No Way (#Wattys2015)

Ella

Cops are so dumb sometimes. It's actually so funny that sometimes after I'm done talking to them, I'll laugh so hard I pee my pants. But not today because today they're standing in my house, bringing anything I want from my room.

I refuse to go inside. I'm just standing out here in the cool autumn air giving them instructions. Cori hangs onto my hand, tightly. She's upset that she won't be staying with me, so she's been clinging to me since yesterday.

"Ella," She suddenly speaks up for the first time since yesterday. I look down at her, giving her my full attention. "Will I ever see you again after I'm taken tomorrow?"

My heart melts at her big blue eyes, looking up at me with fear and concern. "Of course, honey. You're my little sister. I'm always going to take care of you." She seems happy with my answer because she smiles and jumps, spreading her arms apart. I recognize the moves meaning. She wants me to pick her up.

I pick her up, hugging her close to my body and kissing her face and head. She giggles and begins to kiss me back. I grin at her. I really wish she could stay with me instead of going to our Aunt's. I decide I'll bring it up to Valdarez. After all, she seems pretty eager to please me.

"Oh! Is all your junk almost done being moved out?" I hear Ivy from behind me. After finding out Justice can die at any given moment, I decided to forgive Ivy. I figured that, what if she dies and I remained staying angry at her and she never knew that I cared for her.

I roll my eyes and turn around. "Hey, smart as... alec! Is your stuff moved out already?"

"No cussing around Cori. She'll start saying those words." She scolds me, kissing Cori' s cheek and then smiling at me.

"She hardly pays attention." I argue. Ivy laughs and shakes her head at me.

"Sure. Okay." She says. "Anyways, are you ready to go? Andrew and Adam are carpooling with us."

"Yeah. I'm ready. Let's go before Andrew gets so impatient he comes over by us." I reply. We walk over to Andrew's beat up truck and slide into the back. Even though Cori is reluctant to release me, Ivy and I manage to wrangle her into her seat belt. Her hand clutches mine the entire ride.

The house we're staying in is in a nice neighborhood and it looks a bit like a ranch home with only one story level and a basement. They say it's only temporary until they can find somewhere that'll fit all of us. My friends walk in first, with Cori and I behind.

"Ella!" Claudia shrieks as she turns around the corner. Her smile is big and but her eyes betray it. They're full of grief and worry for Ana. I step forward and give her a quick hug.

"Hi, Claudia." I mutter, taking in her appearance. Instead of one of her usual stylish outfits, she's only wearing sweatpants and a large T-shirt. I suspect the T-shirt is one of the boys. "Is Shauna, Sam, and Jamie here?"

She nods, pointing down the hall. "Down that hall. They're in Sam and Shauna' s room. You get to bunk with whoever you want."

"Thanks." I say. I grab Ivy by the wrist and drag her to the girls room. "Out!" I snap my fingers at Jamie. "Now." He doesn't argue but grumbles under his breath as he walks out. I set Cori down in the corner with her favorite bear she's been carrying around and then sit on one of the beds.

"Hey, guys!" Sam smiles at us cheerfully which is rarity for her. I think all of us street rats are revelling in being able to live somewhere where we're safe. This house is a lot nicer than most of our places.

"Hi. So, we're allowed to bunk with whoever we want?" I ask, brushing hair out of my face.

Shauna nods. "Yeah. Why?"