Angel Hospital

Chapter 2

I look at my reflection quickly.

My long black hair is in a braid, the tip reaching somewhere around my waist. My green-blue eyes are clear. My skin doesn't have any obvious blemishes. My jeans and loose t-shirt don't have any stains on them. Everything looks satisfactory.

I head to the dining room, nervous. I am not the most social person, so new people? Not really my thing. Ugh, I'm being ridiculous. I mentally slap myself. 

They're just boys.

That's what you said about him, and look how that turned out.

I roll my eyes at my inner cynic. I'll just go with the flow and think on my feet, like I always do. I pause at the door to the dining room and breathe in through my nose and out through my mouth.

Show time.

I walk calmly and cooly into the fairly large dining room, reigning in my nerves and keeping them out of my expression.

Five heads look up, curious, and examine me. It's short lived, as they all drop down again to continue eating. There are only seven boys, plus Uncle J, seated at the table.

Something pops in my head. The oldest, Keith I think, is away at college. 

I swiftly take note of the the occupants at the table.

From what I can see, the 15 year-old is on the far right, then clockwise, it is the 17 year-old twins, then the 20 year-old at the right-hand of the table. Uncle J is at the head of the table, with who has to be the 18 year-old at his left, then a ten year-old, an empty seat, then finally, the youngest on the far left.

I feel some of my nerves relax when I see I'm between Kayden and Kion, the only two Russell boys I've met up 'til now. And ironically, the only two that didn't look up at first.

As if they hear my thoughts, they both look up. Their faces light up and they screech "Rae!" as they hop out of their seats and rush to hug me. 

The left corner of my mouth ticks up as I hug them back, until is see that their little antic has attracted the attention of the other boys. 

I release Kayden and Kion, and walk to my seat. I pull out the fancy, carved chair and sit down.

Kayden and Kion also sit down, albeit a little more excited with my presence. 

I start eating, not bothering to look up and meet the other eyes I knew were watching me. It seems Martha decided on some country style cooking tonight; oven-fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn on the cob. Eventually, I feel the weight of their stares fade as they go back to their food.

Conversation starts up, none of it pertaining to me, so I block it out. 

Honestly, I hear enough about them from Uncle J, I don't need more information. I recognize  each of them from pictures Uncle J has shown me. And, even at first glance, their attitudes match almost perfectly to Uncle J's stories.

20 year-old Kaleb makes his position at Uncle J's right hand overly obvious, almost like he needs to remind everyone of his importance.
18 year-old 'bad boy' Keegan has a leather jacket draped over the back of his chair, as well as exuding a 'don't mess with me' attitude.
The 17 year-old twins, Khan and Kane, seem to share a common interest in making their brothers look stupid.
15 year-old Killian keeps correcting his brothers' grammar and adding facts to the conversation. 
10 year-old Kayden, one of the only two I've met before, can keep up with the conversation despite his age.
8 year-old Kion, the other one I've met, just keeps looking around with a mischievous gleam in his eye.