I Am Here (UNEDITED)

Chapter 33

When she walked into the dining room both Daniel and Hunter had already sat down, that was probably why Gracen had come looking for them. Delia started to feel self conscious as Daniel and Hunter were both staring at the scarring on her arms, Gracen had told them about it after Andrew's examination, but as the saying goes "seeing is believing". Witnessing the actual physical damage had a much bigger impact then talking or hearing about it.

Seemingly realizing that he was staring Hunter cleared is throat and shifted his focus to Delia's face as he greeted her. Daniel didn't move his gaze he seemed to be trying to figure something out as he stared at the scarring. Suddenly, Daniel jolted and glared at Hunter. "Hunter Knill did you just kick me, while your still in trouble?" Daniel's voice was low and dangerous. Unconsciously Hunter shrunk into himself, but didn't comment.
"You were staring at Delia's scars and it was making her uncomfortable, but you didn't seem to notice." Gracen's voice explained from behind Delia. At the unexpected voice Delia flinched slightly. Her hearing was good and she had heard him coming, but hadn't expected him to intervene, especially in her defense. 
"Sorry, I didn't mean to make you upset by looking at a body part you left uncovered." Although Daniel's tone was apologetic, Delia clearly saw the sarcasm in his expression. Turning in her heel Delia spun to face Drew and Artie who had come to stand on either side of her.
'Daniel is implying that anybody part left uncovered is an invitation to stare at an individual even when it is made clear that it makes them uncomfortable. That is and never will be true, it is rude, inconsiderate and I hope you never think that way.' Delia signed seriously. Delia had never planned on arguing or interfering with the twins relationship with the their older brothers, but one he said something that she needed her younger brothers to know was not appropriate, two she was planning on living, and three it was likely that Daniel would throw them under the bus in effort to tie her in front of it and protect his mom.

Artie and Drew nodded reluctantly, what their sister said sounded correct, but Daniel was one of their new older brothers they didn't want to disrespect his authority or get in trouble again.
"What did you just say to Arthur and Andrew." Daniel asked. Everybody stared at Daniel. Realizing that something was amiss Daniel questioned them, "What?"
"You just called him Andrew." Gracen said slowly.
"So what? That's his name isn't it?" Daniel scoffed.
"My name is Drew, Delia's friend is named Andrew." Drew said.
Eyes widening, Daniel tried to salvage the situation, "Yes, but Drew is short for Andrew."
"You got custody of us and you didn't even look at our legal names, did you?" Artie said not leaving room for Daniel to interrupt he continued, "You didn't even remember how we introduced ourselves, even though we call each other by nicknames, Drew introduced us by our full names."
"I did look at your legal names it just slipped my mind, don't act like I don't care about you guys. Your are my precious younger siblings of course I want to know everything about you it just slipped my mind, sorry if that made you upset Drew." This time his expression and tone seemed sincere. Attempting to break the tension, Gracen loudly exclaimed that the breakfast was getting cold.

Allowing it to happen, everybody sat around to have breakfast, it was cream of wheats with brown sugar and cinnamon, as well as some raspberries. Delia didn't particular like the texture, but it was still good.
'Delia do you hate Daniel.' Drew had been staring at his food for awhile deep in thought, but finally decided to ask Delia one of the questions he had been pondering.
'I don't hate him. But I don't like his attitude or actions.' Delia replied trying to remain neutral and honest, not an easy fence to walk.
'What actions and what attitude I think he has been ok?' Drew questioned.
'You don't remember nearly passing out from anger?' Artie asked dubiously.
'Of course I remember that, but when they found out that we weren't lying it blew over. We shouldn't calculative with family.' Drew argued back. Delia decided to intervene.
'They said hurtful things and it's fine to be forgiving, but that does not mean we should forget. If you had a friend, who knew a secret that they had promised to keep, but then went and told everyone, wouldn't you be mad? But if they apologized and seem genuinely sorry than you should forgive them, but it doesn't mean you trust them with more secrets especially not right away. I don't trust Daniel and I have my reasons for it and Drew probably has his reasons for trusting him.'
'I don't trust him!' Drew exclaimed.
'You look up to him it's the same!' Artie replied
"Is not."
"Is to."
"Is not!"
"Is to, is to, is to, is to."
"Is not, is not, is not, is not, is not!"
"Drew, and Arthur stop arguing at the table." Gracen said irritation plain in his voice. 
"Is to." Artie whispered under his breath, but instantly regretted when he got glares from both Gracen and Delia. 
"What were you arguing about?" Daniel asked
There was no response, they may be eight, but the twins knew that talking about someone behind their back especially negatively was not polite or something you want to admit to.
"I believe there are old out houses at work." Gracen commented
"Yes, we should clean those. Would you boys help out or is there something you want to tell us." Daniel responded not missing a beat.
"We we're discussing whether looking up to someone was the same as trusting them." Artie rushed out quickly. Gracen and Daniel began to contemplate the question. But Hunter responded first.
"They can be, but they shouldn't. Looking up to someone is a form of respect and some trust, but most of the time we idolize people who we consider 'out of reach' this means that as soon as we get close to them we start realize all there
Flaws and then we don't respect them the same and feel that they have broken our trust. But the truth of the matter is that we are just pushing them to higher standards, because we don't want to push ourselves there. It's easier to blame other people than admit your own short comings." Hunters voice was even, but near the end Hunter was staring directly at Daniel, as if he was trying to get his words to sink in.