Second Chances

Thursday

  Sadie waited patiently outside of her elementary as her classmates went home one by one. It had been ten minutes now since school got out and there was no sign of either of her parents.

  Today was her very first day of third grade. Sadie had been so excited that even though her own parents weren't there to send her off, she still wanted to have a good day. Now though?

  Now she was sat beside her teacher waiting for her mom, or dad to show up. Her mismatched eyes filled with tears as another ten minutes go by without a single car pulling up. Sadie listened to her teacher sigh and lets her lead her back inside by her hand. Tears now freely running down her cheeks.

  They enter the office and the front desk woman looks up. She made a sad face at Sadie and sighs herself.

"Same thing, different year." Sadie stayed silent as the office lady called one of her parents. It wasn't long before a car came speeding to a stop in front of the school, signifying Sadie's departure.

  She got into the backseat of her mom's car and silently buckles up, her bag resting on the floor by her feet. The car lurched forward, jerking Sadie against the seatbelt as it took off. She grunted uncomfortably at the impact and her eyes find her mom's seething ones in the rear view mirror.

"Next time you'll have to walk brat."

———

    Axel woke up early. He stays dressed in his comfy clothes and leaves his room. He stops by Sadie's room and peaks in to check on her. His brows furrow as he sees her blankets all messy and not even close to covering her anymore.

Slowly approaching the bed he shushes Dahlia as she meows at him quietly from the end of the bed. Fixing Sadie's blankets to be covering her properly he kisses her head and leaves her room as quiet as he came in.

  Axel lounges on his couch reading for a few hours before Sadie's sleepy form came down from the hall. She had Dahlia cutely tucked in her arms and Sadie yawns as she gets closer.

——-

"Good morning sweetness. How'd you sleep?" Sadie sits beside Axel and cuddles into his side, smiling as he lands a kiss on her head.

"Good, you?" Sadie rhythmically pets Dahlia as she closes her eyes, leaning against Axel. She relaxes further as Axel's hand starts gently rubbing her head.

"I slept well."

"That's good." The three stay cuddling on the couch for some time longer. Sadie spies the wall clock showing 6:24 and knows she's gotta get ready for school. Looking up at Axel she pokes his arm, gaining the attention of his hazel eyes.

"Will...you help me pick out my outfit..?" Sadie didn't see Axel's happily surprised face, as she was too busy shyly avoiding looking his way. She heard his chuckle however and turns around as his hand ruffles her hair.

"I'd love to sweets. Only if you'll help me afterwards of course." Sadie nods, excitedly taking Axel to her room with Dahlia still in her arms. She places Dahlia on her bed and opens her closet doors before stepping back and looking in.

"How about something green?" Axel holds up a green romper dress with pockets and a white fluffy looking cover up to match. Sadie grabs them and shoos Axel from her room to change. She pulls on her black and white adidas and looks over herself in her dresser mirror. With a smile, Sadie pulls open the door and gives Axel a little spin.

"Very pretty sweets." Next they find themselves in Axel's room, looking through his clothes. Sadie already had a plan in mind, she wants to match with Axel. Unfortunately, Axel didn't own much of anything that was colored green.