The first day of kindergarten.

A momentous occasion for all little children. Samantha woke up at the crack of dawn, the morning light shining down through her curtains. She sat up, her eyes bright as she looked around her room. She was at Grandma Mae’s, which was only to be expected.

The room was soft looking and comforting, decorated with stuffed animals and picture books. There was a desk in the corner, under a window. On the desk was an unfinished and childish drawing beside a book of piano sheet music. Samantha pulled her soft, foggy looking blue blanket to her chest. A sudden feeling of anxiety came over her. What would school be like? What if she didn't know where her classroom was?

After a few minutes of this, Grandma Mae walked in with a soft smile on her face.

"Goodmorning, Samantha dear." She said. Her voice was soft as whipped cream and warm as hot cider. Her smile made her eyes crinkle at the edges. Never once raising her voice, never belittling people, she was the model grandmother.

"Good morning Grandma..." The young girl said, getting out of bed hesitantly.

"What's wrong, dear?" Grandma Mae got on one knee to be eye to eye with her granddaughter.

"I'm scared to go to school. What if the other kids don't like me?" Samantha's eyes filled with fear as she stared into her grandmother's warm ones.

"Samantha, how could you think that?" Grandma Mae asked, cupping Samantha's cheeks. "You're wonderful, and if they can't see that you shouldn't worry about it."

Samantha smiled, hugging Grandma Mae, whispering an "I love you" as she buried her face in Grandma Mae's sweater. It was like being held in a warm blanket. A feeling of security always came with hugs from the old woman. Samantha hoped that it would never end.

As Samantha walked into her class she was met with a bunch of loud, energetic five-year-olds. They were all running around and laughing and talking. The teacher was standing beside the door, talking to parents that had questions. Grandma Mae was speaking to her right now, though about what, Samantha didn’t dare to think about. Rather than talk to the other students, Samantha walked back to Grandma Mae and held her hand.

“Grandma...” she whispered. Grandma Mae stopped talking and looked down at her granddaughter.

“What’s wrong, sugar?” Grandma Mae asked, crouching down.

“I...I wanna go home...” Samantha whispered with a tear-filled voice. The teacher felt a pang of pity.

”Samantha, love, you’ll be alright.” Grandma Mae said, stooping down. “It’ll be okay.”

Samantha kissed Grandma Mae ’s cheek, smiling through her fear. “Okay, Grandma...” She said.

When Grandma Mae left, Samantha went to her seat and sat down. It was a smooth yellow chair with a plastic seat and metal legs. Everyone’s name was written on the back of their chair. She put her head down and stared at the far wall, her blue eyes filled with anxiety.

After a few moments, someone tapped Samantha’s shoulder. She jumped and turned around to see a boy with bright green eyes and brown messy hair.

“Hi! I’m Aberham!! I sit next to you! What’s your name?” Aberham asked. Samantha sat up, staring at him. Her eyes filled with happiness.

“I’m Samantha!” As she introduced herself, she offered out her had to Aberham. He took it, grasping it tightly before shaking it once. “Let’s be friends!” He grinned even wider. Without hesitation, Samantha nodded. Thus began a friendship that would last years. 

Samantha and Aberham grew closer throughout their years in school. Samantha and Aberham became so close it was rare to see them apart and Grandma Mae soon treated Aberham as her grandson. Samantha's mother and father grew more and more distant from her and soon she really only had Grandma Mae and Aberham.

In middle school, Aberham stayed by Samantha, with his bright smile. Samantha noticed his brown hair growing neater, but it still hadn’t  lost it’s childish look. She would look up every now and then in class and meet his eyes. The warmth of their green colour always made her happy. 

The warmth of his eyes came from a strong fondness for Samantha. She didn’t notice this, of course, but he cherished her. He desperately wanted to protect her, to keep her safe. He was a year older than Samantha and felt a natural urge to. 

Aberham was the only one out of the two who heard the whispers about her. Everyone thought she was an outcast, an oddball, a strange girl. Aberham noticed that the smaller sixth graders cowered when she passed. No one, almost no one, could read her eyes. If they could, Aberham was sure she’d be the most liked student in Dune Middle School. He sighed softly, catching Samantha’s attention as they stood in the lunch time. 

“What’s wrong?” She asked curiously. Aberham shook his head, pushing the thoughts away. 

“Just remembered I forgot my math notebook.” He lied. Samantha chuckled softly and shoved him. “You’re so irresponsible.” She teased. 

Life couldn’t remain this simple for long, of course.