Okay, bleeding girl and no supplies. Houston, we have a problem. I couldn't exactly leave Nudge alone in her misery to go to the store, but she shouldn't have to sit in there all day like that. Then it hit me: This is why I have a boyfriend.

"I'll be right back," I told Nudge.

I found everyone lounging in the living room watching cartoons. I caught Fang's eye and gestured with my index finger that I needed him to come so we could talk.

"What's up?" he asked once we were alone in the hallway.

"I need a favor."

He looked wary but said, "Sure. What do you need?"

I worked up the most pathetic bambi eyes known to man and said, "I need you to fly to the store and get some tampons and pads." Then I gave an encouraging smile for effect.

He groaned and pleaded, "Can't you do it?"

"Sure, you want to stay in the bathroom with hormonal Nudge?"

He quickly snapped, "No!"

"I'd ask Ella, but she can't drive yet and Mom has the van."

"Fine! I'll do it, but I'm taking Iggy with me!" he stated.

"Thank you!" I said and kissed his cheek.

He grumbled all the way back to Iggy who practically cried when Fang told him about their mission. The boys grabbed their jackets and Fang rolled his eyes at me when I waved as they left.

I asked Ella to keep an eye on Angel and Gazzy who were still engrossed in their cartoons. She agreed and asked no questions.

I ran back to Nudge who looked positively gloomy on the toilet. I tried several times to strike up a conversation, but she wasn't exactly talkative in her current state.

Finally she asked, "Max, why did Eve eat the damn fruit? Couldn't she have eaten a banana from another tree? I mean, really, God said specifically, 'Hey, don't eat from that tree there because bad things happen if you do'. What was she thinking?"

I stifled a laugh because she was being completely serious, a rare occasion in and of itself.

"Well, if you believe that sort of thing, she ate it because the devil tricked her," I explained.

"Who's dumb enough to get tricked by a snake?" she questioned.

I shook my head and shrugged my shoulders. We continued to talk for the next half hour about anything and everything. The topic of conversation ranged from ones like our previous talk to those about our political stances. Turns out Nudge is a zealous democrat. Good girl.

Nudge and I were just beginning to debate the federal budget when I heard the front door open and shut. I excused myself and ran down to get the goods.

I couldn't help but notice Iggy's face was a bright shade of red. Poor boy couldn't hide a blush if he tried. I quickly hugged him in gratitude. I grabbed the bag from Fang and gave him a winning kiss square on the lips. I moved away and thanked them both.

Fang looked at Iggy with what looked like pity and I made a note to myself to ask about that later. I ran back to the bathroom to handle the awkward situation Nudge's misfortune presented.

I entered and gave Nudge a false look of confidence. She returned a look that hinted at her immeasurable excitement for the coming information. Hope you caught the subtle sarcasm.

I began, "This, Nudge, is a tampon. It will be you best friend and worst enemy until you hit menopause…"

-several hours and embarrassing words later-

I laid out relaxing on the back porch, watching the night sky for familiar constellations. Mom was reading in her bedroom, winding down from a hectic day at work. The Flock and Ella were asleep in their respective beds, or so I assumed.

I wouldn't have noticed Fang at all if not for the whine of the sliding door. He sat silently by my side then laid down after some coaxing on my part.

We held hands and enjoyed each other's presence for a while. Then I remembered Iggy's intense blush from earlier.

I asked, "Did you say something to embarrass Iggy today? He was blushing something fierce earlier."

Fang gruffly said, "Men don't blush. He must have been winded from our flight."

I moved onto my side and gave him a look that said "I'm not buying your crap".

He returned my look with a steady gaze but eventually cracked.

"Okay. It could have been one of two things. At the store this cashier asked Iggy for a date."

"Was she cute?" I interrupted, trying to hide my dread. I had Ella to think of after all. She would be crushed if Iggy were interested in someone else.

"No," he answered and laughed, "but he was very handsome."

I smacked his side in disbelief and said, "What did Iggy say to him?"

"He told the guy very politely that he had a girlfriend and then we left."

I let his words sink in and then asked Fang suspiciously, "Who is this girlfriend?"

"That's the other that might have embarrassed him. I asked him that on our way back and found out who he likes," he informed.

I sat up, stuck between feeling afraid he liked someone else and hoping intensely that it was Ella.

"And?" I prodded by waving my hand in a "go on" motion.

He smiled up at me and said, "Sorry, I can't tell. I'm pretty sure that violates the guy code."

I gently ran my hand through his dark hair and slowly tightened my hand into a fist.

"You'll be breaking the boyfriend code if you don't tell me immediately," I threatened.

He winced and cried, "I'll tell you! Just let go."

I did so and smiled innocently at him as he sat up on the porch wood. He rubbed his head.

Then he gave me a spiteful glance then whispered, "Ella. He likes your sister."

He peeked at me to gauge my reaction. I guess he was expecting me to be pissed because he seemed surprised by my elation. I guess my fist pumping wasn't so subtle.

"What? Why aren't you freaking out? I mean negatively," he asked.

"This is great! Ella likes him, too!" I shouted before considering that maybe Ella didn't want my boyfriend and one of Iggy's best friends to know she was crushing hard.

"Oh crap," I began, "You have to swear you won't tell Iggy!"

He locked pinkies with me and said, "Relax, I'm not a gossip."

I smiled as he continued, "Seal it with a kiss?"

I released his pinky and locked lips instead. I moved to sit in his lap, facing him.

I have two basic needs. They are as follows: the bare necessities of life and making out with Fang. Something about him makes this hormone filled girl crazy. Maybe it's his attentive his lips that do it.

I was still in a sort of trance when Fang pulled away and cleared his throat. I opened my eyes and looked at him bashfully.

"I should go to bed now," I said quickly.

"Yeah, me too," he replied.

I got up off of him and slipped into the house, not waiting for him to follow. I was still grinning when I made it to my bed.

There she be. I hope I didn't come across as pissy in my last note. I just wanted to clear the air on the subject, I swear. Any who, hope you enjoyed this chapter. Review, my pretties!