Bria/ers

Part One: Briar

(This AU has OCs! So if you see a name you don't recognize AT ALL? Probably an oc. Thanks)

Two people stepped into an office, one with confidence and the other with anxiety. The anxious one, who was much smaller than the other, hid behind the other's legs and held them tight. 

The taller person chuckled. "Hey, Olivia, what's wrong?"

Olivia whimpered, still hugging the older one. "I'm too scared, mommy! I won't do it!"

Her mother chuckled again. "But honey, you've been so excited for school. Why the big change?"

Olivia let go of her mom, taking a deep breath. "I don't wanna go. That's all."

Olivia's mother got down on her knees, holding Olivia's hands. "Hey, it'll be alright. You'll meet a lot of other sweet girls and boys to be friends with, and you'll learn a whole lot!"

Olivia smiled. "Ok, Mommy."

The two hugged and afterwards Olivia's mother stepped up to the school secretary. "I'm here with Olivia Briar Atkinson."

The secretary, who was flipping through papers, looked up. Her unruly black hair bounced with her every movement. "Oh? So that's who this darlin is?"

Olivia giggled bashfully.

The secretary smiled, leaving her desk. "Your class is outside right now, want me to take you?" 

Olivia started to nod, but then stopped and looked back at her mom. "Mommy?"

Her mom gave a reassuring smile. "It's ok, honey. I'll come back to pick you up."

Olivia nodded, trying not to cry.

Noticing, Olivia's mother hugged her daughter warmly. "I love you, ok? See ya in a bit?"

Olivia sniffled, "O-ok Mommy."

Her mother reassuringly smiled again, before leaving the room.

Olivia looked over at the secretary. She was dark skinned, and wore a blue and white polka-dotted dress. Her expression could light up a room. 

"So hon." The secretary smiled. "Let me take you to the play ground, so you can meet your class, OK?"

Olivia nodded, and then the two walked through the halls. Olivia would sometimes play around with the sleeves of her yellow shirt. Eventually, they reached the a door around the other end of the building, and the secretary opened said door. "Your class is playing outside. Have fun, ok, sugar?"

"Ok, thank you!" Olivia sweetly smiled and ran out the door as fast as her stubby legs could carry her. She ran until she found herself in the middle of the playground, surrounded by swings, slides, and climbing walls. She looked around in awe until something tapped her shoulder. Surprised, Olivia turned around to see a girl slightly taller than her who wore a pink shirt and a blue jean shirt. 

"Hello!" The girl shouted. "I'm Janie. Are you new?"

Olivia fiddled with her fingers. "Y-yeah."

Janie smiled. "Well you're in luck because i'm here. What's your name?"

"Olivia. Olivia Briar Atkinson. And i'm 7 years old."

"Me too! We must be twinsies or somethin." Janie adjusted her skirt. "Wanna play volleyball?"

"Ball sounds nice."

"Alright, good!" Janie took Olivia's hands and ran off to the side of the playground, which was just a patch of grass. In the middle, sat a neon green volleyball. "Ok. I'll stay here, and you go over there!" Janie pointed over to a space maybe a foot or two away.

Nodding, Olivia takes Janie's order, and that's when the game started. Janie smalled the ball with the palm of her hand, and Olivia hit it with her fist. After a few minutes, Olivia hit it too hard, sending it flying over Janie's head.

"Awe, now you have to go get it, Olivia!" Janie playfully frowned.

Olivia giggled. "Okay." And ran off to retrieve the ball.

Suddenly, Janie followed and stopped Olivia in her tracks. "Wait don't!"

Olivia flinched. "What is it?"

Janie frowned. "Look who's picking up the ball."

Olivia looked forward to see a small girl. She had shoulder-length dusty light brown hair, and wore a pair of large square glasses. She wore a light blue t shirt and knee-length jean shorts. The girl also wore something peculiar that went on along the back of her ears, but Olivia didn't know what those were.

Janie cringed. "That's Emma Hoffman. Lizzy said that she got in an accident when she was super little, and now she's weird."

"Emma Hoffman?"

"Yeah, and she's weird."

"She seems fine to me." Olivia shrugged and walked towards Emma, taking a deep breath. "Hey, that ball is ours."

Emma seemed un-phased, until she caught Olivia from the corner of her eye. "Oh! I'm sorry, is this yours?" Emma nervously put that ball down and made signs with her hands, towards the signs got more fragmented, though.

"Yeah, but its ok!" Olivia laughed. "Wanna play with us?"

Emma gasped. "I'd love to!"

Olivia took Emma's hand. "Come with me then!"

The two walked delightedly, until Janie stood in front of them with hands on her hips and a large pout. "What are you doing with HER?" Janie sneered. "I told you, that she's weird."

"Nu-uh" Olivia protested. "Emma is very nice."

Janie growled. "But I don't want her to play with us!"

Emma stiffened, looking at the ground and sniffling silently.

Olivia frowned. "Then I'll play with her by myself! Come on, Emma!" She took Emma's hands and stormed off. "Don't worry Emma." Olivia said when they were alone. "I think you're very cool." 

"Th-thanks." Emma replied. "You too."