Chapter Seven.

After we ate our pizza, thanks to Zac, we headed back to James place. I was silently hoping that none of the brothers were home.

"Are you alright?" Nora asked me, she was looking at me worried.

I nodded and smiled at her, "why would you think something is wrong?"

"The fact that your chewing your lip to nothing and look like your concentrating so hard on something that you're going to burst," she smiled, the corner of her eyes crinkling slightly.

"Oh, I never noticed, nothing is wrong. Just thinking about things." I told her honestly.

If the brothers were home, they would hassle me about what happened and I was just as confused as ever about Tony. He honestly seemed happy to see me when I got back, but then he goes distant, like he wishes he never done that on my first day back. Its funny how I've only been back a while and already so much has happened. We reached the Johnsons front door and by now I was certain I had bit a whole in my lip.

"Will you calm down, they won't skin you alive." James whispered into my ear, I sighed and nodded at him. I felt someone's arm snake around my waist; I looked up to see Zac looking straight forward, a small smile playing at him lips. I didn't move his arm nor did I want to, even when I saw James eyeing it suspiciously.

The front door slammed against the wall as I saw the Johnson brothers all standing in the tiny hallway, trying to get to me first. I stared wide-eyed at them; it's not every day they show how much they actually care.

"Oh thank God your alright, I didn't want to have to explain your death to your parents." Or maybe not. I stared at Trent.

"Thanks Trent, you don't care if I'm okay, just that you didn't want to explain the death to my oh so loving parents I have." He smirked and said sorry.

Lance looked at me before fighting his way through his brothers, patted my shoulder and walked down the street. I know I was never really close to Lance, he was always listening to music in his room or not even around, but I thought he would have shown a touch more of sympathy for a person that has been around nearly all his life.

Billy hugged me, smiled and went back to reading his book on the stairs, oh how I loved that kid, no sarcasm intended.

Robbie pulled me into a hug. "Glad your okay, my annoying little non-sister."

I punched his arm and hugged him back. I saw Tony leaning against the doorframe. "What, no hug from my bestest friend in the whole wide world?" I asked him sarcastically. He grinned before walking over to me, wrapping his arms around my waist and kissing me. Kissing me?

He pulled away and walked towards the garage. The remaining brothers, Zac and Nora stared at me. Awkward...

James cleared his throat. "Would anyone like a drink?" I silently thanked him for getting the attention off me.

As we walked inside, Zac grabbed my arm and waited for everyone to carry on walking.

"So, am I chasing an unavailable girl?" He asked me, smiling slightly. Chasing an unavailable girl?

"I didn't think Nora was dating anyone?" I said, confused. He stared at me like I was stupid, then it clicked.

"Oh...Oh. You mean me?" I started to blush as he nodded. "Well, I am available. Just so you know," I winked at him and carried on walking towards the kitchen. I winked at him, I actually winked at the boy I only met a few days ago and it resulted in us being in hospital. Sitting down on one of the stools, I noticed someone in the garden.

"Hey, James, who's in your garden?" I asked him, keeping an eye on the hunched over women.

He started to laugh, "Oh, I think my mum is going to be disappointed that you don't even recognize her anymore. Has she aged that much?"

I gasped and ran outside, practically tackling her to the floor. "Phoebe, Phoebe!" I shouted as I hugged the women.

"Oh, my. James didn't tell me his friends were this...friendly," she stood up and turned around. "Oh, my. If it isn't little Mitchie, how are you darling?" She asked, squeezing me tightly.

"Oh, Phoebe I've missed you so much! I'm okay, how have you been?" She wrapped an arm around my shoulders and led us inside.

"I've been coping, now that your back the boys might calm down." I looked at her if she was stupid, "I said might, your influence might calm them, and it was a nightmare with them boys while you were gone. I think half the time they spent moaning they wan-" before she could finish her sentence, Trent, James and Robbie were trying to cover her mouth.

"Mum, stop boring her with the things of the past," James said blushing. Robbie looked at his mother before removing her hand.

"Of course it was the twins and Robbie that missed you the most, dear," she rushed out, smirking at the boys. I blushed and averted my gaze. Oh how I knew one of the twins missed me.

Two of the boys groaned, "Mum!"

She started to laugh, "Oh boys, don't you think it would be bad if you didn't miss your best friend?"

They both sulked out the room; Trent winked at me before going back into the kitchen.

"So, tell me, did you find any cute boys in England?" Her eyes twinkling with amusement.

"They were a few, but they were nothing. Just some fling," her eyes widened, "not that sort of fling. We would go on a few dates then that's it," I added quickly when I realized what sort of 'fling' she thought of.

"That's good; you never went out with any boys here did you?" She asked me, watching for my reaction. I instantly thought back to Tony. I shook my head when I realized my cheeks were burning scarlet. "How about now, now your back has anyone caught your eye?" One thing I loved about Phoebe, she acted as though she was my real mom asking about boys and my life, I loved her for it.

I started to stutter as I thought of the hot boy in the kitchen and the one in the garage.

"Ah, I see. Well, when you feel you can tell me darling, I'll be all ears." She smiled at me, clearly in the know. She was good at that, finding things out without anyone hinting or telling her. I nodded and rose from my seat at the dining room table.

Walking into the kitchen I saw Nora talking to James and Robbie, Zac and Trent deep in conversation and Tony sitting on the side, taking a long drink of coke. When I entered all eyes fell on me, they had all clearly heard the conversation between me and Phoebe.

"So, who do you have your eyes on then?" Nora asked, winking at me. I could have died right there.

Robbie, James, Tony, Zac and Trent were all looking at me expectantly. My cheeks were still hot from the conversation with Phoebe now they must be on fire; I cringed and walked over to the fridge, hoping the cool air would hid some of the redness.

Nora came and stood next to me, "with all the hot boys you see every day, I can understand."

I laughed at her and said; "who do you have your eyes set on then?" I wonder if she knew that Tess liked Robbie, I wonder if Tess knows that I know she likes Robbie.

"Well, one of the twins." She looked over her shoulder at the talking boys. Instantly I thought of Tony, I groaned mentally. Why did he have to be hot, say he missed me and kiss me?

"I can understand that totally," I told her honestly.

"He is just, amazing." I nodded in agreement. "He is so funny," I carried on nodding. "And his hair is just sexy," I smiled, I had to agree with her there, "and them piercing blue-green eyes, you could just melt." I froze, half nodding. James was the only one of the brothers that had eyes that were more blue than green.

"You're talking about James?" I asked her stupidly, she nodded and her eyes widened.

"Oh my God, you like him? As in the other one?" She started to jump up and down, taking me with her.

"Okay, okay. Maybe just a little bit, but," I bit my lip, I've only known her a few days but she seems trustworthy, "I like Zac as well." I whispered to her, as the boys were now staring at us strangely.

She giggled, "Oh Mitchie, that one was obvious from the start. It was like, like at first sight."

I blushed and took out a can of coke, sitting on the counter I swung my legs. We were on one side of the kitchen, the boys on the other. Nora raised her voice so she could be heard over the boys, "well, I guess you two do make a cute couple, I mean, it's obvious you two like each other."

I stared at her, wanting to shut her up, maybe she wasn't trustworthy. She turned to face me and mouthed: "don't worry, I won't say."

"So who do you like then Mitchie?" Trent asked, eyeing us two. Nora giggled, again, and looked at me.

"Why should she tell you guys? Who do you guys like?" She threw back at him.

"Well, since I'm engaged, I guess I like - love, her." He changed the word like to love after a second thought, and then he got lost in thought. I couldn't help laugh at his love struck face.

"What about you then Robbie boy?" Nora asked him, he blushed a faint pink color and murmured a name.

"What was that? Did you say Tess?" She squealed excitedly. I jumped of the counter, "do you?" He nodded and I ran and hugged him.

"Nora and I are totally setting you two up!" I told him, he mumbled 'great' before going to sit at the table in the corner.

"Now that leaves the twins and Zac," Nora raised her eyebrow, waiting for one of them to tell her.

I turned around to face the boys and saw the twins fiddling with their fingers and Zac looking at me.

"Yeah boys, who do you like?" I said, teasing them.

"Well, I think you know who I like, Mitchie," Zac said, smirking slightly, I blushed and smiled back at him. Nora raised her eyebrow at this but didn't question it.

"Twins?" I said, leaning on the counter next to them.

"Well, shall I show you or tell you?" Tony said, looking at me from the corner of his eye. I swallowed noticeably and shook my head. Tony walked out the kitchen without a backwards glance; I sighed and looked at James.

"I'd rather not say," he said, looking at Nora then me. He followed his brother out the kitchen. I looked at Nora who just shrugged and took a sip of my drink.

Things seem more complicated now that I'm back.