"Malcolm Donover can kiss my arse."

Aubrey and I both looked over at Penny, who was storming up to us in the library.

"What did he do now?" I asked. Penny angrily sat down in the seat beside Aubrey and threw her bag on the chair on the other side of her. This week, Malcolm had been considerably rude, I guess this Friday was no exception.

"He shoved me into the wall on the way over here, crushing my art homework in my bag," she groaned whilst taking out said artwork. It was a large piece of paper with cloths and small objects hanging off it, most now squished or torn.

I frowned, "does he have nothing better to do than make other peoples lives miserable?"

"Right," Aubrey agreed. I reached out to take the paper from Penny and inspected the damage.

"If either of you have glue, I can stick the fabrics back on but we might need sellotape for the rest," I told them. Aubrey brightened up, "I have some."

Aubrey reached into her bag to get them and Penny breathed out, "you guys are life savers, oh my god."

"We know," Aubrey chuckled as I laid out the paper on the table so we could get to work. When I was midway through sticking some fabric down, Penny started talking again.

"Karma got him though."

"How so?" Aubrey asked, taping two broken object pieces together.

"Before I came in the library doors, he turned around the corner, out of my sight and bumped into someone and yelled at them for being stupid pricks," she laughed to herself, still focused on gluing her homework back together. What's so funny?

"How is that karma?" Aubrey was just as confused as me.

"The people were your older brothers." She was far too amused by this.

I, on the other hand, stopped what I was doing and looked at her utterly petrified. My eyes widened to an impossible size and Aubrey did the same, however she tried to repress a smile.

Maybe they just ignored him? I mean, why would they listen to a twelve year old. It affected them in no way shape or form.

Just as I started to believe the small reassurances to myself, we heard a loud crash out in the hall way. Our heads shot up, looking at each other concerned. I didn't wait for them as I got up and darted for the door.

When I left the hallway was empty, but I heard commotion around the corner so naturally I peeped around to see what was happening.

I cringed when I saw Malcolm being held up against the lockers by a very cool looking Silas.

His feet dangled three feet off the ground and he gripped Silas hands, which were gripping onto his backpack straps, in attempt to pry them off.

Zach and Zaiden stood on Silas' left. I could faintly see them behind the two arguing- well not so much as arguing as it was a twelve year old getting taught a lesson by Silas Verlice.

They were drawing quite the crowd. Students came from all directions, from behind me, opposite me and even from a few classrooms.

At one point even Mr Laurier came out of his classroom at the end of the hallway. Malcolm saw this in the midst of looking for help.

"Sir!" he cried, helplessly. Mr Laurier looked up to see who called for him and saw the student's predicament. As soon as he looked at us, he turned away and walked back into his classroom, his whole aura screaming 'I'm so done with this shit.'

Malcolm's helplessness grew, Silas' smirk grew.

"You want to repeat to me what you just said?" Silas growled, pushing the twelve year old further up to the lockers, the lock on it definitely pushing painfully into his back.

The latter ignored him and proceeded to look around for any aid. He was met with a crowd of-fully-invested-in-this-interaction students and then me, looking around the corner, the tiniest bit concerned.

"Brynn! Get your stupid brother off me!" he ordered. He's not stupid.

I clenched my fists to my side and now had the entire hallways attention on me. Silas turned his head around, not with any particular expression on his face.

I raised my arms in a shrug like manner, my lips in an awkward smile.

Silas smirked and turned back to Malcolm, who now looked completely petrified.

However, it seemed that close death didn't help him keep his mouth shut. "Get the fuck off me, you twats! Your whole family's a bunch of freaks!" Silas jaw ticked and pushed him harder into the lockers. He was probably reminding himself that he can't, in fact, punch a twelve year old in the face.

"Fucking pussies!" he screamed at Zach and Zaiden, who both stood with their arms crossed, completely unfazed.

"Fucking bitch!" he then screamed at me.

Zach and Zaiden uncrossed their arms, going for him. I stepped forward to try and stop whatever was going to happen- Malcolm may be annoying, but nobody deserved the wrath of three Verlice brothers- only to be stopped by another loud voice in the hallway.

"Mr Verlice!" the principal boomed at them. Everybody in the hallway jumped besides my brothers, whom all looked at him bored. Malcolm looked like relief itself.

"Put Mr Donover down this instant!" the principal ordered. Silas raised his eyebrow and did as he said. He removed his hands from his backpack, causing Malcolm to fall flat on his bum on the ground.

He groaned in pain as the principal gave Silas a disapproving look. "Everybody who is not a Verlice or Malcolm, please go to your next lessons." I looked at Zach with my eyebrows furrowed, did that include me?

Zach shook his head at me and signalled for me to go. I nodded and did as he wanted. Going around the corner, I bumped straight into Aubrey and Penny.

"That was amazing!" Penny whisper-yelled.

"Oh my god I was waiting for him to absolutely deck him," Aubrey punched her hand to mimic what she wanted to happen.

I looked back around the corner to find the hallway empty. What was going to happen to my brothers?

"They'll be alright. This happens a lot, don't worry about it," Penny tried to assure me."I'm not worried," I lied.

Penny and Aubrey nodded, obviously not believing me. "Here's your bag," Aubrey handed me the black backpack.

"Oh thanks," I said gratefully, I didn't even realise I forgot it. Penny held her now fixed art work up, "you saved it, oh my god I was terrified Mr Kine would batter me." I was glad I didn't have him, from what Penny and Aubrey have said, he sounds ruthless.

"Speaking of him, we should go to art now," Aubrey pointed out to Penny who agreed. They both looked at me, silently asking me if I was okay with them leaving. "Of course, the last thing we need is you two in detention," I joked.

"I have music now anyway so I'll text you guys later?" They nodded and we parted ways to our classes.

We didn't even use the instruments in music. The teacher just handed us these sheets to finish by the end of the lesson whilst she went on her phone. Year sevens weren't allowed to do much on the first few weeks I'd been told. We hadn't even had P.E properly yet or done any proper science experiments.

The whole duration of the class I kept thinking about my brothers. Eventually, my nervousness got the best of me and I got my phone out and typed a message to Zach under my desk.

are you okay?

I kept tapping my fingers on the desk whilst waiting for a response. The longer I waited, the more the fiery feeling in my stomach increased.

I slipped my phone back into my pocket to stop staring at it so much. Maybe if I pretend I'm not bothered, the reply will come faster-

Bzzzzzz

I knew my logic would work.

I quickly pulled my phone back out and clicked on Zach's message. It was a video. I turned my volume down so that only I could hear.

The video started with Zach looking down at his phone. He was smiling wide at the camera with his eyes and lips before the view shifted to Silas sat next to him. From the angle it looked like they were sat in front of a desk and Zach's phone was hidden under it.

He was sat staring at nothing with his phone pressed up against his right ear. The room they were in was extremely quiet and you could faintly hear someone speaking loudly on Silas' phone.

My eyes widened when I distantly heard Zayne's angered voice on the phone.

The camera shifted back to Zach who pulled a 'guilty' face and then the video ended and he sent me another message.

i think zayne's going to castrate us.

I refrained from laughing out loud although part of me feared that may happen.

Some movement came from the front of the classroom so I slipped my phone back into my pocket just incase Mrs Marley was coming around to check our work.

"Did you see what happened at lunch?"

"With Silas and Malcolm? That was fucking crazy."

"It was hot."

I cringed, did they just call my brother hot?

I looked up at the people who were having the odd conversation on the row in front of me. It was two girls who I had seen before. I didn't know their names but they were in a lot of my classes.

"Wonder why they got in trouble for it this time, they don't usually," one with red hair whispered, though not very quietly.

"Probably having to set on example for their baby sister or something," the other one with blonde hair responded, purposefully "babying" her voice on the last few words. Who were they to talk about me or my brothers like that?

"Probably," I joined their conversation in a gossip like manner. Their heads shot up at me and they looked a little scared. "Oh Brynn, hey," the red head smiled, nervously.

I ignored them and went back to my phone to see if Zach had texted me again. Nothing. I had nothing to do except wait for the bell now.

When the bell finally rang, nobody was up faster than me. I wanted to check my brothers were okay.

However, instead of being met with my brothers, I was met with Mika. He leaned on the hood of his car, a grey mercedes-benz, watching the entrance. He wore a plain grey suit, looking just as presentable as Zayne would. He saw me coming out and smiled, making his way over.

"Hey doll," he greeted. I smiled back, I wasn't against him being here but I was curious why he was. I tried to think of the best way to ask him this without seeming rude.

"Why are you here?" Not like that.

"No sorry I didn't mean it like that, I'm just-" I was cut off by Mika's deep chuckle. "Don't worry about it, I know what you meant, Brynn."

He began walking to his car and I followed. "And to answer your question, Zayne is organising different transport for your brothers. According to him, he has a very suitable punishment in mind for them."

Part of me slightly feared for them. Zayne wouldn't properly hurt them, right?

Mika got in his side and started the car, swiftly swerving out the parking space and car park.

"How was your day, sweetie?" he asked. This was a nice car ride, no tension at all unlike most of the car rides I've had with my brothers.

"It was okay, what about you?" He rolled his eyes dramatically and looked out his window. "Oh you know, paperwork blah."

I chuckled a little at him, my mind still on what Zayne would do to our brothers.

"So Zayne would kill me if he knew I asked you this," he started. I raised my eyebrows at him and he gave me a guilty look. "But did Malcolm cry?"

I looked at him shocked. He was quick to defend himself, "hey I was just curious because that's what Zaiden said he did."

"Well I didn't see any pee," I assured, looking back out my window. In my peripheral vision, I saw him nod.

"There was definitely some tears though," I muttered after. He looked at me, eyebrows raised then turned back to the road, smirking.

"Poor kid." He didn't sound concerned at all.

"Where are we going?" I decided to change the topic, to distract Mika from thinking about the event and me from thinking about Zayne's punishment.

"To our work." Cool.

Mika made idle chatter with me throughout the rest of our car ride, making it far less uncomfortable, not that I'd be uncomfortable with him anyway. I like Mika, he was cool.

"Just stay quiet while we walk in, okay?" he said when we got out his car. He gestured me over, around the car and held a firm hand on my back, leading us to the doors to the huge warehouse. Two bulky people. both a man and woman stood on either side.

Once Mika and I got closer, the opened either side of the door they were on. Their faces didn't move at all, neither did Mika's. They both nodded, respectfully, at Mika and closed the doors behind us. I looked curiously behind me at the closed doors, not having much time as Mika was tugging me with him, up this huge spiral staircase.

We walked down an ancient, antiquey-looking corridor with a lot of plaques on them. Mika stopped infront of one that read his name and placed his hand on a hand scanner thiny- one like the ones we had at home.

He saw me looking interestingly at it. "You know, your hand print works on most of these, except the," he stopped to clear his throat and look around, "important rooms."

Woah. I didn't think I'd ever have so much power.

"Really?" I asked excitedly. He looked amused, pushing the door open when it unlocked. "Yeah, it's the same at your house. You can open most doors."

That's so cool.

His office was massive; it had a very old-fashioned look to it, nearly everything being made of wood. He had a large leather couch opposite his desk and bookshelves circling the whole room.

The fire was automatically turned on the second Mika walked in, slowly warming up the office, this could be such a good comfort place.

"Now," Mika walked over to his desk, leaving me standing by the door awkwardly. He got behind his desk and opened his drawer to get some paper. "Are you any good at sums?"

I pulled a face, "I just got out of school Mika."

He laughed, "true true, but how would you feel if I told you, you'd be helping me work?"

That had my interest, he wasn't treating me like a little girl like my brothers did. He trusted me enough to help with his work. Granted, it would be more responsibility but that didn't matter to me. I get to help Mika.

"I'll help," I trotted over to the front of his desk. He smiled and handed me a few sheets.

"Now you see these numbers?" he leaned over and pointed at all the numbers on the page. I nodded, my entire focus now on the papers in my hands. "I need you to add all of them up then divide them by how many are there."

"Like the mean?"

He looked impressed and proud, "smart girl. Exactly."

I blushed at the praise, I was slightly proud of myself too.

"There are six sheets which are similar to the front one, I need you to do exactly the same to all of them, then add all your results together. Is that alright?"

I nodded, smiling, "yes." Mika smiled back, reaching into his other desk drawer to pull out a calculator and pencil and placing them on the desk.

"You can even take my seat," he said, moving away from the desk. I didn't want to take his chair. "No it's yours, I'll get another one." I didn't know where another one was.

"Hush. Sit," he clicked to the chair. Not a dog.

I inwardly sighed, doing as he said. His seat was very comfortable. Mika crossed the office to get a regular chair from the corner. He placed it on the side of the desk, beginning his own paper work.

I looked at him as he worked. Eyes furrowed and lips pursed, I took a good look and came to a conclusion. Yeah. He's cool.

Just like my brothers.

He stopped writing after a few seconds, looking like he was trying not to smile. He made eye contact with me as his lips curled upwards. My own lips began to smile as I returned back to my work.

My very important work which needs my utmost attention.

---

It took me about twenty minutes to finish the first sheet. There was a lot of numbers.

Just as I was flipping over to the next sheet, a thought crossed my mind. Mika and Zayne were close, right? Did Mika know what Zayne did to Ms Gren?

I gained up the impossible amount of courage after a few minutes. "Hey, Mika?"

"Yeah?"

"Do you know what Zayne did to Ms Gren?"

He suddenly stopped working, eyes widened and mouth tensed to prevent any laughter escaping. He did know!

"What happened?" I pressed further. He calmed himself a bit and looked at me again. He looked for a few seconds before looking down at my school clothes.

"You must be uncomfortable in your school clothes," he nodded his head at them. I looked down at them then looked back at him, shaking my head. "No-"

"I'm sure we have spare clothes somewhere," he stood up and headed for the door. No!

"Mika no-"

"Ah I know where we've got some, don't leave this office until I get back, Brynn," he ordered seriously. But I need to know-

He'd already left. Damn.

I sat in the chair until he came, holding a simple shirt. It was yellow and had some band on the front of it. "Silas left it a few weeks ago."

I took it from his hands, skeptically. Would Silas mind?

"At least it's better than a scratchy school shirt and blazer," he gestured once again to my uniform. He did have a point.

"Thank you," I smiled, taking a good look at the shirt which was probably the softest shirt I'd ever felt in my life.

"Anytime, my love," Mika ruffled the hair at the top of my head. "Wanna see something cool?"

When would I ever say no to seeing something cool?

"Always."

Mika strolled over to the bookshelf next to the leather couch. He sighed very dramatically.

"Oh if only there was somewhere I could change into my older brothers shirt, somewhere where my annoying, self-chosen godfather Mika isn't there," he groaned and sighed again loudly. I chuckled, "godfather."

He nodded adamantly. "Not confirmed, I just know. Jacob will tell you otherwise, don't listen to him." I nodded to go along with it.

He turned to look out the big window that was behind the couch, "hm, if only there was a place." I rested my head in my hands which were rested on the hard desk, fully interested in what he was going to do.

"Oh wait!" he theatrically spun around and flung his hand out to the shelf next to him. He gripped a book stopper and pulled down on it, causing the shelf next to it to move to the side. Holy shit.

I raced over to look at what it revealed. It was a really luxurious bathroom. Cool.

"Oh my god, this is amazing," I said, shocked. "I know right, that was what I said when I first saw it," Mika came up next to me and looked at the bathroom as well.

"It automatically opens and closed when you press the big, red button on the inside," I walked in and saw the button next to the opening. I pressed it and Mika disappeared as the book shelf closed.

I quickly changed into the shirt, only taking my school shirt and blazer off. Silas' shirt came half way down my school skirt and the sleeves went all the way to my elbows, providing me with warmth and comfort. It smelt like what I can only assume is Silas. Expensive cologne like Callan, peppermint and tobacco?

I didn't know Silas smoked. The smell wasn't strong, just enough to make it noticeable and that tiny scent made me feel exactly like I feel when I wear Zach's hoodies, not alone.

I pressed the red button again to exit. Mika was still in the room, sat on the couch on his phone.

Walking over to my bag underneath the desk, I put my folded blazer and shirt in it, having to shove it hard to squeeze it in with all of my books. It was a workout but I did it.

"Hungry?" Mika stood up from the couch.

"No thanks, I'm not-" I looked up at Mika. He had an eyebrow raised, daring me to deny his request. Damn, I thought he'd be easier than my brothers.

"Yes, very," I muttered, changing my answer to a lie. Mika smiled, "let's go."

We went back the exact way we came and to his car. He drove down the empty road, the only thing to look at were the trees and the only thing that was out here was the warehouse. Really creepy if you think about it. Imagine it at night.

"Now, as far as Zayne is aware," Mika started, I already didn't like the sound of this, "we ate a very healthy and nutritious meal, okay?" He began turning into McDonald's. I held back a smile, nodding, "my lips are sealed." Unless Zayne asks me about it, that is. He'd figure out I was lying too easily.

"What would you like? Absolutely anything you want," he asked, pulling up to the drive-through. I didn't know the menu at all. "Anything with chicken nuggets." Yeah, that sounded like the best option.

He huffed, grinning, "just like when you were two then?" I had no time to respond because he had already turned the speaker and gave the orders. How would I respond to that? It was crazy that all the new people in my life had known me since I was born, yet I had no idea of their existence until a few weeks ago.

Deciding not to think more about the topic, I left it alone. I had no doubt that my mind would find another time to overthink it.

"Here you are, sweetie," Mika handed me the brown bag and pulled into a parking space. He took the bag back and got out some fries and box of six chicken nuggets, "your food, m'lady."

I chuckled and took the items from him, thanking him. He took his own food out, a big mac and fries, then disposed of the bag in the bag seats. He put the two drinks in the cup holders, both cokes and we sat back and ate with the radio on.

At the time that we finished, I could he was about to do what any one of my brothers would do: scold me for only eating three chicken nuggets and some fries.

This was where the tables turned.

"As far as Zayne is aware, I ate all of my healthy and nutritious meal." Please work.

He looked utterly defeated and narrowed his eyes, "you're just as troublesome as your brothers."

"Speaking of troublesome, what did Zayne do to-"

"Oh look at the time! Half four already time to go," he started the car up and drove, not giving me a chance to ask the question again as he turned the radio up. He tried to hold back a smile looking out his window. I needed to know.

Another day.

Pulling back up at the warehouse, there was quite a crowd in front of it. Men and women all trying to prevent this one guy getting through.

Mika didn't seem fazed at all, maybe this guy does this a lot.

Walking up the steps, I did the foolish thing and turned back when I heard louder yelling.

"Miss Verlice!"

I looked at the man straight into his eyes. He was tall with buzzed hair, stubble and probing auburn eyes. He didn't say anything else, his eyes just scanned me like he was taking in my entire appearance. It was making me feel confined where I was.

Mika tugged me back and behind him, blocking the man's view of me. "I believe you've been asked to leave Mr Bandello," he sneered. I peered around Mika's form to see the man, Mr Bandello, raise his arms.

"There's no problem here, Mika," he looked down at me, causing Mika's grip on my arm to tighten. "I've got what I came here for," he smiled, chillingly back at Mika, who looked terrifying.

Shrugging off the security on his arms, he sauntered back to his vehicle. He got in the backseat and the car drove off.

Hm.

---

"Finished." I'd finally finished all the work Mika gave me. It was now half five.

Mika took the sheets and looked at them proudly. "Well done, good girl."

I smiled as his office door opened and Callan walked in, "Brynn?" He saw me sitting in Mika's chair and raised a brow. "Oh sorry, Miss Verlice?" I playfully rolled my eyes and stood up with my bag. Mika did so too with his now finished paperwork.

"Did you two have fun?" Callan asked as I walked up to him.

"Of course we did, didn't we?" Mika looked at me, smiling to which I responded with my own and a nod. "I am her godfather after all," Mika added sneakily, fixing a few objects on his desk.

"Don't let Jacob hear him say that," Callan muttered to me whilst I held back my laugh at Mika's glare.

"I actually need to talk to you," Mika sent a look to Callan which sobered up his happy mood and the happy atmosphere around the room.

Callan looked back down at me, a forced smile on his face. "Do you mind waiting outside the door for a few seconds, please bambina?" We both knew I had no choice.

"Okay, bye Mika thanks for the healthy and nutritious meal," I smiled cheekily at Mika, who smirked and winked.

The door closed behind me and I had no choice but to wait in the quiet corridor. Unless I listened into their conversation, which would be wrong. Wouldn't it?

It'd be an invasion of their privacy and not right, they would not be happy-

Oh, it that a crack between the door and door frame?

I hesitantly went to it, closing one eye to get a better look. I could see Callan and Mika right in front of each other now, both looking mad. The quiet corridor made some of their conversation audible for me.

"... he just... pulled... looked up and down... car," Mika murmured.

"I thought... Zayne's... going to be happy... kill..." Callan then spoke.

I didn't listen to anymore, it became too quiet. Was it about that guy from outside?

Footsteps came extremely close to the door so I leaned against the wall opposite, trying to look like I'd been there for a while. I think it worked because Callan immediately came out smiling, holding his hand out for me to take. I did so.

"Is that Silas shirt?" he inquired, looking at the shirt. I flushed, suddenly worried that I shouldn't be wearing it. "Should I take it off? Mika gave it to me and I didn't want to be rude and say no, will Silas be mad at me?"

Callan shook his head and smirked. That wasn't helping.

"Zayne wants us to get more milk while we're out," he said as we descended down the spiral staircase, "so me and you are going to Marks and Spencers, is that alright with you, hun?"

I didn't respond, eyes glued to my shoes. A new thought had taken over my head.

"Hun?" he stopped at the bottom of the staircase making me do the same. I stood on the first step as he bent down in front of me, bringing my head up with his finger. "What's wrong?"

"Should I have stopped Silas from hurting Malcolm?"

I didn't think much of it for most of the day, it was just something that was in the back of my mind that inner me had subconsciously obsessed over until it finally became a prime thought.

Now I was feeling guilty and working myself up. Was I a terrible person for not helping more?

Callan looked taken back, "what? No not at all. Listen, sweetheart, there was nothing you could have done anyway. Once someone has, excuse my french, pissed Silas off, there is no stopping him. I speak for everyone when I say that the best thing you could have done was stay away."

He cupped the right side of my face, "Brynn, you are the most kindhearted person your brothers and I have ever known. We truly do not deserve you." He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. It was funny, because I always thought it was the other way around. I didn't deserve them.

I gave him a small, unconvincing smile which he seemed good with. "Come one, you."

---

"So what did you today?" I asked from the bottom of the cart. I was stood on the end of it while Callan pushed it. We'd already got a few things Callan needed like the milk, bread and eggs and more basic stuff.

We were now in the hygiene aisle. Callan was looking at some body wash for him and glanced up at my question. "Not much, just work. Although our meeting was cut short when we got a phone from the school." I internally winced.

"Not that it was a bad thing," he assured, throwing the body wash into the trolley. "The meeting was boring the hell out of me."

"What was the meeting about?" Callan looked a bit conflicted before actually giving me an answer.

"Just about this hotel we're building."

"You're building a hotel?"

"Yep," he popped the 'p'.

"Wait that's so cool, an actual hotel? Like a real one?"

Callan's facial expression mocked thought, "well last time I checked it was real. I'll have to confirm with Zayne though." I paid no mind to his sarcasm.

"Have you built any other things?"

I got down from the trolley as he fully stopped and looked at me. It wasn't like a usual look. It was like he was just properly seeing me.

"My darling, nearly half of the buildings in England have been built and are owned by us," my eyes widened, "in lots of other countries, too."

"Wow."

"Wow, indeed sorellina," Callan mocked my awe. "Now, get whatever shampoos you need," he signalled to the shelves at the end of the aisle. "I need to get some things for your brothers."

I went to do as told, not expecting it to be as hard as it was. What was a good shampoo?

There was millions of brands, all with different scents. The ones my brothers had got for me were all scentless because they weren't sure what to get. Neither do I.

I decided to close my eyes and randomly move my finger around whilst I counted to five. When I opened my eyes, my finger was pointing directly at a bronze bottle.

Coconut and Shea Butter Shampoo For Women.

Sounds good to me.

I got matching conditioner and body wash and went back to Callan, where he was still picking up men's shampoos. I put the items in the trolley, as he did the same with the final thing he picked up.

"Ready to get the treats now?" he asked, mischievously. I nodded and he started walking, "yeah? Well that is, if you can catch up to me." I was confused for a second before Callan took off down the aisle and around the corner.

It took me a few seconds to fully comprehend what was happening but when I did, I took off in the direction he did. This was the only reason I'd ever run willingly.

I laughed, finally catching up to him and passing him into the aisle. I gained my breath back before he caught up and crossed my arms over my chest. Plastering a smug look on my face, I refrained from laughing at Callan's sore loser face.

"Nice of you to join us."

He stopped where he was and raised an eyebrow, challengingly.

"Oh?"

He pushed the trolley to the side and rolled his sleeves up. My face and body's smugness disappeared as he started smirking lightly. His eyes were dark and amused.

"Run."

---

Callan told me to leave the shopping in the boot when we got home, saying that someone else would get it. I don't understand why we couldn't do it, but the day I don't listen to him will be never.

When Callan got out, I checked the time, seven pm. Practically the perfect time to wash then sit and read in my dimly lit room under a blanket.

I also wanted to sneak up before Silas gets the chance to see me in his shirt, that would be a bad way to end this Friday.

Callan opened the car door for me before I could, smiling down at me softly. I wondered if he was in such a good mood all of the time. Not that it would be a bad thing, he deserved to smile all the time.

I thanked him as he shut it behind me then walked to the key box to put his keys away. Simultaneously, I was walking to the garage door to enter the house. I needed to check on Zach and see what Zayne's punishment was.

Opening the door I was met with... something I did not expect.

Silas, Zaiden and Zach all on the floor of the foyer, hands with yellow gloves on, their own individual buckets and sponges in their hands, scrubbing and cleaning it.

I was stunned. This was not the punishment I was expecting.

They all looked up at me when they heard me enter and they all froze at the same time. We stared at each other for about twenty seconds, I could've sworn I saw them look embarrassed.

Their eyes didn't leave mine even as I tried to stop any of the amusement I was feeling creep on my face. Obviously I wasn't doing a good job because I could feel my mouth quirk into a smile.

"Silas, you missed a spot."

We all looked towards the voice, Zayne. He was stood leaning against the left handside staircase. His right leg was bent behind his left one, his left hand was in his pocket and he had a coffee mug in his right hand, taking a small sip. He looked fully content with what he'd done, although he didn't show it clearly.

Silas grumbled and slapped the sponge down on the floor, scrubbing aggressively.

He looked at me and Callan who now stood next to me, "ah perfect, milk."

He looked at me, in a way that made me think he knew I was worrying about this. He sent me a knowing head nod and turned around, walking to the kitchen.

There was a small smile on my face as I looked at where he left. I suppose he was cool too.

---

Maybe there was foreshadowing in this chapter, maybe there wasn't. Who knows?

I do.

<3