Fight for them.

ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ɴɪɴᴇ

The first day came far quicker than Elara expected. The night before felt chaotic, loud, but filled with anticipation. She had managed to keep her nerves in check all evening, but as the hours ticked away, the weight of it all was creeping in.

It was 7:30, and Elara had made the final call, Wesley and Tyson would be in bed by 8:00. The older two had until 9:30, but even though they seemed quieter than usual, the reality of tomorrow settled in. The kitchen was lit softly, a warm glow spilling over the packed lunches on the counter.

"Alright, if you guys are hungry, grab something now," she called over her shoulder, closing the fridge where the lunchboxes sat neatly. Her voice was steady, but she could feel the crackle of anxiety beneath the surface. She was proud of them, excited even, but something about sending them off to school left her uneasy. It wasn't the school itself—it was the idea of them finally being apart, the fact that they all wouldn't be watching over each other.

Wesley, as usual, broke the silence. "Are we going to school tomorrow?" His voice was small, laced with that mix of curiosity and fear only a kid could master. Elara had noticed his excitement had changed since the "meet your teacher" day she could tell he was scared.

"She already told you yes Wes! Don't you remember?" Tyson scolded but in a way that he usually did so no one took offense.

Wesley shrugged. "Maybe she was jus' kidding?" He shrugged .

Elara smirked as she leaned against the counter, folding her arms. "No jokes this time, buddy. You're going."

Wesley's expression faltered, his fingers tracing the edge of his cup of milk. "But... are you sure you can't come? Or can Carson and Hunter come to my class?" His voice was barely a whisper, and that hit her harder than she'd anticipated.

She sighed softly, pushing herself away from the counter. In a few steps, she was kneeling in front of him, her hands wrapping around his. "I wish I could, Wes. You know I would. But listen..." She gave his hands a gentle squeeze, her voice soft but firm. "Tomorrow is going to be great. You're going to make new friends, have fun, and Sheeah will be there too. Remember?"

Wesley's eyes stayed downcast. "But I'll miss you..."

The simple statement caused a pang in her chest. She wasn't usually one to get emotional, but this? This was harder than she thought. Adria had warned her but she didn't believe her. "I'll miss you too, kiddo. But you've got Tyson with you. You'll see him at lunch, and at recess. It'll be like you're not even apart." She brushed his hair back gently. "You're gonna do great."

"But what if I don't like it?" Wesley muttered, still not convinced. His hands trembled slightly in hers, and it broke her heart to see him so worried.

Elara leaned forward, pressing her forehead against his. "Then we'll figure it out, okay? But I think you're going to love it. You're braver than you know." She pulled back and smiled, trying to meet his eyes. "C'mere," she hugged him. "You've got this, okay? I promise."

Wesley sniffled, rubbing at his eyes. "Okay..." His voice was a little steadier now, though she could see the fear still lingering in his expression.

By the time bedtime rolled around, the house had finally quieted. Elara found herself sitting at the edge of Tyson's bed, gently taking his glasses from him. "Alright, lights out, bud. Big day tomorrow."

Tyson handed over his glasses with a tired smile. "I know. Night. Love you."

"Love you too, Ty."

Then she moved to Wesley, who had already curled up under the covers, Lua ltucked tightly under his arm. "Goodnight, Wes."