max smiled as they walked into Nicki's room. It was huge, all decked out with white frilly curtains and matching canopy bed. An entertainment center leaned up against the right wall while a couch and her dresser were up against the left. Nicki walked over to the couch, "make yourself comfy and start talking."
Max slipped off her backpack and plopped onto the couch, "Well it all started this morning…"
Max continued on, telling Nicki all about how Logan had made her walk to school, then about lunch, and then him not being there to pick her up, all with Nic nodding and adding groans and rolling her eyes the whole time.
"…and so I didn't want to go home, so I can to see you." Max finished.
Nic sighed, "I can't believe it. It is so not even possible that me and him are related. He is such a jerk, are the rest of us jerks? No! I'm so sorry Maxie. That boy is so going to get his ass beat."
Max chuckled. Nicki wasn't a very big person, maybe not even 5'4" and maybe 110 lbs., but boy did she pack a punch. Max had witnessed Logan and Nicki get into each other one time and she had been surprised at how Nicki had beaten her brother. At the remembrance, Max began to chuckle more, as Nicki continued on about all the ways her brother was going to get it.
"Hey Nic, it's ok. He's just like that, I'm really used to it." Max interrupted.
Nicki stared at Max, her eyes narrowing, "Max! Do not let him get away with being an ass. He will get beat!"
Max laughed, "Sure Nic, whatever you say."
Nic smiled and joined her in laughing. The two continued talking and laughing for about an hour before they heard a car pull up. Nic glanced out the window and squealed, "Oh! Logan's home, come on…let's go yell at him!"
Max shook her head, slightly amused and how eager Nicki was to chew her own brother out. On the outside Nic looked like such a sweet and charming girl, half of the time she acted that way too. But when she was out from under the wing of her parents and their parties and meetings her rebellious streak, along with her fiery attitude, raged like a forest fire. "You are nuts Nic."
Nicki's eyes shone, "I know, but you love it. Now come on, if we head him off, we can meet him at the top of the stairs and then push him down."
"I think I'll let you do the pushing and I'll just watch." Max answered, following Nicki out of the room and to the top of the stairs. Logan had just walked in the door and Nicki sat on the top step and patted the area to the right of her for Max to sit down too. Max complied, not sure what exactly Nicki had planned but amused all the same.
"Hey Logan, come here, for a second will you?" Nicki called causually.
Logan headed from the kitchen to the stairs, "Yea, hold on."
Nic smiled at Max, "Hey, think you can whip up some tears for me, No! Get behind that wall so he can't see you. Then just choose a moment to reveal yourself!"
Max rolled her eyes, "You are having way too much fun with this."
Nicki's grin widened, "Yea, I am, now go."
Max stood and walked around the corner, backing up enough not to be visible but still close enough to see the exchange. She heard Logan's footsteps on the stairs and smiled to herself. He wouldn't know what hit him.
Nic stood as Logan neared her and smiled, "So, how was your day?"
Logan frowned, "Fine, I guess. You ok?"
Nic smiled, "Oh yea, I'm just great. So, tell me about school."
"Nic, what's going on?" Logan asked, looking around. "What'd I miss?"
"Logan, I'm just asking about school, can't a sister inquire about her brother and his day?" Nic asked innocently.
"Ok Nic, really? What's going on?"
"Nothing!" She answered.
"Really?" he raised his eyebrows.
Nicki nodded her head, "Yup, nothing. I mean, well I am a little curious as to why you just left Max at school or why you kicked her out of your car this morning, but I mean other than that…"
Logan's look narrowed, "Who told you that?"
Nicki grinned, "A little birdie."
Max smiled, this was her cue and coming around the corner, she grinned.
Nicki glanced at her, her eyes shining, "Oh look, there she is." Turning her attention back to Logan, she scowled, "Really Logan, what's your problem? I mean it's not like it's out of your way to take her to and from school."
Logan glared at Max, "Yea well I had some stuff to do. Besides people should learn how to keep their big mouths shut."
Nic glared at her brother and put her hands on her hips, "Not when someone is being a complete ass hole. And what kind of stuff?"
Logan shifted uncomfortable, "Just some stuff."
Nicki took a deep breath, "No Logan, what kind of stuff?" Getting no answer Nicki pounced, "Dammit kid, you are always so selfish...thinking only of yourself. Get off your high horse and act older than two for a change, you little brat."
Logan raised his hands in defense, "Look I just had some things to do, and I couldn't very well have squirt here, tagging along after me."
Max stepped up next to Nicki, "Hey!" She called out as Nicki also exclaimed, "Watch it buddy!"
Logan looked from Max to his sister, "What?"
Nic rolled her eyes, "Logan, you getting a blow job from Miss 'Heather or Stephanie or Jennifer' or some other 'Miss I'm such a cute prissy little bitch cause I'm the head cheerleader', does not mean you can leave Max to walk all the way home from school. I swear, if I hear about you doing anything this male driven again I will kick your ass and don't think I can't. You know what, even if you don't do it again. I should just tell Maxie here what you guys were talking about last weekend, when you were drunk. You think she'd appreciate that, oh brother dearest?"
Logan's eyes widened. It had just been a few guys from the Baseball team and Logan hadn't realized Nicki had overheard any of their conversation. He and the guys had, had a few shots and somehow one of the guys had said how Logan was such a like guy since he lived with one hottie and another lived across the street. Logan, being pretty shnockered had agreed and then proceeded to go into detail about how he'd like to "scramble Max's eggs."
"You wouldn't," Logan pleaded.
Nicki wagged her eyebrows, "Oh, I 'so' would."
Max frowned, "What are you guys talking about?"
Logan quickly answered, "Nothing!" Nic answered simultaneously saying, "Something."
Max rolled her eyes, "Whatever."
Logan looked at Nicki and Max, "Look, I'll give her a ride to and from school everyday…"
"Oh no you won't," Nicki interjected, "I will give her a ride and in your car too."
"What?" Logan exclaimed.
Nicki smiled and placed her hands on his shoulders, "You, buddy boy, get to walk to school the rest of the week. I will be taking Max to and from school, in your car."
"You can't do that!" Logan objected."
"Oh, I so can Logie." Nicki retorted. "You see, mom and dad don't know about your little escapade last week either...I'm sure they'd love to know that you and your guy friends were beating o..."
"Ok, ok, ok, ok, ok." Logan yelled, "Fine, do whatever."
Max's eyes widened, "Oh ew…gross."
Nic smiled triumphantly, "We'll talk about it tomorrow."
Logan brushed past Nicki and Max, "You are such a bitch Nicki."
Nicki smiled, "Yeah, tell me something I don't know."
Max smiled at Nicki as Logan's bedroom door slammed shut, "You are a Goddess among women, Nic. Teach me grasshopper!"
"Stick with me, and life'll be gloriously satisfying." Nic answered putting an arm around Max, "So, you want dinner or lunch or whatever?"
Max smiled, "You just had pizza."
Nic shrugged, "Yea, so?"
Max laughed, "Yea, lets' go."
"Ok," Nic grinned, "Let me go get the keys. Oh Logan…" She hollered.
Max smiled. Maybe the day wasn't a total loss.
A/N: So, what do we think of the first chapter? No good? Good? Lame? Retarded? Or shoot, maybe something Good? If so or if not let me know…you know my email (see disclaimer) and you know my IM's (again with the disclaimer) or just be old fashioned and do that review thing. Ok, have a good one.
Ani