Chapter Twenty: Familiarity

FANG'S POV

"Are you ready for this?" I look up to see Iggy standing in the doorway, shifting on his feet. In the last few hours, his paranoia has spiked leaving him unsettled and nervous. It certainly hasn't helped my growing paranoia so I've tried to stay clear of him in fear that one of the others will pick up on it. So far so good.

I sigh, closing my laptop. I've been blankly staring at the unedited version of my next post, trying to distract myself and ultimately failing. "Ready as I'll ever be."

I grab my shoes and phone, following Iggy down the hall and out the door. "We are picking up the others on the way to Simpson's grandfather's house."

"Right."

We head down the street in silence until we come to Jessica's house. She's waiting on the front step dressed in a light white dress with her favorite pair of brown boots. She smiles when she sees us, standing up and running to Iggy. He smiles, lifting her up and twirling her around.

I roll my eyes. Such lovebirds. He kisses her lightly, setting her down and putting his arm around her. I walk behind them, totally being a third wheel. They chat lightly with me staying silent as we walk in the direction of Ivy's house.

She's standing on the sidewalk and smiles when she sees us coming. She calmly walks forward -unlike Jessica- and hugs Iggy and Jessica. She kisses me lightly before linking our hands and swinging our arms.

We continue walking and I examine my beautiful girlfriend's outfit. Dressed in white jeans and a skin-tight red shirt with her silky hair framing her face, she glows with a vibrancy that brightens up the darkening sky.

"You look absolutely amazing tonight, Ivy."

She smiles, giving my side a squeeze. "Thanks, babe. You look handsome as ever."

"Alright, we get it. You two love each other." I roll my eyes as Iggy draws out the love. His eyes sparkle but I can see his train of thought. He doesn't really approve, knowing that Max and I are still technically 'dating'. He also knows how much Max despises cheating.

"Don't get me started on the two of you, Ig." I say in return, sending him a secret message. Drop it. He laughs, uneasily, turning to face forward.

We turn the corner, approaching Simpson's grandparents house. He's standing outside with his parents, everyone chatting lightly. It's nice outside but the remainder of the sun is finally going below the horizon. Simpson sees us walking and leaps down the stairs, greeting us in that goofy way of his.

"My friends have arrived!" He louds. Everyone laughs. We walk up the stairs and I greet the infamous grandparents of Simpson.

"Hello, sir, it's nice to meet you." I remove my hand from Ivy's back to shake his. He smiles, firmly shaking my hand.

"Pleasure. What's your name again?"

"Nick but everyone calls me Fang."

He nods, chuckling. "That's an interesting nickname. How did you require that?"

I smile slightly. "It's a long story and most of the details are fuzzy." None of that is true. I remember the exact moment I was given the nickname. Max gave it to me while we were still at the School.

He turns to Ivy, who has been silently standing next to me. He extends a hand and she shakes it. "Pleasure, and you are?

She smiles her sweet Ivy smile that makes me happy. It's definitely one of her best qualities. "I'm Ivy, sir."

Iggy and Jessica introduce themselves then we migrant inside.

"Food will be ready in a little bit," says Simpson's ma. "Simpson, why don't you show the others' to your room?"

He nods, motioning for us to follow. We all shuffle upstairs as the adults walk down the hall towards the kitchen. We enter the last door at the end of the hall. It feels empty compared to Simpson's actual room but it seems he's already started making it his own. Some posters have been hung up and boxes are stacked underneath the window.

He flops down in a bean bag while Iggy and Jessica sit side by side on the bed. I sit down, leaning against the door with Ivy leaning against me. She smells of coconut and it soothes my nerves.

My knee still bounces though, Ivy placing a hand on it. I place my hand on top of hers, smiling. I look up to see Iggy giving me a knowing look so I return it with a drop it glare. At first, I felt really guilty but now I've come to terms that this may be considered cheating even though I'm choosing to ignore it. I'm happy. So, I choose to ignore Iggy in case the guilt decides to come back. I really don't need it on top of the paranoia.

"What are we having to eat?" asks Jessica, breaking the silence that seemsto be growing uncomfortable.

Simpson shrugs and that's the end of the conversation. I sigh, leaning into Ivy as she fiddles with my hand. Even though I appear content, I can't shake the rising uneasiness in my stomach. It's decided to take an unexpected turn since we have been sitting here and it's making me panic.

What the hell does it mean? I definitely don't miss this feeling.

Iggy shifts uncomfortably. He looks at me, silently telling me that he's starting to panic and I convey back the same message.

Jessica seems to have had enough of the silence for she huffs, jumping off the bed. "Let's play a game or something."

The rest of us stay silent, though. She whines before sitting back down on the bed. "Alright, then. Let's just talk for a moment. What do you think this new girl will be like? I'll go first. I hope I like her." She pokes Iggy in the chest, signaling for him to go next.

He sighs, straightening up his posture. "Umm, I hope that this new girl is friendly and calm."

"I hope she's hella cute." We all roll our eyes at Simpson's antics as he smiles. "I'm serious. You all have each other. Maybe when she joins the group she'll be by my side. I'm the lonely one here."

Ivy shakes her head, smiling. "I hope this new girl doesn't try to tear any of us apart."

Everyone turns to look at me as I ponder what I want to say. "I guess I hope we all like the new girl."

Jessica seems satisfied with our answers, getting ready to go on one of her rants when Simpson's phone dings.

"Looks like dinner is ready and the new girl's here."

My panic spikes as I stand hand in hand with Ivy. I look at Iggy and he seems unsettled, trying to prepare to face this new girl. She is the cause of both our paranoia after all. We all walk out of the room silently, the anticipation building.

I walk past the bathroom, freezing. Ivy tugs on my arm, surprised by the sudden stop. "Is everything okay, Fang?"

I glance at Iggy before answering her. "I need to use the bathroom. I'll catch up with you all."

She gives me a look telling me that she doesn't believe me before walking down the stairs with the others. I take a deep breath, walking into the bathroom and shutting the door.

I lean against the sink, looking at my reflection. My eyes are slightly wide with mild panic so I close them, trying to calm myself. I turn the faucet on, running water over my face before drying myself off with a nearby towel.

You got this, Fang. There's nothing to be worried about. It's not like she'll steal my heart. It already belongs to Ivy.

Okay, that was incredibly cheesy. Cringing slightly, I exit the bathroom and hurriedly rush down the stairs to catch up with the others. Everyone is already seated when I enter the room.

I glance around the table, until my eyes land on an unfamiliar face. I stare at her for a moment, taking in her appearance. Her auburn hair -obviously dyed- makes her skin glow. What makes me do a double take though is that her eyes -hazel- don't really fit her. They seem unnatural, like she's wearing contacts or something to hide behind. Why would she need to hide her true eye color?

That and the fact that she seems vaguely familiar. My panic subsides but it's only replaced with a feeling of familiarity and uneasiness.

I walk towards the table, taking a seat next to her. She is also giving off nervous energy, her muscles tense as well. She seems to be avoiding looking at me at all costs.

Interesting.

I can't help but stare at her. Something about her makes me comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. Like I've been around her before but I've never met her before.

The Admiral clears his throat so I turn my gaze away from her. I squeeze my hands underneath the table, trying to calm my mind. At least my paranoia seems to have settled.

But that only grows my regular paranoia more. Why has my on-the-run paranoia settled? This girl seems to be both the cause and the solution to my paranoia and it makes me uneasy.

Why?

The Admiral smiles, glancing at each of us. He points at the new girl and I turn to see her shift uncomfortably under everyone's stares. She is still avoiding eye contact with Iggy and I.

"Everyone, this is Dani Hart."

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Iggy smile at her politely. I can tell that he's confused as well but he hides it well. I stare at the girl again but I catch Ivy's eye. She gives me a don't think about it look then glares at the new girl.

I love Ivy but one thing I have learned about her is that she is very possessive. I look around the table and I can tell that both of the girls don't like Dani very much.

Well, this isn't good.

He points to Jessica sitting next to him, prompting her to state her name. "Why don't you go next?"

"Oh," She smiles politely, shifting in her seat. She looks at Dani, challenging her in the way girls' do as she talks. "I'm Jessica. It's nice to meet you." Her tone conveys the exact opposite message, though. I don't really care and I don't like you very much even though I barely know you. She gestures to Ivy next, grabbing her glass and taking a long sip.

Ivy glances at Dani before fiddling with her hands for a moment. "I'm Ivy." Her voice is sweet but the side look she's giving Dani isn't.

Great. Both girls already don't like the new girl. This isn't good.

Simpson smiles boldly at Dani, having not noticed the glares the girls are giving Dani. I notice that she briefly rolls her eyes at him, making eye contact with me. Her eyes swell, the feeling of familiarity growing.

Why does she seem so familiar? Have I met her before? No, I haven't. Odd.

"I'm Simpson. Glad that you're here!"

Dani nods at him, uncomfortable. She turns to Iggy next, an unknown emotion swirling in her eyes. A crush perhaps? Hmmm, I don't think so.

He nods in her direction, smiling widely. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Jessica give him a glare. Why don't the girl's realize that Dani has nothing on them? Besides, they are dating us. They need to chill the fuck out.

"I'm Fred," I wince at the name. Why the hell did he choose that name again? "But, please call me Iggy."

Dani takes a subtle deep breath, grabbing her glass a little too tightly and taking a sip. She's still staring at Iggy with a knowing expression, confusing me. It appears that she is getting a sense of familiarity but it doesn't make any sense. Why would she have the same feeling too?

Everyone is staring at me, waiting for me to introduce myself. I clear my throat, shifting in my seat. For the first time tonight, she holds my gaze, another unknown emotion swirling. It throws me off but I'm quickly able to regroup.

"My name's Nick," Her expression turns sad when I say it and I give her a questioning look. She doesn't seem to notice, shaking her head at the battle she seems to be having with herself. She's an odd one that's for sure. "Everyone calls me Fang, though."

Her eyes are sad but she smiles, looking around the room. "Nice to meet you all."

The Admiral smiles, seemingly satisfied. "Now that introductions are out of the way, let's eat."

The air is awkward as we all serve ourselves and chat about nonsense. After the one sentence she spoke, she stays silent, absently eating as we all try to make conversation. She doesn't make eye contact with Iggy or I again and it's making me curious. What's up with this girl?

I turn to look at Iggy as Simpson's ma takes our plates. We need to figure out what's going on.