Chapter 2
Beginnings
Cadi's mother pulled up to the school gates, her car idling as she turned in her seat to give one last reminder. "Be good, girls. And Ana, make sure Cadi doesn't get into trouble." Her voice was warm, teasing, but Cadi only rolled her eyes.
Ana grinned, her dark curls bouncing as she unbuckled. "I'll do my best, Mrs. Hughes. No promises."
The two girls tumbled out of the car, hand in hand, their excitement bubbling over. They had grown up together, inseparable, and were ready to conquer the new world of Reception. But as they skipped toward the entrance, something caught Cadi's eye.
A woman stood off to the side, wiping her tears with the edge of her sleeve. Her son stood stiffly beside her—a small, serious-looking boy with dark hair, his expression caught somewhere between discomfort and forced patience.
"Ach, Mam, stop cryin', will ya?" the boy muttered, awkwardly patting his mother's arm. "I'll be grand."
His voice was low, but Cadi caught it. His mother nodded, pressing her lips together tightly before giving him one last squeeze and walking away. He stood there for a moment, staring at the ground before lifting his head, as if steeling himself.
They were ushered inside soon after, directed to a bright, colourful classroom where a cluster of parents lingered to see off their children. The boy had gone to sit in a corner, alone, while Cadi and Ana were quick to introduce themselves to everyone around them. Cadi looked at the boy from the corner of her eye as he reluctantly stood up when the pretty teacher asked him his name.
"Gray" he grumbled.
Then came the first scuffle of the year.
One of the bigger kids, a broad-shouldered boy with a mop of sandy hair, smirked as he sauntered past the boy in the corner. His Liverpool accent was thick and taunting. "Mummy's boy, eh? Need a cuddle?"
Gray didn't respond immediately, just narrowed his eyes at the older kid. Cadi had seen that look before—like a storm about to break. The taunting boy, sensing no resistance, stepped closer, repeating, "Gonna cry for yer mam?"
Gray moved fast. A small shove, not enough to send the bigger boy to the floor, but enough to make his point. "Shut yer bake."
The bigger kid stumbled back, clearly surprised, for a second before his expression melted into an angry scowl. He was before a teacher intervened, pulling them apart and ending the altercation before it could escalate.
Cadi grinned. "I like him."
Ana huffed. "You like everyone."
Lunchtime came, and Cadi noticed him again, this time alone in the play area. He sat on the swing set, glaring down at his lunchbox.
Curious, she skipped up to him. "Why do you look so grumpy?"
Gray didn't look up. "Lettuce."
She peered over his shoulder at his sandwich. "What about it?"
"I hate it."
Cadi tilted her head. "Then don't eat it."
He sighed, clearly frustrated with the entire situation. "Mam says I have to."
Cadi kicked a pebble before saying, "I've half a grilled cheese. Want it?"
No answer.
She shrugged. "Want me to push you?"
"No."
She smirked and turned away. "Alright then."
She'd barely taken two steps when his voice came again, softer. "Fine."
Ana, who had been lingering nearby, rolled her eyes. "Took him long enough."
Cadi ignored her, moving behind the swing and pressing her hands against the chains. She pushed, but Gray barely budged.
Ana laughed. "You're too small."
"Shut up," Cadi huffed, pushing harder.
Ana joined in, and together they managed to get Gray moving. He still looked grumpy, but Cadi could see the corner of his mouth tilting up.
It wasn't much, but it was a start.