Only Human

Time for a Chat

He washed my hair and combed it out before slipping out to find me things to change into. "I need to work on making sure you have clothes everywhere." He said, coming back in and handing me a pile of clothes. "Victor had underwear but no bras... a pair of pajama shorts for you but nothing else. I think he packed it all in his car to take to camp so you'll have to just put on the sweatshirt." He nodded at it.

"Okay. Thank you Meanie." I said as he slipped back out to take a spot among the guys. I dressed quickly, noting my red rimmed eyes and red nose. I looked a bit less street urchin because I was clean but the baggy sweatshirt still made me look like I wasn't dressed right. I was still so tired and since I'd skipped breakfast, I felt rather faint. I sighed softly and tucked my hair back behind my ears before venturing out into Victor's bedroom to find 7 pairs of eyes looking at me. "Hi." I said softly, searching their faces.

"Sang Baby..." North paused, his eyes flashing dark and dangerous for a moment before he fell silent.

"North Star." I moved to him first, setting my bundle of clothes and towels down by the door. I ran my hand over his cheek. "You need a shave." I smiled.

His eyes searched mine. "Do you still like me?"

"Yes, do you still like me?" I smiled even when he could only nod at me and I bent slightly, pressing a kiss to his forehead before moving on. I made it through to all of them, making sure to do whatever slight tradition we had for a greeting. I stopped in front of Kota and studied him.

"I'm sorry." He blurted, his cheeks tinging pink. "I didn't..."

"Kota, its fine." I said softly. "I understand what you were trying to do. I don't like being at the heart of a fight between you and Victor. I can accept that I should have told you... told all of you earlier but I was so embarrassed." I said, my cheeks also turning pink. "Who would want such a broken girl? Who can't take showers and can't stand to be around girls her own age... who can't bear to be touched by your mother..." I pressed my lips tightly together. "Erica's great. I have no reason to ..." I shrugged.

"As long as you still are with us." Kota said. "We don't see you that way... you're our Sang..." He said and I could tell though, in his mind, he was still counting.

"We have time to figure a few things out and work on things." I said before looking between him and Luke. "We need to figure things out anyway." I said. "I freeze up in the rain." I admitted one of my last remaining secrets.

Understanding dawned on both of their faces because I'd had issues in the rain with both him and Luke. I shrugged. "Yeah..." I said before looking around again. I bent and kissed his forehead like I'd kissed the others. "But... first, I guess home again to confront my dad."

"We don't want to send you home." Nathan said as Kota dialed Sean's number again to get him and Mr. Blackbourne on the line while they drove back. They were going to head straight to the house.

"I know." I said. "But clearly we don't have a choice about it at all."

"Miss Sorenson, I'm certain I can buy us more time with him."

"I do appreciate that, Mr. Blackbourne. But there's not really a need to put things off. I can choose to just blame Marie. She probably could have told me he was coming back a week ago and she chose not to." I said.

"Are you sure you're ready to face this, Pookie?"

I chuckled slightly. It wasn't a sound of amusement. "I'm ready. It's fine." I said, chopping my hand in the air the way I'd seen Mr. Blackbourne do in meetings with them, cutting off their responses. I looked up, my eyes hardening. "I can play whatever part you think I should. Just don't forget that I've been hiding lots of things from him for 16 years and it's never come up before."

They all stared at me as the realization dawned on them.

"So I just want to know how far you think I should take it. I don't really want to talk to him, I have no intention of going anywhere with him. But I'll give it all that I have to get rid of him and walk away with whatever I can get from it." I stated.

I can fake a smile

I can force a laugh

I can dance and play the part

If that's what you ask

Give you all I am