Angel Hospital

Chapter 9

"You know dad will kill us if we leave her behind."

I pad down the stairs even more softly, not wanting to interrupt the conversation. They were conversing by the front door, I could see Kaleb inside but the other person was blocked by the door. I was fairly certain it was another member of the Russell family though.

"Yeah, well, if she doesn't hurry up, we're gonna be late. Last night, I said we're leaving leaving at 8:45 sharp, didn't I?" Kaleb sneers.

"It's barely 8:30," Mystery Russell boy says. "Give her a break, this isn't fair and you know it."

"That's the way the world turns, little brother."

There's a huff, and the other Russell brother walks off.

Kaleb turns. "Raaaveee-"

I cut off his annoying voice as I brush past him through the door, to the black jeep idling in the driveway. I open the door to the backseat and along my backpack in before sliding in.

"Whoa there. Be gentle, we've got some gear back there." Keegan looks back from the driver's seat.

I nod, letting a bit of regret slip into my face.

Keegan nods back, turns back around in his seat and starts to follow the other car out of the driveway.

I buckle up and lean back in my seat, adjusting my legs behind Khan, who was sitting in the passenger seat. The brothers start exchanging small talk in the front seat but I tune them out and put on my headphones.

I turn on some music on low, so I can still hear bits of their conversation.

Nothing interesting happens until we get to the lake.

"What the- Come on man! He didn't tell me she was coming." Khan exclaims after we have parked and got a good look at the group of teens.

There was two girls and two guys I don't recognize. Plus the Russell brothers and me, that's ten people altogether. I'm hoping this is a big boat.

As we start to unload the gear, I notice Khan pausing every ten seconds and glancing over to a blonde, one of the girls standing with the group. She seems to be glancing over at him every once in a while too. But she was sure to start flirting with Kane every time she noticed Khan looking at her. I make a mental note to pay special attention to their interactions and see what I can find out.

As our gear is added to the pile of gear already, I take the opportunity to look around.

The blonde girl Khan keeps looking at is beautiful, but her actions are petty, self-serving. She does what she wants when she wants to. A pretty brunette girl is next to her, self-centered as well, but seemingly less so. Both are flirting with any guy in the group who looks their way.

There is two blond guys I don't recognize in the group. One tanned and tall, confidently talking with Kaleb. Flashing a set of keys every time he gestured, I guess this is Frank, the one who owns the boat we're going out on. The other is an even taller, skinny, paler kid. He hangs back, only talking to Killian.
I wonder how a shy kid got mixed up in this crowd.

I approach the group walking behind Keegan and Khan. Both seem to slip into an aloof mood, exuding a don't mess with me vibe.

"Alright," The one I think is Frank claps his hands for attention. Everyone quiets down, except the two other girls who keep whispering to each other. "Here's how it's gonna go. Jace, Keegan, Kaleb, and I are gonna load stuff onto the boat. Khan and Kane, I need you guys to help carry it down the dock while we actually transfer it to the boat. Killian, you board and get the engine started and all that. Everyone got that?"