Daniel Brooks could not understand why the seven children were so rowdy today? The moment they walked into the dining hall, their mouths had not stopped. And the girls were giggling and whispering amongst themselves, driving the adults mad. He had not started dinner yet because there was still one person they were waiting for.
However, Daniel was actually very excited that the children were in such a good mood. He loved to hear their laughter. It always lightened him up. But first things first, he had to introduce Nick properly this time, if only he could quiet down the kids.
Daniel smiled to himself though. While he was carrying on his own conversation with Rob, he stole glances at the kids. The four guys were talking like the best of friends. They were smiling and cracking jokes, reminding him of how he and Rob used to be.
Then there were the girls. They were like sisters. Daniel smiled. He had only one daughter. He was worried that she'd be alone, but after seeing her grow up with Katerina and Elisa, he knew that Caitlyn had all the love and friendship she needed.
Daniel's thoughts were interrupted when Nick entered the dining hall. To his amazement, all seven kids became subdued and quiet. Everyone stared at Nick, who didn't seem thrilled with the attention. Daniel didn't know what exactly Nick felt because Nick's eyes revealed nothing, just emptiness. He motioned for Nick to stand by him. Nick saw Daniel's motions and drew closer. He stared at Daniel, waiting.
"Okay, Caitlyn, Michael, Andy. This is Nick, your cousin. He's the son of my brother. He has just finished college and is staying with us for a little while because he wanted a little change of scenery. I trust that you will be good to him?" Daniel phrased the last line in the form of a question because he doubted his children, knowing full well that they would be anything but good to him. As expected, all three heads bobbed up and down in agreement.
Then Daniel turned to the Rochesters' children. "And I do hope that you four would embrace him as your friend as well. Please consider him a close family member." Four more heads bobbed up and down. Daniel then started giving the names of the seven to Nick.
With that, Daniel motioned for Nick to sit down. There was only one more seat left at the other end of the table, near the seven teenagers. Nick slowly walked down to the other end. Even before he sat down, though, Michael started the interrogation.
"So Nick, how old are you?" The whole table was silent. Everyone wanted to know.
"19" was all Nick supplied.
"Hey, how could you be finished with college? I barely started and I'm 19," Rick let out.
Nick was compelled not to answer, but after remembering Urgof's threats that he 'talk like a human being to these people', Nick managed to answer the question. "I study non-stop." Then he became silent.
"Oh!" the others let out, not really getting it.
"So Nick, what did you major in?" Katerina asked, excited. What could he possibly study that didn't take him that long to finish.
"Biochemistry." Everyone waited for Nick to say something else, but he just gazed at them.
"Ummm" was all that Chad knew to say. Suddenly another question popped into his head and he smiled. "So what are you going to do now that you've graduated?"
"Work." Nick gave Chad strange look. What else would he do?
"Right," Chad looked understandingly at Nick.
"Soooooo, ummmmmm," Katerina wanted to join in on the conversation. "Do you have a girlfriend?"
All the guys stared at Katerina. What kind of a question was that? It was obvious with Nick's questionable socialization skills that the guy had driven away any datable female. This man was hopeless. He acted like he was an alien. His demeanor was too strange and his lack of etiquette had puzzled them as well.
And if it was any hint, his stone-cold replies would repel anything living. He was a disaster waiting to happen. Or rather, he was a caveman who had entered a time warp or something. He was the most primitive person they had ever met.
"Yes." All 11 bodies at the table looked up in shock at the reply that nobody expected. Even the adults were rather amused with the exchange. Nick was sure being difficult, but Daniel, especially, thought it was good for a change. He loved a challenge.
Finally, dinner was being served. More maids scurried out and passed out the salads. Everyone was interested to see how Nick would bear himself with the food. They stared at him, waiting for him to take his first bite. Nick was undaunted. How many fancy formal parties had he been forced to attend already. He knew the routine backwards and forwards. He ignored their stares and began eating.
He was not used to this lifestyle though. Usually, he would settle for a banana every few hours. He did not find food intriguing, especially the food from the government. Bit by bit, he ate the salad. Soon, all the other's eyes rested on their own individual plates and each ate in silence.
Just when Nick was grateful for their silence, Rick started the next line of questioning. "So Nick, do you have any hobbies?" The whole table seemed to play along with Nick's game and remained silent, waiting for him to answer. All eyes once again stared at him.
"Just reading." Nick's voice was still soft, but it became gentler. It was as if he were surrendering a part of himself by answering. No one had ever asked him that many questions before. No one had ever bothered to find out about him. And as annoying as their questions were, Nick felt touched.
"No basketball? No soccer? No swimming? Any sports?" Chad chimed in. Nick shook his head slowly, staring at the table. He didn't stop chewing though. His movements were robot-like. It reminded him of the world he came from.
At that, Daniel had to join in the conversation. He saw the sadness in Nick's eyes now. At first, he interpreted Nick's actions as pure arrogance, but now, he could see that it was not pride that prevented Nick from talking. It was melancholy. But what had caused such a youthful boy to look so full of sadness? "How are your parents?"
At that question, Nick looked up. Images of his adopted father raced through his mind. All the times that his adopted father had hit him began to resurface, but they disappeared as soon as they came. Nick suddenly remembered why he was here and what identity he had to assume. He started to shut out the memories and get back to work. "They miss you, Uncle. They hope that one day, you will visit them."
The seven teenagers looked at Nick, bewildered. That was the first time that his reply came in full sentences. They were making some progress! Katerina smiled. So he wasn't as primitive as she thought.
Daniel too smiled. However, he did it only to encourage Nick. He knew that Nick did not belong to his family. That answer Nick gave was the answer of a perceptive undercover detective. But those seconds right before Nick answered, Daniel saw through to Nick's soul. He must have hit the right spot. Something was terribly wrong with this teenager and it had something to do with his real parents!
As they finished their salads, the maids brought out the main course. By now, everyone had mixed feelings about this newcomer. His speech seemed so raw, so unpracticed. Yet, the way he conducted himself with the dinner with such ease surprised them. He was a puzzle.
"So Nick, were your parents well-to-do? What business are they in?" Rob Rochester asked Nick plainly.
Nick answered immediately. He had taken the whole night to memorize the case. This was the easy part. "No, they own a little bookstore in a little town in the Midwest. Not well to do. Just enough." Nick felt satisfied with the answer. It was easier to answer this appropriately because it did not involve any personal issues.
Daniel's wife laughed. "So that's where you spend all your days reading books, I take it? Your parents must have quite a selection."
Nick didn't see what was so funny about that. Should he laugh with her? "Yes," he replied without laughing. It would look too fake if he did.
"Oh no, a bookworm amongst us!" Chad looked horrified.
Elisa laughed and looked at Nick. "Don't mind my brother. He has a GPA of 1.0"
Nick gazed at Elisa trying to look understanding. He had heard about the grading systems of schools before. 4.0 was the highest, he remembered reading. 1.0 must be really low. He had never attended a public school before so he didn't really know what the numbers meant. When he was with his adopted father, he had a tutor. Basically, he was imprisoned within his own home. And after he was captured by the government, they had a special "training session" for him. He never knew what it was like to go to normal schools.
Everyone looked at Nick, concerned. Nick was sure acting strangely. He hadn't cracked a smile since he entered the home. They were starting to wonder if he had that disease where you couldn't smile. Or maybe, the nerves that controlled his facial muscles must have been severed.
"So what was it like living in a small town?" Andy asked.
"Lonely," Nick replied. And though he said it without emotion, everyone felt sorry for him.
"You don't have to worry about loneliness when you're in this house, Nick. If anything, in one week, you'll be begging for all these four guys," Caitlyn said as she pointed her finger at Michael, Andy, Chad and Rick, "to disappear!"
Nick stared at her for a while. Was that a joke? Was he supposed to laugh or make some noise at that? He never felt so uncertain in his life. Caitlyn stopped laughing when she saw the frown on Nick's face. "Right, umm," she uttered, feeling stupid.
She was about to stare down at her plate when she heard Nick say in that quiet tone of his, "I hope that won't happen." Caitlyn looked at him and had to blink twice. Did she see the corners of his mouth slightly tilted into a small smile?