A/N: I know there is already a story by Belive-me-or-not, but I'm taking over for her.

Disclaimer: SADLY I do not own Maximum Ride. *goes to cry in corner*

Prologue: Beautiful In Every Way

It was too crazy to think about. I, Maximum Ride, have been crowned freaking Little Miss. USA.

Wow.

It had all started out as a dare, to go to the hometown beauty pageant, just to make fun of it. But the judges had loved it, they loved how I was "a simply unique character" and that I was "different from most girls". The sad part was, I started loving these pageants. My usual self consists of jeans and a t-shirt, but I liked those monthly occasions when I could still be me, but prettier. Somehow I got through all of the ranks and there I was, on the stage being judged for one of the highest pageant ranks. Third, highest to be exact.

I was in the limo my best and only friend sitting next to me and my mother and sister across from me. My mother reached over and grasped my hand. "I am so proud of you Maximum, so proud."

I smiled at her, still blushing from my moment on stage an hour ago. Yes, I can blush for that long, it's sort of depressing. Just then my phone started ringing. I looked at the Caller Number: it was my agent.

I didn't think I needed an agent, I just did pageants and modeling from time to time. (Yes, I did modeling. Extra college money, right?) But this agent actually came to me, and apparently she was one of the best in the business. She was Anne Walker, Job Circuit Extraordinaire.

"Hey, Anne," I said clicking the ACCEPT button.

"Max! I have the most perfect job! And you're going to love it!" Usually when she mean 'love it', it means that it brings in a lot of money.

I can deal with that.

"What is it?"

"The NOW, wants you on a reality T.V. show! It's going to be called "Young and Free", it's all about teenage stars that live in one big penthouse together and go about their daily lives!"

"I don't know Anne-"

She cut mo off. "Max! They called you! They want you! Little Miss USA to be on this show! C'mon Max! It'll be the experience of a lifetime! They called me right when you were crowned! You-" I was getting sick of hearing her go on and on about how much of an opportunity this was.

"Alright, alright! Just let me talk to my Mom about it."

My Mom said yes.

"Great! I'll fax over the paper work tonight! See you tomorrow!" Anne hung up.

Dear God what have I gotten myself into?