Maximum Ride: If I Never Come Home Again

Coming Home

Chapter 5

*One Week Later*

                Jax and I had begun to grow comfortable in the house. It was strangely normal. It was weird to not be in Itex, but it was obviously a welcome change. The only time either of us left was to fly over to a nearby town to get supplies.

Thankfully, the house still had running water. Jax thought that it was from a well nearby. I loved the shower. If it was possible to marry inanimate objects, I would have done it a long time ago. It felt so good to feel clean every day. The first time I took a shower here, it lasted hours. I tried to scrub away all the experiments and… the Second Generation tests…

No matter how clean I physically was, I was never mentally clean enough.

“Max?” I heard the front door open and Jax’s voice drifted in.

“I’m in the living room.” My mind instantly thought of an old television show where the husband came home to his wife. Is this what a normal life was like?

“I got some more food. I was able to get it from a gas station while the attendant was distracted.” He walked in the room. He was wearing a black sweater that I got for him when I went for supplies. It hugged his muscles and looked really good on him.

I looked down and blushed when he smirked at me, noticing my staring. “Umm… That’s good. Do you need help putting them away?”

“Nah I should be good. Thanks though.” He flashed me a smile and then walked out, carrying his black bag over his shoulder.

I shook my head, trying to get images of Jax out of my head. That boy would be the death of me.

‘It looks like someone has feelings for Jax.’

‘What? No way! I don’t like Jax. He’s just a really good friend!’

‘Why do I have the feeling that I’ve had this conversation with you before Maximum?’

‘Oh my god! You know sarcasm!’ I could somehow feel the Voice shaking its head at me. But it didn’t reply.

I couldn’t have feelings for Jax… There is only one guy I liked. Wait… Liked? As in past tense?

Before I could think about it anymore, Jax came in and jumped on the couch that I was currently sitting on. He bounced up and down, making me move around on the cushions.

“Jax!! Stop it!” I said between laughs. He jumped down and sat down like a normal person. I looked away from him, but I could feel his eyes on my face. “What Jax?” He was staring at me with a wolf like grin. I smiled back at him.

Then the dork puffed out his cheeks and scrunched up his face. I laughed at his funny face. Then I took my hands and pushed against his cheeks to make him expel the air. He put his hand over mine and started moving his lips like a fish.

I couldn’t stop laughing. He turned his face back to normal and smiled wide. His smile was amazing. I slowly stopped laughing and we silently smiled at each other. My hands were still on his cheeks with his covering mine. He removed his right hand and brushed some of my blond hair out of my eyes. It was getting long. He moved his hand back and cupped my cheek.

His smile slowly melted into a serious line. Mine slowly faded to as I looked at his sea green eyes. He started to lean in closer to me.

“Max…” He whispered. Wait. Is this what I wanted? Jax was my friend! I didn’t like him! Did I?

As if noticing my indecision Jax removed his hands and leaned away. I dropped my hands into my lap. His body heat left mine and I felt kind of disappointed. Wait… Why was I disappointed? I didn’t want him to kiss me… Or did I?

“You ready to eat?” He smiled at me like nothing happened. His normally lively green eyes were dulled and sad. I felt a pang of guilt for causing that. I nodded and we got up to go to the tiny kitchen. Jax knew about my horrible cooking skills so I sat on the counter and watched him put some sandwiches together and heat up some canned foods. I tried to grab a piece of apple, but he playfully swatted my hand away. I growled.

“Ok let’s go eat.” He took the massive plates of food and led me to the living room. I followed eagerly. The smell of food was killing me. He sat down on the couch and handed me the plate of food.

I snatched it up and started shoveling the food in my mouth. Forget the shower; I’m going to marry food instead.

Jax laughed at me, but scarfed down his own food. We ate in silence. Finally, my plate was clean and I was stuffed. I leaned back and moaned contently. I saw Jax smirk and he took my plate into the kitchen for me. I rubbed my hands on the worn red fabric of the couch. The whole house had a southern ranch appearance. There was a deer head on the wall above the fireplace. It was cozy.

Jax walked in again and sat next to me. “Max do you think you are ready to go see your family?” He asked hesitantly. I sighed. I had been asking myself the same question.

‘Maximum you need to go see them. It’s what you’ve wanted for a long time. You’re free now so you can go.’

‘But what if they are different? What if they don’t want me?’

‘Maximum we both know that’s not the truth. They will love to see you again. And they will be a little different, but most likely they will be the same as they have always been. Just go and see them. You won’t regret it.’ I sighed.

“Yes. I’m ready.” I said to Jax. He smiled at me.

*The Next Day-Saturday*

Oh god… What am I doing? I can’t do this. I should just leave now. Jax and I had just landed near my mom’s house. I was internally panicking.

Jax put his hand in mine. I took a deep breath and let him take me up to the house.

I was Maximum freaking Ride! And I couldn’t even walk up three steps to go see my family that I’ve been waiting to see for more than four years. I took another deep breath and walked up the steps. I looked up at Jax and he smiled reassuringly at me.

I lightly knocked on the door. I could hear footsteps walk up, and then the door opened.