— Sasha

We were gathered at the dinner table. The fresh aroma of pasta lathered in Marinara sauce with a sprinkle of grilled shrimp was placed right in front of me by one of the Hastings' butlers. I waited for the butler to place the plate of food in front of Angelia, Mr. Hastings' wife before I began to eat.

"How was school today, Sasha?" she asked me just before repeating her very same question in a language I could understand—Russian. She did that with everything she said, and her reasoning for it was to help me better understand English for my future here in America.

I never wanted to be in America. I was happy in Russia, waiting for my mama to find me—to come back for me. Until then, I was to reside with my brothers in my orphanage, but those plans changed. I hadn't seen Nikolai, Mikhail, Dimitri, Adrien, or Ivan in months—and we were all each other had ever known.

"Я ненавижу это (I hate it)," I said.

I despised everything about America so far. The children were cruel. They were always calling my name and laughing and the teachers would only turn a blind eye. I've already learned about every subject the teacher brought up, so I found class rather boring.

"Really? There was nothing you can think of that you enjoyed... not even in the slightest bit?" she questioned.

Everleigh was the only thing about school I found interest in. The brown-skinned, brown-haired, brown-eyed girl that was quite captivating from her spiral curls to her full lips. She was kind to me unlike everyone else. She even invited me to eat lunch with her and even though we didn't say a single word, it was nice to not be alone.

"Everleigh," I answered honestly.

Her silverware hit the vintage glass bowl as a gasp fell from her mouth. I glanced up at the woman to see a smile on her pink tinted lips. They held a shine to them and glistened as she showed off her white teeth. Her small button nose scrunched up and the blue of her eyes grew brighter. Her skin was so pale it was white and her light brown hair kissed her shoulders in a way that reeked of elegance.

"A girl?" she wondered.

I settled with a nod. It was only then that the loud footsteps of Mr. Hastings began to become apparent as he neared the table.

"You use your mouth when my wife asks you a question, ya' hear me, boy?" Mr. Hastings demanded.

"Yes, sir," I said, using the first two words I've ever learned in English before turning to Mrs. Hastings. "I am sorry, ma'am."

"Please, you don't have to call me ma'am. You're apart of our family now," she said almost dreamily. I eyed her fingers as she grasped Mr. Hastings' hand. Her once excitable smile fell into one of pure content.

"Yes... um—" I froze, glancing over at Mr. Hastings. He seemed to not have been paying anymore attention to our conversation as he busied himself with his food that had just been placed in front of him.

"Mother. Well, when you are ready, that is. For now, you can call me Angelia." She smiled.

I returned her smile, hoping it would please Mr. Hastings, and I returned to my food. I never wanted to call her mother. I had a mother out there somewhere and it was only ever going to be her. No matter how kind Mrs. Hastings was, she could never mean more to me than someone who simply adopted me.

The butler cleared his throat, grasping Mrs. Hastings' attention. After a curt nod from the butler, Angelia was smiling from ear to ear. She got up from her seat and headed over to me.

"We have a surprise for you, Sasha," Mrs. Hastings said after a long moment of silence. I was already full and ready for bed, but at the sound of her words, my eyes widened in interest.

"Сюрприз (a surprise)?" I wondered.

Grasping my arm, she began to pull me in the direction of the front door.

"You're only twelve, and you're already taller than me. How is that possible?" she asked. Angelia was about average height for a woman and I was only taller than her by about one or two inches.

There was a sly smile on her face as we continued to walk through the gigantic halls of the Hastings residence.

I knew the Hastings were a very wealthy family, but I didn't know they were this wealthy. I overheard a conversation between Mr and Mrs. Hastings—well, more of an argument—that I was only here because Mrs. Hastings couldn't bear children which meant they were without an heir.

On the other hand, I knew the true reason why I was here. I remembered seeing Mr. Hastings a lot throughout my time at the orphanage. He always had an interest in not me but my skills. It appears as though Mr. Hastings believed it was best to keep it a secret from his wife—he saw me as a way to draw in money and nothing more.

"I only hope this Everleigh you speak of likes tall men because you are going to become one indeed." Angelia laughed.

I didn't respond, I only matched her every step until we were in front of the double-door entrance.

Just in time, the doorbell rang. Two of our guards glanced at Angelia, waiting for her nod just before they opened the doors.

The doors pulled apart and I was welcomed with the sight of each of my brothers and a small suitcase of their own. Nothing could've stopped the smile on my face as I dashed toward them, feeling a light that had dimmed without them, suddenly shine again.

"Sasha!" my younger brother, Ivan, exclaimed. He was nothing but a toddler, the one I took most care of. I lifted him into my arms and could see the tears beginning to weld in my eyes.

I didn't put him down for a second as I looked at each of my brothers. It had been a while since I last seen them at the orphanage. Once the Hastings family sought to adopt me, I was no longer allowed to stay at the orphanage. I was placed into a separate home in Russia, being taken care of by employees of the Hastings until I was cleared to move to America.

"Nikolai!" I exclaimed, embracing my younger brother. He was only one year younger than me and was someone I looked at as a best friend. Once I pulled away from the embrace, it was only then that I noticed the bruises on his cheek and eye. My shoulders fell.

"Теперь это ты (now, it's you)?" I asked. The moment I was removed from the orphanage, I knew my brothers would take my place. I only wished I was there to protect them.

Nikolai nodded. "I won. Я выиграл много боев, брат (I won many fights, brother)."

I moved over to the third-youngest, Mikhail. He also had a few bruises on his skin. I clenched my fists in anger but held back my rage. He was too young at the ripe age of nine. He had no business fighting.

Instead of mentioning it, I pulled him in for a hug and let him weep. I knew he missed me, and each tear that fell from his eyes only proved it.

Next, was Dimitri. He was Mikhail's twin. Despite being complete opposites, they bonded like glue. I was glad to see no bruises on Dimitri or any indication that he knows of what happened in the undergrounds. He held a smile on his face as he ran up and hugged me.

"Я скучал по тебе, брат (I've missed you, brother)," he exclaimed.

"I miss you, brother, too," I said, hoping that by speaking English more, it would inspire them to do the same.

I then walked over to one last brother of mine, Adrian. He never spoke much, and he still didn't bother to say a single word as I dragged him in for a hug. He was younger than the twins but older than the toddler at the age of six.

"Okay, boys! I'm sorry to break this up but it's getting really late and you all will be starting school tomorrow!" Angelia announced. I turned toward her with a big smile on my face.

"My brothers... stay?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yes, Sasha, they're staying."

I placed my baby bother down and ran over to Angelia, embracing her. "Thank you!"

I know I said I wouldn't update but this story has been calling my name since I started it months ago. Anyways, let's say hello to this brand new journey. I can't wait to see how far this book goes! Thank you all for being here!

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