Brave

Switching leaders

"What was that?Finn?" Asked Elise calmly,which made Finn more afraid of her.
"I,I don't know.He just started yelling at me when I told him he didn't have the job." He spoke quickly and in a terrified tone.
Elise rolled her eyes.
"Well,it's over now. Why don't we go and pack for school? We can do it together.We need to be ready by next week."
"Your right. We should pack." Agreed Finn nodding.

The next day after school they met at the detention centre. Unlocking it they went in.Everything was just as they left it.
"I wrote a book with all our rules and policies for them to follow." Said Finn waving a book in the air.Elise looked at him weirdly.
"When did you write that?" She questioned looking anxious.
"Last night.Don't worry Elise.It covers everything.Every rule we made up. Every procedure.Even the timetable we follow with the kids." Finn replied with a nod of his head.
"We need to meet Mia and Toby,they should be here really soon."
There was a polite rap at the door before it opened. Mia was dressed in a yellow shirt with dungarees and her brown curly hair was in a ponytail.Toby was wearing jeans and a checked soft shirt. He hitched his glasses further up his nose.Both were wearing trainers on their feet. They made their way over to where Finn and Elise were standing.
"Hi,Mia,Toby. Welcome to the detention centre. We wanted to explain a few things to you before you started the job. Firstly,you need to take a register.This place is free and it's a non compulsory place so don't worry if a kid is here one day and not another.Then you need to understand that the kids who come here,some of them do do homework but a lot of them use it as a social spot,a place to meet with their friends.You need to let them do this. "Finn took a breath.
"Every Friday we set them a test.They're all trying to get 100% on this test so they always try their hardest. We put questions on the paper that are more than we can do. We write the tests the Monday before we give them to the kids.Then we confer on answers. "Elise says before Finn takes back over.
"As soon as everyone is here and no one else is coming through the door,it takes about 20 minuets, do the register. Lots of the kids are friends with each other so if one person isn't here just ask if anyone's seen them.We give the tests back on Friday's usually. Now,fire safety,we have a fire blanket and extinguisher by the door.Keep the door open at all times so the kids don't feel trapped and so you get a breeze otherwise you'll cook! We'll give you keys in a few minutes.Umm is there any questions you have?"Finn asked
"Aside from homework what do the kids here do?" Asked Mia.
"They play games like card games,colouring in,some like to read and others will just study and go over what they learnt in class.You should ensure you can explain everything and if not google is a great help."Elise said with a grin.
"Right,you were talking about kids.How many are we expecting?" Asked Toby
"Usually we have about 30 at once but they don't always stay the entire time and some don't want to go home.We can't do anything about what they experiances at home but we try to provide a safe place here at the centre.Oh,I forgot to mention the lockup's round the back.There's a lot of kids coming on bike or skateboard.They bring their own locks but that's where they should put them."
Both Mia and Toby nodded. Elise glanced at Finn.
"Don't worry about joining in with the kids.That's what we did.We had one person playing with the kids and the other helping over at the homework table. Everything is labelled.All the draws and the supplies are in draws that have labels."Declared Finn pointing at a set of draws sat beside the table.
"Any other questions?"Elise asked.
Toby looked at Mia.She shook her head.
"Um no." Toby's voice was high.
"We want to give you these two things.One is the keys to this place.You'll each have a key,don't loose it. And the other thing is this." Finn passed the book he was holding to Mia.
"What is it?" Asked Mia.
"It's a list of the rules and procedures that happen in this place.None of the kids will break them as they made them but don't let them take the chance to. I think that's everything.We put up posters last week telling of the new people who would run this place. The kids are excited don't let them down, and don't let us down."Finn added looking serious.
"Yeah,this place is a place for them,the kids, to chill. Don't blow it and good luck.Here are your keys." Elise passed them two black boxes."You start tomorrow."

Toby walked away from the detention centre with Mia. They only went a short way before he had to converse with her.
"Hi,I don't know if they told you but I'm Toby.Who are you?"
"I'm Mia. I didn't know. I really like kids why don't we sit at a cafe,get a drink and read through these rules and procedures?Then we both know them."
"Are you nervous for tomorrow?"
"Uh,yeah! I bet I'll be weird and super bad."
They reached a Costa. Mia held open the door.
"After you?" She grinned at him.

A month later they were sitting down with the kids giving back the tests.
"Wow!You are much nicer markers than Elise or Finn!" Said a shocked Ellie upon receiving a high grade.
"Do we need to mark you harder?" Asked Mia."We will if you want us to."
"No,but you need to give us harder questions.You've no idea how easy these are to us now."
Mia shared a look with Toby.
"We'll get on it,right Tobes?"
"Definitely M."
They were happy and the kids they were looking after we're happy.

Two weeks later, Finn and Elise stood at the airport trying to catch the flight to New York.
"Ok,our plane lands at 5 pm but it takes off at 3pm.Where are we staying?" Asked Finn
"At my aunt Zoe's house. She has two daughters and a son. The family all do ballet. It's perfect for us. They're going to meet us at the airport."

Once they were in New York they got off the plane and went down the steps. Eventually their bags came round on the carousel.
"Hey Elise over here!" Called Finn spotting their bags.He hurried forward to grab them. Elise's big pink suitcase and his big black hold-all.
"Come on.We need to go and find my family."
As soon as they entered the waiting area Finn smiled. There sitting on a luggage trolley was a man with dark hair and a woman with light brown hair who was wearing a pretty dress.
"Aunt Zoe!Uncle Felix! Hiii!" Called Elise running forward dragging Finn behind her. He stood back as Elise hugged her uncle and aunt but they brought him into the hug all the same.
"Pleasure to meet you, young man." Said Felix with a smile.
"My name is Finley but you can call me Finn.Everyone does!"
"Nice to meet you Finn." Aunt Zoe said warmly."Come on guys the kids are wanting to meet you!"
They followed the adults to the car where the kids were waiting. A boy looked a lot like Finn and the girls looked a lot like Elise.
"Hi!" They cried with glee."We want you to come and live with us!"
"Well,"Elise turned to look at Finn and smiled."That's what's going to happen"

6 months later

Backstage Elise struggled into a tutu as Finn did up his best ballet shoes.

"We are gonna rock this.We wanted it for so long.And your family going to see it!" Finn said in excitement.
"I know.We have to give the best performance ever." Grinned Elise.
The curtain rose and they went onstage.