Very short chapter, but I felt the need for this to stand on it's own in order to move on for now… I'm not all that good with uncomfortable groups… I'm not all that good writing for groups at all… I'm much better with one person at a time, or one on one… so I need to move on, but don't worry, this plot line is not over…

I woke up the next morning, and oddly found the other half of the bed empty. I sat up, looking around the room, and it was also empty. I couldn't ever remember Collins being up before me. He was always one to sleep in, usually a few hours if he didn't have to work.

I pulled the covers off and slid out of bed, putting on my slippers quickly before making my way into the living room. It was also empty. "Hello?" Where was every body? I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes and looked to the kitchen door, where I could hear hushed voices. Making my way to the door slowly, I pushed it open, and saw everyone either crowded around the stove, or sitting at the counter. I don't think they saw me open the door.

Mimi and Joanne were mixing some kind of batter, luckily, since they were the only ones I've ever known to cook anything good. Collins was flipping something in a pan, and laying them out on plates, which Maureen was setting out on the counter. And Mark and Roger were sitting at the counter, squeezing oranges. Aww! They were all making breakfast! It was cute to watch, though some of the things they were saying made it just a little more funny than sweet.

Maureen stuck her pinky in the batter Joanne was mixing, and licked it off, making a face. "Eww! That stuff is gross! I don't think you did it right."

Mimi rolled her eyes. "Pancake batter never tastes good Mo. You have to wait till Collins cooks it."

"Are you sure you put enough sugar or whatever in it? It just doesn't taste right."

"I think I know how to…"

Mimi was cut off when Roger screamed and jumped up, brining his hand to his eye. "Jesus Mark! You got the orange juice in my eye!"

Mark bit his lip. "I didn't mean to! I can't help where the juice squirts."

"Well you have glasses to protect your eyes." He held his hand out to Mark. "Give them to me!"

Mark took a step back. "I can't see without my glasses."

"Ya well the way you make orange juice, neither can I. So give them!" He took a step closer to Mark, who continued to back away, until Roger jumped at him and pinned him to the floor, wrestling the glasses away from him.

Roger stood back up; with a smug smile as he slid the glasses onto him own face. Mark stood up, squinting and holding his hands out in front of him, looking for Roger, but barely ably to make out his figure. "Come one Rog! This isn't funny."

Roger dodged his hands every time they got close. "I think it's pretty damn funny."

I stepped into the kitchen and coughed softly, all eyes looking to me as I mock glared at the two boys. "Morning children."

They both turned to me at the same moment, Rogers eyes multiplied my three, Marks squinting to make out anything in the room. Roger smiled. "Morning Angel!"

I couldn't help but smile. "Hey boys." I walked the rest of the way into the kitchen and leaned against the counter. "What's everyone doing?"

Collins kissed me softly on the cheek and Mimi pushed a plate of pancakes in front of me. "Making you breakfast."

I rose and eyebrow at him and took a small bite of the pancakes as Roger handed me a glass of orange juice, which I was a bit weary of trying. "Me and Mark did all the juice stuff our self!"

I gave him a genuine smile and took a sip. "Sooo…" I looked over all of them, all of who were smiling at me, fakely at that, except Maureen who always had that smile. "How long until this special treatment wears off?"

They all looked away, and Mark tapped Roger on the shoulder, prompting him to give back his glasses, which Mark slid onto his nose, and blinked at me a few times. "We just want to make sure you're okay Angel."

"We're not trying to push anything." Joanne set the batter down, since there seemed to be enough pancakes made.

"You guys, I'm fine." They didn't seem to believe me. "Really! All this attention you bring to it is what makes it harder for me." I took another bite of the pancakes. "Just… Move on, change the subject."

They were all quite for a few minutes before Maureen looked back up with a smile. "Does anyone wanna go out tonight? I'm bored." Of course Maureen changed the subject, but everyone else groaned. "No come on! I'm bored, and we have to entertain me!" She pouted and grabbed Joanne's arm. "Come on Pookie! Let's do something."

"Ohh Maureen…" Joanne whined, pulling her arm back.

"Ohh Maureen what? I'm not talking about now, we can hang out with Angel now, but later we can go out!" She took Joanne's hand and pouted. "Please?"

"Fine, whatever. Later though." She nodded very indiscreetly in my direction, and I rolled my eyes.

"Get out!" Everyone looked at me just a bit shocked. "I'm serious, if this is how everyone is going to be, then get out of my house!"

Maureen shrugged and walked out of the room, causing Joanne to roll her eyes and follow after her, calling her name in an annoyed tone.

I gave the others an accusing glare and left the kitchen with my breakfast only half finished. In my room, I got dressed as quickly as possible, meaning that I didn't want to waste time with make-up and hair, so I threw on my old drumming clothes. They were always a comfort when I was in a bad mood. I grabbed my red jacket and walked out of the house, hearing the door open and close a second time behind me. "Angel!"

I turned sharply as Collins ran down the street toward me. "What?" My hand automatically rose to my hips.

"I'm sorry. We didn't mean to be…"

"I don't want special treatment Tom! It's a hard enough thing to deal with without thinking that every time one of my friends is looking at me they pity me for it! I don't need anyone's pity! I'm fine!"

Collins took a step back. I never yell, so this must be as odd for him to hear as it is for me to say. "We don't mean to pity you Angel." Upon seeing the anger rising in my cheeks he corrected himself. "We don't pity you Angel. We know you're the strongest out of all of us."

I let my hands fall back to my sides. "I am strong, so stop looking at me like a little kid that needs to be held to get through this okay?"

Collins nodded and bit his lip. "Does this mean I can't hug you now?"

I couldn't help but smile. "Okay, but just this once." I gave him a mock glare and held up my arms, allowing myself to fall into his familiar embrace.