Valedictorian- A Maximum Ride Fanfiction

8th Period

THE FLIGHT BACK was long, in Max's opinion. She was blazing, red hot; and wanted nothing more than to pummel some heads. She didn't like hurting people, really, but Fang and Iggy had almost died, and Ren was injured.

Ren.

She'd mentioned it many times before, but Ren was weird. Weird in that subtle way that tickled all her maternal instincts. She wasn't even sure how he was doing it- maybe it was some sort of mutant ability- and the sudden amount of care she was starting to hold for him was quite frankly a bit unsettling. Taking a look back to the way he was flapping along, though- no longer straight and nonchalant but curled into himself and relying on the sea drafts to keep him aloft- she knew that wasn't true. Ren just had the aura. And she was going protect him, maybe even adopt him. Max nodded to herself. Ren needed a family, and the flock was willing to give one to him. She didn't know about Angel, but the fact that Ren had practically thrown himself in front of a bomb to save him would probably curry some favor points from Iggy. And if Iggy liked him, then Gazzy would too. And Gazzy would get through to Angel somehow... she hoped...

The kids were eagerly waiting at the mouth of the cave when they arrived. Max smiled, feeling all her cares melt away at their faces before Angel's eyes narrowed at her and she turned away with a small frown. Max frowned. What was wrong with her?

Sebastian stood behind the three of them, hands on her helps, scowling at Ren.

"You didn't get the stuff." She stated, tilting her head to the side. Ren touched down lightly, Fang automatically moving to keep him upright when he staggered, Iggy grabbing his wrist. Ren paused, still hunched over, and gave a long exhale. Max held her breath.

"You sent us to pick up guns and C4." Ren breathed, eyes screaming words of accusation that his mouth would not. Sebastian actually flinched at that, visibly paling before her face turned dark.

"That's impossible, I checked the bags before leaving them there. A crate full of clothes, and two sacks of fruit candy. There's no way-"

"Why don't you take a look at his leg. And Fang's general state of being. Oh, and all the blood."  Max snapped, gesturing angrily to the multiple scratches and thin cuts on Fang and the huge gash on Ren's right thigh. Sebastian inhaled as if she hadn't seen it before (perhaps she hadn't, perhaps she had, but Max didn't have time to wonder that at the moment) and looked away guiltily, nudging Nudge and Gazzy aside as she strode into the darkness of the cave. As soon as she was out of sight, Ren sighed.

"She didn't know," He looked up like he was trying to convince them to forgive her, like they were the one limping around in red pants. That used to be grey. Max wondered, not for the first time, just what their relationship was. Like, how much crap was he willing to endure for her? Ren shrugged off Fang's arm, patting Iggy's rest away as he hobbled in after Sebastian. "I'll talk to her." He clicked his tongue.

Max nodded. That would work out. She needed to have a nice, long chat with the flock anyway.