Maximum Ride - Overrated

Chapter 4

~Fang~

I was leaning against the bench, waiting patiently for the toast to pop. The bench was cold against my bare stomach. It was pretty early in the morning, and it was a very hot day. Max had gone out for a fly and everyone else was asleep.

"Fang, put a shirt on will you?" Gazzy frowned, walking into the kitchen, Iggy behind him.

"Is he shirtless? Max isn't even here to impress!" Iggy exclaimed. I rolled my eyes, buttering the toast.

"You guys are just jealous, you don't have anything to show off." I retorted, taking a bite of the warm toast. Gazzy pulled some jam out of the fridge and chucked a few slices of toast into the toaster. Iggy took an apple from the fruit bowl, biting on it eagerly. I took one of my shirts from the doorknob of Max and I's room and pulled it on.

"Morning Dad." I looked down. Phoenix's stood, rubbing her eyes sleepily. Her black hair fell from behind her ears and in front of her face. She was still in her pyjama's, a white singlet top and dark purple shorts.

"Good morning, beautiful." I smiled, taking her small hand in mine and leading her into the kitchen. The toast popped as I walked in. I took another piece, much to Gazzy's displeasure.

"Hey! That's mine!" he exclaimed, holding the knife up threateningly.

"You can have the other three." I pointed out, buttering the toast for Phoenix. Gazzy grumbled and continued making his breakfast. I handed the toast to Phoenix, and she gratefully took it over to the table and began eating.

"What do I tell you about stealing my food?" Gazzy asked, glaring at me while stuffing his face with apricot jam toast. I turned and took a glass out of the cupboard above the sink.

"I don't listen to you." I replied. Gazzy glared holes in my back as I filled a glass with water.

"It was for Phoenix. Give up on the toast, Gazzy!" Iggy exclaimed, throwing the finished apple core in the bin.

"Everyone's ganging up on me, and I just feel so emotionally abused. My food are my babies, and I feel stolen from, and robbed when others take them! I can't even make babies, but I can make food and you want to take that simple right from me? I say no and-"

"Gazzy shut up! Fang?"

"Yeah?" I replied to Iggy. I looked up and followed Iggy's blind gaze to the lounge room balcony, where a familiar figure stood in the doorway.

"Dylan?" Gazzy dropped his toast. I frowned. Dylan always seemed to just show up. It was an awful habit.

"Hello, Fang." Dylan began stepping inside as I walked over.

"Stop." I glared at Dylan, and he stepped back outside. He looked a little confused. His blonde hair was a mess, probably from flying, and he hadn't changed clothes from when we last saw him. I didn't know what his intentions were. Last time we saw him, he may have been nice, but people change. People find new influences and can become major threats. Take Nino as an example. Dylan was never a threat until he met Nino.

"Is that the Dylan from Iggy's stories?" I heard Phoenix behind me. She suddenly took my hand, looking unsurely at Dylan. I nodded.

"Hi there. I don't think we've met properly." Dylan smiled, a smile of warmth and welcoming, but also with a hint of pain. Phoenix smiled back, with a small wave.

"You two will have to meet later. Phoenix, don't you have a room to clean up? Max asked you to do that three days ago." I nodded to her bedroom, and she smiled guilty. She skipped off to her bedroom.

"What do you want, Dylan?" I asked. I knew Iggy and Gazzy were behind me, listening in.

"Why so hostile? Last I checked, we're on good terms." Dylan shoved his hands in his tattered pant pockets.

"We haven't seen you in a while. Who knows what you're doing?" I pointed out. Dylan shrugged, standing up a bit straighter.

"I need to talk to Max."

"Why?"

"I know something she'll want to know." Dylan replied.

"What is it?" I asked. I didn't know how much of what he was saying was true.

"I need to talk to Max." he repeated.

"Max will end up telling us anyway. We don't keep secrets." I pointed out.

"I need to tell her." he persisted.

"What is it about?" I asked.

"I didn't know you were Max's father now." Dylan retorted.

"I didn't know you liked to make stupid judgements." I shot back. Dylan glared at me, which I returned. There was silence.

"What's going on here?" Max landed on the balcony behind Dylan, her eyes darting from Dylan to me.

~Max~

"What's going on here?" I asked, landing on the balcony. Dylan stood in the doorway, glaring daggers into Fang, who I guess was glaring lazers in return. Dylan turned at the sound of my voice, and his face brightened up.

"Max!" he walked over to me. I glanced at Fang, who had his gaze set on me. I was aware of Fangs protectiveness, especially around Dylan. The two never got along.

"What are you doing here?" I asked.

"I've got something to tell you, which is a really simple thing to do, had your boyfriend not made such a big deal out of." Dylan shot a glare back to Fang, who rolled his eyes.

"Get over it." Fang turned on his heels and sat on a lounge, still listening.

"Why don't you come inside?" I said. He nodded and followed me inside.

"I'll get the rest of the Flock. I'm sure this'll have something to do with them." I said. Dylan nodded, ignoring Fangs pointed look.

"Phoenix is cleaning her room." Fang informed me. I nodded, a smiled reassuringly to him. I quickly rose Angel and Nudge.

I would by lying if I said I wasn't interested in what Dylan had to say.