Autumn Pines - A Lava AU

We're Gonna Be Friends - 2

"First day of first grade!" Lilly chirped, snapping a picture of Cole and Kai who were standing on the sidewalk dressed in their finest school clothes, well...as fine as you can get for first graders. Cole had on a simple black and grey striped hoodie with some jeans, while Kai had a fire engine red t-shirt with orange stars, and a pair of black shorts. Both of them held lunchboxes in their hands, and backpacks on their backs. Kai was beaming with excitement, while poor Cole was shaking like a leaf, already looking like he wanted to go home.

"Aren't they just precious?" Maya awed, snapping a picture of the boys as well. "Oh, they grow up so fast."

"Mom! Do you know who our new teacher is?" Kai asked, taking Maya's hand as the group walked to school together. "Brandon, one of the big kids, said that the first-grade teacher is like, really mean and she's secretly a witch in disguise!"

"Wh-What?" Cole whimpered, eyes widening in fear.

"Kai quit scaring Cole. Number one, that teacher retired last year, and number two, she was not a witch in disguise. Although I wouldn't be surprised if she was..."

"Wasn't that Mrs. Freeman?" Lilly asked, looking over to Maya.

"Yes, it was. She was the meanest lady I had ever come across. She made PTA meetings a nightmare," Maya sighed, shaking her head. "Although I heard that the new first-grade teacher is really nice. I think her name is Mrs. Scott. So, there is absolutely nothing for you boys to worry about."

"I wonder if she gives out candy like the kindergarten teacher," Cole mumbled. "I liked Mr. Kieth, he was real nice."

"I don't know, you'll have to wait and see," Lilly replied as they came upon the front door of the elementary school. The two ladies walked the boys into the building, showing them the first-grade classroom. They talked to the teacher a bit, while Cole stayed behind. Kai however was exploring the entire classroom, poking his head into closets, investigating the cubbies, looking at all of the books they had in the classroom library, he was having a real ball. Maya had to tell him multiple times not to get into things he shouldn't, but he did anyway. Eventually it came time for school to start, so both ladies kissed their boys goodbye and walked down the hallway waving. Kai leaned out the door, waving goodbye excitedly. Cole however didn't go into the classroom alongside Kai. Instead, he stood outside the door fiddling with his hands, he looked like he wanted to cry.

When Kai noticed that Cole wasn't walking into the classroom with him, he worried. "What's wrong Cole?" he asked, both confused and worried. Why didn't want to go into the classroom with him? Was something wrong?

Cole sniffled, hiding his face from Kai as a few tears slid down his cheeks. "I'm scared Kai," he whimpered as he began to cry. "I don't wanna go in there."

"Hey, it's okay! Don't cry!" Kai comforted, giving Cole a hug. "Why are you scared? Mrs. Scott seems really nice!"

Cole shrugged as they broke the hug. "I don't know..." he mumbled, wiping his tears away with his fists. However more just kept coming. "I just am. What if the new teacher is like, really mean? What if the kids don't like me, and start to pick on me? What if- what if-" Cole couldn't even finish his sentence as more tears came to his eyes. The poor thing was so scared.

Kai looked down, trying to think of a way he could comfort his friend. Suddenly, his eyes lit up as he got his answer. "Do you wanna hold my hand?"

"Wh-What?"

"Well, whenever I'm scared, my mom always holds my hand," Kai held his hand out for Cole to take it. "Do you wanna hold my hand so you won't be so scared?"

Cole stared at it for a little bit, before accepting. "O-Okay..." he sniffled as he wiped his tears away again, taking Kai's hand in his.

"Feel better?" Kai asked once he took Cole's hand.

Cole nodded. "Mhm...thank you..."

Kai gave Cole a bright smile as they walked into the classroom together. Although Cole was still pretty scared, he felt safer knowing that Kai was there with him. Maybe, this year wouldn't be so bad?