Parallels

Part 1

Niko shut off his phone alarm for the 5th time that morning, reluctantly getting out of bed and into the shower to get ready for his day. Niko hated school. He hated the idea of being confined in one space, unable to branch out into other areas, and show off his creativity the way he wanted. He also hated the way his school faced the private one across. There was said to be little difference between the two, but if you attended both, you'd know the truth. His classes were full to the brim, 30-36 students per class, the only after school activities they offered were football or book club, and the teachers were authoritive if they felt like it. Yeah, Niko hated school. He'd much rather do his own thing, but it was the law for them to attend school so he had no choice. 

Niko runs downstairs after getting ready, reading the note his mother had left him in the kitchen. She had worked a night shift last night, and was asleep, but there was a brioche in the  cupboard if he wanted one. Niko grabs a brioche and takes a bite, as he waits for Kenny to arrive. Kenny and Niko had been walking to school together for as long as he could remember. Nikos dad used to drive them, but certain circumstances meant they had to walk. He wasn't complaining though. It was like 30 minutes, but he found it relaxing. Especially if Kenny had left early, or had gone to work that afternoon and he had to walk home alone, ear buds in, shutting out the world. 

Niko is knocked from his thoughts, by his front door opening, his best friend making an appearance in the kitchen. 

"Morning, Niko," Kenny smiles at him, giving him a quick hug, before opening the cupboard to retrieve his own brioche. 

"Hey Ken," Niko smiles back. 

It had always just been him and Kenny. Kenny and Niko. Them two against the world. Niko knew he always had Kenny to fall upon, no matter what happened in their lives. They had been by each others side from Day one, and both prayed it would stay that way forever. Although being social, Niko found it hard to let people in, always expecting people to leave, it was all he was used to. Anyone he'd ever loved left him, which was definitely damaging to young Niko's mental health. All except Kenny. Kenny had never left him, even when he moved and came back, Kenny was still there, waiting for his return. Its safe to say, Kenny was one of the only people on this Earth Niko cared about, and he'd do anything to ensure his safety. 

"Ready to go," Kenny asks, his mouth full of food. 

Niko chuckles and nods, grabbing his backpack and heading out the door, dreading the day ahead. 

....

On the other side of town, Aj is awoken by his little sisters, Lana and Maya sitting across his chest. 

"Aje, Aje, wake up wake up," They cheer, smiling when their beloved big brother, rubs open his eyes. 

"Mmm, what time is it," he groans. Aj hated waking up. 

"I dunnknow , Mumma said to come wake you so we did," Lana says. 

Aj is shocked, his mother was almost never home, always on some sort of business trip with his father. Maybe they had a break between the trips, he thinks. 

"Alright, Alright I'm up," He smiles. As much as he hated being woken up, he loved his sisters with all his heart, and could never be mad at them, "Tell Mumma I'll be down in a few minutes." 

"Okay!" The twins giggle, jumping off Aj, running out the room. 

Aj sighs, and smiles to himself as he heads over to his ensuite to get ready for the day. After he is dressed and ready, he heads downstairs to his family. 

"Morning Ayaanle," His mum smiles at him as he enters the dining room.  

"Morning Mumma," Aj smiles back. Aj hated being called by his full name, he doesn't know why. Its not that he didn't like his name, it was quite the opposite really, he definitely would call one of his kids that if it wasn't his own, but he was so used to Aj and other nicknames, that Ayaanle sounded off to him. He could never be mad at his mum though, she had done too much for him and siblings, for him to ever go off at her.