“Fletcher, Rowan, it’s time for school!” My father screamed from the kitchen.

I stumbled out of bed and made my way toward the kitchen. I coughed up a storm as I smelt the smoke coming from my dad’s cigarette.

My mother had entered the kitchen with Rowan shortly after I did.

“Must you smoke in front of the children?” My mother complained.

My dad heavily sighed before he unwillingly rinsed his cigarette in the sink.

“Happy now?” My dad asked me as my coughing started to die down.

“Can I have some breakfast?” Rowan asked quietly as she took a seat at the table.

My mom then pulled out some milk from the refrigerator while my dad grabbed some cereal from the cabinet.

“Kids, are you excited for your first day of school?” My mom asked trying hard to sound happy.

“Yes, Momma. I’m gonna learn as much as I can!” Rowan exclaimed as she looked from behind her chair.

“That’s great, Honey. Fletcher, are you excited for school?” My mom asked as she poured some cereal into brightly colored bowls.

“Not really.” I replied honestly.

“Why not?” My dad asked. By the sound of his voice I could already tell I had put him in a bad mood with my answer.

“If we go to school, who’s gonna keep you company?” Rowan answered for me trying to sound as sweet as could be.

“Awe, aren’t you guys just so sweet? But, we’ll be fine! Don’t you guys worry one bit!” My mom replied as she handed us our breakfast.

After mom left the table I quickly muttered a thank you to Rowan. Rowan kicked me underneath the table and shot me a glare. Breakfast was spent in silence after that.

I quickly finished eating and then I excused myself from the table.

“If you’re done eating go put on your uniform.” My dad ordered.

I nodded and went straight to my bedroom to change. After a couple of minutes my dad knocked on the door and shouted, “c’mon kiddo, we don’t got all day!”

I didn’t respond. I just stripped and slipped on my clothes as fast as I could.

My dad was about to knock again but I opened the door before he could.

“I’m ready.”

My dad stood there and all he could think of to say was, “then get going!”

“What about Rowan? Isn’t she coming too?” I asked as I watched my sister still eating cereal.

My dad stepped in front of me having blocked my view.

“Don’t worry about what she’s doing. Worry about what you’re doing. And what you’re doing is getting your ass to that bus stop!”

I wanted to respond but I knew it would be no good. Not for me or my sister. Therefore, I remained silent and did as I was told.

But before I could take a step outside, I heard my name being called.

“Where do you think you’re going, Mister?”

I turned around and I was met with my mother who looked very displeased.

“I was going to walk to the bus stop. I’m sorry, Momma.”

My mother got down on her knees, gently grasped my shoulders and met my gaze.

“Baby, you know you can’t go outside by yourself. What if something happened to you?”

I tried to stay silent but I knew she was waiting for an answer.

“You would be really sad...”

My mom grabbed my shoulders a little bit tighter.

“I would be completely devastated if something were to ever happen to my precious baby boy.”

Before I knew it, my mom had pulled me into a hug and I started to cry.

“I’m sorry, Momma...”

“It’s okay, Baby... Just promise me not to do that again.” My mom whispered gently in my ear as she ran her fingers through my soft brown hair.

“I promise, Mama.”

My mom kissed my forehead and told me to wait in the kitchen until my sister was done eating breakfast.

Rowan finished eating shortly after and was ready to put on her uniform. White polo with a khaki skirt and black flats.

Afterward, we followed our mom to her car and from there she drove us to school.

Before we could get out of the car, my mom saw her friends...

“Oh my God, is that Kimberly and Claire?!” My mom excitedly shouted.

My mom honked her horn and caught Kimberly’s attention. Kimberly picked Claire up and practically ran to our car.

“Oh my God, I can’t believe you’re here! I thought you were going to that academy in Woodbridge!” Kimberly shouted

I remember that school very well. My mom wanted the best for my sister and I. In her mind she thought Woodbridge Academy would be the best for us.

However, bringing that idea to my father’s attention... let’s just say it didn’t end well.

The sound of his yelling and glass shattering filled up my otherwise empty mind. Before I knew it I had tears running down my face.

“What’s wrong?” I heard Rowan ask.

“Nothing,” I replied as I wiped my tears on my sleeve.

“Fine, have it your way.” Rowan scoffed at me.

I stayed silent and tried not to cry again. Eventually, the conversation between my mom and Kimberly ended.

“Well, it was great talking to you!”

Kimberly waved and said, “you as well!”

They parted ways and I was finally allowed to exit the car.

Unfortunately for me, I caught Claire’s devilish eye. She let go of her mother’s hand and ran to my side. She latched onto my hand and refused to let go.

Our moms quickly caught sight of it and pulled out their cameras as fast as they could.

During the mini photoshoot, I watched Rowan slyly blend in with the other students and go inside the school.

Meanwhile, I was stuck with a brat on my arm.

“Momma, I have to get to class! I don’t wanna be late.” I whined in an attempt to save myself from the embarrassment.

My mom half smirked at me and then she came up near me to ruffle my hair.

“Mom stop!” I tried hard not to laugh at her.

My mom started to laugh at me until I felt a tug on my sleeve. I looked to see Claire trying to drag me toward the school.

“I guess this our cue to get going. Have fun Sweetie!” My mom said to me before going back to her car.

Kimberly blew a kiss to her daughter and then walked back to her car as well.

Claire dragged me inside the building. Unfortunately for me, we had the same class.

“You’re never gonna leave me right?” She asked dotingly. I faked a smile and replied, “of course.”

I didn’t hate this girl for no reason. Don’t get me wrong. We have a past and since day one she was a toxic person.

We waited outside our classroom for the teacher.

That’s when I noticed there was a little girl behind us. She was smaller than both of us. Her blonde hair was bright as the sun and her eyes deep as the ocean.

I knew at that moment I wanted to be her friend.

But as soon as I looked in her direction, Claire was quick to grab my hand and squeeze it as hard as she could.

I couldn’t help but let out a shriek. Other students noticed right away and laughed at me.

But not that little girl. Instead, she had a mean glare on her face and she wouldn’t take her eyes off of Claire.

Eventually, the teacher came to let us inside the classroom.

Claire was about to sit next to me when that little girl swooped in and sat down in the empty chair.

Claire’s face turned bright red and the tears started pouring. She got on the floor and started throwing a huge fit. However, the teacher was quick to pull Claire outside and have a chat with her about proper classroom etiquette. Needless to say, when she was allowed back in the classroom there wasn’t any more tantrums from her.