Angel Hospital

Chapter 3

I hide my backpack with the snacks inside my closet and sit on my beanbag chair with a book and my headphones. 

Not three minutes later, Kayden and Kion burst through my door; their faces glowing with excitement. 

"That was awesome!" Kion exclaims, sitting on the floor in front of my beanbag.

"It was so funny, you should have seen their faces!" Kayden laughs, plopping down next to his brother.

I give a closed mouth smile at their enthusiasm, and shrug. 

"Oh, it was definitely not nothing," Kayden insists, reading my silent response perfectly. "Our brothers were so shocked, they counted you as a shy, goody-two-shoes from first glance. I heard them talking about you." He says matter-of-factly.

I shrug again, and the conversation drops.

The three of us end up playing cards until until Uncle J calls us downstairs. 

When we get to the den, all of the other boys are already there. When we enter, Uncle J stands.

"Alright boys, line up. Oldest to youngest, you know the drill."

Most of the boys roll their eyes but obey anyway. Uncle J came to stand by me, the two of us facing the seven of them.  "Time to officially introduce you guys." Uncle J announces.

The older boys look bored out of their minds, while Kayden and Kion are practically bouncing on their heels.

Either Uncle J doesn't see their bored expressions or he ignores them because he continues.
"Keith, my oldest son, is 23. He's away at college right now, you'll meet him later." After confirming my theory about the missing son, he gestures to each present boy as he introduces them.
"My second-oldest, Kaleb, is 20 years old. Third eldest is Keegan, who is 18. The twins, Khan and Kane," He gestures to each of them respectively, " are 17 years old. Killian is 15. And you know Kayden and Kion who are 10 and 8."

I nod in acknowledgement as he introduces each one to me.

"And boys, this is Raven."

I look up to meet each pair of eyes with an impassive face. I start with the youngest. Kion grins back at me; and Kayden smiles secretively, happy to know something the older boys don't.

I move my gaze to Killian, the fifteen year-old who looks... almost bashful.

I look over to Kane, who smirks at me; then Khan, who has an overly fierce expression on. Intimidation doesn't really work on me, but it was a nice try. 

I look at Keegan, who looks back into my eyes unflinching. Alright then, one point for you, dude. 

When I try to make eye contact with Kaleb, he avoids my gaze. 

I nod in satisfaction, knowing what I need to in order to live comfortably with these boys. 

"Now that this little meet and greet is over, can I go now? I have better things to do than hang out with your best friend's little daughter." Kaleb shifts restlessly.

Ooo, someone's uncomfortable. 

I finally catch his gaze  and raise an eyebrow.  He looks away, sheepishly. 

Interesting.

I give Uncle J a look, because I don't like staying up too late. 

"Alright, everyone dismissed."

Almost instantly, all the boys break relax and break ranks.

I turn on my heel and head to my room to get ready for bed. I have work tomorrow, and I usually get up early to run, so late nights aren't really my thing.