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17| More Than You Know

Sunday| November 6th, 2016| Eliana| 9:00 AM

Do you ever just wake up wishing that the previous day never happened? That's exactly how I felt when I woke up. I had made the decision to not go home yesterday, so I was sure I'd gotten myself into even more trouble with my parents. I ignored all their calls and texts which probably made everything worse for when I did decide to go home.

The boys said I could sleep in the guest room and their parents didn't mind that I had stayed over. They had an early day, so the boys and I had the house to ourselves for the time being.

I was sitting in the living room pretending to pay attention to what was on the TV. Hayden had put on some sort of crime show and was deeply engrossed with the storyline. Hunter was off doing who knows what in the kitchen.

A commercial break started and that's when Hayden decided to say something.

"You've been quiet all morning. Are you okay?"

"If I said I was fine, would you believe me?" I asked.

"I wouldn't. Listen, I know you're going through a tough time with your parents but we're here for you. I hope you know that."

I offered a small smile. "Thanks, Hayden. I appreciate it."

"Guys! Chow time!" Hunter yelled from the kitchen.

Confused, I followed Hayden to the kitchen to see two stacks of fresh pancakes, bacon, and eggs laid out on the table.

"What the hell?" I mumbled. "You can cook?"

"Yes, Ellie. I can cook. I'm not totally useless," Hunter said as he sat down.

Huh, guess you learn something new every day.

I sat down at the table and put some eggs and bacon on my plate. Hunter pushed a stack of pancakes my way and I noticed that they were shaped like Mickey Mouse. I raised an eyebrow at him. "Is there a reason why these are shaped like Mickey Mouse?"

"They're my special pancakes. I always make them whenever Kat's upset. They always made her smile. Don't tell her I told you that or she'll skin me alive."

"Don't worry. I won't tell her." I was totally gonna tell her.

The food was surprisingly good, and I felt a little better after eating. The boys told me a bunch of stories about them and Katerina back in elementary school. It made me think about how close all of them were. They were like their own little family. My thoughts only led me to the fact that I didn't really have a family anymore. I still had my chosen family, though.

I had gone through all the voicemails and text messaged my parents left. Not once did they ask if I was okay. Just for me to come home so that we could talk. They didn't even care about my well-being.

"I think I should go home soon," I told the boys after we cleaned up the kitchen.

"You sure that's a good idea?" Hunter asked. "I know you'll have to go eventually, but maybe you should wait until Kat comes back in case something happens."

"For once, I agree with Hunter. We wouldn't want anything drastic to happen to you. We don't know how far your parents might go with this," Hayden added.

I would feel a lot safer if Katerina was here. I couldn't get her mixed up in this as soon as she got back, though. Not to mention the stuff that happened with Sariah yesterday. I didn't want to ruin whatever good feelings she had while spending time with her parents. I needed to handle this myself.

"I know you guys are worried. I think it would be best if I handled this myself, though. If anything happens, I'll call you guys. I promise."

They both wanted to argue with me. I could tell they did. Against their better judgment I suppose, they let me go. Hunter had driven me home. My parents weren't there yet, so I had time to freshen up and prepare myself for whatever bullshit they decided to spew at me.