I think, Therefore I am

Ellie

Elianna Ackerman-Smith.

She would describe herself as the only normal one in her family.

Well, her and her Papa since she likes him the most. Don't mistake that for love. Despite her attitude and the way she pokes fun at her family, she loves them with her entire life.

And while she teases her older brother, she has been suspended multiple times because she's lashed out on people who call him weird or ask her what's wrong with him.

She can't seem to keep it in. And Levi is ready to throw her in anger management classes cause it's starting to get ridiculous.

She was so assertive and knew what she wanted. She wanted to be the greatest volleyball spiker in the history of ever. She's had the dream ever since Levi and Erwin adopted her. She wasn't playing around either.

She never missed a game, never missed a practice, and never missed a ball. Even when she was sick, she had to do something volleyball related. Whether it was work on a new play, or practice hitting against the wall in her room while Levi forced medicine down her swollen throat. She has to do something

It's more than a hobby for her. It's her future livelihood, as she likes to call it.

And while Levi and Erwin would rather the volleyball uniform shorts not be so short, they let her do what made her happy. That was their goal.

"We're home!" Ellie called into the house as she, Jayden, and Kenai entered after Erwin opened the garage door.

"We're in the kitchen." Levi said from where he was. Riley was sitting on the counter, munching on grapes while Levi answered an Email next to her.

"We brought you ice cream, Daddy!" Jayden skipped into the kitchen with the cup over her head.

"Thank you, Bubbles." Levi smiled and kissed her head, Kenai walking in the kitchen soon after with Erwin and Ellie.

"Hi, dad." Kenai waved and gave him a quick hug.

"Hey, Key. How was school?" Levi asked and ruffled his hair as he walked by.

"You know, the usual. Gabi trying to fight someone and Falco trying to stop her and keep me front flat lining." Kenai said and finished the rest of his ice cream.
"Pretty normal day."

"That's great to hear. Ellie, I want your homework done before you touch that net outside." Levi called to Ellie who was about to go outside for spiking practice.

"What?!" Ellie exclaimed.

"You heard me, child. Go." Levi said and she groaned.

"But it's super quick! Can't I do it after?" Ellie pressed.

"Ellie, it literally makes no sense for you to push it back. If you do it now, you will have optimal time to practice." Levi said and rose a brow at his antsy child.

"Oh. You're right. But—!"

"Elle." Erwin said her name in a warning tone and she whined.

"Fine." She said and dragged herself to the staircase. She could never challenged when it was Erwin. Levi had his intimidating moments, but when Erwin gave her "The Look" (trademark), she couldn't not oblige. It was a threat greater than a grounding or Levi throwing something at them.

Erwin's look made everyone bend under the weight. Mountains bowed, the wind ceased, and everyone with the name Smith, froze and complied with commands given by him or his second in command.

Don't get her wrong, Ellie loves her Dad. But they were so alike. So alike that they often found themselves at odds. Whether it be what she's wearing or how she handles people she dislikes. Levi realizes that he found himself arguing with himself on the daily.