Fighter {Completed}

Chapter Two: Who Pissed In His Cheerios? {Ellie}

Chapter Two: Who Pissed In His Cheerios? {Ellie}

Waking to a mountain of boxes around my bed wasn't exactly the plan this morning, but last night, I could barely hold my eyes open after that English paper.

I don't even remember getting into bed.

Shaking my head, I stretch, listening to the sound of my bones popping grossly. My stiff muscles ache, and I rub my shoulder muscle with my hand, wincing as pain shoots through my arm.

It honestly feels like I might've pulled a muscle.

Making my way through the boxes, I pull my hair into a low bun at the back of my head, the locks too tangled to do anything else with it. I make my way through the hallway, into the kitchen where Sebastian stands cooking breakfast, shirtless and dancing to a beat that no one else hears.

I grin, shaking my head as I walk further inside. Scarlett sits scrolling on her phone on the counter, coffee cup in hand as she frowns.

"Did you know Sarah is getting married?" she asks Sebastian, looking up at him. I round the corner fully as he shrugs, and then I stop.

Cole sits at the counter, spoon dipping into a bowl of cereal as he ignores the siblings in front of him. I hesitate, but after a moment, walk into the room and lean against the fridge.

"Morning, E." Sebastian turns, offering me a piece of bacon as he stuffs one into his mouth. I take it, grinning.

"Thanks," I tell him.

"There's more done if you want it. I made some eggs, too," he says, talking with his mouth full. I scrunch up my nose, and he rolls his eyes, smiling as he swallows the food.

"Sure, can you put some on a plate for me?" Sebastian nods and I turn to the fridge, pulling out the orange juice and a glass from the cupboard, making my drink and then putting the juice away.

As I walk toward him, Sebastian hands me a plate of eggs and bacon. I take it, muttering a quick thanks and then turning.

Boxes stack to the ceiling on the dining table, Scar sits on the only available counter space, and Cole sits on one of the only two seats at the bar. With a sigh, I realize I'm going to have to sit next to him.

"Good morning," I offer, giving a polite smile as I take a seat next to him.

He stays silent, only turning his head slightly and giving me the side-eye. A brief flash of hurt splits into my chest, but I force myself to ignore it.

I begin eating, and Sebastian turns around, eyeing me. I raise a brow, questioning him.

"Are we going to throw a housewarming party or not?" Grinning, I shrug. "Well, I want housewarming gifts. Hey, Cole, what are you gonna get us for a housewarming gift?"

"A win. You're getting it tonight." His voice is husky, so I'm guessing that's the first time he's talked this morning. His jaw clenches as I look at him, making it even sharper as he stares straight ahead.

"You guys have a fight tonight?" I ask, glancing to Sebastian. He nods, shoveling eggs into his mouth. I nod as well, before glancing back to Cole.

Even sitting, his form is much larger than mine, and I'm not exactly a small girl.

"Good luck," I offer, giving a small smile as he glances at me, the first time he's looked at me since yesterday. A small bout of hope blooms in my face as he stares at me for a second, and then it immediately deflates when he just continues to glare at me before turning back to his cereal.

Who pissed in his cheerios? I wonder as I prop myself on my elbow, sighing, and taking a sip of my orange juice.

Just as I move for another piece of bacon from my plate, my phone buzzes next to me on the counter. I turn it over, taking a bite of the bacon and then unlocking the phone.

Did you know your mom came by to see me last week? She didn't have any money for the glass, but she paid for it another way. Don't you feel guilty for making her like this?

And just like that, I'm no longer hungry.

With a pounding heart and a steadily growing lump in my throat, I force myself to breathe. With a last sigh, I stand, giving Sebastian a small, fake smile as I sit my plate by the sink, still full of food. He gives me a questioning gaze, but I shake my head.

"I'm fine. Running late."

I don't give him a chance to object, turning and heading through the hallway and into my bedroom. Within seconds, Scarlett comes inside, closing the door and pulling me into her arms.

She takes my phone from my hand, deleting the messages from Keenan and throwing it on my bed.

"Get ready for today. Go ace that test and go be the best fucking studier-person in that library. Got it? That bastard has nothing going for him and he's going nowhere in life except prison or a grave. Okay? Anything he says to you is purely out of jealousy. You have brains and all he has is a crackpipe." I nod, and she wipes the few tears that slip from my eyes.

"I love you, El."

"I love you, too," I tell her, smiling softly. She hugs me once more, squeezing me tight. I hug her back, letting a few more tears escape as my heart aches, my stomach still plummeted. Hugging Scar is like hugging my security blanket I had as I kid, and even as she leaves me, I still feel love and warmth coming from her in waves. She's always strong for me when I can't be.

Even when I feel like the world is closing in, I can at least pretend to be brave for Scarlet.

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