Chained

Chapter 1

Kelly

"Boys! Dinner's ready!" Aunt Susan shouted just as she was finishing up dinner.

Tonight, we're having fried pork ribs, spring rolls, chicken soup and of course, rice—just your typical Asian dinner. I could tell by the frowns of my cousins as they appeared in the kitchen that they did not like tonight's menu. Not that I blame them honestly. This isn't what they usually have but to make me feel welcomed and at home, Aunt Susan insists we have Asian food for at least a few days a week.

"Oh don't look at me like that. We've been over this before. Kelly needs help adapting into this new lifestyle, and we all are gonna help her. Now help her set up the table," Aunt Susan said, wiping off some excess sauce on her apron and facing us three.

"Yeah, mom. Whatever," Bryan rolled his eyes but complied nonetheless.

Kieran chuckled lightly and came beside me to set the utensils as I set the plates. After a few days of being here, I've noticed that Bryan was the more hot-headed one of the twins. Kieran doesn't talk much and is pretty calm most of the time, unlike Bryan who doesn't try to hide the fact that he doesn't want me here. Again, I don't blame him. I came out of nowhere and suddenly disrupted their perfect little lives, so his attitude is understandable.

Once we've done setting the table and Aunt Susan's finished taking off her apron and washing her hands, we all took a seat. I sat next to Aunt Susan across the twins. No matter how long I stare at them, I still can't help but be surprised of how identical they look to each other. From their height, build, face shape and hair, I wouldn't be able to tell them apart if Bryan didn't wear that scowl on his face all the damn time.

As always, he was the first one to pick up his chopsticks and munch on the food like he hasn't eaten for a week. And he swears by disliking Asian food? Yeah, right.

"I'm just hungry, okay?" He stopped eating briefly to look at me, then continued devouring the pork ribs.

"What? I didn't say anything," I replied a little too quickly and casted my eyes down, starting to eat as well. Damn, did he just read my mind?

"You just have this judgey look on your face. I saw it," he replied, this time not even bothering to look at me.

"No, I didn't. I swear I didn't judge you," I replied, a little guilty that I got caught. Was I that easy to read?

The corner of his mouth lifted a bit as if amused, but he didn't say anything further. That was probably the first time I've seen the guy not look like he wants to poke a hole through my eyes. But then again, I haven't been here long, so I couldn't say much. Kieran just ate quietly, looking disinterested, but I know that he's listening. He always does.

"So Kelly, how do you like Cali so far?" Aunt Susan suddenly asked, facing me.

"It's definitely different...but I'm getting a hang of it," I replied.

"Well, of course. We're talking about a whole 180 degree culture change here. Give it some time, sweetie. You'll get used to it in no time," she said, her voice encouraging.

"I hope so," I replied, a bit sad. In all honesty, I really do hope I could fit in here. It took me a while back in my country for me to finally be comfortable around people and find some great friends. But now it's all gone, and I've got to start all over again. Not to mention, I'm the queer one, coming all the way from Cambodia—born and raised for 17 years—to California for the first time. I don't know how people are going to perceive me as. Would they think I'm weird and won't talk to me? Would they like me? Would I ever find any friends? No, I don't want to be alone!

"Kelly, are you okay?" Aunt Susan's soft voice intruded my thoughts. I glanced up to see her worried look on her face. At the corner of my eyes, Bryan and Kieran was staring at me intently. Damnit, I did it again. I keep wearing my emotions like a second skin, and that's a problem.

I smiled, "Of course. I'm just a bit nervous about school tomorrow."

I must have perfected my fake smile since Aunt Susan's worried look disappears and is replaced by a beaming one.

"Right, right. That's understandable. But don't worry. Bryan will be bringing you to school tomorrow, so he'll help you settle in."

"What? You never told me about it," Bryan said, dropping his plate and chopsticks. "Let Kieran take her. I'm busy."

"Don't even get me started on this. You're taking her, and that's final. Is that clear?" Aunt Susan snapped, staring at Bryan, daring him to defy her. He just stared back at her with a slightly pissed of face.

A few seconds passed, I heard him sigh loudly. "Fine," he said.

Aunt Susan smiled brightly again, "That's more like it," and continued eating.

Wow, I guess the mighty Bryan is still a good mama's boy. Without knowing, I smiled too as I ate. Aunt Susan then started asking the twins about their day, and dinner went on pretty smoothly after. This isn't as bad as I thought it would be.

When the doctor told me that one night that my parents didn't make it after I've waited anxiously, sobbing for hours, praying to god to not be so cruel as to take away the only people I have, I just fell down on my knees and stayed frozen on the spot. I couldn't hear the doctor calling my name nor the nurse trying to talk to me; all I heard was the chaos in my mind.

This is it, I've thought. I'm alone once again. They left me. They fucking left me! What am I gonna do? I'm only 17 and barely any money left on me. How am I gonna survive on my own? Should I...should I just go too? I mean, my parents are the only family I have. It's always been us three, but now they're gone, and that leaves just me. There's no way I can do this on my own...

The next time I woke up was on my parents' bed, hugging the comforter that smells just like them. Somehow, I had gotten my broken self home from the hospital and walked to my parents' bedroom and laid on their bed for god knows how long until I just fell asleep. I remembered that morning as clear as day as I was woken up by a woman's voice I've never heard before, her unfamiliar face starting to set in as I wiped my eyes.

"Kelly? Kelly? Do you hear me? I'm your aunt, Susan. From now on, you'll be living with me, sweetheart."