𝐏𝐔𝐃𝐃𝐋𝐄𝐒 | ✍︎︎

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟴

I shove everything I had gotten a week ago with Ezrah in my backpack, all tags having been taken off.

I look back to my books I had bought, putting Where the Crawdads Sing into my bag as well.

Everything is organized, and I'm up way too early.

I open my door, taking the stairs slowly.

Once I reach the end of the stairs, I rush to the dining room, where Coco and Antonio sit, Zara leaning against the island.

I tense seeing Zara, and decide not to look at him. I can't shake the thought of his eyes raging with anger, punching Usok.

"Ready for your first day?" Coco asks excitedly, having eaten all his breakfast and waiting for Antonio to as well.

I nod, sitting at the seat with my familiar breakfast smoothie.

Apparently, it's for people with eating disorders, which I don't think I have. I refuse to believe it. 

I used my laptop to look up what they were, and although they seemed familiar I refuse to believe I have one.

I just can't eat, what's the need to put a label on it?

The smoothies are good, thankfully, so I have no trouble drinking them. I'm glad I can also finish it in the car on the way to school, like Usok had told me.

"Good, because I am too." Coco nods, but I can see the grimace on his face.

Usok comes from the kitchen, holding my lunch box and another one in his hand. He hands one to Coco, and the other to me.

"Be good." He says to Coco, pressing a kiss to his head.

Usok turns to me, "You'll be okay."

He kisses the top of my head like he did Cocos, who scoffs.

"How come you have such little faith in me?! I get a be good and she gets a you'll be okay?!" I giggle, watches as Coco shoves his lunch box into his backpack.

I place mine gently inside, putting all the zippers on the right side, away from my water bottle so it will be easier to open.

With the knowledge the teacher know not to call on me, seeing as I know little asl and don't speak, I'm not as worried as I would've been.

"Come on, school time." Usok nods toward the door, leading me away from the dining room as Antonio starts to talk calmly to Coco, who seems uncharacteristically panicked.

We walk out the door, outside, and into the car.

I'm not forgetting anything, although my arms feel empty without Puddles and Socks accompanying them.

"You'll probably forget about fourth grade, but listen to me." Usok turns to face me from the drivers seat.

"You are strong, you are nice, you are an amazing person. Some people are mean, and there might be some of those people there. I want you to tell me if they are, because the school needs to make sure they don't hurt anyone else. If you see someone being mean to someone else, tell one of the teachers. You are not snitching if its for somebody's wellbeing."