I'm so excited!!!

Also, this story will show how much I have grown as a writer.

And hopefully to see if I can gain my confidence back.

Ever since the whole TRW fiasco, I have been less confident and I feel like crying every time I think about...well...everything.

*sighs*

Anyway, here we go!

In the heart of Los Angeles lived a family. The family is small yet they have anything they ever wanted. From material objects to the things that truly mattered in life, the Olusola family had anything and everything they needed.

Kevin Olusola is a well-known doctor and author, traveling across the United States and other parts of the world in his younger years. He provided medicine to third world countries and brought people back to health if they lacked the proper care. He later on wrote a book about his experiences, Caring Around the World in 80 (and more) Days, which made his name popular and well-known. He began to appear on talk shows and award shows for his dedication and his book and people appreciated him for what he had done. By the time he was thirty five, he was able to retire and do his medical work right at his own home. While being at home, he was able to provide for his children.

His wife and himself adopted Scott and Kirstie when they were just a few months old. Scott was at least seven months while Kirstie was a newborn and the couple was more than happy to adopt them. Alyssa, Kevin's wife, felt her heart fill up with joy as she held the children close to her, finally happy to call them her own.

That is, until Scott and Kirstie were five and six years old.

Kevin had just retired less than a week ago when Alyssa walked in, divorce papers in hand. And...

Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. The tragic background story will come later.

Scott and Kirstie walked downstairs, their uniforms ironed and fresh for the day ahead of them. Kevin looked at them, taking his eyes away from the medicine he was working on. He smiled as he took a glance, trying not to cry as he thought about the next year.

His children were graduating.

Time went by too fast for him.

"Dad, I need the Prius." Scott called out, putting on his backpack. Kevin nodded, throwing the keys at him without saying a word. "Also, I need maybe about  $100 or something. I need it for some snacks and stuff for a part tonight."

"I'm sure it's just more than snacks, Scotty." Kirstie remarked, laughing as Scott stuck his tongue at her. "Anyway, Dad, I need go shopping for prom. It's in a month and I still don't know what to wear."

"I thought you were getting a dress from Milano." Kevin pointed out, raising an eyebrow as he looked at his daugther. "I told you I was paying for it. $850 isn't a lot, hon. I'll get it in no time."

"I know, but I need it." Kirstie complained, stomping her foot a bit to get her point across. Kevin sighed, biting his tongue before saying anything. "Well, school is waiting. Come on, Scott."

Scott nodded, smiling when Kevin stood up and pulled a hundred bill out of his wallet. Scott took the money, stuffing the bill into his pocket as Kirstie put on her backpack. The siblings left without another word, making Kevin sigh sadly as he went back to work.

"How can I make them less spoiled?"

Because of the money coming from the book and his medicine, Kevin made at least half a million dollars per day. Because of this, his kids got whatever they wanted.

And he wished that he can change that.

For the better.

~~~

In a town that was three hours away lived another family. They weren't rich, nor did they get what they wanted, but they had each other and that's all that really mattered. They were almost homeless one time, but thanks to his nursing major, Avi was able to find a job that payed enough for him and his son to live somewhere cheap yet reasonable.

They wanted to be somewhere bigger and better, but the small two bedroom apartment was a mansion to them.

Avi was, once upon a time, married to a nice man. They loved each other very much and intended to stay together forever.

But forever was changed by a fatal car accident.

Again, tragic backstoies for later.

The future for now.

Avi adopted Mitch when the teenager was a newborn, fresh out of the hospital. Avi struggled, but he managed to take care of Mitch and raised him to be his son. Since then, Avi vowed to protect Mitch.

No matter what got in his way.

Sure, it was was hard at times.

The nursing job didn't pay enough and as much as he wanted to, Mitch couldn't afford to go to college. He makes videos on YouTube of him singing in hopes to make his and Avi's lives better, but he has yet to prevail.

Emphasis on the yet.

Avi's long hours made spending time with each other difficult so they spent every moment witg each other like it was their last. Mitch would stay up until 3 in the morning sometimes just to make sure Avi had something to eat. Avi didn't like how he was the one who was caught by his son at the dark hours in the morning, but he knew Mitch did it out of love.

And he wouldn't do anything to change that.

And now it was time for his junior year.

The loud alarm clock was blaring into Mitch's ears, making him groan as he turned it off. He stretched before getting out of bed, putting on whatever seemed to be appropriate for school and walked into the living room. Avi was asleep, still in his scrubs as he snored quietly. Mitch sighed sadly, not wanting his dad to wake up, but he had no other way to go to school.

Bus passes were out of the picture, he couldn't afford a car, he couldn't take the only car because Avi needs to have it for work, and he didn't have any friends.

Yeah, Mitch wanted that to be a lie, but it's true.

He doesn't have any friends and he wished that he could have some, but his shy temperament and his social anxiety made it hard for him to make friends.

Oh, well. At least the teachers liked him.

Mitch shook his head, going back to waking up Avi. School is going to start in twenty minutes and even though the walk would be nice, the neighborhood he lived in wasn't. It's a nice neighborhood, but the neighbors aren't nice at all. Mitch shook Avi, making his father grumble as he tightened his eyes.

"Dad, I need to go to school." Mitch whispered, shaking Avi once more. Avi opened his eyes tiredly, sitting up as his back popped a few times. "Pops, why were you sleeping out here? What happened to your bed?"

"Rough night. Lost a patient."

"Oh." Mitch replied, frowning as Avi nodded. He hated this part of Avi's job. He was one of the nurses that had to pull the plug when a patient was dying. "Well...um...I need to go to school."

"Oh, shoot, that's right." Avi mumbled, standing up quickly. He straighted out his scrubs, grabbing his keys as he gave Mitch his backpack. Mitch put it on, opening the door for him and Avi. "The next year will be much better, Mitch. I swear."

"I know. I believe it." Mitch replied, smiling softly as he made it to the car. Avi unlocked it, sighing to himself as Mitch hopped in. "I have vocal lessons with Mrs. Titus after school. She doesn't want you to pay this time."

"Got it."

(Even though Avi already gave her money last week.)

The drive was quiet, but Mitch managed to make it to school on time. He hugged Avi tightly, smiling as he exited the car.

"I'll see you after school. Love you!"

"Love you too." Avi repeated, smiling as Mitch said 'I love you' in sign language. Avi did the same, driving off carefully. It was then when he frowned, his heart hurting for Mitch.

He hated that Mitch was by himself.

He wants Mitch to be with people, people that he can trust.

"How can I make him more social?"

Because of how busy he was at times, Avi couldn't be with Mitch all the time. Mitch is in the apartment, all by himself until Avi comes home. Because of this, Mitch is lonely.

And he wished he could change that.

For the better.

A/N: The first chapter is done! I am super and duper excited for this! Anyways, I hope that you all enjoyed this chapter and remember that I love you all.:)

-Maddie🐶💕🎤