The Kingdom Lights

4

May 5th, 2016

"I'm going to kill someone if I have to do one more math problem today." Jaxon collapsed onto the grass as the fifth graders of Bell Academy went out for recess after lunch.

Christopher laughed at his dramatic friend, collapsing down next to him. "I know!" He groaned. "I can't believe we had two tests on my birthday!"

"At least we get to have a killer party tonight!" Jaxon cheered as their friends approached.

Jaxon and Christopher met as soon as Christopher moved to New York. They ended up on the same club lacrosse team and were instant best friends. The rest of the gang came along when they started school at Bell Academy.

"Christo!" Their friend, Hanson, dramatically collapsed next to them, half on Christopher's lap, half on Jaxon's. "Big party today!"

"Oh yeah." The young boy chuckled. "My mom put it together. It's going to be-"

A ball soared into the middle of their group, catching them all of off guard as it slammed to the ground. Hanson, thrown off guard, jerked up and out of their laps. Jaxon got to his feet as well, looking around for the culprit.

The culprit was none other than little Avery Larkin.

The fifth graders and the kindergartners had lunch and recess around the same time, making it so that there was some crossover. Although the kindergartners never really messed with the fifth graders. Until they kicked a soccer ball at them.

"Dude! What are you doing?!" Hanson was ready to square up.

That pulled Christopher's attention and he scrambled to his feet to hold his friend back.

"Hanson! She's five!" Jaxon exclaimed, pushing Hanson back. Christopher pushed him back farther, the two best friends effectively putting themselves between the angry fifth grader and Avery.

"I'm six!" She countered, hands on her hips. Jaxon and Christopher recoiled at the display of attitude.

Christopher leaned forward, kneeling down to Avery's level. He really wasn't that much taller than her, but it was alway easier to talk to smaller kids when you could look them directly in the eye.

"I'm sorry about my friends." He smiled, sticking out his hand. "I'm Christopher Swift."

The younger girl shook his hand with a shockingly firm grasp that she'd learned from her father. "I'm Avery Imogen Larkin."

"Nice name kid." He shook her hand again before letting go. "Did you kick that ball?"

She shook her head. She was clearly uncomfortable around the group of olde boys, but seemed o find Christopher the most inviting of the group. It was as if they shared an unspoken bond as children of former teen parents.

"My friend Bea." She pointed to another kid across the field standing in the middle of a group of kindergartners.

Christopher chuckled as he watched Avery look around before leaning in closer. "They're all scared of fifth graders." She loudly whispered back.

"Well you know what, I'm kind of scared of kindergartners." He whispered back, just as loudly.

Avery giggled, obviously thrilled to be treated so well by one of the top dogs at school. Especially after Roy had come out swinging.

Jaxon squatted down next to them, a bright grin plastered across his face as well as he held out the soccer ball. "Hey there, sorry I called you five years old. I'm Jaxon Hayes." She smiled, feeling more comfortable in both Christopher and Jaxon's friendly presence. "Here's your ball back."