In a house by the beach, not far from the police station, six kids, five teenagers and one seven-year-old, sat around a table, drinking hot chocolate, or coffee. Ash wasn’t really paying attention to what the others were saying, they were focused on their latest project, better stealth gear for Malala, the group's stealth master. They were muttering to themself as they sketched ideas “Hmm maybe a colour-changing hijab, or maybe a-” 

“Ash” They looked across the table to Liyoni who was looking at them through her pink glasses, her light brown skin framed by her fringe. 

“Huh, what” Ash realised that everyone was looking at them. Liyoni laughed. 

“I asked how much money we had in spendings” 

“oh yep will check right now” Ash opened the ever-present tab on their computer which was the group's bank account and checked the balance.

"one hundred and twenty-two dollars and seventy-six cents.” Liyoni sighed and put down her mug of hot chocolate 

“So not enough for me and Malala to go on that Sydney trip, it’s 100 dollars each.” 

“ What time is the money due?” Alex looked up from playing a game on his phone with Ben 

“Next Monday” Liyoni replied

“Our next pay is scheduled for that Saturday and there’s not enough time to plan a new one before then.”

“I don’t have to go” Malala spoke up from her position next to Ash “then we have the money for Liyoni to go”

“Malala no, if you don’t go then I don’t go, plus, you’re my only friend in our year” Liyoni objected.

Ash sighed, this was going to become a Liyoni versus Malala fight over who can give up the most so the other is happy. Luckily, they were saved by a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it” Ash got up from the table and went across the room to the door. When they opened it and saw the police uniform, they put on their charismatic face. They weren’t as good at changing personalities as Liyoni but they were okay at it.

“Hello Officer, what can I do for you?”

“My name is Officer Aaron Brent and I have received reports of people trespassing in this house”

“Trespassing?” Ash was actually confused for a second and then laughed “you mean me, you think I’m trespassing?”

“Yes, we have received reports of lights being turned on in this house which is classified as a holiday home under the ownership of one Ms Sophia Loyar. Who, as our reports state, currently lives in Armidale, four hours away”

“Yes, yes, you don't need to tell me where my mum lives. My name is Ash Loyar and I am staying here with permission from my mother”

“Oh, well” Officer Brent looked around inside and surveyed the mismatch of furniture and people scattered around. None of the chairs or lounges matched and the group were as different from each other as possible, with their clashing aesthetics, Liyoni’s pink dress versus Alex’s blue flannel, Malala’s dark blue hijab versus Ben’s superhero shirt, Ash’s collared shirt and vest versus Chiyo in her white turtleneck practising with her-

“Why does that girl have a sword?” Officer Brent looked panicked and Chiyo sheathed the sword in question. 

“One, it is a katana and two, I do the martial art of aikido and am practising to lead the kids class tomorrow”

“Ok that makes sense” Offficer Brent nodded and paused to look around “why are you all counting?”

“Alex, how many was that?” Liyoni looked at Alex expectantly

“I think it was  twenty two but I don’t know why you always ask me,  I’m not always right” 

“He was wrong, it was twenty-three, she said it is not it’s ‘cause that’s where you messed up dumbass” Ash turned to Officer Brent “Chiyo doesn’t speak much so when she does we count how many words she says. The most she has ever said is when Benny from year nine said she did karate, oh that was a great day.”

“Getting back to the topic, I have one last thing,  do you mind if I do a little search around the house?” Officer Brent looked at Ash 

Ash smiled “of course” they beckoned Ben over and knelt down to match his seven-year old height “Do you want to show the nice policeman around the house?” they looked back up at the officer “just warning you that he might start talking about superheroes after ten seconds.”

As the officer and Ben started walking up the stairs to the upstairs rooms everyone left in the room downstairs simultaneously crossed their fingers on both hands, hoping Ben’s naivety didn’t mess them up.