Shoutout to Queen_kim247 for the beautiful front cover. She really pulls through every single time.

***

Writer's POV.

^^ Young Jayla

^^ Young Luis. 
***

"You'll be fine princess" Matéo tells his five year old daughter, Jayla, his blue-green eyes catching her solemn expression in the review mirror, making his heartstrings tug, his brain pleading with him to turn the car around, take them home and get under the covers in time for new episodes of 'Humf'.

But he doesn't.

He has to stay strong and let her spread her wings a little bit with normal children.

He felt a similar experience with Leo, but Leo was so confident and got on straight away, making new friends and capturing his teacher's hearts with his adorable nature.

It's her first day of school and Matéo and Adeline are dropping her off to show their full support.

She stares out of the window wordlessly, butterflies, playing an intense game of football in her stomach.

Leonardo takes his little sister's small hand in his, slightly bigger one.

"Don't worry sis. If anyone hurts you, I'll kick their teeth in" He says with a wide grin and Jayla smiles back.

She adores her big brother and even when he's being mean, Leonardo would do anything for his little sister.

Soon enough, they arrive at the school and Matéo gets out of the car to unbuckle Jayla and Leonardo, while Ade takes their bags out of the back.

Ade picks up her daughter and smothers her in kisses, making her giggle
They hold their children's hands and lead them to their different sections, Matéo going with Jayla and Ade going with Leonardo.

Matéo holds her little hand, which she clings to for dear life.

She is not as confident as her big brother and they do everything together!

A number of thoughts buzz through her little mind as she fidgets with her dress.

Why couldn't mummy just let her wear jeans and a t-shirt like her brother?!

She felt stupid!

She'd much rather be back at home learning how to spar or throw things.

But dad says that 'without education, street smarts are useless', so she has to go.

They are met at the door, by a woman with a big smile, that makes Jayla wonder why her cheeks aren't drooping at this point.

The woman has fire truck-red hair and pale skin, with red lipstick that makes her big mouth look even bigger.

She is really skinny and she looks like the wind could topple her over at any second.

The woman extends her hand to Matéo, who takes it and shakes it twice.

"Jayla, baby... This is your new teacher, Miss Cody" Matéo says and Jayla nods shyly.

She doesn't know her yet, so she doesn't feel the need to talk to her. 

Miss Cody remains looking at Matéo with her big blue eyes, looking struck.

"She's so pretty! I'll bet she gets her stunning looks from you?" The teacher asks, flirtatiously and Jayla's grip on her dad's hand tightens.

Jayla can feel heat rising from her neck to her cheeks, when she sees the teacher looking at her dad, the way her dad looks at her mother.

"I look like my mummy actually" Jayla pipes up.

"Oh, how swee- -" the teacher starts to say, but Jayla talks over her.

"Ya know, my dad's wife? You probably met when they signed me up for this dump" she says looking around, skeptically, at the children who are giving their parents a hard time, some of which are kicking and screaming like idiots.

The teacher's mouth drops open as she looks back and forth between father and daughter.

Matéo stifles a chuckle, his own cheeks reddening with effort not to embarrass the teacher further by his smart mouthed child.

He should probably tell his child off, but she is completely right.

The teacher is being way too forward.

Wordlessly, Matéo takes his second child into her new classroom and then kneels to her height, looking into her eyes.

"Alright, sweetheart, try and stay out of any trouble, okay?" He says, mischief and pride dancing in his blue-green eyes.

She nods.

"Yes dad" She says quietly, still a little nervous.

Matéo's face softens and he pulls his daughter into a big hug, which she returns, sniffling.

He pulls away and looks into her eyes.

"I'm going to act like your mother and tell you that if anyone gives you trouble, I need you to walk away." He says, tugging gently on one of her long plaits.

Jayla nods and kisses her father's cheek, before walking away.

He stands upright and goes in the opposite direction, brushing past her teacher, with a cold warning look, when she looks as if she is about to talk.

Jayla shrugs off her jacket and hangs it neatly on a coat hanger, that has her name scrawled across a piece of paper on the top of it.

She also, puts her bag on it, before joining the rest of the class.

The teacher talks about numbers and letters and how to add them together or take them away.

She's pretty smart for an airhead.

Soon enough, it's time for lunch!

Jayla walks out into the playground, with the lunch that her mummy packed for her, consisting of a cheese sandwich, a snickers bar, a packet of Lays and a carton of orange juice.

There are so many kids and all of them look different.

Some of them are tall and skinny with silky hair and slanted eyes, like uncle Niko.

Some of them have deep brown skin, with glasses, like uncle Trey.

Some of them are loud, like auntie Ayesha and auntie Nia.

Before Jayla can scope out the room some more, a boy stands in front of her.

He is taller than her slightly, with dark skin and a big smile.

She looks at him bewildered.

"Who are you?" Jayla asks.

"I'm Luis Jones" He says, holding out his hand.

She looks at his hand then back at him, her dad's number one rule ringing in her ears.

No boys!

She decides not to take any chances, and walks off, to go on the swings a little while, before she eats.

She swings back and forth on the swings, in a bliss peacefulness, despite the noisy playground.

Her lunch bag is on the ground next to her, ready for later and she hums a tune softly.

All of a sudden, she feels herself hurtling to the ground.

She lands on the gravel, with a smack and she hears a rip.

My new tights! Mum is going to kill me!

She stands up, palms stinging a little, but her ego in a much worse condition.

She turns to see who pushed her and her eyes narrow with annoyance as the boy steps closer.

His face is a mix of fear and regret as looks around to make sure that no teachers saw.

He starts walking towards her, ready to help her up.

"I'm sorry, I- I didn't mean to- -"

The boy barely finishes, before Jayla kicks him straight in the chest, waiting till he is close enough, for full impact.

"Oof!" He yells as he hits the ground.

"Apologise!" She demands and he scowls.

"No way! I was trying to be nice and you were mean to me!" He says defending himself.

Jayla thinks for a minute, guilt clutching her heart.

All voice of reasoning, disappears, when Luis opens his mouth and mutters.

"Stupid girl"

Jayla snaps and lunges at him, straddling him and aiming for his nose, like her dad taught her.

He hollers and fights back, trying to throw her off of him and starts smacking her arms.

Soon enough, they are dragged apart, by not one, but two teachers, because one of them prise Jayla's fingers off of Luis' neck.

She stands upright, seething.

They are both let off with stern warnings and the promise that their parents will be called.

With one last glare, Jayla snatched up her lunch and finds a secluded table to sit at, and act as if nothing has happened.

She places out her food neatly, saying a quick prayer and then tucking in to her food.

Moments later, a shadow appears next to her.

She looks up and sees Luis standing there, with a sad look on his face.

What, he wants a round two?

"I'm sorry for pushing you and calling you stupid" he mumbles, with a sniff.

"And?" Jayla asks, biting into her sandwich again.

"And for making you rip your tights" He says.

He sits next to her.

"I guess, I'm sorry for being mean to you and trying to strangle you" she admits.

He smiles widely.

"I'll take it!" He says and he kisses her cheek.

"Ugh, what was that for?" She asks, wiping her face.

"Mommy says, kisses make everything better" he shrugs, innocently.

Jayla rolls her eyes.

"Okay, I guess, you can do it again, then." She says.

He grins and leans forwards, kissing her cheek again.

She smiles shyly and offers him half of her snickers bar.

He takes it and chomps down on it, happily munching away and talking to her as if nothing happened.

They spend the rest of lunch time together and when it's time to go back in, he turns and sticks his hand out again.

"You wanna be friends now?" He asks, his brown eyes shining with hope.

She nods.

"Okay, let's be friends" she says, taking his hand.

"What's your name again?" He asks.

"Jayla" She says with a smile.

Before he can say much else, she turns on her heel and walks inside.

And so begins the start of a new friendship.

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First chapter everyone!

What did you think?

What do you think will happen next?

Tell me in the comments and don't forget to vote.

~ Xo.