His Darling (ON HOLD)

Prologue: History

"Like a wave out on the ocean, I will always come right back to you" - Hunter Hayes

OCTOBER, 2001
HELL'S KITCHEN, NEW YORK

"But dad, no one's gonna like me here."

"Mikayla, I know going to a different school than what you're used to is going to be hard. But I'm sure you can make plenty of friends here."

"But dad, I don't want friends here. I want my friends back in Mitchigan!"

"Sweetheart, I wish we could go back to Michigan, but you know we can't."

"Why not?"

"Because we need to start over. And New York is a good place to start over. Can you at least try for me?" The little girl nodded sadly, to which her father hugged her tightly.

"I love you, Kay. You know that, right?"

"Yes, daddy."

"Good." With that, the girl's dad kissed her on the forehead before handing her over to her 4th grade teacher to go to class. With one more goodbye from both her father and sister, the girl took her teacher's hand and walked with him to class.

"Boys and girls," her teacher announced, "we have a new student joining us today all the way from Traverse City, Michigan! Why don't you come on in and introduce yourself, dear?"

The girl shyly walked in, clad in a bright pink shirt, blue jean overalls, white sneakers, and her long, honey blonde hair pulled back into a high ponytail. She couldn't keep still once she got to the front of the classroom, her eyes glued to the tiled floor or at her new classmates' feet rather than their faces.

"M-my name is... uh... my na-name is... Mika... kay... Mi-Mikayla.... Ho-Howard. Ni-nice to meet you." Everyone in the class chimed back their hellos, most of them holding back laughter.

"Alright everyone," the teacher boomed, "It's time for everyone to partner up so we can start our new science project. I'll let you guys decide who you want to be with, but I'm giving you five minutes to figure it out."

Everyone began to scurry around the room, finding all of their friends to partner up with. Mikayla mustered up enough courage to go and talk to a girl with bright red hair, trying to find herself a partner.

"Um... do you mind being my partner?"

"Why would I want to be partners with someone who can't talk right?" she spat, "U-uh, my-my na-name is Mi-Michel-a a-and I-I'm fro-from Mi-Mitchigan! You've gotta be kidding!" At this, all of the red head's friends laughed at Mikayla, not caring that she did nothing wrong.

"My name is Mikayla and I'm from Mitchigan!" she quivered.

"Oh, I'm sorry, should I call you Monster Girl instead?" Everyone kept laughing, pointing their fingers at her and calling her Monster Girl over and over again. Mikayla started to have tears well up in her eyes, looking at the ground to try and hide them.

"Would you guys leave her alone?" A black hair, brown-eyed boy asked, pushing himself through the crowd. At the sight of him, the red-head began to swoon along with all the girls surrounding her. And Mikayla couldn't blame them. He was the John Stamos of the 4th grade!

"Aww, but Maxie," she whined, "we've gotta break the new girl in one way or another."

"Leave her alone, Alexa," he snapped, not caring how she was trying to sweet talk him into letting her have her way.

"You're no fun, Maxie. We're just trying to have a little fun."

"Well find fun somewhere else." With that, he pulled Mikayla away from the crowd and over to what seemed to be his desk.