Anne showed Gazzy to his room first. It was the room closest to the stairs of the big house. He stepped inside and his face lit up. The walls were a dark blue, fading to a pale blue towards the ceiling. There was a big table at the back of the room, in the corner by the window, which I'm sure he and Iggy were already devising plans for intricate bombs to build and detonate with all this open space now. He turned and smiled at us, and we all smiled back, relieved that there were no tears on his face.

Iggy walked over to Gazzy to help him put things away, and probably to discuss pyro-things amongst themselves. I just hoped that they wouldn't get themselves into too much trouble.

Anne led Angel to her room, right next to Gazzy's. The walls were a pale pink, darkening to a vibrant hot pink at the ceiling. There was a fluffy white chair by the window, and a bookshelf beside the window as well. Angel turned towards Anne and said thank you in a small, awed voice.

I smiled and shook my head. "Alright, Anne, lead on, I guess," I said, and then looking at Angel, "I'll be in once I look at my room, to help you unpack and put everything away. I know you're old enough to do it yourself, but I want to talk to you too, hon." She nodded and smiled softly at me.

Anne pointed out Iggy's room to me on our way to the end of the hallway. His was across the hall from Angel's. Mine, however was all the way down the hall. I opened the door slowly, expecting pink. To my happy surprise, the walls were purple, darkening to a deep purple-black at the ceiling. I turned to Anne in surprise. "How did you know our favorite colors, let alone have our rooms painted in time, when you only found out about us coming a few hours ago?" I asked, somewhat in shock.

She smiled warmly, and answered, "Val and I kept in touch after college, more so after Jeb left. I know almost everything about you kids. Even things I know you don't remember at all. I'm not sure why Val never told y'all about me, or my kids. Maybe she'll tell us all when she wakes up. I'm sure she will darling'."

I nodded, silent. Boy could Anne talk. I think she could talk the hind end off a donkey. "So, when did you want your kids to show us around the place? I want to have time to unpack and change first, though," I smiled politely at her.

"Go on right ahead, dear. Just gather your siblings outside the front door when you're all ready for the grand tour! Take your time, as long as you need. I'll be downstairs if y'all need anything!" And with that, she took off down the hallway, and down the spiral-ish staircase, out of sight.

I walked into my room and plopped down on the bed with my duffel bag beside me. I sighed and began unpacking. Plaid shirts in the closet, jeans in the bottom dresser drawer; shorts in the drawer above the jeans, T-shirts and other shirts in the drawer above the shorts; underwear and bras, and swimsuits in the top drawer; Converse, riding boots and running shoes in the closet. IPod dock and phone charger on the nightstand, phone and IPod on the nightstand as well.

I pulled out a pair of cut-offs, really short ones, as well as my favorite Three Days Grace shirt, and my cowboy boots. All together, it was looked nice. Angel must be getting to me. I never care about how I look. Grrrrr…. That child was gonna pay for this! Nah, I love her too much for that.

I finished dressing and went to help Angel. She was almost done, putting up pictures she brought from home: me and Iggy at our birthday last year, him ruffling my hair, me tickling his sides; mom holding her and Gazzy when they were four; Gazzy sitting on Iggy while I was laughing at both of them; me and Angel whispering, pointing and laughing at Gazzy; me holding Angel when she had had a bad dream. She was lovingly wiping them clean and gently placing them on her dresser.

I went up to her and gathered her in a big hug. Angel looked up at me in shock. Yeah, I'm not much of a hugger, not even to my own family. She hugged me back harder, not wanting to let me go. I pulled away though. "You all done Ange? Pick something light to wear, we're gonna get a tour of the place once you, Gazzy and Iggy are all done. I'd wear your boots, though. Love ya', and I'll be either in Gazzy's room or Iggy's if you need me."

With that, I left to go check on Gazzy. He was picking out clothes to change into. Trying to be funny, I said, "Hey buddy. How goes the unpacking for you?" in a fake English accent.

He looked up at me, smiled at my fail of an English accent and spoke like a true Brit. "Maxie, don't even try. You just disgrace the country of Britain every time you try dearie." That child was born with the gift of mimicry, and a funky digestive system. Do not get caught in an enclosed space with him after he's had tacos. It is NOT fun!

"Alright bud. Just remember to wear something light. And to wear your boots. I'll be in Iggy's room if you need me."

"Okay Max, love you sis!" He whispers as he gives me a hug, that I return right away. I walk out of his room with a small smile.

Iggy is all done unpacking and dressing. He's wearing his faded blue jeans and a Panic! At the Disco T-shirt that I am very jealous of and will be stealing soon.

"Hey Igs. You ready to go tour the place? I know you can't wait to check out some hot chicks! Oh my turtles I can't believe I just said that." I groan to myself after that last part. Iggy smirked and said, "C'mon Max, you know that you'll give in soon to my perverted ways! We are twins you know!"

I smirked and snapped right back with, "Yeah and that's what I'm afraid of! We don't need another perv in the family! Lord knows what you're teaching Gazzy, and Angel already has a potty mouth, even though that may be partially my fault. But that's beside the point you pervy perv! Now come on, Anne and her kids must be waiting for us by now."

We walk into the hallway to see Angel and Gazzy teasing each other like Iggy and I were before. I smile at Iggy, and he smiles right back.

"Alright guys, you ready for this tour? All I know is that I'm starving, and could go for some of your cookies, Igs!" I said, while the bottomless pit I call my stomach growled like a poked bear. They all laughed at my stomach and my seemingly never-ending hunger.

We all trotted down the stairs, and out the front door. Standing in front of the porch was a stunning African-American girl, with slightly frizzy brown-black hair, and a lovely mocha-colored complexion. She was talking to Nick and some other pretty girl. She was of what looked to be Mexican descent, with her tanned skin and blackish hair. Nick noticed us first, and his eyes widened a little when he saw my long, tanned legs underneath my short-shorts and brown cowboy boots.

I smirked a little, and drawled, "You like what you see, cowboy? Take a picture, it'll last longer." Iggy, Gazzy, Angel, and the other two girls roared with laughter at Nick's obvious discomfort. His eyes bored into mine, like a never-ending abyss of darkness.

He did a little half-smirk thing, and retorted, "I could say the same for you city-girl. I saw you drooling earlier."

My mouth dropped open. "Oh, you did not just go there, you jerk! You are dead meat!" I launched myself at him, catching him by surprise, and tackling him to the dirt. I had him pinned in a matter of seconds, but he somehow overpowered me, and flipped us over, efficiently pinning me with his body.

I blew my bangs out of my eyes, stunned that someone finally beat me. "So cowboy, mind getting off of me? This is kind of awkward."

Nick did the half-smirk thing again, his eyes thoughtful and amused. "I'm not so sure you want me to move, city-girl. I don't think this is awkward at all. You like it, don't you?"

I smiled sweetly, and then kneed him where the sun don't shine and pushed him off of me. Iggy helped me up, and slapped me a high five, laughing at Nick.

The two unknown girls were still laughing at Nick, and then decided to introduce themselves, rather than help him up.

"Hi! I'm Monique, but you can call me Nudge! ZOMG your hair is sooo pretty! And your sense of style could use some work, but it suits you soooooo much! What's your name? I wish my name could be Tiffany. Or Krystal! Oooooh what about Tiffany-Krystal?! ZOMG that would be soo cool! If my name was Tiffany-Krystal, I would be a model. Models always have interesting names! Just like aupoautojghaet…"

Iggy, Angel, Gazzy and I just stared at the African-American girl, now with the name of Nudge. The Mexican-looking girl stood next to her with a hand slapped over her mouth. That had all been said with only one breath! And I think she could've gone on!

The girl with her hand over Nudge's mouth smile and said, "I'm sorry about that! She's mine and Nick's adopted sister. She could turn Mother Theresa into an axe murder. My name is Ella. Nudge and I are both 15, and Nick, or as he prefers to be called, Fang, is 16."

Iggy and Gazzy smile warmly at both girls. Iggy decided to introduce us all. "Well ladies, my name is Iggy, that lovely lady over there is my twin sister Max. This is my younger brother Gazzy and his lovely twin Angel. Be forewarned, the name is misleading!"

We all cracked a smile at that. Nick, or Fang, had finally gotten up, and was gingerly glancing at me. I smiled, laughing internally at his discomfort.

"Hey there, Fangles! Are you able to have children, or did I ruin that joy for you?" I said while snickering at his slightly queasy glare. That wouldn't scare a fly.

Nudge, with Ella's hand removed, ecstatically stated, "It's time for your tour of our home! Grab a buddy, and we'll head off to find our other adopted brother Ari! Okay, I'll go with Gazzy, Iggy with Ella, Angel, when we find Ari you'll be with him, and Max you're with Fang! Let's go find Ari!"

And off we went, with Fang glaring weak daggers at the side of my head. I unfortunately, being the clutz I am, managed to trip and fall into a hole in their oh so lovely driveway. Instinctively, Fang grabbed me to keep me from falling. His arms wrapped around my waist and his eyes stared intensely into my chocolatey-brown ones. Iggy wolf-whistled, and we broke eye contact.

My cheeks felt like they were on fire, and everyone laughed. After that, we continued to search for Ari.

My brain whirred and gears started turning as I realized something. Fang hadn't let go of my arm or hand. Why won't he let me go? We only met like an hour or so ago! No! I can't get attached! Not after Sam. Not after what happened last year.