Learning To Live

Chapter 4: Dinner

Kai 'escorted' me all the way back home, which just made me even more frustrated. This family was even worse than Jenny and Dave, and I'd only been here an hour. I tried to close the door on Kai when I walked in the house, but failed in doing so.

"We're home Mom!" Kai called into the kitchen. I had forgotten how hungry I was, but was soon reminded by my stomach making obnoxiously loud noises.

"Are you hungry?" Leilani asked Kai and I, washing her hands in the sink. I wanted to march over to her and slap her across the face, but I had a feeling that wouldn't go over well.

"Yeah, but when I told you that, you refused to feed me." I scowled, figuring that was probably a better choice than hitting. Leilani sighed, drying her hands on a dish towel. Kai and Leilani shared a look that I most certainly did not miss. I scoffed, then took a seat at the table. Leilani headed toward the back door, and stuck her head out.

"Boys! Dinner time!" She yelled toward the beach behind the house. So that's where the rest of the boys were... Within seconds, the house was filled with shirtless boys that all looked liked different variations of Kai. Keoki was one of them, but I wasn't sure which one. There were two identical ones, and I couldn't tell them apart.

They all took a seat at the large table, but I still ended up between Leilani and Jim. I scooted away from Jim as far as I could, and started eating.

True to Jim and Leilani's word, there were ten boys seated all around the table. They were actually all probably really attractive, but I didn't really care.

"Boys, this is Natalia. As we talked about last night, she's going to be staying with us for a while. So make her feel welcome." Leilani addressed the elephant in the room.

"Introduce yourselves. Names and ages." Jim ordered. I rolled my eyes and sighed loudly.

"No that's okay, I really don't care." I gave Jim a smug smile, but he just furrowed his brow and told the boys to 'go ahead'.

The boys started off, and it was one of the most awkward things I'd ever been through.

"I'm Kayl, and I'm 21." The oldest stated confidently.

"Hi, I'm Keon and I'm 20." The next one gave a friendly wave. When would this torture end? It's not like I'd remember any of them, even if I wanted to. And I didn't.

"I'm Kayson." Said one of the twins. So that meant the one next to him was Keoki.

"I'm Keoki, Kayson's twin. We're 19." Keoki explained. I noticed that Keoki had a dimple and Kayson didn't, so hopefully that would help me tell them apart. Not that I'd need to, because I wouldn't be here very long at all.

"Well, you already know me. But I'm eighteen, by the way." Kai gave me a crooked grin, and I had to hold back a sarcastic comment. He was the last person I wanted to see right now, right next to my uncle in Russia.

Next it was sixteen year old Keiran, fourteen year old Kalei, twelve year old Kelan, ten year old Koi, and seven year old Ori. They also had a dog named Nui, which they gladly told me that Nui meant large. I didn't understand why they had laughed while telling me, until Leilani explained that Nui was a yorkie.

"So how do you like Hanalei?" Keon asked. Ugh, I really did not feel like talking any more today.

"It's nice." I tried to sound like I meant it. It's not that the place was bad or anything, but I was forced to come here and I didn't like being forced to do anything.

"You talk cool." Little Ori smiled shyly. He actually had a bit of an accent to his voice, collected from his mother.

"Thanks." I mumbled. I guess they would find my Russian accent interesting, considering they'd only known Hawaiians and Americans their whole lives. The rest of dinner, I ate in complete silence while the boys chattered about anything and everything. They seemed to easily forget I was there, so hopefully I'd be able to use that to my advantage.

* * *

After dinner, I sat at the table as everyone around me got up. I had no idea what to do with myself now that Kai had taken my lighter. I wish I had my alcohol so I could forget about all of this for a while. I wondered if it would be easy to get here, as it had been in New York.

"Wanna go swimming with us?" Kayson asked, grinning. Why would he think I'd actually want to go swimming? Did he see the suits his mom picked out for me? I'd assume not, if he was being serious right now.

"No." I growled, crossing my arms.

"Natalia, why don't you go swimming." Leilani's tone told me she wasn't giving me a choice; she was telling me to go swimming. Was she really going to test me like this?

"No." I nearly shouted, using more anger in my voice. I stomped to the stairs and started to head up.

"Natalia, we're all just here to love you." Her tone was soft, but I didn't like the way she said it. I rolled my eyes at her statement; nobody could ever love me. It was impossible, and I had proof. After all, my own mother hadn't even wanted me.

I turned away from Leilani and started climbing the stairs the rest of the way. I walked down the extensive hallway and opened the door to my room. I walked in and sat on my bed. How did I get myself into this mess? I had tried to be a good kid when I first came to America, but it had quickly failed when Dave told me 'no' for the first time. I had stolen food from the supermarket when he was taking me shopping.

I had been used to fending for myself in Russia, and I didn't even speak or read English at the time. So Dave had sternly told me 'Nyet."  I'd never been told no before, so it made me very angry and I lashed out.

After that, it had all gone downhill.