OFF LIMITS

S.E.V.E.N

Ellery was wide awake for the rest of the night. She finished a book, tidied her room and went for a run just as the sun was rising.

The house was silent when she returned and she took a long bath, washing away all the sweat and submerging herself under the hot water.

While she got ready Ellery drank two cups of strong black coffee. She dressed in a black floaty dress and her Doc Martens. She concealed her under eyes and finished her makeup and then tied her hair up and slipped her denim jacket on.

After checking the time she realised her brothers would be awake, and just like the previous morning she made her way into the kitchen with a bubbly smile.

"Morning," Trent called.

"Morning," Ellery said and poured herself a bowl of coco pops.

Her brothers all glanced at each other warily as Ellery poured herself a cup of coffee and sat down next to Ethan.

"You alright, kid?" Ethan said.

"I'm fine," Ellery said and looked up as Amelia, Blair and Carson walked in. "Morn- ow! You trod on my foot!" Ellery hit Ethan's shoulder.

"Oops," he shrugged. "I slipped."

Blair scoffed and rolled his eyes at Ethan, but sent a nod to Ellery. Carson raised his eyebrows at her questioningly and she smiled. "Morning," Amelia said happily.

"Where's Miles?" Ellery asked through a mouthful of coco pops.

"The idiot has detention before school," Alec said.

"How has he managed that already?" Ellery asked.

"Mouthed off to a teacher," Alec shrugged. "Like usual."

"That boy is ridiculously bright, but so stupid," Ashton said and rolled his eyes.

"I had a word with him last night," Logan said, "but he'll continue to mouth off."

"I wonder where he gets it from?" Ellery said and sent a look to Alec, Cameron and Ethan.

"Don't look at me, I get it from them!" Alec argued and pointed to Cameron and Ethan. "And I don't get caught for it, the teachers love me too much to put me in detention."

Trent rolled his eyes. "You're too cocky for your own good."

Alec grinned.

Ellery checked her phone and scooped down the last spoonfuls of her cereal. "Sam and Casey are here, I'm off."

"Behave yourself!" Logan said. It was code for, don't talk to Jace and his friends.

"You should be saying that to them," Ellery said and pointed to her brothers. "I do nothing wrong."

"Elle-"

"Love you!" Ellery called and grabbed her back and walked out of the kitchen.

"Hey, girl!" Casey called from the drivers seat. "Get your butt in and buckle up!"

Ellery climbed into the back of Casey's car and he sped away from her house.

"You alright?" Sam asked from the passenger seat. She was in her cheer uniform like usual and had a bow in her hair.

"I'll be even better if we get coffee."

"I swear you're 90% coffee," Casey said.

"I like coffee," Ellery shrugged. "And don't complain, 90% of the time I'm the one who buys you Starbucks."

"And we love you for it," Sam smiled. "Casey, shut the hell up and let the girl buy you Starbucks."

Casey rolled his eyes, but drove to Starbucks.