North Star and I walk out of Bob's Diner. I guess there really is a working bell. It rings out gently announcing our departure. North starts to stride into the parking lot and I follow him.

Some part of me tells me that this is not normal. Me blindly following a huge man wearing all black who I just met yesterday. But I don't think that I care at all. North Star is my first best real friend, or my FBRF.

He stood at a black Jeep and gets in the driver's seat. I follow suit and climb into the passenger seat.

"Seatbelt," North Star commands looking at my seatbelt pointedly.

"Oh yeah," I say sheepishly. "Sorry, this is the first time I've rode in a car with a seatbelt."

Normally I just ride the bus. If, for some reason, I need Master or Father to take me somewhere, I just ride in the trunk where I am out of the way and they don't have to deal with me.

I haven't even made it to noon and I have eaten new foods and now I get to ride with a seatbelt for the first time!

North Star's face contorts into a mask of shock and anger. He puts the car into gear and we start off.

"Hey, North Star? Where are we going?" I decide to ask.

"****, I should have said something. Never get into a car with someone without knowing where you're going, Sang Baby!" North Star exclaims.

I wait, but he doesn't say anything so I remind him, "You still haven't answered. Plus, I trust you, silly goose."

"Oh. Yeah. Well... It's actually a surprise," He says meekly looking at me sheepish.

I roll my eyes and huff.

Sometimes I think he is a weirdo. Other times I know he is a weirdo.

"So, Sang. I think we are all a little curious about you."

Really? Huh, I don't think I have ever had someone be curious about me in a nice way.

"Why don't we play the favorite game," I suggest. I think that it was very helpful. Yes. Yes, I am proud of myself.

"The favorite game?" North Star inquires glancing at me before returning his attention to the road.

"Yup," I reply popping the 'p.' "You ask them what their favorite whatever is and they have to choose one favorite."

He hmms and says, "Worth a shot. What is your favorite color?"

"Pink," I say in a duh tone. "Now you answer your own question."

"Black is my favorite color."

Shocking.

"What is your favorite animal?"

"My favorite animal would have to be a black panther."

I smile and say, "I love all animals, but skunks have a special place in my heart."

"Skunks? Don't you think they're gross?" North Star asks shocked.

I get a little angry at that. "Skunks are incredible and adorable creatures. You can't write them off because they defend themselves when they are scared even if there is no real danger!"

North Star gives me a calming smile.

"It's okay, Sang Baby. I don't mind skunks, I guess I just was a little shocked to see a girl actually liked skunks."

What? I don't like skunks.

I loooooove skunks!!!

"What is your favorite terrain?" North Star asks taking his turn.

"My favorite terrain would have to be forest, but I also love beaches and swamps."

"My favorite is beaches. I especially love North Shore."

He puts his hand on my chair and drives with one hand. He must be pretty good at driving.

I grin mischievously. "What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?"

North Star groans.

"Baby, you can't eat that unhealthy ****! I don't want you to die early!"

Aw, that's one of the nicest things that anyone has ever said to me!

"North Star, Imma gonna eat what I wanna eat. Deal with it, darling."

"Fine," He mutters. "On the very rare occasion, I like vanilla for some reason. It is comforting for some unknown reason."

I scoff making him look at me in shock.

"It's obviously because of Luke. He smells like vanilla and sugar. That must be why the vanilla ice cream is comforting."

"Huh. Does he really smell like vanilla and sugar?"

I gasp. "You don't even know what your own brother smells like?!"

North Star gives me a 'come on' look.

"I don't often sniff people. Plus, I am too used to his smell to really notice it."

"Okay, that makes sense," I admit. "But I don't sniff people anymore, either. I just have a good sense of smell."

"Anymore?"

"Anymore what?"

North Star just shakes his head and we continue with the game.

Soon, we arrive at an auto repair shop.

"Here we are," North Star announces happily.

I hop out after him and nervously wipe imaginary dust off my leather pants. I bite my lip, trying to bite back my hope and nervousness.

I have always wanted to work on a real engine. I hope I can convince him to let me.

We walk through the door and a man in black coveralls comes over. He looks just like Corey, but his eyes give away the fact that he is not Corey.

"Who are you?" I ask curiously.

He raises an eyebrow at the question and replies, "Shouldn't I be asking that since you are in my shop with my friend?"

North asks me, "Don't you recognize Corey, Sang?"

This causes the strange man to freeze.

I roll my eyes.

"This is obviously not Corey. Look at him, North Star. I'm assuming you still have eyes."

North Star looks a little annoyed at my answer.

Hey, if you don't want a sarcastic answer, don't ask a stupid question.

The strange man looks stunned and is still frozen.

"You can tell us apart?" He asks in shock and awe.

"Duh."

"Sang Baby, this is Brandon, Corey's twin brother," North Star introduces us.

"Hi, Brandon! Are you Corey's evil twin? Not that it really matters to me. I need to find more evil people."

Evil people are so fun! You get to plot with them, hurt people with them, and, best of all, you get to prank people!

Brandon smiles and shakes his head.

"No, I'm not his evil twin," He answers before adding in a stage whisper, "He's the evil one really."

I laugh at this. Corey? Evil? The day that goldfish rebel and destroy the mermaid king is the day that I'll believe Corey is the evil twin.

"So this is where you work, North Star? You on bikes and Brandon on cars?"

"Pretty much, Sang."

"That's so cool!" I gush about them before something catches my eye.

"Is that a 1950 Otto Cycle engine?!" I shriek totally fangirling.

I race over and run my hands over it just barely touching it.

North and Brandon exchange looks. North Star's says, I was not expecting that. Brandon's says, I wasn't expecting you to claim I am Corey. North replies saying, I was just testing out a theory.

"What was your theory?" I ask pausing my fangirl attack.

They both freeze.

"You can tell what we were thinking?" North Star asks stunned.

"Duh. It's pretty obvious and annoying. Next time don't say or just spit it out."

"Sang," Brandon says carefully. "No one outside our family can tell what we are thinking."

"Family?"

"Well, we are close like family," Brandon explains.

I shrug. You choose your family, right? Them being family makes perfect sense to me.

I resume my fangirl attack and look reverently at the engine.

"I take it you know about motors?" Brandon says.

I beam at him such stuns him for some reason.

"Only a little. I have only read about them. I have always wanted to work on one, though. I am good with my hands. Maybe that will help."

North gives Brandon a pitying look and speaks for his stunned friend.

"Would you like to work on the motor? We haven't been able to fix it, so if you mess up, no real harm done."

A huge grin plasters itself on my face. "I would love to!" I exclaim.

Brandon mutters something I can't hear and quickly walks away.

I stare after him curiously and North Star glares at him.

I shrug.

I focus my attention on the motor.

"North Star! Bring me the 3/4 wrench!"

I crack my knuckles and smile before pulling on a pair of black coveralls.

This is going to be fun.

***

North's POV

I had skipped school to clear my head and focus on something other than Sang.

Clearly, that did not work.

Brandon was healthy again, but needed to stay in the shop to receive a shipping.

Brandon wasn't too thrilled about the mission because the last mission he had here at home in Charleston was as a homeless man. Someone had stolen his sleeping bag his very first day. It wasn't even a good sleeping bag either.

I am glad that Brandon was getting along with Sang, but there is such a thing as too close. We don't want to scare her off.

I had gotten close with my Sang Baby today. I still can't believe how well we connect. I have only known her for two days and it feels like I have known her my whole life.

When I saw her in the diner, I think my heart stopped. I'll let you know when it starts again.

Seeing Sang wearing those black leather pants that hugged her legs well... And her hair and eyes. Her hair was a gorgeous and unique blend of navy and silver. Wait until Silas and Victor see that her hair is their favorite colors.

Sang's eyes were so gorgeous and, despite her innocence, slightly predatory. They looked like cat's eyes and the green seemed to glow when she was happy. They made me want to keep her happy permanently.

They glowed so bright when I told her I would be her friend.

****. Did I just friend zone myself?

I shook my head and ran to get the wrench for Sang. I didn't know what to do. She is going to distract me from the mission and I know it. How the **** am I supposed to accomplish anything when she is so close to me, but, at the same time, not close enough?

I groaned. I sounded like a sap. Or like Luke. What was she doing to me? I saw the look Brandon gave me. This incredible girl was changing me. I can't remember the last time I was this happy.

I brought her the correct wrench and have to stop myself from laughing at her. She was wearing one of the coveralls, but it was outrageously big on her tiny and perfect body.

"Sang Baby, let me help you with that," I chuckled. I nearly died helping her fix it. I adjusted the zippers and rolled up the pant legs and the sleeves before tying the cord snug against her tiny waist.

******, why did I have to help her look better especially when she was wearing all black?

Sang pulled her hair back with a clip and got to work immediately. It was incredible to watch her work. She worked quickly and was remarkable, especially for someone who had never worked on a motor before.

Sang was perfect.

***

Sang's POV

"Dear peasants, I do believe it is fixed," I declare wiping the grease off my hands with an old rag.

Brandon looks shocked.

"We spent months on that engine and you, with no experience, fix it in less than an hour?"

"Yup!" I answer popping the 'p' and tossing him the rag.

I take off my coveralls quickly. I turn to them holding out the balled up clothes, "Where should I put these?"

North opens his mouth, but Brandon beats him to it and snatches it up saying, "Here. I'll put the coveralls away for you."

North gives him a ferocious glare and says to me, "Ready to go, Sang Baby?"

"Go where?" I query.

"Back to the diner to grab some lunch."

My eyes grow wide.

"I'm allowed to have two full meals?"

Both of their heads snap up and they look at me intensely.

I shrink a little at the rage in their eyes.

"****, we're not bad at you, Sang Baby. Of course you are allowed to have two full meals. In fact, I am going to let you have dessert too," North Star declares.

I think my eyes are falling out. My mouth is dropped as well. Despite only knowing North Star two days, I know that he hates junk food. When I tear my eyes away from him, I see that Brandon is gaping as well, just as shocked as I am, if not more shocked.

I squeal and launch myself at him and hug him tightly.

"Best. Day. EVER! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I say bubbling up with excitement.

"OMG! Twice in one day! We are in heaven!!" Star shrieks.

North looks smug as I skip to the truck. Brandon walks beside me. His long strides allow him to keep up with me pretty easily. I jump in the backseat and lock the back doors before he can stop me.

Brandon tries to open the door, but can't.

"Sang!" He calls. "I'm supposed to open the door for you and let you sit up front! You'll make me lose my southern gentleman's card!"

I get close to the window to make sure he can see me through the tinted windows and stick my tongue out.

"Your legs are longer! Use common sense and get up front already!"

North Star lets out a booming laugh that makes Brandon start gaping again.

North Star hops in. Quietly, he confirms, "You sure you don't want to sit up front? It really is no big deal to us."

I nod and give him a smile. I was sure. There was no need to scrunch Brandon in the back when I could easily fit in with room to spare.

North Star gave me a warm smile that made my heart flutter and my knees weak. He starts the jeep and calls out, "Get in or get left behind!"

I start giggling at the two of them.

North Star looks pleased and a flushed Brandon reluctantly climbs into the passenger seat.

"Wait!" I yell.

They both look at me panicked.

"Can I drive? Pretty please with a gum drop on top?" I give them my best puppy dog eyes.

North Star huffs. "Next time, calmly ask, Sang."

Brandon adds, "North never lets others drive his car."

Oh, well. It was worth a shot. I shrug and sit back waiting for North Star to start driving, but he is sitting there studying me.

"Everyone out," He orders.

"You do know how to drive right?"

I nod my head at North Star's question. I have read a lot of books on how to drive.

He hopes in the passenger seat as Brandon opens the driver side door and climbs into the back muttering, "All that and I end up in the back finally."

I beam with excitement. This truly is the best day of my life. I get two full meals, no school, new library books, to work on a beautiful engine, and now drive!

I start the engine and drive to the diner. I think I am going to be natural!

***

"Never. Ever. Ever. Again," North Star says dead serious.

I pout.

"Please? I just needed to figure it out. Now that I have, I should be a natural."

"Sure. When hell freezes over," North Star states before changing his mind. "Actually, no. Not even if hell freezes over. I don't want you driving on the ice."

I give up throwing my hands on the air.

"It's not like I killed anyone!"

North Star shouts, "**** the people! You completely ruined the paint job on my car! It's a good thing I took the wheel or we would have died!"

Brandon shudders in memory agreeing with him.

I wrinkle my nose.

"You're exaggerating. I couldn't be that bad."

"Never again!" North Star and Brandon both shout.

I roll my eyes and change subjects, "Are we going to go into the diner or are we gonna stand here and argue?"

North Star looks at me suspiciously and opens the door for me.

We walk in and are greeted by a frantic Uncle.

"Thank goodness! We are short two cooks! North and Corey get into the kitchen!"

"Uh, Uncle? I'm Brandon not Corey," Brandon says slowly.

Uncle's eyes widen before landing on me.

"Sang, right?" I nod. " We need another cook. Do you have any experience cooking? Brandon is more likely to burn this place down than cook something properly. "

I smile and answer, "I'm pretty good. I've been cooking since I was four."

An emotion I can't place flits across his face before disappearing.

"You two in the kitchen! Brandon, go help wait tables!" Uncle commands and I quickly follow North Star into the kitchen. The heat from the ovens makes me flush and the beautiful aromas make me smile.

North hands me an apron and I quickly tie it on.

"Prepare the vegetables like this," he says displaying what to do. "I don't want you to use the knives, but I definitely don't want you to use the stove. Take your time and don't cut yourself." I accept the chef's knife and drake the carrot and cut it slowly to make sure I have the motion down.

When he starts cooking the vegetables with the meat, I speed up. My hands move in a blur and soon all the vegetables are done.

"North Star! They're ready!" I call to him over the noise of the kitchen and diner as the lunch rush grows.

"Already?! You didn't rush, did you?! " North Star calls back.

"Of course not!" I lie.

"Move on to the soup while I finish up with this dish! Be careful! You could get burned!" He instructs.

"Be careful! You could get kidnapped by llamas and fed to the cloud queen!" I call back.

I ain't a dainty damsel. I know how to handle soup.

I add the vegetables to the chicken, noodles, and boiling water. I pour in chicken stock and toss in the necessary spices, tasting the soup along the way. I nod to myself and dish out the soup using a ladle. I ring the bell and Brandon and another man come up with trays.

I point to the bowls and holler, "North Star! What next?!"

"Come assemble these burgers like this one!"

I rush over and open the burger and scan the toppings. I place the same toppings on the hamburger patties and buns in the same way and head back to the soup and stir it so the noodles don't stick to the bottom of the pot.

Brandon sees me and smiles saying, "Great job, Sang! Everyone loves the soup!"

I beam and run back to slice potatoes for fries.

When the lunch rush is finally over, the three of us slump down in chairs around one of the tables. I sit up as Uncle comes over and give him a smile.

"I am so sorry, Sang. I shouldn't have dragged you into the lunch rush," Uncle apologizes. "I want to thank you as well. Everyone could not stop talking about how amazing your food was. Would you consider accepting a job?"

"I would love to, but I don't think Master would like that. No, I know that she would hate that. I'm sorry, but I can't."

They all tense up and freeze and look at me.

"Sang! You called her Master!" Sarah cries as Uncle repeats, "Master?"

I laugh, "Oh, sorry. I meant Mother."

"Well," Uncle forces out. "You are welcome to eat free and help out whenever you wish. North and Brandon, come help me get the food."

They stiffly walk to the kitchen. A couple of minutes later, they walk out together with forced smiles and plates of food.

I know that they are up to something, but I don't want to talk about Master so I let it go.

I gratefully accept the food. Uncle gave me a burger, fries, and a shake. North Star eyeballs the shake but doesn't say anything. Uncle heads off to go take care of paperwork and the three of us start to eat.

I bite into my burger with a moan. North Star and Brandon stare at me oddly.

I blush and chew and swallow.

"Sorry, I have only ever had a school cafeteria burger before and they are nothing like this," I mumble.

"Don't worry, Sang Baby. Just eat your food," North Star says thickly.

And I do.