Mackenzie and Miles O'Connor Love Wins In The End

Chapter 5 Mackenzie and Kayla

School:

The school day moved along like any other. Mackenzie sat at her desk in math class, her pencil tapping lightly against the page as she worked through her homework. Numbers filled the notebook, neat rows of addition and subtraction problems. She paused every so often to check her work, determined to get everything right before handing it in.

When she finished, she carefully stacked her papers and walked them up to the front of the room. On her way back to her seat, she accidentally brushed shoulders with a taller girl who was standing near the aisle.

“Oh! I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you!” Mackenzie exclaimed, eyes wide.

The girl, who had long brown hair pulled into a ponytail, gave her a small smile. “It’s fine,” she replied easily.

Mackenzie tilted her head. “It’s nice to meet you.”

“You too,” the girl answered politely before slipping back into her seat.

Mackenzie sat down as well, but she couldn’t help glancing at the girl again. She thought she might like to be friends with her.

A few minutes later, their teacher announced that it was time for English class. Everyone shuffled books and notebooks as the day moved forward. Mackenzie and the girl—whose name she soon learned was Kayla—were put into different reading groups. Mackenzie’s group gathered near the windows and opened up a copy of The Swan Princess, while Kayla’s group began reading Julia the Hockey Girl.

Mackenzie leaned over her book, following along as a classmate began reading aloud. She loved stories with princesses, especially ones about bravery and kindness. Across the room, Kayla’s group laughed at something funny in their story, and for a moment Mackenzie thought how nice it might be to talk with her later.

By the time lunchtime arrived, the sun was shining brightly through the cafeteria windows, and the room buzzed with the sound of voices. Mackenzie carried her tray carefully and looked around for somewhere to sit. She spotted Kayla and, with a hopeful smile, slid into the seat across from her.

“Do you have any siblings?” Kayla asked between bites of her sandwich.

“Yes,” Mackenzie said proudly. “I have a four-month-old brother named Miles.”

“Aww,” Kayla said, her eyes lighting up. “Do you help with him in the morning?”

“Yes! I feed Miles every morning while my parents are still asleep,” Mackenzie explained, her voice full of excitement.

“Wow,” Kayla said, impressed.

Mackenzie tilted her head curiously. “Do you have any siblings?”

“No,” Kayla answered with a little shrug. “I’m an only child.”

“Good for you!” Mackenzie replied, sitting up straighter. “I’m the best big sister. I feed him and get him dressed every morning.”

Kayla’s face softened. “Aww, that’s really sweet. He’s lucky to have you.”

Mackenzie grinned, feeling proud. The two of them finished their lunch together, talking about their favorite colors, games they liked to play at recess, and what pets they wished they had.

As the day continued, the girls moved on with their activities. In art class, Mackenzie colored a picture of a castle while Kayla painted a hockey stick and puck. When recess came, they laughed together as they chased after a ball in the grass, already feeling more like friends.

By the time the final bell rang, Mackenzie was smiling as she gathered her things. She felt happy—because not only had she done well in class, but she’d also made a new friend.