A/N: Have you watched that movie called "Hachi"? I sobbed my eyes out! Thank you, reviewers: SkyGirl68 and

"Let's watch a movie!" Angel piped up. She was coloring ponies in this coloring book Fang had gotten her. It had cost two bucks, and it entertained her. With all the predictions, life advice, and messing with my love life, I had almost forgotten she still liked to do little kid stuff.

"I am a little kid," Angel said. "And it's not 'messing with your love life'. It's frustrating, hearing you guys think about each other and wonder if you like each other in the same way."

Well, that was one random outburst. "Go pick a movie, sweetie," I transitioned smoothly. She ran to the shelf and picked a movie. It was "Hachi: a dog's tale." It showed a dog and three smiling faces. Turning it around, I saw it was a "heart-warming family movie." Sure, why not.

"We're watching a movie!" I yelled for the benefit of anyone who was interested. Nudge came down running and Fang poked his head out of the dining room. He actually closed his computer to spend time with me. Now I know he really loves me. Finally, Angel thought in my mind.

Both sat on the couch on either side of me, while Angel preferred the floor. She liked being close to movies. Apparently that's bad for you or something, but whatever. We've survived way, way worse.

Angel fed the movie into the DVD player. The screen came to life as she pressed a button on the side of the TV. We had no remote anymore. Every time we bought a new one, Gazzy or Iggy stole it to make bombs. "Recycling," they called it.

The screen came to life and the movie started. Heart-warming family fun, right? Two hours later, we were all in tears. Except Fang.

"How can you not feel bad for the puppy?" I sobbed at him. He rolled his eyes. "Dog, not puppy. And it's just a dog actor. It's not real or anything."

Excuse Fang. He can be heartless sometimes. Nudge had mascara forming cool patterns on her cheeks, and Angel was holding Celeste tighter, sobbing into the bear's cushy belly.

How horrible was that? "A tale of loyalty and friendship," meant "the poor dog dies outside waiting for this dude."

"Why did you make me watch that?" I gasped out. Angel couldn't even answer. "Going to my room," Nudge choked out.

Fang took my weakness as a chance to take advantage of me. I swear he was enjoying just getting to hold me. He wrapped his arms tighter around me as I soaked his shirt. "She's listening to Adele and crying even more," Angel said.

Iggy walked in with Gazzy, no doubt both of them doing something I didn't approve of but didn't have enough proof to get them in trouble. Gazzy took one look at us.

"Angel? Max? What's wrong?" he asked, concerned. Iggy made a face. "Do I hear…crying?"

I nodded once, and I thought I saw Fang roll his eyes. I gave him a light shove then remembered how the man had had the tennis ball in his hands when he died. It was the first time Hachi ever played fetch!

I'm not happy to report I started sobbing again. "The…ball!" I choked out. Angel heard and started crying again.

"Chick flick," Fang said briefly. Iggy nodded as if he had understood something important. He left the room, and Gazzy went upstairs.

I heard the smell of cooking right as Iggy announced, "Pancakes!" I rushed over to the kitchen with Angel. Somehow, Nudge had heard too because she ran down right after.

Her eyes were still red, but when she started eating the pancakes, she tried a watery smile. After a while, we were happy and eating again. I felt—strange. I was tired and dizzy.

I gripped Fang's hand. "Don't feel good," I mumbled. He hadn't had a single pancake. Nudge and Angel looked fine. "Maybe you should go lie down," he suggested.

"Mayb—" I slurred into a sort of coma.

I woke up on my back, on the couch. Fang was holding my left hand as he clicked through his computer with the other. "Uhh?" I groaned.

"You've been out for four hours," he commented. I struggled to form complete thoughts in my mind. "Why?" I slurred.

He looked at me, and then at somewhere on the wall behind the couch. "Look at me," I hissed. "Or do you love the wall now?"

He rolled his eyes but kept them focused on my face. Something was terribly wrong. I had eaten the pancakes and—it was Iggy! Again, I really had no proof. Okay, time to see how good I was at persuasion.

Look like you're in pain, Angel thought at me. He'll melt right then. I frowned at winced, as if my head was splitting open. I put my hand to my temple, and furrowed my brows.

"What's wrong?" he asked, worry showing all over his face. It's working! I winced again. "It's just…I feel terrible."

I looked up innocently, staring right into Fang's eyes. He was bent over me, and I tried to make my eyes sparkle like Nudge did when she wanted something. "What was it?" I asked.

Fang broke. "Iggy put sleeping pills in your pancake," he whispered, looking around. I smiled up at him and he looked relieved. Looks like I have a new skill—Fang persuasion. Fang already has Max persuasion, Angel thought. Quit eavesdropping! I answered.

Did he? I looked at him strangely and he smiled and it was like my brain was melting. Yep, Angel was right. But right now, I had to find Iggy. No time to be staring into each other's eyes when Iggy might be wreaking immeasurable havoc. I got up and started walking out of the living room.

"I thought you weren't feeling well!" Fang protested. "Love you too," I answered. That shut him right up. I ran upstairs and checked my room first. My scream stuck in my throat.

Iggy had taken my phone and was wiring its guts into what used to be my radio. "IGGY!" I shrieked.

He looked up, startled. He hadn't even heard me come in.

Iggy would have to do the dishes and all cooking for Mom for a month. I was so mad; I had gotten a real headache this time. I plopped on the couch and turned my eyes to the TV Fang had already turned on. He was sitting next to me. It was a nature show about jellyfish. Who knew Fang liked jellyfish?

He looked up from his laptop and smirked when he saw me. "What's wrong now?" he asked. I rolled my eyes. "Headache," I mumbled.

"You sure?" he teased. I groaned but leaned my head onto his shoulder. I wasn't even mad at Iggy anymore. He'd do it again as soon as I'd get new electronics. Just as I was thinking of him, he walked into the living room timidly.

"Max? I think I know a way to fix your phone." I looked at him. He looked honestly guilty. "Thanks," I said. "You don't have to do the dishes and food," I added.

He quirked his mouth into one of his strange smiles. He left and I turned to Fang. He got up and switched the TV off. He sat back down.

"The guy's voice was getting on my nerves," he muttered. "I was expecting more of a 'jellyfish can't begin to compare to you,'" I replied.

He looked at me amused. "Okay. You're definitely prettier than a jellyfish." I punched him lightly and leaned against him, feeling the warmth radiating from him. He was like a walking heater.

The TV switched on. It showed a commercial for diamonds. It had hearts and sparkles and kissing couples. "Do you want to give that special someone a heartfelt gift? How about a genuine diamond?" I looked at Fang. Way creepy.

I heard Nudge cackle from upstairs. "I got a new power!" she announced, flickering the TV and everyone's phones on and off. Oh, boy.