The Santa Clauses: Santa's Little Helper (Bernard x Female Reader)

The Shoes Off The Bed Clause

Today, winter break has ended and Clementine was off to her first day of school... if we can even get her out of the house that is. Bernard bundled her up in a giant thick coat, a hat, earmuffs, mittens, and scarf.

"Dad, I don't need all these layers. It's 2 below outside." Clementine muffled into her scarf, holding her arms up as Bernard tucks her pant sleeves in her boots so she won't get snow in them.

"It's just a precaution." Bernard said. "But I can't put my arms down." Clementine muffled, Bernard looks up and attempts to put her arms down but they would just flop back up. "You can put your arms down when you get to school." Bernard said and Clementine groans.

"Bernard, she'll be fine. She just needs her coat. Beside, how is she even gonna get all that off when she gets to school?" I asked and Bernard paused for a moment.

"Hmm... you might have a point." He muttered and begins unraveling the scarf, wrapped around Clementine's head. I'm gonna be so late." Clementine muffled.

Eventually we managed to get Clementine to school in time. We wave goodbye to our daughter as she enters the school. "What if the other kids are mean to her?" Bernard asked me.

"These kids? They look like they walked out of a Disney Channel movie. She'll be fine. Trust me." I assured him.

3rd Person P.O.V
Clementine shuffled through the crowded hallway, looking completely lost. As she looks around for directions, someone ran by bumps into her, making her bump into someone else, who drops their backpack.

The backpack was unzip and the items inside scattered onto the floor. "Oh! I'm so, so, so, sorry!" Clementine exclaimed, dropping to the floor and begins frantically picking up the items. "It's okay." The student said, getting down on the floor as well to gather the items.

They both each for a book at the same time and their hands touch. Clementine looks up at the student she ran into and froze, getting their weird feeling in the pit of her stomach.

The student had medium length black hair with blue ends, dark brown eyes, and tanned skin tone. They were wearing a red zipped up hoodie with a white shirt shirt poking out a little on top, blue jeans, and black & white shoes.

"Are you okay?" They asked Clementine, who continued staring at them. "...I... uh... what?" Clementine asked, wanting to slap herself. "Are you okay?" They asked again.

"Oh yeah! Yeah, yeah, yeah! You're pretty. I-I mean, I'm pretty! GOOD that is! I'm good." Clementine stammered, flashing an awkward, nervous smile. The students laughs and Clementine felt as if her heart just took a gigantic leap in her chest.

They gather up the rest of the drop items and and the student packs them back in their bag. "I'm Lake." They said. "But your backpack says Vanessa." Clementine pointed out, looking at the name tag that looks pretty old. The school bag was wore down and looked to be several years old, possibly Lake first got it when they were a child.

"Oh, that's my deadname." Lake said and Clementine tilted her head a little. "Deadname? What's that?" She asked. "It's my birth name but I don't go by it anymore." Lake replied, zipping up their bag and standing up.

"Why?" Clementine asked, standing up as well. "Well, because I don't identify as she/her. I'm nonbinary." Lake explained and Clementine stares at them confused. "You don't know what that is either do you?" Lake asked and Clementine shook her head.

Lake giggles. "It's okay, I'll explain it." They said and Clementine smiles. "You're new here aren't you? What's your schedule?" Lake asked. "Oh uh..." Clementine muttered, reaching into bed pocket to take out the folded up piece of paper.