Chapter 14 MPOV Set-up

Life was back to normal. The boys were on their best behavior for a week after being locked outside. They went out of their way to make us girls happy. Even though Nudge and Angel still dragged me shopping, it was mostly for Christmas gifts lately. After all, Christmas was only three weeks away. Because Gazzy and Angel were still in school, this meant that Nudge and I got a lot on one-on-one time.

Unfortunately, the holiday season also meant that all of us adults were busy with work. People flooded the gyms, trying to keep the pounds off for the holidays. Nudge was swamped with orders for her new line of clothes and the demand for Iggy's famous Christmas cookies was not limited to the flock. He had to hire five more bakers so that the little shop he owns could be open 24-hours a day, 5 days a week.

Needless to say, I was looking forward to a quiet movie night with the whole flock. Everyone had blocked off tonight so that we could spend the night together. Or so I thought.

"Gazzy! Angel! Come down and we'll start the movies!"

"They're not here, Max. Angel has to finish a project for school with some of her classmates, so she went to the library. Gazzy's in detention for setting off a stink bomb in the bathroom- don't worry, I took care of it." Nudge told me. Well, that was a shame.

We were about to sit down, when Nudge's phone buzzed. She checked it. With a look of alarm, she said, "Oh my gosh! My studio! I have to get over there, now! Sorry, Max. Come on Iggy! You too Dylan, I need someone to drive the car."

"But- hey!" Dylan didn't get a chance to protest before he was pulled out the door behind Nudge and Iggy.

Fang and I looked at each other. "Guess it's just you and me tonight," he shrugged. 'This is going to be awkward.'

The microwave beeped, and the smell of popcorn reached us. Fang went to get it. "Anything else you want? A drink?"

"Sure, I'll have a Pepsi. Bring those M&Ms in here, too."

I looked at the stock of movies Nudge had picked out for tonight.

'The Notebook, Dear John, Titanic, 50 First Dates… there's no way this is a coincidence. Nudge planned this.'

Fang put down the food and drink. "What're our options?"

I held up one of the DVDs. "Nudge's Choice Award-winning movies. All from the category 'So sappy sweet, it'll make you gag'! It's your call."

Fang laughed. "Well in that case…" he closed his eyes, spun in circles, and pointed blindly at one of the DVDs I held up. Without bothering to see what it was, I turned on the TV. We sat down on the couch, Fang keeping a careful distance from me. Determined not to make this night awkward, I turned and put my feet up on the couch, stretching my legs across Fang's knees.

"At least we can laugh when the actors make fools of themselves. They're always over-dramatic in these movies."

"Especially if it's one Nudge picked out," Fang agreed, visibly relaxing. He reached over and dumped the bag of peanut M&Ms into the popcorn. I raised an eyebrow at that. He shrugged.

"I guess I just got into the habit. I've been doing this since you told me you liked it on our first movie-date. Now I can't eat popcorn without M&Ms." I laughed and reached for a handful.

The windows grew dark as one after another, we went through the movies. Fang was surprisingly good at exaggerated mimicry, almost as good as Gazzy. My running commentary kept him bent over with laughter. I don't think I've ever laughed so hard for so long.

After a particularly hilarious recitation from Fang, Nudge walked in and found us collapsed in a heap on the floor, laughing too hard to breathe.

"I thought those movies were supposed to be romances, not comedies," Iggy said to Nudge.

"They were," she huffed. The sight of her with her hands on her hips, glaring at is, set off another round of hysterics.

When we finally composed ourselves, I grinned at my sister. "You missed out on an awesome night. How's the studio?"

"Huh? Why- oh! Right, yah. The studio's fine. I'm just picking up some PJs for Gazzy and Angel. We're staying at the guys' place tonight.

"Ok, we'll go-"

"Well, gotta run, see yah! Come on, Iggy." Once again, Fang and I were left here by ourselves.

Fang rolled his eyes. "She totally can't do subtle"