Kieran's Point of View
Ella caught her balance just in time, flashing that crooked grin like she'd just won a contest for Most Spectacular Almost-Fall. It was the kind of grin that said, Yeah, I meant to do that... sort of. I shook my head, already bracing myself for the kind of day that doesn't come with a pause button.
Kalix showed up behind her, looking like a kid who'd been dragged into a wild circus act but wasn't sure if he wanted popcorn or an ambulance. He is the oldest among us. His eyes were wide, eyebrows raised, and his usual chill replaced by the exact expression you get when you realize you're way over your head.
"Smooth landing, Casanova," I teased, folding my arms like the proud older sibling I was pretending to be.
Ella threw me a playful glare, the kind that said you better watch it or I'm coming for you. "Hey, I'm just getting started. You're lucky I didn't actually face-plant."
Kalix smirked, the corner of his mouth twitching like he wanted to laugh but was trying to play it cool. "At this rate, you'll be face-planting your way through the whole day."
Ella jabbed him in the ribs with a sharp poke. "Watch it, Kalix. You're next if you don't behave."
I sighed, folding my arms tighter, trying to act like the voice of reason. "Alright, break it up, you two. We've got stuff to figure out, and believe me, it doesn't involve you knocking yourselves out before we even leave the driveway."
Ella was already bouncing on the balls of her feet, a tornado in waiting. "Yeah, like how I'm taking over the Jeep because obviously, Kieran's driving skills are questionable at best."
I raised an eyebrow, a challenge already forming in my mind. "Excuse me? I don't recall nearly backing into a mailbox last week."
Kalix laughed, the sound echoing with amusement and disbelief. "I think that mailbox is still trembling in its boots."
Ella hopped into the Jeep like it was her throne. The way she threw herself into the driver's seat screamed queen of chaos. "Step aside, peasants. Queen Ella is in charge now."
Kalix leaned against the door, grinning with that devil-may-care attitude that always made me wonder if he secretly loved the madness. "Should I warn the neighbors?"
I caught the keys she tossed me with a smirk and slid behind the wheel. "Alright, Your Majesty, where to?"
Ella tapped the dashboard like she was summoning magic. "Adventure. Chaos. Snacks."
Kalix groaned. "Define 'adventure.' Because last time, our 'adventure' ended with a minor explosion and a very angry squirrel."
Ella waved him off like he was a pesky mosquito. "Details, details. This time will be different. Maybe."
I glanced over at her, amused despite myself. "Maybe is a solid plan. I'm in."
Kalix rolled his eyes but climbed in. "I'm just here for the entertainment and the snacks."
The Jeep rattled to life, kicking up a cloud of dust like it was throwing a party for our arrival. As we pulled away, I couldn't help but think: with these two, 'normal' was officially canceled.
The Jeep bounced along the dusty road, Ella commanding like she was born behind the wheel—which, let's be real, was questionable at best. Kalix was busy scrolling through his phone, probably trying to Google our imminent doom via satellite.
"So," Ella announced like she was making a royal decree, "we need snacks. Good snacks. Like, 'might survive the apocalypse' snacks."
Kalix groaned. "You mean junk food disguised as survival gear?"
"Exactly!" Ella snapped, grinning wide enough to eat a whole pizza. "Chips, cookies, soda—the essentials of life."
I sighed but didn't argue. Honestly, I was just glad she didn't want us to forage for berries or some other nature-cult nonsense.
Kalix peeked up from his phone. "There's a store about two clicks down. We could make a quick stop."
Ella threw him a high-five so fast it could have caused a minor windstorm. "See? This is why you're my designated 'snack scout.'"
I glanced at the speedometer, then back at the road. "Yeah, let's just try not to cause a scene this time, okay?"
Ella wiggled her fingers like she was cursed. "No promises."
The Jeep swerved slightly as she took a sharp turn. Kalix yelped, clutching the handle like it was his lifeline. "I regret everything."
We pulled into the parking lot, the three of us bursting out of the Jeep like we were on a mission from snack heaven. Energy crackled between us like static electricity; Ella sprinted ahead, Kalix followed with less enthusiasm, and I brought up the rear—mostly to make sure no innocent bystanders ended up as collateral damage in our snack frenzy.
Inside the store, chaos hit the moment Ella grabbed a shopping basket and started tossing in random items like she was raiding a candy vault. It was like she had a sixth sense for finding the most sugar-loaded snacks known to humanity.
Kalix muttered, "At least try to be selective. We can't carry the whole aisle."
Ella paused, looked at the overflowing basket, then shrugged like it was the most natural thing in the world. "Challenge accepted."
Ella's basket was basically a snack black hole—chips, cookies, soda cans, candy bars, even those weird gummy things no one admits they like but everyone secretly devours at midnight. The kind that stick to your teeth and ruin your life in the best way possible.
Kalix leaned in, voice low but clearly judging. "You do realize we don't have to buy the whole store, right?"
Ella shot him a look like he'd just insulted her favorite pizza. "And miss out on the full snack spectrum? Never."
I rolled my eyes but grabbed a few energy bars, figuring we'd need the fuel when Ella inevitably forced us into some wild detour or spontaneous sprint.
Kalix wandered off toward the cooler, muttering, "At least I'm getting something healthier… if you call that healthy."
Ella was already tossing sodas into the basket like she was bartending at a nightclub. "Hydration is key, Kalix. Don't be basic."
The cashier, a poor soul with the patience of a saint, rang up our insane haul. Their eyes were wide enough to swallow the barcode scanner, probably wondering if we were throwing a party or stocking up for a zombie apocalypse.
When Ella slammed her card down with a victorious grin, Kalix just shook his head. "We could open our own snack store with this haul."
"Exactly," Ella beamed like she'd just struck gold. "Welcome to 'Ella's Essentials.' Now open 24/7 for all your chaotic cravings."
I laughed, the kind of laugh that makes you realize this weird little trio was maybe the best kind of chaos. "That store would definitely have a 'Return policy: No returns on life choices.'"
Basket loaded, Jeep packed like a snack-mobile, we piled back in.
Kalix buckled up, shooting me a look. "So, what's next? Do we actually have a plan or are we just winging it?"
Ella's grin was too wide to be trusted. "Plan? Nah. We chase the next crazy thing. You in?"
I glanced at Kalix, who sighed, resigned but ready. "I'm in. Because, clearly, I have no other choice."
Ella threw the Jeep into gear, and off we went—snacks secured, chaos guaranteed, and no one had any clue what was coming next.