I lay in my bed, staring at the bunk above me, which held Angel's sleeping body. I glanced over at the digital clock like I had been for the past hour. It read 1:30 A.M. I sighed and pulled back my blanket, suddenly in the mood for a late night snack.

As I walked down the stairs I wondered how much codeine my bird body would require to make me fall asleep. I could hear a cough come from kitchen. I smiled knowing who it would be. Insomnia must be hereditary.

Ella was throwing away whatever she had choked on when I came in. She smiled tiredly at me when she realized I was there.

"Couldn't sleep?" she asked.

"Yeah, my mind won't rest," I explained.

I shrugged and opened the fridge to see what was good to eat. I grabbed a chocolate pudding cup and a spoon and sat at the table across from Ella.

"So…" she said.

I tried to hide my wicked grin before saying, "So you and Iggy, huh?"

Even in dark lighting I could see her olive toned cheeks flame.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she lied poorly.

"Uh huh. You know, you can tell me these things. I am your sister after all. You're denying me my rights by not squealing with me about it."

"I thought you weren't the squealing kind of girl, Max," she joked.

I nodded thoughtfully and said, "True, but I can muster a squeal for my little sister."

She smiled and started enthusiastically, "Alright, yes. I do like Iggy."

I smiled and a quiet scream left my mouth.

Ella rolled her eyes and continued, "I'm not sure if he likes me, though."

Then it was my turn to roll my eyes.

"I'm pretty sure your little pillow fight was proof that your crush is reciprocated," I assured her.

She nodded her head and admitted, "That was really fun. We should do it again."

Just then Mom entered the kitchen with a small smile on her face.

"Shouldn't you girls be getting your beauty sleep?" she asked.

Ella answered, "Yeah, I'm really tired. See you guys in the morning."

Mom kissed Ella's forehead as she left the kitchen. She sat down next to me after she grabbed a pudding cup. We snacked together in comfortable silence for a few minutes.

Then she spoke, "I really scared Fang the other day, didn't I?"

I grinned widely and confirmed with a nod. I searched myself for any resentment towards her for it but found nothing. I know if I had been in her position, I wouldn't be as rational as she'd been.

"Could you maybe tell him he doesn't have flinch every time we're in the same room?" she requested.

"I'll let him know." I said.

We both had finished our snacks so we headed to our rooms together. She had her arm around my shoulder. I felt really comfortable with the woman I hadn't even known was my mother until a few years ago.

We reached my room and she kissed my forehead like she did Ella's.

"Goodnight, sweetie."

"Night, Mom." I replied.

As soon as my head hit the pillow I fell asleep.

Hey guys, I hate excuses for being late but here's mine: I had thishorrible speech competition that has been eating up my weekends. We got a number one rating so far, and we're going on to state. Woo hoo (sarcasm)! Okay, review my loves!