Perception

Part 97

Sang POV

I'm pleasantly surprised to find out that the 'family meeting' that Mr. Blackbourne had called turns into a quiet conversation where everyone is invited to talk about how the Blunds' visit and their theories about how the Academy would attempt to maneuver us. I think the talk really helps calm everyone down.

When Mr. Blackbourne asks if anyone is staying with me and Dr. Green that night, everyone agrees. It seems we're having an impromptu sleepover. The guys scatter to bring in bedding or their travel bags. I'm calmly sitting with Nathan; we're taking turns tracing the lines on each other's hands when Meanie bounds over to us holding a couple of small bags. Gabriel leans in close and whispers to me.

"I need to call in my favor, Trouble. I noticed when we were doing our great escape at the Courthouse that some of the hues of our makeup are wrong now. Last time I did this I had to get Mr. Blackbourne to threaten more hours than they were willing to do just so they'd sit still. I need you to distract them while I do my work," Meanie's eyes dance merrily.

I send him a conspiratorial smile and wrap my arm around Nathan's neck. Placing my mouth near his ear so I can whisper to him; I blush at how forward I've become.

"Honey, let Meanie do his work. If you hold still it won't take as long. Don't fight," I plead with my lips brushing his ear.

He grunts, lifts me away from his torso, and sighs. His narrowed eyes meet Gabriel's mischievous ones, but to my relief, he nods. Gabriel takes out a small bottle with a tip and drops some onto sheet of paper. He explains how he's working from the original tone he'd mixed to see what is needs to correct it. I don't see much difference as he adds a drop here or there, but he got it just right after the third attempt.

I am handed a facial cleansing wipe and set to work scrubbing the lines from Nathan's face. I feel his eyes searching my face as I concentrate on my task. When I'm done I smile and meet his eyes. I quickly kiss his cheek before sliding from my perch to search out our next victim...I mean volunteer.

Victor, Kota, Luke, and Silas all allow Gabriel to do his thing much easier than I was led to believe they would. The winks Meanie gives me imply he knows exactly what I'm wondering. He happily matches their skin tones while I talk with the guys about whatever tickles their fancy from my seat on their laps.

When I get to Dr. Sean he does his best to make us have a giggle attack by making faces at me. I catch on quickly and give him my best Mr. Blackbourne look of exasperation. Both Meanie and Sean look at me with shocked faces before busting into loud laughter. I feel my lower lip push out a little.

"Oy, suck that lip back in, Trouble! You should have seen your face, though," Gabriel gasps through his attempt to stop laughing.

"That's okay, Meanie. I'm just going to find North now," I tell him and slide off Sean's lap.

"Wait, Pookie. I'm sorry. Please come back. Look! I'm almost done, and then I can help you and Gabe with the others. Whose lap do I get to sit on? Please tell me Silas still needs to go. Owen's thighs are too skinny and they dig into my glutes," Sean makes a grumpy face.

I can't stop the laughter that burbles out of me as I imagine Sean on Mr. Blackbourne's lap. How he knows which lap he prefers to sit upon is too much for me to even think about right now. It's simply hilarious.

"Sorry! Silas is done," I force out between laughter. "Sit still so Meanie can finish up," I say as I back out of the room and go in search of North upstairs.

"What's so funny, Baby?" North asks as his eyes smile at me through his otherwise stony face.

"Sean on Mr. Blackbourne's lap!" I fold at the waist when a new wave of laughter strikes. "But he said he prefers Silas' lap."