Tarantism

6

Sang-

I chanced a glance to the man speaking and noticed he had green eyes like mine with unruly blondish hair. His eyes had a hint of mischief along with exhaustion. There was a man standing behind him that can only be described as perfect. He had a calculating gaze with the most magnificent grey eyes I've ever seen.  While the one with green eyes smiled brightly at me with his hand extended, the other man remained stoic as if a little weary of me. 

I glanced around at all the faces. There were more than just the two giants in the room when we came in. I guess I hadn't paid enough attention. The growly man had distracted me.

Gabe scowled at the guys and reached for me as I flinched away not meaning to. Ugh. They probably think I'm crazy. He dropped his hand as did the new guy. A silent look being tossed over my head too fast to try to decipher. Gabe cleared his throat and turned toward everyone.

"This is Sang. I'm dancing with her at the studio. Now stop fucking yelling. I was busy. I can't say for the others, but the music was fucking loud in the studio with the kids. Maybe they didn't hear the phone. What's the big fucking deal?"

Gabe's rant breaks the guys out of their daze. "We couldn't fucking reach you. We show up with your damn furniture, and you four are just gone. You could have texted someone."

"Well we didn't sorry."
"Whatever"

After a tense second, Luke comes up to me and starts to introduce everyone.

"Where are our manners?" He grins. "Cupcake these are our friends. The one in black is North, my little brother. The giant is Silas. Nathan is standing by the kitchen. This guy is Sean or Doc. And that guy is M...Owen. Sorry it's still weird." He points to each of the guys, and I'm still stuck on North being his little brother.  "Wait your his little brother?" I address North. He grunts a little and frowns.

"We're step brothers but it's still the same." "I didn't imply otherwise. It's just you don't look alike at all. If anything you're polar opposites."

"Thank God for that." He mumbles as I catch up to the other introductions. I turn to the first guy Sean and ask about the Doc remark.
"Are you actually a doctor?"

"Yes Pookie I am actually a doctor. Dr Sean Green at your service." He reaches out his hand this time I lift mine for him since I'm prepared. He kisses the back of it as he winks. I giggle which makes him grin. I turn to Owen and address him. "And what's weird about your name? It seems normal to me." The others snicker and look at us. Sean speaks first before Owen can respond earning a scowl. "Mr. Serious here has a thing for formalities. He prefers using last names and such, but ever since we all graduated we decided those needed to go. So now it's first names only." Owen looks a little annoyed with Sean as I study him. "What is your last name?" He looks a little shocked but recovers quickly. "Blackbourne" I step forward to him ignoring the looks from the others. I don't know where this sense of confidence came from, but I feel oddly comfortable around them. "Well Mr. Blackbourne, it's nice to meet you." He smirks at me as he extends his hand to mine. "The pleasure is all mine Miss..." "Sorenson" "Miss Sorenson."
I feel my face flush as I remember I'm standing in a room full of men. I look around and the others are gawking at Owen. Someone sputters and throws out a "Are you flirting?" Owen's cheeks tint as he looks down and adjusts his shirt and non existent tie.  It must me a nervous thing. I must have moved in front of him because I turn and glare at the group with Owen safely behind me. A protective feeling washes over me. "Don't be rude. It's not nice to make fun of people. I don't see any of you trying to start a conversation." I've struck my no nonsense pose. My hip is out with my arms folded across my chest and a glare on my face. Daring any of them to say something mean. 

Victor steps forward and apologizes for the group. "We're sorry Sang. It just caught us off guard we weren't picking. We've just never seen him with a girl before. It's like witnessing an animal in the wild." That earns a laugh from the guys. Owen clears his throat and I turn to face him. "Thank you for defending me. But you didn't have to. I knew they were just teasing." He has a thoughtful look on his face. Just as I'm about to say something a pizza guy comes out of the elevator at the end of the hall. It looks like they've ordered enough for an army. Owen sees me looking over his shoulder and the moment is gone. He moves into the room as Victor steps forward to pay.

"I'm starving let's eat." Nathan comes out from the kitchen doorway. I'm ushered into the living room where the pizza is set on the coffee table.  There are enough chairs for everyone with the couch and chairs spread out. There are some big beanbags tossed about too. I grab a slice and settle into a beanbag by the door.

"Hi Aggele. I'm Silas." The giant has sat on the floor next to me. He has a slight accent. I finish chewing and look at him. "Hi. It's nice to meet you. What does Aggele mean?" He looks at his plate and then back at me. "It means Angel. You look like a beautiful angel. So you're Aggele Mou." I feel my cheeks flush as I whisper a thanks.  "So you dance?"
"Yea. I've been dancing for a few years. What do you do?"

"I own a body shop with North. We fix cars and do custom jobs every now and then."
"That's pretty awesome to be so young and own your own business."
"Yea it's a lot of work, bit it keeps us busy."

I look around and North is arguing with Luke about sugar. Apparently a dessert pizza was ordered.

"No you have to have actual food. You can't just eat the whole dessert pizza for dinner Luke. You're going to get fucking diabetes or some shit."

"Fine but I'm having ice cream later too." Luke grins as him like he's won a prize. "You're such a child."

I giggle which draws North's attention to me. "Sang Baby don't encourage him." He says but has a hint of a smile at his lips. I don't know about all these nicknames. I've never had anyone other than Eli and the kids try and be friends with me. It's a little strange but I like it. I think I need more friends. I need to be a little more social. Having these guys that aren't so bad to look at around may not be a bad thing. Nathan plops down on the couch and snags the remote.

"Let's watch a movie."
"No zombie shit."
"Sang what do you like to watch?"
I'm caught off guard by the question.
"Umm I normally just watch reruns of dance shows or stuff. I'm rewatching Glee at home. But we can watch whatever. I'm not picky."
"How about a comedy. It's good for everyone and it's not blood and brains." Kota suggests from his chair.

"Ok but I already told Gabe I have to leave at a decent time. I have to be up early. And I have to make it back to the south side."

"I'll drive you back. It's ok."
"Oh no. I can take the bus."
"Sang Baby you are not taking the bus after dark."
"It's perfectly safe. I do it all the time." Even though my hands shake a little knowing I'll be out after dark on the bus system. I don't like to be out late. Bad people come out after dark on the south side. I stuff my hands under me so the guys can't see them.
"It's no problem Sang. Please."
"Fine. But..."
Victor responds cutting me off.
"Just say thank you."
"Thank you Victor."