Hey, so I wasn't planning on updating yet, but I got so many alerts and stuff, so I figured I would.

Danny: And she's bored.

Me: And Danny is STILL here. I can't get rid of him.

Danny: tee-hee.

Me: Okay, someone asked who Danny is. He's my neighbor. We were bored because of snow days, so he's been hanging out and we've been goofing off on the computer all day. That's it.

Now that that is cleared up, on with the story!

MAX

I pulled my hair into a pony tail, leaving my bangs out and coloring them purple with the comb in-wash out hair dye my best friend Lissa had given me. I straightened my black dress shirt and dark jeans, clipped on my black high heel sandals, and headed downstairs. I always tried to look nice the first day a kid got here. Opinions and impressions are based first on appearance, then on personality and cordiality, as my mom would say.

Yes, I know that phrase is dumb. I still apply it.

"Max, could you get everyone set up while I get the door? That's probably Fang!" Mom called from the front hall. I saw her bustle past the living room, which we were all waiting in.

"Guys, try to assemble yourselves and look nice. Smile. Act natural and polite. Make Mom and Dad proud." Just for a note- everyone calls John and Valencia Mom and Dad. Even me, no calling John by his name. He raised me, he's my dad. Not Jeb. He's a…sperm donor, I guess.

The kids shifted and sat down on the couches. I sat on one with them on the other, squished in. Dad sat next to me, leaving a place for Mom. I heard Mom say, "Rochelle, a pleasure, as always." Ms. Rochelle Davka, the social worker that found all of Mom and Dad's foster kids. She was sweet, and always invited to parties and events. She was really a part of the family by now- like an eccentric aunt. She always gave everyone great gifts at Christmas and birthdays too, so she's quite the shopper.

"Valencia," I heard Rochelle air kiss Mom. It was a goofy thing they did that always made us kids laugh.

"And you must be Fang. Come in, everyone is waiting in the living room. We've all been so excited for you to get here. Especially my son, Iggy. He's fourteen as well."

Mom led Rochelle and a boy into the room. Rochelle hugged each of us while we checked out the new kid. He had olive skin, dark hair, dark eyes, and wore dark clothes. His face was emotionless, but his eyes looked nervous. He was checking us out too. "Everyone, I'd like to introduce you to Fang. Fang, this is…well…everyone!" Rochelle smiled at Fang.

I stood up. "I'm Max. That's Iggy, Gazzy, Angel, Ella, and Nudge." I offered my hand for him to shake, but he just averted his eyes and stared at the floor, so I lowered it. "We're really glad you're here. We're all pretty tight, and I know you'll fit right in. We take all kinds, even dolphins."

He glanced up, but didn't say anything.

It was still all the encouragement I needed. "I'm serious. Angel tried to bring a dolphin home once. Our family still pays for his care in the local aquarium. Sometime soon we'll take you to meet the family dolphin."

He shifted, looking uncomfortable.

"Well, I'd better be going," Rochelle sighed.

"AW!" everyone cried. Everyone but Fang, who still hadn't made a sound.

"I'm sorry, but I have to go get your papers filed. Thank you, John, for being so productive and thorough, as always."

Dad smiled. "You're welcome. We're just glad you found a home for Fang so quickly."

"Yes. He really doesn't like the children's centers." Rochelle hugged all of us and left quickly. "You'll be fine here Fang."

"So," Mom said brightly after a moment of silence. "I made cookies. Let's go in the kitchen."

Everyone but Fang and I filed into the kitchen obediently. Mom made THE BEST cookies in the world. Fang just stood awkwardly. "You know," I said softly. "We don't bite. We might lick a little, but the only biter in the family is Gazzy, under normal circumstances. I mean, Nudge bit Iggy that time he took her magazine while she was reading about some guy named Taylor Lautner, but that's really his own fault."

He didn't say anything and I didn't expect him to. I touched his shoulder and he flinched. "Hey," I said softly. "I won't hurt you. Just come with me to the kitchen. Mom makes awesome cookies." I offered him my hand.

He ignored my hand, but followed me to the kitchen. "Max, Fang, there you are. I was wondering if the floor opened up and swallowed you," Dad said slyly.

"No, I was just talking to Fang. We're ready to converse with the rest of the human race now."

"Well, come get a cookie before your brothers eat them all. Fang, would you like milk?"

He shrugged. Mom poured him a glass and handed him a desert plate with cookies on it. I took my plate and milk and sat next to him at our humongous table. I gave him a tiny smile. "So, Fang, after we eat, Max can show you to your room. If you need anything, you can just ask anyone. There's always food in the house if you're hungry. We'll have to take you shopping for clothes before you start school."

"Way to pull a Nudge, Mom." Iggy smirked at Mom.

"Quiet, Ignius." Mom thought a moment. "So, this is my husband John. My name is Valencia. You're welcome to call us by our first names if you aren't comfortable calling us Mom and Dad. None of the kids really were at first. Do you have any questions?"

Fang shook his head and stared at the table.

"All right, but if you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

After we finished, I took Fang's suitcase and led him to the room next to mine. I opened the door. "We still need to decorate in here. We'll let you do your own thing."

He set down his backpack and a guitar case and I paused at the door. "I'm in the next room, the one on your right, if you need help. Okay?"

He didn't answer, just stared out the window.

"Dinner is at six thirty. If you need anything…"

He continued to stare out the window. I walked over. "Just so you know, you're family now. You don't need to be scared of us. And we're not going to push you to talk. Talk when you're ready. And if you ever need an ear, or just don't want to be alone, we're all here for you, okay?"

He didn't take his eyes off of the window, but his shoulders tensed slightly.

"I'm serious. We care about you. I don't know what happened, but it must have been bad. Healing is hard, and sometimes, you need someone to help. We're all here for you." I touched his hand gently. "You'll be safe here."

I left to find Mom. "Has he said anything to you?" Mom asked.

"No, but he'll talk when he's ready. Do you know what happened to make him not talk?"

"No. No one knows exactly why he won't talk, but I'm sure he'll tell us when he wants to."

I nodded. "And Mom, don't worry so much. He'll be fine. You can put him in my classes."

She smiled. "You're the best, baby."

"I know," I hugged her. "I love you Mom."

"I love you too sweetie. Now, run along and have some fun. As soon as I finish what I'm doing I'm going to start dinner. Six thirty, as usual."

"Okay, love you," I left the room and headed to mine.

I poked my head in on Fang. He was curled up on his bed. His suitcase was empty, standing near the edge of the bed. His clothes were neatly hung in the closet. A guitar that had been in a case he'd brought was near the window. His eyes were wide open.

"I know you're not asleep," I said. I stepped in. "How are you doing?"

He shrugged.

I looked at the guitar. "Do you play?"

He reached over, picked it up, and sat on the edge of the bed. He strummed a few chords and put it back down.

"Nice. I wish I could play something cool like that. I can play the drums and the piano. Ella and Mom can play piano too."

He had resumed the fetal position. I crouched at eye level in front of him. "What are you doing?"

He suddenly found the floor fascinating.

"Why are you scared of me?"

He didn't answer, as expected.

"I'm not a scary person, really. I want to help you."

FANG

"Why are you scared of me?" the girl, Max, asked.

I didn't say anything. She probably expected it. That's what got me kicked out of my last two foster homes- no talking. But it didn't seem to bother Max's family.

"I'm not a scary person, really." Oh yes, you are. Everyone is frightening when you've been through what I've been through. "I want to help you." Sure you do. That's what they all said before they hurt me.

I didn't answer her, again. After what had happened, I'd vowed never to speak. Then if the police found out, he wouldn't blame me. Because if he did, he'd come for me. And no power on Earth could stop him from hurting me again.

My "father" Mick.