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I do not own Maximum Ride, nor do I own any of the other characters that are part of that series, they’re all © James Patterson. However, I do own this story, and the rest of the characters. Enjoy!
[may contain spoilers for the book]
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Even before I pulled away I could hear it coming. My super senses could do that. Hear a dumb-bot taking obnoxiously squeaky steps. So I pushed away the most amazing guy I have ever kissed and he disappeared almost instantly, without a word—story of my life.

You know what I found weirder though? When I turned to face the flyboy, it was me. Holding a gun. Aimed at me. And she smiled.

Confused? Hold on, let me explain.

Then I woke up. You ever had one of those dreams that just gets on your nerves more and more every time you have it? No? Consider yourself one of the lucky ones, cuz when I looked at my clock and realized it was 7am on the first morning of spring break, you can imagine my mood. So it probably won’t surprise you that I wasn’t at my brightest when my phone went off seconds later.

"You make me wanna LALA in the kitchen on the floo-” (Yes, Ashley Simpson is my ringtone. Sh.)

“What.”

“Well someone’s just a ball of sunshine this morning?” Well that woke me up.

“Nudge?” I asked, fixing my hair as though she could see me though the phone. Who knew, by now maybe she had a new knowing-when-you-need-a-makeover-even-without-seeing-you power? Well no need to worry, she’d already be flying through my window.

“Well who’d you think it was, Santa?”

“If Santa was a small, winged, Cosmo junky maaaaybeee.” I yawned.

“Dang, I can smell you’re morning breath through the phone.”

“Miss you too.”

“Here’s Fang.” I waited.

“Alli?”

“Heey.” I yawned again. He laughed.

“In our defense, I did wait to call until it was 8 here.”

“Much appreciated.”

“Just wanted to keep you updated.”

I pulled out my diary-disguised-notebook (yes, there’s a difference) and flipped to the last entry as I asked, “How’s Dr. M?”

“Recovered and making breakfast.”

“Good to hear. So what’s the latest?”

“No more robot attacks recently but Max wanted to make sure you knew their weak spots were-”

“Ankles and the tops of their robo-sculls?”

“What happened.” I laughed.

“What, a girl can’t just get a good guess in here and there?

“I’m serious.”

“I may have gotten a call from Doctor Evil…”

“He contacted you and you didn’t tell us-”

“Chill out Goth boy, I meant Jeb.” During the silence following this statement I realized I was awake. “You there?”

“Goth boy?” Laughed Max.

Ok, pause for a second. I wasn’t exaggerating in that dream, I can hear a pin drop- especially on a cell phone as high-tech (and untraceable) as the Flock’s. And they had not handed the phone off.

“Fang did you put me on loudspeaker again??” Laughing.

“Hi Alli!!” (Iggy and Gazzy) “Heyyy!” (Angel and Nudge) “Of course when she calls you Goth boy she doesn’t get kicked.” (Total- followed by something that sounded like Angel getting rather testy about Fang kicking Total. Followed by the sound of the phone being taken off speaker.)

“Hey, it’s Blind boy.” Iggy identified.

“Oh shut up Ig.” We both laughed awkwardly.

“Ok, Max is done breaking it up, here she is.”

“Hey Max.”

“Hey.” She sighed, after I heard a door shut behind her.

“Not to worn out I hope, oh fearless leader.” I replied.

“Well so far I think I got the best nick name.” She laughed, putting her guard back up instantly. That’s what I loved about Max. She had a wit even this early in the morning.

“So ya, Jeb called and told me what went on in Mexico City and then you guys called me later so I’m pretty up to speed.” No reply. “So…. how are you and Fang?” I asked casually as I could manage (not very). But it must’ve sounded ok cuz I swear I could hear her smile.

“Good. Really good.” She replied. More awkward silence. Like I said, love Max—but a chatterbox she is not. Hence Nudge is usually the one making the phone calls.

“Great. Well I’m going up to the lake for a couple days so if you can’t get a hold of me don’t worry. I’ll text at night though.”

“The lake? As in bathing suits? Umm, Alli you may have forgotten this but uhh…”

“I told Nudge, Jesse couldn’t even see them when they’re pulled all the way in. It’s like my skin morphs over them.”

“Oh yea, how is Jesse? And umm… Caleb?”

“Umm… Jesse doesn’t go to my school so we don’t hang out anymore… but she thinks the whole thing was a dream.. thinking Jeb had something to do with that..” She grunted in agreement, “And Caleb turned out a jerk, along with Jamie, my first kiss last time I went to the lake who’s going this time. And oh, I’m on Varsity Cheer now in my high school did I tell you that?”

“Dang we haven’t talked in a while have we?” We both laughed.

“Not for a while, no.”

“Any more problems with that clone of yours?”

“Haven’t seen her at all. Yours?”

“Nope.” Awkward Silence.

“Well I’m gunna get up and get packed then. Tell everyone I say hi.”

“Will do. Bye.”